20 trucks at store, Sears Roebuck & Company, Mr. Moore. Trucks from L.M. Jezek Trucking are lined up in the parking lot at Sears, Roebuck and Company. They were used to transfer merchandise from the local Sears store to Seattle. A labor dispute had kept ten Tacoma stores closed for more than five weeks and no progress was being made as to the opening of the retail department stores. Several men are standing out of the rain under the overhang on the key maker's station.(T.Times, 9/16/1948, p.13) TPL-9609

Sears, Roebuck & Co. (Tacoma); Department stores--Tacoma--1940-1950; Trucks--Tacoma--1940-1950; Retail trade strikes--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Mr. Fitpold at switchboard at Peoples Store, Times, Frank Herbert. Mr. William P. Fitpold, president of the department store, has traded positions with Mildred Davis, the store's switchboard operator, during the two-day Women's days event at the store. Mrs. Davis was elected by her co-workers to serve as president during the event.

Peoples (Tacoma); Fitpold, William P.; Davis, Mildred; Women--Tacoma--1940-1950; Department stores--Tacoma--1940-1950; Business people--Tacoma--1940-1950; Sexism--Tacoma--1940-1950;

William P. Fitpold, president of the Peoples department store, at 1101 Pacific Ave., struggled with the store's switchboard in this photograph from November 1946. Twice a year, during their Women's Days sales, Peoples' officers and managers were demoted and the women employees took over all the management positions held by men. Because Mildred Davis, the store's regular operator, was elected president by the staff, Mr. Fitpold had to take over her regular duties while she ran the store. (T. Times 11-11-1948 p.11) Times, Frank Herbert

Peoples (Tacoma); Fitpold, William P.; Department stores--Tacoma--1940-1950; Business people--Tacoma--1940-1950; Telephone switchboards--Tacoma--1940-1950; Telephone operators--Tacoma--1940-1950;

In 1948 the Peoples department store chain had an empire of twelve stores. For two days, starting on November 12, 1948, Mildred Davis became president of the Peoples Empire during the semi-annual Women's Day. On these two days, women took over all executive positions. Mrs. Davis, who worked as the company's switchboard operator, was elected by her co-workers to be president and general manager. William P. Fitpold, the real president and general manager, shows plans and duties to Mrs. Davis. (TNT, 11/11/1948, p.2)

Peoples (Tacoma); Department stores--Tacoma--1940-1950; Davis, Mildred; Fitpold, William P.; Events--Tacoma--1940-1950; Business people--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Metropolitan Chain Stores were a department store located in Tacoma's downtown shopping district. Metropolitan offered their customers a wide variety of services, including key making and a luncheonette cafeteria with daily specials; Metropolitan's store manager was Walter M. Arnold. View of window display featuring "Advance" dress patterns and 15 cent underwear sale.

Department stores--Tacoma; Fabric shops--Tacoma; Merchandise displays--Tacoma; Window displays; Sewing equipment & supplies; Sewing--Tacoma; Patterns (Design elements); Metropolitan Chain Stores (Tacoma);

The Relle Scatter-Pin Ring, a new innovation in the world of jewelry, was introduced to Tacomans at Fisher's Department Store in November 1949. It was a ring-pin combination; the wearer could choose to add a scatter pin to the ring, twisting securely to make a dinner ring. The creator, Norman Carr, designed brilliant stone-studded scatter pins which could be worn alone, or used in the creation of stuning dinner rings. (photo taken for Marian Wood, Fisher's Jewelry Dept.) (TNT, 11/27/1949, p.A-15)

Department Stores--Tacoma--1940-1950; Fisher's Department Store (Tacoma); Merchandise displays--Tacoma--1940-1950; Jewelry; Rings;

Employees of Sears, Roebuck & Co. attended a banquet held at the Top of the Ocean in October, 1950. The photograph commissioned by Mr. Moore of Sears Roebuck showed the head table with amusing signs and slogans.

Sears, Roebuck & Co. (Tacoma)--People--1950-1960; Group portraits--1950-1960; Signs (Notices);

Santa Claus has joined a group from Puget Sound National Bank at Fisher's Toy Department. The group have gathered for their portrait at "Santa's Western Home". Ordered by Puget Sound National Bank, Bob Gordon.

Department Stores--Tacoma--1940-1950; Fisher's Department Store (Tacoma); Bankers--Tacoma; Puget Sound National Bank (Tacoma)--People;

Unidentified speaker addressing large crowd at the June, 1951, opening ceremonies for three-tier parking lot at Sears, Roebuck and Co. downtown store. The new Sears building occupied nearly three acres and contained direct openings on each level to the street(s). The new concrete parking garage could hold 500 cars. Mayor John Anderson participated in the formal opening of the garage. (TNT 6-6-51, B-2, B-6 articles)

Sears, Roebuck & Co. (Tacoma); Parking garages--Tacoma--1950-1960; Building dedications--Tacoma--1950-1960;

The opening ceremony of Sears Roebuck and Company's new triple deck parking garage was held June 7, 1951. Several weeks of extensive construction activity by Woodworth and Company completed the project in record time. The 50' by 100' Sears Farm Store building was razed in January 1951 to make way for the garage. Central Market can be seen across the street at 1120 Market as well as Corbits Poultry at 1142 Market. Ordered by Sears Roebuck & Company, Don Anderson. (TNT, 6/6/1951, p.B-6)

Sears, Roebuck & Co. (Tacoma); Parking garages--Tacoma--1950-1960; Building dedications--Tacoma--1950-1960;

A well dressed family marches into Sears in the summer of 1951. In a photograph shot for advertising purposes, a sign denoting "New lower down payments" on household appliances is prominently displayed to attract such customers to enter the building. What appears to be a mangler with lid is selling for $124.95 and other appliances can be glimpsed close to entrances and windows. TPL-2530

Sears, Roebuck & Co. (Tacoma); Signs (Notices); Business enterprises--Tacoma--1950-1960;

A Sears, Roebuck employee demonstrates a new television console to a young Tacoma family in August, 1951. A similar television with rectangular screen is on sale for $259. Sears was having a sale on household appliances and furnishings with low down payments advertised. A sign on the wall indicates that a 15% down payments would be accepted. Several refrigerators are lined up just a few short steps away. TPL-5046

Sears, Roebuck & Co. (Tacoma); Televisions--1950-1960; Children watching television; Refrigerators; Selling--Tacoma; Sales personnel--Tacoma;

View of alley entrance to Sears, Roebuck's multi-tiered parking lot. As the large sign above the parking lot's entrance indicted, Sears offered their customers one hour of free parking from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. This was a new concept to attract more customers to Sears; even in the summer of 1951, downtown parking was at a premium and parking congestion becoming prevalent. New keys could also be made at the garage's entrance with only a minute's delay.

Sears, Roebuck & Co. (Tacoma); Parking garages--Tacoma; Parking lots--Tacoma--1950-1960; Signs (Notices);

Fisher's is installing an escalator inside their department store. Plywood has been used to surface the outside of the opening where the escalator will be placed. Supporting columns and various pipes are seen outside the area enclosed by plywood. Counters are filled with children's hats and clothing. A sign points the way to infant's wear, girls wear, infants furniture and toyland. A sales area with a cash register is seen in the center by one of the columns.

Department stores--Tacoma; Fisher's Department Store (Tacoma); Escalators--Tacoma;

Interior exposure of mannequin and refrigerator for Sears and Roebuck. A mannequin in an apron and fold out penguins advertise the newest Coldspot refrigerator at Sears. The refrigerator has a serve shelf- bonus space in the door to store small foods, a chiller- extra cold storage for meats and a crisper and "vegedrator"- to keep fruits and vegetables firm and flavorful. All three innovations are still used on modern refrigerators.

Sears, Roebuck & Co. (Tacoma); Department stores--Tacoma--1950-1960; Refrigerators--1950-1960; Mannequins;

Samuel Ewing, president of Peoples, (with broom) and merchandise manager Fred Carleton, right, donned overalls as they prepared for the shift in stations to occur on Friday, April 22, 1938, when Peoples Store women employees took over operations and administrative duties for the day. This semiannual custom was taken very seriously by the women on staff. Their slogan for the day was "Planned, Manned and Jammed by Women." This year Mr. Ewing allowed the women to elect their own bosses rather than being appointed to the positions. Mary Youmans, personnel manager, was elected president for the day. (T.Times, 4/19/1938, p.14-alt. photograph).

Peoples (Tacoma); Department stores--Tacoma--1930-1940; Ewing, Samuel; Carleton, Fred;

On Friday, April 22, 1938, employees at Peoples Store will reverse roles. Women are assigned to management positions and men, including company president Samuel Ewing, (seated at left), and merchandise manager Fred Carleton, (seated at right), fill work stations held by women for the day. This role reversal was offered by Peoples twice a year, and on this occasion, the employees got to elect their own officers. The employees are, left to right, standing Evelyn Knoell, Isabelle Swanson, Helen Kiracafe, Freida Belle Worden, Elsie McDaniels, Olga Miller, Hazel Kasae, Brownie Davies & G.R. Milstead. Seated are Ewing, President elect for the day Mary Youmans, Amelia Berger and Carleton. (T.Times, 4/19/38, p 14).

Peoples (Tacoma); Department stores--Tacoma--1930-1940; Ewing, Samuel; Carleton, Fred; Youmans, Mary;

Six Sears, Roebuck employees appear to be happily gazing at a check or benefit statement from their employer in this March, 1953, photograph. D.A. Anderson, manager of Sears Tacoma, presents Connie Vaughn, newest member to the profit sharing plan, her annual statement. Sears offered profit sharing as one of their many employer-paid benefits to all regular employees after a year's employment. A poster on the wall behind the employees shows some of the benefits covered by the company; besides profit sharing, these included paid vacation and holidays, group life insurance, group hospitalization and employee discounts. A second poster displays a map locating Sears retail and factory stores nationwide and indicates the possibility for unlimited advancement. (TNT 3-7-53, p. 7)

Sears, Roebuck & Co. (Tacoma)--Employees--1950-1960; Employee fringe benefits; Posters; Anderson, D.A.; Vaughn, Connie;

Celebrating J.C. Penney's 11th anniversary at its downtown Tacoma store with a huge cake are, left to right: Ella York, M. J. Keeley, Esther Sahlin, Frank Walsh, Myrtle Hodge, Louise Kretchmann, and Verona Howard. Six of the seven employees pictured above have been with the store since its opening in 1927. Mrs. York is in alterations, Mr. Keeley is the assistant manager, Miss Sahlin of the silk department, Mr. Walsh is a janitor, Mrs. Hodge of the boys department, Mrs. Kretchmann of coats, and Mrs. Howard is the personnel director. An employees party was held at The Firs to celebrate the event. (T. Times 10/20/1938, p. 9).

J.C. Penney Co. (Tacoma); Anniversaries--Tacoma; Cakes--Tacoma;

Weisfield's Jewelers, exterior exposure of the entire store front. This six story brick building was built in 1890 and designed by Pickles & Sutton, architects. Its original tenant was the Holmes and Bull Furniture Co., followed by the Orpheum Theatre, a vaudeville house, in 1904. In 1906, the Theatre closed and the building was remodeled into offices and called the J.J. Roberts Building. Various stores occupied the building including S.A. Andrews Co.(in 1920) and Pessemier's Bootery (in 1936.) The building was modernized in 1938 and occupied by Weisfield and Goldberg Jewelers. The store front was altered again in 1941, under the direction of Pearson & Richards, architects.

Department stores--Tacoma; Window displays; Home furnishings stores--Tacoma; Merchandise displays--Tacoma; Weisfield's, Inc. (Tacoma); Jewelry stores--Tacoma--1950-1960;

The Sears store, ordered by Fairchild Publications. The entrance to the service station can be seen at the rear of the building. Elevated parking center at 1140-50 Court C.

Sears, Roebuck & Co. (Tacoma); Department stores--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Two buses are stopped at the corner of 11th and Pacific in front of Peoples Store to pick up passengers in early February of 1939. Modern bus transportation had replaced the old streetcar system in mid-1938. There were now 95 up-to-date buses operated by the Tacoma Rail & Power system in the city. Routes operated over 76 miles of Tacoma streets carrying 35,000 passengers daily. A group of people dressed in suits and coats prepare to cross Pacific where the old streetcar tracks and brick pavers are visible. (T. Times, 2/8/1939, p. 21-alt. photograph, p. 22-article).

Peoples (Tacoma); Department stores--Tacoma--1930-1940; Buses--Tacoma--1930-1940; Mass transit--Tacoma--1930-1940;

Fred Carleton, vice president of the Peoples Store. See T1030 image #1 for Carleton's wife Sylvania and son Alvin. Peoples Store was located at 1101-1107 Pacific Ave. It opened in 1895 and closed in 1983. The Carletons had recently relocated from Wilkes-Barre, Pa., to Tacoma. (T. Times 9/16/1937, pg. 12)

Peoples (Tacoma); Carleton, Fred;

This photograph, taken on November 17, 1937, shows the Fisher's department store on the corner of 11th and Broadway. Designed by Frederick Heath, and built in 1905 by the Stone-Fisher Company, it was the home to Fisher's until they were taken over by the Bon Marche. The Bon Marche occupied the building from 1952 to 1964 when they moved to the Tacoma Mall. Today the main part of the building is occupied by the Columbia Bank-Broadway Plaza Branch. (T. Times)

Department stores--Tacoma--1930-1940; Clothing stores--Tacoma; Fisher's Department Store (Tacoma);

Women's Day Executives at Peoples Store. Seven women wearing dresses and hats gathered around table with coffee and light breakfast, featuring boxes of Kellogg's Pep cereal.

Department stores--Tacoma; Peoples (Tacoma);

Santa Claus on his throne surrounded by a crowd of children and mothers at Peoples Department Store after Santa's arrival from airport on November 24, 1939. Santa would be at the Peoples Store until his Christmas Eve gift run, speaking with the children of Tacoma and checking his naughty and nice list.

Department stores--Tacoma; Peoples (Tacoma); Santa Claus--Tacoma; Holidays--Tacoma;

Santa Claus exits his Packard automobile in the 5200 block of South Tacoma Way to greet the children who have been patiently waiting for a glimpse of him. He is on his way from the Mueller Harkins airport, where he arrived by plane, to the Peoples Store, to listen to all the kiddie's wish lists for Christmas. Santa's head can be barely seen above the sea of happy children. Sign for Crabb Drugs, 5343 South Tacoma Way, in the right background.

Peoples (Tacoma); Santa Claus--Tacoma; Holidays--Tacoma--1930-1940; Arrivals & departures--Santa Claus;

Santa Claus surrounded by children on November 24, 1939 after his arrival at Mueller-Harkins Airport. Santa will be checking his naughty and nice list at the Peoples Store.

Peoples (Tacoma); Santa Claus--Tacoma; Holidays--Tacoma--1930-1940; Arrivals & departures--Santa Claus;

ca. 1904. A window display of wedding dresses at the Rhodes Brothers Department Store, circa 1904. When Henry A. Rhodes opened his three story grand emporium at 950 Broadway in November of 1903, it quickly became famous for its lavish decorations and extensive window displays. Huge plate glass windows presented the most current fashions by seasons. The store employed a full time window trimmer and decorator, Herbert A. Foster, who had an office and studio on the third floor of the store. (Photograph donated by the Rhodes Reunion Committee) (TDL 11/8/1903, pg. 17)

Rhodes Brothers Department Store (Tacoma); Department stores--Tacoma; Wedding clothing & dress--1900-1910; Window displays--1900-1910;

ca. 1904. Rhodes Brothers store, circa 1904; window display of china. Rhodes Brothers Department Store opened at this location in 1903. Part of the appeal of the structure at 950 Broadway was its many merchandise display windows. This display was of china and small figurines. (Photograph donated by the Rhodes Reunion Committee)

Rhodes Brothers Department Store (Tacoma); Department stores--Tacoma; Tableware; Porcelain;