Staff of Clinkerdagger, Bickerstaff & Pett's Public House. In 1972, Crystal Corbin (far left) and Susan Pettit (far right) were hostesses at the new restaurant with the long name - Clinkerdagger, Bickerstaff & Pett's Public House - located on Ruston Way. Beth Pritchard (third from right) was one of the waitresses. Employees of Clinkerdagger's wore outfits reminiscent of pub fashions worn in London of the 1800's. Many of the young ladies shown above in April of 1972, shortly after the restaurant's opening, were students at the University of Puget Sound. Photograph ordered by Clinkerdagger, Bickerstaff & Pett's Public House.
Clinkerdagger, Bickerstaff & Pett's Public House (Tacoma); Restaurants--Tacoma--1970-1980; Waitresses--Tacoma--1970-1980;
View of lobby with "antique" furnishings, large brick fireplace. The young serving staff of Clinkerdagger, Bickerstaff & Pett's Public House, 3327 Ruston Way, relax in the restaurant's lobby on April 5, 1972. Many, if not all, of the waitresses and hostesses were selected from the campus of the University of Puget Sound. Crystal Corbin and Susan Pettit (both standing extreme left) share smiles with their co-workers; the wait staff wore ruffled skirts and blouses, white stockings, and caps resembling the clothing of 19th century London pub employees. Even the men employed at the newly opened establishment sported white hose, buckled shoes and ruffled shirts. Photograph ordered by Clinkerdagger, Bickerstaff & Pett's Public House.
Clinkerdagger, Bickerstaff & Pett's Public House (Tacoma); Restaurants--Tacoma--1970-1980; Waitresses--Tacoma--1970-1980;
Clinkerdagger, Bickerstaff & Pett's Public House in city's "Old Town." The "pub" style wood-framed restaurant was scheduled to open in March of 1972. It was designed by Tacoma architects Robert Billsbrough Price & Associates and built by the Rome Co. on pilings over Commencement Bay. The unusual name of the restaurant came from names common in 18th century London. The interior of the restaurant would be decorated with heavy wooden tables and sturdy tableware and employees would be dressed in the fashions of England past. The restaurant changed hands several times; in 2006, it is now called "Duke's Chowder House." Photograph ordered by Clinkerdagger, Bickerstaff & Pett's Public House. (TNT 3-12-72, D-11)
Clinkerdagger, Bickerstaff & Pett's Public House (Tacoma); Restaurants--Tacoma--1970-1980;
Clinkerdagger, Bickerstaff & Pett's Public House located at 3327 Ruston Way opened in March of 1972. The $350,000 "pub" style restaurant was built on pilings over Commencement Bay. Red Baron, Inc., were the owners and operators of the building, designed by Robert Billsbrough Price & Associates. The interior was decorated with heavy wooden tables and sturdy tableware, and the waitresses wore costumes reminiscent of the clothing worn in Elizabethan England. The restaurant has changed hands several times since 1972; in 2006 it became "Duke's Chowder House". (Photograph ordered by Clinkerdagger, Bickerstaff & Pett's Public House.) (TNT 3-12-72, D-11)
Clinkerdagger, Bickerstaff & Pett's Public House (Tacoma); Restaurants--Tacoma--1970-1980;
Branch managers of the Pacific First Federal Savings & Loan Association met at the Main office on February 18, 1972, to have their annual photograph taken in the courtyard. Gerrit VanderEnde (seated third from left) had just retired as chairman of the board. He had come to Tacoma in 1948 to serve as president of Pacific First Federal Savings & Loan. Mr. VanderEnde had previously been president of the Federal Home Loan Bank of San Francisco and also been the city manager of Berkeley, California. Deposits were $42 million when Mr. VanderEnde first arrived; in 1972, deposits had skyrocked to more than $565 million. Pacific First Federal had become the 20th largest savings & loan in the country. It now had ten branches and two loan offices in Washington and Oregon. H. Dewayne Kreager, president, (believed to be seated in dark suit next to Mr. VanderEnde) would remain as president and also become chairman of the board. Mr. VanderEnde would continue as director and as chairman of the board's executive committee. (TNT 2-6-72, D-11 article; TNT 2-9-72, D-11 article) Color photograph ordered by Pacific First Federal Savings & Loan Association.
Pacific First Federal Savings & Loan Association (Tacoma); Banks--Tacoma; Bankers--Tacoma; Banking--Tacoma--1970-1980; VanderEnde, Gerrit;
The new Allstate Insurance Co. building was open for business in early January of 1972. It was located at 2102 South 48th St., across from the Tacoma Mall. Groundbreaking had occurred on August 31, 1971, for the $200,000 building. Photograph ordered by Allstate Insurance Co.
The new Allstate Insurance Co. building was located on the southwest corner of Ferry and South 48th St., across the street from the Tacoma Mall Shopping Center. Construction of Allstate's district office had been completed in four months. The Jack A. Benaroya Co. was the $200,000 structure's builder. Photograph ordered by Allstate Insurance Co.
An Allstate Insurance Co. employee adjusts the weekly "Drive-In Schedule" located in the company's new district office building at 2102 So. 48th St. The $200,000 one-story structure was completed in a mere four months after ground was broken on August 31, 1971. Photograph ordered by Allstate Insurance Co.
Jeri McCabe hands a sheet of paper to an unidentified man while her co-worker stands by. Allstate Insurance Co. had just opened its new $200,000 district office building in early January of 1972. Previously Allstate had been located at 622 Tacoma Ave. South for 16 years. Photograph ordered by Allstate Insurance Co.
Allstate agents at work in their new district office building. The one-story, nearly 10,000 square foot building was designed with ceiling-to-floor windows that allowed plenty of natural light to enter the workplace. Desks were placed two-across and each desk was labeled with the occupant's name. Jim Rishel is seated at desk AA and Mary Coates directly behind him at desk CC. Photograph ordered by Allstate Insurance Co.
Allstate Insurance Co. Three unidentified Allstate employees pause for a moment during the January 10, 1972, workday in their new district office building close to the Tacoma Mall. The young woman with the large Afro may be transcribing data obtained through her earphones. Photograph ordered by Allstate Insurance Co.
Allstate Insurance Co. employees assist their policyholders who are waiting in the firm's spacious reception area on January 10, 1972. Allstate was a well-known carrier for auto insurance as well as other forms of insurance. The new building at 2102 South 48th St. was the company's district office. It was located in close proximity to the Tacoma Mall Shopping Center. Photograph ordered by Allstate Insurance Co.
Staples at Steve's Gay '90s restaurant, 54th & South Tacoma Way, were his talented staff who entertained diners on weekends in the Gay '90s Revue, providing fun for the entire family. Gathered around the newly restored Mighty Wurlitzer pipe organ in October of 1971 were believed to be Dorothy Jean, "gay '90s queen;" Mr. Banjo, Ray Johnston; Bob Shonack & his Cable Car Conductors; and Steve's trio of can-can dancers. Diners were invited to enjoy the clean entertainment while devouring Steve's " mile long smorgasbord" for $3.80. Photograph ordered by Steve's Gay '90s. (TNT ad 9-3-71, p. 8; TNT ad 11-5-71, p. 11) TPL-6700
September, 1971, view of the 2700 block of South Tacoma Way. At the corner is the Oxygen Sales & Service Co., distributor of Union Carbide welding products and Linde gases. Propane was also for sale. Next door to Oxygen Sales & Service was the Steven Motor Co., a Chrysler-Plymouth dealership. According to their full page ad in the 1971 City Directory, Steven Motor Co. had 50 continuous years in the automobile business in Tacoma. They had been at the South Tacoma Way location since 1959; prior to that, they had been based in downtown Tacoma on Broadway for many years. Everett T. Steven was president of the firm with Pete Lisicich as manager and Norm Gordon as used car fleet and lease manager. Photograph ordered by Steven Motor Co.
Steven Motor Co. (Tacoma); Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1970-1980; Oxygen Sales & Service Co. (Tacoma);
Awaiting construction of their new district office building is the staff of Allstate Insurance Company. Groundbreaking ceremonies were held on August 31, 1971, at the south end location adjacent to the Tacoma Mall. Costs for the new building were expected to run $200,000. The 9,450-foot one-story structure, faced with Marblecrete, a quartzite white gold aggregate, would be built on the southwest corner of Ferry and South 48th St. Once completed, Allstate's staff would move from 622 Tacoma Avenue South where their office had been since 1956. Allstate's district office served nine southwest Washington counties. (TNT 8-22-71, B-8; TNT 9-1-71, A-7 article)
Groundbreaking ceremonies for Allstate Insurance Company's new district office near the Tacoma Mall were held on the morning of August 31, 1971. Three Allstate employees in hard hats man the shovels in front of piles of dirt. A large drawing of the anticipated building is on display. The new $200,000 office building would be erected on the southwest corner of Ferry and South 48th St. The one-story structure would be built of reinforced concrete by the Jack A. Benaroya Co. of Seattle. In addition to underground parking for 18 cars, an outdoor lot with 42 spots would be provided. Once completed, staff would relocate from Allstate's present office at 622 Tacoma Avenue South. (TNT 8-22-71, B-8 - article; TNT 9-1-71, A-7 article)
Body Shop at Peoples. August, 1971, view of colorful "Body Shop" display on the second floor of the Peoples department store. These were eye-catching long sleeved body suits in a variety of vibrant colors including a purple one-piece outfit on a green chrome stand. Color photograph ordered by Peoples.
Peoples (Tacoma); Department stores--Tacoma--1970-1980; Clothing & dress--Tacoma--1970-1980;
It was a brisk 49 degrees in April 1971 when this photograph of the National Realty Building, then Puget Sound National Bank, was taken from a building across the street. The building was sandwiched between Peoples department store and the National Bank of Washington (later home to the Tacoma Art Museum). The landmark structure, with its familiar spire, was at one time the tallest building on the West Coast, and the first built to withstand earthquakes. Puget Sound National Bank, established in 1890, would promote itself as an independent, "hometown" bank. It would merge with Key Bank in 1993. Photograph ordered by De Vac, Minneapolis, MN.
Puget Sound National Bank (Tacoma); Banks--Tacoma; Peoples (Tacoma);
An unidentified couple is shown entering O'Brien's in April of 1971. The restaurant, located on the fountain level of the new Bank of Washington Plaza, opened on February 1, 1971. It was built in a semi-circle around the plaza's fountain and accessible by the curving staircase shown above and also through the bank tower. Photograph ordered by Ballard & Cannon, Inc.
Bank of Washington Plaza. Towering over its neighbors is the new Bank of Washington Plaza on 12th & Pacific in downtown Tacoma. The National Bank of Washington and Pacific National Bank had merged effective August 16, 1970. The bank's new name was the Pacific National Bank of Washington with headquarters in Seattle. The Tacoma headquarters would remain in the 24-story plaza tower shown above. Goodwin Chase, former Chrm. of the Board of (National) Bank of Washington, became the president of the consolidated bank. The highest tenant level of the Bank of Washington Plaza tower was actually the 22nd floor with air conditioning units and other service facilities on levels above. View of the Bank of Washington Plaza taken on February 23, 1971. Occupants peering through the nearly 2000 solar bronze windows would have sweeping views of Mount Rainier and the Tacoma landscape. Photograph ordered by Lennen & Newell-Pacific. (TNT 5-17-70, p. 1- article; TNT 8-17-70, p. 30 -article)
National Bank of Washington (Tacoma); Pacific National Bank of Washington (Tacoma); Banks--Tacoma;
Modern barber shop in the Bank of Washington Plaza. Portraits of four presidents overlook the customers of this modern barber shop in February of 1971. Walls are painted with bold stripes and checkered linoleum is found in the shop's work areas. A man reads a newspaper while he is waiting for his hair to be cut. Photograph ordered by Lennen & Newell-Pacific.
National Bank of Washington (Tacoma); Pacific National Bank of Washington (Tacoma); Barbershops--Tacoma; Barbers--Tacoma;
Unidentified executive enjoying view of the Tacoma tideflats from his office in the new Bank of Washington Plaza on February 23, 1971. His desk is placed next to one of the many bronze windows of the 24-story tower. Photograph ordered by Lennen & Newell-Pacific.
National Bank of Washington (Tacoma); Windows--Tacoma--1970-1980;
O'Brien's Restaurant. O'Brien's Restaurant is crowded on February 23, 1971, as people enjoy fine dining in the oak-paneled and red brocade room . The ceiling is covered with small light bulbs, creating an image of a star-filled sky. In addition, the restaurant was illuminated at night from the glow of the courtyard and fountain directly outside. O'Brien's was located below street level in the Bank of Washington Plaza complex. There was room for 125 diners and the adjacent bar held 92 customers. Dave Porter, singer-guitarist, was appearing in the restaurant's lounge at this time. Photograph ordered by Lennen & Newell-Pacific. (TNT 11-1-70, A-16 - Emily Walker's column)
Bank of Washington Plaza with no visible exterior signage. Sunlight reflects off the multitude of bronze windows in the new Bank of Washington Plaza at 12th & Pacific. An unusual part of the building complex is the large fountain accessible by curving stairs beneath the level of the actual tower. Seven trees are planted in the concrete surrounding the fountain space. The 24-story Bank of Washington Plaza was dedicated on January 9, 1971.
National Bank of Washington (Tacoma); Fountains--Tacoma; Stairways--Tacoma--1970-1980;
Bank of Washington Plaza. Diners are pictured leaving the new O'Brien's restaurant located below street level in the Bank of Washington Plaza complex on February 23, 1971. People could use the large curving staircase to journey from the tower building to the restaurant and shops located beneath. A large circular fountain added to the peaceful view. Photograph ordered by Lennen & Newell-Pacific.
National Bank of Washington (Tacoma); Banks--Tacoma; Fountains--Tacoma; Stairways--Tacoma--1970-1980; O'Brien's Restaurant (Tacoma);
Circular fountain at the Bank of Washington Plaza. Diners at the new O'Brien's restaurant have a lovely view of the large fountain and courtyard outside their floor-to-ceiling windows. A spiral staircase leads from the street level down to the fountain and restaurant. The fountain is illuminated at night. Photograph ordered by Lennen & Newell-Pacific. (TNT 11-1-70-, A-16 - Emily Walker column)
National Bank of Washington (Tacoma); Pacific National Bank of Washington (Tacoma); Banks--Tacoma; Fountains--Tacoma; O'Brien's Restaurant (Tacoma);
O'Brien's Restaurant, operated by Jim O'Brien, opened in early 1971 in the Bank of Washington Plaza complex at 1201-23 Pacific Avenue. Six of the restaurant's waitresses dressed in shimmering outfits and glossy shoes posed for a group portrait on January 29, 1971. At far left with her long hair pinned up is Carol Clark (now Yokes). The lady fourth from the right is Edreane Anderson, and the lady second from the right is her sister, Brynda Frazier, both graduates from Lincoln High School. According to a reader, owner Jim O'Brien had scouts out searching for the perfect women for his new restaurant. These six women were handpicked by him out of 200 applicants. Miss Clark had been waitressing at the Top of the Ocean when discovered. O'Brien's Restaurant was located below street level, accessible by a curving staircase and illuminated by the glow of a large fountain. Photograph ordered by O'Brien's Restaurant. Additional info provided by Ms. Frazier's daughter.
The chef at O'Brien's Restaurant prepares to slice a large, luscious roast for several admiring guests on January 29, 1971. Owner Jim O'Brien, a former bailbondsman, had hosted a special sneak preview that evening. The restaurant would open officially in a few days; it was located in the Bank of Washington Plaza, at the foot of the curving staircase. Photograph ordered by O'Brien's Restaurant. (TNT 1-28-71, A-2 - "Faces & Places" column- article)
