ca. 1940. Remodeled interior at National Bank of Washington. Formerly known as the National Bank of Tacoma, its name was changed in 1937. Dining area with round tables, piano, chairs with slip covers. It is unclear whether this dining area was for staff only.

National Bank of Washington (Tacoma); Banks--Tacoma; Dining rooms--Tacoma--1940-1950; Pianos;

ca. 1940. Remodeled interior of Bank of Washington. Area with 11 desks, file cabinets and customer area.

Business Enterprises - Financial Institutions - Banks - Tacoma - National Bank of Tacoma - National Bank of Washington

ca. 1940. Remodeled interior of Bank of Washingotn. Board room with long table and leather chairs.

Business Enterprises - Financial Institutions - Banks - Tacoma - National Bank of Tacoma - National Bank of Washington

ca. 1940. Remodeled interior of National Bank of Washington, Trust Department. Name plates on desks: H. Anderson, M.W. McCarty, R.W. Peck.

Business Enterprises - Financial Institutions - Banks - Tacoma - National Bank of Tacoma - National Bank of Washington

ca. 1940. Remodeled interior at National Bank of Washington. Office in Trust Department with six desks. Names plates on desks: H. Anderson, M.W. McCarty, R.W. Peck.

Business Enterprises - Financial Institutions - Banks - Tacoma - National Bank of Tacoma - National Bank of Washington

ca. 1925. Bekins Transfer Company, moving and storage. A. M. Oswald, manager. This concrete structure was designed in 1916 by Lundberg & Mahon; it was the home to the City Transfer & Storage Co. from 1916-1921. In 1921, the business became McLean Moving and Storage Co. By 1925, it had sold to Bekins. (WSHS)

Bekins Moving & Storage Co. (Tacoma); Moving & storage trade--Tacoma--1920-1930; Storage facilities--Tacoma--1920-1930;

Studio setup of Acrilan yarn and display for advertising purposes; ordered by Seattle Woolen Co. The first board displays acrilan fiber, made from gas and air. The board proclaims it to be light, warm and resilient; soft and never itchy or scratchy. The second board shows fabric made from acrilan; it is luxurious to the touch, keeps its shape and resists wrinkles and tears. The final board displays acrilan yarn; it's strong, yet pliable and resists moths and mildew. The fabric was being promoted for clothing manufacture, since it was washable, quick drying and would not shrink, stretch or sag. Synthetics would gradually replace or supplement natural fabric materials in clothing.

Seattle Woolen Co. (Seattle); Textiles; Textile industry; Fibers; Yarn;

Studio setup of Acrilan yarn and display for advertising purposes; ordered by Seattle Woolen Co. The first board displays acrilan fiber, made from gas and air. The board proclaims it to be light, warm and resilient; soft and never itchy or scratchy. The second board shows fabric made from acrilan; it is luxurious to the touch, keeps its shape and resists wrinkles and tears. The final board displays acrilan yarn; it's strong, yet pliable and resists moths and mildew. The fabric was being promoted for clothing manufacture, since it was washable, quick drying and would not shrink, stretch or sag. Synthetics would gradually replace or supplement natural fabric materials in clothing.

Seattle Woolen Co. (Seattle); Textiles; Textile industry; Fibers; Yarn;

The beauty salon at Rhodes Department Store. A day shopping at the downtown Tacoma Rhodes Store in the mid fifties was not just a quick shopping junket; it could be an elegant all day affair including a luxurious shampoo and style at the beauty salon and lunch at the store's cafe. Women would dress up in hats, gloves and dresses to peruse the latest in fashions and home apparel and enjoy the day at the store. The salon is beautifully appointed with elegant lighting, a mirrored makeup table and a receptionist stand with styling stations behind. The standing hair dryers can just be glimpsed in the background.

Department stores--Tacoma--1950-1960; Rhodes Brothers Department Store (Tacoma); Beauty shops--Tacoma--1950-1960;

The beauty salon at Rhodes Department Store. A day shopping at the downtown Tacoma Rhodes Store in the mid fifties was not just a quick shopping junket; it could be an elegant all day affair including a luxurious shampoo and style at the beauty salon and lunch at the store's cafe. Women would dress up in hats, gloves and dresses to peruse the latest in fashions and home apparel and enjoy the day at the store. The salon is beautifully appointed with elegant lighting, a mirrored makeup table and a receptionist stand with styling stations behind. The standing hair dryers can just be glimpsed in the background.

Department stores--Tacoma--1950-1960; Rhodes Brothers Department Store (Tacoma); Beauty shops--Tacoma--1950-1960;

A day shopping at the downtown Tacoma Rhodes Department Store in October of 1956 was not necessarily just a quick shopping junket; it could be an elegant all-day affair including a luxurious shampoo and style at the pictured beauty salon and lunch at the store's cafe. The store at 950 Broadway was elegantly appointed and intended to provide a full shopping experience with a beauty shop, restaurant and full selection of goods and services. The store's new Beauty Salon was located on the 6th floor and offered skin care, hair styling and tinting and nail care. It was open until 9 p.m. on Monday through Friday. For this publicity photograph, the stylists posed beside their stations. The men wore coats and ties and the women dresses with corsages. The Rhodes store opened in 1903 and closed in 1974, a victim of the desertion of downtown for suburban shopping. The most forward stylist on the left is believed to be Paul Faust and behind him, Bernard Natucci. The front two stylists on the right are believed to be Lee Amundson and Lorraine Hudson. (TNT 11/11/1956, pg D-11- see ad for individual stylists' pictures) (Additional identification provided by a reader)

Department stores--Tacoma--1950-1960; Rhodes Brothers Department Store (Tacoma); Beauty shops--Tacoma--1950-1960;

A day shopping at the downtown Tacoma Rhodes Department Store in October of 1956 was not necessarily just a quick shopping junket; it could be an elegant all-day affair including a luxurious shampoo and style at the pictured beauty salon and lunch at the store's cafe. The store at 950 Broadway was elegantly appointed and intended to provide a full shopping experience with a beauty shop, restaurant and full selection of goods and services. The store's new Beauty Salon was located on the 6th floor and offered skin care, hair styling and tinting and nail care. It was open until 9 p.m. on Monday through Friday. For this publicity photograph, the stylists posed beside their stations. The men wore coats and ties and the women dresses with corsages. The Rhodes store opened in 1903 and closed in 1974, a victim of the desertion of downtown for suburban shopping. The most forward stylist on the left is believed to be Paul Faust and behind him, Bernard Natucci. The front two stylists on the right are believed to be Lee Amundson and Lorraine Hudson. (TNT 11/11/1956, pg D-11- see ad for individual stylists' pictures) (Additional identification provided by a reader)

Department stores--Tacoma--1950-1960; Rhodes Brothers Department Store (Tacoma); Beauty shops--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Consolidated Freightways was a moving and shipping company. It was conveniently located next to the railroad tracks, where materials were unloaded and packed into trucks for further distribution.

Consolidated Freightways, Inc. (Tacoma); Shipping--Tacoma--1950-1960; Loading docks--Tacoma; Trucks--1950-1960;

Consolidated Freightways was a moving and shipping company. It was conveniently located next to the railroad tracks, where materials were unloaded and packed into trucks for further distribution.

Consolidated Freightways, Inc. (Tacoma); Shipping--Tacoma--1950-1960; Loading docks--Tacoma; Trucks--1950-1960;

Consolidated Freightways was a moving and shipping company. It was conveniently located next to the railroad tracks, where materials were unloaded and packed into trucks for further distribution. Employees cars are parked beside the loading area. A bridge crossing the railroad tracks can be seen in the background.

Consolidated Freightways, Inc. (Tacoma); Shipping--Tacoma--1950-1960; Loading docks--Tacoma; Trucks--1950-1960;

Consolidated Freightways was a moving and shipping company. It was conveniently located next to the railroad tracks, where materials were unloaded and packed into trucks for further distribution. Employees cars are parked beside the loading area. A bridge crossing the railroad tracks can be seen in the background.

Consolidated Freightways, Inc. (Tacoma); Shipping--Tacoma--1950-1960; Loading docks--Tacoma; Trucks--1950-1960;

Peerless Laundry and Drycleaning. Peerless was owned by Edward V. Hudson and offered complete laundry service, dry cleaning and linen supply. Their service was speedy; items in by 9 were completed by 5. Exterior of the building with service vehicles and employees. The business was founded in 1937. This building was demolished in 1974 after a massive fire and a new building was erected in its place. Peerless is still operating at this same area in 2002, despite another large fire in 1988.

Peerless Laundry (Tacoma); Cleaning establishments--Tacoma;

Peerless Laundry and Drycleaning. Peerless was owned by Edward V. Hudson and offered complete laundry service, dry cleaning and linen supply. Exterior view of the cleaning plant with company delivery fleet parked in front and staff in foreground of picture, some in uniforms. The business was founded in 1937 and still operates in this same area in 2002, despite two large fires and building replacements. TPL-9661

Peerless Laundry (Tacoma)--Employees; Cleaning establishments--Tacoma;

Peerless Laundry and Drycleaning. Peerless was owned by Edward V. Hudson and offered complete laundry service, dry cleaning and linen supply. Two women in matching white uniforms with handkerchiefs in pockets and white pumps prepare two coats for cleaning. One woman brushes the sleeve of a coat and the other stuffs the sleeves open on another coat. The coats sit on two pieces of machinery with frames that fit inside the coats, filling them out.

Peerless Laundry (Tacoma)--Employees; Cleaning establishments--Tacoma;

The Morrow Fuel Company located at the intersection of 38th and McKinley Ave. The company was owned by Gerald F. (Jerry) Morrow, a former partner in Radiant Fuel Co. Morrow had been in the fuel business 14 years when he opened his own company on the east side. They sold stove and diesel oils and offered 24 hour delivery. A Chevrolet delivery tank truck is shown in front of the offices. Located on the east side of Tacoma in the McKinley Hill area, this building is now divided into residential apartments. (TNT 10/28/1956, pg. B-13)

Morrow Fuel Co. (Tacoma); Fuel trade--Tacoma--1950-1960; Chevrolet trucks;

Aerial photograph of downtown Tacoma to show the spired Puget Sound National Bank building at 11th and Pacific (1119 Pacific Ave.) To the building's left is Peoples Department Store at 1101-07 Pacific and to its right is the National Bank of Washington, 1123 Pacific, the 2002 location of the Tacoma Art Museum. Behind facing A Street is the Federal Building and the Post Office at 1102 A Street. The city appears divided into a grid of large office buildings. The streets, left to right, vertically are Commerce, Pacific and A Street. They are divided by, top to bottom, by 11th Street and 12th Street. Left to right at the top of the picture are the Rust building at 950 Pacific, the Washington Building at 1019 Pacific and the Tacoma Building at 1017-21 A Street. Across 11th Street from the Tacoma Building is the Perkins building at 1101 A Street.

Puget Sound National Bank (Tacoma); Aerial photographs;

The Highland Hills Big Bear store at 5915 6th Avenue, near Pearl Street, opened in 1955 to serve the growing West end, including the areas of University Place and Fircrest. The Big Bear was the first tenant of the Highland Hills Shopping Center, which had its Grand Opening in December of 1956. When completed, the shopping center had 21 stores with a pedestrian mall in the center and five acres of parking.

Big Bear Stores (Tacoma); Supermarkets--Tacoma--1950-1960; Grocery stores--Tacoma--1950-1960; Electric signs;

The Highland Hills Big Bear store at 5915 6th Avenue, near Pearl Street, opened in 1955 to serve the growing West end, including the areas of University Place and Fircrest. The Big Bear was the first tenant of the Highland Hills Shopping Center, which had its Grand Opening in December of 1956. When completed, the shopping center had 21 stores with a pedestrian mall in the center and five acres of parking.

Big Bear Stores (Tacoma); Supermarkets--Tacoma--1950-1960; Grocery stores--Tacoma--1950-1960; Electric signs;

The sign for Highland Hills (originally Highland Hill) Shopping Center. The parking lot was still under construction; the Grand Opening was scheduled for December of 1956. The shopping center was built to serve the growing population of the West End, including University Place and Fircrest. Located on 6th Ave. near Peal, the center would be convenient to these areas. The first tenant was the Big Bear Store, which opened in 1955. The center would house 21 stores in a modern layout with a pedestrian mall in the center and 5 acres of customer parking. The angled roofline created visual interest. (TNT 10/28/1956, pg. C-17)

Big Bear Stores (Tacoma); Supermarkets--Tacoma--1950-1960; Grocery stores--Tacoma--1950-1960; Electric signs; Highland Hills Shopping Center (Tacoma); Highland Hill Shopping Center (Tacoma); Shopping centers--Tacoma;

The sign for Highland Hills (originally Highland Hill) Shopping Center. The parking lot was still under construction; the Grand Opening was scheduled for December of 1956. The shopping center was built to serve the growing population of the West End, including University Place and Fircrest. Located on 6th Ave. near Peal, the center would be convenient to these areas. The first tenant was the Big Bear Store, which opened in 1955. The center would house 21 stores in a modern layout with a pedestrian mall in the center and 5 acres of customer parking. The angled roofline created visual interest. (TNT 10/28/1956, pg. C-17)

Big Bear Stores (Tacoma); Supermarkets--Tacoma--1950-1960; Grocery stores--Tacoma--1950-1960; Electric signs; Highland Hills Shopping Center (Tacoma); Highland Hill Shopping Center (Tacoma); Shopping centers--Tacoma;

Sib's Thriftway, at 5739 North 26th Street, was built in 1953 by Sib Carstensen and was the first store in the newly named "Westgate" area of Tacoma. Sib's, with its large, sweeping arched roof advertised itself as "Tacoma's first supermarket". The Sib's store, which later became the Westgate Mark-It Store, was demolished around 1988. TPL-9761

Sib's Thriftway (Tacoma); Grocery stores--Tacoma--1950-1960; Supermarkets--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Highland Hills Shopping Center. Originally called the Highland Hill Shopping Center, it was completed in 1956 and celebrated its grand opening on December 12, 1956. The Big Bear Market was its first tenant and had begun operations there in 1955. The city's West End was growing rapidly and it was felt that a shopping center would best fit the needs of the expanding community. Situated on Sixth Avenue near Pearl Street, it was centrally located for West End customers, including the University Place and Fircrest communities. Original tenants also included the Sun Drug Co., Roy's Shoe Repair, Lads and Lassies Clothing and the Highland Hill Barber Shop. Covered walkways protected customers from inclement weather; Highland Hill was planned as an up-to-date one-stop shopping center. Photograph ordered by the Condon Co. (TNT 12-11-56, B-2)

Highland Hills Shopping Center (Tacoma); Highland Hill Shopping Center (Tacoma); Shopping centers--Tacoma; Condon Co., Inc. (Tacoma);

Exterior view of J.C. Penney store. Built in 1916 and known as the Frye Building, the J.C. Penney department store made substantial renovations to the building with its occupancy in the 1930's, prompting a visit from company founder, J.C. Penney in 1934. Ornamental frieze and the Italianate style of architecture make an interesting contrast to the more modern display windows found on the first floor. Photograph ordered by the J.C. Penney Co.

J.C. Penney Co. (Tacoma); Department stores--Tacoma--1950-1960; Facades--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Hickey Apartment Hotel ( Walker Apartments ), interior which appears to be the lobby. Building by Roland Borhek, Architect, 1927. J. Frank Hickey purchased the former Walker Apartments in October of 1938 and changed its name to his own two years later. The elegant apartment hotel had been built for $350,000 by the owner of Walker Cut Stone and was the first apartment house in the Northwest to feature an all-stone exterior. It was sold again in 1944 and the property is now on the City and National Registers.

Hickey Apartment Hotel (Tacoma); Walker Apartments (Tacoma); Apartment hotels--Tacoma--1940-1950; Lobbies--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Living room in Hickey Apartment Hotel (Walker Apartments). Building by Roland Borhek, Architect, 1927. Now known as the Hickey Apartment Hotel with the purchase of the former Walker Apartments in 1938, it remained a luxurious structure with amenities such as dumbwaiters, living room suites, and separate dining room facilities. This December, 1940, view of a living room within the apartment hotel displays comfortable chairs and sofa, tables, and a piano.

Hickey Apartment Hotel (Tacoma); Walker Apartments (Tacoma); Apartment hotels-Tacoma--1940-1950; Living rooms--Tacoma--1940-1950;