Interior of model home. The large living room in the 1954 Tacoma Home Show model home was conveniently placed next to the kitchen. The storage cabinets on one side of the room were equipped with glassware and china and had sliding peg-board doors on both sides, easily reachable from the kitchen as well as the living room. There was a large brick and slate fireplace just inside an entry way. Open book shelves on one wall complemented the exposed beams in the ceiling. Large windows and the extensive use of wood seemed to invite the outdoors in. The 1954 model, "TX-101", was the first Tacoma Home Show entry that used an all-contemporary motif. It was designed by College of Puget Sound alumnus, Robert Billsbrough Price. Photograph ordered by Douglas Fir Plywood Association. (TNT 5-18-54, C-9)

Living rooms--Tacoma--1950-1960; Model houses--Tacoma; Greater Tacoma Home Show (Tacoma);

ca. 1954. This photograph of a Tudor-style home was finished in sepia tones and probably taken in the spring of 1954. The large two-story home appears to be made from stucco. It has dormers, a recessed entry, possible lead-glass windows, and a curving walkway. A small dangling shingle identifies it as house #3801.

Houses--1950-1960;

Ben Cheney's home. The original Cheney home was burned on January 11, 1949. Cheney was rescued by neighbors from a second story window. This new home was designed by Percy G. Ball, AIA. The Ben Cheney family home in Browns Point was a large, two-story structure with wood siding. This is the west exposure. Multiple picture windows throughout the house allowed residents to enjoy the panoramic view. The master bedroom is on the far left, with another bedroom adjacent. The family room and childrens' playroom is in the projecting portion of the upper floor with the dining room and living room below. The Cheney's six-year-old daughter, Sandra, had a special playhouse of her own; constructed with a porch, chimney, and windows, it was featured in a News Tribune layout on children's playrooms and houses dated July 18, 1954. (TNT 7-18-54, D-1; TNT 12-20-59, C-13)

Cheney, Ben B., 1905-1971--Homes & haunts; Houses--Tacoma--1950-1960;

John W. Jankanish farm, Rt. 2, Box 660, Tacoma. Pastures divided by wire and post fencing.

Farms--Tacoma; Jankanish, John W.--Homes & haunts;

This is an example of American Foursquare architecture, a style of housing closely resembling Colonial Revival. The house is two-storied with a symmetrical facade and deep porch with three columns. It has wood siding on its exterior. It is the residence of Ellis J. Shane, 4124 North Mason. Photograph ordered by Safeway Builders.

Houses--Tacoma--1950-1960; Porches--Tacoma;

Maxwell Spring Valley home. This may be the home of Horace D. Maxwell who owned the Maxwell Petroleum Company, which later merged with the General Petroleum Corp. of California to form one of the largest gasoline distributors in the country. The Maxwells owned a home in Spring Valley, just north of the Pierce-King County line. Their daughter, Doris, celebrated her wedding reception in the Maxwell family home in June, 1949. View of large rambler style house and grounds located in Spring Valley; photograph taken on July 12, 1954.

Houses--Spring Valley--1950-1960;

The model home at 1101 Lenore Dr. in the Skyline Terrace subdivision was listed as a "Home for All America" in September, 1954. Designed by Cleveland architects Robert A. Little & Associates, it was built by well-known local builders, the Miller Construction Co. The design was sponsored by Better Homes & Gardens magazine which ran a 19 page article in its September, 1954, issue. The Skyline Terrace model was one of three adaptations of the basic plan. View of large corridor kitchen shows plenty of room for light colored stove and easy-to-clean metal cabinets on one side with automatic dishwasher across the aisle. Special cabinet features included a spice shelf, a cup shelf, towel drying racks and a vermin-proof bread drawer. A wooden three-piece dinette set is against the wall under the windows. A glimpse of what is possibly the dining room can be seen through the kitchen doorway. The 1955 City Directory shows the three bedroom home to be occupied by Fremont C. and Virginia Gault; Mr. Gault was an executive with Weyerhaeuser Timber. Photograph ordered by Miller Construction Co. (TNT 9-19-54, E-7)

Gault, Fremont C.--Homes & haunts; Miller Construction Co., Inc. (Tacoma); Houses--Tacoma--1950-1960; Kitchens--Tacoma--1950-1960;

A massive stone fireplace seems to be the focus point in this Miller Construction Co. model home located in Skyline Terrace. Comfortably padded sofas and chair face the fireplace; the area is brightly lit with numerous lamps and overhead lighting. The flooring appears to be tiled to make housekeeping easier. Folding doors separate the main living room from a casual eating area. This Lenore Dr. residence was named Idea Home of the Year; it was designed by Cleveland architects Robert A. Little & Associates and featured in the September, 1954, Better Homes & Gardens magazine. Miller Construction cordially invited interested residents to tour the model home to gather ideas on modern home living. (TNT 9-19-54, E-7)

Houses--Tacoma--1950-1960; Living rooms--Tacoma--1950-1960; Fireplaces--Tacoma--1950-1960; Miller Construction Co., Inc. (Tacoma);

Interior of model home. Cathedral ceilings highlight the wood enhanced living room of the Skyline Terrace model home built by Miller Construction Co. in 1954. Hardwood floors partially covered by a rug, a stone fireplace, comfortable stuffed chairs and wooden tables and chairs promote a rustic atmosphere. The mahogany parquet walls are echoed in the patterned ceiling; this theme is duplicated in the living room, dining room and recreation room. This was the interior of the "Home for All America" model home designed by Cleveland architects Robert A. Little & Associates which was featured in a Better Homes & Garden September, 1954, issue. The home was apparently later purchased by Weyerhaeuser executive Fremont C. Gault. (TNT 9-19-54, E-7)

Miller Construction Co., Inc. (Tacoma); Houses--Tacoma--1950-1960; Living rooms--Tacoma--1950-1960; Fireplaces--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Ranch style home at the intersection of Fairview Dr. and Hegra Rd. in Narrowmoor, 7525 Hegra Rd., backed by the Narrows portion of the Puget Sound and the Olympic Mountains. One half of the home and the garage are faced in brick, the other half of the house is rough hewn wood. Mailboxes stand sentinel near the street.This was the home of Thomas & Katherine Anderson. Mr. Anderson owned Concrete Engineering Co. and Tacoma Construction and Engineering Co. Undoubtedly, the rear of the home has a fabulous view of the Sound and the mountains.

Houses--Tacoma--1950-1960; Olympic Mountains (Wash.); Anderson, Thomas--Homes & haunts;

Exterior Livermore residence. Electrical contractor Thomas Livermore and wife Helen resided in this brick Tudor home at 1623 South Grant Avenue. The home had a steeply pitched gabled roof with large chimney and bay window. Small shrubs and trees were planted close to the home. Livermore owned the Livermore Co., located on Sixth Avenue, which highly advertised Berko electric heat, a radiant heating system. Photograph ordered by Livermore Co.

Livermore, Thomas--Homes & haunts; Houses--Tacoma--1950-1960; Livermore Co. (Tacoma);

Interiors of Ben Cheney's home in Browns Point. This is the bedroom of Ben Cheney's daughter Sandra. Open closet doors show neatly lined up dresses and shoes. Television set can be seen in built-in cabinets.

Cheney, Ben B., 1905-1971--Homes & haunts; Dolls; Stuffed animals (Toys); Bedrooms--Tacoma--1950-1960;

ca. 1955. Interiors of Ben Cheney's home. The living room of Cheney's home in Browns Point is simply furnished and decorated. A leather or vinyl comfortable chair with ottoman sits next to a table loaded with magazines. Sports trophies and baseball memorabilia adorn the shelves and flat surfaces. A photograph of one of the Cheney Stud baseball teams is mounted over the heater. Although Cheney was a millionaire, his tastes remained simple, as indicated by this room.

Cheney, Ben B., 1905-1971--Homes & haunts; Living rooms--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Exterior of one story contemporary ranch style homes at 86th and Bridgeport Way. The home to the right, built by contractor Neil S. McConaghy, was featured in the 1955 Parade of Homes. Its address is 6002 86th St. SW. It is located off of Bridgeport Way in Lakewood. The house is built of brick and vertical siding. The one story rambler has 3 bedrooms, a daylight basement, 2 baths, 2 fireplaces and a recreation room. (TNT 9/9/1955, Parade of Homes section)

Houses--Lakewood--1950-1960; Residential streets--Lakewood--1950-1960; Neighborhoods--Lakewood--1950-1960;

The exterior of one of the homes in Bellevue built by W. A. Wollander with a carport and covered walkway on the left and a shrubbery planter under window. Close-up of A69132-1

Houses--Bellevue--1950-1960; Wollander Homes (Tacoma);

Exterior of one-story house with gable roof, an open, attached carport, brick planters and concrete walkway placed on unlandscaped yard. For George D. Barclay Company, Realtors.

Houses--Tacoma--1950-1960; George D. Barclay Co. (Tacoma);

The interior of a large room with asbestos or vinyl tile floor is shown in one of the homes in Bellevue built by W. A. Wollander. A wagon wheel on four legs is seen inside the floor-to-ceiling window and a terrace with chairs, a planted area and fence are visible outside.

Living rooms--Bellevue; Wollander Homes (Tacoma); Windows--Bellevue; Terraces--Bellevue;

This photograph of a family home, finished in slightly sepia tones, was taken in February, 1953. The small bungalow-style home, nestled under tall trees, appears to have a stucco exterior. The porch columns support an upper story balcony. Photograph ordered by Sears Marshall, c/o Lakeside Club. Patron reports this is #2 Lakeside Club.

Houses--Washington; Balconies--Washington; Lakeside Club (Lakewood);

Old fashioned kitchen in the summer home of Tacoma lumberman Ben Cheney. An iron skillet sits on the stove top. The shallow sink has a very high back splash where the faucet and handles come out of the wall. A hard surfaced counter to either side of the sink offers space for cutting and chopping. Matching canisters sit on the low table top with drawers underneath.

Cheney, Ben B., 1905-1971--Homes & haunts; Kitchens;

The focal point of this large master bedroom suite is the large brick fireplace. Two large comfy armchairs sit in front of the fireplace. The remainder of the large expanse of carpet is broken only by the queen or king size bed. A built in recessed bookshelf forms the headboard for the bed. Floor to ceiling windows let in the spring sunshine through tied open curtains and allow a view of the home's yard. This lovely large bedroom is part of an addition designed by Donald F. Burr to the Rhododendron Lanes home of the Douglas Fir Plywood Association's promotion director James Fowler.

Houses--Lakewood--1950-1960; Remodeling--Lakewood; Bedrooms--Lakewood--1950-1960; Fowler, James--Homes & haunts;

Twin portraits of horses hang over the queen sized bed in James Fowler's newly remodeled master bedroom suite. The headboard of the bed is made up of built in bookshelves recessed into a square frame. To the left, one can peek into the closet; a built in cabinet has lots of drawers for easy storage, eliminating the need for a dresser. To the right is a view of the Fowler's land and possible horse pastures. Fowler was promotion director for the Douglas Fir Plywood Association.

Houses--Lakewood--1950-1960; Remodeling--Lakewood; Bedrooms--Lakewood--1950-1960; Fowler, James--Homes & haunts;

Miller Construction's exhibit booth at the 1956 Greater Tacoma Home Show, headlining Skyline Terrace. Skyline Terrace was a $30,000,000 addition, featuring 1500 new homes built in the early 1950's. Miller Construction was one of the prime developers. Most of the Miller homes were located on view lots; with views of either the Narrows, mountains or city lights. The homes had been featured for several years in the Tacoma Parade of Homes and in 1954 in Better Homes and Gardens as the Idea Home of the Year.

Houses--Tacoma--1950-1960; Miller Construction Co., Inc. (Tacoma); Greater Tacoma Home Show (Tacoma); Exhibit booths--Tacoma;

Interiors of the home of Perry F. Knight in Lakewood. Marble topped double sinks provide plenty of elbow room for Mr. and Mrs. Knight in this bathroom. Saloon doors mark the entrance to what is probably the remainder of the bath.

Knight, Perry--Homes & haunts; Houses--Lakewood--1950-1960; Bathrooms--Lakewood--1950-1960;

Interiors of the home of Perry F. Knight in Lakewood.This appears to be a second floor bedroom. A delicately patterned wallpaper covers both the walls and angled ceiling. A double four poster bed in a dark wood provides a sleeping space. A high dresser in the same wood and a multi tiered bedside table complete the bedroom suite.

Knight, Perry--Homes & haunts; Houses--Lakewood--1950-1960; Bedrooms--Lakewood--1950-1960;

Interiors of the home of Perry F. Knight in Lakewood. This appears to be the home office of either Mr. or Mrs. Knight. From the height of the window, it is possibly in the basement. A commercial style ashtray sits between the two chairs. A hat rack stands beside the couch and an oriental rug lies in front of it. Framed photos of three young men in uniform sit on top of the desk. The uniformed young men have been identified as Mr. Knight's son Robert and his two nephews, William Knight and Roy Knight, Jr. All three were in the Army Air Corp/Force. Roy Knight, Jr. was killed in August of 1942 over Guadalcanal and Robert Knight died in August of 1945 in a mid-air collision over Texas. The photograph to the far left is believed to be of William Knight with Robert Knight and Roy Knight, Jr. next in line. (Additional information provided by a reader)

Knight, Perry--Homes & haunts; Houses--Lakewood--1950-1960; Desks;

Interiors of the home of Perry F. Knight in Lakewood. This is the entry way to the home. The knotty wood is used on the entrance door, with wood panels with windows on either side. Knotty wood is also used on the wainscoting and trim. The wallpaper above has a motif of vines with birds and suspended fruit baskets. The furniture appears to be antique.

Knight, Perry--Homes & haunts; Houses--Lakewood--1950-1960; Entrance halls--Lakewood--1950-1960;

Exterior of a small duplex in Lakewood. Located on Lake Grove Street in Lakewood, this small duplex was a one-story unit with a very narrow porch. There was no basement. Nestled under tall trees, there were two separate pathways leading to the front doors. Photograph ordered by Practical Builder; picture taken in March, 1954.

Duplexes--Lakewood--1950-1960;

The interior of a small duplex shows a comfortable living room filled with assorted chairs, a television, chest of drawers, and with what appears to be a sofa/bed covered with a boldly decorated bedspread. A folding screen door separates the living room from the kitchen where a stove and small table can be seen. Photograph ordered by Practical Builder; photograph taken in March, 1954.

Duplexes--Lakewood; Living rooms--Lakewood--1950-1960; Kitchens--Lakewood--1950-1960;

A new home was nearly completed by Robert M. Good of Good Construction Co. in May, 1954. The home was located at 2111 North Winnifred St. This home was possibly in or near the new Westgate subdivision where a number of new homes were built the year before. The house apparently sat higher than street level, as a long curved walkway leads upwards to the covered entryway. It was built primarily of wood with some brick facing. Good Construction owner, Robert M. Good, was a member of the Tacoma Master Builders Association; his motto was "Masterbuilder of homes for fine living."

Houses--Tacoma--1950-1960; Good Construction Co. (Tacoma);

Newly built model home. This very modern, contemporary one-story home was the model home built by S.L. Rowland for the 1954 Tacoma Home. Model TX-101 had 1550 square feet of living space and a large double carport whose outside wall was made of pumice brick arranged in open lattice pattern. There is also a sheltered private courtyard. Home was located at 1802 North Shirley St. (TNT 5-18-54, C-8)

Houses--Tacoma--1950-1960; Model houses--Tacoma;