National Bank of Washington, exterior of new industrial branch on the Tideflats. The 15th banking office of National Bank of Wa. opened for business July 1, 1955. It offered, for the first time in the industry, complete banking facilities to the more than 200 industries and their 11,000 employees on the Tideflats. The branch was also convenient by car to Browns Point, Dash Point, Northeast Tacoma, Federal Way, Fife and Milton. It had ample free parking for customers. (TNT 6/29/1955, pg. A-3)
National Bank of Washington (Tacoma); Banks--Tacoma; Banking--Tacoma--1950-1960;
Exterior of National Bank of Washington's Industrial branch on the Tideflats. National Bank of Washington was the first to offer complete banking facilities to the more than 200 businesses on the Tideflats and their numerous employees. It was also handy to the growing communities of Federal Way, Browns Point, Fife and Milton. The building was built of "pre-stressed concrete" with the northwest side of floor to ceiling glass for natural lighting.
National Bank of Washington (Tacoma); Banks--Tacoma; Banking--Tacoma--1950-1960;
ca. 1956. The grand building at 11th & Pacific was the home of Pacific First Federal Savings & Loan Association for decades. The Merchants National Bank was the Romanesque structure's first tenant back in 1891. The brick and marble edifice had two entrances, one on 11th and the other on Pacific, to catch traffic on both streets. It would eventually be demolished about 1961 and a new Pacific First Federal Savings & Loan Association building be constructed on the same site. BU -11,004
Pacific First Federal Savings & Loan Association (Tacoma); Banks--Tacoma; Pacific First Federal Building (Tacoma);
The foreman and crew of "erectors" for the Scandinavian-American Bank being built at 1019 Pacific Avenue were photographed during a pause in work in November of 1920. The erectors were responsible for raising the 32-ton beams and 60-foot steel columns into position. The 12 men were handpicked for their steady nerves, even tempers and ability to work as team players. The first two floors alone contained over 1,000 tons of steel. The planned 16 story building rose beam by beam until January of 1921 when the bank failed and construction was shut down. The building was eventually completed in 1925 for the Washington-California Co. and named the Washington Building. (TDL 11/14/1920, pg. B-7) BU-10760, Boland B 3244, TPL-9548
Scandinavian-American Bank (Tacoma); Building construction--Tacoma--1920-1930; Construction industry--Tacoma--1920-1930;
One of the "erectors" dangles high in the air in this November 1920 photograph, attaching chains and wires that will pull the 60 foot column into position at the Scandinavian-American Bank (now the Washington Building) construction site. The skeleton of the building was put together by the erectors, who were followed by the riveters. As designed, the building would ascend to 16 stories. Over 1,000 tons of steel were used in the first 2 floors alone. (TDL 11/14/1920, pg. B-7) BU 10, 756, Boland B 3212
Scandinavian-American Bank (Tacoma); Building construction--Tacoma--1920-1930; Construction industry--Tacoma--1920-1930;
This photograph from November 1920 shows one of the huge 32 ton beams of the framework for the Scandinavian -American Bank nearing its resting place. The erectors stand on top of the beam, ready to secure it in position. The design for the bank called for 16 stories with 22 rooms per floor with 5,000 feet of rentable space. The 11th Street entrance would open on a 26 foot wide court with a huge colored glass dome forming the ceiling for the massive banking room below. The bank failed in January of 1921 and construction was halted. The building, after a re-design, was completed in 1925 and was renamed the Washington Building. (TDL 11/14/1920, pg. B-7) BU 10, 759, Boland B 3235
Scandinavian-American Bank (Tacoma); Building construction--Tacoma--1920-1930; Construction industry--Tacoma--1920-1930;
The Roy State Bank was built in 1908 in the peaceful farming community of Roy near McNaught and Water Streets. Bank robbers brought unwanted excitement to the small town in the 1920s. It was held up in 1921, 1924, and 1928; this photograph was taken on the day of the last robbery, April 2, 1928. A young male bandit stole $3500 in currency just before closing time. Impacted by the Depression, the bank closed in 1931; it burned down the following year. TPL-2547; G73.1-064 (TDL 4-3-28, p. 1-article on bank robbery)
Pacific Savings & Loan Association occupied the Equitable Building (former location of the Merchants National Bank) in 1928. Other tenants included Crown Drugs and Pyro-Kure Dentists. The building adjoining the Equitable Building was the home of the F.W. Woolworth 5 & 10 cent store.
The Central Bank, located at Sixth & Pine, was one of the main occupants of the Hendry Block in 1928. William Hendry built the brick building in late 1924 and Central Bank opened its doors in March of the following year. Other tenants included a dentist, a physician, a printing firm and radio shop. TPL-8201; G18.1-042; BU-10,803;
Central Bank (Tacoma); Banks--Tacoma; Hendry Block (Tacoma);
The "erectors" get one of the massive 32 ton steel beams into position at the construction site of the Scandinavian-American Bank (later the Washington Building) in this November 1920 photograph. The beams were lifted into place by a pulley system and then rivetted. Because the main banking room, when completed, would be the largest open space on the Pacific Coast without a supporting pillar or post, the massive cross beams required specially designed lifting equipment. When completed, the room was to measure 60 feet frontage, 100 feet deep and 30 feet from floor to ceiling. However, construction was halted when the bank failed in 1921. The building was resold, redesigned and completed in 1925 as the Washington Building. (TDL 11/14/1920, pg. B-7) BU 10, 758, G17.1-122 TPL-9944
Scandinavian-American Bank (Tacoma); Building construction--Tacoma--1920-1930; Construction industry--Tacoma--1920-1930;
Photographer Marvin Boland's notes indicate that this was the bank vault at the Scandinavian American Bank in December of 1920. At that time the bank was building a 16-story structure at 1019 Pacific Avenue. While the new building was being constructed, the bank conducted business at a temporary location at South 13th and Pacific. The bank failed in January of 1921 and construction stopped. The building remained unfinished until 1925 and is now known as the Washington Building. G34.1-019
Scandinavian-American Bank (Tacoma); Banks--Tacoma; Vaults (Strong rooms)--Tacoma;
Tacoma Savings & Loan Association operations. The office staff of the Tacoma Savings & Loan Association, 100 So. 9th St. in downtown Tacoma, is pictured on September 12, 1923, conducting daily operations. An unidentified woman is making an entry on a ledger while her co-worker, seated at a large adding machine, observes. The Tacoma Savings & Loan Association, with assets (then) of over 3 1/2 million, was located in the white marbled Bowes Building. It was established in 1899 and was one of the city's oldest financial institutions. G13.1-009
Tacoma Savings & Loan Association (Tacoma); Banks--Tacoma; Office workers--Tacoma--1920-1930;
ca. 1956. Artist's rendering of the planned new branch of the National Bank of Washington in Buckley, Wa. Lea, Pearson & Richards, Architects. The design is compact and one story, with lots of floor to ceiling windows to supply natural lighting. Buckley is located 2 1/2 miles south of Enumclaw on the White River. It was originally a saw mill and logging center. The planned location for the bank is the corner of Main and River Ave. It would have a square footage of 4276 sq. feet, cost $75,000 and take approximately four months to complete. It would have six teller windows, safe deposit boxes, a community meeting room and a lounge and kitchen for employees. Carl Nilsen and Son were the contractors. (TNT 7/15/1956, pg. B-5)
National Bank of Washington (Buckley); Banks--Buckley--1950-1960;
ca. 1956. Artist's rendering of the proposed Kent branch of the National Bank of Washington. The building was designed by Lea, Pearson & Richards, Architects.
National Bank of Washington (Kent); Banks--Kent--1950-1960;
Architect's pencil rendering of the new National Bank of Washington's Westgate branch at 2624 No. Pearl. As the area surrounding the Westgate mall was developed and the communities of University Place and the north end grew and expanded, businesses rushed in to serve this suburban community. The Westgate branch of the National Bank of Washington opened in 1960. It was designed by Lea, Pearson & Richards and built of concrete finished with zolotone. It featured a flat roofed one story design with lots of glass floor to ceiling windows and was 5,400 square feet in size. The bank had parking for 75 cars and a driveup window at the rear of the building. (TNT 8/23/1959, pg. B-8)
National Bank of Washington (Tacoma); Banks--Tacoma; Banking--Tacoma--1950-1960;
Copy of architect's drawing of National Bank of Washington, ordered by National Bank of Washington, Miss Lindquist. A drawing of the new Parkland Branch by Lea, Pearson & Richards Architects. The drawing shows a tall, single-story building.
National Bank of Washington (Tacoma); Banks--Tacoma; Banking--Tacoma--1940-1950; Architectural drawings; Architects; Lea, Pearson & Richards (Tacoma);
ca. 1979. A curved staircase leads down from the ground level to the fountain level of the Bank of Washington Plaza, 1201-23 Pacific Ave., in this 1979 photograph. Structure was built in 1970; Lea, Pearson and Richards, architects.
National Bank of Washington (Tacoma); Banks--Tacoma; Fountains--Tacoma; Stairways--Tacoma--1970-1980;
Tacoma Savings and Loan, new building. The steel framework is going up for the new savings and loan headquarters, built across the street from their historic original office in the Bowes building. The new building would be a modern edifice of glass and aluminum. The first floor would house customer service, insurance department, offices for departments, safe deposit vault and safe deposit boxes. The mezzanine reached by the spiral staircase houses offices, conference room and record vault. A community room for meetings was located in the Basement, which also included the microfilm room, supply storage and employees' lounge.
Tacoma Savings & Loan Association (Tacoma); Banks--Tacoma; Construction--Tacoma--1950-1960;
The steel framework rises for the new Tacoma Savings and Loan Association building. When completed, the building would consist of a basement, main floor and mezzanine, with a structure that could support two additional floors when needed. It would have luminous ceilings acoustically treated for sound absorption, indirect lighting and electrically operated fiberglass drapes, 22 feet long from floor to ceiling. (TNT 6/27/1957)
Tacoma Savings & Loan Association (Tacoma); Banks--Tacoma; Construction--Tacoma--1950-1960;
An unidentified bank employee is surrounded by a bevy of beautiful co-workers at the National Bank of Washington company party held October 19, 1940 at the Tacoma Country and Golf Club. The bank was celebrating its 55th anniversary in business. The party was attended by 200 officers and employees from the Tacoma main branch and all surrounding branch offices.
Banks--Tacoma; Banking--Tacoma--1940-1950; Anniversaries--Tacoma--1930-1940; National Bank of Washington (Tacoma)--Commemoration; Tacoma Country & Golf Club (Tacoma);
First National Bank of Washington company party held October 19, 1940 at the Tacoma Country and Golf Club. The bank was celebrating its 55th anniversary in business. Guest of honor A.E. Connick, left, of San Francisco, is welcomed by bank director Henry O. Foss. Mr. Connick was the vice president of the Bank of America National Trust and Savings Association of San Francisco. (T. Times 12/21/1940, pg. 14)
Banks--Tacoma; Banking--Tacoma--1940-1950; Anniversaries--Tacoma--1930-1940; National Bank of Washington (Tacoma)--Commemoration; Tacoma Country & Golf Club (Tacoma); Foss, Henry O., 1891-1986; Connick, A.E.;
Group picture of the over 200 officers and employees of the National Bank of Washington celebrating the bank's 55th anniversary at the Tacoma Country and Golf Club on October 19, 1940. Included in the front row is prominent businessman Henry Foss.
Banks--Tacoma; Banking--Tacoma--1940-1950; Anniversaries--Tacoma--1930-1940; National Bank of Washington (Tacoma)--Commemoration; Tacoma Country & Golf Club (Tacoma); Foss, Henry O., 1891-1986;
Bank executives pose at the company party held October 19, 1940 at the Tacoma Country and Golf Club celebrating the 55th anniversary of the National Bank of Washington. Seated middle of the front row is Chairman of the Board of Directors and President of the bank Samuel Jackson. In the center of the standing row is Bank Director Henry Foss. Over 200 officers and members of the staff of the Tacoma home branch and the surrounding area branches attended the dinner and dance. (T. Times 10/19/1940, pg. 7)
Banks--Tacoma; Banking--Tacoma--1940-1950; Anniversaries--Tacoma--1930-1940; National Bank of Washington (Tacoma)--Commemoration; Tacoma Country & Golf Club (Tacoma); Foss, Henry O., 1891-1986; Jackson, Samuel M.;
The National Bank of Washington opened temporary quarters in a 40 foot trailer at the Villa Plaza in April, 1957, while their permanent Lakewood branch was being constructed. Flowers were planted in concrete block borders for a homey effect. Here on April 1, 1957, two men shake hands on the steps leading to the bank. The man to the left is believed to be branch manager, Marc H. Miller. The permanent branch, built on the Villa Plaza's north wing, would celebrate its open house on July 13, 1957. Customers would enjoy a rare "behind-the-scenes" look at bank operations during the open house. The new 50' X 104' structure would officially open for business on July 15, 1957. Photograph ordered by National Bank of Washington. (TNT 3-15-57, p. 9, TNT 7-11-57, A-6)
National Bank of Washington (Lakewood); Banks--Lakewood; Banking--Lakewood; Signs (Notices);
It might have been somewhat cramped in this trailer but the National Bank of Washington strove to provide good service to their customers while their permanent Lakewood branch was being constructed. It appears that the temporary quarters of the Villa Plaza branch was set in the middle of a parking lot during April, 1957. John R. Whisler, assistant cashier, and Marc H. Miller, manager, have nameplates on adjoining desks; there is also room for two teller windows. Photograph ordered by National Bank of Washington. (TNT 3-15-57, p. 9)
National Bank of Washington (Lakewood); Banks--Lakewood; Banking--Lakewood;
Exterior- Puget Sound National Bank. The 84th & Pacific branch of Puget Sound National Bank was a long-time fixture in the city's southend. It was headed by Ralph Hubbard from its inception. Mr. Hubbard treated his customers with his own personal touch. According to "Banking on Independence," Mr. Hubbard had a following of customers who would not bank with anyone other than Ralph." Puget Sound National Bank followed the philosophy that allowed them to name branch managers who were capable of running their branches profitably and were able to attract and retain customers. Puget Sound National Bank, long known as the largest independent bank in the state, was purchased by KeyBank in the early 1990's. The 84th & Pacific branch is still open for business at the same location. Photograph ordered by the Condon Co., possibly for advertising purposes. (Provorse: Banking on Independence, p. 107-08)
Puget Sound National Bank (Tacoma); Banks--Tacoma; Banking--Tacoma--1950-1960;
Exterior- Puget Sound National Bank. Bank officials, realizing that the city's southend continued to grow, placed a branch of Puget Sound National Bank at the corner of South 84th and Pacific Avenue. The branch had a large neon sign and also a time/temperature device above. The Main Office of the bank had a similiar "double T" sign placed at their Pacific Avenue headquarters only four years before. The 84th & Pacific branch was managed for many years by Ralph Hubbard. The bank is still in its same location 45 years later; it is now owned by KeyBank. Photograph ordered by the Condon Co.
Puget Sound National Bank (Tacoma); Banks--Tacoma; Banking--Tacoma--1950-1960; Clocks & watches; Electric signs--Tacoma--1950-1960;
A teller smilingly tabulates deposits at the drive-up window of Lakewood's Puget Sound National Bank. Drive-up service was becoming very popular in the 1950's as a convenience for busy customers who could not spare the time to enter the bank. Thick glass would protect the teller from robbers; customers would simply place their transactions in bins which would be accessible by the teller. Payments for loans, checking and savings deposits and withdrawls would all be accomplished without the customer ever leaving his car. Photograph ordered by Condon Co. (TNT ad 4-3-58, B-7) 10-JUN-2014
Banking--Lakewood; Banks--Lakewood; Puget Sound National Bank (Lakewood);
An alluring hula girl mannequin beckons Bank of California customers to protect their vacation funds by purchasing American Express travelers cheques. The June, 1957, display suggests that, whether visiting Hawaii or South Dakota, a cautious vacationer should play it safe by using travelers cheques instead of carrying large amounts of cash. A giant sea shell, a towel, a model Northwest Airlines plane, two palm trees and copious amounts of "sand" in the midst of a bank lobby would certainly draw the attention of the bank's vacation-minded customers. American Express launched its travelers cheque business in 1891; they introduced their travel charge card in 1958. (Photograph ordered by Bank of California.)
Bank of California National Association (Tacoma); Banks--Tacoma; Merchandise displays--Tacoma--1950-1960; Mannequins;
