Picture of three men at Cole's Supermarket, 5512 Pacific Ave., taken for advertising copy for grand opening ads. The store featured all new self service and Pictsweet frozen foods. The supermarket was open weekdays 9am-9pm and Sundays from 10am-9pm. New refrigerator cases were installed by Paul's Refrigeration. (TNT 3/3/1950 pg. 12)

Grocery stores--Tacoma--1950-1960; Merchants--Tacoma--1950-1960; Cole's Supermarket (Tacoma); Refrigerators;

1950 Chevrolet Sedan Delivery truck, "Nalley's Inc. Advertising Car LA-63" on display in South Tacoma Motor Company's showroom. Slogan "If It's Nalley's It's Good" and product names "Treasure Pickles" and "Beef Stew" are painted on this side.

Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1950-1960; South Tacoma Motor Co. (Tacoma);Food industry--Tacoma; Nalley's, Inc. (Tacoma); Chevrolet trucks;

The Big Bear Stores were celebrating the second anniversary of their Tacoma store with a 1,200 pound anniversary cake. TPL-6594

Big Bear Stores (Tacoma); Grocery stores--Tacoma--1950-1960; Cakes--Tacoma--1950-1960; Anniversaries--Tacoma--1950-1960; Merchandise displays--Tacoma;

1,200 pound anniversary cake, Big Bear Store, Mr. Taylor. The Big Bear Stores were celebrating the second anniversary of their Tacoma store. The store at this location was opened January 1948. This enormous five-layer cake is shown in front of a display of Biskit Mix and Fisher's enriched flour. A banner hanging over the flour display says the cake was made with Fisher's Blend Flour, Medosweet milk, and C & H Pure Cane Sugar.

Big Bear Stores (Tacoma); Grocery stores--Tacoma--1950-1960; Cakes--Tacoma--1950-1960; Anniversaries--Tacoma--1950-1960; Merchandise displays--Tacoma;

A new Chevrolet panel truck for Nalley's, Inc. was on display at South Tacoma Motor Company. This advertising car for Nalley's, Inc. carries the company logo, "If It's Nalley's, It's Good," on both sides and the rear door. This view shows advertising for Lumber Jack Syrup and Tang.

Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1950-1960; South Tacoma Motor Co. (Tacoma);Food industry--Tacoma; Nalley's, Inc. (Tacoma); Chevrolet trucks; Advertising--Tacoma--1950-1960;

A shiny, new 1950 Chevrolet De Luxe 2 door sedan was on display in the showroom window at South Tacoma Motor Company in January of 1950. The transom above the large picture window was decorated with a banner, "Now on Display - New Chevrolet for '50". Peter Wallerich founded the South Tacoma Motor Company after he acquired a combined livery business and service store in 1919. He opened his new Chevrolet dealership at 5602 So. Tacoma Way in 1924. During the post-war boom of the 1950's, the South Tacoma Motor Company was selling 200 cars and trucks a year. (South on the Sound, Murray and Rosa Morgan) TPL-8566

Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1950-1960; Chevrolet automobile; South Tacoma Motor Co. (Tacoma);

South Tacoma Motor Company. A general view of the dealership at night. 1950 Chevrolets are on display in the showroom. A neon sign advertises the dealership at the corner while searchlights on the back of a truck pierce the night sky. South Tacoma Motor Company originated in the late 1800s as Union Street Livery. With the growing popularity of automobiles in the early 1900s, the owners combined the livery business with a service store and garage. Peter Wallerich acquired South Tacoma Motor in 1919. As of 1984 John Wallerich, Peter's grandson, headed the dealership. (South on the Sound, Murray and Rosa Morgan) TPL-6545

Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1950-1960; South Tacoma Motor Co. (Tacoma); Electric signs--Tacoma--1950-1960; Chevrolet automobile; Searchlights--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Dinner awards being presented to employees, Shell Oil Co., Tideflats, Larry Hausen. Shell Oil had celebrated the opening of their new bulk petroleum terminal on the Tacoma tideflats next to the city waterway earlier in November 1949. They consolidated their two smaller plants into one housing their storage, truck fill-stand and garage with their district office, smaller storage and warehouse.

Shell Oil Co., Inc. (Tacoma); Petroleum industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Fuel trade--Tacoma--1940-1950; Banquets--Tacoma--1940-1950; Awards; Business people--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Group shot of personnel, W.H. Opie & Co. A group of 25 people who worked for the W.H. Opie real estate company pose in one of their five offices on December 5, 1949. W. H. Opie and Company was established in 1888 and dealt with insurance and real estate business. The company processed FHA and GI home loans, other real estate loans, property management, rentals and sold insurance. The company officers were: Orville W. Hunter, President, Warren S. Lagerquist, Vice-President, and Gertrude R. Cherrington, Assistant Secretary-Treasurer.

W.H. Opie & Co. (Tacoma)--Employees; Real estate business--Tacoma; Group portraits; Offices--Tacoma--1940-1950; Office workers--Tacoma--1940-1950; Office equipment & supplies;

Banquet for 25 Year Club and Pensioners at Towers, E.I. DuPont de Nemours & Co., Mr. George Collins. DuPont Works Annual Dinner, Pensioners and 25 Year Men. The Grasselli division of E.I. DuPont de Nemours & Company began manufacturing lead and calcium arsenates for fruit, cotton and ground crops in May 1944. They also warehoused millions of pounds of agricultural chemicals manufactured by its eastern plant. The company had another plant for the manufacture of high explosives in Dupont, Washington. Names were listed in the newspaper November 18, 1949. (TNT, 2/17/1949, p.6-A; 11/18/1949, p.B-9; T.Times, 1/30/1946)

Banquets--Tacoma--1940-1950; Business people--Tacoma--1940-1950; E.I. du Pont de Nemours & Co. (Dupont)--People; Towers Restaurant (Tacoma);

Interior and exterior for submitting to Liquor Board, Valley Cafe, Sumner, Frank Guisti. Swivel stools with back rests line the counter. Booths line the opposite wall and open sided booths create a center seating area.

Cafes--Sumner--1940-1950; Valley Cafe (Sumner);

Interior of new office and warehouse to show flowers, C & G Radio Supply Co., Lloyd Norberg. The C & G Radio Supply Company is ready for their grand opening. They have received so many flowers of congratulation and best wishes for their success that they line the walkway to the back of the store and stand in nearly every window. The company will sell radio supplies and equipment.

C & G Radio Supply Co. (Tacoma); Radios; Stores & shops--Tacoma; Flowers--Tacoma;

The finish on this new 1949 Packard should be well protected from sun and rain by the snug, little collapsible garage available from the Croft Trailer Company, 7241 So. Tacoma Way, that covers it. Paul and Lewis Croft were in the trailer manufacturing and rental business in Tacoma for over twenty years beginning around 1947. Brad Linsey

Croft Trailer Co. (Tacoma); Packard automobile; Canopies--Tacoma;

Collapsible garage, Croft Trailer Co., Brad Linsey. A portable, tent-like awning covers a large car in the driveway next to a house in this photograph from November of 1949. The covering folds like an accordian allowing the automobile entrance and egress. The poles supporting the canvas-like material are bolted to frames of wood. The collapsible garage was available from the Croft Trailer Co., 7241 South Tacoma Way, a firm owned and operated by Paul H. Croft who was reputedly a wonderful inventor. See A 46173, image 3 for another view of Croft Trailer Co.'s "garage." (Additional information provided by a reader)

Croft Trailer Co. (Tacoma); Storage facilities--Tacoma--1940-1950; Canopies--Tacoma;

New safe deposit vault at Pacific First Federal, Condon Co., Roscoe Smith. A view of the street entrance lobby of the new Pacific First Federal safe deposit vault. The garden planting and bright red upholstered couch lend a spirit of charm and warmth to the richly paneled walnut walls. Wall mirrors reflect the lower lobby, the vault, counters and coupon booths. (TNT, 11/30/1949, p.9)

Pacific First Federal Savings & Loan Association (Tacoma); Vaults (Strong rooms)--Tacoma; Banks--Tacoma; Waiting rooms--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Overall exterior of new Washington Hardware Wholesale Building, Puyallup Avenue, Raleigh Hardware Co. Washington Hardware's new wholesale building is nearly complete. The one story building provided 50,000 square feet of storage area. A tall, brick covered sign post stands near one of the two front doors. Large glass windows face Puyallup Avenue. The retail and sports' shop that had been in operation 65 years remained at 918-24 Pacific.

Washington Hardware Co. (Tacoma); Warehouses--Tacoma;

Group of approximately 30 at Winthrop Hotel, Pacific Northwest District of Kiwanis, R. Ralstad. It was reported earlier in the month that Edward A. Lane had been elected president of the North-West Tacoma Kiwanis Club for 1950. (TNT, 11/10/1949, p.C-11)

Hotel Winthrop (Tacoma); Kiwanis Club (Tacoma); Business people--Tacoma--1940-1950;

New safe deposit vault at Pacific First Federal, Condon Co., Roscoe Smith. Pacific First Federal Savings and Loan was proud of their new safe deposit vault on the ground floor of its building at Pacific Avenue and South 11th Street. The new vault was one the of largest and most modern in the Pacific Northwest, and employed the latest safety devices. Tacoma's first escalator provided convenience to patrons which connected the vault lobby with the savings and loan lobby on the second floor. (TNT,11/30/1949, p.9)

Pacific First Federal Savings & Loan Association (Tacoma); Vaults (Strong rooms)--Tacoma; Banks--Tacoma; Waiting rooms--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Dinner party at the Towers, Jordan Baking Company. A large group of men have assembled at the Towers Restaurant. They are possibly sales representatives from the Jordan Baking Company. A display board at the back of the room shows different art work for a new product, "Fruit Bread".

Restaurants--Tacoma; Towers--Tacoma; Towers Restaurant (Tacoma); Bakeries--Tacoma; Jordan Baking Co. (Tacoma);

Painted window, Tacoma Auto Sales, Buck Gardner. The 1950 Pontiacs went on display at Tacoma Auto Sales the last week of November 1949. The Chieftain and Streamliner lines were continued with standard and de luxe styling, six- or eight-cylinder engines (up to 108 h.p.) and Hydra-matic or Synchro-Mesh transmissions. This General Motors make was named after the intelligent and formidable leader of the Ottawa Tribe, Chief Pontiac, who united four tribes to fight against the British army during the French and Indian War in 1763.

Automobile dealerships--Tacoma; Tacoma Auto Sales Co. (Tacoma); Window displays--Tacoma--1940-1950; Advertising--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Richard Wagner (center) won this handsome turkey at the Pharaoh Club's 5th annual Thanksgiving dance held on Thursday November 24, 1949 at the Top of the Ocean. Holding Mr. Wagner's turkey, while Miss Janet McMath tickles its breast feathers, is Gene Nelson. The Pharaoh Club was a young men's social group organized by a small number of students in 1939; by 1949 the groups membership had grown. Since Mr. Wagner did not win his turkey until Thanksgiving evening, we must assume that he kept it as a pet - at least until Christmas. (TNT 11/13/1949 p.D-4; 11/27/1949 p.D-1)

Top of the Ocean (Tacoma); Restaurants--Tacoma--1940-1950; Nightclubs--Tacoma--1940-1950; Pharaoh Club (Tacoma); Turkeys; Nelson, Gene; Wagner, Richard; McMath, Janet; Dance parties--Tacoma--1940-1950; Holidays--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Informal square dancing at Tacoma Athletic Commission, Metcalf. Several couples are enjoying being on the dance floor learning square dancing steps. Several others are lined up in the back for refreshments.

Top of the Ocean (Tacoma); Tacoma Athletic Commission (Tacoma); Square dancing--Tacoma--1940-1950; Couples--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Tacoma Athletic Commission, Square dancing and style show, Elliott Metcalf. Four couples, wearing skirts and shirts of matching fabric, are demonstrating one of the forms of dancing to members of the Tacoma Athletic Commission at the Top of the Ocean as part of the square dance revue. Square dancing fever was catching at this time. (TNT, 12/22/1949, p.20)

Top of the Ocean (Tacoma); Tacoma Athletic Commission (Tacoma); Square dancing--Tacoma--1940-1950; Couples--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Square dancing fever was spreading through Tacoma in December of 1949. Members of the Tacoma Athletic Commission put on a dance demonstration at the Top of the Ocean, 2217 Ruston Way, in appropriate dress. They announced that they were sponsoring a city-wide square dance festival to be held in February in the College of Puget Sound (UPS) fieldhouse. Dressed in contrasting blouses topping skirts in a rick-rack pattern - all worn over pantalettes - are: (l to r) Mrs. John Richards, Allyne (Mrs. Kenneth) Hopper, Gail (Mrs. Melvin) McKenney and Mary L. (Mrs. David) Collier. (TNT, 12/22/1949, p.20)

Top of the Ocean (Tacoma); Tacoma Athletic Commission (Tacoma); Square dancing--Tacoma--1940-1950; Hopper, Allyne; Collier, Mary L.; McKenney, Gail; Costumes--Tacoma; Bloomers;

Interior of bar to show Christmas decorations, Tacoma Athletic Commission, Metcalf. The Tacoma Athletic Commission decorated the back wall of the bar at the Top of the Ocean with a hand-painted sign showing a snowy scene with a comfortable home snuggled up against a woods. The ground slopes down to a bay with ships on the water and a mountainous island in the distance. An artificial showman has taken over the cash register. Artificial icicles hang over the sign and tinsel hangs over the front of the bar.

Restaurants--Tacoma; Athletic clubs--Tacoma; Decorations--Tacoma; Bars--Tacoma; Lounges--Tacoma; Murals--Tacoma; Tacoma Athletic Commission (Tacoma); Top of the Ocean (Tacoma); Christmas decorations;

Tacoma Athletic Commission, Square dancing and style show, Elliott Metcalf. Bob Starkey was the caller for the square dancing revue put on for the members of the Tacoma Athletic Commission at the Top of the Ocean. Couples are dancing with arms around each other and the men have crossed arms in the middle. Several couples watch from the side lines. (TNT, 12/22/1949, p.20)

Top of the Ocean (Tacoma); Tacoma Athletic Commission (Tacoma); Square dancing--Tacoma--1940-1950; Couples--Tacoma--1940-1950;

In December of 1949, the Jordan Baking Company at 5233 So. Washington St., received recognition by the Quality Bakers of America for their high quality bread. Joe Kehoe (center), the Pacific Coast representative of Quality Bakers of America holds the silver trophy that Jordan's was awarded for "The Best Loaf of Bread". Arthur K. Jordan, owner of the Jordan Baking Company, is on the right. W.J. Casteel, the company sales manager, is on the left and Anthony J. Tosic, superintendent, is standing. (TNT, 1/10/1950, p.8)

Jordan Baking Co. (Tacoma); Bakeries--Tacoma--1940-1950; Bread--Tacoma; Awards; Jordan, Arthur K.; Kehoe, Joe; Casteel, W.J.; Tosic, Anthony J.;

Model standing in doorway showing size of vault, Condon Co., Morris. The vault section held 10,000 safe deposit boxes of varying sizes, making it one of the largest in the Pacific Northwest. It was of fortress-like construction with the outer walls of thick concrete and an inner lining, including the floors, of 1-inch and 1 1/2 inch inch steel. The massive burglar-proof circular steel door weighed 22 tons with its frame scaling 17 tons. (TNT, 11/30/1949, p.9)

Pacific First Federal Savings & Loan Association (Tacoma); Vaults (Strong rooms)--Tacoma; Banks--Tacoma;

Cup awarded for best loaf of bread, Jordan Baking Company, Art Jordan. Jordan Baking Company's name has been engraved on the base of the trophy for the month of November 1949. A company in Jacksonville, Florida, has won for the month of October. The trophy was presented by the Quality Bakers of America. A female fiqure with wings holding a loaf of bread over head tops the cylindrical trophy.

Jordan Baking Co. (Tacoma); Awards; Bakeries--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;