James A. and Florence B. Eves House, Frederic and Stanley Shaw, Architects, 1921. Two-story frame Colonial with attic, front porch has three columns on each side, small half circle window in front roof. Ordered by Silas E. Nelsen, Architect. (filed with Argentum)

Houses--Tacoma--1920-1930; Silas E. Nelsen Architects (Tacoma); Eves, James A.--Homes & haunts;

Residence of A.B. Gehri at Lake Steilacoom, Silas E. Nelsen, Architect, 1926. Large two-story brick and wood home with brick patio on right. Lake visible behind patio. The English cottage style home contained a 16x 26 foot living room with a huge fireplace. Also on the first floor were a dining alcove, kitchen, bedroom and bathroom. Upstairs were two bedrooms, one of which was 16 x 20 and had two large closets and a fireplace, and a sleeping porch. All floors were hardwood. The large brick terrace faced off the living room. (TDL 12/5/1926, pg. E-10)

Houses--Lakewood--1920-1930; Silas E. Nelsen Architects (Tacoma); Gehri, A.B.--Homes & haunts;

This contemporary rambler style home was built in the Skyline Terrace housing development by Miller Construction Co. It was used as a model home in 1960. The home appeared to have a daylight basement and either an adjoining or adjacent garage. Skyline Terrace was an eighty million dollar, 1500 home development with views of the city, Narrows, and mountains.

Model houses--Tacoma; Houses--Tacoma--1960-1970; Miller Construction Co., Inc. (Tacoma);

Built on the corner of North 5th and Yakima Avenue by owner Phil Baldasare, the Vista Palms Apartments were considered an ultra modern complex in August, 1960. Units on all four floors overlooked a charming courtyard which contained palm trees saved from the William F. Sheard mansion which had occupied this location. The Mission style Sheard home, designed by Russell and Babcock, was demolished in 1959 to make way for the apartments. A full page ad in the News Tribune indicated that an open house would be held on August 21, 1960, to view the 24-unit $500,000 apartment complex. (TNT 8-21-60, B-6, B-7)

Vista Palms Apartments (Tacoma); Apartment houses--Tacoma--1960-1970; Palms--Tacoma;

Side view of Vista Palms Apartments. The ultra modern Vista Palms Apartments were built in 1959 by Phil Baldasare. On the ends of the four-story units were concrete building blocks that would provide both insulation and noise control. The apartments were built at the corner of No. 5th and Yakima Ave. on the site of the former Wm. F. Sheard Spanish Mission mansion. The palm trees he had planted were saved when the mansion was demolished and were featured in the apartment's courtyard. Each of the one and two bedroom units had built-in kitchens and wall-to-wall carpeting. Built at a cost of $500,000, the 24-units had marine and mountain views. Photograph ordered by Graystone of Tacoma. (TNT 8-21-60, B-6. B-7)

Vista Palms Apartments (Tacoma); Apartment houses--Tacoma--1960-1970; Palms--Tacoma;

Commerce St. side of Bernice Building. By 1960, there were many vacancies in the venerable Bernice Building located in the 1100 block of Pacific Avenue. The building would be demolished later to make room for the new Pacific First Federal Savings & Loan Assn.site. Pacific First Federal had requested photographs of the front and rear of the Bernice Building with adjoining buildings removed.

Bernice Building (Tacoma);

Full front of Bernice Building, Pacific Avenue side. Located on the ground floor of the Victorian era Bernice Building was Bender's, women and men's clothing store owned by Jack R. Bender. Customers seem to be flocking to the ready-to-wear store, drawn by the low prices in the quitting business sale. The Bernice Building, as well as the adjacent Pacific First Federal Savings & Loan Assn. building, would be demolished to make way for a modern, expanded Pacific First Federal structure. The new building would open in September, 1964.

Bernice Building (Tacoma); Bender's (Tacoma);

Pacific First Federal Savings & Loan building at intersection of S. 11th & Commerce Sts. Pedestrians wait to cross busy Commerce St. on February 1, 1961. The savings & loan association had announced two weeks before that they would be constructing a new building on the original site and including the Bernice Building location next door. Both buildings had been built in the late 1800's and heavily utilized the semi-circular Roman arch feature. Photograph ordered by Pacific First Federal Savings & Loan Assn.

Pacific First Federal Building (Tacoma); Bernice Building (Tacoma);

Originally built in 1891 as the Merchants National Bank, the building on the corner of 11th and Pacific Avenue became home to Pacific First Federal Savings & Loan in 1939. When the building was remodeled in 1949 many innovations were added to the venerable structure including Tacoma's first escalator. Both the Pacific First Federal building at 1102-04 Pacific and the Bernice Building next to it were torn down shortly after this photograph was taken in 1961; a new, larger Pacific First Federal Savings & Loan Association building was built on the site. The new savings and loan had its grand opening in September 1964. Today it is home to Washington Mutual Bank. (Photograph ordered by Pacific First Federal Savings & Loan Assn.)

Pacific First Federal Building (Tacoma); Bernice Building (Tacoma); Bender's (Tacoma);

ca. 1961. 1961 scenic and stock footage. Sky Terrace Apartments, an eight-story reinforced concrete structure, under construction in early 1961. The 39-unit apartment building was designed by Robert Billsbrough Price with Ostruske-Murphy, Inc. as contractors. The $750,000 structure would consist of one and two bedroom apartments with views of Commencement Bay. This view is of the rear of the Sky Terrace. The building was expected to be completed in July, 1961. (TNT 1-25-61, B-4)

Building construction--Tacoma--1960-1970; Apartment houses--Tacoma--1960-1970; Sky Terrace Apartments (Tacoma);

ca. 1961. Side-view from south Stadium Way of eight-story reinforced concrete apartment building under construction in early 1961, taken as scenic and stock footage for 1961. GMC truck with "Lantz" painted on it is on sidewalk area in front of building. These are the Sky Terrace Apartments located at 235 Broadway. The balconies are on the rear of the building. Robert Billsbrough Price was the architect, O & M Builders Supply the builder, and Ostruske-Murphy, Inc., the contractor of the project.

Building construction--Tacoma--1960-1970; Apartment houses--Tacoma--1960-1970; Sky Terrace Apartments (Tacoma);

On Sunday, April 16, 1961, a Richards Studio photographer journeyed to the third floor of the Washington Building to snap photos of the soon-to-be demolished Bernice Building and Pacific First Federal Savings. Bender's Ready to Wear fashions for men and women appears to already have vacated the premises; windows are either boarded up or empty. A modern Pacific First Federal Savings & Loan would emerge in 1964. The new building, designed by Tacoma architects Lea, Pearson & Richards, would cost $1,500,000, and more than double the present size of the savings and loan. (TNT 1-12-61, p. 1)

Bernice Building (Tacoma); Pacific First Federal Building (Tacoma); Bender's (Tacoma);

Streets of downtown Tacoma appear quiet on a Sunday in April, 1961. A few people stand near Bender's Ready to Wear clothing store for women and men located in the Bernice Building in the 1100 block of Pacific Avenue. Both the Bernice and the adjoining Pacific First Federal Building would be but a memory shortly as they would be torn down to make way for a modern Pacific First Federal Savings location. Photograph taken from the third floor of the Washington Building on behalf of Pacific First Federal Savings & Loan.

Bernice Building (Tacoma); Pacific First Federal Building (Tacoma); Bender's (Tacoma);

This row of classic older homes was photographed on behalf of architects Liddle & Jones on June 29, 1961. They, and others, were located on South Yakima, between Sixth Avenue and 8th St. Home in the center of photograph appears to be of the Queen Anne style. The large home was constructed mostly of brick with steeply pitched gabled roof, dormers, and a turret. Built on a smoothly sloped lot, it is separated from neighboring homes by hedges.

Houses--Tacoma--1960-1970;

Exterior - Thunderbird Garden Apartments. The Thunderbird Garden Apartments used a Northwest Indian motif as a decoration on the building's cedar-sided exterior. The 51-unit complex was built in 1961 in close proximity to the Thunderbird Shopping Center on Steilacoom Blvd. Each section of the apartment complex was no more than two stories high. All apartments had all-electric kitchens and heating and had insulated and soundproof ceilings and walls. Wall to wall carpeting was provided in the spacious living rooms and bedrooms. In addition, all the one and two bedroom units were pre-wired for phone and television. Parking was convenient with spaces located in the back of each unit. A luxurious swimming pool and tennis courts provided the residents with a country club atmosphere. Rents ranged from $75-135, unfurnished, with additional cost for furnishings. Photograph ordered by Thunderbird Investment Corporation. (TNT 3-26-61, B-8, TNT full page ad 8-20-61, B-9, B-10)

Thunderbird Garden Apartments (Lakewood); Apartment houses--Lakewood;

ca. 1926. Architectural rendering of residence for Dr. William W. Mattson by Hill and Mock, Architects, 229 Perkins Building. Nelson J. Morrison, designer and delineator. Drawing dated 07-29-1925. The home was designed in the style of an English manor. This house was the scene of the 1936 kidnapping of Charles Mattson. It was demolished in May of 2006.

Architectural Drawings; Houses--Tacoma--1920-1930; Kidnappings--Tacoma--1930-1940; Mattson, William--Homes & haunts; Mattson, Charles--Kidnappings;

New construction by Dean Lyster Construction Co. This home in the University Estates subdivision was included in the 12th annual Tour of Homes held in mid-August, 1961. It was one of eighteen new homes on display in the tour sponsored by the Home Builders Association of Greater Tacoma. The "modern colonial" featured a recreation and family room with sliding glass doors to the rear court, separate living room with colonial fireplace, tile entry, oak paneling, 1.5 baths, and a two-car attached garage wtih automatic electric door available. It was heated with natural gas. Photograph ordered by Dean Lyster Construction Co. (TNT 8-18-61, C-1, TNT 8-27-61, B-3)

Houses--University Place--1960-1970;

View of eight-story reinforced concrete apartment house, "Sky Terrace," on October 19, 1961. Located at 235 Broadway with views of Commencement Bay, it was designed by well-known architect Robert Billsbrough Price. O & M Builders Supply was listed as the builder with Ostruske -Murphy, Inc., as contractors. All one and two-bedroom units would have balconies at the rear of the building. Photograph ordered by O & M Builders.

Apartment houses--Tacoma--1960-1970; Sky Terrace Apartments (Tacoma);

Children eating breakfast with mom standing by. This is possibly an example of the "great room" concept whereby the living room and kitchen area blend in seamlessly. The little boy and girl, bowls of cereal before them, are seated before a long wooden curved counter that extends slightly into the living room; the other side of the counter has kitchen cabinets and drawers below it. Other eyecatching features include a recessed wall to fit a small sofa and to highlight family photos and a long beam providing a silent demarcation between the two living spaces. Photograph ordered by the Weyerhaeuser Co.

Houses--1960-1970; Living rooms; Kitchens; Eating & drinking;

View of wood framed home with deck overlooking serene lake, taken on behalf of the Weyerhaeuser Co. in January, 1962. The use of rough, natural wood and rock garden featuring large boulder near front door appears to blend the home with the natural setting. The location of the home was not identified.

Houses--1960-1970; Rocks;

Very contemporary home used as model home for the 1962 Seattle World's Fair. Located in the Inverness Development on a hill above the Sand Point Naval Air Station, this two-level home was wood framed with recessed doors and covered porch. Unique feature was the use of raised peak-shaped roofs to provide plenty of natural lighting. The home may have been owned by Doral Bardley. Photograph ordered by Georgia-Pacific Corporation, Portland.

Model houses--Seattle; Houses--Seattle--1960-1970;

Showcase home for 1962 Seattle World's Fair. Yvonne Grennam of Seattle opens the oven in the ultra-modern kitchen of the model home located in the Inverness Development on the hill above Sand Point Naval Air Station. This home would be used in the Seattle World's Fair to showcase contemporary living. Note the extensive use of wood in the kitchen, including covering the refrigerator door, dropped lighting, and modern kitchen chairs. Narrow rectangular windows were built high on the walls; roof is unusually shaped above kitchen, coming to a peak. Photograph ordered by Georgia-Pacific Corporation, Portland.

Model houses--Seattle; Kitchens--Seattle; Ovens;

Living room. This spacious Raft Island living room may be associated with the home viewed at A136307-4. It features high open beam ceilings, large brick fireplace, view windows from which a balcony can be glimpsed, and modernistic furniture. A portion of the lower section of the home can be seen through the open doorway. Photograph ordered by the Weyerhaeuser Co.

Houses--Raft Island; Living rooms--Raft Island;

Exterior of Longbranch home. This cedar and stone summer beach house owed by Mr. and Mrs. William L. Dafoe of Seattle won first prize in the Western Homes Awards sponsored by the American Institute of Architects and Sunset Magazine. The waterfront home featured covered wooden walkways and large view windows. The front entrance was reached by a series of these covered walkways, specifically planned around native evergreens, fern gardens and rock coverings. Driftwood and live trees were artfully mingled. The home was designed by Seattle architects Kirk, Wallace, McKinley and Associates so that the main rooms would take full advantage of beach views. Photograph ordered by the Weyerhaeuser Co. (TNT 10-6-63, B-8)

Dafoe, William L.--Homes & haunts; Houses--Longbranch; Covered walks--Longbranch;

Exterior of Raft Island home. This two-story rustic home is believed to be on Raft Island. Its many windows and lengthy balcony would appear to take advantage of possibly a waterfront view. The home features a wood exterior and shake roof, topped off with a television antenna. Photograph ordered by the Weyerhaeuser Co.

Houses--Raft Island;

Dining room. The presence of highly polished wood is highlighted in this 1962 photograph of a Raft Island dining room. A rectangular table, leaves folded, is decorated with two candelabra and a small floral display. China and stemware are present for viewing behind glass-enhanced wall cabinets. Long built-in wooden cabinets with marble-like tops are situated below them. The ceiling is accented by one exposed wooden beam from which a singular lamp dangles. Photograph ordered by the Weyerhaeuser Co.

Houses--Raft Island; Dining rooms--Raft Island; Dining tables; Cupboards--Raft Island;

A large, tranquil swimming pool is surrounded on all sides by apartments in the Miramar complex. The Olympic-size pool shared space in the courtyard with a landscaped garden terrace. The luxurious four-story Miramar Apartments opened in the fall of 1963. These beautiful apartments were designed for privacy and view. Stromberg Building Enterprises were the contractors with Mel Brewster as superintendent of construction. Photograph ordered by Stromberg Building Enterprises. (TNT 9-22-63, A-11)

Miramar Apartments (Tacoma); Apartment houses--Tacoma--1960-1970; Swimming pools--Tacoma--1960-1970;

Weyerhaeuser 4-square plywood is being applied to a framed building on September 28, 1963. One worker is about to lift a sheet of plywood next to the window opening. The roof is not yet in place. Photograph ordered by Cole & Weber Advertising.

Building construction; Plywood;

An eye-catching swimming pool area is a highlight of the luxurious new Four Fountains apartment complex in an October 5, 1963, photograph. Bordered by natural rock, the enormous sunken courtyard contains a 42' wide, heated swimming pool in the shape of the complex's symbol, a fleur-de-lis. The pool was wired for underwater hi-fi music. Plenty of lounge chairs and beach tables provide a welcoming sight to apartment residents. A recreation building and a party room are located nearby. The Four Fountains would host an open house on October 13, 1963, so that potential renters could view the all-electric units, each containing fireplaces, wall-to-wall carpeting, slate entryways and patios/lanais. Photograph ordered by H.A. Briggs. (TNT 7-21-63, B-4, TNT 10-13-63, B-6)

Four Fountains Apartments (Lakewood); Housing developments--Lakewood; Swimming pools--Lakewood;

ca. 1926. James and Elizabeth McCormack residence, Stadium District, circa 1926. Night view of large Mission-style house at 705 No. 5th St. with all windows lighted. McCormack was president of McCormack Brothers department store. The home was only a few years old when this picture was taken. It was designed by Ambrose J. Russell and built of tile & stucco. It is now the Villa Bed & Breakfast and is on the City Registry. (filed with Argentum)

McCormack, James--Homes & haunts; Houses--Tacoma--1920-1930; Estates--Tacoma;