The living/rec room of this Mountlake Terrace home in the early 1950's was decorated in a mixture of bold green, gold and dark rose tones. The furniture displayed was of a slighter fashion with lightweight woods used instead of heavier cherrys or oak. A fire blazes in the elongated stone fireplace to provide warmth to the carpeted living area. ALBUM 15.

Living rooms--Mountlake Terrace--1950-1960; Fireplaces--Mountlake Terrace--1950-1960;

The interior of a house showing a wall furnace in the living room. A small desk with a fold-down writing surface and four drawers stands along the same wall as the furnace. Two side chairs with striped seats stand on either side of the desk. A small table with a telephone stand on the other side of the front door. Patterned rugs have been placed on the hardwood floor.

Living rooms--Tacoma--1950-1960; Desks; Telephones; Furnaces--Tacoma; H.C. Little Burner Co. (Seattle);

The interior of a house showing a wall furnace which faces into both the entry way and the living room. The living room can be seen through the arched doorway. Patterned rugs have been placed on the hardwood floor.

Living rooms--Tacoma--1950-1960; Furnaces--Tacoma; H.C. Little Burner Co. (Seattle);

New Korean-era homes for sale are shown in this December, 1951, photograph. Rambler-style in construction, they all appear to have one-car garages. Situated on a Tacoma hillside, they may have had peek-a-boo views of the Sound. What is noticeable is that they are built very close together, with virtually no space between the houses. Photograph ordered by Phares Advertising, Seattle.

Houses--Tacoma--1950-1960; Neighborhoods--Tacoma--1950-1960; Phares Advertising Agency (Seattle);

This kitchen in a December, 1951, photograph, provided lots of storage room as evidenced by the many cabinets and drawers. The counterspace is tiled up and including the ledge to the window. Gleaming white appliances include a stove and refrigerator, placed kitty-corner to the sink. Patterned linoleum is included in this particular model home. Photograph ordered by Phares Advertising, Seattle.

Kitchens--Tacoma--1950-1960; Tiles; Appliances; Model houses--Tacoma; Phares Advertising Agency (Seattle);

Large picture windows let in plenty of sunlight into the living room of this model 1951 Tacoma-area home. Plain utilitarian furniture greets the eye as soon as the front door is opened. Two disparate pieces of carpet separate the living room and possibly a den. The walls are empty of any decorations. Photograph ordered by Phares Advertising, Seattle.

Model houses--Tacoma; Living rooms--Tacoma--1950-1960; Phares Advertising Agency (Seattle);

Model homes at Mountlake Terrace, Seattle. Homes selling for $5,999. Model posing on ranch-style gate at entrance to housing development. Smaller, one-story houses in background. For Phares Advertising Company.

Housing developments--Mountlake Terrace; Model houses--Mountlake Terrace--1950-1960; Phares Advertising Co. (Seattle); Model houses--Mountlake Terrace; Posing; Fashion models--Seattle; Neighborhoods--Mountlake Terrace;

Houses in the "Keywest Builders" project in Olympia show several variations on a building plan by adding a dormer shape over the entry way, angling the roof on the short ends and leaving the windows without shutters. This one-story 1950's rambler has a one-car garage at the far end. A decorative lattice has been added near the front door by the large planter box. Ordered by W.A. Wollander, well-known Tacoma architect.

Houses--Olympia--1950-1960; Housing development--Olympia--1950-1960;

Houses in the "Keywest Builders" project in Olympia show several variations on a building plan. Another look at the one-story 1950's rambler has no shutters at the windows and the roof angles at the two shorter walls. A one-car garage has been included at the far end. Individuality in a housing development such as this one could be maintained by altering the exterior color and by changing the entry way, with or without a gable, and adding or removing decorative features such as trellises and flower boxes. Ordered by W.A. Wollander, well-known Tacoma architect.

Houses--Olympia--1950-1960; Housing development--Olympia--1950-1960; Wollander, W.A.;

Houses in the "Keywest Builders" project in Olympia show several variations on a building plan. This version of the one-story 1950's rambler shows the floor plan reversed, with the single-car garage at the opposite end of the home. The exterior has been covered with a darker shingle to provide individuality to this home. Ordered by W.A. Wollander, well-known Tacoma architect.

Houses--Olympia--1950-1960; Housing development--Olympia--1950-1960; Wollander, W.A.;

A decorative feature has been added to this one-story 1950's rambler in the "Keywest Builders" project in Olympia by using a smooth area between the two front windows. The roof angles at the two shorter walls and a gable has been added above the entry. The brick used for the chimney is a light color. A one-car garage has been included at the far end. Ordered by W.A. Wollander, well-known Tacoma architect.

Houses--Olympia--1950-1960; Housing developments--Olympia--1950-1960; Wollander, W.A.;

A row of newly-completed, one-story, single family homes at South 72nd and South Bell Streets shows a 1950's housing development. These houses were built by Rowland Construction Company, owned by Sherman Rowland. Priced at $9,950, the houses featured modern kitchens, Modernfold doors, attached garages, forced air heat, Duratile bathrooms and five spacious rooms. The house on the corner shows the address numbers 7202. Ordered by Llewellyn Advertising Agency. (TNT, 1/20/1952, p.C-16)

Houses--Tacoma--1950-1960; Housing developments--Tacoma; Llewellyn Advertising Agency (Tacoma); Rowland Construction Co. (Tacoma);

The living room or waiting room of the combination home & dental office of Dr. William R. Taylor. The walls appear to be wood panelling. The large built-in unit of wood has a bookcase and desk on one side, and a flat surface on the other (shown in this picture) where two long necked lamps protrude for reading comfort on the couch. This same built-in unit also has a radio and controls on the side. The ceilings are very high with ceiling level windows and recessed lighting. The furniture is very square and utilitarian.

Taylor, William R.--Homes & haunts; Health care facilities--Tacoma; William R. Taylor Clinic (Tacoma); Dental offices--Tacoma; Houses--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Santa appears to have made an early stop at the Ben Cheney household in Browns Point on December 23, 1957. Presents of all shapes and sizes, all colorfully decorated, are scattered throughout the living room. Little Piper Cheney and big sister Sandy are dressed in robes; Piper has ensconced herself in a little red wagon and is holding a small gift. Marian Cheney looks up and smiles while displaying a present while husband Ben leans over her shoulder. Ben Cheney was a well-known local lumberman and philanthropist. Sepia photograph ordered by Cheney Lumber Co.

Cheney, Ben B., 1905-1971--Homes & haunts; Cheney, Ben B., 1905-1971; Cheney, Marian; Cheney, Sandra; Cheney, Piper; Christmas trees; Christmas presents; Toys;

Christmas time at the Ben Cheney residence meant lots of gifts for the children and mom and dad. Presents are spilling over onto the living room floor, including a nearby coffee table. A bright red Flyer wagon is ready for a small child to hop on for a ride, or load up with toys and pulled. The Norfolk pine tree stands tall, perfectly fitting in with the beautiful wood walls; ornaments can be displayed at their best advantage. Photograph ordered by Cheney Lumber Co.

Cheney, Ben B., 1905-1971--Homes & haunts; Christmas presents; Christmas trees; Toys;

The Oxford Apartments were located in Auburn at 717 A St. N.E. The two-story, twenty-unit apartment complex was built in a L-shape with carports for some renters. Auburn was a growing little community with a population of nearly 7,000 in the 1950 Census. By 1960, the population had sprouted to 11,933. Housing would be needed for new residents with new housing developments and apartments springing up to meet the need. Photograph ordered by S & S Builders.

Housing developments--Auburn; Garages--Auburn;

Harbor Terrace Apartments, ordered by McGuire and Muri, Architects. These apartments were built in 1951 by Elmer L. Burnham and Henry O. Wheeler. The apartment building seems to consist of three distinct units, two of two stories and one of three stories. The balconies of the units have floor to ceiling windows that offer a view of the Sound.

Apartment houses--Tacoma--1950-1960; Harbor Terrace Apartments (Tacoma);

The curved asphalt street and rolling lawns of the suburban Lakewood community "Fairway at Lakewood," developed by H.A. Briggs. The planned community consisted of 3 bedroom 1 1/2 bath ramblers, built from several different designs and of varied materials, selling for $10,000- 14,000. The different designs gave the look of custom designed homes to the neighborhood. Two children stop their bicycles on a summer day to converse. The streets are empty of traffic. The above street has been identified as Oakridge Dr. S.W. Young children were used to walking to Custer Elementary School via streets like Oakridge. (Additional information provided by a reader) TPL-10463

Houses--Lakewood--1950-1960; Housing developments--Lakewood--1950-1960; Residential streets--Lakewood--1950-1960;

Interiors of the Rancho Vista model home for Briggs Construction. The combination living and dining room has exposed beams and a brick fireplace that is almost flush to the wall. The ceiling slopes down to the glass doors that lead outside and the floor to ceiling windows that flood the room with natural light. The homes next door and beyond can be seen out the window, very little space is between the houses. Square fifties furniture dots the room. The combination living and dining rooms of the fifties indicate the turn away from formal dining, the emphasis of food as an event and a turn to more casual dining.

Houses--1950-1960; Real estate development--1950-1960; Housing developments--1950-1960;

The Better Homes & Gardens "Idea Home of the Year," at Skyline Terrace. Skyline Terrace was a 30 million, 1500 home development being built by Miller Construction. The one story ranch home with a two car carport sits by itself on the wide open landscape with the view of the Narrows bridge beyond. A fence surrounds the unlandscaped yard and the patio. The home was single story, rectangular and measured 73 feet long x 48 1/2 wide, including the carport. It was 1430 sq. feet on the ground floor with another 1430 sq. feet in the daylight basement. (TNT 9/9/1956, pg. E-18)

Houses--Tacoma--1950-1960; Housing developments--Tacoma--1950-1960; Miller Construction Co., Inc. (Tacoma);

The Better Homes & Gardens "Idea Home of the Year," at Skyline Terrace. Skyline Terrace was a 30 million, 1500 home development being built by Miller Construction. This appears to be a small home office, divided by an accordion door from the rest of the house. The folding doors were used throughout the house, including a massive modernfold door that slid on a curved metal ceiling track to separate the family room from the kitchen. (TNT 9/9/1956, pg. E-18)

Houses--Tacoma--1950-1960; Housing developments--Tacoma--1950-1960; Miller Construction Co., Inc. (Tacoma);

The Better Homes & Gardens "Idea Home of the Year," at Skyline Terrace. This new home was featured in the September 1956 issue of the national magazine. Skyline Terrace was a 30 million, 1500 home development being built by Miller Construction, known for their original concept designs. This picture is of the combined living/dining room of the home. To the right foreground of the picture is the "modernfold" door that slides on a curved metal track to separate the living room from the kitchen and dining rooms. (TNT 9/9/1956, pg. E-18)

Houses--Tacoma--1950-1960; Housing developments--Tacoma--1950-1960; Miller Construction Co., Inc. (Tacoma); Dining rooms--Tacoma--1950-1960;

The Better Homes & Gardens September 1956 "Idea Home of the Year," at Skyline Terrace, designed and built by Miller Construction. The modern kitchen has a built in dishwasher, countertop range with electric fan and hood, oven, garbage disposal, kitchen planning desk, spice cabinet, maple cutting board, lazy susan and Frigidaire refrigerator. Unique built-ins included a kleenex dispenser, nutone mixer, blender and knife sharpener. Cabinets had birch doors with bronze trim. (TNT 9/9/1956, pg. E-18)

Houses--Tacoma--1950-1960; Housing developments--Tacoma--1950-1960; Miller Construction Co., Inc. (Tacoma); Kitchens--Tacoma--1950-1960;

The Better Homes & Gardens "Idea Home of the Year," at Skyline Terrace, built by Miller Construction. This is the living room of the home. The spacious living room had a cutstone fireplace with a stone mantle and slate hearth. It had a mahogany accent wall and large picture windows that embraced the view. (TNT 9/9/1956, pg. E-18)

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

New homes by the Jardeen Brothers, in the vicinity of the Westgate shopping center. A shirtless boy in shorts stands in the summer sun in the new road in front of the one story rambler with garage. The mailbox leans at an angle, probably not set yet. Construction debris litters the area around the new homes. There is no vegetation because landscaping has not been done yet. The home has vertical cedar siding, a crushed gravel roof and large windows. This, and other homes pictured, may have been on No. Shirley St. where the Jardeen Brothers were building new homes. Jardeen Brothers' office and millwork plant was located at 1240 So. Sprague Ave. (TNT 9/9/1956, pg. E-12, TNT ad 9-9-56, E-16)

Houses--Tacoma--1950-1960; Real estate development--Tacoma--1950-1960;

The Better Homes & Gardens "Idea Home of the Year," at Skyline Terrace. This daylight basement recreation room, called the family room or TV room, has a clever back peg board to hang sports equipment such as rackets, flippers and gloves. The family room measured 18 x 25 feet. The ever present fifties television stands up on skinny legs. The basement also had a sandstone fireplace with a massive raised slate hearth, space for a workshop, storage, a Delco heating plant, laundry room and a roughed in 4th bedroom. Over 3,000 people viewed the new home on its first Open House during the 9th annual Home Week and Tour of Homes. (TNT 9/9/1956, pg. E-18)

Houses--Tacoma--1950-1960; Housing developments--Tacoma--1950-1960; Miller Construction Co., Inc. (Tacoma);

The Better Homes & Gardens "Idea Home of the Year," at Skyline Terrace. This new home was featured in the September 1956 issue of the national magazine. Skyline Terrace was a 30 million, 1500 home development being built by Miller Construction, known for their original concept designs. This picture is of the combined living/dining room of the home. To the right foreground of the picture is the "modernfold" door that slides on a curved metal track to separate the living room from the kitchen and dining rooms. (TNT 9/9/1956, pg. E-18)

Houses--Tacoma--1950-1960; Housing developments--Tacoma--1950-1960; Miller Construction Co., Inc. (Tacoma); Dining rooms--Tacoma--1950-1960;

The Better Homes & Gardens September 1956 "Idea Home of the Year," at Skyline Terrace, designed and built by Miller Construction. The modern kitchen has a built in dishwasher, countertop range with electric fan and hood, oven, garbage disposal, kitchen planning desk, spice cabinet, maple cutting board, lazy susan and Frigidaire refrigerator. Unique built-ins included a kleenex dispenser, nutone mixer, blender and knife sharpener. Cabinets had birch doors with bronze trim. (TNT 9/9/1956, pg. E-18)

Houses--Tacoma--1950-1960; Housing developments--Tacoma--1950-1960; Miller Construction Co., Inc. (Tacoma); Kitchens--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Mauer Construction built this tidy one-level apartment complex in 1957. Located at 3315 Sixth Avenue, it consisted of four brick units with large view windows. It appears that a new sidewalk has just been constructed in front of the complex. A stylish street lamp is located near a corner of the apartments. According to the 1957 City Directory, Mauer Construction Co. was located at 8307 Nixon S.W. in the Lakewood Center area.

Apartment houses--Tacoma--1950-1960; Sidewalks--Tacoma; Mauer Construction Co. (Lakewood);

The John and Julia Uglicks residence at 11604 Mount Brook Lane was set in the suburban community of Rhododendron Lanes. Nestled among tall trees, the contemporary rambler style home had an extended porch, shutters and attached two-car garage. A long, wide paved driveway was an added amenity. According to the 1958 Tacoma Suburban Directory, John Uglicks was in the U.S. Army. Photograph ordered by George Barclay Builders.

Uglicks, John--Homes & haunts; Houses--Tacoma--1950-1960;