Post-launch view of the USS Benicia. The all-aluminum patrol gunboat was successfully launched at Tacoma Boatbuilding's new shipyard on the Hylebos on December 20, 1969. She had been christened by Mrs. W.F. Petrovic, the wife of Puget Sound Naval Shipyard's commander. Tacoma's shipbuilders were very busy during the 1960's with orders from the US Navy as well as from individuals, particularly those seeking big fishing vessels. Both Western Boat Building and Tacoma Boatbuilding would operate from new, larger plants on the Hylebos in 1969. (TNT 12-21-69, A-4)

Launchings--Tacoma--1960-1970; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1960-1970; Gunboats--United States; Tacoma Boat Building Co., Inc. (Tacoma);

Boat launching. With a mighty swing, Mrs. W.F. Petrovic christened the new patrol gunboat, the USS Benicia, at Tacoma Boatbuilding's new $3,000,000 shipyard on the Hylebos Waterway on December 20, 1969. Mrs. Petrovic was the wife of Puget Sound Naval Shipyard's commander. The 165-foot vessel, PG-96, was made entirely of aluminum. The Benicia was the 10th of 12 165-foot gunboats being built for the Navy by Tacoma Boatbuilding. She would be commissioned in April of 1970. Photograph ordered by Tacoma Boatbuilding. (TNT 4-20-69, B-19; TNT 12-21-69, A-4)

Launchings--Tacoma--1960-1970; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1960-1970; Gunboats--United States; Tacoma Boat Building Co., Inc. (Tacoma); Petrovic, W.F.--Family;

Boat launching. Saturday, December 20, 1969, saw two major boat launchings in Tacoma. Mrs. W.F. Petrovic, wife of the commander of Puget Sound Naval Shipyard, was the sponsor at the launching of the USS Benicia at Tacoma Boatbuilding's new plant on the Hylebos Waterway. She is standing with her family in pre-launching ceremonies. The 165-foot all-aluminum patrol gunboat was the first to be launched from one of the plant's 350-foot double ways. Photograph ordered by Tacoma Boatbuilding. (TNT 12-21-69, A-4)

Launchings--Tacoma--1960-1970; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1960-1970; Tacoma Boat Building Co., Inc. (Tacoma); Petrovic, W.F.--Family;

Boat launching. The YFB-87 is pictured on December 18, 1969, as she slid down the ways at Western Boat Building's new plant at 1720 Marine View Dr. on the Hylebos Waterway. The 165-foot double-ended car and passenger ferry was built for the Navy and would be towed to Hawaii in May of 1970. She was patterned after the Hiyu which now traveled between Point Defiance and Vashon Island. Photograph ordered by Western Boat Building Co.

Launchings--Tacoma--1960-1970; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1960-1970; Ferries; Western Boat Building Co. (Tacoma);

Boat launching. The Hawaii-bound ferry, YFB-87, was successfully launched at Western Boat Building's new facilities on the Hylebos Waterway on December 18, 1969. The 165-foot car and passenger ferry had a 38 car/500 passenger capacity. Built for the U.S. Navy, she would be towed to Hawaii in May of 1970, for use traveling to and from Ford Island to Pearl Harbor. Photograph ordered by Western Boat Building Co. (TNT 12-19-69, A-3)

Launchings--Tacoma--1960-1970; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1960-1970; Ferries; Western Boat Building Co. (Tacoma);

The YFB-87, built for the U.S. Navy, was the first vessel launched from Western Boat Building's new shipbuilding plant at 1720 Marine View Dr. N.E. on the Hylebos Waterway. The 165-foot ferry, christened by Mary Petrich, slid down the ways on December 18, 1969. This ferry was not built to operate in Washington waters but instead was towed to Hawaii where she was used for the Pearl Harbor - Ford Island runs. She was completed in May, 1970 and christened "Moko Holo Hele" which means "Ship that goes back and forth". YFB-87 is no longer in service between Pearl Harbor and Ford Island. She went out of service when the Admiral Bernard "Chick" Clarey Bridge opened in April, 1998. (Photograph ordered by Western Boat Building Co.) (TNT 12-19-69, A-3)

Launchings--Tacoma--1960-1970; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1960-1970; Ferries; Western Boat Building Co. (Tacoma);

Boat launching. Mary Petrich, daughter of Western Boat Building vice-president James Petrich, christens the new Pearl-Harbor bound YFB-87 ferry on December 18, 1969. The traditional bottle of champagne has exploded upon impact. The YFB-87 ferry was the first vessel launched at Western Boat's new shipbuilding plant on the Hylebos Waterway. Photograph ordered by Western Boat Building Co. (TNT 12-19-69, A-3)

Launchings--Tacoma--1960-1970; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1960-1970; Ferries; Western Boat Building Co. (Tacoma); Petrich, Mary;

Boat launching. The 160-foot all-aluminum ferry, the "Avalon," was successfully launched on October 25, 1969, by Martinolich Shipbuilding from their plant on the Port Industrial Waterway. The sleek vessel had a 27-foot beam and tipped the scale at 182 tons displacement. Four marine gas turbines powered the twin variable-pitch propellors. The "Avalon" was built for Holiday Services for use in shuttling passengers to Santa Catalina, about 26 miles from Los Angeles. She could carry up to 500 passengers with speeds of 25-28 knots. Built for more than $2,000,000, the "Avalon" would be delivered to the San Pedro area about two weeks after its launch date. Mrs. Robert Sprague, wife of one of the ship's owners, had christened the vessel with the traditional bottle of champagne. Photograph ordered by Martinolich Shipbuilding Corp. (TNT 10-12-69, D-12; TNT 10-27-69, p. 6) tnt (A)-052A

Launchings--Tacoma--1960-1970; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1960-1970; Ferries--Tacoma--1960-1970; Martinolich Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma);

Boat launching. Mrs. Robert Sprague of Los Angeles performs the customary duties of ship sponsor as she christens the new all-aluminum ferry, "Avalon," at Martinolich Shipbuilding, on the Port Industrial Waterway, on October 25, 1969. Mrs. Sprague was the wife of one of the ship's owners. The "Avalon" was the largest all-aluminum passenger ferry ever built and would be delivered to Holiday Services in San Pedro, California, two weeks after launching. The ferry, with a 27-foot beam, could carry up to 500 people at once. She would be used to shuttle passengers to Santa Catalina, some 26 miles from Los Angeles. With a maximum speed of 28 knots, the "Avalon" would replace outdated and too expensive steamships. Martinolich built a big new shipshed, with height of 40-feet, to house the ferry while under construction. Photograph ordered by Martinolich Shipbuilding Corp. (TNT 11-20-68, p. 1; TNT 10-12-69, D-12; TNT 10-27-69, p. 6)

Launchings--Tacoma--1960-1970; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1960-1970; Ferries--Tacoma--1960-1970; Sprague, Robert--Family;

Post-launching. The "Mary Antoinette" was successfully launched at 4:45 p.m. on October 11, 1969. A small tug is shown guiding the fishing boat in the waters of the City (now Thea Foss) Waterway with the Washington Building with Bank of California large neon sign and Puget Sound National Bank's spire as background. The "Mary Antoinette" was built by J.M. Martinac Shipbuilding for owner and captain John Zolezzi, Jr. of San Diego. Photograph ordered by J.M. Martinac Shipbuilding. (TNT 10-12-69, A-12) TPL-9448

Launchings--Tacoma--1960-1970; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1960-1970; Fishing boats--Tacoma--1960-1970; Tugboats--Tacoma--1960-1970; J.M. Martinac Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma); Washington Building (Tacoma); Puget Sound National Bank (Tacoma);

Pre-launching. The family of Capt. John Zolezzi, Jr., owner and skipper of the "Mary Antoinette" happily posed for a group portrait standing before the new tuna seiner on October 11, 1969. Mrs. Zolezzi, holding the traditional spray of red roses, was the ship's sponsor. The Zolezzis hailed from the San Diego area. The "Mary Antoinette" was built by local firm J.M. Martinac Shipbuilding. Photograph ordered by the J.M. Martinac Shipbuilding Corp. TPL-9449

Launchings--Tacoma--1960-1970; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1960-1970; Fishing boats--Tacoma--1960-1970; Zolezzi, John; Zolezzi, John--Family; Roses--Tacoma; J.M. Martinac Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma);

The Winthrop Hotel was the site of the October, 1969, state lodge and temple convention of the Knights of Pythias. Members of the Washington Temple and Tacoma Temple, Pythian Sisters also attended. Eleven Pythian Sisters are pictured above on October 6, 1969, in the hotel's Bayview Room. State Chief Goldie A. Boldman would preside over business sessions in the hotel. A reception honoring the incoming State Chief Mrs. Sarah Baxter would be held on Tuesday, October 7th. Photograph ordered by the Knights of Pythias, Commencement Lodge #7. (TNT 10-3-69, A-14 - article on convention)

Meetings--Tacoma--1960-1970; Fraternal organizations--Tacoma--1960-1970; Knights of Pythias; Pythian Sisters;

Washington Association for Retarded Children held their annual 3-day state convention beginning on September 26, 1969, at the Tacoma Motor Hotel. The three unidentified young guests pictured above on September 27th were probably high school and/or college students who attended a planning meeting there to form a state youth organization. Photograph ordered by the Washington Association for Retarded Children. (TNT 9-24-69, C-5)

Meetings--Tacoma--1960-1970; Washington Association for Retarded Children; Charitable organizations--Tacoma--1960-1970;

Boat launching. The "Anna Maria, " built by Tacoma Boatbuilding, photographed in pre-launch status on September 20, 1969. At 191-feet, the steel-hulled "Anna Maria" was the largest vessel of its type built at that time. She would have a frozen fish capacity of 1100-ton. Captain Roland Virissimo of San Diego would be her skipper. After the 1:30 p.m. launching from the Tacoma Boat plant 2 in the Port Industrial Yard, a reception would be held at Tacoma Boat's new plant at 1840 Marine View Dr. Color photograph ordered by Tacoma Boatbuilding. (TNT 3-19-69, D-5; TNT 3-21-69, A-10) TPL-9408 B&W

Launchings--Tacoma--1960-1970; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1960-1970; Fishing boats--Tacoma--1960-1970; Tacoma Boat Building Co., Inc. (Tacoma);

Boat launching. The "Anna Maria" was successfully launched in the early afternoon of September 20, 1969. She is being maneuvered into Commencement Bay by three tugs. The contrast in size is readily apparent; the "Anna Maria," at 191 feet, was the largest tuna boat yet built and had a 1100-ton frozen fish capacity. Capt. Roland Virissimo would operate the vessel built by Tacoma Boat from the San Diego area. Photograph ordered by Tacoma Boatbuilding. (TNT 3-19-69, D-5; TNT 3-21-69, A-10) TPL-9407

Launchings--Tacoma--1960-1970; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1960-1970; Fishing boats--Tacoma--1960-1970; Tugboats--Tacoma--1960-1970; Tacoma Boat Building Co., Inc. (Tacoma);

Grand opening of bank. The Bank of Tacoma celebrated the grand opening of its Sixth & "L" branch on August 25, 1969. Chrm. of the Board Thomas Mallon (leaning against teller window), bank president David J. Williams (directly behind him), and Sixth Ave. branch manager James K. Jones (extreme right) pose with staff inside the contemporary structure. Tellers Rita Johnson and Lola Lester are ready to serve their customers. A new television console is in the foreground, one of three to be given away along with 25 other prizes, to lucky winners of celebration drawings. The Sixth Ave. branch would be a full service bank including drive-in banking and night depository. Photograph ordered by Bank of Tacoma. (TNT 8-24-69, D-10)

Dedications--Tacoma--1960-1970; Building dedications--Tacoma--1960-1970; Bank of Tacoma (Tacoma); Banks--Tacoma; Bankers--Tacoma; Mallon, Thomas; Williams, David J.; Johnson, Jones, James K.; Johnson, Rita; Lester, Lola; Televisions;

Grand opening of bank. August 25, 1969, saw the grand opening of the Sixth Avenue branch of the Bank of Tacoma. Bank officials including Chrm. of the Board, Thomas Mallon (third from right) , president David J. Williams (extreme r), and Sixth Ave. branch manager James K. Jones (second from left) were present to snip the bright red ribbon. In late May, 1969, Seattle-First National Bank had announced plans to join the Tacoma business community by buying the Bank of Tacoma's assets and liabilities including the main office and three branches. The changeover was not expected to be completed until January of 1970. The Bank of Tacoma's total assets were more than 21 million dollars with deposits of more than 17 million. Color photograph ordered by the Bank of Tacoma. (TNT 5-28-69, p. 1)

Dedications--Tacoma--1960-1970; Building dedications--Tacoma--1960-1970; Bank of Tacoma (Tacoma); Bankers--Tacoma; Banks--Tacoma; Mallon, Thomas; Williams, David J.; Jones, James K.; Scissors & shears;

Firestone grand opening. With a snip from the giant scissors, the new Highland Hills Firestone store, 5939 Sixth Ave., was officially opened on July 28, 1969. Signs plastered on the glass walls indicated big values were available in every department and free soft drinks and coffee would be offered to all. Shoppers could register for drawings of Sup-R-Belt tires, black & white portable tvs and power mowers without actually purchasing anything. Dave McCallen, store manager, is standing second from left. Mr. McCallen was formerly the assistant manager of the Villa Plaza Firestone store and the manager of an Oregon Firestone. Other Firestone personnel believed to be in the photograph are O.C. Rushing, Portland district retail manager, and William Thompson, district retail sales manager. Photograph ordered by Firestone. (TNT full page ads 7-27-69, D-6 & D-7; TNT article 7-27-69, D-9)

Dedications--Tacoma--1960-1970; Building dedications--Tacoma--1960-1970; Firestone Store (Tacoma); Automobile equipment & supplies stores--Tacoma--1960-1970; McCallen, Dave; Signs (Notices); Scissors & shears;

Tacoma Centennial Parade. Representing the Filipino Youth Activities of Seattle, the nation's only Filipino American drill team marched in the June 28, 1969, Tacoma Centennial Parade. Members of the girls' Princesa Drill Team, teenage boys' Cumbancheros, and younger boys' Mandaya wore costumes patterned after the Moro or indigenous tribal dress of the Mindanao in the southern Philippines. Drill commands were issued in seven Filipino dialects besides four other languages.

Tacoma Centennial Parade (Tacoma); Parades & processions--Tacoma--1960-1970; Centennial celebrations--Tacoma; Drill teams;

Tacoma celebrated its 100th anniversary with eight days of fun for the entire family in June of 1969. On June 28th a grand parade travelled down Pacific Avenue. Sitting atop the backseat of a 1960 Pontiac Bonneville convertible Chief Robert "Bob" Satiacum of the Puyallup Tribe of Indians waved to the crowds enjoying the Tacoma Centennial Parade. Chief Satiacum is wearing a headdress; the other man seated next to him is unidentified. Chief Satiacum was an Indian rights activist and an advocate of native treaty fishing rights. He would pass away in 1991 at the age of 62.

Tacoma Centennial Parade (Tacoma); Parades & processions--Tacoma--1960-1970; Centennial celebrations--Tacoma; Satiacum, Robert; Indians of North America--Puyallup; Pontiac automobile;

Tacoma Centennial Parade. One of the outstanding non-float entries on display during the June, 1969, Tacoma Centennial Parade was the Command Module 101 accompanied by the McChord AFB Honor Guard. The Command Module was a spacecraft built for NASA and used for the Apollo program; it would house the crew and equipment necessary for re-entry.

Tacoma Centennial Parade (Tacoma); Parades & processions--Tacoma--1960-1970; Centennial celebrations--Tacoma; Space vehicles;

Tacoma Centennial Parade. The theme of the June 28, 1969, parade was "Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow" with entries alluding to those time frames. Representing the past was the Foremost Stage Lines coach drawn by four ponies. The horses were owned and driven by J. H. Lawson. His co-driver, holding rifle, was not identified.

Tacoma Centennial Parade (Tacoma); Parades & processions--Tacoma--1960-1970; Centennial celebrations--Tacoma; Stagecoaches--Tacoma; Lawson, J.H.; Ponies;

Tacoma Centennial Parade. Entry #17 was the float sponsored by the International Order of Job's Daughters, Bethel 27. Accompanied by the chapter's drill team, the queen and her court, dressed in regalia, waved to spectators massed alongside Pacific Avenue on Saturday, June 28, 1969. Job's Daughters have a Masonic heritage and are comprised of young women between the ages of 10 and 20.

Tacoma Centennial Parade (Tacoma); Parades & processions--Tacoma--1960-1970; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1960-1970; Centennial celebrations--Tacoma; International Order of Job's Daughters (Washington); Drill teams;

Tacoma Centennial Parade. Capturing the award for "best built float" was the Royal City Float. This entry had traveled all the way from New Westminster, British Columbia, Canada. Seated on the float was Miss Royal City for 1968-69, Mary Ellen Kinsey. The Canadian float was one of 23 floats in the June, 1969, parade.

Tacoma Centennial Parade (Tacoma); Parades & processions--Tacoma--1960-1970; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1960-1970; Centennial celebrations--Tacoma; Kinsey, Mary Ellen;

Tacoma Centennial Parade. Thousands of area residents lined the streets of downtown Tacoma to watch history pass in review. The two-hour parade started from Stadium High School, headed south on Stadium Way and Pacific Ave. to 21st and Pacific. The bells in the Old City Hall clock tower started ringing at 10 a.m. and continued until the color guard passed. Although the sky was dark and threatening, it did not rain and spectators were able to enjoy the parade under cool and dry conditions. The June 28, 1969, parade was a mixture of 23 floats, 25 horse units, 16 bands, 13 drill teams and about 40 antique automobiles. Standing several rows deep along Pacific near 11th, parade watchers saw the McChord AFB honor guard plus units from other services accompany the Command Module 101 above. (TNT 6-29-69, p. 1)

Tacoma Centennial Parade (Tacoma); Parades & processions--Tacoma--1960-1970; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1960-1970; Centennial celebrations--Tacoma; Spectators--Tacoma--1960-1970;

Tacoma Centennial Parade. Celebrating onboard a 1926 Doane Flatbed truck is a small Dixieland band and several ladies, courtesy of the Seattle Transfer & Storage Co. The morning's cloudy conditions did not deter the group, and spectators, from enjoying the music and all the sights of the Tacoma Centennial Parade. The truck holding the group was in daily use until 1947. It didn't move very quickly but had a tremendous load capacity.

Tacoma Centennial Parade (Tacoma); Parades & processions--Tacoma--1960-1970; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1960-1970; Centennial celebrations--Tacoma; Trucks--Tacoma;

Tacoma Centennial Parade. "Special Delivery" was the aptly titled float sponsored by the Post Office Centennial Belles. Employees were dressed in 19th century costumes as they strolled next to the red "locomotive;" while a beautifully dressed young family rode on the float. Two modern day postal trucks accompanied the entry, depicting postal service from past to present.

Tacoma Centennial Parade (Tacoma); Parades & processions--Tacoma--1960-1970; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1960-1970; Centennial celebrations--Tacoma; United States Post Office (Tacoma); Post offices--Tacoma;

Tacoma Centennial Parade. June 28, 1969, was selected as the date of Tacoma's Centennial Parade, honoring the city on its 100th birthday. One of the many outstanding entries in the parade was the Minnetonka, Northern Pacific Railway's first locomotive. Measuring 28 feet long, 11 feet 2 inches from the bottom of the wheels to the top of the smoke stack, the Minnetonka weighed about 14 tons. It cost $6,700 at the time of purchase in July of 1870. The Minnetonka was still in perfect running condition although only used for exhibitions. Local residents also had the chance to view the Minnetonka during the 1969 Daffodil Festival parade.

Tacoma Centennial Parade (Tacoma); Parades & processions--Tacoma--1960-1970; Railroad locomotives--Tacoma; Centennial celebrations--Tacoma;

Tacoma Centennial Parade. Traveling from Seattle for the 1969 Tacoma Centennial Parade was that city's fire department entry, an antique fire engine. This was originally an 1898 horse-drawn pumper. It was motorized in 1914 and then rebuilt in 1964 by off-duty Seattle Fire Department employees at their own expense. The fire pump had a capacity of 750 gallons per minute.

Tacoma Centennial Parade (Tacoma); Parades & processions--Tacoma--1960-1970; Centennial celebrations--Tacoma; Fire engines & equipment; Fire fighters;

Tacoma Centennial Parade. Spectators oohed and ahhed at the sight of these antique automobiles during the June 28, 1969, Tacoma Centennial Parade. Both the Tacoma chapter of the Model "T" Club and members of the Galloping Gertie Model "A" Club drove their basic-black vehicles sedately down Pacific Avenue. This group is believed to be the Model "T" Club. Even the drivers and passengers were dressed in turn-of-the-century clothing to the added enjoyment of thousands of parade viewers.

Tacoma Centennial Parade (Tacoma); Parades & processions--Tacoma--1960-1970; Centennial celebrations--Tacoma; Ford automobile;