This photograph of the west side of the 900 block of Pacific Avenue, looking south, was taken for a full page ad that ran in the December 13, 1950 Tacoma News Tribune. Sponsored by the Pacific Avenue Progress Club and the merchants of Pacific Avenue, the advertisement extolled the virtues of their street and stores for Christmas shopping. Many of the stores stayed open until 9 p.m. every evening from December 15 through the 24th. Pacific Avenue offered one-level shopping with "no hills to climb." Except for the Rust Building on the corner, all the buildings in the 900 block were torn down in the 1960s and replaced with a parking lot. (TNT 12/13/1950 p.B-1)

Commercial streets--Tacoma--1950-1960; Rust Building (Tacoma);

The exterior of the Franke Tobey Jones Home. The English Tudor-style retirement home was built in 1924 and named in honor of its benefactor Franke M. Tobey Jones. As of 2001 it is still one of the more sought-after retirement facilities in Tacoma. It had various facilities for individuals living independently, married couples and those who needed assisted living.

Franke Tobey Jones Home (Tacoma); Rest homes--Tacoma--1950-1960;

This photograph of the Rust Building, at the corner of South 11th and Pacific, was taken in October of 1950, thirty years after it was built. Lundquist-Lily men's clothiers, Thom McAn shoes, Regal Shoe Company and C.P. Fawcett jewelers were located in the storefronts along Pacific Avenue. The neon sign advertising the name of the building can be seen on top of the 12- story building. The new F.W. Woolworth building can be seen behind the Rust Building on the far left side of the photograph. In 2003 it was renamed The Commerce Center. TPL-9495

Office buildings--Tacoma--1950-1960; Rust Building (Tacoma); Business districts--Tacoma;

The exterior of the Franke Tobey Jones Home. The English Tudor-style home for old ladies was built in 1924. The facility was first called Restholme but was later renamed in honor of its benefactor Franke M. Tobey Jones. Franke M. Tobey Jones was the wife of C.H. Jones, one of the four founders of the St. Paul and Tacoma Lumber Company. TPL-5772

Franke Tobey Jones Home (Tacoma); Rest homes--Tacoma--1950-1960;

The back side of a newly completed rambler in Lakewood looking out into a wooded lot. The massive chimney is built of the same brick as the lower portion of the house. The garage can be seen on the far left. Ordered by John T. Steward.

Houses--Lakewood--1950-1960;

Exterior of a newly completed, one-story rambler in a wooded area. The exterior is partially covered with brick. The roof is covered with cedar shakes. A two-car garage opens on the left and appears to connect with the kitchen through an opening at the back of the garage. The fence around a curved concrete play area has not yet been completed. The kitchen is located in the corner of the L-shaped floor plan. Ordered by John T. Steward who owned a real estate office in Lakewood. This could possibly be his home at 12305 Nyanza Road Southwest.

Houses--Lakewood--1950-1960;

The F.W. Woolworth Company celebrated the grand opening of their store # 105 (in Tacoma) on November 2, 1950. The four-story building at 955 Broadway had entrances on both the Broadway and Commerce Street levels. It replaced the Fidelity Building which had stood on the corner from 1890 until in was demolished in 1949. Woolworth closed their Tacoma store in 1993.

Commercial facilities; F.W. Woolworth Co. (Tacoma);

A view of the exterior of the F.W. Woolworth Company building recently completed in Tacoma from across Commerce Street. The store's escalator can be seen through the large window on this side of the five-and-dime's building. TPL-4551

Commercial facilities; F.W. Woolworth Co. (Tacoma);

Pouring concrete at the new Tacoma Transit Company building. Three men are standing on a form guiding a cabled bucket of concrete into a shaft. Buildings are seen in the background. Ordered by John Ritchie, Douglas Fir Plywood Association.

Building construction--Tacoma--1950-1960; Concrete--Tacoma; Reinforced concrete construction--Tacoma--1950-1960; Plywood; Douglas Fir Plywood Association (Tacoma); Tacoma Transit Co. (Tacoma);

Pouring concrete at the new Tacoma Transit Company building. A crane from Sunnen Heavy Hauling & Crane Service is lifting a bucket of cement to the top of the forms built for the reinforced concrete construction of the building. Ordered by Douglas Fir Plywood Association, John Ritchie.

Building construction--Tacoma--1950-1960; Concrete--Tacoma; Reinforced concrete construction--Tacoma--1950-1960; Hoisting machinery; Sunnen Auto Freight & Heavy Hauling Co. (Tacoma); Plywood; Douglas Fir Plywood Association (Tacoma);

A bold leaf patterned carpet accentuates the spaciousness of the new Vista Manor's lobby. The multi-storied apartment building, managed by W.H. Opie & Company, was open for business in November, 1951. All 133 units were view properties; in addition, they were earthquake and fireproof. View of lobby with rippled glass walls, three stuffed chairs, elaborate lamp and waste paper baskets, and drawn drapes. Photograph ordered by C.F. Davidson, contractor. (TNT 11-4-51, C-12)

Vista Manor Apartments (Tacoma); Lobbies--Tacoma; Floor coverings; Lamps; Chairs;

Model homes for sale are nestled side by side on a Tacoma hillside in the early 1950's. They all appear to be of the one-story rambler style variety with single car garages. Most apparently are constructed of brick and wood combinations. Photograph ordered by Phares Advertising, Seattle.

Model houses--Tacoma; Houses--Tacoma--1950-1960; Phares Advertising Agency (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);

A new home has just been sold by Valley Realty in December, 1951. The front of the home and garage appear to be built of brick while the side visible is partially wood. It appears to be a rambler in style, with fireplace and one-car garage. The new homeowner apparently will have to complete the landscaping and perhaps remove large rocks near the yard's front and side.

Houses--Tacoma--1950-1960; Yards--Tacoma;

One story L-shaped building with angled parking lot in the front. This is thought to be part of the recently extended Lakewood Community Center just before its grand reopening in mid-November of 1951. See A62148, image 4 for nearly identical picture. Photograph was taken on November 13, 1951.

Buildings--1950-1960; Stores & shops--Lakewood--1950-1960;

A door is partially ajar to disclose a modern bathroom in a model home in the city's southend. Stark white fixtures dominate the small space; pipes are exposed leading to the sink. The room is abundantly tiled, both on the walls near the bathtub and also on the flooring. Photograph ordered by Phares Advertising, Seattle.

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

The door is opened to show the interior of a large one-car garage. The concrete floor space is empty of vehicles; it does not appear to have additional insulation in the walls or ceilings. Tucked along the sides near the doorway leading to the attached house is a water heater and washing machine. Photograph ordered by Phares Advertising, Seattle.

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

Vista Manor Apartments, Gaston Lance, Architect. General view of 16 story reinforced concrete apartment building with cloverleaf floor plan from across the street, several vehicles parked in front. The first seven floors would be ready for tenants in November of 1951.

Vista Manor Apartments (Tacoma); Apartment houses--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Ostruske-Murphy Inc. were general contractors located at 2907 A Street. According to the 1953 City Directory, William H. Ostruske was listed as president of the firm and Donald B. Murphy as secretary-treasurer. In the early 1950's, they built several houses on South Melrose, including the Edwin G. Haines residence. 2306 South Melrose was a one-story bungalow with low pitched roof and attached one-car garage. It had a small porch at the front entrance.

Ostruske-Murphy, Inc. (Tacoma); Haines, Edwin G.--Homes & haunts; Houses--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Ostruske-Murphy Inc., general contractors, built several homes in the city's north end in the early 1950's. View of brick home at 2214 South Melrose; it is a one-story with basement and has a large chimney. The photograph was taken on March 14, 1952; it is possible that the home was newly constructed as the landscaping appears to be rough and incomplete.

Ostruske-Murphy, Inc. (Tacoma); Houses--Tacoma--1950-1960; Building construction--Tacoma--1950-1960;

This ranch style home may have been recently constructed as a make-shift fence protects the newly planted grass in the front yard. Similar styled homes are in the background. The one-story structure has an attached one-car garage and appears to be made of wood and cement blocks. There is a cement walkway from the garage to the front door. Photograph taken on October 31, 1951; ordered by Phares Advertising Agency, Seattle.

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

Interior of Kliener home. Small portion of room with couch, chairs, and radio. Location of home and full name of owner not provided.

Houses--1950-1960; Radios; Sofas; Chairs;

Kitchen of Season-Master home. There were several Season-Master models in the Mountlake Terrace area in the early 1950's. Mountlake Terrace was a growing community not far from Seattle. View of kitchen in Season-Master home; kitchen appears compact with appliances placed in a U-shape format. This particular kitchen had its washer and dryer units located next to the refrigerator and across from the stove. All appliances are white and of the Westinghouse brand. Photograph ordered by Phares Advertising Agency, Seattle.

Houses--Mountlake Terrace--1950-1960; Kitchens--Mountlake Terrace--1950-1960; Refrigerators; Stoves; Washing machines; Phares Advertising Agency (Seattle);

This small one-story ranch style home is house #24203. The house is apparently made out of wood and block construction; it has a one-car attached garage. There are vine-covered trellises at the home's entrance. A small picket fence with an arched gate is to the rear of the residence. Photograph taken on October 31, 1951; ordered by Phares Advertising Agency, Seattle.

Houses--1950-1960; Trellises; Fences; Phares Advertising Agency (Seattle);

Cartosian carpet in the Lakewood home of the Fred Urbans as pictured in this September 20, 1951 photograph. Large living room with couch group by three wall windows. Piano across from fireplace with chair groupings to the left. (T.N.T.).

Living rooms--Lakewood--1950-1960; Urban, Fred--Homes & haunts; Pianos; Floor coverings;

A low rock wall, including rock steps, surrounds a rambler style home in an October, 1951, photograph. The house appears to be made of wood and block construction and has a one-car garage. The yard is landscaped using small plants and shrubs. Photograph ordered by Phares Advertising Agency, Seattle.

Houses--1950-1960; Stone walls; Phares Advertising Agency (Seattle);

This large wood and block rambler style home has a few special touches to distinguish it from other homes of similar construction. It has a raised stone porch with what appears to be a grape arbor built on it. A curved walkway leads to the front door. A fire hydrant is located on the property's boundary line. Photograph ordered by Phares Advertising Agency, Seattle.

Houses--1950-1960; Porches; Trellises; Phares Advertising Agency (Seattle);

View of Marvin Johnson residence. The Fircrest residence of Marvin and Kathryn Johnson appears to be a wooden one-story unit with garage underneath part of the home. There are many tall trees in the yard which would provide cooling shade. The house is slightly elevated from street level, with several cement steps and a curved walkway leading to the front door.

Johnson, Marvin--Homes & haunts; Houses--Fircrest--1950-1960; Neighborhoods--Fircrest;