The north-west corner of the Jones Building which currently housed the Roxy Theatre. The theater's neon sign is attached to the corner to be visible from both Broadway and North 9th Street and the marquee announces "The Lusty Men" starring Robert Mitchum and the "Wac from Walla Walla". The Broadway side of the building has two more stories than the rear of the building which served as offices for Poe Real Estate and Insurance, Ruby & Leroy's Beauty Salon, a chiropractor, dentist, architect, several physicians, lawyers, accountants, and A-1 Employment Agency among others. This view south along Broadway shows two-way traffic and Christmas decorations hanging over the street. TPL-821

Jones Building (Tacoma); Historic buildings--Tacoma; Roxy Theatre (Tacoma); Marquees--Tacoma;

The interior of a large room with asbestos or vinyl tile floor is shown in one of the homes in Bellevue built by W. A. Wollander. A wagon wheel on four legs is seen inside the floor-to-ceiling window and a terrace with chairs, a planted area and fence are visible outside.

Living rooms--Bellevue; Wollander Homes (Tacoma); Windows--Bellevue; Terraces--Bellevue;

This photograph of a family home, finished in slightly sepia tones, was taken in February, 1953. The small bungalow-style home, nestled under tall trees, appears to have a stucco exterior. The porch columns support an upper story balcony. Photograph ordered by Sears Marshall, c/o Lakeside Club. Patron reports this is #2 Lakeside Club.

Houses--Washington; Balconies--Washington; Lakeside Club (Lakewood);

Exterior Security Building. The venerable Provident Building at 9th & Pacific was renamed the Security Building in 1952. It was designed by architect George W. Bullard and originally built in 1903 by Henry Longstreth. The multi-floored Security Building in 1955 had a variety of occupants, including tailors, realtors, service organizations, physicians, insurance companies and even a detective agency run by former police chief Jack Elich. Businesses nearby included Archie's Coffee Cup, Smoke Shop tavern, and Lavik Travel Bureau. Photograph ordered by Comfort, Davis & Blangy.

Security Building (Tacoma); Provident Building (Tacoma); Facades--Tacoma--1950-1960; Comfort, Davis & Blangy (Tacoma);

Old fashioned kitchen in the summer home of Tacoma lumberman Ben Cheney. An iron skillet sits on the stove top. The shallow sink has a very high back splash where the faucet and handles come out of the wall. A hard surfaced counter to either side of the sink offers space for cutting and chopping. Matching canisters sit on the low table top with drawers underneath.

Cheney, Ben B., 1905-1971--Homes & haunts; Kitchens;

ca. 1956. Aerial view of the West Coast Grocery Co. taken circa 1956. The wholesale grocery company moved into these offices in 1947. The building is fronted by the City Waterway and the Northern Pacific Railroad log dump. To the right of West Coast is Crawford, Wesley & Son at 420 E. 18th, wholesale produce. To the right of Crawford is the Northwestern Drug Co. The Northern Pacific railroad yards can be seen in the background.

Commercial facilities--Tacoma; Food industry--Tacoma--1950-1960; West Coast Grocery Co. (Tacoma); Crawford, Wesley & Son (Tacoma); Northwestern Drug Co. (Tacoma); Northern Pacific Railway Co. (Tacoma); City Waterway (Tacoma);

The focal point of this large master bedroom suite is the large brick fireplace. Two large comfy armchairs sit in front of the fireplace. The remainder of the large expanse of carpet is broken only by the queen or king size bed. A built in recessed bookshelf forms the headboard for the bed. Floor to ceiling windows let in the spring sunshine through tied open curtains and allow a view of the home's yard. This lovely large bedroom is part of an addition designed by Donald F. Burr to the Rhododendron Lanes home of the Douglas Fir Plywood Association's promotion director James Fowler.

Houses--Lakewood--1950-1960; Remodeling--Lakewood; Bedrooms--Lakewood--1950-1960; Fowler, James--Homes & haunts;

Twin portraits of horses hang over the queen sized bed in James Fowler's newly remodeled master bedroom suite. The headboard of the bed is made up of built in bookshelves recessed into a square frame. To the left, one can peek into the closet; a built in cabinet has lots of drawers for easy storage, eliminating the need for a dresser. To the right is a view of the Fowler's land and possible horse pastures. Fowler was promotion director for the Douglas Fir Plywood Association.

Houses--Lakewood--1950-1960; Remodeling--Lakewood; Bedrooms--Lakewood--1950-1960; Fowler, James--Homes & haunts;

Miller Construction's exhibit booth at the 1956 Greater Tacoma Home Show, headlining Skyline Terrace. Skyline Terrace was a $30,000,000 addition, featuring 1500 new homes built in the early 1950's. Miller Construction was one of the prime developers. Most of the Miller homes were located on view lots; with views of either the Narrows, mountains or city lights. The homes had been featured for several years in the Tacoma Parade of Homes and in 1954 in Better Homes and Gardens as the Idea Home of the Year.

Houses--Tacoma--1950-1960; Miller Construction Co., Inc. (Tacoma); Greater Tacoma Home Show (Tacoma); Exhibit booths--Tacoma;

James J. Barnes Construction Company. Progress on new United Pacific Insurance Company building. This November 2, 1953 photograph shows basement being constructed with concrete forms, lumber, and heavy equipment in view.

Building construction--Tacoma--1950-1960; Hoisting machinery; Progress photographs--1950-1960; United Pacific Insurance Co. (Tacoma); James J. Barnes Construction Co.;

James J. Barnes Construction Company. Progress on new United Pacific Insurance Company addition as viewed on November 2, 1953. Construction of basement showing concrete forms, lumber, and heavy equipment. View of south wall of adjacent building and Steven Motor Co.

Building construction--Tacoma--1950-1960; Progress photographs--1950-1960; United Pacific Insurance Co. (Tacoma); James J. Barnes Construction Co.;

Interiors of the home of Perry F. Knight in Lakewood. Marble topped double sinks provide plenty of elbow room for Mr. and Mrs. Knight in this bathroom. Saloon doors mark the entrance to what is probably the remainder of the bath.

Knight, Perry--Homes & haunts; Houses--Lakewood--1950-1960; Bathrooms--Lakewood--1950-1960;

Interiors of the home of Perry F. Knight in Lakewood.This appears to be a second floor bedroom. A delicately patterned wallpaper covers both the walls and angled ceiling. A double four poster bed in a dark wood provides a sleeping space. A high dresser in the same wood and a multi tiered bedside table complete the bedroom suite.

Knight, Perry--Homes & haunts; Houses--Lakewood--1950-1960; Bedrooms--Lakewood--1950-1960;

Interiors of the home of Perry F. Knight in Lakewood. This appears to be the home office of either Mr. or Mrs. Knight. From the height of the window, it is possibly in the basement. A commercial style ashtray sits between the two chairs. A hat rack stands beside the couch and an oriental rug lies in front of it. Framed photos of three young men in uniform sit on top of the desk. The uniformed young men have been identified as Mr. Knight's son Robert and his two nephews, William Knight and Roy Knight, Jr. All three were in the Army Air Corp/Force. Roy Knight, Jr. was killed in August of 1942 over Guadalcanal and Robert Knight died in August of 1945 in a mid-air collision over Texas. The photograph to the far left is believed to be of William Knight with Robert Knight and Roy Knight, Jr. next in line. (Additional information provided by a reader)

Knight, Perry--Homes & haunts; Houses--Lakewood--1950-1960; Desks;

Interiors of the home of Perry F. Knight in Lakewood. This is the entry way to the home. The knotty wood is used on the entrance door, with wood panels with windows on either side. Knotty wood is also used on the wainscoting and trim. The wallpaper above has a motif of vines with birds and suspended fruit baskets. The furniture appears to be antique.

Knight, Perry--Homes & haunts; Houses--Lakewood--1950-1960; Entrance halls--Lakewood--1950-1960;

Exterior of a small duplex in Lakewood. Located on Lake Grove Street in Lakewood, this small duplex was a one-story unit with a very narrow porch. There was no basement. Nestled under tall trees, there were two separate pathways leading to the front doors. Photograph ordered by Practical Builder; picture taken in March, 1954.

Duplexes--Lakewood--1950-1960;

The interior of a small duplex shows a comfortable living room filled with assorted chairs, a television, chest of drawers, and with what appears to be a sofa/bed covered with a boldly decorated bedspread. A folding screen door separates the living room from the kitchen where a stove and small table can be seen. Photograph ordered by Practical Builder; photograph taken in March, 1954.

Duplexes--Lakewood; Living rooms--Lakewood--1950-1960; Kitchens--Lakewood--1950-1960;

A new home was nearly completed by Robert M. Good of Good Construction Co. in May, 1954. The home was located at 2111 North Winnifred St. This home was possibly in or near the new Westgate subdivision where a number of new homes were built the year before. The house apparently sat higher than street level, as a long curved walkway leads upwards to the covered entryway. It was built primarily of wood with some brick facing. Good Construction owner, Robert M. Good, was a member of the Tacoma Master Builders Association; his motto was "Masterbuilder of homes for fine living."

Houses--Tacoma--1950-1960; Good Construction Co. (Tacoma);

Newly built model home. This very modern, contemporary one-story home was the model home built by S.L. Rowland for the 1954 Tacoma Home. Model TX-101 had 1550 square feet of living space and a large double carport whose outside wall was made of pumice brick arranged in open lattice pattern. There is also a sheltered private courtyard. Home was located at 1802 North Shirley St. (TNT 5-18-54, C-8)

Houses--Tacoma--1950-1960; Model houses--Tacoma;

Each year the model home constructed by members of the Tacoma Master Builders Association for the Tacoma Home Show would be full of new creative ideas for prospective homeowners. In 1954, this was no exception. The model home was built with two children's bedrooms; however, the rooms could be made into one large room or two separate ones using modern folding doors. Built-in storage units and vanities and large closets along with desks with indirect lighting were just some of the amenities. Shelves were movable so they could be adjusted for the growing child. Blackboards were provided for a child's amusement and sturdy tile floors made housekeeping easier for mothers. The 1954 Tacoma Home Show model home was designed by College of Puget Sound alumnus Robert Billsbrough Price and built by S.L. Rowland Construction Co. Photograph ordered by Douglas Fir Plywood Association. (TNT 5-18-54, C-9)

Bedrooms--Tacoma--1950-1960; Model houses--Tacoma; Greater Tacoma Home Show (Tacoma); Blackboards;

A large rockery borders and complements the extensive Arizona sandstone-and wood- exterior of a new Skyline Terrace residence in 1954. Each home was built on a view lot; large windows on this split-level home would probably take advantage of enjoying the Narrows Bridge, Puget Sound, mountains or city lights. Miller Construction Co. built many houses in Skyline Terrace, a relatively new housing development. Miller Construction was owned by Edward P. Miller; by 1954, he may have moved the company to Skyline Dr. This home at 1102 North Skyline Dr. was labeled the "Skyliner" model home, built and designed by Mr. Miller in 1953. The City Directory for that year lists the Millers as residents of that address. (Additional identification provided by a reader)

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

Harbor Terrace Apartments, ordered by McGuire and Muri, Architects. This apartment building was built in 1951 by Elmer L. Burnham and Henry O. Wheeler. It was built on a hill overlooking the water. The upper structure, shown in this picture, is three stories. Each floor has a balcony offering views of the Sound.

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

This gothic structure at 1301-07 Pacific Ave. was vacant and becoming derelict in August of 1956. The concrete facings were covered with posters. The building was built in 1888 from a design by Farrell and Darmer, Architects. Carved on the building at the top above the main entrance is "Union Block." The sign on the building reads "This US owned property Ordered Sold." The building had previously housed a Post Office annex and was vacated in 1953. It was demolished in January of 1957. TPL-8738

Business districts--Tacoma--1950-1960; Commercial streets--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Exterior of 2623 No. 29th St., taken for Fanning Starkey realtors. This modernistic home was built in 1939 and designed by Stanley T. Shaw, architect. It was built by J.P. Burke, contractor. The marine view home has 32 windows to take in the sights. The home was so unique that when it was open for public view in 1939, it was visited by thousands of area residents.

Houses--Tacoma--1950-1960;

The waterfront home of Harrison and Myrtle Clark at 12901 duBois Avenue SW in Lakewood, ordered by the Douglas Fir Plywood Association. This lovely home looks out onto American Lake from almost every room. Designed and built by the Korsmo Builders, the home is finished with siding of striated or "combed" plywood. The patio has lakefront dining available on a picnic table or a circular table with umbrella and chairs. A covered patio or porch can be seen at the back of the house. Harrison Clark was the treasurer of the DFPA. (TNT 9/9/1956, pg. E-19)

Clark, Harrison--Homes & haunts; Houses--Lakewood--1950-1960; American Lake (Wash.);

Exteriors of the Rancho Vista or the Thunderbird model home for Briggs Construction. The home is a one story rambler built in an L form. There is no sidewalk to the front door and the landscaping is incomplete.

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

A bedroom in 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 home had three bedrooms with a roughed in fourth bedroom located in the basement. (TNT 9/9/1956, pg. E-18)

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

The waterfront home of Harrison and Myrtle Clark at 12901 duBois Avenue SW in Lakewood, ordered by the Douglas Fir Plywood Association. This lovely home looks out onto American Lake from almost every room. Designed and built by the Korsmo Builders, the home is finished with siding of striated or "combed" plywood. The patio has lakefront dining available on a picnic table or a circular table with umbrella and chairs. A covered patio or porch can be seen at the back of the house. Harrison Clark was the treasurer of the DFPA. (TNT 9/9/1956, pg. E-19)

Clark, Harrison--Homes & haunts; Houses--Lakewood--1950-1960; American Lake (Wash.);

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);