Ben Cheney observes the ongoing work on the porch or deck of his summer home. The home lies in a wooded area and smoke rises from its large chimney. The rustic cabin has many windows and glass doors that will open onto the deck. The building faces onto a water view.

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

Work is being done on the roof of the summer estate of Tacoma Lumberman Ben Cheney. The home lies in a heavily wooded area and the front has a view of a large body of water.

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

Ben Cheney relaxes in a rocking chair in front of the roaring fire in the huge fireplace of his summer estate.

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

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;

Tacoma lumberman and philanthropist Ben Cheney sharpens his ax at a grinding wheel. Possibly he is planning to do some of the remodeling work at his summer home himself. He isn't dressed to labor, wearing dress shoes, slacks, jacket and natty cap. He is being observed by an older gentleman in a plaid wool shirt with a cigarette dangling from his amused mouth. Cheney himself was blessed with a strong sense of humor and is smiling at his own actions.

Cheney, Ben B., 1905-1971--Homes & haunts; Cheney, Ben B., 1905-1971; Axes; Grinding wheels;

Modern ranch home with carport in the rear before siding is applied. Photograph taken for Leevers Construction Co. on May 19, 1956.

Houses--1950-1960;

Plywood is the material of choice in the interior of this new addition to the Rhododendron Lanes home of James Fowler. Fowler is the promotion director for the Douglas Fir Plywood Association. The hallway has plenty of storage space, with built in closets and cabinets. All of the doors and cabinet facings are constructed of plywood. A set of swinging saloon doors opens the hall into another room, possibly a laundry room.

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

A floor to ceiling cabinet with pull out drawers occupies the hall outside the bedroom door at James Fowler's addition to his house. The drawers provide plenty of storage space for extra linens. The cabinet is built of plywood, the building material of choice for the Douglas Fir Plywood Association's promotion director Fowler.

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

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;

Exterior of the home of James and Georgia Fowler. Fowler was the promotion director for the Douglas Fir Plywood Association, who ordered this picture. The Fowlers had recently added on to their Rhododendron Lanes home. This appears to be a back patio area for the home. A sliding glass door leads onto the covered portion of the patio. Several benches have been provided for seating.

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

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);

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);

Street scenes from the housing addition "Fairway at Lakewood," developed by H.A. Briggs. Fairway was a planned community of upscale ranch homes off Steilacoom Blvd. about 1 mile from the Lakewood Center. The rambler homes were distinctive in that they were originals; of different designs and varied materials. The curved streets and rolling green lawns invited play by neighborhood children and a suburban style of life.

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

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);

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);

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;

Street scenes from the housing addition "Fairway at Lakewood," developed by H.A. Briggs. Fairway was a planned community of upscale ranch homes off Steilacoom Blvd. about 1 mile from the Lakewood Center. The rambler homes were distinctive in that they were originals; of different designs and varied materials. The curved streets and rolling green lawns invited play by neighborhood children and a suburban style of life.

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

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;

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 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 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;

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. Skyline Terrace was a 30 million, 1500 home development being built by Miller Construction. This is the street entrance view of the house and attached carport. Two planter boxes flank the steps leading up to the front door. The home was 1430 square feet on the ground floor with another 1430 sq. feet available in the basement. (TNT 9/19/1956, 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;