National Bank of Washington, exterior of new industrial branch on the Tideflats. The 15th banking office of National Bank of Wa. opened for business July 1, 1955. It offered, for the first time in the industry, complete banking facilities to the more than 200 industries and their 11,000 employees on the Tideflats. The branch was also convenient by car to Browns Point, Dash Point, Northeast Tacoma, Federal Way, Fife and Milton. It had ample free parking for customers. (TNT 6/29/1955, pg. A-3)

National Bank of Washington (Tacoma); Banks--Tacoma; Banking--Tacoma--1950-1960;

The National Bank of Washington, Industrial branch, on the Tideflats opened to the public on July 1, 1955. Robert B. Price was the architect and Concrete Engineering Co. was the contractor for the new bank. The building was Tacoma's first example of "prestressed concrete construction." The 102 foot by 48 foot building was completely fireproof. The northwest side of the building was floor to ceiling glass, providing natural light. The 4300 sq. foot lobby contained tellers space, officers' quarters, conference rooms and vaults. The mezzanine had storage facilities, the employees' lounge and a compact kitchen for employees. Phillip C. Hultman was the branch Manager. Photographs ordered by the Howard R. Smith Co. (TNT 6/29/1955, pg. A-3)

National Bank of Washington (Tacoma); Banks--Tacoma; Banking--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Exterior of National Bank of Washington's Industrial branch on the Tideflats. National Bank of Washington was the first to offer complete banking facilities to the more than 200 businesses on the Tideflats and their numerous employees. It was also handy to the growing communities of Federal Way, Browns Point, Fife and Milton. The building was built of "pre-stressed concrete" with the northwest side of floor to ceiling glass for natural lighting.

National Bank of Washington (Tacoma); Banks--Tacoma; Banking--Tacoma--1950-1960;

ca. 1956. Artist's rendering of the proposed Kent branch of the National Bank of Washington. The building was designed by Lea, Pearson & Richards, Architects.

National Bank of Washington (Kent); Banks--Kent--1950-1960;

ca. 1956. The grand building at 11th & Pacific was the home of Pacific First Federal Savings & Loan Association for decades. The Merchants National Bank was the Romanesque structure's first tenant back in 1891. The brick and marble edifice had two entrances, one on 11th and the other on Pacific, to catch traffic on both streets. It would eventually be demolished about 1961 and a new Pacific First Federal Savings & Loan Association building be constructed on the same site. BU -11,004

Pacific First Federal Savings & Loan Association (Tacoma); Banks--Tacoma; Pacific First Federal Building (Tacoma);

ca. 1956. Artist's rendering of the planned new branch of the National Bank of Washington in Buckley, Wa. Lea, Pearson & Richards, Architects. The design is compact and one story, with lots of floor to ceiling windows to supply natural lighting. Buckley is located 2 1/2 miles south of Enumclaw on the White River. It was originally a saw mill and logging center. The planned location for the bank is the corner of Main and River Ave. It would have a square footage of 4276 sq. feet, cost $75,000 and take approximately four months to complete. It would have six teller windows, safe deposit boxes, a community meeting room and a lounge and kitchen for employees. Carl Nilsen and Son were the contractors. (TNT 7/15/1956, pg. B-5)

National Bank of Washington (Buckley); Banks--Buckley--1950-1960;

Tacoma Savings & Loan Association; drilling at site of the new savings and loan association. Raymond T. Winden, left, vice president of the association, inspects the drilling on a vacant lot at 9th and A St., the future site of the association's downtown headquarters. Built across the street from the bank's old headquarters, the new building would be modern in appearance and built of aluminum and glass with black granite trim. An exploratory hole is being drilled in hopes of finding enough water to operate the proposed air conditioning system. Called "reverse-cycle" air conditioning, the process pumps water up from far below ground to both heat and cool the building. The association building would be the first downtown to use this process, also used in the Public Utilities building. (TNT 4/5/1956, pg. A-13)

Tacoma Savings & Loan Association (Tacoma); Banks--Tacoma; Drilling--Tacoma; Construction--Tacoma--1950-1960; Drilling & boring machinery; Winden, Raymond T.;

Ground breaking for the new Tacoma Savings & Loan building, ordered by the Condon Advertising Co. Two of the three men present look anxiously up at the wrecking ball that will be used to break up the concrete where the new building will stand. The three men are bank officers Raymond Winden, vice president, W.D. Hopping, president, and Donald Kohler, secretary. Built across the street from the bank's current headquarters, the new building would be a modern edifice of aluminum and glass. It will have a basement, main floor, mezzanine and the ability to accomodate two additional floors when needed. The new building is estimated to be ready for occupancy in 10 months. Founded in 1899 in a lawyer's office while Tacoma was still a rowdy youngster with planks for sidewalks, Tacoma Savings and Loan is the city's oldest savings and loan. (TNT 5/2/1956, pg. D-4)

Tacoma Savings & Loan Association (Tacoma); Banks--Tacoma; Construction--Tacoma--1950-1960; Winden, Raymond T.; Hopping, William D.; Kohler, Donald;

The barrier wall has gone up, anticipating the beginning of the construction of the new home-office headquarters of the Tacoma Savings and Loan. The Savings & Loan was founded June 28, 1899 in a lawyer's small office with assets of $2,000. At 57 years old, it was Tacoma's oldest and most respected savings and loan. Signs on the fence read "No knotholes in this fence. Get it all from a bleacher seat. Bleacher seats reserved for sidewalk superintendents, watch the show from a bleacher seat." Arrows point around the right hand fence where the bleachers must be located. The building, as designed by Lea, Pearson and Richards, would have modern glass and aluminum silhouette. Its main entrance would be on 9th, with a side entrance on Court A with a drive up window and space for 7 cars.(TNT 5/2.1956, pg. D-4)

Tacoma Savings & Loan Association (Tacoma); Banks--Tacoma; Construction--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Plywood barricade around the construction site for the new headquarters for Tacoma Savings & Loan; ordered by Simpson Plywood Barricades. The barricade reminds passerby that despite the inconvenience of the construction site, the bank is building for the future. Founded in 1899, it is the city's oldest savings & loan. The new headquarters is being built across the street from the current facility, and the bank has a branch at the Lakewood Center. Ketner Brothers are the general contractors for the project.

Tacoma Savings & Loan Association (Tacoma); Banks--Tacoma; Construction--Tacoma--1950-1960;

The entrance in the barricade to the bleacher seating, the best seat in town to watch the ongoing construction of the Tacoma Savings & Loan building. The new home office was being built across the street from its former headquarters. The city's oldest savings & loan was constructing a new aluminum and glass office building at this site. The new building would be 95 x 73 feet, on a lot that measured 120 x 75 feet. It had a basement, ground floor, mezzanine and penthouse for a total square footage of 21, 096 plus room for 2 additional floors. (TNT 6-27-1957)

Tacoma Savings & Loan Association (Tacoma); Banks--Tacoma; Construction--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Tacoma Savings and Loan, new building. The steel framework is going up for the new savings and loan headquarters, built across the street from their historic original office in the Bowes building. The new building would be a modern edifice of glass and aluminum. The first floor would house customer service, insurance department, offices for departments, safe deposit vault and safe deposit boxes. The mezzanine reached by the spiral staircase houses offices, conference room and record vault. A community room for meetings was located in the Basement, which also included the microfilm room, supply storage and employees' lounge.

Tacoma Savings & Loan Association (Tacoma); Banks--Tacoma; Construction--Tacoma--1950-1960;

The steel framework rises for the new Tacoma Savings and Loan Association building. When completed, the building would consist of a basement, main floor and mezzanine, with a structure that could support two additional floors when needed. It would have luminous ceilings acoustically treated for sound absorption, indirect lighting and electrically operated fiberglass drapes, 22 feet long from floor to ceiling. (TNT 6/27/1957)

Tacoma Savings & Loan Association (Tacoma); Banks--Tacoma; Construction--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Aerial photograph of downtown Tacoma to show the spired Puget Sound National Bank building at 11th and Pacific (1119 Pacific Ave.) To the building's left is Peoples Department Store at 1101-07 Pacific and to its right is the National Bank of Washington, 1123 Pacific, the 2002 location of the Tacoma Art Museum. Behind facing A Street is the Federal Building and the Post Office at 1102 A Street. The city appears divided into a grid of large office buildings. The streets, left to right, vertically are Commerce, Pacific and A Street. They are divided by, top to bottom, by 11th Street and 12th Street. Left to right at the top of the picture are the Rust building at 950 Pacific, the Washington Building at 1019 Pacific and the Tacoma Building at 1017-21 A Street. Across 11th Street from the Tacoma Building is the Perkins building at 1101 A Street.

Puget Sound National Bank (Tacoma); Aerial photographs;

ca. 1957. Exterior of the National Bank of Washington located in the Villa Plaza Shopping Center. The bank sponsored an open house on July 13, 1957, at its new banking office located in the north wing of the Lakewood shopping center. It was one of eight Tacoma area offices. The one-story building was 50-feet wide, 104-feet deep and totaled 5,200 square feet. The exterior was constructed of mottled blue ceramic tile with large areas of plate glass. The facility was designed by Lea, Pearson & Richards and built by general contractor Merritt Construction. Six teller units, a conference room and officers quarters were located on the east side lobby. There was a modern vault in the rear. The Villa Plaza-Lakewood branch of the National Bank of Washington had as its first manager Marc H. Miller. (TNT 7-11-57, A-6-article & alt. photograph; A-7 full page ad)

National Bank of Washington (Lakewood); Banks--Lakewood; Electric signs--Lakewood; Villa Plaza Shopping Center (Lakewood); Shopping centers--Lakewood--1950-1960; Facades--Lakewood--1950-1960;

The National Bank of Washington opened temporary quarters in a 40 foot trailer at the Villa Plaza in April, 1957, while their permanent Lakewood branch was being constructed. Flowers were planted in concrete block borders for a homey effect. Here on April 1, 1957, two men shake hands on the steps leading to the bank. The man to the left is believed to be branch manager, Marc H. Miller. The permanent branch, built on the Villa Plaza's north wing, would celebrate its open house on July 13, 1957. Customers would enjoy a rare "behind-the-scenes" look at bank operations during the open house. The new 50' X 104' structure would officially open for business on July 15, 1957. Photograph ordered by National Bank of Washington. (TNT 3-15-57, p. 9, TNT 7-11-57, A-6)

National Bank of Washington (Lakewood); Banks--Lakewood; Banking--Lakewood; Signs (Notices);

It might have been somewhat cramped in this trailer but the National Bank of Washington strove to provide good service to their customers while their permanent Lakewood branch was being constructed. It appears that the temporary quarters of the Villa Plaza branch was set in the middle of a parking lot during April, 1957. John R. Whisler, assistant cashier, and Marc H. Miller, manager, have nameplates on adjoining desks; there is also room for two teller windows. Photograph ordered by National Bank of Washington. (TNT 3-15-57, p. 9)

National Bank of Washington (Lakewood); Banks--Lakewood; Banking--Lakewood;

Exterior- Puget Sound National Bank. Bank officials, realizing that the city's southend continued to grow, placed a branch of Puget Sound National Bank at the corner of South 84th and Pacific Avenue. The branch had a large neon sign and also a time/temperature device above. The Main Office of the bank had a similiar "double T" sign placed at their Pacific Avenue headquarters only four years before. The 84th & Pacific branch was managed for many years by Ralph Hubbard. The bank is still in its same location 45 years later; it is now owned by KeyBank. Photograph ordered by the Condon Co.

Puget Sound National Bank (Tacoma); Banks--Tacoma; Banking--Tacoma--1950-1960; Clocks & watches; Electric signs--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Exterior- Puget Sound National Bank. The 84th & Pacific branch of Puget Sound National Bank was a long-time fixture in the city's southend. It was headed by Ralph Hubbard from its inception. Mr. Hubbard treated his customers with his own personal touch. According to "Banking on Independence," Mr. Hubbard had a following of customers who would not bank with anyone other than Ralph." Puget Sound National Bank followed the philosophy that allowed them to name branch managers who were capable of running their branches profitably and were able to attract and retain customers. Puget Sound National Bank, long known as the largest independent bank in the state, was purchased by KeyBank in the early 1990's. The 84th & Pacific branch is still open for business at the same location. Photograph ordered by the Condon Co., possibly for advertising purposes. (Provorse: Banking on Independence, p. 107-08)

Puget Sound National Bank (Tacoma); Banks--Tacoma; Banking--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Exterior- bank building. North Pacific Bank had been at the same location on South Tacoma Way since 1914. Designed by architects Lundberg & Mahon, the brick building also housed the South Tacoma Post Office for a while. Clarence W. Wallerich was listed as president of the one-branch bank according to the 1957 City Directory. General banking and safe deposit vaults were offered by North Pacific which had capital, surplus, reserves and undivided profits over $900,000,000. North Pacific Bank was purchased in November, 1998, by Heritage Bank. Photograph ordered by North Pacific Bank.

North Pacific Bank (Tacoma); Banks--Tacoma; Banking--Tacoma--1950-1960;

A teller smilingly tabulates deposits at the drive-up window of Lakewood's Puget Sound National Bank. Drive-up service was becoming very popular in the 1950's as a convenience for busy customers who could not spare the time to enter the bank. Thick glass would protect the teller from robbers; customers would simply place their transactions in bins which would be accessible by the teller. Payments for loans, checking and savings deposits and withdrawls would all be accomplished without the customer ever leaving his car. Photograph ordered by Condon Co. (TNT ad 4-3-58, B-7) 10-JUN-2014

Banking--Lakewood; Banks--Lakewood; Puget Sound National Bank (Lakewood);

An alluring hula girl mannequin beckons Bank of California customers to protect their vacation funds by purchasing American Express travelers cheques. The June, 1957, display suggests that, whether visiting Hawaii or South Dakota, a cautious vacationer should play it safe by using travelers cheques instead of carrying large amounts of cash. A giant sea shell, a towel, a model Northwest Airlines plane, two palm trees and copious amounts of "sand" in the midst of a bank lobby would certainly draw the attention of the bank's vacation-minded customers. American Express launched its travelers cheque business in 1891; they introduced their travel charge card in 1958. (Photograph ordered by Bank of California.)

Bank of California National Association (Tacoma); Banks--Tacoma; Merchandise displays--Tacoma--1950-1960; Mannequins;

Exterior of Pacific First Federal Savings Building. The large revolving corner clock indicates that it is 11:50 a.m. and the Pacific First Federal Savings Building is open for business. Plaques on the marbled foundation indicate that the bank offered a safe deposit vault for protection of valuables as well as insuring customers' savings and issuing home loans. Situated in the downtown business district of 11th & Pacific, the venerable building had been a local presence since 1891. Photograph ordered by Puget Sound Office Equipment.

Pacific First Federal Savings & Loan Association (Tacoma); Banks--Tacoma; Pacific First Federal Building (Tacoma);

American flags flank the marbled entrance to Pacific First Federal Savings on Flag Day, 1957. Pacific First Federal Savings & Loan Association was a mutual savings institution with branches in Bellingham, Seattle, Tacoma, Longview, Portland and Eugene. It served over 57, 000 families with $170 million in resources. Tacoma was its home office, established in 1907. Gerrit VanderEnde was the longtime president of the savings & loan.

Pacific First Federal Savings & Loan Association (Tacoma); Banks--Tacoma; Flags; Doors & doorways--Tacoma--1950-1960; Pacific First Federal Building (Tacoma);

Rows and towers of safe-deposit units greet customers of Pacific First Federal Savings in June, 1957. Each box is numbered and two keys would be necessary to open each individual box, much as is done in 2002. Carpeted floors would muffle the tread of many footsteps. Pacific First Federal Savings was located at the corner of 11th and Pacific in downtown Tacoma. The Romanesque-style building was constructed in 1891 as the home of Merchants National Bank. Photograph ordered by Puget Sound Office Equipment.

Pacific First Federal Savings & Loan Association (Tacoma); Banks--Tacoma; Safe-deposit boxes--Tacoma;

Exterior- savings & loan. A close-up view of the Tacoma Savings & Loan Association front entrance was taken on June 27, 1957. Insulated glass panels surround the new building, including the front entrance. The main entrance doors were electronically operated. New trees have been planted, spaced carefully apart, to provide a touch of softness when contrasted with the modern sleek appearance of the financial institution. The Tacoma Savings & Loan was established in 1899. They urged customers to save, in order to "write your own future". Home loans were tailored to fit customers' individual needs. The new location of the downtown Tacoma Savings & Loan was directly across the street from its former headquarters in the Bowes Building. Photograph ordered by Tacoma Savings & Loan Association. (TNT 6-27-57, A-6-9)

Tacoma Savings & Loan Association (Tacoma); Banks--Tacoma; Signs (Notices);

Exterior- savings & loan building. The sleek new Tacoma Savings & Loan Association building on South 9th and A Street is ready to be opened in late June, 1957. It is directly across the street from its former headquarters in the Bowes Building. The ulta-modern glass-encased building was designed by architects Lea, Pearson & Richards, who were responsible for many notable buildings in Tacoma. The steel framed construction would total 95 feet by 75 feet. View of contrasting "old" and "new" Tacoma Savings & Loan Association bank buildings. Photograph ordered by Tacoma Savings & Loan Association. (TNT 6-27-57, A-6-9)

Tacoma Savings & Loan Association (Tacoma); Banks--Tacoma;

Exterior-savings & loan building. Looking directly across 9th St., possibly from the former headquarters of the Tacoma Savings & Loan Association, the new location for the savings & loan comes into view. The rectangular building is primarily glass encased, glass on three sides which cantilever out from the inside columns and are suspended from the roof. Designed by architects Lea, Pearson & Richards, and built by Ketner Brothers, contractors, it has extruded aluminum and insulating glass with black granite trim and blue Spandrelite glass panels. The glass panels are 6 feet by 10 feet. Fiberglass draperies measuring 22 feet are designed to cover the glass areas. The Tacoma Savings & Loan was established in 1899, making it one of the city's oldest financial institutions. Photograph ordered by Tacoma Savings & Loan Association. (TNT 6-27-57, A-6-9)

Tacoma Savings & Loan Association (Tacoma); Banks--Tacoma; Facades--Tacoma--1950-1960;

The Tacoma Savings & Loan Association invited local residents to attend an "Open House" on June 28, 1957, celebrating the completion of its new headquarters at 101 So. 9th St., across the street from its former location in the Bowes Building. The new building was a marvel of wall-to-wall insulating plate glass and featured a semi-circular open staircase that reached from the basement to the mezzanine level. The savings & loan also incorporated the "old" into their new headquarters; scenes of Tacoma's past were captured in enlarged photographs and mounted for display. View of visitors admiring a photograph of the horse and trolley days on 11th & Pacific. Photograph ordered by Tacoma Savings & Loan Association.

Tacoma Savings & Loan Association (Tacoma); Celebrations--Tacoma--1950-1960; Art exhibitions--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Interior- savings & loan. The expansive, brightly-lit lobby of the new Tacoma Savings & Loan was photographed on June 28, 1957, prior to its grand opening. After many years in the Bowes Building directly across the street, the savings & loan built an ultra-modern glass paneled new establishment. The spacious first floor included the customer service area, insurance department, department heads' offices, safe-deposit vault, and a separate lobby for safe-deposit customers. The building featured a free-standing reinforced concrete circular staircase which led from the basement to the mezzanine level. An elevator was also provided. Supporting columns were covered with Italian Cremo marble. Walls adjacent to the elevator shaft were covered with Breche Fantasia marble. Photograph ordered by Tacoma Savings & Loan Association. (TNT 6-27-57, A-6-9)

Tacoma Savings & Loan Association (Tacoma); Banks--Tacoma;