Eric Hayes may have had his residence on the same piece of property as his new nursery in Purdy, a small community near Gig Harbor. The two-story Dutch colonial home had a porch surrounding the second floor; it would have provided a clear view of the woods and garden plots. There were several rectangular plots of land, contained with borders, which would grow specific plants and shrubs. The Eric Hayes Nursery celebrated an open house on March 22, 1958. Located seven minutes from the Narrows Bridge, the nursery carried a wide variety of trees and shrubs, as well as garden equipment and supplies. Photograph ordered by Eric Hayes Nursery. (TNT 3-21-58, A-9)

Houses--Purdy; Nurseries (Horticulture)--Purdy;

The Public Safety Building on Pacific Avenue was also known as the City Hall Annex. Originally built for Northern Pacific Railroad for use as its headquarters in 1887, the City of Tacoma purchased the building in 1922 . The south wing of the Italianate, stucco-covered stone structure was later rebuilt to house the jail. The Old City Hall was directly across the street on Pacific. View of the Public Safety Building taken on May 9, 1958, indicates that this was Police Headquarters, with separate entrances for the detective division and for traffic violators. With the completion of the County-City Building in 1959, the Public Safety Building was vacated. An art center was proposed to occupy the empty space and in 1962, the Allied Arts Center began a remodeling project. A few years later, the Public Safety Building escaped total demolition, although the jail wing was destroyed, and was placed on historic registries. Photograph ordered by Alan Liddle, architect. TPL-6491. (Tacoma Rediviva, p. 27)

Public Safety Building (Tacoma); City Hall Annex (Tacoma); Tacoma Police Department (Tacoma);

Gentle landscaping and a modest sign were located at the entrance to the New Tacoma Cemetery on Chambers Creek Road. The gates to the cemetery are opened wide with a building, possibly the visitors center, to the right. The New Tacoma Cemetery, along with the Tacoma Cemetery, was operated by the Tacoma Cemetery Association, a mutual, non-profit association which had served the community since 1884. The New Tacoma Cemetery was the newer of the two locations; it began helping Tacoma families in 1932. Ponds, bridges, waterfalls and an urn garden helped create a peaceful, quiet atmosphere for reflection and mourning. A Lutheran section and a Veterans section were available along with a special Lullaby Land for children. Free bus service was available on Sundays from downtown Tacoma with enough time to spend strolling the cemetery grounds before departure. Photograph ordered by Johnson Cox Co.

New Tacoma Cemetery (Tacoma); Tacoma Cemetery Association (Tacoma); Cemeteries--Tacoma;

Chickens huddle under large heaters at the Curtis chicken farm in Graham. The large poultry barn is made of arched wooden beams with plenty of space inside for the chickens. Overhead fluorescent lighting would provide illumination even at night. There is a man kneeling pouring water into pans for the thirsty chickens. Photograph ordered by Douglas Fir Plywood Association.

Poultry houses--Graham; Poultry industry--Graham; Douglas Fir Plywood Association (Tacoma);

Snow-capped Mount Rainier is clearly visible over the trees surrounding the Curtis chicken farm in Graham. The long poultry house is built of wood. The two twin towers next to the barn doors may have been bulk storage containers for chicken feed. A ladder is fastened to each tower so that the small square lid can be reached to open. For an interior view of the chicken house, see A114464-2. Photograph ordered by Douglas Fir Plywood Association.

Poultry houses--Graham; Poultry industry--Graham; Douglas Fir Plywood Association (Tacoma);

The "Blue Flame" home was constructed in the Glenwood Acres community by Stromberg Construction. The one-story home was built in a French Provincial design with clean lines and a fairly steep shake roof. Crossed lines intersect the many windows. The tall trees surrounding the home helped to accentuate the European atmosphere. Glenwood Acres was a newer housing development in the Lakewood area with paved roads and dead-end streets which celebrated its grand opening in October, 1956. Sixty homes were planned for 1956 and possibly more have been built since then. It was the first development to feature natural gas. This model home was located on Delwood Drive close to 104th St. S.W. It featured a two-car garage. Donations of 25 cents were collected during the open house period in May, 1958, on behalf of Mary Bridge Children's Hospital. Photograph ordered by Stromberg Construction. (TNT 9-9-56, E-15, TNT 5-18-58, B-4- B-11)

Houses--Lakewood--1950-1960;

A wide driveway, flanked by two small street lamps, leads to a charming one-story home in Lakewood's Glenwood Acres neighborhood. A planned community of 60+ homes constructed by Stromberg Construction, Glenwood Acres was the first to feature natural gas for home heating. This home is built low to the ground and appears nestled under the tall trees. The sweeping shake roofline and crossed framed windows gives the house a cottage-like appearance, French Provincial in design. This was the "Blue Flame" home which was open to the public in mid-May, 1958. All appliances and heating used gas. Glenwood Acres was located on 104th St. S.W. near Hipkins Rd. Photograph ordered by Stromberg Construction. (TNT 5-18-58, B-4-B-11)

Houses--Lakewood--1950-1960;

The glass-encased multi-story fine arts annex at Lincoln High School was dedicated in November of 1957 and open for public viewing as part of the annual Back-to-School night and observance of American Education Week. It was the first major improvement at the school in several years. The modernistic steel and concrete Fine Arts Building is adjacent to the ivy-covered walls of the main building. Photograph ordered by Bethlehem Pacific Coast Steel Corporation. TPL-8474

Lincoln High School (Tacoma); Public schools--Tacoma--1950-1960;

ca. 1926. Grocery store interior. Baked goods case, canned and packaged food on shelves, produce on tables. (filed with Argentum)

Grocery stores--1920-1930;

Work proceeds steadily on the new County-City Building being constructed on Tacoma Avenue South, next door to the Tacoma Public Library. The massive, multi-storied central structure will be one of the very few in the country with exterior aluminum paneling. The two-story court building shown above is made of reinforced concrete. Although the interior court rooms are soundproof and windowless, there appear to be windows on the exterior walls. A. Gordon Lumm, A.I.A., is the architect of the project; Macdonald Building Co. is the contractor. There is a large sign at the site listing the names of the County Commissioners, Tacoma City Council, Architect, Engineers and Contractor. The County-City Building would be formally dedicated on April 10, 1959. Photograph ordered by Fentron Industries, Seattle.

Progress photographs; County-City Building (Tacoma); Building construction--Tacoma--1950-1960;

ca. 1958. Mount Rainier can barely be seen in the distance on an overcast day, to the right of the new County-City Building under construction. The smaller unit is the new law enforcement wing which will eventually become four stories tall. The steel frame work is now up; structural steel used in fabricating the framework was probably provided by Bethlehem Pacific Coast Steel's Seattle plant. The large dirt area to the foreground will become parking. Photograph ordered by Bethlehem Pacific Coast Steel Corporation.

Progress photographs; County-City Building (Tacoma); Building construction--Tacoma--1950-1960;

ca. 1926. Meat Market. Fresh meat in cases, scale, prices posted. (filed with Argentum)

Butcher shops--1920-1930;

ca. 1926. Meat Market. Meat grinding equipment, hanging meat and fresh meat cases. (filed with Argentum)

Butcher shops--1920-1930;

The new Bethel Junior High School under construction in May, 1958, combined the use of fabricated steel, brick, cement and glass materials. Here a worker in hard hat and overalls is shown climbing to possibly inspect the steel trusses. Wood car decking would be added to the roof. The long-awaited steel had finally arrived for the 7th, 8th, and 9th grade wings and for the gym, hallway and shop building. The school was designed to house 600 students. The school district hoped to open in Fall, 1958. The lunchroom, shop, gym were scheduled to be finished last; the first urgency was for the classrooms to be completed. Bethlehem Pacific Coast Steel's fabrication plant in Seattle was responsible for cutting, punching, drilling, bending and machining the structural steel and plates prior to erection. Each column or girder is carefully marked to show its exact place in the completed structure before it is shipped to the erection site. Photograph ordered by Bethlehem Pacific Coast Steel Corp. (Bethlehem Pacific Steel in the Northwest, Booklet #361, c. 1954, TNT 5-4-58, B-4)

Progress photographs; Building construction--Spanaway--1950-1960; Public schools--Spanaway--1950-1960;

ca. 1926. Interior of Grocery Store. Fresh meat cases, scale, beverage case, packaged foods on shelves. Sign on wall: "Cash - Please Do Not Ask For Credit." (filed with Argentum)

Grocery stores--1920-1930;

A little girl confidently takes the wheel of a Moss Midjet racing car on June 4, 1958. A small boy hops on for a ride, perched with one foot on the back tire. The sleek light-colored car had metal bumpers and a long metal sidebar, perhaps for the driver's protection. Photograph ordered by the Condon Co., an advertising agency.

Racing automobiles; Children driving;

As the store name indicated, a customer could buy 28 flavors of ice cream at Louis Lamken's 28 Flavors Ice Creamery on Gravelly Lake Dr. The small store had wall-to-wall glass, making it easy for sweet-seeking customers to check out the variety of ice cream. Listed on the wall were signs naming all the flavors; larger signs indicating the familiar chocolate, vanilla, and strawberry with the more exotic Hawaiian Delight, caramel fudge and pistachio were pasted on the storefront windows. It is believed that the name of the ice cream store is new as a 24 Flavors Ice Cream store had been at the same location, 8922 Gravelly Lake Dr., prior to its move to the Villa Plaza Shopping Center next to Thrifty Drugs. 24 Flavors, owned by Mrs. Ellice Westrope, celebrated its grand opening May 17-18, 1958. Photograph ordered by Medosweet Dairies. (TNT Ad 5-16-58, p. 6; article -text only about 24 Flavors Ice Cream)

28 Flavors Ice Creamery (Lakewood); Dairy stores--Lakewood; Ice cream & ices; Signs (Notices);

Swimming pool at the Babcock residence. Swimmers seem to be enjoying the backyard inground pool at the James Babcock residence in the Rhododendron Lanes neighborhood. The square swimming pool, surrounded by a cement patio, is divided into two portions by the use of small floaters. James Babcock was the president of Babcock-White Insurance, Inc., and Western Pools, Inc. He was also part owner of the Babcock-Olson Co., distributors of swimming equipment. The public was invited to inspect the new swimming pool at the Babcock's on June 22, 1958. This "Western" pool, 16' x 32', was advertised as the ideal family size. Babcock headed the newly established Western Pools, Inc. He indicated that this particular pool would cost $3750 installed, complete with filtering and heating systems. It would be heated with natural gas and would never need to have the water changed. It could be installed in 10 days. Photograph ordered by Babcock-White Insurance. (TNT 6-22-58, B-9, Ad B-11)

Swimming pools--Lakewood; Babcock, James--Homes & haunts;

This was how the 1100 Block of Broadway looked in June of 1941. The Henry Mohr Hardware Co. building (1141-43 Broadway,) built in 1910, can be seen on the right foreground with the ground floor occupied by the Karnes Shopping Mart. To the left was the Hotel Lansing at 1137-39 Broadway. The bottom floor was occupied by Overland Furniture. The building was built in 1907 and has since been demolished. Between the Lansing and the Blue Mouse was the Phillips Cafeteria at 1135 Broadway. The Blue Mouse was located at 1131-33 Broadway. It was demolished to make way for one of Tacoma's escalades connecting Pacific to Broadway.

Mohr Hardware Co. building (Tacoma); Karnes Shopping Mart (Tacoma); Hotel Lansing (Tacoma); Overland Furniture (Tacoma); Blue Mouse Movie Theatre (Tacoma); Phillips Cafeteria (Tacoma); Business districts--Tacoma--1940-1950;

The grand opening of Primo Gasparetti's newly remodeled Wagon Wheel restaurant at 8602 South Tacoma Way was held June 18-21, 1958. The redecorated and expanded building now had room for 350 people, up from 50, and two well-lighted and well-patrolled parking lots. "Corky" Corcoran and his four-piece band supplied dancing music six nights a week. Primo Gasparetti owned several businesses on or near the same lot near the city limits of Tacoma on the 8600 block of South Tacoma Way. One year later in July of 1959 the Play Boy Cabaret, operated by Jimmy Carbone, opened at this location. (Photograph ordered by Primo's Wagon Wheel.) (TNT 6-18-58, B-2, B-3)

Primo's Wagon Wheel (Lakewood); Bars--Lakewood; Signs (Notices); Facades--Lakewood--1950-1960;

Interior - Primo's Wagon Wheel. The interior of Primo's Wagon Wheel appears to have been heavily decorated with wood panels, matching the rustic exterior of the tavern. A mounted deer's head would have been staring at the customers lined up on the bar stools before the polished bar. The Wagon Wheel had been at its 8602 South Tacoma Way location since 1938; the space had formerly been occupied by Babe's Inn. It had celebrated a grand reopening in 1940 after extensive remodeling, and another grand opening in June, 1958. Known as the "Home of the Singing Gondolier", the business was owned by Primo Gasperetti. It now had room for 350 people and offered dance music six nights a week. Photograph ordered by Primo's Wagon Wheel. (TNT 6-18-58, B-2, B-3)

Primo's Wagon Wheel (Lakewood); Bars--Lakewood; Bars (Furniture)--Lakewood; Hunting trophies;

ca. 1926. Grocery Store interior. Canned, bottled and packaged foods on shelves, bulk food case, coffee grinder, scale, cash register. (filed with Argentum)

Grocery stores--1920-1930;

Exterior - Max Frolic's cafe. Well-known entertainer Max Frolic opened his restaurant in 1938 at the (then) South Tacoma Way location. It was designed and built by Mr. Frolic and William Thornburg because of the rerouting of U.S. Highway 99 from Lakeview Drive to the newly extended South Tacoma Way. On June 20-22, 1958, Max Frolic's celebrated its grand opening to highlight its new exterior and new dining room. Neon signs advertised sea foods and fried chicken as part of the menu. Colorful awnings help to shade the windows of this brick and wood building. Max Frolic was a former vaudevillian, violinist and band leader. He directed the Elks Club Extravaganzas for many years. He also was the music director, arranger and conductor of the Pantages Theatre orchestra from 1920-1932. Mr. Frolic died at the age of 89 on December 14, 1974. Photograph ordered by Max Frolic's Restaurant. TPL-5799. (TNT 6-20-58, p. 4, History of Pierce County, Vol. 1, p. 421)

Max Frolic's Restaurant (Lakewood); Restaurants--Lakewood; Electric signs--Lakewood;

Interior - Max Frolic's cafe. Well-known entertainer Max Frolic opened his restaurant in 1938 at the (then) South Tacoma Way location. It was designed and built by Mr. Frolic and William Thornburg because of the rerouting of U.S. Highway 99 from Lakeview Drive to the newly extended South Tacoma Way. On June 20-22, 1958, Max Frolic's celebrated its grand opening to highlight its new exterior and new dining room. Neon signs advertised sea foods and fried chicken as part of the menu. Colorful awnings help to shade the windows of this brick and wood building. Max Frolic was a former vaudevillian, violinist and band leader. He directed the Elks Club Extravaganzas for many years. He also was the music director, arranger and conductor of the Pantages Theatre orchestra from 1920-1932. Mr. Frolic died at the age of 89 on December 14, 1974. Photograph ordered by Max Frolic's Restaurant. TPL-5799. (TNT 6-20-58, p. 4, History of Pierce County, Vol. 1, p. 421)

Max Frolic's Restaurant (Lakewood); Restaurants--Lakewood; Interiors--Lakewood;

Progress photographs of the construction of the new County-City Building were taken on June 19, 1958, for Fentron Industries, Seattle. Structurally, the building was 99% completed by early March, 1958. The old Courthouse to the right of the photograph would be demolished for parking; it was expected to be the last job in this project. The two houses adjacent to the site and next to the Courthouse were being used by county employees; they, too, would be leveled for parking. The mild winter, despite rain, kept the construction on schedule. (TNT 3-9-58, A-1) TPL-6680

Progress photographs; County-City Building (Tacoma); Pierce County Courthouse (Tacoma);

Cab and trailer built by Highway Truck Equipment for Mr. Honeycup from Nalley's. Photograph taken on June 2, 1941.

Highway Truck Co. (Tacoma); Nalleys, Inc. (Tacoma); Trucks--1940-1950;

This aerial photographs of downtown Tacoma looking toward Point Defiance was taken on June 16, 1958. Prominent are the three bridges crossing the City (now Thea Foss) Waterway--the 11th St. Bridge, the Railroad Bridge and the 15th St. Bridge. Among a number of identifiable buildings are the massive Schoenfeld's furniture store with its enormous store lettering, the new County-City Building under construction toward the left corner of the photograph, the old County Courthouse behind it, the Washington Building and Puget Sound National Bank, for about two years the tallest building west of the Mississippi (until the Smith Tower was built in Seattle). Wright Park is the heavily wooded area to the right and above of the new County-City Building. Urban renewal had not yet replaced any of the buildings on Pacific Ave. with parking garages. TPL-8676

Aerial photographs; Bridges--Tacoma--1950-1960; County-City Building (Tacoma);

Aerial photographs of Tacoma's northend were taken on June 16, 1958. Looking toward Mount Rainier are the industrial Tideflats area. Smoke from many pulp and paper mills drifts over the landscape. The first wooded area nearest downtown would be Wright Park. The second large forested region in the middle is Garfield Park, near Annie Wright Seminary and the Tacoma Lawn Tennis Club, and the distinctive half-moon street. The largest green area, shaped somewhat like a boot, is Puget Park as it was in 1958. It may not be as large now.

Aerial photographs; Parks--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Aerial photographs of the downtown Tacoma area, including the business and financial district, were taken by the Richards Studio on June 16, 1958. This photograph was noted as being "cropped." It shows the 11th St. Bridge as it prepares to cross the City (now Thea Foss) Waterway. Pacific Avenue and A Streets, Saint Helens and Market, Broadway and Commerce are all visible. An observer can identify the Crane Co., the National Bank of Washington, Puget Sound National Bank, the Washington Building with the Mobilgas sign, the Rust Building, Old City Hall with its memorable clock tower, and the skyscraper, the Medical Arts Building. Shuster Parkway will later be built in the thin strip of wooded area adjacent to and under the bridge. TPL-8186

Aerial photographs; Commercial streets--Tacoma--1950-1960; 11th Street Bridge (Tacoma);

The neatly laid out streets of downtown Tacoma and a portion of the industrial Tideflats area were photographed by airplane on June 16, 1958. Tacoma had concentrated its main financial and business districts in the downtown area. The 11th St. Bridge, visible crossing the City (now Thea Foss) Waterway, extends into the Tideflats. Smoke billows from the various pulp and paper mills in this more sparsely inhabited area. The Tideflats was home to railroad, lumber, and shipbuilding interests.

Aerial photographs; Commercial streets--Tacoma--1950-1960; 11th Street Bridge (Tacoma);