Crowds of women rummage through clothes racks and counters looking for bargains at Alma Ayres, Inc., "quitting business sale". Alma Ayres opened in August 1949 offering Tacoma women the latest styles in clothing, junior apparel, millinery and accessories. A balcony can be seen at the rear of store. Ordered by J. L. Knox Sales Company.

Alma Ayres, Inc. (Tacoma); Clothing stores--Tacoma--1950-1960; Women--Clothing & dress--Tacoma--1950-1960; Shopping--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Five new Buicks, part of a fleet of nine for the Murphy-Campbell Co., Caterpiller distributors of Tacoma and Centralia, are parked in front of Mueller-Harkins Buick Agency at 455 Saint Helens Avenue in November of 1952. Murphy-Campbell leased the new Buicks through the Coast Driv-Ur-Self Company, who bought Buicks from Mueller-Harkins. The automobiles would be used by the company's salesmen and executives to service their customers in Pierce, Thurston, Lewis, Mason, Grays Harbor and Pacific Counties. (TNT, 11/23/1952, p.B-8-ads)

Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1950-1960; Mueller-Harkins Motor Co. (Tacoma); Buick automobile; Murphy-Campbell Co. (Tacoma);

Murphy-Campbell Caterpiller Company, the new Southwest Washington distrubutor for Caterpillar Tractor, was one of the many progressive firms in Tacoma leasing cars through Coast Driv-Ur-Self Company. To help salemen and executives cover territories with speed, comfort and efficiency, Murphy-Campbell chose nine Buicks from Mueller-Harkins Buick Agency and two Cadillacs. Frank J. Murphy was president of Murphy-Campbell. Bernard C. Campbell was vice president and Robert L. Brown served as secretary. (TNT, 11/23/1952, p.B-8)

Buick automobile; Murphy-Campbell Co. (Tacoma); Business enterprises--Tacoma;

John B. McKinney was the owner and operator of the Marshall-Wells store on Sixth Avenue. It was basically a hardware store that carried paint, plumbing supplies, hardware, housewares, sporting goods, and even tricycles. By the time of the 1953 City Directory, the store's name had changed to include McKinney Electric & Hardware. View of storefront; lighted interior shows variety of items for sale in a photograph taken on November 14, 1952.

Hardware stores--Tacoma--1950-1960; Marshall-Wells Stores (Tacoma); McKinney Electric & Hardware (Tacoma); Storefronts--Tacoma--1950-1960; Signs (Notices); Electric signs--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Combed redwood was featured in the Terrace Room that was added when Lakewood Terrace was remodeled in 1952. The face of the bar, the tops of the small tables and a portion of the walls were covered with redwood. To soften the back-of-the bar lighting a redwood egg-crate lattice was added overhead. The stools had redwood-slat seats on top of tall black iron legs. A brick floor was chosen to add to the textural highlights in the room. (TNT, 10/31/1952, p.C-1)

Lakewood Terrace (Lakewood); Eating & drinking facilities--Lakewood; Lounges--Lakewood;

The entrance to the new cocktail lounge, the Terrace Room, that was added when Lakewood Terrace was remodeled, has been decorated with a continuation of the highly textured theme that was chosen for the lounge. Black-framed panels of straw-woven linen separate the waiting room alcove from the lounge. One of the famous Terrace roosters has found a new home in the greenery of the red brick planter and vines and philodendron provide more texture. (TNT, 10/31/1952, p.C-1)

Lakewood Terrace (Lakewood); Eating & drinking facilities--Lakewood; Lounges--Lakewood;

The main dining room at Lakewood Terrace maintained its quiet reserve following remodelling in 1952. The grandfather's clock still ticks against the far wall. The huge colonial white-paneled fireplace with its 20-foot mantel still dominated the room. An "Anglo-Persian" carpet was added, however, as well as new wallpaper featuring huge clusters of rose-red blossoms and a dado which topped the wainscot for an extra colonial touch. Harold F. Chavis was manager of the restaurant and cocktail lounge at this time. Ordered by the Lakewood Development Company. (TNT, 10/31/1952, p.C-1)

Lakewood Terrace (Lakewood); Eating & drinking facilities--Lakewood; Restaurants--Lakewood;

Employees of Pacific Telephone & Telegraph gather at an evening banquet at the New Yorker on November 20, 1952, to honor three of their own for a total of ninety years of service to the company. Mrs. Nettie Kohler, Miss Rose Zehnder, and Miss Helen Olson were the guests of honor; each has been a valued employee for thirty years. It appears that Art Mineo's orchestra provided the evening's entertainment. (TNT 11-21-52, C-3)

Pacific Telephone & Telegraph Co. (Tacoma)--Employees--1950-1960; Celebrations--Tacoma--1950-1960; Banquets--Tacoma--1950-1960;

The main floor of the new addition to the Tacoma Public Library's main branch provided several tables and chairs for reading near the periodicals area. The Tacoma Avenue entrance is seen along the left beyond the periodicals.

Public libraries--Tacoma; Tacoma Public Library (Tacoma); Tables; Chairs;

The children's area of the new addition to the Tacoma Public Library's main branch featured a large fireplace in the rear, several tables and chairs for reading and a separate card catalog. A circulation desk is seen on the right. Miss Dorothy Hairgrove headed the children's department at this time.

Public libraries--Tacoma; Tacoma Public Library (Tacoma); Tables; Chairs; Card catalogs--Tacoma; Fireplaces--Tacoma;

Sears, Roebuck and Co. Hand hooked rugs window display, sizes ranging from 2' X 5' to 10' X 14', including oval shaped carpets as photographed on November 3, 1952. Customers were urged to use Sears' easy payment plan.

Sears, Roebuck & Co. (Tacoma); Department stores--Tacoma--1950-1960; Merchandise displays--Tacoma--1950-1960; Rugs;

Hugh O. Smith owned two restaurants in Tacoma; Smitty's Drive In on Puyallup Avenue and Smitty's Coffee Mug on South Tacoma Way. View of interior of Smitty's Coffee Mug in November, 1952; a customer could either sit at the U-shaped counter on a stool or choose to sit in a booth. Besides purchasing a cup of coffee, one could select a soda from their "soda bar" or enjoy some Medosweet ice cream. Photograph ordered by Smitty's Coffee Mug.

Smitty's Coffee Mug (Tacoma); Restaurants--Tacoma--1950-1960; Stools;

Several administrative offices were located on the third floor of the addition to the Tacoma Public Library's main branch. Windows in the walls of the offices provided natural light during the day. A small table and four chairs are seen in this workroom.

Tacoma Public Library (Tacoma); Public libraries--Tacoma; Office furniture;

The office of director Howard M. Rowe at the Tacoma Public Library's main branch has room for a desk with side table for a telephone and dictating machine and a long conference table. A wall of doors is seen beyond the talble and another door is seen on the wall at the left. Mr. Rowe has carefully placed his briefcase under the desk. The furniture even includes a wooden trash basket. (TNT, 11/1/1952, p.C-4)

Tacoma Public Library (Tacoma); Public libraries--Tacoma; Office furniture; Offices--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Lillian Swenson carefully lights candles placed on a pair of matching cabinets in a December, 1952, photograph. The cabinets are homemade, wood with apparently a black lacquer finish. Photograph ordered by Douglas Fir Plywood Association.

Cabinets (Case furniture)--Tacoma; Candles; Candlesticks; Swenson, Lillian; Douglas Fir Plywood Association (Tacoma);

Boys and girls surround a Pacific Telephone & Telegraph company employee as he demonstrates how sound travels. One boy is blowing into a long tube which loops itself around; the other end is being held by the company employee. There are various pieces of equipment on a black paper-covered table; paper has a Bell System logo visible.

Children--Tacoma--1950-1960; Pacific Telephone & Telegraph Co. (Tacoma); Logos;

Twenty four members of the Aquino clan gathered on Christmas Day, 1952, for a group portrait. The get together may have occurred at the Frank Aquino residence. According to the 1953 City Directory, Frank Aquino resided at 1419 So. Grant; he was employed as a post office clerk. Sepia photograph ordered by Frank Aquino.

Group portraits; Aquino, Frank--Family; Families--Tacoma--1950-1960;

These four children are dressed to resemble Hummel figurines for a 1952 Christmas display. Steve Anderson, 12, is wearing shorts, a vest over a short sleeved shirt, a cap over his blond hair, and carrying a violin. He is the son of the Stanley Andersons. Kristine Grant, age 5, holds her doll while her big sister Karen, 11, stands close to her. They are the daughters of R. Gene Grant. Both Karen and little Gretchen Anderson, age 2, have their heads covered by kerchiefs and all three dresses have puffed sleeves and full skirts. They are standing next to a large picture window decorated with a wreath and lamppost covered with greenery in this sepia photograph taken at the Grants' Lakewood home. (TNT 12-21-52, D-1) TPL-8778

Group portraits; Children--Clothing & dress--Tacoma--1950-1960; Christmas decorations; Violins; Anderson, Steve; Grant, Karen; Grant, Kristine; Anderson, Gretchen;

A large group of children are gathered beside a Christmas tree in the living room of the William Dobyns in December, 1952. All look dressed in their holiday best and a few are licking lollipops. William J. Dobyns was the director of Tacoma General Hospital; he and his wife Lilyan resided at 3024 North 31st Street.

Group portraits; Children--Tacoma--1950-1960; Dobyns, William J.--Homes & haunts; Christmas trees--Tacoma--1950-1960; Living rooms--Tacoma--1950-1960;

All dressed up for Christmas shopping in late November, 1952, are Patricia (Mrs. Thomas C.) Sias and little daughter Alexandra as they pose in the kitchen display located at Lincoln Electric Co. Lincoln Electric had recently relocated to a new building on South 38th Street where they maintained a good supply of Hotpoint appliances along with children's toys and furnishings. View of Mrs. Sias leaning against a dishwasher and Alexandra standing next to an open refrigerator.

Merchandise displays--Tacoma--1950-1960; Kitchens--Tacoma--1950-1960; Lincoln Electric (Tacoma); Sias, Patricia; Sias, Alexandra;

The construction of new housing on base progresses as workers continue to set plywood forms into place. A crane is shown lowering a portion of plywood in this December, 1952, photograph. Due to the influx of thousands of new personnel to the Puget Sound area, Fort Lewis and other military locations experienced the necessity of building additional facilities to house and train them. Photograph ordered by Douglas Fir Plywood Association.

Progress photographs--1950-1960; Building construction--Fort Lewis; Plywood; Douglas Fir Plywood Association (Tacoma);

A large, freestanding neon sign directed shoppers to Parkland's Park-N-Shop supermarket at 9662 Pacific Avenue in December, 1952. A clock was mounted near the base of the sign. The Park-N-Shop store joined the trend of multi-line grocery stores in offering a variety of services including prescription drugs, dry goods, groceries and meats. Its meat department offered a self-service section where fresh and smoked meats were pre-packaged for customer convenience. Ample parking was provided. (Photograph ordered by Park-N-Shop, Inc.) TPL-9966

Electric signs--Parkland; Clocks & watches; Park-N-Shop, Inc. (Parkland); Parking lots--Parkland;

Lincoln Electric moved into new surroundings in late 1952. They specialized in Hotpoint appliances and home wiring, but also carried a large selection of children's toys and furniture. View of newly added juvenile department of Lincoln Electric; variety of cribs and playpens, strollers and highchairs are prominently displayed. Colorful rugs with circus and cowboy motifs could be purchased to brighten up a child's bedroom. Esther Bannon was the manager of the toys and juvenile department. (TNT 12-10-52, B-8)

Lincoln Electric (Tacoma); Merchandise displays--Tacoma--1950-1960; Children's furniture; Strollers (Baby carriages)--Tacoma; Rugs;

McKenzie Fuel Company was owned and operated by W. Kent McKenzie. It was located at 2432 E. 11th St. View of storefront with delivery truck parked nearby. The company sold oil, coal, wood and sawdust; the customer could either have the product delivered by one of McKenzie's large fleet of trucks, or utilize the 24 hour self-service units. Coal and presto-logs could be obtained on one side of the building while stove oil could be purchased, even when the building was closed, from the other. Large signs on the building directed the customers appropriately. TPL-10194

McKenzie Fuel Co. (Tacoma); Electric signs--Tacoma--1950-1960; Commercial facilities--Tacoma; Trucks--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Orpheus Club members are shown post-concert at the First Methodist Church on December 9, 1952. The Orpheus Club, with more than fifty participants, was a male choir that performed in many concerts, including several at the First Methodist Church and was part of the massive collaboration of choirs in productions of Handel's "The Messiah." The December, 1952, concert featured soprano Gloria Marinacci, as guest artist. The Orpheans were directed by Ivan Rasmussen and Helen Nancy Congdon was the piano accompanist. (TNT 11-30-52, D-10)

Orpheus Club (Tacoma); Concerts--Tacoma--1950-1960; Choirs (Music); First Methodist Church (Tacoma);

Several patrons enjoy the spacious new quarters of the Tacoma Public Library's main branch at 11th and Tacoma Avenue South. Abundant lighting made reading and looking for books an easier task. View of book shelves make it apparent that there is plenty of room for additional reading material. Flooring is linoleum, sturdy enough to hold up to many years of foot travel. Photograph ordered by General Electric.

Public libraries--Tacoma; Bookstacks--Tacoma; Tacoma Public Library (Tacoma); General Electric Co. (Tacoma);

A Stanford University R.O.T.C. cadet holds the City of Tacoma Achievement Award given to his school's Air Force unit on January 22, 1953. The award was given to Stanford for their performance in summer encampment at McChord AFB in 1952. The school whose representatives attain the highest degree of all-around proficiency at the summer R.O.T.C. camp at McChord wins the annual award. In 1952, there were two summer camps at McChord; the Oregon State College unit won the trophy for the first camp while Stanford received it for honors in the second camp. The cadet holding the trophy may be Cadet Major John McIntosh. (TNT 1-22-53, C-3, TNT 1-25-53, A-12))

Cadets--California; Awards;

All eyes properly follow the puck as it seems to be heading past the goalie toward the open net in this February, 1953, photograph. The goalie is on his knees in front of the net as a member of I.O.O.F. 232 completes his shot. Several players have lost their footing and are resting on the ice. This scrimmage or game apparently took place at the Arena on South Union Avenue. Photograph ordered by Allen Goldfin.

Ice hockey--Tacoma; Ice hockey players--Tacoma; Ice skating rinks--Tacoma;

Even young hockey players get bumped and bruised and deserve a massage. Here a trainer or coach rubs some liniment onto the boy's back while a teammate looks on in this 1953 photograph. The player is lying on a thin mattress placed on a long table in the team's dressing room; uniforms and equipment are hanging from cubicles. Photograph ordered by Allen Goldfin.

Ice hockey--Tacoma; Ice hockey players--Tacoma; Ice skating rinks--Tacoma; Massage;

Pierce County representatives to the 33rd State Legislature examine proposed legislation in January, 1953. Al Farrar leans over the desk of Pat Steele while Frances (Mrs. Thomas) Swayze looks on. Al Farrar represented the 27th District for two terms in the 1953 and 1955 sessions. Pat Steele represented the 26th District in 1953. Frances Swayze represented the 26th District from 1953 until she resigned in September of 1965. She was replaced by her son Thomas A. Swayze, Jr. who became Speaker of the House in 1971. (TNT 3-5-53, A-7) TPL-7939

Legislators--Washington--1950-1960; Farrar, Al; Steele, Patrick; Swayze, Frances;