1973 Richards stock footage. By May of 1973, construction appears to be complete on the new wing of the Washington State Historical Society Building, 315 North Stadium Way. The new construction was designed by Tacoma architects Lea, Pearson & Richards to include room for a new library, auditorium and permanent gallery for Western art. It was located at the rear of the original structure.

Washington State Historical Building (Tacoma); Washington State Historical Society (Tacoma); Galleries & museums--Tacoma;

These 31 children, hands clasped in prayer, are preparing for their first Holy Communion at St. Martin of Tours in Fife. All are wearing white gowns with yellow trim and the girls all have veils. Most look solemnly at the camera although a few have shy grins. Color photograph ordered by St. Martin of Tours.

St. Martin of Tours Parish (Fife); Catholic churches--Fife; Rites & ceremonies--Fife; Communion;

Seattle-First National Bank. Two Sixth Avenue banks would open their doors in December of 1972; Seattle-First National Bank celebrated its grand opening on December 9th with Washington Mutual Savings following on December 13th. This is a view of the Sea-First branch taken a few months later on April 29, 1973. A large sign with the now-familiar red "1" welcomed customers and invited them to use the expeditious motor banking. The "Highland Hills" branch had moved from old quarters at Sixth & "L" but remained a full service facility with three drive-up windows. Color photograph ordered by Seattle-First National Bank, Seattle.

Seattle-First National Bank (Tacoma); Banks--Tacoma; Signs (Notices);

Close-up view of Seattle-First National Bank's "Highland Hills" branch. A row of small trees has been planted along the sidewalk border of the new Sea-First branch on Sixth Avenue. This April, 1973, side view of the bank shows the three drive-up lanes of the bank which are under cover. A "cash machine," a concept first introduced in Pierce County by Seattle-First, is outside the front doors. Color photograph ordered by Seattle-First National Bank, Seattle.

Seattle-First National Bank (Tacoma); Banks--Tacoma;

1973 Daffodil Grand Parade. The lack of sunshine did not deter both participants and spectators for the 40th annual Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival Grand Parade held on April 14, 1973. There were 27 floats, 10 mounted units, 33 bands and 25 drill teams to delight the waiting crowds. Entry #20 in the parade was "Universal Freedom" from Bates Vocational Technical Institute. A giant eagle hovers protectively over the three smiling riders aboard the King Alfred & Mt. Hood daffodil-decorated float. It would go on to win the Princess Trophy, awarded to the best float under 30 feet. (TNT 4-15-73, A-14-awards; TNT 4-15-73, B-7)

Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1973 : Tacoma); Parades & processions--Tacoma--1970-1980; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1970-1980;

1973 Daffodil Festival Parade. The theme of the 40th annual Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival parade was "Happiness Is." This unidentified float, one of 27 in the parade, adds to the theme with "To the Stars." The float is colorfully decorated in golden daffodils including several large stars and a mixture of blue and white flowers, possibly signifying the sky and clouds. Children dressed in multi-colored shawls and pretty dresses wave to the crowds lining Pacific Avenue.

Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1973 : Tacoma); Parades & processions--Tacoma--1970-1980; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1970-1980;

1973 Daffodil Parade. New Westminister's entry in the 1973 Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival Grand Parade was a replica of a smoke-bottle type fire engine, drawn by three white "horses" with saddles of golden daffodils. The Canadian city would have its own annual Hyack Festival the following month. The fire engine honored the memory of New Westminster's first firemen who were from the Hyack Fire Co., founded in 1863. It was fitting that two of the riders on the float were also from foreign countries: Annie Wright School students Keiko Noguchi (Japan) and Firouzeh Ladbon (Iran). "Happiness Is An Old Fire Engine" would win second prize in the "Floats from Other Festivals" category with the entry from the Washington State Apple Blossom Festival coming in first. (TNT 4-12-73, A-2 -"Faces & Places--article;" TNT 4-15-73, A-14--notice of awards; TNT 4-15-73, D-9-notice of students)

Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1973 : Tacoma); Parades & processions--Tacoma--1970-1980; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1970-1980; Fire engines--Canada;

A close-in look at the Kar-go Parts Center building, 2314-18 A Street, on April 9, 1973, as the firm received its first shipment of Autolite Motorcraft Parts. An Acme Cartage Co. truck has delivered the trailer full of parts to the new company. Photograph ordered by Kar-go Parts Center.

Kar-go Parts Center (Tacoma); Automobile equipment & supplies; Trucks--Tacoma--1970-1980; Shipping--Tacoma--1970-1980; Banners--Tacoma;

Front-and-side view of the Kar-go Parts Center building. Also in the picture is a truck & trailer with a large banner: "Tacoma's First Truck Load of Autolite Motorcraft Parts for KARGO PARTS CENTER." The new business had recently opened at 2314-18 A Street, the former home of Whistle Bottling Works and Irwin-Jones Motor Co. Truck Dept. Photograph ordered by Kar-go Parts.

Kar-go Parts Center (Tacoma); Automobile equipment & supplies; Trucks--Tacoma--1970-1980; Shipping--Tacoma--1970-1980; Banners--Tacoma;

Soroptimist Club of Tacoma. Miriam Whitman (left) and Jean Thomas are helping to arrange the Northwestern Regional Conference of the Soroptimist Federation of the Americas, which will occur on April 27-29, 1973, at the Sea-Tac Motor Inn. The theme of the conference is "We'll Do It - Now." The Tacoma Soroptimist Club will be one of the hosting clubs for 500+ delegates from Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon and Washington. The two club members are holding up for display a recent issue of the Soroptimist magazine. Soroptimist is an international volunteer organization composed of business and professional women whose aim is to improve lives of girls and women locally and worldwide by contributing time and funds. Photograph ordered by the Soroptimist Club of Tacoma. (TNT 4-22-73, B-5)

Soroptimist Club (Tacoma); Whitman, Miriam; Thomas, Jean; Periodicals;

A Pacific Northwest Bell employee tentatively identified as Candy Young gives a hint that Easter is around the corner and with Easter, the arrival of the Easter Bunny. Dressed in a rabbit costume with "paws," flapping "ears," and two enormous "front teeth," she reclines atop a mountain of "eggs." A big carrot provides nourishment. This April 4, 1973, photograph may have been taken in Wright Park. Photograph ordered by Pacific Northwest Bell.

Costumes; Easter--Tacoma;

The Aardvark 100 machine is pictured on April 4, 1973, at Soil Sampling Service, Puyallup. The Aardvark was able to run on rough terrain as it proceeded to drill through hillsides and other obstacles. Photograph ordered by Soil Sampling Service.

Drilling & boring machinery;

In April of 1973, the Grover Jackson 4 posed for a studio publicity portrait. The country-western group was headed by Grover Jackson (foreground). Mr. Jackson, originally from Tennessee, was a talented musician and had his own television show on Channel 13. Members of the group were, left to right: rhythm guitarist Cole Shelton, drummer Mel Mcloughlin (who also played sax) and bass guitarist J.C. McCormick. This photograph was used in a News Tribune ad on April 27, 1973, when the group was appearing at the Circle Cabaret, 1326 Pacific Ave. Photograph ordered by Grover Jackson. (TNT Ad 4-27-73, A-13) (Additional identification provided by a reader)

Jackson, Grover; Musicians--Tacoma--1970-1980; Shelton, Cole; Mcloughlin, Mel; McCormick, J.C.; Guitars; Saxophones;

J.C. McCormick was a member of the Grover Jackson 4, country-western entertainers who performed in Western Washington Holiday Inns and other local nightclubs. The young man is wearing a kerchief and dark satin shirt. He is holding a bass guitar with a long neck. This studio portrait was taken on April 4, 1973. Mr. McCormick currently owns J.C.'s Music in Puyallup. Photograph ordered by Grover Jackson. (Additional identification provided by a reader)

Musicians--Tacoma--1970-1980; Guitars; McCormick, J.C.;

Studio portrait of Cole Shelton as "Lonesome Jim." Mr. Shelton is the rhythm guitarist with the Grover Jackson 4. He is sitting cross-legged wearing unruly hair and an engaging grin. His hat appears to have an extremely large safety pin through it. The tie draped over his guitar has humorous warnings "I'm the brains of this outfit" and "ulcer dept" and others splattered throughout. Undoubtably, he serves as comic relief for the group's nightclub act which consisted of country-western music and patter. Photograph ordered by Grover Jackson. (Additional identification provided by a reader)

Shelton, Cole; Musicians--Tacoma--1970-1980; Guitars;

Studio portrait of musician Grover Jackson. Mr. Jackson is peering thoughtfully, with eyes lowered, in this April, 1973, photograph. He is wearing a dark jacket decorated with blossoms and clutching his guitar. Grover Jackson was the frontman for the Grover Jackson 4, a group of country-western musicians, who chose to play in the Pacific Northwest. When Tennessee-born Mr. Jackson first arrived in the Northwest as a G.I. stationed at Fort Lewis during WWll, country-western music was nearly non-existent locally. He came back to the area to stay in 1956 and has been associated with Channel 13 since then where his Country Jam Saturday show was a popular feature. His group, the Grover Jackson 4, entertained in Holiday Inns and other nightclubs primarily in Western Washington. Mr. Jackson was lead guitarist in the group. (TNT 1-22-73, p. 2 "Faces & Places" article)

Jackson, Grover; Musicians--Tacoma--1970-1980; Guitars;

The Grover Jackson 4. Grover Jackson (right, front) and his country-western group posed for a group portrait on April 4, 1973. The man in the dark suit was not identified. Tennessee native Jackson gave his name to the group which performed country-western music and comedy at Holiday Inns and other nightclubs across Western Washington. Mr. Jackson chose to entertain in the Pacific Northwest where he could be close to his Gig Harbor home, wife Helen and children. Besides entertaining in nightclubs and appearing on Channel 13, Mr. Jackson also owned the Ox-Yoke Antiques and sold real estate. Photograph ordered by Grover Jackson. (TNT 1-22-73, p. 2 "Faces & Places" article)

Musicians--Tacoma--1970-1980; Jackson, Grover;

Another in a series of photographs taken on April 3, 1973, on behalf of Collison Realty showing the neighborhoods around 112th & Meridian. There was the Willows Mobile Home Park, Willows Lumber Co., and possibly the new 10-acre Willows Shopping Center under construction in this small business district. This area was still quite rural but would undergo rapid change in the future. The new shopping center, which included such stores as the Piggly-Wiggly, State Farm Insurance and Hallmark's, would serve a population of about 40,000 in the South Hill area, the fastest growing residential community in Pierce County. (TNT 3-18-73, D-10 -article on shopping center)

Aerial views; Neighborhoods--Puyallup--1970-1980;

This is the area of 112th & Meridian as seen by air on April 3, 1973. At that time the great stands of evergreens occupied most of the land. The Willows Mobile Home Park and the Willows Lumber Co. are located in the center of the aerial. Much of this area has since been developed. Photograph ordered by Collison Realty.

Aerial views; Neighborhoods--Puyallup--1970-1980;

These buildings at the intersection of 112th & Meridian appears to be under construction in April of 1973. This may be the location of the new "Willows" 10-acre shopping center which would open in May. Piggly-Wiggly supermarket and 15 other stores including a Hallmark, State Farm Insurance, and Sunrise Brokers would be the first stores to open; Pay N Save, Puget Sound National Bank, and others would follow in August or September. Aerial photograph ordered by Collison Realty. (TNT 3-18-73, D-10-article on shopping center)

Aerial views; Neighborhoods--Puyallup--1970-1980; Building construction--Puyallup--1970-1980;

One of a series of photographs taken on behalf of Collison Realty by the Richards Studio on April 3, 1973. These aerial views focused on the 112th & Meridian neighborhood. Eventually, the South Hill Mall would be built in this area.

Aerial views; Neighborhoods--Puyallup--1970-1980;

Aerial view looking northwest of the 112th & Meridian area in April of 1973. 112th St. runs diagonally past the Willows Mobile Home Park. At the far right center, according to a reader, was the brand new Willows Shopping Center with Piggly Wiggly and a Pay-N-Save. Just below the center of the photograph was the intersection of 116th St. E. and Meridian. The newer L-shaped building south of the trailer park was another shopping center, later home to MegaFoods, and presently a redeveloped shopping center containing Best Buy. Photograph ordered by Collison Realty. (Additional information provided by a reader)

Aerial views; Neighborhoods--Puyallup--1970-1980;

Northeast view from Manitou Park to the Tacoma Mall, taken via helicopter on April 2, 1973. In the near center of the photograph is the sprawling campus of Mount Tahoma High School, built in 1961. The school has since been relocated to a 50-acre site formerly part of the old Flett Dairy. The Tacoma Mall Shopping Center is center, near the top of the photograph, with I-5 traffic flowing adjacent to the busy Mall. Photograph ordered by Puget Sound National Bank.

Aerial view; Neighborhoods--Tacoma--1970-1980; Mount Tahoma High School (Tacoma); Tacoma Mall Shopping Center (Tacoma);

This is what the populous south side of Tacoma looked like in April of 1973. The aerial photograph of the South 72nd and South Lawrence Sts. looking north was taken on behalf of Puget Sound National Bank. The Tacoma Mall Shopping Center is at the extreme top -right side- of the photograph.

Aerial views; Neighborhoods--Tacoma--1970-1980;

One of a series of aerial views, taken aboard a helicopter on April 2, 1973, of the Tacoma Mall area as requested by Puget Sound National Bank. This view is east from South 56th & Manitou area. The Tacoma Mall is upper center with I-5 running next to the shopping center. Heavily wooded area in direct center is part of South Park and also the Tacoma Cemetery, established in 1875. Northern Pacific Shops are lower center.

Aerial views; Neighborhoods--Tacoma--1970-1980; Tacoma Mall Shopping Center (Tacoma);

Aerial view on April 2, 1973, of the Nalley Valley and 38th St. interchange. Atlas Foundry is on the right side. The Tacoma Mall is left-center, adjacent to the freeway. There were a variety of ways to get to the Mall, including the heavily utilized South Pine and South 38th St. entrances. Less than nine years old and already boasting of several large department stores as well as specialty shops, the Mall was able to draw a shopping population from as far south as Olympia and from as far north as Seattle. Photograph ordered by Puget Sound National Bank.

Aerial views; Neighborhoods--Tacoma--1970-1980; Tacoma Mall Shopping Center (Tacoma); Shopping centers--Tacoma--1970-1980; Express highways--Tacoma--1970-1980;

Another in a series of aerial photographs taken on April 2, 1973, for Puget Sound National Bank regarding the Tacoma Mall and surrounding areas. The hundreds of automobiles in the parking lot appear the size of matchbox cars when viewed via helicopter on this sunny spring day. Parking was obviously no problem and the weather would not be a factor either, since the Tacoma Mall was an enclosed, climate-controlled shopping center. J.C. Penney, the Bon Marche, Nordstrom and the soon-to-be constructed Rhodes department store on the west side would be the four major stores anchoring the Mall. Separate buildings in the Mall area included (l-r)the Tacoma Mall Office Building, the Bon Marche Tire Center, the round Pacific National Bank of Washington and the Tacoma Mall Theatre.

Aerial views; Parking lots--Tacoma--1970-1980; Tacoma Mall Shopping Center (Tacoma); Shopping centers--Tacoma--1970-1980; Tacoma Mall Office Building (Tacoma); Tacoma Mall Theater (Tacoma); Pacific National Bank of Washington (Tacoma);

Closer look at the Tacoma Mall Shopping Center as seen by air on April 2, 1973. 25 more stores would open on July 25th bringing the total number of stores found within the Mall to 110. Construction would begin soon on the two-story Rhodes Bros. department store at the far west end. Prominent buildings easily noted in this photograph are the Bon Marche, which was the first occupant of the Mall; the luxurious Tacoma Mall Theatre (bottom center); Pacific National Bank of Washington's circular building; the Bon Marche Tire Center, directly across from the Bon and the six-story Tacoma Mall Office Building. What the Tacoma Mall enjoyed, and downtown shopping lacked, was an abundance of free parking and a climate controlled atmosphere. Access to the Mall was easy with several entrances and quick freeway travel time. The wooded area across the Mall on South 48th St. would eventually become Best Buy, a Pierce County Transit Center, and closer to Pine St., the Social Security office. Ordered by Puget Sound National Bank.

Aerial views; Tacoma Mall Shopping Center (Tacoma); Shopping centers--Tacoma--1970-1980; Parking lots--Tacoma--1970-1980; Bon Marche (Tacoma); Tacoma Mall Theater (Tacoma); Pacific National Bank of Washington (Tacoma); Tacoma Mall Office Building (Tacoma)

Aerial view of Tacoma's largest shopping center, the Tacoma Mall, on April 2, 1973. Traffic on I-5 flows quickly along and there was easy access to the shopping center. South 48th St. with its overpass over I-5 intersects with South Ferry at the Mall. The Allstate Insurance Co.district office is the large building at the southwest corner of South 48th & Ferry. The wooded area next to Allstate would later be developed. This view, looking north, shows the Mall in its entirety, including the separate structures of the Tacoma Mall Theatre, Pacific National Bank of Washington, and the Tacoma Mall Office Building. With 83 acres of land, there was plenty of room for free parking and also for later expansion. Rhodes department store had already announced plans to open a branch at the Mall; it would be built on the extreme far west section. This aerial also shows the Mall's surrounding neighborhoods including Lincoln Heights off 38th St. past the grove of evergreens. Photograph ordered by Puget Sound National Bankl.

Aerial views; Tacoma Mall Shopping Center (Tacoma); Shopping centers--Tacoma--1970-1980; Express highways--Tacoma--1970-1980; Allstate Insurance Co. (Tacoma); Tacoma Mall Theater (Tacoma); Tacoma Mall Office Building (Tacoma);

The focus of this April, 1973, aerial is the Tacoma Mall Shopping Center and its environs. Located in the city's south end, the Tacoma Mall enjoyed easy access from the freeway and acres of free parking space. Customers could choose from about 100 stores, all under one climate-controlled roof. Rhodes Bros. would be the next large department store to open in the newly expanded Mall, a move that would eventually mean the closing of its flagship downtown location in late 1974. This view, looking east, also shows South Tacoma Way at the bottom. Photograph ordered by Puget Sound National Bank.

Aerial views; Neighborhoods--Tacoma--1970-1980; Tacoma Mall Shopping Center (Tacoma); Shopping centers--Tacoma--1970-1980; Express highways--Tacoma--1970-1980;