This is believed to be the City (now Thea Foss) Waterway as seen in mid-December of 1978. A barge appears to be under construction. Portions of Tacoma's skyline in the background include Old City Hall and the Medical Arts Building, soon to become the City's new Municipal Building. Photograph ordered by National Blower & Sheet Metal Co.

Waterways; Barges--Tacoma;

Studio portrait of a boxer. Roger McCane has his gloved fists up in a traditional boxing pose when photographed in early January of 1979. He would be participating in the Tacoma Athletic Commission's annual Golden Gloves amateur boxing tournament to be held on February 3, 1979, at the University of Puget Sound Fieldhouse. Photograph ordered by Tacoma Athletic Commission. (Additional information provided by a reader)

Boxing--Tacoma--1970-1980; Boxers (Sports)--Tacoma--1970-1980; McCane, Roger;

Barge under construction at City (now Thea Foss) Waterway in December of 1978. Photograph ordered by National Blower & Sheet Metal Co.

City Waterway (Tacoma); Construction--Tacoma--1970-1980; Barges--Tacoma;

Copy of customer print ordered by Jerry Werdal on June 7, 1979. Original photograph was probably taken in the latter part of the 19th century. The group portrait appears to be a family of four including two small boys. The smaller boy is wearing the popular sailor suit and is holding a toy hoop.

Group portraits; Families; Children--Clothing & dress; Women--Clothing & dress; Men--Clothing & dress; Toys;

The Dale Carmen Duo. Howard Church and a Ms. Staab pose with a variety of instruments including a Wurlitzer electronic piano, Hohner Clavinet D6 and an organ. Photograph ordered by Howard Church.

Musicians--Tacoma--1970-1980; Church, Howard; Keyboard instruments; Pianos; Organs;

Orange Julius. The Richards Studio photographed a number of Orange Julius locations in Western Washington during December of 1978. Pictured above is the Orange Julius located in the Tacoma Mall Shopping Center next to the Osborn & Ulland sporting goods store. As its name indicates, Orange Julius promoted its "freshly squeezed" healthy drink and dedicated a special "speedline" for drinks only. Burgers and other food orders could also be placed. The small eating establishment was brightly decorated in warm colors of orange and yellow. Enlarged pictures of the Tacoma Mall and vicinity adorned the walls. Color photograph ordered by S & W Management.

Orange Julius (Tacoma); Restaurants--Tacoma--1970-1980; Fast food restaurants--Tacoma--1970-1980;

1979 Daffodil Parade. Downtown Tacoma Association's entry in the 1979 Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival Parade consisted of a gathering of "superheroes," in various costumes. According to Richards Studio notes, they were (not all shown in photograph): Cliff Cook as Superman, Ms. Downtown Tacoma Joan Cook as Lois Lane, Dale Holden as Superwoman, Bruce Meyer as The Flash, Patty Richardson as Wonderwoman, Rohn Burgess as Zorro, Jim Wilhelmi, Jr. as Clark Kent, Chris Salatino as Isis, Skip Warren as Aquaman, Denise Robb as Batwoman, Duane Lindoff as Batman, Connie Buchanan as Jana, Donna Burgess as Catwoman and Jeff Lovely as Robin. "Superfriends in Super City" won the Commissioners' Trophy for best commercial float. (TNT 4-8-79, AA-2-article)

Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival Parade (1979 : Tacoma); Parades & processions--Tacoma--1970-1980; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1970-1980;

Exterior view of the Tom La Crosse Dairy, believed to be on 224th St. in Graham. A sign is attached to a flagpole in front of the company's offices. Photograph ordered by I.D., Inc., Portland.

Tom La Crosse Dairy (Graham); Dairy products industry--Graham; Industrial facilities--Graham; Signs (Notices); Flagpoles--Graham; Flags--United States;

Frank Watkins posed for a studio portrait in June of 1979. He is dressed in Western attire including a cowboy hat. Mr. Watkins, a Tacoma Athletic Commission board member, was the chairman of the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association Pro Rodeo event, held at Lincoln Bowl on July 7th & 8th. This was believed to have been Tacoma's first professional rodeo. Frank Watkins had had previous experience in rodeos as he was a former member of the Phoenix, Arizona Jaycee Rodeo Committee. Photograph ordered by the Tacoma Athletic Commission. (TNT 7-2-79, C-15-article on rodeo)

Watkins, Frank; Cowboy hats; Men--Clothing & dress--Tacoma--1970-1980;

Low tide at unidentified beach. Men, women and children, equipped with buckets, bags and shovels, are intently searching for clams on a winter day in 1978. Gray skies and looming white caps do not seem to deter these diligent people. Several are wearing hip-length boots for protection against the water and cold. Color photograph ordered by Pacific Lanes.

Beaches; Clamming;

Studio portrait of "The Fonics." The six-person group of musicians would be appearing at the Great Wall of China, 3121 South 38th St., from June 4th-30th, 1979. Performances would run Monday through Saturday, 9 p.m. to 1 a.m., with no cover charge. (TNT Ad 6-1-79, TGIF section)

Group portraits; Musicians--Tacoma--1970-1980;

Unidentified plant exterior was photographed in December of 1979. This may be a refinery. Photograph ordered by Dorr Oliver.

Industrial facilities;

Model home. This affordable four bedroom rambler, the "Suburbanite," was built by the S.L. Rowland Co. and was featured as one of the three model homes displayed on permanent sites for the 33rd annual Tacoma Home Show. Each year Homebuilders Association of Greater Tacoma members, sponsors of the Home Show, would build two or more model homes in time for the spring Home Show, thus allowing potential home buyers to check out the newest trends in the field. This particular home was nestled among large firs and madronas in Spanaway. The covered, recessed porch welcomed all to the 1,730 square foot, fully insulated home. It was equipped with an electric forced-air heating system, almond colored appliances and an abundance of cabinets. The interiors were spacious and well designed. Photograph ordered by the Homebuilders Association of Greater Tacoma. (TNT 3-18-79, Home Show insert, p. 27)

Model houses--Spanaway--1970-1980; Greater Tacoma Home Show (Tacoma);

Unidentified restaurant in Des Moines photographed in December of 1978. A customer is placing an order with the restaurant's cashier as others dine peacefully. This is possibly a restaurant called the Pie Pantry where cut pies, ala mode, and whole pies to go could be purchased. Apparently other, more meatier dishes could be obtained as well as the condiments on the surrounding tables attest. Color photograph ordered by S & W Management.

Restaurants--Des Moines;

Restaurant in unidentified Mall. This may be a quick dining establishment called "Kitchen Burgers" as pictured in December of 1978. A partial glimpse into the restaurant shows a number of booths adjoining the bumped-out windows and separate tables within. Earth tones of copper and ivory are found both on the interior and exterior of the restaurant. Color photograph ordered by S & W Management.

Restaurants;

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);

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;

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);

ca. 1973. 1973 Richards stock footage. Aerial photograph, probably taken in the fall of 1973, of the St. Regis Paper Co. The plant, the county's largest non-military employer, was located between the Puyallup and St. Paul Waterways. St. Regis would be acquired by Champion International Corp. in 1984 and subsequently sold to Simpson Tacoma Kraft the following year. Simpson Tacoma Kraft still maintains the plant in 2007.

Aerial views; St. Regis Paper Co. (Tacoma)--1970-1980; Puyallup Waterway (Tacoma); St. Paul Waterway (Tacoma);

ca. 1973. 1973 Richards stock footage. A look by air at the shipyard believed to be Tacoma Boatbuilding, located at 1840 Marine View Dr. N.E., overlooking the Hylebos Waterway. Built on a spacious 20-acre site in 1969, the shipyard was able to expand production of extra-large fishing boats as well as complete government contracts. Tacoma Boatbuilding had decided to move operations to this Hylebos Waterway location after fire had destroyed their plant on the Sitcum Waterway in 1968.

Aerial views; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1970-1980; Tacoma Boat Building Co., Inc. (Tacoma); Logs; Hylebos Waterway (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);

ca. 1973. 1973 Richards stock footage. Closer aerial look at shipyard on the Hylebos Waterway, believed to be Tacoma Boatbuilding who had constructed a $3,000,000 plant there after the disastrous fire of 1968 which had destroyed their Sitcum Waterway facility. The Hylebos location now provided 20 acres of space and held separate buildings for aluminum fabricating, steel fabricating, administrative and engineering, and warehouse for equipment. Several boats are pictured above docked at the 300-foot pier. TPL-6583

Aerial views; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1970-1980; Tacoma Boat Building Co., Inc. (Tacoma); Hylebos Waterway (Tacoma); Logs; Piers & wharves--Tacoma--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;

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;

Northwest view from South 84th & Park Ave. This aerial look at Tacoma's south side was taken on behalf of Puget Sound National Bank on April 2, 1973. Lake in the center is Wapato Lake, bordered by South Alaska, South 72nd and Sheridan Ave. John S. Baker Junior High (now Middle School) is near bottom-center. Park Ave. has been marked in ink. Yakima Ave. is parallel to Park and is left of Park.

Aerial views; Neighborhoods--Tacoma--1970-1980; Wapato Lake (Tacoma); Baker Junior High School (Tacoma);