Interiors of the Rancho Vista model home for Briggs Construction. The combination living and dining room has exposed beams and a brick fireplace that is almost flush to the wall. The ceiling slopes down to the glass doors that lead outside and the floor to ceiling windows that flood the room with natural light. The homes next door and beyond can be seen out the window, very little space is between the houses. Square fifties furniture dots the room. The combination living and dining rooms of the fifties indicate the turn away from formal dining, the emphasis of food as an event and a turn to more casual dining.

Houses--1950-1960; Real estate development--1950-1960; Housing developments--1950-1960;

The Bernice and First Federal Buildings on Pacific Ave. On the left is the Victorian Bernice Building, 1106-1108 Pacific Ave., build in 1890 by John S. Baker and named in honor of his first child. Located on the ground floor of the building is Bender's, men's and women's ready to wear clothing, owned by Jack R. Bender and the Tacoma Magazine and Gift Shop in the lobby of 1108 Pacific Ave. On the right is the First Federal Building, built in 1891 for Merchants National Bank and designed by Proctor and Dennis. Pacific First Federal Savings and Loan occupied the building in 1939. At this time, the ground floor was occupied by Horluck's Fountain Lunch, a fountain and lunch counter owned by Arthur Riebli and George Hoertrich. Both historic buildings were demolished in 1963 to make way for the modern and expanded Pacific First Federal Building.

Bernice Building (Tacoma); Bender's (Tacoma); Tacoma Magazine and Gift Shop (Tacoma); Soda fountains--Tacoma; Restaurants--Tacoma; Horluck's Danish Ice Cream Shop (Tacoma); Pacific First Federal Building (Tacoma);

The Better Homes & Gardens "Idea Home of the Year," at Skyline Terrace. Skyline Terrace was a 30 million, 1500 home development being built by Miller Construction. The one story ranch home with a two car carport sits by itself on the wide open landscape with the view of the Narrows bridge beyond. A fence surrounds the unlandscaped yard and the patio. The home was single story, rectangular and measured 73 feet long x 48 1/2 wide, including the carport. It was 1430 sq. feet on the ground floor with another 1430 sq. feet in the daylight basement. (TNT 9/9/1956, pg. E-18)

Houses--Tacoma--1950-1960; Housing developments--Tacoma--1950-1960; Miller Construction Co., Inc. (Tacoma);

The Better Homes & Gardens "Idea Home of the Year," at Skyline Terrace. Skyline Terrace was a 30 million, 1500 home development being built by Miller Construction. This appears to be a small home office, divided by an accordion door from the rest of the house. The folding doors were used throughout the house, including a massive modernfold door that slid on a curved metal ceiling track to separate the family room from the kitchen. (TNT 9/9/1956, pg. E-18)

Houses--Tacoma--1950-1960; Housing developments--Tacoma--1950-1960; Miller Construction Co., Inc. (Tacoma);

The Better Homes & Gardens "Idea Home of the Year," at Skyline Terrace. This new home was featured in the September 1956 issue of the national magazine. Skyline Terrace was a 30 million, 1500 home development being built by Miller Construction, known for their original concept designs. This picture is of the combined living/dining room of the home. To the right foreground of the picture is the "modernfold" door that slides on a curved metal track to separate the living room from the kitchen and dining rooms. (TNT 9/9/1956, pg. E-18)

Houses--Tacoma--1950-1960; Housing developments--Tacoma--1950-1960; Miller Construction Co., Inc. (Tacoma); Dining rooms--Tacoma--1950-1960;

The Better Homes & Gardens September 1956 "Idea Home of the Year," at Skyline Terrace, designed and built by Miller Construction. The modern kitchen has a built in dishwasher, countertop range with electric fan and hood, oven, garbage disposal, kitchen planning desk, spice cabinet, maple cutting board, lazy susan and Frigidaire refrigerator. Unique built-ins included a kleenex dispenser, nutone mixer, blender and knife sharpener. Cabinets had birch doors with bronze trim. (TNT 9/9/1956, pg. E-18)

Houses--Tacoma--1950-1960; Housing developments--Tacoma--1950-1960; Miller Construction Co., Inc. (Tacoma); Kitchens--Tacoma--1950-1960;

The Better Homes & Gardens "Idea Home of the Year," at Skyline Terrace, built by Miller Construction. This is the living room of the home. The spacious living room had a cutstone fireplace with a stone mantle and slate hearth. It had a mahogany accent wall and large picture windows that embraced the view. (TNT 9/9/1956, pg. E-18)

Houses--Tacoma--1950-1960; Housing developments--Tacoma--1950-1960; Miller Construction Co., Inc. (Tacoma); Living rooms--Tacoma--1950-1960;

New homes by the Jardeen Brothers, in the vicinity of the Westgate shopping center. A shirtless boy in shorts stands in the summer sun in the new road in front of the one story rambler with garage. The mailbox leans at an angle, probably not set yet. Construction debris litters the area around the new homes. There is no vegetation because landscaping has not been done yet. The home has vertical cedar siding, a crushed gravel roof and large windows. This, and other homes pictured, may have been on No. Shirley St. where the Jardeen Brothers were building new homes. Jardeen Brothers' office and millwork plant was located at 1240 So. Sprague Ave. (TNT 9/9/1956, pg. E-12, TNT ad 9-9-56, E-16)

Houses--Tacoma--1950-1960; Real estate development--Tacoma--1950-1960;

The Better Homes & Gardens "Idea Home of the Year," at Skyline Terrace. This daylight basement recreation room, called the family room or TV room, has a clever back peg board to hang sports equipment such as rackets, flippers and gloves. The family room measured 18 x 25 feet. The ever present fifties television stands up on skinny legs. The basement also had a sandstone fireplace with a massive raised slate hearth, space for a workshop, storage, a Delco heating plant, laundry room and a roughed in 4th bedroom. Over 3,000 people viewed the new home on its first Open House during the 9th annual Home Week and Tour of Homes. (TNT 9/9/1956, pg. E-18)

Houses--Tacoma--1950-1960; Housing developments--Tacoma--1950-1960; Miller Construction Co., Inc. (Tacoma);

The Better Homes & Gardens "Idea Home of the Year," at Skyline Terrace. This new home was featured in the September 1956 issue of the national magazine. Skyline Terrace was a 30 million, 1500 home development being built by Miller Construction, known for their original concept designs. This picture is of the combined living/dining room of the home. To the right foreground of the picture is the "modernfold" door that slides on a curved metal track to separate the living room from the kitchen and dining rooms. (TNT 9/9/1956, pg. E-18)

Houses--Tacoma--1950-1960; Housing developments--Tacoma--1950-1960; Miller Construction Co., Inc. (Tacoma); Dining rooms--Tacoma--1950-1960;

The Better Homes & Gardens September 1956 "Idea Home of the Year," at Skyline Terrace, designed and built by Miller Construction. The modern kitchen has a built in dishwasher, countertop range with electric fan and hood, oven, garbage disposal, kitchen planning desk, spice cabinet, maple cutting board, lazy susan and Frigidaire refrigerator. Unique built-ins included a kleenex dispenser, nutone mixer, blender and knife sharpener. Cabinets had birch doors with bronze trim. (TNT 9/9/1956, pg. E-18)

Houses--Tacoma--1950-1960; Housing developments--Tacoma--1950-1960; Miller Construction Co., Inc. (Tacoma); Kitchens--Tacoma--1950-1960;

A Lorain crane continues to hoist materials needed for the construction of a new power building at McChord Air Force Base on February 26, 1957. Trusses are being installed on this date by the Western Electric Co., Inc. This is project #1557. Photograph ordered by Western Electric Co., Inc.

Building construction--McChord AFB; Hoisting machinery; Western Electric Co., Inc.;

Mauer Construction built this tidy one-level apartment complex in 1957. Located at 3315 Sixth Avenue, it consisted of four brick units with large view windows. It appears that a new sidewalk has just been constructed in front of the complex. A stylish street lamp is located near a corner of the apartments. According to the 1957 City Directory, Mauer Construction Co. was located at 8307 Nixon S.W. in the Lakewood Center area.

Apartment houses--Tacoma--1950-1960; Sidewalks--Tacoma; Mauer Construction Co. (Lakewood);

The John and Julia Uglicks residence at 11604 Mount Brook Lane was set in the suburban community of Rhododendron Lanes. Nestled among tall trees, the contemporary rambler style home had an extended porch, shutters and attached two-car garage. A long, wide paved driveway was an added amenity. According to the 1958 Tacoma Suburban Directory, John Uglicks was in the U.S. Army. Photograph ordered by George Barclay Builders.

Uglicks, John--Homes & haunts; Houses--Tacoma--1950-1960;

ca. 1957. This unidentified plant was being constructed by Paul Hardeman, Inc.'s Gill Division, Los Angeles, in 1957. Smokestacks are already up as well as assorted pipes. Photograph ordered by Paul Hardeman, Inc.

Building construction; Paul Hardeman, Inc.;

Southgate housing subdivision for Sherman L. Rowland, contractor. Sherman Rowland was a member of the Tacoma Master Builders Association. He was developing one of the newest suburban parks, a huge track west of Highway 99 and opposite Max Frolic's cafe. The track of land, formerly a large private estate, was being developed into 300 plus private homes adorned with mature trees in a park like setting. Development began in mid 1954; and by 1955, 70 Rowland built homes were complete and no two were alike. Future plans included an elementary school and easy access to the Lakes district. TPL-8314

Housing developments--Lakewood--1950-1960;

This is how the view from St. Helens and 7th looking south appeared in January of 1955. Looking right to left, are the Berk Apartments above Don Harter's Drycleaning, Landis Shoe Repair, Trovani's Junior Bootery, and Mousley's Cantilever Shoes, followed by the new United Pacific Insurance Co. Building, and the towering Medical Arts Building. In the distance, across South 9th Street, is the Music Box Theatre. The United Pacific Insurance Company building was built in 1954 and opened in January of 1955.

Commercial streets--Tacoma--1950-1960; Streets--Tacoma--1950-1960; Medical Arts Building (Tacoma); Health care facilities--Tacoma--1950-1960; Office buildings--Tacoma--1950-1960; Berk Apartments (Tacoma); United Pacific Insurance Co. (Tacoma);

Interiors of Ben Cheney's home in Browns Point. The living room of the home has knotty wood panelling, exposed beams and a sunken conversation pit in front of the stone fireplace. A trophy and baseball memorabilia line the mantel. The room features the ever present fifties television and comfortable seating. The room has a comfortable, homey feel.

Cheney, Ben B., 1905-1971--Homes & haunts; Living rooms--Tacoma--1950-1960;

The "All Electric Starliner" home by Miller Construction Co., built for the 1955 Parade of Homes. This home was one of the model homes in the 1955 Parade of Homes in University Estates, 2 miles south of the University Place school. The homes were built by members of the Tacoma Master Builders Association and their location was kept secret until their unveiling Sept. 10th. The 21 homes in 1955 were located on 42 acres in University Place. The Starliner was built of clinker brick and cedar siding and featured 3 bedrooms, a merged living and dining area, planned kitchen, 2 baths and a family room with an 8 ft wide sliding glass door opening onto a partially paved play area. The play area had a built in sunken sandbox and wading pool. The children in the picture are Penny Valley (on tricycle), Polly Valley (filling pool with hose) and Beidra Miller, daughter of Edward P. Miller- builder and contractor. The home also had an attached garage and a large storage room. After the Parade of Homes, the house was placed on the market for $15,000. (TNT 9/9/1955, pg. B-16, B-29)

Houses--University Place--1950-1960; Children playing in sand; Children playing in water; Children playing outdoors--University Place--1950-1960; Children riding bicycles & tricycles; Valley, Penny; Valley, Polly; Miller, Beidra;

New house at 9032 Steilacoom Pt. Dr. for Fitzpatrick-McIntyre, designers and builders. Ordered by J. Fitzpatrick. The designers dubbed this home "The Home of All Homes." The pair claimed that it was the result of eight years of building better class "Homes of Perfection." The home rested on 100 feet of choice waterfront real estate off Steilacoom Blvd., 1 block west of the Lakewood Ice Arena. It had water on two sides and was completely landscaped. James M. Fitzpatrick and Richard H. McIntyre had been building homes for eight years in the upper scale additions of Lakewood, Narrowmoor, Fircrest and American Lake. (TNT 9/6/1953, pg. A-3 advertisement)

Houses--Steilacoom--1950-1960; Fitzpatrick-McIntyre;

North Proctor St., at the intersection of No. 33rd St, looking north. On the left are the Richfield Gas Station at 3310, Herold's Cafe at 3312, Proctor St. Barber Shop at 3316 with apartments above and Sepich Refrigerator Service at 3318. Lauer's Texaco is at 3402, with Ryan's Confectionery at 3410. On the right are Chuck Newman's Chevron at 3301 and May's Shell Station at 3325. The Bay View Drugstore, Bay View Food Center Grocery and Proctor Inn Confectionary are at 3401, 3405 and 3407 No. Proctor. Photograph ordered by Safeway stores and labelled "congested parking." TPL-8255

Business districts--Tacoma--1950-1960; Herold's Cafe (Tacoma); Chuck's Chevron (Tacoma); Bay View Food Center (Tacoma);

Interiors of the home of Perry F. Knight in Lakewood. The kitchen includes a sunny breakfast nook for lingering over morning coffee. Windows line the space above the kitchen sink. The door at the rear probably leads to the backyard area.

Knight, Perry--Homes & haunts; Houses--Lakewood--1950-1960; Kitchens--Lakewood--1950-1960;

Interiors of the home of Perry F. Knight in Lakewood. A welcoming roaring fire has been built in the fireplace. The fireplace mantle and built-in bookshelves are of knotty wood. Wallpaper has not been used in this room, instead the plaster walls have been painted. Comfortable stuffed furniture flanks the fireplace.

Knight, Perry--Homes & haunts; Houses--Lakewood--1950-1960; Living rooms--Lakewood--1950-1960;

An "after-photo" of a remodeled one-story bungalow was taken on April 24, 1954. The house's exterior was resurfaced with Perma-Stone, a tough, weather resistant coating resembling stone which was placed over existing walls of wood, stucco, tile, block or brick. It could be used with new or used construction. K.H. Kaman Co. specialized in Perma-Stone installation; they were situated on Tacoma Avenue South. Photograph commissioned by Karl H. Kaman.

Houses--Tacoma--1950-1960; Remodeling--Tacoma--1950-1960; K.H. Kaman Co. (Tacoma);

The Lincoln Park Christian Church was located in the city's southend, close to the Lincoln Business District, at 3832 South "G" Street. According to the 1954 City Directory, its pastor was the Rev. Donald R. Johnson. This view of South "G" Street, looking southward, shows the well-kept houses with trim lawns, and a large flowering tree in the foreground. The church itself is not shown in this April, 1954, photograph. Nearly fifty years later, it is still located in the same neighborhood. TPL-8571

Neighborhoods--Tacoma--1950-1960; Lincoln Park Christian Church (Tacoma);

Sherman Rowland was a member of the Tacoma Master Builders Association. He built many homes in the city's southend neighborhoods. The home pictured here in May, 1954, is believed to have been located at 6433 South "I" Street. The 1954 City Directory shows a William F. Beard in residence at that address. The house appears to be a typical 1950's rambler with large picture windows and two-car attached garage. The lawn looks to have been newly planted and fenced off.

Houses--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Construction continues on the new Tacoma City Light administrative building and garage in February, 1953. Work was being conducted under the supervision of Elmer Visser, estimator, from the Roy Earley Company, general contractors. Men are shown here putting plywood forms into place. When completed, the 2.5 million dollar building would become the headquarters for City Light and the Water division. Photograph ordered by Tom Sias, Douglas Fir Plywood Association. (TNT 2-8-53, C-13)

Building construction--Tacoma--1950-1960; Tacoma Dept. of Public Utilities, Light Division (Tacoma); Plywood; Douglas Fir Plywood Association (Tacoma); Public utility companies--Tacoma;

View of Sylvan Park neighborhood. A paved roadway wanders through the new Sylvan Park housing subdivision, near Lakewood, in March, 1953. Homes appear to be one-story contemporary ramblers, many of them brick, with attached garages. Home Construction Co., owned by C. E. Hinton and J. M. Hoskins, built many of the homes in the area. Photograph ordered by Mark Hoskins.

Houses--Lakewood--1950-1960; Home Construction Co. (Lakewood);

ca. 1953. Built in 1907 by contractor Joseph Wells, and designed by architects Bullard and Hill, the Hunt & Mottet Co. building was located on the 2000th block of Pacific Avenue. The building was eight stories high; the company's name was in enormous letters along both the side and front of the building. Hunt & Mottet were wholesale hardware and sporting goods dealers. According to the 1953 City Directory, A.H. Heath was listed as president/treasurer with J.C. Richards as vice president and W.F. Rieflin, secretary. TPL-8790

Hunt & Mottet Co. (Tacoma); Sporting goods industry--Tacoma; Sporting goods stores--Tacoma--1950-1960; Hardware stores--Tacoma; Signs (Notices);

ca. 1953. The exterior of a unidentified home, nearly L-shaped, with superb lake views. This photograph, taken circa 1953, shows the house on apparently a good-sized lot with tall firs in the back and side grounds. The walkway to the home splits into two as it nears the building with a pathway to each door.

Houses--1950-1960; Lakes & ponds;