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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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.
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 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)
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.
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.
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.
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.
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);
Looking west from South 56th & Pacific Ave. Aerial view on April 2, 1973, of the densely populated area around the Tacoma Mall. The Mall itself is right-center. Olympics are at the top of the photograph. Photograph ordered by Puget Sound National Bank.
Aerial views; Neighborhoods--Tacoma--1970-1980; Tacoma Mall Shopping Center (Tacoma); Shopping centers--Tacoma--1970-1980;
Color photograph ordered by Holly Homes, Inc., of unidentified one-level home overlooking rapidly moving creek or river. The home was built with several large windows with prime views of the water although the drapes were pulled shut on this spring day in 1973. There is a deck extending the length of one side of the home facing the water, a portion of which has been roofed for protection against the elements. The creek or river is just steps away from the home's lawn.
Color rendering dated March 4, 1973, by Laigo & Associates, of a multi-level Trade Center Shopping Mall to be built in downtown Tacoma. Extended marquees are pictured on the landmark Pantages Theater. The artist has envisioned well-dressed strollers eying the many display windows.
Artist's color rendering of blueprints featuring public access to a proposed Trade Center Mall and various businesses including a coffee shop, jeweler, and theater in downtown Tacoma. The theater in question was the Pantages. Drawing by Laigo & Associates dated March 24, 1973.
Color rendering by Laigo & Associates dated March 24, 1973, of a "typical subcommerce layout," part of a series of blueprints for a proposed Trade Center Shopping Center at the vicinity of the Pantages Theater. The artist has drawn space for a large restaurant/disco with room for 200 persons and nearby elevators. This appears to be a plan to have businesses in the lower levels of the proposed mall.
Laigo & Associates' March 4, 1973, color rendering of a "Typical Shopping Mall Layout," apparently a proposed shopping mall at the corner of 9th & Commerce, roughly the site of the Pantages Theater. Stairs and elevators would be used to reach the mall. There would be an entry at 9th next to some sidewalk shops and also one on Commerce, next to a sidewalk elevator.
Color rendering dated March 24, 1973, by Laigo & Associates of a proposed tour bus route which would include stops at the Port of Tacoma, State Historical Museum, Point Defiance Zoo & Fort Nisqually, University of Puget Sound, Old City Hall and the proposed NPWTC & Trade Center Shopping Mall. Miniature cartoon figures add a note of whimsy to the drawing.
Progress photograph of United Mutual Savings Bank's new headquarters. Construction on a new $6,000,000 six-story precast concrete highrise would start soon in the spring of 1973 on the site of the former Manning's Market in downtown Tacoma. Signs placed at the site indicate that this will be the new home of United Mutual Savings Bank. It is located on 11th St. between Broadway and Commerce St. with 90 feet on Commerce and 100 feet on 11th. There would be 35,000 square feet of floor space. The building would be built of fire-resistant structural steel and using a brown-tone precast concrete facing on the exterior. Groundbreaking ceremonies would be held on Thursday, May 4th, and the building would be dedicated nearly two years later on February 14, 1975. Photograph ordered by United Mutual Savings Bank. (TNT 3-11-73, D-10- article)
Progress photographs; United Mutual Savings Bank (Tacoma); Banks--Tacoma; Building construction--Tacoma--1970-1980;
Launching. This is the "Maia H" tugboat that was officially launched on Saturday, March 24, 1973, at Tacoma Boatbuilding facilities. According to a News Tribune article, she was the first tug launched in Tacoma in many years. She had actually had an "instant dumping" two months ago. Maia Halvorsen, daughter of owner Boyer Halvorsen of Bainbridge Island, was the ship's sponsor. The "Maia H" will haul a fast freight barge between Seattle and Ketchikan, Alaska. (TNT 3-25-73, A-22)
Launchings--Tacoma--1970-1980; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1970-1980; Tugboats--Tacoma--1970-1980; Tacoma Boat Building Co., Inc. (Tacoma);
The Sheet Metal Workers Union honored 25-year members at an evening banquet held at the New Yorker on March 21, 1973. Each honored member received a pin. Photograph ordered by the Sheet Metal Workers Union.
Awards; Sheet Metal Workers (Tacoma); Labor unions--Tacoma--1970-1980;
Washington Mutual Savings Bank. Washington Mutual Savings Bank opened their first Pierce County branch in mid-December of 1972. The single-story building was located at 6616 Sixth Ave. (Sixth & Mildred) and featured a new brickwork technique utilized by noted local architect Robert Billsbrough Price. David C. Van Hoose was the branch's first manager. Color photograph ordered by Washington Mutual Savings Bank, Seattle.
Washington Mutual Savings Bank (Tacoma); Banks--Tacoma;
BASH (Building a Scholastic Heritage) auction. An unidentified woman tries out a girl's Schwinn bicycle, one of the many donations to be auctioned off during BASH's annual event held on April 27-28, 1973. About $200,000 worth of goods are going up on the block: including a $50,000 duplex being built in Twin Lakes, a 1930 Model A, a dune buggy, four totem poles and a school bus. Proceeds from the auction help support five local private schools. Photograph ordered by ADPR Group. (TNT 3-25-73, A-15 article)
