E.L. Cliffe (L), plant superintendent, and Col. Edward Schmitt, commanding officer of the Army Personnel Center, Ft. Lewis, met with Pennsalt employee William Otto at the company's facilities on November 10, 1954. Col. Schmitt toured the plant in preview of industry tours for military personnel on Armed Forces Appreciation Day, November 30th. Mr. Otto shows the two men the machinery used in making corrosion-resistant molds used in the manufacture of chlorine and caustic by Pennsalt. Other companies, including Puget Sound Plywood, Brown & Haley, Heidelberg Breweries and Hooker Electrochemical, would also be offering tours for the military on Armed Forces Appreciation Day. (TNT 11-21-54, B-11)

Pennsylvania Salt Manufacturing Co. of Washington (Tacoma); Chemical industry--Tacoma--1950-1960; Machinery; Cliffe, E.L.; Schmitt, Edward; Otto, William;

Point Defiance PTA Carnival. Four committee members gathered around a wooden AV cart and examine 16mm film in preparation for the November 12, 1954 Point Defiance School carnival's entertainment. From left were: Mrs. Arnold Wentlandt, co-chairperson; William Skillings, PTA member; Mrs. Ned Krilich, co-chairperson; and Mrs. Charles Gray, PTA member. "Carnival Time" was the theme of the carnival to be held at Point Defiance School located at North 45th & Visscher. (TNT 11-8-1954, p. 6-alt. photograph)

Point Defiance School (Tacoma); Parent-Teacher Association (Tacoma); Wentlandt, Arnold--Family; Skillings, William; Krilich, Ned--Family; Gray, Charles--Family; Projectors;

The Jessie Dyslin Boys' Ranch was located in the Summit area of Pierce County. Mrs. Jessie Dyslin deeded her 15-acre ranch to the Children's Industrial Home board in 1926. Set up as a home for teenage boys in the mid-1920's, later years saw the building of "cottage" style dormitories. The Young Men's Business Club had played an instrumental role in the growth and development of the ranch. View of two dormitories on the ranch in rural Pierce County, both have identifying signs; a dog sits alertly on the lawn before the cottages. Photograph ordered by the Young Men's Business Club.

Jessie Dyslin Boys Ranch (Parkland); Dormitories--Parkland; Foster home care--Parkland; Young Mens Business Club (Tacoma);

A group of young teenagers are perhaps waiting for the mail as they gather around the Jessie Dyslin Boys Ranch roadside mailbox on May 28, 1953. They seem to be amused at the hayseed antics of the boy sprawled against the post. The Dyslin ranch was located in the Summit area of rural Pierce County. It was originally designed as a home for boys. The Young Men's Business Club aided the ranch in building "cottage" style dormitories which resembled houses rather than institutions. Photograph ordered by Young Men's Business Club.

Jessie Dyslin Boys Ranch (Parkland); Signs (Notices); Mailboxes--Parkland; Teenagers--1950-1960; Young Mens Business Club (Tacoma);

The Tacoma Boat Building Company, 132 Sitcum Waterway, launched two 57-foot minesweepers within minutes of each other on May 15, 1953, Armed Forces Day. The MSB-16 was sponsored by Carmen P. Smith of Seattle and the MSB-17 was sponsored by Mrs. E.A. Watson of Tacoma. MSB grade minesweeping boats did not receive names, they were referred to by their hull number. The Tacoma Boat Building Company received major contracts with the U.S. Navy and Coast Guard for over 40 years, building minesweepers, gunboats, and cutters. (TNT 5-17-53, B-7)

Launchings--Tacoma--1950-1960; Government vessels--Tacoma--1950-1960; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1950-1960; Tacoma Boat Building Co., Inc. (Tacoma);

Erection of new sign. An overhead shot of the new Puget Sound Bank Building sign being erected was taken on June 10, 1953. The bank building was a narrow skyscraper and the exterior sign chosen was also narrow in width. It would be placed between the annex and the main building on Pacific Avenue. A Sunnen Crane is in the process of completing the hoisting. The sign was designed in Spokane by the American Sign Products Co. and delivered to Tacoma via flatbed truck. Photograph ordered by Dutton Hayward, Puget Sound National Bank.

Progress photographs--1950-1960; Electric signs--Tacoma--1950-1960; Puget Sound National Bank (Tacoma); Sunnen Auto Freight & Heavy Hauling Co. (Tacoma); Hoisting machinery; American Sign Products Co. (Spokane);

Erection of new sign. Part of the tall vertical Puget Sound National Bank sign has already been erected by a Sunnen Crane prior to the bank's opening hours on June 10, 1953. The main offices of the bank were located on Pacific Avenue. Until the Smith Tower was constructed in Seattle in 1914, the Puget Sound National Bank building was the tallest west of the Missouri River. The bank sign, designed by American Sign Products Co. of Spokane, would be placed between the bank annex and the main building. Photograph ordered by Dutton Hayward, Puget Sound National Bank.

Progress photographs--1950-1960; Electric signs--Tacoma--1950-1960; Puget Sound National Bank (Tacoma); Sunnen Auto Freight & Heavy Hauling Co. (Tacoma); Hoisting machinery; American Sign Products Co. (Spokane);

Charles McCallum, manager, Puget Sound National Bank, Lakewood branch. McCallum had been with the bank for 16 years and came to Lakewood the previous Spring to serve as manager of the temporary bank. Puget Sound Bank's philosophy was to name branch managers who were capable of running their operations profitably and were personable enough to attract customers. Their power was the equivalent of vice presidents at the Main Office and the bank aimed for managerial continuity at the branches. (TNT 10/20/1953, pg. C-3 & "Banking on Independence" by Provorse)

Puget Sound National Bank (Lakewood); Banks--Lakewood; Banking--Lakewood; McCallum, Charles;

Plywood traffic sign at 11th & Pacific, for DFPA, "Turn front wheel against curb." The parking sign is to remind people to position their vehicles so they cannot roll down the hill. Peoples and the Perkins Bldg can be seen on the right, the Eleventh street bridge in the center and Kegle's Furniture on the left. Downtown streets are busy with shoppers and cars. TPL-9621

Signs (Notices); Traffic signs & signals--Tacoma; Commercial streets--Tacoma--1950-1960; Business districts--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Employees of the Washington Cooperative Farmers Association carefully monitor the pouring of bulk feed into the storage units at Ken Bergman's Poultry farm on May 13, 1953. Using Diamond T and other large trucks, the Farmers Association was able to make home deliveries of bulk feed, petroleum and gasoline to its members. Here the lid on one plywood unit is opened and feed is being siphoned from the truck's storage tank directly into the farm's silo. Photograph ordered by Tom Sias, Douglas Fir Plywood Association.

Washington Cooperative Farmers Association (Tacoma); Storage tanks; Shipping; Douglas Fir Plywood Association (Tacoma);

October of 1953 was officially designated as "Restaurant Hospitality Month." The celebration in Tacoma culminated in a luncheon for the Tacoma Chamber of Commerce and industry leaders on October 21st at the Elks Temple. 400 guests were expected to attend the banquet sponsored by the Washington State Restaurant Assn. and Culinary Local No. 61. Pictured L-R behind a display of food are E.J. Zarelli, Poodle Dog Cafe & Pres. of the Washington State Assn., Joe Carbone, a national director of the Int'l Stewards & Caterers Assn., Jimmy Osenton, chief instructor Tacoma Vocational School culinary dept., Archie Douglas, sec. Culinary Local 61, C. Vern Powell, Vern's Sandwich Shop & pres. Pierce County Assn., Wes Jensen, Louise Davelaar, John W. Swan, Medical Arts Coffee Shop & past pres. Wa. State Assn., John Honan and H.B. Crawford, sec-mgr of Pierce County unit. Excess delicacies were distributed to three childrens' homes: Childrens' Home on the Hill, Girls Club & Dyslin Boys Ranch. (TNT 10-23-53, C-4)

Washington State Restaurant Association (Tacoma); Zarelli, E.J.; Powell, Vern; Carbone, Joe; Osenton, Jimmy; Douglas, Archie; Swan, John W.; Crawford, H.B.; Jensen, Wes; Davelaar, Louise; Honan, John;

The Acme Construction Co. was one of the over 100 exhibitors at the 1953 Greater Tacoma Home Show. Over 50,000 interested spectators would visit the Home Show that year to see new products and become acquainted with local area businesses. As their sign indicated, the Acme Construction Co., owned by Leonard Hunt and Howard Underwood, specialized in residential remodeling, re-roofing and re-siding. They were located at 604 South 13th St. Basement foundations, cement and block work were also jobs that could be undertaken by the company. View of Acme Construction Co. exhibit booth at the College of Puget Sound's Fieldhouse showing G.E. heating, air conditioning and insulating products.

Acme Construction Co. (Tacoma); Exhibit booths--Tacoma--1950-1960; Greater Tacoma Home Show (Tacoma); HVAC systems--Tacoma; Signs (Notices);

The Normanettes women's chorus will resume concerts after a two-year hiatus; their first program will be presented at the Y.W.C.A.'s Weyerhaeuser Hall on June 3, 1953. The chorus will open the show with their theme song by Robert Franz, "O, Thank Me Not for What I Sing Thee". They will also perform several songs in Swedish and Norwegian under the direction of Mrs. A. Marchell Stevens. Rev. R.H. Redal, pastor of Central Lutheran Church, will be the guest tenor soloist. There will be no tickets sold for the performance, however, a silver offering will be accepted during the evening. View of Normanettes on stage in Weyerhaeuser Hall, individual names are listed in the News Tribune article of May 31, 1953, p. D-8.

Choirs (Music); Singers--Tacoma--1950-1960; Normanette Women's Chorus Ensemble (Tacoma); Women--Tacoma--1950-1960; Young Women's Christian Association (Tacoma);

Two technicians from C&G Radio test equipment at the new fire and police department building on May 27, 1953. The Radio Division was housed in the Radio Communications Building at 421 Tacoma Avenue South which was constructed in 1952. Apparently calls to the police and fire department would be monitored through this central location and appropriate responses would then be issued. The two men are sitting at Test Benches #1 & #2 as they intently focus their attention on the numerous gauges before them.

City Police & Fire Dept. Radio Building (Tacoma); Communication facilities--Tacoma; Radios; Testing--Tacoma--1950-1960; Equipment; C & G Radio Supply Co. (Tacoma);

In June of 1953, the general insurance and real estate firm of Comfort, Davis & Blangy, Inc., had their offices in the newly renamed Security Building (formerly Provident Building) at 917 Pacific Ave. They were located on the ground floor of the six-story building; nearby businesses included Forrester, Inc. Real Estate, Geo. D. Barclay Co. Realtors and Ghilorducci Florists. According to the 1953 City Directory, Arthur B. Comfort was listed as president with Dean L. MacDonald and Arthur B. Comfort, Jr., as vice-presidents and Harry L. Blangy, Secretary. Photograph ordered by Harry Blangy.

Comfort, Davis & Blangy (Tacoma); Facades--Tacoma--1950-1960; Security Building (Tacoma); Provident Building (Tacoma);

June was Dairy Month in the State of Washington and local businesses helped to advertise the virtues of drinking milk. A window display in the Sears, Roebuck store on June 8, 1953, was filled with photographs of cows, perhaps prize-winners, along with cut-outs of nature's "food factory" and a scale model of a dairy. Posters reminded passersby that dairy foods, including milk, cheese and ice cream, were "nature's goodness..at its best!" TPL-9371

Dairy products; Sears, Roebuck & Co. (Tacoma); Window displays--Tacoma--1950-1960; Signs (Notices); Advertisements--Tacoma;

Exterior Norval Hatfield residence. According to the 1953 City Directory, Norval R. Hatfield was an engineer with Pacific Telephone & Telegraph. He and his wife Marion E. resided at 2712 North 29th St. in a home built by the Charles Baker Construction Co. The one-story contemporary rambler was situated on a slight knoll and may have had a nice view of the city's landscape. A natural rock wall bordered part of the lot. The home apparently had a basement and fenced back yard.

Hatfield, Norval R.--Homes & haunts; Houses--Tacoma--1950-1960; Stone walls--Tacoma;

A young toddler watches as a woman, possibly mom, selects a coat for an evening out. Spacious closets with built-in drawers and shelves were part of the amenities offered in the new homes built in Mountlake Terrace in 1953. Wall-to-wall carpeting in the bedrooms was also present. Mountlake Terrace was a growing community close to Seattle; it would be an easy commute for businessmen and still provide suburban living for families. Photograph ordered by Phares Advertising.

Houses--Mountlake Terrace--1950-1960; Bedrooms--Mountlake Terrace--1950-1960; Families--Mountlake Terrace; Closets--Mountlake Terrace; Phares Advertising Agency (Seattle);

Edward Miller of Miller Construction Co. opened this beautiful two-story cut stone and wood home for public viewing in June, 1953. Situated close to the entrance of Skyline Terrace, the home offered superb views of the Narrows Bridge and Narrows. Built-ins were almost too numerous to mention, including TV's and radios, bathroom heaters, electric range & grill, napkin and tissue holders, bathroom scales and even bathroom magazine racks and toothbrush holders. Children would have a separate children's combination sleeping and play area, bathroom and their own television and radio. Additional amenities would include an intercom system, automatic garage door opener, kitchen BBQ, wall-to-wall carpeting in living areas with cork hallways, indirect lighting and thermopane windows. Miller Construction, who designed their own projects, stated that they were combining the best ideas of local building in this "Skyliner" model. Photograph ordered by Llewellyn Advertising Agency. (TNT 6-5-53, p. 6)

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

ca. 1953. This kitchen, photographed possibly in spring, 1953, may have belonged in the residence at 8902- 29th St. W., University Place. In keeping with the very modern contemporary exterior, the kitchen had knotted pine cupboards and ceiling. A white stove fits snugly against the unit holding the double sink and extensive counter space. Part of the walls have light colored tile. A large window with blinds would offer a view of the dining room; a portion of the dining room table and chair can be glimpsed from the open doorway. .

Houses--University Place--1950-1960; Kitchens--University Place--1950-1960;

A shiny wood floor draws attention to the cozy living room of the William J. Maloney residence. Comfortable stuffed chairs make watching the larger screen television or the flames in the extended brick fireplace an enjoyable pastime. Distinctive floral drapes and wood paneling above the fireplace add to the room's welcoming atmosphere. The Maloney residence was located at 3311 Heather Place W. in University Place and was apparently built by the W.R. Morben Construction Co.

Maloney, William J.--Homes & haunts; Living rooms--University Place--1950-1960; Televisions--1950-1960; Fireplaces--University Place--1950-1960; Draperies;

Marymount Military Academy, new east wing extension to grounds. Marymount, the only military school in the state of Washington, was located south of Tacoma and conducted by the Dominican Sisters. The Dominican Sisters, a teaching order, purchased "Shangarry," the 97 acre country estate of the late J. Shields, in 1920. Ground was broken on 7/1/1922 for a modern $200,000 Catholic school for boys. Architects Lundberg & Mahon of Tacoma contributed the plans. The school was dedicated in May of 1923 and the central building officially named St. Edwards Hall, Marymount. It replaced the Dominican St. Edwards Hall for Boys in Tacoma, which opened in 1907.

Marymount Military Academy (Spanaway); Private schools--Spanaway; Military education--Spanaway;

500 women attended the Evangelical Lutheran Church convention from the Pacific District in early June, 1953. A large number of them posed for this group portrait in front of the new music/chapel/speech building at Pacific Lutheran College on June 9, 1953. Perhaps some of the meetings may have occurred in the new building as the auditorium was designed to hold over 1,000 people. Mrs. Harold J. Leraas was the local convention chairman for the conference that occurred on June 8-10, 1953. Photograph ordered by Mrs. A.W. Rumstad. (TNT 6-5-53, p. 24)

Pacific Lutheran College (Parkland)--1950-1960; Religious meetings; Group portraits;

Exterior Howard Pratt residence. The newly constructed home, apparently built by Ray O'Flyng, was situated on a slightly elevated lot. The contemporary styled brick rambler had many view windows and a long covered porch. No garage is visible in this May 16, 1953, photograph. Photograph ordered by Ray O'Flyng.

Pratt, Howard--Homes & haunts; Houses--1950-1960; O'Flyng, Ray;

Exterior view Stadium Cleaners. Stadium Cleaners was located at 214 St. Helens Avenue next door to Silk Cleaners. According to the 1953 City Directory, both cleaning establishments were owned by the same parties: Edward Bokien, Earl Davis and Brian Gwyer. Stadium Cleaners celebrated its grand re-opening in June, 1953, as it was completely modernized and re-equipped. Five huge drying tumblers with the capacity of 1500 pounds of garments per hour were installed. Stadium Cleaners was one of the pioneer dry cleaning plants in Tacoma. It offered city-wide pickup and delivery service with no charge. Housed in rectangular concrete construction with flat roofs, both cleaners had many storefront windows. Lettering under the Silk Cleaners name indicated that they were a wholesale plant. Pressing was advertised in large letters in the Stadium Cleaners window. (TNT 6-14-53, A-11)

Stadium Cleaners (Tacoma); Silk Cleaners (Tacoma); Cleaning establishments--Tacoma--1950-1960;

The Tacoma Master Builders Association was a group of area contractors and others in the building industry whose members were proud of their quality workmanship. As the sign in their 1953 Tacoma Home Show booth indicated, if a home was built by a Master Builder, it was "The Sign of Good Construction." Each year they sponsored the Greater Tacoma Home Show, held at the College of Puget Sound's Fieldhouse, to demonstrate to the growing homeowner public new styles in construction, landscaping and furnishings. In 1953, over 100 exhibitors took part in the Home Show, held on May 20-24th. The Master Builders also built a home annually whose location was kept secret until just before the show opened. Del Belfoy was the 1953 president of the association. View of Tacoma Master Builders Association booth; includes star bunting surrounding booth with architectural models of homes and photographs of members' construction above.

Tacoma Master Builders Association (Tacoma); Greater Tacoma Home Show (Tacoma); Exhibit booths--Tacoma--1950-1960; Signs (Notices);

The Pierce County Nursing Home Association and their guests at their annual dinner held in October, 1953, at the Tacoma Woman's Club House. Nursing Home Associations from neighboring counties were honored at the dinner. Speakers were State Senator Reuben Koblauch, County Commissioner Harry Sprinkler, Attorney for the Association Edmund F. Jacobs, Mrs. Margaret Williamson of the County Hospital staff and Mrs. Alice Westbo, president of the Washington Association of Licensed Nursing Homes. The topics discussed were how nursing homes across the state were striving for safer and improved conditions under the State Department of Health's regulation. A major stumbling block was that a large number of nursing homes were unlicensed and exempt from health regulations. See article for a list of banquet attendees. The Pierce County Association was located at 723 2nd St. N.W., Puyallup. (TNT 11/1/1953, pg. A-7)

Tacoma Woman's Club House (Tacoma); Pierce County Nursing Home Association (Puyallup); Banquets--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Modern trends for household furnishings in the 1950s included bold patterns in fabrics, blonde furniture with geometric lines and sectional sofas. Round chairs and round beds were short-lived fads. A sectional sofa incorporates a connecting, fabric enhanced end table in this furniture showroom display. Exposures at Craig Furniture Inc., William J. Sahlin, Manager.The company sold furniture, floor coverings, appliances and oil heaters. Ordered by Fairchild Publications, New York, N.Y.

Craig Furniture, Inc. (Tacoma); Furniture stores--Tacoma; Sofas;

DeLong Elementary, at So. 12th and Moorlands, was designed by Lance, McGuire & Muri to accomodate 280 students. It would serve the area north and east of Fircrest and relieve overcrowding at Franklin and Jefferson. The one story school was of wood framing with brick veneer facing. It had eight classrooms plus a cafeteria, 65x66 ft playroom, clinic, administrative offices, teachers' lounge, kitchen, boiler room and 3 storerooms. (TNT 8/9/1953, pg. C-12)

DeLong Elementary School (Tacoma); Public schools--Tacoma--1950-1960; Building construction--Tacoma--1950-1960; Progress photographs--1950-1960;

Engine Build Up building at Fairchild Air Force Base, Spokane, Wa. Ordered by Smith & Murray, consulting engineers. The warehouse appears to be only partially completed with a large section of framing open.

Fairchild Air Force Base (Spokane); Air bases--Washington; Building construction--Spokane--1950-1960;