Tradewell opened another new supermarket in Tacoma in 1953; the 56th and Pacific Tradewell celebrated its grand opening in early February, 1953. Ample parking was provided for customers at this busy Southend location. Van de Kamps Bakery was also a part of the supermarket. W.A. Bolduc was the store manager; the modern Roman brick structure had been designed by Skoog Architects of Seattle and built by Bona Fide Construction Co. of Tacoma. It contained 11,000 square feet of sales place. A sampling of signs indicated that 2 lbs. of coffee could be purchased for $1.49, salad dressing for 29 cents and delicious pot roast for 39 cents a pound. Photograph ordered by Tradewell, Inc., Seattle. (TNT 2-3-53, p. 4-5)
Tradewell Stores, Inc. (Tacoma); Supermarkets; Signs (Notices);
When Lincoln Electric moved into their new building at South 38th and Park Avenue, they expanded into the furniture and juvenile market. The furniture department was managed by Roy Grayson; he had twenty years experience in the home decorating and furnishings field. Lincoln Electric carried many name brand furniture including Broyhill, Thomasville, Rose City Upholstery, and Chromecraft. View of five-piece chrome dining sets with small appliances on them; washers, dryers and kitchen appliances in background. (TNT 12-10-52, p. B-7)
Besides selling new Dodge and Plymouth vehicles, Munson-Smith Motors had a large used car lot. A sign on one of their buildings advised you could safely "Buy With An Open Eye" at their dealership. Munson-Smith was also authorized to repair and sell Dodge parts at their South Tacoma Way facility. View of Munson-Smith car lot on a rainy day in March, 1953, with cars reflected on the wet pavement.
W. H. Opie and Company, real estate. March, 1953, photograph shows the corner entry to Art-Moderne-style building. There is a curved marquee above glass double-doors with half-circle hardware forming circle. Realtors neon sign and "Knapp College Time" clock at window on second floor of the Opie Company's main office. Their motto apparently was "We seek only what is right"; it is placed above the entry way.
W.H. Opie & Co. (Tacoma); Real estate business--Tacoma; Electric signs--Tacoma--1950-1960; Storefronts--Tacoma--1950-1960; Signs (Notices);
Night exposure of Angle's Flowers. Angle's Flowers, located at 1121 South "K" St., was owned by Ralph and M. Anna Angle. Their entry in the 1953 City Directory indicated that they were florists and also creators of artistic arrangements and corsages. The small store appears to have its window filled with floral displays and ceramic dolls. A large neon sign has the store's name prominently in view. The "K" St. branch of Central Bank was a close neighbor. Photograph ordered by Mrs. Ralph Angle.
Angle's Flowers (Tacoma); Florist shops--Tacoma--1950-1960; Window displays--Tacoma--1950-1960; Electric signs--Tacoma--1950-1960;
The Ederer Engineering Co. was based in Seattle and was a manufacturer of cranes, hoists and veneer machinery. They did general machine work, according to the 1951 Seattle City Directory. Their cranes were utilized in the St. Regis Paper Co. plants to move heavy paper products. View of interior of St. Regis plant, probably Tacoma, showing Ederer cranes. Photograph ordered by Ederer Engineering Co.; photograph taken on July 3, 1953.
Ederer Engineering Co. (Seattle); Hoisting machinery; St. Regis Paper Co. (Tacoma)--1950-1960; Paper industry--Tacoma--1950-1960;
National Auto Parts window, 40th & Pacific. William C. Johnston was President-manager and Merle C. Johnston was Secretary-treasurer. The company sold parts for all makes of cars. This display window features a "get your vehicle ready for winter" theme, with U.S.I. & Super Pyro antifreeze and "Claw" tire chains. U.S.I. billed itself as the "world's safest antifreeze."
Automobile equipment & supplies stores--Tacoma; National Auto Parts, Inc. (Tacoma);
John E. Barcott, Jr., celebrated the grand opening of his Barcott's Sea Food restaurant in May of 1953. The new restaurant was located at 3832 South Pine Street, in what was dubbed "the center of the city," on Pine just off South 38th St. Mr. Barcott had 15 years experience in restaurants and was a member of a pioneering Tacoma restaurant-operating family. A large rooftop neon sign had an arrow pointing downwards, drawing the eyes to smaller neons of the "chops, seafood, steaks" menu. There was also a whimsical lighted sign of a smiling fish with large bubbles nearby. The water theme continued in the interior of the restaurant with fishing gear and nets decorating the spacious dining room. The structure was built by Walter C. Witte, general contractor, and fixtures supplied by Andrew's Fixture Co. Fifty years later, the location is now occupied by the Pine Street Landing eatery and is across the street from the Evergreen Post Office. (TNT 5-28-53, p. 15) TPL-8122
Barcott's Sea Food (Tacoma); Restaurants--Tacoma--1950-1960; Electric signs--Tacoma--1950-1960;
It appears that Harry Carollo of Auburn has just taken over ownership of the new Shell station at 2520 South Tacoma Way in June, 1953. A Shell dealer training school truck is parked outside the station's garage. Mr. Carollo's name hangs proudly on a sign on the plate glass window listing him as the proprietor. A large sign indicating that the station cleaned windshields is prominently placed in the circular office building attached to the garage. Another sign indicates that Shell is the "most powerful gasoline your car can use." The site was listed in the 1953 City Directory as a Firestone store; by 1954, it had both Harry's Firestone and Harry's Shell Station at the same address. Liberty Drive-In had opened a restaurant at that location in 1946 but had apparently moved since then.
Harry's Shell Station (Tacoma); Automobile service stations--Tacoma--1950-1960; Vehicle maintenance & repair--Tacoma--1950-1960;
Fall display of kitchen appliances in window at Lincoln Electric. Lincoln Electric was owned by Tony Ricono. The store carried a complete line of Hotpoint ranges, refrigerators, water heaters, washers, dishwashers, disposals and home freezers. They offered installation and service on all appliances. With their new enlarged location, they also carried juvenile furniture and toys.
Lincoln Electric (Tacoma); Appliance stores--Tacoma--1950-1960; Window displays--Tacoma--1950-1960;
Two Northwest Radio employees, their backs to the camera, are surrounded by an array of equipment as they try to determine solutions to service problems. Northwest Radio opened three locations in the city in as many years; they not only sold televisions and radios but also repaired them. Employees pictured in a May 12, 1953, photograph appear to be testing television and radio components. Photograph ordered by Bob Cullom.
Northwest Radio, Inc. (Tacoma); Maintenance & repair--Tacoma; Equipment;
Exterior of the Olympus Hotel. The hotel was built in 1909 at a cost of $65,000. It was designed by Darmer & Cutting, Architects. In 1951, it was considered one of the Northwest's best hotels. It was the home of the supper club The Mirror Room and the cafe Frontier Room. The hotel closed its doors in 1974. It was remodeled and opened as apartments in 1978.
Olympus Hotel (Tacoma); Hotels--Tacoma--1950-1960;
At approximately 4:45 a.m. on July 7, 1953, the worst fire in Tacoma in more than four years swept through the Safeway Grocery Company store at 208 South 82nd Street. More than six engine companies reported to the "2-11" class fire. The store sustained over $260,000 in damage: $112,000 for the ruined brick, wood and concrete structure, $83,000 in equipment and $65,000 in ruined food. Fire Chief Harold Fisk said that the firemen were hampered by unexpected low water pressure in the Fern Hill district fire hydrants from which hose lines were run. (TNT 7/7/1953, pg. 1)
Safeway Stores, Inc. (Tacoma); Grocery Stores--Tacoma--1950-1960; Fires--Tacoma--1950-1960;
Steven Motor Co. used car lot at 6910 South Tacoma Way. Floyd N. Steven, manager. An ad in the 7/15/1953 Tribune, pg. D-5, stated that business had been so good that the lot was now short on used cars. Steven Motor Co. would now offer an "over allowance" on used cars traded in for new Chryslers or Plymouths at the new car lot. Their slogan was "We sell high quality used cars."
Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1950-1960; Steven Motor Co. (Tacoma);
National Auto Parts north show window after dark, featuring products manufactured by General Motors. Pictured are products with the brand names of Hyatt, Delco, Moraine, Rochester, Saginaw and Packard.
Automobile equipment & supplies stores--Tacoma; National Auto Parts, Inc. (Tacoma); Window displays--Tacoma--1950-1960;
Klopfenstein's Clothes display window at night. Klopfenstein's in downtown Tacoma sold quality name brand clothing for men: Hart Schaffner and Marx, Nunn-Bush shoes, Dobbs and Borsalino hats, and women's suits and coats. C.F. Klopfenstein Jr. was President. TPL-9345
Weisfield's window in July of 1953 featured a free Barwa leisure chair with a Westinghouse laundromat and dryer. The washing machine, and free lounge chair, are $299.95. The D-5 dryer and free chair are $219.95. Plus consumers could take advantage of Weisfield's low easy credit terms. Unlike in the past when consumers bought items cash only, credit was relied upon more often for major purchases.
Department stores--Tacoma--1950-1960; Window displays--Tacoma--1950-1960; Home furnishings stores--Tacoma--1950-1960; Merchandise displays--Tacoma--1950-1960; Weisfield's, Inc. (Tacoma); Washing machines; Appliances--1950-1960; Chairs;
Card rack at Winthrop Hotel, Rust Craft Publications. Since Christmas trees, fir boughs and pine cones decorate the back wall over the many rows of Christmas cards and the photograph is dated in July, this must have been an advertising set up, possibly for a catalog.
Hotels--Tacoma--1950-1960; Greeting cards; Hotel Winthrop (Tacoma);
Interiors of the United Mutual Savings Bank in the Washington Building at 11th and Pacific. Tellers counter in the foreground, desks at the rear and at the loft area. United Mutual advertised itself as Tacoma's only Savings Bank, with the stipulation that only a savings bank could offer deposit insurance. United Mutual was a member of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation. Franklin F. Summers was president, with Harold W. Gloyde, William P. Matthaei and Charles A. Robbins as vice-presidents.
United Mutual Savings Bank (Tacoma); Banks--Tacoma;
The Sears store, ordered by Fairchild Publications. The entrance to the service station can be seen at the rear of the building. Elevated parking center at 1140-50 Court C.
Sears, Roebuck & Co. (Tacoma); Department stores--Tacoma--1950-1960;
Progress photograph of the construction of the new United Pacific Insurance Co. office building. Heavy machinery works in the area that will become the basement and foundation for the new 5 story office building. The structure will be built of reinforced concrete and stone to match the Medical Arts building. The $500,000 building will add 30,000 square feet of office space for the United Pacific home office. United Pacific organized in Seattle in 1928 and in 1941 bought the Medical Arts building and moved its home offices to Tacoma. It was the only insurance company to maintain home offices in Tacoma.
United Pacific Insurance Co. (Tacoma); Building construction--Tacoma--1950-1960; Progress photographs--1950-1960; Hoisting machinery;
Brown & Haley Candy Co., for West Disinfecting Co. This appears to be a combination lunchroom and training area. In the back on the counter are a commercial coffee maker, a hot plate and a display of soup cans. There is a Coca Cola chest cooler with cases of empty bottles beside it. Brown and Haley was founded in 1913 by J. C. Haley, who in 1953 was still serving as president. Fred T. Haley was general manager and Richard G. Haley was production manager. The company's most famous product was Almond Roca, the most desired candy during W.W.II when it was shipped to the Armed Forces. (TNT 9/4/1953, pg. C-15)
Confections; Candy; Chocolate industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Brown & Haley (Tacoma); Cafeterias--Tacoma--1950-1960;
Progress photograph of the new United Pacific Insurance Co. home office next to the Medical Arts Building, taken on October 4, 1953, ordered by James J. Barnes Construction Co. Steven Motor Co. can be seen across the street at 738 Broadway. The five story addition would complement the Medical Arts Building, also owned by United Pacific. The five story building would take almost 2 years to build and cost an estimated $500,000. It was built of reinforced concrete faced with glass.
United Pacific Insurance Co. (Tacoma); Building construction--Tacoma--1950-1960; Progress photographs--1950-1960;
Herb Satterlee Motor Company's repair shop. Satterlee dealt in the sales and service of Packards and British Austins. One 1940s and one 1950s Packards are in lubrication area. In the background are signs promoting service, tool cabinets, various tanks for oil and grease and a rack of tires. Herb F. Satterlee was president with Herb Satterlee Jr. serving as secretary-treasurer. Body and paint work, auto glass and tailored seat covers were done at this location. Used cars were also sold. Parking & storage was available at 924 Court C.
Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1950-1960; Packard automobile; Herb Satterlee Motors (Tacoma);
New Puget Sound Bank at Lakewood, ordered by the Condon Co. The permanent location of Puget Sound Bank was built in the Lakewood Center, facing Mt. Tacoma Dr. S.W. The red brick faced colonial with white trim was designed to match the existing architecture at the Center. The new building was three times the size of the temporary building. It measured 50 feet wide by 120 feet long, with 12,000 square foot of floor space, including a full basement. The building was designed by Lea, Pearson & Richards and Ketner Bros. Inc. served as contractors. (TNT 9/6/1953, pg. A-10)
Puget Sound National Bank (Lakewood); Banks--Lakewood; Banking--Lakewood;
Cliff Sign Co. hoists the new Tacoma Hotel sign to the top of the building. The ground floor is occupied by the National Cash Register Co., Budget Finance Plan, the Western Air Lines ticket office and at the far right, with the sign 1/4 visible, the Servicemen's Center at 115 So. 9th. This was the location of the bowling alley.
Future home office of the United Pacific Insurance Company. Plywood fencing surrounds the construction site in this February 15, 1954 photograph. Steven Motor Company and the Old City Hall can be seen in the background. Steel framework has been erected for what would become the five story office building of United Pacific. The building was designed with a foundation capable of supporting 10 stories if needed for future expansion. The concrete, steel and glass structure would be completed in January of 1955.
United Pacific Insurance Co. (Tacoma); Building construction--Tacoma--1950-1960; Progress photographs--1950-1960; Old City Hall (Tacoma);
Remodeled departments at the Bank of California. This appears to be the employees lounge with chairs and sofa provided for comfortable seating. A tall commercial ashtray stands beside a coffee table covered with magazines. Books available for reading occupy shelves along the back wall. Dining tables and chairs are provided for employees to have lunch.
Banks--Tacoma; Bank of California National Association (Tacoma); Banking--Tacoma--1950-1960;
Remodeled departments at the Bank of California. This appears to be a non public accessible accounting area. Pairs of women confer over sheets of figures. Large adding machines sit to the right of the desks. Windows high in the walls and florescents supply lighting.
Banks--Tacoma; Bank of California National Association (Tacoma); Banking--Tacoma--1950-1960;
Triangular flags flap in the wind at the site of a Shell Service Station in a March, 1954, photograph. Two mechanics are inspecting an elevated car inside the garage. There are at least four gas pumps at this station. Tires and other auto accessories can be purchased here as well as gasoline.
