Top of the Ocean was one of the most popular restaurants in Tacoma. They opened for business on December 15, 1946, and quickly became a top choice for many clubs, associations and organizations to hold their activities. The Tacoma Athletic Commission had private facilities within the restaurant. Located on the waterfront near the foot of McCarver St. on Ruston Way, the Top of the Ocean was destroyed by an arson fire on April 3, 1977. David Willard Levage was convicted for starting the fire. This photo appeared in a Tacoma Times advertisement. (T. Times, 11/28/47, p. 5). TPL-2130

Restaurants--Tacoma; Nightclubs--Tacoma; Tacoma Athletic Commission (Tacoma); Top of the Ocean (Tacoma);

Weisfield and Goldberg were well known for their beautiful jewelry selection, but they also had an extensive home furnishings department. The window display features a complete dining room set with table, chairs, buffet, tableware and silverware. The background has other showrooms filled with mirrors and other furnishings. The sign on the right side advertises tableware which includes the silver, four famous patterns to choose from.

Department stores--Tacoma--1940-1950; Window displays--Tacoma--1940-1950; Dining tables; Furniture stores--Tacoma--1940-1950; Silverware; Weisfield & Goldberg, Inc. (Tacoma);

In 1929 Graybar Electric Company employees purchased all the common stock and became the first business of its size to be completely owned and operated by its employees. Graybar manufactures, buys and sells many different types of electrical appliances and apparatus. Interior view of the showroom, vacuums, electric fans, doorbells, lamps, irons, mixers, clocks, and an advertisement for GE lamps and lightbulbs.

Graybar Electric Co. (Tacoma); Light fixtures; Appliance stores--Tacoma; Vacuum cleaners; Fans; Irons (Pressing); Clocks & watches;

Titus Motor Company started engine rebuilding during World War II, in order to maintain and improve essential transportation needed during the war. The first month of production they rebuilt 20 engines and designated three mechanics to work full-time on engine rebuilding. Interior view of Titus Manufacturing Company's engine rebuilding shop, men working on Ford "flathead" V-8 engines; tools, parts and supplies in factory area.

Automobile dealerships--Tacoma; Automobile equipment & supplies stores--Tacoma; Vehicle maintenance & repair--Tacoma; Engines; Mechanics (Persons)--Tacoma; Titus Manufacturing Co. (Tacoma);

In 1943 Titus Motor Company was designated as an authorized engine rebuilding plant by Ford Motor Company, they would serve the Pacific Northwest and Alaska. Interior view of Titus Manufacturing Company's engine rebuilding shop, men working on Ford "flathead" V-8 engines; tools, parts and supplies in factory area.

Automobile dealerships--Tacoma; Automobile equipment & supplies stores--Tacoma; Vehicle maintenance & repair--Tacoma; Engines; Mechanics (Persons)--Tacoma; Titus Manufacturing Co. (Tacoma);

Leon E. Titus is a pioneer car dealer in Washington, starting in Centralia in 1912, and taking over the Tacoma dealership in 1937. Exterior view of Titus Manufacturing Company, view into engine rebuilding shop, many rebuilt Ford "flathead" V-8 engines, tools, parts and supplies in factory area. This shop occupied the upper ( Court C ) level of the Titus Motor Company building on Broadway.

Automobile dealerships--Tacoma; Automobile equipment & supplies stores--Tacoma; Vehicle maintenance & repair--Tacoma; Engines; Titus Manufacturing Co. (Tacoma);

Leon E. Titus was the President and General Manager of Tacoma's Titus Motor Company. This dealership offered delivery of Ford authorized auto parts to their customers, which included individual owners, garages and other Ford dealers. Interior view of Vanette delivery truck showing cabinets and shelves for parts, "Ford" pistons, oil pans and spark plugs are among some of the parts in truck.

Automobile dealerships--Tacoma; Vehicle maintenance & repair--Tacoma; Automobile equipment & supplies; Trucks--Tacoma--1940-1950; Automobile equipment & supplies stores--Tacoma; Titus Motor Co. (Tacoma);

Interior view of Vanette delivery truck from Titus Motor Company's parts delivery department. View of truck from cab looking to rear, cabinets and shelves for parts, overhead panel holding gaskets in lowered position, similar panel in closed position at top in photo. Ford authorized shock absorber fluid, chrome cleaner, cleaner and polish and top dressing in black are in containers located in right, forefront compartments.

Automobile dealerships--Tacoma; Vehicle maintenance & repair--Tacoma; Automobile equipment & supplies; Trucks--Tacoma--1940-1950; Automobile equipment & supplies stores--Tacoma; Titus Motor Co. (Tacoma);

Fisher's style show. The model, Patricia Clarke, shows a two piece suit to a table of women still seated at their lunch table. The suit shows the fashionable lower hem length. The jacket has large, decorative buttons and an extra decorative flap at the shoulder. The model wears a dark hat with veil and carries a dark handbag and gloves. The show took place at the newly opened Wedgewood Room at the top of the Hotel Winthrop. The style show drew several hundred women to view the Fay Fray styles from Fisher's. (T.Times, 2/20/1948, p.11)

Hotel Winthrop (Tacoma); Hotels--Tacoma--1940-1950; Fisher's Department Store (Tacoma); Fashion shows--Tacoma--1940-1950; Fashion models--Tacoma; Clothing & dress--Tacoma--1940-1950; Restaurants--Tacoma--1940-1950; Women--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Holroyd Company manufactured concrete blocks, bricks, and other types of building materials. Holroyd quality products could be found in homes and businesses throughout Tacoma. Exterior view of Shell Gas Station, gas pumps, "Shellubrication" signs, tire and auto accessories in window; building has a concrete foundation, photo ordered by Holroyd Company. TPL-10060

Automobile equipment & supplies; Automobile service stations--Tacoma; Signs (Notices); Concrete--Tacoma; Foundations--Tacoma; Reinforced concrete construction--Tacoma; Shell Oil Co., Inc. (Tacoma); Holroyd Co. (Tacoma);

Newly repainted jeep, Buck & Sons, Dal Buckhalter. Buck & Sons repainted jeep has a combined covered cab and back with flat sides and flat doors. The cab door shown is painted with company information. Further back it has Ford tractor and Dearborn Farm Equipment insignia and Owner's Service painted on it. The company not only sold Ford and Ferguson tractors, they also manufactured and repaired farm machinery. The jeep is parked in front of Buck & Sons facilities.

Buck & Sons Tractor & Implement Co. (Tacoma); Agricultural machinery & implements--Tacoma--1940-1950; Jeep automobile; Tractors--Tacoma--1940-1950; Machinery industry--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Showroom at City Motor Company, Oldsmobile, Anson Hart. A large, artificial cake with artificial candles stands next to the drapery covered frame announcing the "Futuramic" Oldsmobile. The "Futuramic" series of "98" Oldsmobiles was the top of the line for Oldsmobile. The "Dynamic" was for medium price buyers. General Motors' hydra-matic drive, providing automatic shifting in all forward speeds, hydraulic controls for raising and lowering the windows and adjusting the position of the front seat were optional equipment throughout the Oldsmobile line. (T.Times, 2/16/1948, p.8 and TNT, 2/15/1948, p.A-7) TPL-3555

City Motor Co. (Tacoma); Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1940-1950; Automobiles--Tacoma--1940-1950; Showrooms--Tacoma--1940-1950; Merchandise displays--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Store front at 925 Broadway, Weisfield & Goldberg, Virginia Knowland. A view of the exterior of Weisfield and Goldberg's building. The store front windows display jewelry and the upper windows display appliances on the left and furniture on the right. Signs advertise their new rug department. A large clock is centered over the store front and has neon signs for "Diamonds", "Watches", and "Weisfield & Goldberg". Automobiles are parked in front of the store.

Weisfield & Goldberg, Inc. (Tacoma); Window displays; Jewelry stores--Tacoma--1940-1950; Appliances; Furniture; Clocks & watches; Automobiles--Tacoma--1940-1950; Furniture stores--Tacoma; Appliance stores--Tacoma; Electric signs--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Showing of 1949 Lincolns, Robert Sconce Advertising Agency. A crowd has come out at night to admire the new 1949 Lincolns and Mercurys at Ray Ridge Motors. Lincoln and Mercury were the first to have their new models for 1949 available for the public as early as April of 1948. Neon signs attached to the building facade are bright against the dark evening. TPL-1516

Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1940-1950; Ray Ridge Motors, Inc. (Tacoma); Electric signs--Tacoma--1940-1950; Mercury automobile; Lincoln automobile;

Reed Fixtures had moved into a larger building in 1946. They took over a fifty by ninety foot government surplus warehouse located on Center Street. They specialized in business fixtures, display cases and other commercial fixtures. Interior view of grocery store with new Reed fixtures, which included: food shelves, fruit bins, and fixtures for frozen foods.

Grocery stores--Tacoma--1940-1950; Food--Tacoma; Merchandise displays--Tacoma; Reed's Cabinet & Fixture (Tacoma);

Interior view of Irwin-Jones Motor Company, Dodge and Plymouth dealers, service department showing equipment installed by Equipment Supply Company, automobile supplies manufacturers and distributors. "Approved lubrication" sign is beneath the Irwin-Jones sign. Auto hoist, enameled cabinets, sign with Plymouth and Dodge crests, Quaker State Motor Oil clock.

Automobile equipment & supplies; Automobile dealerships--Tacoma; Vehicle maintenance & repair--Tacoma; Irwin-Jones Motor Co. (Tacoma); Equipment Supply Co. (Tacoma);

Interior view of Mallon Motors Ford Sales and Service shop, service area shows equipment installed by Equipment Supply Company, automobile supplies manufacturers and distributors. Firestone Tires sign on right wall, above Quaker State motor oil signs and car lifts in center. Photo ordered by Equipment Supply Company.

Automobile equipment & supplies; Automobile dealerships--Tacoma; Vehicle maintenance & repair--Tacoma; Mallon Motors, Inc. (Tacoma); Equipment Supply Co. (Tacoma);

Mallon Motor Company, interior of service area showing equipment installed by Equipment Sales Corporation. Lift racks, motor oil tanks, overhead hoses, etc. Two workmen servicing a Ford sedan.

Business Enterprises - Tacoma - Automobile Dealers - New Automobile Dealers - Ford Dealers - Mallon Motor Company

Standard Oil Co. started doing business in Western Washington in 1886. They were shipping oil from Cleveland, Ohio to Tacoma in box and tank railroad cars. They have consistently grown and expanded and have new offices in the Tacoma Tideflats area. View of new Standard Oil service station located at 9212 South Tacoma Way. It was purchased by Gene L. Myers in 1961 and is still owned by him in 2003. The business is now Gene's Towing.

Automobile service stations--Lakewood; Garages--Lakewood; Vehicle maintenance & repair--Lakewood; Standard Oil Co. of California (Lakewood);

The Tacoma Chapter of the Society for the Preservation of Barbershop Quartets sent two Barbershop Quartets to attend the Northwest Convention held in Portland in April 1947. The Tacoma performers were well received and said to be some of the best quartets in the Society. Left to right view of Louis Tabeau, Charles Cheney, Paul Newman and Fraser Chisholm singing their songs, all barber supplies and equipment were courtesy of Pullman's Barber Shop (T. Times, 4/28/47, p. 1).

Barbershops--Tacoma--1940-1950; Barbers--Tacoma--1940-1950; Singing--Tacoma; Barbershop quartets; Pullman Barber Shop (Tacoma); Tabeau, Louis; Cheney, Charles; Newman, Paul; Chisholm, Fraser;

The Tacoma Chapter of the Society for the Preservation and Encouragement of Barber Shop Quartets was having their annual meeting at the Hotel Winthrop. The Tacoma Chapter is part of a national organization which includes President Harry Truman among its distinguished members. View of Barbershop members who attended the annual meeting, 40 men were expected to attend (T. Times, 4/10/47, p. 10).

Hotel Winthrop (Tacoma); Men--Clothing & dress--Tacoma; Barbershop quartets; Singing--Tacoma; Meetings--Tacoma; Society for the Preservation & Encouragement of Barber Shop Quartets (Tacoma);

Younglove Grocery Company was founded by E. A. Younglove in 1907. In 1935 they moved into a new more spacious location, at this location they were better equipped to handle the grocery wholesale demands in this area. Interior view of Younglove Grocery Company's wholesale cash and carry store, large sacks of flour, Quaker Corn Meal, Windex and Kellogg's Bran Flakes are just some of the groceries available in large quantities. A man is checking out with a cart full of grocery items. TPL-8654

Supermarkets--Tacoma; Discounts; Food--Tacoma; Food industry--Tacoma; Mercantile facilities--Tacoma; Younglove Grocery Co. (Tacoma);

In June of 1947 George Cramer (first man from rt), a logger from Morton, WA, won a brand new 1947 1/2 Frazer Manhattan Sedan after his name was entered into a drawing by his brother. The car was the top prize awarded at the Izaak Walton League picnic held at Point Defiance on June 15th. Standing next to Mr. Cramer is his thrilled wife. Members of the Tacoma Chapter of the Izaak Walton League stand at the back as well as handing over the car to the Cramers are: (l to r) Woody Wilson; Harry Smith; Walter Witte, league secretary; Orville Winston; Dean Sheeler; Erling Bergerson, league president; and Barbara Walentiny, daughter of a Walton member. They are all standing in front of the Wilson Motor Company dealership at 6233 South Tacoma Way. (T.Times, 6/21/1947, p.3)

Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1940-1950; Wilson Motor Co. (Tacoma); Kaiser automobile; Wilson, Woody; Smith, Harry; Witte, Walter; Winston, Orville; Wheeler, Dean; Cramer, George; Bergerson, Erling; Walentiny, Barb; Izaak Walton League (Tacoma);

Standard Oil Company. A view of Clarkson's Chevron Station at night. An automobile is seen in the service area on a hoist. The station advertises Atlas Batteries, Chevron Supreme Gasoline, and lubrication and washing services. A large Coca-Cola cooler sits outside the garage doors. It was apparently the first Chevron station built in Washington State after WWII. The station eventually closed after the I-5 freeway was completed; it was reopened in 1961 as Gene's Richfield Service. The station stopped serving gas in 1987 and is now the main office of Gene's Towing. For view of building under construction, see D27166-5. TPL-2021

Automobiles--Lakewood--1940-1950; Automobile service stations--Lakewood--1940-1950; Clarkson's Chevron Station (Lakewood); Standard Oil Co. of California (Lakewood);

Interior of Rug Cleaning Plant, Cartozian & Sons Rug Company, Edward S. Cartozian. Two men work together in cleaning a floral-patterned rug; one of them hoses the rug with a solution while the other brushes the rug.

Cartozian & Sons Rug Co. (Tacoma); Rugs; Service industry facilities--Tacoma--1940-1950; Cleaning personnel; Cleaning;

Griffin Fuel Company, a delivery man fills an oil tank set in the ground using a nozzle and hose from the fuel truck.

Griffin Fuel Co. (Tacoma); Trucks--Tacoma--1940-1950; Fuel--Tacoma--1940-1950; Fuel trade--Tacoma--1940-1950; Fuel tanks;

Old time truck for contest, South Tacoma Motors, Ted Hoakinson. Three men stand with an old time truck in front of South Tacoma Motors. The older gentlemen in the middle, probably the owner, tells the other two men, wearing white lab coats, about two parts which may be brake shoes.

South Tacoma Motor Co. (Tacoma); Trucks--Tacoma--1940-1950; Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1940-1950; Chevrolet trucks;

On the afternoon of June 30, 1947, a bevy of women fromTacoma's social set turned out for a reception at the Tacoma Athletic Club's Clubhouse, located at the Top of the Ocean, 2217 Ruston Way. The reception was to honor the "Queen for a Day" that had been chosen on the 10 a.m. broadcast from the Ice Palace the same morning. Unfortunately, neither of Tacoma's daily papers listed the name of the lucky winner. The Henry Mill and Timber Co. burner can be seen in the background.

Top of the Ocean (Tacoma); Clubwomen--Tacoma--1940-1950; Restaurants--Tacoma--1940-1950; Waterfronts;

Interior of Rug Cleaning Plant, Cartozian & Sons Rug Company, Edward S. Cartozian. This facility was built in the early 1920's and had been used as an automobile dealership until 1947 when taken over by the Cartozian & Sons Rug Company.

Cartozian & Sons Rug Co. (Tacoma); Rugs; Service industry facilities--Tacoma--1940-1950; Cleaning;

Interior of Rug Cleaning Plant, Cartozian & Sons Rug Company, Edward S. Cartozian. Three men work with a cleaning machine as a carpet moves through it.

Cartozian & Sons Rug Co. (Tacoma); Rugs; Service industry facilities--Tacoma--1940-1950; Cleaning;