Five Chevrolet trucks at the Maxwell Petroleum Company's corporate office are ready to deliver Mobil oil to local customers during the summer of 1951. Large cylinder objects are probably containers for petroleum products. Maxwell Petroleum was located at 520 East "D" Street and owned by H.D. Maxwell and Osie Thomas. The company dealt in gasoline, motor, burner and fuel oil, on a wholesale basis. Maxwell Petroleum had merged several years prior with the General Petroleum Corporation of California; however, both maintained separate listings in the 1951 City Directory. Photograph ordered by South Tacoma Chevrolet. TPL-8463

Maxwell Petroleum Co. (Tacoma); Petroleum industry--Tacoma--1950-1960; General Petroleum Corp. (Tacoma); Chevrolet trucks;

The drafting room of the Miller Construction Company was photographed in the evening of November 21, 1951. Architectural drawings, both rolled and spread out, are on each drafting table. Some drawings are posted on walls and the bulletin board. Edward P. Miller was listed as the president in the 1953 City Directory and Glen W. Miller as vice president. They were general contractors whose business was located at 6909 North 13th. Large housing developments in Fircrest and in the Northend were constructed by the Miller Company.

Miller Construction Co., Inc. (Tacoma); Drafting tables; Architectural drawings; Stools;

Candy Nook in the Winthrop Hotel, featuring greeting card stands on the right and rear sides with glass candy cabinets on left wall behind cabinets.

Hotels--Tacoma; Hotel Winthrop (Tacoma);

Four delivery trucks owned by the Maxwell Petroleum Company are parked near the company headquarters at 520 East "D Street in August, 1951. These Chevrolet trucks are labeled with the company name on their doors and appear to be carrying Mobil gasoline. In the background are large holding tanks for petroleum products. Maxwell Petroleum had merged with General Petroleum Corporation of California to form one of the largest gasoline distributors in the country. According to the 1951 City Directory, Maxwell retained its name and kept a separate listing for business purposes. Maxwell was owned by H.D. Maxwell and Osie Thomas. Photograph ordered by South Tacoma Chevrolet. TPL-8464

Maxwell Petroleum Co. (Tacoma); General Petroleum Corp. (Tacoma); Chevrolet trucks;

In 1948 Mueller-Harkin Buick moved into their new building at 455 Saint Helens Ave. They officially opened at their new address on December 6, 1948. This building was large enough to supply the public with all their automotive needs, from selling new and used vehicles to repairing and replacing automobile parts. The 1951 Tacoma City Diretory list Rudolph Mueller as President and John Mueller as Vice-President. In 1953 Rudolph Mueller retired and the Buick agency was sold to Brus Buick.

Mueller-Harkins Motor Co. (Tacoma); Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1950-1960; Automobile equipment & supplies stores--Tacoma;

Lincoln Branch, Puget Sound National Bank, view from northwest. International style brick building with large plate glass windows, neon sign over entrance. The building was designed by the architectural firm of Charles and Clarence Rueger and constructed by Industrial Engineers and Contractors, Inc. The exterior of the building is faced with Roman brick with large areas of glass. There are public entrances on both G and 37th streets. In the rear of the building is a large asphalt paved free parking area and on the south end of the building is a drive-through banking window. The building was constructed so that a second story could be added, if needed. (TNT 10/14/1951, pg. C-15)

Puget Sound National Bank (Tacoma); Banks--Tacoma;

Sears, Roebuck and Company Department Store, Powertool Department, as photographed on September 5, 1951. Tablesaws, jointer on left with drill presses. Next row has smaller power drills and accessories.

Sears, Roebuck & Co. (Tacoma); Department stores--Tacoma--1950-1960; Equipment; Saws; Merchandise displays--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Sears Roebuck and Company Department Store, Appliance Department. Three rows of electric ranges are photographed on September 5, 1951. This was the Tacoma location of Sears, 1148 Broadway.

Sears, Roebuck & Co. (Tacoma); Department stores--Tacoma--1950-1960; Stoves--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Selden's Home Furnishings. Behind-the-scenes look at Selden's, longtime Tacoma business, taken in September of 1951. Three rooms with people working. One man sewing carpet, three at work table, and one cutting flooring. Large hanging signage warning employees not to walk on carpet.

Selden's, Inc. (Tacoma); Selden's, Inc. (Tacoma)--Employees; Home furnishings stores--Tacoma--1950-1960; Floor coverings; Signs (Notices);

Selden's Home Furnishings. Series of behind-the-scenes operations at Selden's, prominent home furnishings store, taken in September of 1951. One woman at long table in rear cutting fabric, four at long tables pressing fabric, and three at machines sewing.

Selden's, Inc. (Tacoma); Selden's, Inc. (Tacoma)--Employees; Home furnishings stores--Tacoma--1950-1960; Sewing machines; Sewing--Tacoma; Irons (Pressing);

Sears, Roebuck and Co. Department Store, Second Floor. Hardware, hoses in stack, cabinet hardware, tools on back wall. Sears promoted their "easy payment plan."

Sears, Roebuck & Co. (Tacoma); Department stores--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Sears Roebuck and Co. Department Store, Kitchen Display. Refrigerator on left with cabinets in L- shape. Sink with window above, stove on right, small counter with rounded shelves on end. Photograph taken on September 5, 1951.

Sears, Roebuck & Co. (Tacoma); Department stores--Tacoma--1950-1960; Merchandise displays--Tacoma--1950-1960; Refrigerators; Stoves--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Even in the alley entrance to the Sears, Roebuck parking lot, a customer could not escape displays of Sears automotive supplies for sale. Boxes of car blankets, rows of Allstate motor oil, Hide A Keys, and Allstate Cross Country tool kits could be seen through large, unadorned windows while a huge banner urging savvy customers to buy and save money on tires and tubes is pasted above. This is possibly the entrance to the Tacoma Sears, Roebuck parking lot on Court C which was built in spring of 1951. Photograph ordered by Mr. Abolofia of Sears, Roebuck, Seattle.

Sears, Roebuck & Co. (Tacoma); Merchandise displays; Signs (Notices); Automobile equipment & supplies;

Elevated view of the Sears, Roebuck & Co.'s parking lot taken on July 23, 1951. Photograph was apparently taken from across the street and shows that the lot is full; apparently many Tacomans were taking advantage of the free parking that Sears provided. The multi-tiered parking lot would help to alleviate the problems of insufficient parking that downtown Tacoma was already starting to experience.

Sears, Roebuck & Co. (Tacoma); Parking garages--Tacoma; Parking lots--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Sears Roebuck and Company Department Store, Automotive Department. This elevated view of the automotive department, taken on September 5, 1951, shows tires on right, four tables with oil, seat covers, auto accessories, batteries and mufflers on right back wall. The automotive section seemed to be set next to appliances, including stoves.

Sears, Roebuck & Co. (Tacoma); Department stores--Tacoma--1950-1960; Automobile equipment & supplies; Stoves--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Elevated view of Sears, Roebuck & Co.'s parking lot taken in summer of 1951. The Sears parking lot is nearly full; this was the top of a multi-tiered parking garage recently built by Sears. Angled parking provides most efficient use of parking space as many of Sears' customers take advantage of the free parking while shopping. Craig Furniture and Schoenfeld's buildings are visible in photo.

Sears, Roebuck & Co. (Tacoma); Parking garages--Tacoma; Parking lots--Tacoma--1950-1960; Craig Furniture, Inc. (Tacoma); L. Schoenfeld & Sons (Tacoma);

The pillars in the new parking garage at 13th and Market create a forest of concrete trees in this photograph from August of 1951. In 1951 Sears, Roebuck & Co. built a parking garage to help provide inexpensive, plentiful parking for their downtown customers. Sears offered one hour of free parking. Thirty years later, in 1981, Sears moved their store to the Tacoma Mall. This garage, which stands across from the downtown YMCA, became the Cornerstone Building.

Sears, Roebuck & Co. (Tacoma); Parking garages--Tacoma; Parking lots--Tacoma--1950-1960; Signs (Notices);

The Donna Foss, a Foss Launch & Tug Co. tugboat, steadily tows the much larger ex-military transport, the "Republic" vessel on a cloudy spring day in 1952. The Agnes Foss is at the "Republic's'' stern. The Wedell Foss, not seen, is also aiding in the tow. All boats will be eventually passing under the Tacoma Narrows Bridge. The Donna and Agnes Foss tugboats will be towing the "Republic" to the Panama Canal where it will then be towed to the East Coast for scrapping. Foss Launch & Tug had its beginnings as a rowboat rental business started by Thea and Andrew Foss in the late 1890's. They later expanded to include motorized launches and tugboats and in 1920, changed the company name to Foss Launch & Tug Co. Even after the deaths of its founders, the company continued to expand its business to include Alaska and California. In 1986, a further name change occurred and Foss Launch became Foss Maritime Co. to better reflect the diversified nature of its maritime services. Photograph ordered by Foss Launch & Tug Co. (History of Pierce County, Vol. 1, p. 422, TNT 3-20-52, A-11)

Foss Launch & Tug Co. (Tacoma); Tugboats--Tacoma--1950-1960; Towing--Tacoma;

On March 18, 1952, the "Republic," an ex-German military transport, was photographed as it passed directly under the Tacoma Narrows Bridge. It was being towed by a Foss Launch & Tug Co. tugboat, the Donna Foss. To the transport's stern were additional Foss tugboats, the Agnes Foss and the Wedell Foss. The "Republic" was at the start of a long voyage; from its storage in Olympia, it was being towed to the Panama Canal by tugboat and then onto the East Coast where it was scrapped. The trip was expected to take 40 days. The 20,000 ton "Republic" was built in Belfast, Ireland, in 1907 and used as a German transport in WWI. Captured by the Allied Forces, it then also served in WWII. Photograph ordered by Foss Launch & Tug Co. (History of Pierce County, Vol. 1, p. 422, TNT 3-20-52, A-11)

Foss Launch & Tug Co. (Tacoma); Tugboats--Tacoma--1950-1960; Towing--Tacoma; Government vessels; Tacoma Narrows Bridge (Tacoma); Suspension bridges--Tacoma;

Ship being towed under the Tacoma Narrows Bridge by tugboat from Foss Launch and Tug Company. View from above looking toward Point Fosdick as ship is towed north and approaches bridge. The "Donna Foss" is towing the much larger ship, the "Republic," on March 18, 1952. Assisting her is the "Agnes Foss" at the "Republic's" stern. On the other side of the ex-military transport but not seen is another tug, the "Wedell Foss."

Foss Launch & Tug Co. (Tacoma); Tugboats--Tacoma--1950-1960; Towing--Tacoma;

The Donna Foss tugboat from Foss Launch & Tug Co. has just towed a much larger ship, the ex-German military transport vessel, the "Republic", under the Tacoma Narrows Bridge in a photograph taken on March 18, 1952. Fellow tugboats, the Agnes Foss and the Wedell Foss, are aiding in the tow. The "Republic" has a long voyage scheduled; it is on its way to the Panama Canal and then onto the East Coast where it will be scrapped. Tugboats are powerful boats designed to guide and pull vessels many times their weight. Foss Launch & Tug is a long-time Tacoma firm, established in the late 1890's by Thea and Andrew Foss. Photograph ordered by Foss Launch & Tug Co. (TNT 3-20-52, A-11)

Foss Launch & Tug Co. (Tacoma); Tugboats--Tacoma--1950-1960; Towing--Tacoma; Government vessels; Tacoma Narrows Bridge (Tacoma); Suspension bridges--Tacoma;

The 590 foot ex-military transport vessel, the "Republic", is being pulled along under the Tacoma Narrows Bridge by a Foss Launch & Tug Co. tugboat, the Donna Foss, in March, 1952. The Donna Foss is being aided by two fellow tugs, the Wedell Foss and the Agnes Foss. The tugboats, although dwarfed in size by the much bigger vessel they tow, are designed to guide and pull boats despite the disparity in sizes. More powerful diesel engines, added in the early 1950's, allowed tugboats to maneuver in deep ocean waters. Photograph ordered by Foss Launch & Tug Co. (TPL-2158, TNT 3-20-52, A-11)

Foss Launch & Tug Co. (Tacoma); Tugboats--Tacoma--1950-1960; Towing--Tacoma; Government vessels; Tacoma Narrows Bridge (Tacoma); Suspension bridges--Tacoma;

Cornerstone ceremony. Bank executives from Tacoma and Seattle lay the cornerstone to the new National Bank of Washington building at South 12th and Pacific in November, 1951. From left to right are James Byers, J.K. Ewart, C.T. Chandler, G.T. Pierce, Ward Estey, Maxwell Carlson and A.H. Brouse at the site of the new annex. Carlson was the president of National Bank of Commerce (Seattle) and Brouse, trowel in hand, was the National Bank of Washington president. One of the highlights of the formal opening was the placing of a specially designed copper box in the cornerstone which contained historical documents for future generations. (TNT 11-17-51, p. 9)

National Bank of Washington (Tacoma); Banks--Tacoma; Banking--Tacoma--1950-1960;

View of bins at Washington Hardware. Washington Hardware had several locations in the downtown Tacoma business district, including 924 Pacific Ave., 923 Commerce, and a sales warehouse at 1247 Puyallup Ave. They sold a variety of products, building materials, tools, machinery, shop supplies and even sporting goods. View of Washington Hardware employee reaching into a wooden bin so that he can fill an order. Some bins have metal handles and are labeled individually with item sizes. Photograph taken on October 11, 1951; ordered by Douglas Fir Plywood Association.

Washington Hardware Co. (Tacoma); Hardware stores--Tacoma--1950-1960; Containers; Drawers (Furniture components); Douglas Fir Plywood Association (Tacoma);

View of merchandise on display at Washington Hardware. Special plywood shelving was constructed to make an attractive display of various sample products ranging from door knobs to grates on sale at a Washington Hardware location. Washington Hardware had three facilities in downtown Tacoma, including 924 Pacific Avenue, 923 Commerce, and a sales warehouse at 1247 Puyallup Avenue. Photograph taken on October 11, 1951; ordered by Douglas Fir Plywood Association.

Washington Hardware Co. (Tacoma); Hardware stores--Tacoma--1950-1960; Door knobs; Merchandise displays--Tacoma--1950-1960; Douglas Fir Plywood Association (Tacoma);

Exterior view of downtown Tacoma. In a photograph taken on September 24, 1951, looking southwest from 9th and A Streets, are a number of prominent Tacoma buildings. The multi-story "new" Tacoma Hotel and corresponding Duncan's Tacoma Hotel Garage are sandwiched between financial institutions, the Tacoma Savings & Loan and the Bank of California. After a fire destroyed the main Tacoma Hotel, its annex was remodeled in 1936 in the Savage-Scofield Building. The Bowes Building, also designed by architects Heath & Twitchell, was built in 1908 and housed the Tacoma Savings & Loan; it was later added to the National Register. Also visible are the large Puget Sound National Bank building, General Paint, Washington Building, and the Rust Building.

Hotels--Tacoma--1950-1960; Tacoma Hotel (Tacoma); Banking--Tacoma--1950-1960; Banks--Tacoma; Heath & Twitchell (Tacoma);

Adding to the expansion of the Lakewood Community Center in November, 1951, was the new branch location of Fraser's. Originally a small speciality shop, Fraser's offered a wide variety of goods and services including perfumes, fine china and crystal, travel items and lingerie. Donald J. Browne was the merchandise manager for Fraser's and the manager of the 3500 square foot Lakewood branch. View of interior of Fraser's; wall cases and individual tables display variety of fine goods including handbags, blouses, costume jewelry, table decorations. Photograph ordered by Al Graham, News Tribune. (TNT 11-14-51, C-8)

Fraser's (Lakewood); Gift shops--Lakewood--1950-1960;

Fraser's Gift Store at Lakewood Center. Exterior, front side of shop with window displays.

Fraser's (Lakewood); Gift shops--Lakewood--1950-1960;

Fraser's Gift Store at Lakewood Center. Exterior, front side of shop with window displays.

Fraser's (Lakewood); Gift shops--Lakewood--1950-1960;

Fraser's Gift Store at Lakewood Center. View of interior of store, taken on October 29, 1951.

Fraser's (Lakewood); Gift shops--Lakewood--1950-1960;