Rain soaked streets would not prevent the opening of the new National Bank of Washington branch at South 12th and Pacific in November, 1951. The new branch addition was built on the site of the original Tacoma Chamber of Commerce building, and would house the installment credit department. A well-lit tunnel would connect the main bank building and its new annex. Under the direction of president A.H. Brouse, the National Bank of Washington saw its assets grow from 19 million in 1937 to 119 million dollars by 1951. The bank had provided uninterrupted service in Tacoma since 1885. Exterior view of National Bank of Washington; Pioneer, Inc., manufacturers of business forms for banks and commercial printers, to the rear. (TNT 11-15-51, A-4, A-5)

Banking--Tacoma--1950-1960; Banks--Tacoma; National Bank of Washington (Tacoma); Pioneer, Inc. (Tacoma);

Art Mineo, at left kneeling with hat in hand, and a group of raucous, laughing musicians. In the top row, third from left is the great jazz pianist Oscar Peterson. This photograph was taken at the opening of the newly remodeled New Yorker Cafe in November of 1951. Peterson, tenor saxophonist "Flip" Phillips (standing, far right) and trombonist Bill Harris (front row center) came down from Seattle, where they were appearing with the Jazz at the Philharmonic road show, to sit in and jam for the opening.

New Yorker Cafe (Tacoma); Art Mineo Orchestra (Tacoma); Musicians--Tacoma--1950-1960; Mineo, Art; Cafes--Tacoma--1950-1960; Peterson, Oscar;

Attilio (Art) Mineo on bass, Dick Morehead on drums, Oscar Peterson on piano, Joe (Flip) Phillips on saxophone and Bill Harris on trombone "jam" in the Coney Island Room on the opening night of Mike DeVoto's New Yorker, in November of 1951. Peterson, Phillips and Harris were performing in Seattle with the Jazz at the Philharmonic road show when they saw a notice for the opening. They called Mineo and asked to sit in. Musical history was made as they jammed until closing, leaving Mineo's hired orchestra in the audience to enjoy the music. Art Mineo's career in music began in the 1930s with dance bands on the east coast. He moved to Tacoma after the Second World War and stayed after he married Toni Lento, whose father was a well-known Tacoma musician. The Art Mineo Quartet performed three nights a week at the New Yorker, 1501 6th Ave., for over 20 years. (TNT 11-15-51, C-10, 11& firsthand information supplied by Art Mineo)

New Yorker Cafe (Tacoma); Art Mineo Orchestra (Tacoma); Musicians--Tacoma--1950-1960; Mineo, Art; Cafes--Tacoma--1950-1960; Peterson, Oscar; Phillips, Joe "Flip"; Harris, Bill; Morehead, Dick;

The Coney Island room of the newly remodeled New Yorker cafe and nightclub is packed with dancers enjoying the sweet swing sounds of the Art Mineo Orchestra in a November, 1951, photograph. The showroom had hardwood dance floors and a clever two stages-in-one concept. Nightly dancing and big time entertainment were staples of the New Yorker, owned by Mike and Pat DeVoto. (TNT 11-15-51, C-10, 11)

New Yorker Cafe (Tacoma); Art Mineo Orchestra (Tacoma); Mineo, Art; Cafes--Tacoma--1950-1960; Musicians--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Legendary jazz pianist Oscar Peterson "jams" with Art Mineo on bass, Dick Morehead on drums, Joe "Flip" Phillips on tenor saxophone and Bill Harris on trombone on November 12, 1951, the opening night of the newly remodeled New Yorker Cafe. Peterson, Phillips and Harris were performing in Seattle with the Jazz at the Philharmonic road show when they called Mineo to sit in at the opening. The jazz greats jammed until closing, creating an unforgettable night of music in Tacoma. Peterson had joined Jazz at the Philharmonic in 1950 as a relative unknown and was rapidly gaining recognition in the jazz world. (information supplied by Art Mineo)

New Yorker Cafe (Tacoma); Art Mineo Orchestra (Tacoma); Mineo, Art; Musicians--Tacoma--1950-1960; Cafes--Tacoma--1950-1960; Peterson, Oscar; Phillips, Joe "Flip"; Harris, Bill; Morehead, Dick;

Jazz greats, left to right, Art Mineo on bass, Joe "Flip" Phillips on tenor saxophone, Oscar Peterson on piano and Bill Harris on trombone deliver sweet sounds for the opening of the newly remodeled New Yorker Cafe in November of 1951. Mineo and his 10-piece orchestra had been hired to play the opening night when Mineo received a call from Peterson, Phillips and Harris asking to sit in. The trio were playing in Seattle with the Jazz at the Philharmonic road show. The result was Tacoma history, as the group jammed into the small hours of the morning, closing the club and sending the lucky audience dancing into the dawn. Art Mineo passed away at age 91 on July 27, 2010. (from information previously supplied by Art Mineo)

New Yorker Cafe (Tacoma); Cafes--Tacoma--1950-1960; Art Mineo Orchestra (Tacoma); Mineo, Art; Musicians--Tacoma--1950-1960; Phillips, Joe; Peterson, Oscar; Harris, Bill;

Oscar Peterson and Bill Harris express exaggerated shock at the prices on the menu of the newly remodeled New Yorker Cafe. Holding the menu are possibly owners Patricia and Michael DeVoto. The presence of the jazz greats at the opening was a happy surprise. Peterson and Harris were performing in Seattle with the Jazz at the Philharmonic road show when they called old pal Art Mineo, now settled in Tacoma and hired to provide music for the opening, to "sit in" with his orchestra. The rest is history as the group jammed until closing, providing a memorial night of jazz for the opening night club goers.

New Yorker Cafe (Tacoma); Cafes--Tacoma--1950-1960; Peterson, Oscar; Harris, Bill;

Exterior view of Selden's of Lakewood. Large plate glass windows display Selden's merchandise in the Selden's of Lakewood new store located in the new addition to the Lakewood Community Center. The November, 1951, photograph shows floor coverings, stoves and refrigerators in the Colonial style brick building. Sydney C. Selden, Jr., son of Selden's Inc. founder, Sydney C. Selden, Sr., was the president of Selden's of Lakewood. He began his career in the family business as an apprentice before becoming credit manager. Selden, Sr., saw the business expand from five employees to 180 with stores in Tacoma, Longview, Chehalis, Olympia, and now Lakewood. (TNT 11-14-51, C-18)

Selden's of Lakewood, Inc. (Lakewood); Stores & shops--Lakewood--1950-1960; Floor coverings; Rugs; Refrigerators;

New Yorker. This portion of the "new" New Yorker spotlighted the cocktail lounge, called the "Manhattan Room," with its subdued lighting and lighted replica of the New York City skyline. The "new" New Yorker, at Sixth & Cushman, celebrated its grand opening on November 16, 1951. It was owned and operated by Pat and Mike De Voto. (TNT 11-15-1951, C-11-alt. photo)

Bars--Tacoma--1950-1960; New Yorker Cafe (Tacoma);

Baker's Men's Shop celebrated their grand opening of their new branch location at the newly expanded and remodeled Lakewood Community Center in November, 1951. Baker's was owned by brothers Donald T. Baker and Le Roy F. Baker; their Lakewood store was managed by Darrell Sanders. "Personal service with nationally advertised brands" was Baker's sales slogan. View of interior of Baker's Lakewood Center store; store featured large clothing display of suits and topcoats, also Stetson hats and casual wear. (TNT 11-14-51, C-12)

Clothing stores--Lakewood; Stores & shops--Lakewood; Baker's Men's Shop (Lakewood); Hats--1950-1960; Clothing & dress--Lakewood--1950-1960;

Dining room with band in center right on elevated stage and dance floor below. This was the "Coney Island" room of the "new" New Yorker restaurant prior to its grand opening on November 16, 1951. Operated by Pat and Mike De Voto, it featured "big time floor shows and dancing nightly" and well-prepared food. The spacious "Coney Island" room had two stages with a permanent platform. Art Mineo's 10-piece orchestra performed there as well as special guest entertainers. (TNT 11-15-1951, C-11)

Dining rooms--Tacoma--1950-1960; New Yorker Cafe (Tacoma); Restaurants--Tacoma--1950-1960;

In November of 1951, local coffee roaster Wood Coffee Company had an aisle-long display of their one and two pound coffee cans at the Big Bear grocery store in Tacoma's Stadium District. Big Bear was celebrating its redecoration with specials such as Wood's Coffee for 75 cents a pound or two pounds for $1.49. The Wood Coffee Co., located at 1517 Commerce St., was founded by John Wood, Sr., in 1905. Three years after John Wood, Sr. died, in 1951, the Wood Coffee Co. was sold to the Mello-Cup Coffee Co. of Seattle. (TNT 11-7-51, p. 11- ad for Big Bear)

Big Bear Stores (Tacoma); Wood Coffee Co. (Tacoma); Merchandise displays--Tacoma--1950-1960; Grocery stores--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Cocktail lounge with New York skyline against mirrored wall and upholstered boothes and chairs at tables. This was the "Manhattan Room," the cocktail lounge of the "new" New Yorker, located at Sixth & Cushman. Subdued lighting, comfortable seating and a eye-catching replica of the NYC skyline made the "Manhattan Room" a good choice for quiet reflection and conversation. (TNT 11-15-1951, C-11)

Bars--Tacoma--1950-1960; New Yorker Cafe (Tacoma);

The Lakewood Country Store, located in the Lakewood Community Center, was a unique department store of the early 50's; it managed to keep up-to-date inventory in its many departments while keeping the country ambience of the past. A customer could purchase anything from fine gifts to thimbles to hunting supplies at the Lakewood Country Store. View of the Ladies and Sportswear departments; Van Raalte nylon lingerie was listed on sale in newspaper ads at $8.95 for nighties and $6.95 for slips. Stockings, Belle-Sharmeer brand, could be purchased from $1.35 to $1.95 a pair. Graff man-tailored jackets were selling for $12.95 a piece. One-stop shopping, including a stop at the cracker barrel and cheese display, was made convenient for suburban shoppers. (TNT 11-14-51, C-2, C-3-5)

Department stores--Lakewood--1950-1960; Stores & shops--Lakewood--1950-1960; Lakewood Country Store (Lakewood); Lingerie; Underwear; Sport Clothes;

Lakewood Pharmacy, view of interior taken from soda fountain. Founded in 1937, the Lakewood Pharmacy gone undergone its fourth store enlargement by November, 1951. The last remodeling added an additional 50% in floor space. Jack C. Lowe and Daniel W. McDowell were the owners and registered pharmacists. The pharmacy ran a full page ad in the November 14, 1951, News Tribune which entreated customers to purchase items ranging from Medosweet ice cream to baby supplies. (TNT 11-14-51, C-20, C-21) TPL-9168

Drugstores--Lakewood; Pharmacists--Lakewood; Lakewood Pharmacy (Lakewood); Soda fountains--Lakewood;

Lakewood Pharmacy was not a new tenant of the expanded Lakewood Community Center but it had recently undergone its fourth remodeling in 1951 and added 50% more floor space to the business. Owned and operated by registered pharmacists Jack C. Lowe and Daniel W. McDowell, the drugstore not only dispensed medicines but also sold a variety of useful items. View of interior of pharmacy, showing card racks and tables laden with candy, tissues, baby items and stationery. The soda fountain, to the rear of the store, was one of the busiest in the area. Customers could even take home some delicious Medosweet Ice Cream in brick form due to the modern walk-in storage facilities. (TNT 11-14-51, C-20,C-21)

Drugstores--Lakewood; Pharmacists--Lakewood; Lakewood Pharmacy (Lakewood); Soda fountains--Lakewood;

Heavy wire screens served not only to keep insects at bay but also provided additional security features. The California Wire Cloth Corporation, located in Seattle, sold heavy screens to the National Guard; view of wooden building at Camp Murray with doorway and three windows all screened. Photograph ordered by California Wire Cloth Corporation.

California Wire Cloth Corp. (Seattle); Screens--Camp Murray; Camp Murray (Wash.);

The California Wire Cloth Corporation manufactured heavy wire screens. They were located in Seattle at 3434 - 2nd Avenue South. They sold their products to the Washington State Department of Military, which outfitted their buildings at Camp Murray. Daylight longshot view of building at Camp Murray with screens; photograph taken on November 5, 1951. Photograph ordered by California Wire Cloth Corporation.

California Wire Cloth Corp. (Seattle); Screens--Camp Murray; Camp Murray (Wash.);

The Lakewood Country Store purchased several full page ads welcoming customers to their new location on Mount Tacoma Dr. in the newly expanded Lakewood Community Center. Headlines proclaiming the Lakewood Country Store as the "Northwest's newest and most unusual department store" ran in November, 1951, newspapers. The Country Store, owned by Ed Stevens, carried such varied items as hardware, notions, paints and women's clothing. View of notions department with napkins, imported towels, non-shrink yarns on display. The old cracker barrel and supply of cheese, a favorite of adults and children alike, would also remain in the new store. Artist Connie Brady's murals also decorated the store; her mural of an old country store is placed directly over a display of brooms and mops. (TNT 11-14-51, C-2,3)

Department stores--Lakewood--1950-1960; Stores & shops--Lakewood--1950-1960; Lakewood Country Store (Lakewood); Yarn; Towels; Murals--Lakewood;

The "Staten Room" was the main dining room of the "new" New Yorker restaurant located at Sixth & Cushman in 1951. It had a capacity of 150 diners. The rubberized folding walls made it possible to have smaller private rooms for special occasions. (TNT 11-15-1951, C-11)

Dining rooms--Tacoma--1950-1960; New Yorker Cafe (Tacoma); Restaurants--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Interior of Ghilarducci's Floral Shop, Lakewood. Cool room on right with floral arrangements inside, cash register and counter at the rear with shelves above and beside it with plants and planters. Known as "Gilly's," it was a small scale reproduction of the downtown Ghilarducci's California Florist store. Located next to the new Town & Country shop, Gilly's aim was to serve suburbanites. The 30 X 24 foot interior had one wall of cork, one of red brick and one of glass. It opened on November 5, 1951 and was managed by Margaret Moritz. (TNT 11-14-1951, C-6)

Gilly's (Lakewood); Florist shops--Lakewood;

Lakewood Country Store, Gift Department. Tables and walls filled with glassware, games, and other gifts on display in mid-November of 1951. The Lakewood Country Store was located in the Lakewood Community Center which had recently expanded.

Lakewood Country Store (Lakewood); Department stores--Lakewood--1950-1960; Stores & shops--Lakewood--1950-1960;

Lakewood Country Store, Hardware Department. Four counters containing hardware items, paint against wall, tools in the back. Photograph taken in November of 1951.

Lakewood Country Store (Lakewood); Stores & shops--Lakewood; Department stores--Lakewood--1950-1960; Hardware;

Mueller-Harkins Motor Company opened a new automobile accessories store in late 1951. View of exterior of store showing Firestone neon sign; store is lighted from within to show tires, sample material for seat covers, and batteries on sale. Signs on the windows promote Firestone tires; one offers to trade in old worn-out tires for Firestone replacements while another sign advertises Firestone polar grip winter treads. Photograph ordered by Condon Co.

Mueller-Harkins Motor Co. (Tacoma); Signs (Notices); Electric signs--Tacoma--1950-1960; Tires; Condon Co., Inc. (Tacoma);

The Mueller-Harkins Motor Company opened a new accessories store in their Saint Helens Avenue building in late 1951. Sepia photograph shows three men examining products for sale; Firestone tires were prominently featured along with Prestone anti-freeze and seat cover materials. A prudent shopper could purchase tire chains in preparation for icy roads for a cost between $10 and $14. The store even provided a Coca-Cola machine where thirst could be quenched for a mere nickel. Photograph ordered by Condon Co.

Mueller-Harkins Motor Co. (Tacoma); Signs (Notices); Tires; Condon Co., Inc. (Tacoma);

The recently opened National Bank of Washington annex on South 12th Street and Pacific Avenue, as photographed on February 6, 1952. Mondau's Tug Boat Restaurant can be seen next door (on the far right) at 1205 Pacific Avenue. Various automobiles are seen parked along South 12th Street.

National Bank of Washington (Tacoma); Banks--Tacoma; Banking--Tacoma--1950-1960; Automobiles--Tacoma--1950-1960; Mondau's Tug Boat Restaurant & Tavern (Tacoma);

Two small tables with jewelry and a purse. Gloves, dress, and a suit are hanging by the closets. Also includes a small table with telephone and chair. Two chairs are by a table in another room. These tasteful items were part of the newly renovated Lou Johnson's located in the Lakewood Center as pictured on November 13, 1951. Lou Johnson's had been located in Lakewood since 1944 as the first of its kind to open in the district, specializing in fine apparel for women. The renovation added new lighting and soft colors to the shop. Mrs. Earl Fraser was the manager of the Lakewood Lou Johnson's. The store's parent company had been located at 755 Broadway since the mid-1920's. (TNT 11-14-1951, C-10)

Lou Johnson, Inc. (Lakewood); Clothing stores--Lakewood;

Floral displays decorate the lobby and main floor of the new National Bank of Washington's 12th and Pacific building in November, 1951. The building is an annex of the main branch and will house the installment credit department. Customers can also make deposits and withdrawls, including transactions through drive-up windows. A.H. Brouse is the president of National Bank of Washington; in his ten year term, he has seen bank assets grow 100 million dollars. (TNT 11-15-51, A-4, A-5)

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

South Tacoma's Main Yon Cafe had the grand opening of their new dining room in early November, 1951. The Main Yon's new dining room had comfortable booth seating and was beautifully decorated with a Chinese themed wall mural. Orchids for the ladies and ice cream and coffee were offered free during the grand opening. Owned and operated by "Charlie" Eng Sing Poy, the Main Yon had been in business for 16 years. Originally from Canton, China, Mr. Eng Sing Poy received his naturalization papers in October, 1951. Photograph ordered by Udall Construction Company. TPL-8120 (TNT 11-6-1951, p. 7)

Main Yon Cafe (Tacoma); Restaurants--Tacoma--1950-1960; Eng, Sing Poy; Murals--Tacoma; Udall Construction Co. (Tacoma);

Coffee shop with long bar with stools, rows of booths on right, three rounded booths at rear. This was dubbed the "Long Island Coffee Shop," part of the "new" New Yorker restaurant in November of 1951. The restaurant was celebrating its grand opening on November 16, 1951. The coffee shop faced Sixth Avenue and was open from 7 a.m. to closing (either midnight or 1 a.m.) weekdays. Only food was served on Sundays at the New Yorker. (TNT 11-15-1951, C-11-article)

New Yorker Cafe (Tacoma); Restaurants--Tacoma--1950-1960; Flower arrangements;