1973 Tacoma Home Show. A representative of Holly Homes is pictured on the opening day of the Tacoma Home Show, March 13, 1973, speaking to an interested mother about Holly Homes' various house plans. Holly Homes was one of more than 70 exhibitors at the Home Show; for the first time, the event was held at the Tacoma Mall Shopping Center, already an important gathering spot for local residents. Photograph ordered by Holly Homes.

Greater Tacoma Home Show (Tacoma); Holly Homes, Inc.; Exhibit booths--Tacoma--1970-1980; Tacoma Mall Shopping Center (Tacoma);

1977 Tacoma Home Show. A visitor to the 1977 Tacoma Home Show, held at the Tacoma Mall, pauses to speak to Brookdale Homes employees at their wood paneled exhibition booth. Orville H. Torgeson was the president of the company, located at 13602 Pacific Ave. South in Parkland.

Greater Tacoma Home Show (Tacoma); Exhibit booths--Tacoma--1970-1980; Brookdale Homes (Parkland);

1977 Tacoma Home Show. "Because life is precious," RSI Security & Fire Systems advertised a number of life saving equipment at the 1977 Tacoma Home Show. A smiling representative of the firm sits behind a red-curtained table awaiting interested passersby. "Life Ladders," smoke alarms, security lighting and cameras were all on display.

Greater Tacoma Home Show (Tacoma); Exhibit booths--Tacoma--1970-1980; Security systems--Tacoma; Safety equipment;

Mayor Gordon Johnston and Pierce County Commissioner Clay Huntington jointly do the honors in opening the 1977 Tacoma Home Show held at the Tacoma Mall. At the far left is Gordon Rockwell, show chairman. Each year thousands of spectators would peruse the various exhibits demonstrating the latest trends in home decor. This was the 31st annual home show. (TNT 3-22-77, B-15-article)

Greater Tacoma Home Show (Tacoma); Dedications--Tacoma--1970-1980; Mayors--Tacoma--1970-1980; Johnston, Gordon N.; Huntington, Clay; Rockwell, Gordon;

1973 Tacoma Home Show. A mock living room, tiny as it appears, still draws several interested visitors due to the solid state television and comfortable chairs. It is possible that the two young men seated before the television are using two controllers to play an early version of a video game. This was the Bon Marche's exhibit booth at the 1973 Tacoma Home Show. For the first time in the show's 27-year history, the six-day event was held at the Tacoma Mall Shopping Center. Hundreds would flock to the Mall on opening day, March 13, 1973.

Greater Tacoma Home Show (Tacoma); Exhibit booths--Tacoma--1970-1980; Tacoma Mall Shopping Center (Tacoma); Televisions;

Tacoma Home Show grand opening. Pierce County Commissioner Clay Huntington wields a pair of large shears to snip the ribbon for the opening day of the 1978 Tacoma Home Show. He is assisted by Tacoma mayor, Mike Parker. It was Mayor Parker's first time officiating at the Home Show, a duty that his predecessor, Gordon Johnston, had performed for many years. The Home Show was held at the Tacoma Mall for the sixth straight year. Photograph ordered by the Homebuilders Association of Greater Tacoma.

Greater Tacoma Home Show (Tacoma); Dedications--Tacoma--1970-1980; Mayors--Tacoma--1970-1980; Parker, Michael; Huntington, Clay;

Modular home. Modular Pacific Corporation built and erected two full-sized modular homes in the Tacoma Mall's east parking lot near J.C. Penney for the 1976 Tacoma Home Show. They were both fully landscaped and furnished. The homes were expandable units with 12-foot unfinished extension areas added to both floor plans in the "independence" line. This particular line of modular homes was affordably priced. View of one of the modular homes; the one-story unit is either Independence 1200 or Independence 960. The homes attracted hordes of visitors during the Home Show's March 9-14th run. Photograph ordered by Modular Pacific Corporation, Seattle. (TNT 3-7-76, H-2 article; TNT 3-8-76, Home Show insert-article)

Greater Tacoma Home Show (Tacoma); Modular construction--Tacoma--1970-1980; Houses--Tacoma--1970-1980;

Shoppers in the region rejoiced at the opening of the new west end extension of the Tacoma Mall on July 25, 1973. 20 more stores were added to the popular shopping center bringing its total to about 110. 1973 Daffodil Queen Sherri Murrey, Mayor Gordon N. Johnston, and Tacoma Mall executive vice-president Marvin Boys (next to the mayor) were among the dignitaries participating in the addition's ribbon-cutting ceremonies. Photograph ordered by the Tacoma Mall Corporation.

Dedications--Tacoma--1970-1980; Building dedications--Tacoma--1970-1980; Tacoma Mall Shopping Center (Tacoma); Shopping centers--Tacoma--1970-1980; Murrey, Sherri; Mayors--Tacoma--1970-1980; Johnston, Gordon N.; Boys, Marvin;

1973 Tacoma Home Show. In lieu of the traditional ribbon snipping, Tacoma Mayor Gordon Johnston (extreme r) and County Commissioner Clay Huntington (2nd from left) put some muscle into the 8-foot logger's saw as it sliced through a 2 x 4. They officially opened the 27th edition of the Tacoma Home Show at the Tacoma Mall. This was a new venue for the Home Show; for the past 23 years it had been located at the University of Puget Sound Fieldhouse and prior to that, at the Tacoma Armory. Admission to the Home Show was free. Hundreds attended opening day to look, try, and dream about the 70+ Home Show exhibitions. The Tacoma Home Show would run from March 13-18th. Photograph ordered by the Home Builders Association of Greater Tacoma. (TNT 3-13-73, p. 2 -article)

Greater Tacoma Home Show (Tacoma); Dedications--Tacoma--1970-1980; Mayors--Tacoma--1970-1980; Johnston, Gordon N.; Huntington, Clay; Saws;

1973 Tacoma Home Show. County Commissioner Clay Huntington (left) and Tacoma Mayor Gordon Johnston (right) lend a hand in the grand opening festivities of the 1973 Tacoma Home Show. For the first time in its 27-year history, the Home Show was held at the Tacoma Mall. As the signs held by the officials indicate, the event running from March 13-18 was free and those in attendance need not have worried about cold/rain/hail or sleet as the Mall was covered and climate controlled. Both Mayor Johnston and Commissioner Huntington wore hard hats and overalls -and ties- during the ceremony. They had used the 8-foot logger's saw to snap the 2 x 4 wooden "ribbon." This was also the first year without longtime Home Show promoter, Patrick O'Toole; Mr. O'Toole had died in a car accident in California ten months ago. Photograph ordered by the Home Builders Association of Greater Tacoma. (TNT 3-14-73, C-8)

Greater Tacoma Home Show (Tacoma); Mayors--Tacoma--1970-1980; Johnston, Gordon N.; Huntington, Clay; Tacoma Mall Shopping Center (Tacoma); Dedications--Tacoma--1970-1980; Saws;

1974 Tacoma Home Show. For the second year in a row, the Tacoma Home Show was held at the Tacoma Mall. Among the many exhibitors was the Boedecker Co., a Tacoma cleaning company in business since 1919. Their booth outside of the Jay Jacobs clothing store featured the "Rug" Doctor. Those wishing to get their carpets thoroughly cleaned could rent the "Rug" Doctor, by appointment only. Rental rates posted indicated that a 4-hour rent would run $12, all day (actually 8 1/2 hours) at $20 and overnight for $15. For really dirty carpets, a $25 charge for nearly 24 hours was also offered. A "Rug" Doctor and strip of carpet awaited customers eager to try out the product. Organizers of the 28th annual Tacoma Home Show would later report that attendance at the five-day event was about 300,000, roughly the same as the previous year. Color photograph ordered by the Boedecker Co., Inc.

Greater Tacoma Home Show (Tacoma); Exhibit booths--Tacoma--1970-1980; Cleaning--Tacoma--1970-1980; Floor coverings; Signs (Notices);

1977 Tacoma Home Show. Once again, the annual Tacoma Home Show was held at the Tacoma Mall where visitors could stroll comfortably under cover to view the latest ideas for remodelers, redecorators, home builders and landscapers. Among the many exhibits was the well-known Atlas Van Lines hydroplane U-76, whose appearance was sponsored by Ed's Moving & Storage, 1632 E. 26th. Ed's Moving & Storage was an agent for Atlas Van Lines. A scale model of the hydroplane would be given away in a free drawing. The U-76 was piloted and owned by Bill Muncey. (TNT 3-21-77, Tacoma Home Show insert-article)

Greater Tacoma Home Show (Tacoma); Exhibit booths--Tacoma--1970-1980; Hydroplanes--Tacoma; Ed's Moving & Storage (Tacoma); Atlas Van Lines (Tacoma);

1974 Tacoma Home Show. Visitors to the 28th edition of the Tacoma Home Show appear fascinated at the workings of the "Rug" Doctor as demonstrated in the Boedecker Co.'s exhibit booth. "Rug" Doctors were available at the home show by appointment only, for specified times and rates. They were a new brand of carpet cleaners and carpet cleaning products that were established in 1972. Color photograph ordered by Boedecker Co., Inc.

Greater Tacoma Home Show (Tacoma); Exhibit booths--Tacoma--1970-1980; Cleaning--Tacoma--1970-1980; Floor coverings; Signs (Notices);