WAAC's at Headquarters. Lt. Jean Hunnewell (left) and Ruby Zdillae saluted each other on the roof of the Washington Building, 1019 Pacific Ave, that housed the Recruiting Office. Auxiliary Zdillae was home on furlough from her duties as cook stationed at Fort Sam Houston, Texas, and stopped in at the Army recruiting headquarters in late February of 1943. (T. Times 2-26-43, p. 4-alt. photograph)

World War, 1939-1945--Women--Tacoma; Zdillae, Ruth; Hunnewell, Jean;

Condon Co. was an advertising company, Roscoe A. Smith is the President and Victor Kaufman is the Vice-President. The Condon Co. was working on an advertising campaign for Mobilgas. Mobilgas sign on Washington Building, view of downtown Tacoma buildings, Rust building on left side with the Medical Arts Building (now Tacoma Municipal Building) in the left background.

Electric signs--Tacoma--1940-1950; Cityscapes; Office buildings--Tacoma--1940-1950; Condon Co., Inc. (Tacoma); Washington Building (Tacoma); Rust Building (Tacoma); Medical Arts Building (Tacoma); Petroleum industry; Advertisements;

Wallace E. Difford, Managing Director of the Douglas Fir Plywood Association retired after 8 years of service in the organization and over 30 years in the plywood business. He was presented with a pocket-watch at a banquet held at the Tacoma Club. View of four unidentified men at the banquet in honor of Mr. Difford, photo ordered by Douglas Fir Plywood Association (T. Times, 6/28/46, p. 18).

Retirements--Tacoma; Commemoration--Tacoma; Difford, Wallace E.; Douglas Fir Plywood Association (Tacoma);

Over 80,000 taxpayers from the Washington-Alaska district had already filed their Federal Income tax forms for 1948 by January of 1949. By filing before the 17th, you could expect an early tax return. The last date you could file was March 15th. Ruth Meyer sorted through stacks of mail that were opened with a cutting knife operated by Earl Chambers. (T.Times, 1/30/1949, p18)

Internal Revenue Service (Tacoma)--1940-1950; Correspondence; Income taxes--Tacoma--1940-1950; Office workers--Tacoma--1940-1950; Office equipment & supplies; Meyer, Ruth; Chambers, Earl;

Roy Woods (left) and Joe McGovern stand on a platform outside the 17th floor of the Washington Building at 1019 Pacific Ave. in this photograph from September 1948. The Earl Painting Company, owned and managed by Earl Gallmeyer, had been contracted to paint the sashes and frames of the 900 windows in the 237 foot building. (T.Times, 10/11/1948, p.5)

Washington Building (Tacoma); Buildings--Tacoma--1940-1950; Earl Painting Co. (Tacoma); Painting--Tacoma--1940-1950; Architectural elements--Tacoma; Capitals (Columns)--Tacoma; Cornices--Tacoma; Pilasters--Tacoma; Sash windows--Tacoma;

The Tacoma Club had just elected new officers for 1948, Bert Sweeting was retiring as President and B. E. Buckmaster had just been elected new President. The new club officers would hold their meetings and club activities in the newly remodeled and carpeted facilities located in the Washington Building. Interior view of the Tacoma Club with new carpeting from Selden's.

Banquet halls--Tacoma; Table settings & decorations; Floor coverings; Selden's, Inc. (Tacoma); Tacoma Club (Tacoma);

The Tacoma Club had just elected new officers for 1948, Bert Sweeting was retiring as President and B. E. Buckmaster had just been elected new President. The new club officers would hold their meetings and club activities in the newly remodeled and carpeted facilities located in the Washington Building. Interior view of the Tacoma Club with new carpeting from Selden's.

Banquet halls--Tacoma; Table settings & decorations; Murals--Tacoma; Floor coverings; Selden's, Inc. (Tacoma); Tacoma Club (Tacoma);

On March 15, 1948, last minute tax filers flocked to the fourth floor of the Washington Building at 1019 Pacific Avenue for help from the Internal Revenue Service with their Federal income tax returns. March 15th was the filing deadline, and the IRS set up tables in the hall outside their offices to deal with the crowd. An estimated 700,000 returns arrived for processing from Washington and Alaska. (T.Times, 3/16/1948, p.1) Paul Sandegren

Income taxes--Tacoma--1940-1950; Tax payers--Tacoma--1940-1950; Offices--Tacoma--1940-1950; Clerks; Internal Revenue Service (Tacoma);

Located at the busy intersection of So. 11th & Pacific in downtown Tacoma's business district is the imposing 17-story Washington Building. To the photograph's left are the Commerce Savings & Loan Association and the Bank of California. A large red neon sign noting the presence of "Bank of California" is also on the rooftop of the Washington Building. Remodeling is occurring at Selden's Carpet & Floor Coverings, located behind the Washington Building on South 11th St., as the home center is completing modernization. The 1910-era Tacoma Building is the large structure on A Street close to Selden's. Photograph ordered by the Washington Building Co. BU-10,894

Washington Building (Tacoma); Electric signs--Tacoma--1960-1970; Bank of California National Association (Tacoma); Seldens, Inc. (Tacoma); Tacoma Building (Tacoma); Business districts--Tacoma--1960-1970;

The Tacoma Chamber of Commerce recently honored three community leaders at their board meeting held at the Tacoma Club. Richard C. Boyles, currently the president of the Chamber of Commerce, is standing behind the honorees: (l-r) Robert G. Anderson, E.L. Perry and Alexander Sergienko. Mr. Anderson is the newly appointed director of Tacoma Public Works. Mr. Perry is the general manager of the Port of Tacoma and Dr. Sergienko is the new superintendent of Tacoma Public Schools. Photograph ordered by the Tacoma Chamber of Commerce. TNT (A) 029b (TNT 7-14-74, D-7)

Tacoma Chamber of Commerce (Tacoma); Chambers of commerce--Tacoma; Boyles, Richard C.; Anderson, Robert G.; Perry, E.L.; Sergienko, Alexander;

The top of the Washington Building tower, circa 1925. At 17 stories, almost everyone had to look up at this building, it was the second highest in the Northwest. The Washington Building was innovative in grouping its tenants by fields and making offices specific to those fields. The top floors were dedicated to doctors and medical offices. Some floors were huge open spaces on completion, for large concerns who would dictate where partitions would be placed. (TNT 6/30/1925, pg. 1) (WSHS)

Washington Building (Tacoma);

Interior of the "Lounging Room" of the Tacoma Club on the 17th Floor of the Washington Building. This photograph was taken for publicity for the club's Grand Opening May 10, 1937. Lounge with sofa and upholstered chairs. (WSHS)

Tacoma Club (Tacoma); Clubs--Tacoma--1930-1940;

Interior of the new facilities for The Tacoma Club, located on the 17th Floor of the Washington Building. The new, exclusive club had its Grand Opening on May 10, 1937. The first club President was John P. Weyerhaeuser, Jr. Picture of a hallway with open, arched doorways in Classical-style woodwork. The hallway leads to the Clubroom. (WSHS) (T.Times 5/10/1937, pg. 1)

Tacoma Club (Tacoma); Clubs--Tacoma--1930-1940;

Five men dressed in tuxedos pose for a portrait at Sam Perkins' 73rd birthday event held at the Tacoma Club.

Tacoma Club (Tacoma); Perkins, S.A.--Commemoration; Birthday parties--Tacoma--1930-1940;

Gathering of men at the Tacoma Club in the Washington Building to celebrate Sam Perkins 73rd birthday. Men seated at dinner table. E. T. Short, Tacoma Times columnist, seated on right. The party for Mr. Perkins birthday was attended by over 100 friends and business associates from his 50 plus years in Tacoma. (T. Times 5/5/1938, pg. 1)

Tacoma Club (Tacoma); Perkins, S.A.--Commemoration; Birthday parties--Tacoma--1930-1940;

Sam Perkins celebrates his 73rd birthday with friends at the Tacoma Club. Mayor Smitley (far right) and another man sing happy birthday as he prepares to blow out the candles on his huge cake. Mr. Perkins was born in Boston on May 6, 1865 and was christened Sidney Albert Perkins. That moniker was soon shortened to "Sam." For his 73rd birthday, he was feted by some of the friends he made in over 50 years of business in Tacoma. Mr. Perkins was best known locally as the owner of the Tacoma Daily Ledger and the News. (T. Times 5/5/1938, pg. 1)

Tacoma Club (Tacoma); Perkins, S.A.--Commemoration; Birthday parties--Tacoma--1930-1940; Smitley, George A., 1872-1956; Mayors--Tacoma--1930-1940;

Circa 1925.

The foreman and crew of "erectors" for the Scandinavian-American Bank being built at 1019 Pacific Avenue were photographed during a pause in work in November of 1920. The erectors were responsible for raising the 32-ton beams and 60-foot steel columns into position. The 12 men were handpicked for their steady nerves, even tempers and ability to work as team players. The first two floors alone contained over 1,000 tons of steel. The planned 16 story building rose beam by beam until January of 1921 when the bank failed and construction was shut down. The building was eventually completed in 1925 for the Washington-California Co. and named the Washington Building. (TDL 11/14/1920, pg. B-7) BU-10760, Boland B 3244, TPL-9548

Scandinavian-American Bank (Tacoma); Building construction--Tacoma--1920-1930; Construction industry--Tacoma--1920-1930;

One of the "erectors" dangles high in the air in this November 1920 photograph, attaching chains and wires that will pull the 60 foot column into position at the Scandinavian-American Bank (now the Washington Building) construction site. The skeleton of the building was put together by the erectors, who were followed by the riveters. As designed, the building would ascend to 16 stories. Over 1,000 tons of steel were used in the first 2 floors alone. (TDL 11/14/1920, pg. B-7) BU 10, 756, Boland B 3212

Scandinavian-American Bank (Tacoma); Building construction--Tacoma--1920-1930; Construction industry--Tacoma--1920-1930;

The "erectors" get one of the massive 32 ton steel beams into position at the construction site of the Scandinavian-American Bank (later the Washington Building) in this November 1920 photograph. The beams were lifted into place by a pulley system and then rivetted. Because the main banking room, when completed, would be the largest open space on the Pacific Coast without a supporting pillar or post, the massive cross beams required specially designed lifting equipment. When completed, the room was to measure 60 feet frontage, 100 feet deep and 30 feet from floor to ceiling. However, construction was halted when the bank failed in 1921. The building was resold, redesigned and completed in 1925 as the Washington Building. (TDL 11/14/1920, pg. B-7) BU 10, 758, G17.1-122 TPL-9944

Scandinavian-American Bank (Tacoma); Building construction--Tacoma--1920-1930; Construction industry--Tacoma--1920-1930;

ca. 1925. The Washington Building under construction. Construction on the modern American skyscraper in downtown Tacoma began in 1919 for the Scandinavian American bank, but halted a couple of years later when the bank closed. The steel structure sat deserted until it was completed in 1925 for the Washington-California Co. and dedicated on June 29, 1925. At 17 stories, it was the second tallest building in the Northwest. (WSHS)

Washington Building (Tacoma); Office buildings--Tacoma--1920-1930; Business districts--Tacoma--1920-1930;

ca. 1925. Washington Building at 1019 Pacific Ave. and on the left, the Rust building at 950 Pacific Ave.The Washington Building was finished in 1925. At 17 stories, it was the second tallest building in the Northwest. The Rust building measures in at 12 stories. It is named after its builder William R. Rust. (WSHS-negative A695-0)

Washington Building (Tacoma); Rust Building (Tacoma);

Tacoma Club. Facilities on 17th Floor of Washington Building. Hallway opening off elevators. Two mirror tables accent the walls between the three elevator doors. Photograph ordered by the Tacoma Times for coverage of the Club's Grand Opening May 10, 1937. (WSHS)

Tacoma Club (Tacoma); Clubs--Tacoma--1930-1940;

Interior of new facilities for The Tacoma Club on the 17th Floor of the Washington Building. President, John P. Weyerhaeuser, Jr. Dining room with cloth-covered tables and modern chairs. The Grand Opening for the new club was held May 10, 1937.

Tacoma Club (Tacoma); Dining rooms--Tacoma--1930-1940;

Gathering of men at the Tacoma Club in the Washington Building to celebrate Sam Perkins 73rd birthday. Group of men seated and standing around dinner table, Perkins far left; Mayor Smitley third from left.

Tacoma Club (Tacoma); Perkins, S.A.--Commemoration; Birthday parties--Tacoma--1930-1940;

Electrical Products Consolidated manufactured signs. They also manufactured street lights in the downtown Tacoma area. View of Mobilgas sign above the Washington Building, lights through building windows.

Electric signs--Tacoma--1940-1950; Electric lighting--Tacoma; Electrical Products Consolidated (Tacoma); Mobilgas;

Northwest Door Company was one of the leading plywood companies in Tacoma, they manufactured plywood panels and doors. Herman E. Tenzler was the President of Northwest, the plywood plant was located at 1203 East D Street. View of Ken Pryor, salesman for Northwest Door Company, at his desk in office number 916 in the Washington Building.

Sales personnel--Tacoma; Business people--Tacoma--1940-1950; Lumber industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Offices--Tacoma--1940-1950; Plywood; Northwest Door Co., Inc. (Tacoma); Pryor, Kenneth G.; Washington Building (Tacoma);

Philip H. Fisher received a four-year scholarship of $300 annually to the University of Washington based on his scholastic record in August of 1952. The scholarship was provided by Fred C. Shanaman, president of Pennsylvania Salt Manufacturing Company, to a son or daughter of a company employee. Congratulating Philip at the Tacoma Club are, L-R, Fred C. Shanaman, Philip H. Fisher, Harry S. Fisher, Philip's father, and Kenneth C. Jones, superintendent of Federal Way High School where Philip was a student. (TNT, 9/12/1952, p.A-8)

Pennsylvania Salt Manufacturing Co. of Washington (Tacoma)--People; Shanaman, Frederick Charles, 1901-1982; Men--Tacoma--1950-1960; Tacoma Club (Tacoma); Fisher, Philip H.; Fisher, Harry S.; Beitzel, George B.;

Room inside Tacoma Club. The Tacoma Club, located on the 17th floor of the Washington Building, was organized and incorporated in November, 1936. (filed with Argentum)

Tacoma Club (Tacoma);

Card room w/small tables and piano in corner, believed to be inside the Tacoma Club. (filed with Argentum)

Tacoma Club (Tacoma);