The staff of Puget Sound Collections, Inc., shown at work on May 3, 1971. Frank B. Rossiter, president, is standing with arms folded. Other personnel are either searching the card catalogs and file cabinets or seated at their desks. Standing are: Carol Dodge (foreground) and Melody Ashley. Seated (front to back) are: Vicki Edling, Lois Taylor, Shirley Curley, Katherine Klatt and Dean Majors. Puget Sound Collections, Inc., dealt with commercial accounts. The firm was located at 1301 Washington Building on Pacific Avenue. Photograph ordered by Puget Sound Collections, Inc. (Additional information provided by readers)

Puget Sound Collections, Inc. (Tacoma); Rossiter, Frank; Dodge, Carol; Ashley, Melody; Edling, Vicki; Taylor, Lois; Curley, Shirley; Klatt, Katherine; Majors, Dean; Office workers--Tacoma--1970-1980; Office equipment & supplies;

Washington Building. The venerable Washington Building is still located in downtown Tacoma at So. 11th & Pacific Ave. Initial construction was in 1919 for the Scandinavian-American Bank but was halted when the bank failed. It was finally completed in 1925 for the Washington-California Co. At 17-stories, it was the "second tallest in the entire Northwest" at the time. Located in the heart of the commercial district, the striking structure had a large red neon sign indicating the presence of its neighbor, the Bank of California. Other businesses in the vicinity included Peoples department store across the street and Selden's furniture store next door. A $700,000 cooling and heating system was installed in August of 1970 in the Washington Building. The system was set to begin operations on or about September 15, 1970. The 400-ton-capacity cooler was installed under the building and the 2-ton cooling tower on the roof. Photograph ordered by the Washington Building. (article on cooling system - TNT 8-16-70, A-18)

Washington Building (Tacoma); Electric signs--Tacoma--1970-1980; Peoples (Tacoma); Department stores--Tacoma--1970-1980; Seldens, Inc. (Tacoma); Business districts--Tacoma--1970-1980; Commercial streets--Tacoma--1970-1980;

Washington Building. This color photograph of the Washington Building was believed to have been taken from the viewpoint of the Pacific First Federal Savings & Loan Association building on August 6, 1970. The red neon Bank of California sign on top of the Washington Building stands brightly out amidst the gray landscape. One side of the 17-story structure faces 11th St.; at that time 11th St. was a one-way street only, heading uphill. Other notable buildings in the vicinity included Peoples department store across the street; Seldens furniture next door, and the Tacoma Building. A sliver of the Bank of California with the Commerce Savings & Loan banner is visible. Color photograph ordered by the Washington Building.

Washington Building (Tacoma); Electric signs--Tacoma--1970-1980; Seldens, Inc. (Tacoma); Peoples (Tacoma); Tacoma Building (Tacoma); Business districts--Tacoma--1970-1980; Commercial streets--Tacoma--1970-1980;

ca. 1925. The new Washington Building had its Grand Opening in June of 1925. Construction of the building was begun in 1919 for the Scandinavian American Bank and halted in 1921 when the bank failed. It was completed in 1925 and was, at that time, the second tallest building in the Northwest. The main tenant at its opening was the Brotherhood Cooperative National Bank. The Cooperative Bank was the first of its kind in any Northwest City. Although it was part of the Brotherhood group of banks, strong in the eastern part of the country, the local bank had local supporters, management and share holders, many of them working men. It was approved by both the Federated Improvement Clubs of Tacoma and the labor unions. (TNT 6/30/1925, pg. 14)(WSHS)

Washington Building (Tacoma); Brotherhood Cooperative National Bank (Tacoma); Banks--Tacoma--1920-1930;

ca. 1925. Construction on the Washington Building started in 1919 for the Scandinavian- American Bank, but halted when the bank went bankrupt. The steel framework sat deserted until it was purchased by the Washington-California Co. In 1925, the building was completed. The steel framework was clothed in white terra cotta, which was glazed. It was fireproof. It had 1925 technologically superior Otis elevators, which could take visitors from the bottom to the top in 16 seconds. The building was completed with an investment of 1 1/2 million dollars. (TNT 6/30/1925, pg.1) (WSHS)

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

Formally attired young folk at a dinner-dance held at the Tacoma Club on March 9, 1940. This was the first of Tacoma Club's formal dinner dances during the 1940 season. The event was held in the club rooms at the top of the Washington Building. President of the Tacoma Club was H.A. Christofferson. (T.Times 3-16-1940, p. 4-different photo, same series)

Tacoma Club (Tacoma); Teenagers--1940-1950; Evening gowns--Tacoma--1940-1950; Tuxedoes;

Men behind bar at the Tacoma Club.

Tacoma Club (Tacoma);

Sitting room inside Tacoma Club (filed with Argentum)

Tacoma Club (Tacoma);

Interior of the "Lounging Room" of the new Tacoma Club on the 17th Floor of the Washington Building. The Tacoma Club was the city's newest and most exclusive social club, catering to local business tycoons. Corner lounge with heavy, upholstered furniture, tables, lamps, and console radio. (WSHS)

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

Game and card room at Tacoma's newest and most exclusive club, the Tacoma Club, located on the top floor of Washington Building. The Grand Opening for the Club's new quarters was held May 10, 1937. It was an invitation only event for members and their guests. Photograph is of the game room with several square game/card tables. Room features knotty pine paneling on structural columns and checker board patterned flooring. (WSHS) (T. Times 5/10/1937, pg. 1)

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

The Game and Card room at the Tacoma Club, located on the 17th Floor of Washington Building. Photographs were taken for coverage of the Club's Grand Opening May 10, 1937. Interior wall features glass block above knotty pine paneling. (WSHS) (T. Times 5/10/1937, pg. 1)

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

The "Lounging Room" at the Tacoma Club, located on the top floor of Washington Building. The Grand Opening for Tacoma's newest and most exclusive social club was held May 10, 1937. Lounge with sofa, upholstered chairs, desk, tables and lamps. (WSHS)

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

Sam Perkins, left, and G. Herbert Raleigh, members of Tacoma's newest and most exclusive club- the "Tacoma Club," check over the furniture in the club's "lounging room" prior to the Grand Opening the evening of May 10, 1937. The Tacoma Club, located on the top floor of the Washington Building, was organized and incorporated in November, 1936. The original roster of members included leaders in lumber, retailing and manufacturing, banking, real estate, medical, and legal fields. S.A. "Sam" Perkins, newspaper publisher, was one of the first presidents of the club. George Herbert Raleigh was the manager of the Bank of California in 1937. (T.Times 5/10/1937, pg. 1; History of Pierce County, Vol. 3, p. 96)

Tacoma Club (Tacoma); Perkins, S.A.; Raleigh, George Herbert;

Sam Perkins, seated on the right, and three other men pose for a portrait to celebrate Perkin's 73rd birthday. The event was held at the Tacoma Club in the Washington Building. Mr. Perkins had a long and varied work history in Tacoma. Sam Perkins and W.P. Bonney were partners in a wholesale and retail drug business in the late 1880s- 1890s. They went out of business in the depression of the early 90's when customers dried up. Mr. Perkins became the secretary of Mark Hanna, chairman of the Republican election committee for William McKinley. After the election, Perkins stayed on with Hanna for a while. Mr. Perkins returned to Tacoma in the late 90's as the owner of the Tacoma Daily Ledger and the News. His party at the Tacoma Club was attended by over 100 of his friends and business associates. (T. Times 5/5/1938, pg. 1)

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

ca. 1938. Annie Wright Seminary, circa 1938. Luncheon in honor of seniors given by Joan Burnmister at the Tacoma Club. Approximately 30 women and girls seated around luncheon table. (filed with Argentum)

Private schools--Tacoma; Annie Wright Seminary (Tacoma)--1930-1940; Tacoma Club (Tacoma); Students--Tacoma--1930-1940;

Dinner at Tacoma Club for 73rd birthday of Sydney Albert "Sam" Perkins, local tycoon and former newspaper editor. The dinner was attended by over 100 of Mr. Perkins's friends and business associates. During his 50 years in Tacoma, he had served as the partner of W.P. Bonney in a wholesale and retail drug business, in Washington D.C. as the secretary of Mark Hanna and as owner of the Tacoma Daily Ledger and the News.

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

The Harold L. Stamey Company was an insurance company that offered assurances, fire, casualty, automobile, bonding, life and home insurances. Mr. Stamey moved to Tacoma in 1938 and gained immediate success in the insurance business. He took an active role in youth sports later in the 1950's, sponsoring several baseball and basketball teams. View of eleven unidentified employees at the Harold L. Stamey Co. offices; Mr. Stamey is believed to be seated, center. Photo ordered by Harold Stamey.

Insurance companies--Tacoma; Group portraits; Offices--Tacoma--1940-1950; Harold L. Stamey Co. (Tacoma);

ca. 1943. The Tacoma Chamber of Commerce held a dinner in 1943 at the Tacoma Club to honor local shipbuilders. These five men were in attendance but names were not provided.

Tacoma Chamber of Commerce (Tacoma); Tacoma Club (Tacoma); Banquets--Tacoma--1940-1950; Group portraits; Men--Tacoma--1940-1950;

ca. 1943. Tacoma Club dinner circa 1943. Chamber of Commerce honoring ship builders. Group portrait of five men. Names of the individuals were not provided.

Tacoma Chamber of Commerce (Tacoma); Tacoma Club (Tacoma); Banquets--Tacoma--1940-1950; Men--Tacoma--1940-1950;

An unidentified employee of Pacific Forest Industries demonstrates the use of a collapsible shipping crate. These wooden containers saved space and were reusable. Pacific Forest Industries was an exporting firm located in the Washington Building at 1019 Pacific Avenue.

Pacific Forest Industries (Tacoma); Crates--Tacoma;

The interior of the Tacoma Club showing tables set with white table cloths and tableware. A mural of trees in bloom covers the upper part of the back wall. Ordered by Earl Reynolds.

Banquet halls--Tacoma; Table settings & decorations; Tacoma Club (Tacoma); Murals--Tacoma;

The interior of a lounge at the Tacoma Club is shown with sofas, easy chairs, several lamps and tables for easy conversation or reading. The floor is covered with a bold-patterned carpet and the windows are covered with venetian blinds and floral draperies. Ordered by Earl Reynolds.

Tacoma Club (Tacoma); Clubs--Tacoma; Lounges--Tacoma; Furnishings; Chairs; Sofas; Tables;

Pilgrim candidates representing five high schools and sponsors at the Tacoma Club, Times, Mrs. McDonald. The Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) honored five outstanding Tacoma high school students as Pilgrimage candidates at a luncheon at the Tacoma Club. The Pilgrimage candidates would submit an essay on American history and government. The winner of the state contest would be given a trip to Washington, D.C. The young women are wearing corsages. Corrine Engh from Clover Park High School is seated on the left. Beverly Highland from Sumner High School is seated, second from the right. Barbara Cope from Orting High School is standing fourth from the left. Freda Schuler from Fife High School and Doris Beardsley from Lincoln High School are standing, fourth and third from the right. Another candidate, Margaret Hanson from Stadium High School, was unable to attend the luncheon. Two of the regents are Kathleen P. (Mrs. Cyril V.) Lundvick and Mrs. W.B. Gregg, standing, second and third from the left. (T.Times, 3/22/1948, p.5; TNT, 3/11/1948, p.20))

National Society of Daughters of the American Revolution (Tacoma); Students--Tacoma--1940-1950; Clubwomen--Tacoma--1940-1950; Tacoma Club (Tacoma); Restaurants--Tacoma--1940-1950; Clubs--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Family night at the Tacoma Club. Members and their wives enjoy each other's company around the table: L-R, Lucille B. (Mrs. R. Franklin) Thompson; Edward B. King, a mortician with Buckley-King; Margaret K. (Mrs. Henry G.) Shaw; R. Franklin Thompson, President of the College of Puget Sound; Anna S. (Mrs. Edward B.) King; and Henry G. Shaw, president of Shaw Supply Company. Photo taken for Ernie Knight, Tacoma News Tribune.

Tacoma Club (Tacoma); Clubs--Tacoma--1940-1950; Thompson, Lucille B.; Thompson, R. Franklin, 1908-1999; King, Anna S.; King, Edward B.; Shaw, Margaret K.; Shaw, Henry G.; Eating & drinking--Tacoma;

Mallon Motor Company, staff banquet held at the Tacoma Club celebrating the dealership's receipt of Ford Motor Company's "4 Letter Award" for the 1955 model year. The award was presented each year to the dealer that qualified in the following classifications: sound finances, management efficiency and completely modern facilities. The dinner was hosted by Robert Mallon who served as Master of Ceremonies. Tommy Mallon, the President of Mallon Motors, is seated to the far right of the picture; to his left is Abel Rigney, Mallon Sales Manger; to his left is J.C. Hogue, Ford's Field Manager; standing directly behind Mallon is C.J. Powell, Ford's District Sales Manager. The man standing third from the right in the back row has been identified as Harold Nutley. (TNT 3/11/1956, pg. A-6)

Automobile dealerships--Tacoma; Mallon Motors, Inc. (Tacoma); Mallon, Thomas; Rigney, Abel;

Washington Building. Situated at the corner of 11th & Pacific, the imposing Washington Building, built in the style of the Chicago School, stands 17 stories high. A large red neon sign installed on the top of the building advertised its neighbor, the Bank of California. As their signs advertised, United Mutual Savings Bank and Household Finance had offices in the Washington Building. The left side of the photograph shows the Rust Building, 950 Pacific Ave., also built in the 1920's. Beyond the Rust Building, on Tacoma Ave. So., is the County-City Building. The Medical Arts Building, on Market St., is the large Art-Deco structure on the right side of photograph. Photograph ordered by Washington Building Co.

Washington Building (Tacoma); Electric signs--Tacoma--1960-1970; Bank of California National Association (Tacoma); Rust Building (Tacoma); Medical Arts Building (Tacoma); Signs (Notices);

Washington Building. View of the Washington Building, 1019 Pacific Ave., believed to have been photographed from the top of the Perkins Building in August of 1970. From this angle, the distant Art-Deco styled Medical Arts Building (now Municipal Building) can be seen along the right-center edge. The Rust Building, another well known Tacoma landmark, is slightly up the hill at 950 Pacific. Seldens furniture store is in the right lower corner. A small section of the Bank of California, whose large red neon sign rested on top of the Washington Building, can be spotted at the lower right edge. Photograph ordered by the Washington Building.

Washington Building (Tacoma); Medical Arts Building (Tacoma); Rust Building (Tacoma); Seldens, Inc. (Tacoma); Business districts--Tacoma--1970-1980; Commercial streets--Tacoma--1970-1980; Electric signs--Tacoma--1970-1980;

The "Women's Lounge" at the new Tacoma Club on the top floor of the Washington Building. The Grand Opening for the new club, Tacoma' s most exclusive, was held the evening of May 10, 1937. J. P. Weyerhaeuser, Jr. was the club's first President. Corner lounge with sofa, upholstered chairs, tables and lamps. (WSHS) (T. Times 5/10/1937, pg. 1)

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

Interior of new facilities for The Tacoma Club on the 17th Floor of the Washington Building. The Club, for business and professional men, opened in May of 1937. John P. Weyerhaeuser, Jr. was president. Bar with glass block wall shown in photograph. (WSHS)

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

Sam Perkins, right, receives a toast from an unidentified friend on his 73rd birthday at a party given in his honor at the Tacoma Club.

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