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Richards Studio Photographs 1117-19 PACIFIC AVE, TACOMA Image With digital objects
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D160224-2

It was a brisk 49 degrees in April 1971 when this photograph of the National Realty Building, then Puget Sound National Bank, was taken from a building across the street. The building was sandwiched between Peoples department store and the National Bank of Washington (later home to the Tacoma Art Museum). The landmark structure, with its familiar spire, was at one time the tallest building on the West Coast, and the first built to withstand earthquakes. Puget Sound National Bank, established in 1890, would promote itself as an independent, "hometown" bank. It would merge with Key Bank in 1993. Photograph ordered by De Vac, Minneapolis, MN.


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

D139383-1

Three employees of Puget Sound National Bank are prepared to put the bank's new IBM 1419 check-sorting machine into operation on September 30, 1963. The main office's basement was fully equipped to handle bank processing matters. Gene Amar, assistant cashier in the electronic department, Mary Lee Fanger and Eleanor Anderson (seated) look at the machine which is capable of sorting and reading 96,000 checks an hour. In 1962 Puget Sound National Bank processed some 10.4 million checks and deposits. Photograph ordered by Puget Sound National Bank. (TNT 10-6-63, B-7)


Puget Sound National Bank (Tacoma); Banks--Tacoma; Machinery; Amar, Gene; Fanger, Mary Lee; Anderson, Eleanor;

D22718-14

Woman and girl riding horses in parade event dressed in Spanish style flat brimmed hats with fringed banner overhead. Puget Sound National Bank can be identified in the background.

D16080-10

Grassi Brothers (Nello and Julio) Radio Program (5th). One man is at the microphone while three others look on. First two men from L-R are not known. The Grassi brothers are on the right in this September, 1943, photograph.


Radio broadcasting--Tacoma--1940-1950; Grassi, Nello; Grassi, Julio;

D16042-6

Grassi Brothers Radio Program. Band and singers on stage at the USO Club at 13th & Pacific. Everyone holds their ears while the male singer struggles for a high note. Banners hung from the microphone name KTBI. KTBI was at 1490 AM on the radio dial and broadcast from the second floor of the Puget Sound Bank Building.


Radio stations--Tacoma--1940-1950; World War, 1939-1945--Communications; USO clubs (Tacoma)--1940-1950; Grassi, Nello; Grassi, Julio; Singers;

A129709-1

An unidentified employee of the Puget Sound National Bank put the bank's new IBM 1210 Reader Sorter through its paces for (l to r) Robert G. Gordon, Vice President and Cashier, and Harold Stephens, Assistant Vice-President, on January 13, 1961. In 1959 PSNB became the first bank in the State of Washington - and the second on the west coast - to convert to the use of computers. The other banks in the northwest resisted computerization, and attempted to talk PSNB out of taking this radical step, because they felt that banking customers would not accept being numbered. (Banking on Independence; the first century of Puget Sound Bankcorp, c1990)


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

A91855-2

Exposure of the Tacoma Planning Commission's traffic control display in the lobby of the Puget Sound National Bank. Photograph ordered by the Condon Co. The display shows the Commission's plans for a street program that will provide for a growing Tacoma's traffic needs. The plan is the result of a long range study of Tacoma's future traffic needs completed by the City Planning Commission. Emphasis is placed on the development of a Tacoma- Everett toll road, the forerunner of a freeway system. It is predicted that in the future Tacoma will have several freeways with one way traffic, no left turns, no parking and no commercial traffic. (TNT 7/12/1955, pg. 4)


Presentation drawings; Traffic congestion--Tacoma;

A12308-5

ca. 1941. Row of teller windows and safe deposit boxes inside lobby of Puget Sound National Bank, 1117-19 Pacific Ave., circa 1941.


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

D131289-8

Informal portrait of Puget Sound National Bank president Reno Odlin. He led the Tacoma-based bank for 26 years, seeing deposits grow almost 50% between 1950 & 1960, and rewarding shareholders with cash plus stock dividends. He accomplished this growth internally, without buying or merging other banks. In 1964, Puget Sound National Bank was officially designated the largest bank in Tacoma with deposits exceeding $121 million. Mr. Odlin was also for many years president of the Washington State Historical Society. (Provorse: Banking on Independence)


Odlin, Reno, 1897-1979; Bankers--Tacoma; Banking--Tacoma--1960-1970;

D161485-6C

Group portrait of the Board of Directors, Tacoma Better Business Bureau, Inc. Local business, civic and military leaders gathered on the second floor of Puget Sound National Bank's main branch on February 24, 1972. Color photograph ordered by the Tacoma Better Business Bureau, Inc.


Tacoma Better Business Bureau, Inc. (Tacoma);

D138251-2

Umbrella display. Puget Sound National Bank vice-presidents Arvie Harris and Vince Carlstrom pose with the bank's umbrella display on April 29, 1963. The accompanying sign states that people could borrow umbrellas when needed on rainy days and return them when the weather became sunny. Customer Ann Ball smiles at the bank officials while trying out a borrowed umbrella. The new free loan service of 36 umbrellas was located at the Main branch's entrance on Pacific Ave. (TNT 5-2-63, A-23)


Umbrellas; Puget Sound National Bank (Tacoma); Signs (Notices); Harris, Arvie; Carlstrom, Vincent A.; Ball, Ann;

D75496-19

Erection of new sign. An overhead shot of the new Puget Sound Bank Building sign being erected was taken on June 10, 1953. The bank building was a narrow skyscraper and the exterior sign chosen was also narrow in width. It would be placed between the annex and the main building on Pacific Avenue. A Sunnen Crane is in the process of completing the hoisting. The sign was designed in Spokane by the American Sign Products Co. and delivered to Tacoma via flatbed truck. Photograph ordered by Dutton Hayward, Puget Sound National Bank.


Progress photographs--1950-1960; Electric signs--Tacoma--1950-1960; Puget Sound National Bank (Tacoma); Sunnen Auto Freight & Heavy Hauling Co. (Tacoma); Hoisting machinery; American Sign Products Co. (Spokane);

D75496-7

Erection of new sign. Part of the tall vertical Puget Sound National Bank sign has already been erected by a Sunnen Crane prior to the bank's opening hours on June 10, 1953. The main offices of the bank were located on Pacific Avenue. Until the Smith Tower was constructed in Seattle in 1914, the Puget Sound National Bank building was the tallest west of the Missouri River. The bank sign, designed by American Sign Products Co. of Spokane, would be placed between the bank annex and the main building. Photograph ordered by Dutton Hayward, Puget Sound National Bank.


Progress photographs--1950-1960; Electric signs--Tacoma--1950-1960; Puget Sound National Bank (Tacoma); Sunnen Auto Freight & Heavy Hauling Co. (Tacoma); Hoisting machinery; American Sign Products Co. (Spokane);

D103464-1

Reno Odlin stands under the 96 foot tall Puget Sound National Bank electric sign which displayed both the temperature and time in this photograph from December 5, 1956. Erected in June, 1953, the double "T" sign was one of the first in the country. Reno Odlin was the long-time president and chief executive officer of the bank. He successfully led Puget Sound National Bank for several decades, positioning it as the "hometown bank" and increasing branches to 33. He retired in 1974, leaving the bank to be led by former son-in-law, Bill Philip, and passed away in 1979. (Provorse: Banking on Independence, p. 130)


Odlin, Reno, 1897-1979; Bankers--Tacoma; Puget Sound National Bank (Tacoma); Electric signs--Tacoma--1950-1960; Clocks & watches;

A116589-1

When erected in 1910, Puget Sound National Bank's main branch was the tallest building west of the Missouri River. Later buildings were constructed to rival the bank's height but it remained a focal point on Pacific Avenue. It dwarfed its neighbors, Peoples store and the National Bank of Washington. A large plaque on the side of the building indicates that the bank was established in 1890. Puget Sound Bank was the first to use a T & T sign, clearly visible, which gave the time and temperature to passersby. A "hometown bank," Puget Sound National Bank was absorbed by Key Bank in the early 1990's. Photograph ordered by the Condon Co. TPL-6569


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

A10984-1

ca. 1941. Detail view of Puget Sound National Bank (National Realty Company) building showing elaborate doorway featuring carved figures. Heath and Twichell, Architects, 1910.


Commercial facilities--Tacoma--1940-1950; Business districts--Tacoma--1940-1950; Puget Sound National Bank (Tacoma); Banks--Tacoma;

WO 145314-A

Informal portrait of Puget Sound National Bank Chairman of the Board Reno Odlin. Mr. Odlin had been elected president of the American Bankers Association in 1964, the first banker from the Pacific Northwest to win this office in the organization's 90-year history. He had previously served the local and national banking industry in many leadership positions, including the Washington Bankers Assn., the Federal Reserve, and U.S. Treasury. Reno Odlin spent most of 1965 traveling to nearly every state in the union to visit bankers, government and business leaders, in addition to several foreign countries to discuss international issues regarding money. (Provorse: Banking on Independence, p. 120-121)


Odlin, Reno, 1897-1979; Bankers--Tacoma;

D16120-8

ca. 1943. Grassi Brothers radio show (6th). Eleven men and two women posed in a tight group circa 1943. The Grassi brothers (Nello and Julio) are the third and sixth men from the left standing. One of the men standing is wearing a police uniform. The Grassi's operated a used car dealership in Tacoma.


Radio stations--Tacoma--1940-1950; World War, 1939-1945--Communications; Radio broadcasting--Tacoma--1940-1950; Grassi, Nello; Grassi, Julio;

A12308-2

ca. 1941. Teller windows and Christmas tree in lobby of Puget Sound National Bank for the Christmas season circa 1941. Square columns, open beam ceiling, and what appears to be either granite or marble embellishments.


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

A12308-3

Puget Sound National Bank, vault with open door.


Business Enterprises - Financial Institutions - Banks - Tacoma - Puget Sound National Bank

D157442-4C

Rain Tree. On display in the lobby of the Puget Sound National Bank's main office during the Christmas season of 1969 was the silvery "Rain Tree" created by Ghilarducci Florists. Shimmering strands of white beads dangled from the tree limbs which were also decorated with clusters of balls and velvet bows. Ghilarducci's was a well-known florist with long-term ties to downtown Tacoma. Color photograph ordered by Puget Sound National Bank.


Christmas decorations; Puget Sound National Bank (Tacoma); Ghilarducci's California Florists (Tacoma);

D122000-1

ca. 1959. Reno Odlin, shown with Puget Sound Bank visitor Mrs. Wesley Clark from Fox Island, and the bank's new leased computer, the IBM 305 RAMAC (Random Access Memory Accounting Computer.) In 1959, Puget Sound Bank became the first bank in Washington and the second on the west coast to use computers. The IBM 305 and, because of the computer's 3,000 heat generating tubes, a new air conditioner were installed in the bank's basement. The computer used punch cards and it was able to process about 70 checks a minute, making it too slow for the larger banks to use. The selection and integration of the computer were the project of Senior Vice president Robert Gordon. The most unique feature of the computer was its magnetic memory file which looked like a vertical stack of 50 large metal disks the size of phonograph records. The disks rotated on a steel axle at a rate of 1,200 revolutions per minute. ("Banking on Independence" Provorse, pg. 110+, TNT 7/9/1959, pg. C-3)


Puget Sound National Bank (Tacoma); Computers--1950-1960; Banking--Tacoma--1950-1960; Odlin, Reno, 1897-1979; Clark, Wesley--Family;

A122683-1

Puget Sound National Bank bookkeeping department on the 3rd floor of its home office. Although Puget Sound installed the first computer in 1959, much of the bookkeeping was still done by hand. A department staffed mostly by women is shown with a variety of manual equipment and customer records.


Puget Sound National Bank (Tacoma)--People; Banks--Tacoma; Banking--Tacoma--1950-1960;

A75496-25

The erection of the new Puget Sound National Bank sign has finally been completed. Taken later in the evening on June 10, 1953, the electric sign is aglow with the bank's name. In addition, there is an digital clock which would also trade off the time with the current temperature. The bank was one of the first in the country to have a double "T" sign--temperature and time. The entire sign is 96 feet from sidewalk to top. It weighs over 8000 pounds. Beneath the clock is a small plaque indicating the bank was established in 1890. View of new sign, clock and plaque shot looking upward; photograph ordered by Puget Sound National Bank. (TNT 6-26-53, p. 4 - Ad)


Progress photographs--1950-1960; Electric signs--Tacoma--1950-1960; Puget Sound National Bank (Tacoma); Clocks & watches; Plaques--Tacoma;

D75496-2

Erection new sign. The Sunnen Crane Service was in the process of installing a large new sign on the Puget Sound National Bank Building in the early morning hours of June 10, 1953. The tall vertical sign would be in addition to large signs on the side and front of the building. The American Sign Products Co. of Spokane constructed the sign. Photograph ordered by Dutton Hayward, Puget Sound National Bank.


Progress photographs--1950-1960; Electric signs--Tacoma--1950-1960; Signs (Notices); Puget Sound National Bank (Tacoma); Sunnen Auto Freight & Heavy Hauling Co. (Tacoma); Hoisting machinery; American Sign Products Co. (Spokane);

A8591-1

Group at Puget Sound National Bank with Golden Jubilee hats. Men in western wear and women in bonnets. Bank president Reno Odlin is standing wearing dark clothing without a hat to the right of the column, in the center of the group. All employees were required to wear Jubilee garb in celebration of Pioneer Days at Puget Sound Bank. The bankers wore beaver top hats with dignified frock coats and black ties. (T. Times 7/20/1939, pg. 20)


Washington State Golden Jubilee, 1939--Tacoma; Banking--Tacoma--1930-1940; Puget Sound National Bank (Tacoma); Banks--Tacoma; Odlin, Reno, 1897-1979;

D16005-11

ca. 1943. Grassi Brothers radio show. A man and a woman hold papers in front of a microphone in this circa 1943 photograph. Three other men, including Julio Grassi (second from left) look on. Julio and his brother Nello operated a used car dealership in Tacoma. They sponsored a radio program on station KTBI located in the Puget Sound Bank Building, 1117-19 Pacific Ave.


Radio stations--Tacoma--1940-1950; Radio broadcasting--Tacoma--1940-1950; Grassi, Julio;

A12308-1

Puget Sound National Bank, interior work area.


Business Enterprises - Financial Institutions - Banks - Tacoma - Puget Sound National Bank

A12308-4

Interior of Puget Sound National Bank, view of lobby, defense poster on column.


Business Enterprises - Financial Institutions - Banks - Tacoma - Puget Sound National Bank

D75496-9

Erection of new sign. The erection of the new Puget Sound National Bank sign on the building's exterior draws an interested group of spectators even at 7:00 in the morning. The latter part of the bank's name is already up; a worker is perched on the sign-holding bar high above the street. The Sunnen Crane is preparing to install the "Puget Sound" portion of the sign which is on the sidewalk. The large sign was built by American Sign Products of Spokane and delivered to Tacoma via a Spokane-area Transfer Line truck. Photograph taken on June 10, 1953, and ordered by Dutton Hayward, Puget Sound National Bank.


Progress photographs--1950-1960; Electric signs--Tacoma--1950-1960; Puget Sound National Bank (Tacoma); Sunnen Auto Freight & Heavy Hauling Co. (Tacoma); Hoisting machinery; American Sign Products Co. (Spokane);

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