Interior of the trust department at the Bank of California, ordered by Botsford, Constantine and Gardner. Seated at desks on the right are Frank C. Carmody, Assistant Trust Officer- front, and Edward S. Walker, Trust Officer, at rear. On the left are Mr. McLeod, front, and Mr. Williams, at rear. To the left is a counter arrangement with three people behind it labelled Trust Department. At the right rear, the door is open to an interior office, perhaps belonging to one of the Vice Presidents of the bank.

Banks--Tacoma; Bank of California National Association (Tacoma); Carmody, Frank; Walker, Edward;

Exterior of Bank of California Building. Constructed in 1928 from Wilkeson sandstone and granite, the Bank of California building on Pacific Avenue was designed by architect John Graham and built by contractors J.E. Bonnell & Son. Enormous Ionic columns dwarf passersby; these four columns cost $3,500 apiece. The bank's name is engraved in large letters above the columns.

Bank of California National Association (Tacoma); Banks--Tacoma; Columns--Tacoma;

Tennis display at Bank of California. Two tanned tennis players in tournament whites stand next to a man holding a large trophy, possible the Thorne Cup, on July 15, 1966. The Bank of California had allowed the Tacoma Lawn Tennis Club to display in the bank memorabilia pertaining to the club's Pacific Northwest Tournament. The tournament, held from July 11-17th, would be its 75th annual. Photograph ordered by Bank of California.

Bank of California National Association (Tacoma); Banks--Tacoma; Awards; Tennis players--Tacoma--1960-1970;

Three Bank of California officials lend a helping hand in the remodeling process of their Pacific Avenue building in August of 1968. They are building plywood walls in the main lobby to provide noise and dust protection. Daily operations would continue during the construction period with directory boards listing temporary locations of the various departments. Only one area of the bank at a time would be affected during the extensive interior remodeling. John Graham & Co., architects of the original edifice, would also be in charge of the $600,000 project. Photograph ordered by Bank of California. (TNT 8-18-68, A-19)

Bank of California National Association (Tacoma); Banks--Tacoma; Remodeling--Tacoma--1960-1970; Plywood;

On April 22, 1941, C.F. Trendall (Chen) Rowe and his wife, the former Evangeline Acheson, pose with the tulips on display by their company, Tacoma Seed Co., at the Bank of California. The 14th annual flower exhibit is composed of over 50 varieties of tulips. (T. Times 4/23/1941, pg. 12)

Bank of California National Association (Tacoma); Rowe, Charles Frederick Trendall; Acheson, Evangeline; Tacoma Seed Co. (Tacoma);

Washingtonians love the rhododendron so much that they made it the state flower. In honor of their favorite flower, Tacoma was holding its 1st annual rhododendron show on May 5, 1949, in the main lobby of the Bank of California building, 1011-13 Pacific Ave. The show was sponsored by the Tacoma Garden Club and the Capital District, Washington State Federation of Garden Clubs. Visitors were greeted with a wonderland of beautiful azaleas and rhododendrons; so many in fact that it was hard to believe that banking business could still be conducted. A whimsical and colorful feature included rhododendron hats worn by the flower show committee members (T.N.T., 5/1/49, p. D-6 & 5/8/49, p. A-2). TPL-8561

Banks--Tacoma; Lobbies--Tacoma; Azaleas--Tacoma--1940-1950; Rhododendrons--1940-1950; Flower shows--Tacoma--1940-1950; Bank of California National Association (Tacoma);

Overall exposure of the rhododendron show at the lobby of the Bank of California. A bit of the outdoors has been brought inside the bank with this display of the lush flower of the state of Washington set off by pines, a flagstone patio and bench, backed by wooden fencing. Sponsored by the Tacoma Rhododendron Society.

Bank of California National Association (Tacoma); Banks--Tacoma; Rhododendrons; American Rhododendron Society, Tacoma Chapter (Tacoma);

A row of Bank of California employees is hard at work on March 10, 1954. Each employee is sitting at a wide metallic desk equipped with seven drawers. This may be the bookkeeping section of the bank; several desks have adding machines on them. Large windows give plenty of natural light; each desk also has a narrow lamp. The man on the far left of the picture may be Frank Busch, as the nameplate on the lamp indicates. Photograph ordered by Tacoma Office Supply.

Bank of California National Association (Tacoma); Calculators; Office equipment & supplies; Lamps; Tacoma Office Supply Co. (Tacoma);

An alluring hula girl mannequin beckons Bank of California customers to protect their vacation funds by purchasing American Express travelers cheques. The June, 1957, display suggests that, whether visiting Hawaii or South Dakota, a cautious vacationer should play it safe by using travelers cheques instead of carrying large amounts of cash. A giant sea shell, a towel, a model Northwest Airlines plane, two palm trees and copious amounts of "sand" in the midst of a bank lobby would certainly draw the attention of the bank's vacation-minded customers. American Express launched its travelers cheque business in 1891; they introduced their travel charge card in 1958. (Photograph ordered by Bank of California.)

Bank of California National Association (Tacoma); Banks--Tacoma; Merchandise displays--Tacoma--1950-1960; Mannequins;

Mr. A.B. Cummings, owner of Porter-Cummings Company, men's clothiers, decided to try the newly opened drive-up banking services at Bank of California in March of 1948. The teller, Wallace H. Waite, is protected by a special bullet-proof glass window and steel bars. Mr. Cummings liked the new service, the first of its kind in Tacoma, and predicted it would help relieve congestion from customers parking along Pacific Avenue to stop for a short visit to the bank. Bank of California had been at this downtown location since 1928 and the drive-up window was located in the alley back of the bank. (T.Times, 3/23/1948, p.9-article & alternate photograph)

Bank of California National Association (Tacoma); Banks--Tacoma; Banking--Tacoma--1940-1950; Cummings, A.B.; Waite, Wallace H.; Automobiles--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Rear of Bank of California building. A rear view of the Bank of California building shows Pierce County Federal Savings & Loan to the right and the Hopper-Kelly Co. to the building's left in a photograph taken on September 23, 1957. Rather than having an anonymous facade, the bank had large signage near the rooftop. Although the Hopper-Kelly Co. building may have been remodeled up front, the rear view appears untouched. Photograph ordered by Bank of California.

Bank of California National Association (Tacoma); Banks--Tacoma; Pierce County Federal Savings & Loan (Tacoma); Hopper Kelly Co. (Tacoma);

Interior of Bank of California building. Built in 1928 of Wilkeson sandstone and granite, the Bank of California building was designed in the Italian Renaissance style with interiors of walnut and Travertine masonry. This elevated view of the bank's lobby highlights the enormous skylight, arched windows, chandeliers and tiled flooring. John Graham was the architect involved in the Bank of California building and J.E. Bonnell & Son, contractors. TPL-8452

Bank of California National Association (Tacoma); Banks--Tacoma; Chandeliers;

PLU choir at Bank of California. Customers and employees of Bank of California all enjoyed the musical performance from the Pacific Lutheran University Choir of the West on December 18, 1967. The choir and their audience gathered around the enormous Christmas tree in the lobby of the Italian Renaissance-styled bank building prior to Christmas. It was the sixth annual program of Christmas music direct from the bank's lobby and was broadcast live on KTNT radio. The Choir of the West is led by Maurice Skones, director. Photograph ordered by Bank of California. (TNT ad 12-17-67, A-27)

Bank of California National Association (Tacoma); Banks--Tacoma; Choirs (Music); Choir of the West (Parkland); Pacific Lutheran University (Parkland)--1960-1970; Christmas trees--Tacoma;

Following an action making the rhododendron Washington's official state flower, Verna V. Weiler, Director of the Capitol District of Garden Clubs, and Alice S. Franklin, President of the Garden Club of Tacoma, immediately planned Tacoma's first Rhododendron Show; the flowers will be displayed in the lobby of the Bank of California. View of Alice S. Franklin (left) and Verna V. Weiler admiring azaleas on March 2, 1949 (T. Times, 3/3/49, p. 3).

Banks--Tacoma; Women--Clothing & dress--Tacoma--1940-1950; Azaleas--Tacoma; Rhododendrons; Flower shows--Tacoma; Bank of California National Association (Tacoma); Franklin, Alice S.; Weiler, Verna V.;

Modern office furniture and boldly geometric flooring provides a distinct contrast to the chandeliers and Italian Renaissance style of the Bank of California building in March, 1954. Two employees are pictured working on a balcony within the building; one is examining the contents of a filing cabinet while the other sits at a wide, metallic desk operating the telephone system. An adding machine and telephone are also visible. Photograph ordered by Tacoma Office Supply Co.

Bank of California National Association (Tacoma); Banks--Tacoma; Office equipment & supplies; Chandeliers; Telephones; Tacoma Office Supply Co. (Tacoma);

Exterior of Bank of California. Impressive Ionic columns decorate the exterior of the Bank of California building in the busy business district encompassing Pacific Avenue. Built in the Italian Renaissance style by J.E. Bonnell & Son, contractors, the bank was opened for business on October 8, 1928. By 1957, the Hopper-Kelly Co., dealers in musical instruments and appliances, moved in next door. The portion of Hopper-Kelly fronting Pacific Avenue appears to have had three floors. The building on the other side of the Bank of California was the Pierce County Federal Savings & Loan. Photograph ordered by Bank of California.

Bank of California National Association (Tacoma); Banks--Tacoma; Pierce County Federal Savings & Loan (Tacoma); Hopper Kelly Co. (Tacoma); Facades--Tacoma--1950-1960;

It was business as usual at the Bank of California even during remodeling in the summer of 1968. The major face-lifting project was expected to last until the end of November. Although remodeling would entail new carpeting, chandeliers, and oak wall paneling, the elaborate ceiling would be retained. Great sheets of plastic and fresh plywood kept dust and noise at bearable levels as work progressed in the main lobby. The barricade, 75-feet long and 8-feet high in front of the savings teller windows and new accounts area, was on the north side of the office building. A directory board prominently displayed against a check-writing counter helped customers find the temporary location of various services. Detailed maps were also provided on the lower part of the directory board. Photograph ordered by the Bank of California. (TNT 8-18-68, A-19)

Bank of California National Association (Tacoma); Banks--Tacoma; Remodeling--Tacoma--1960-1970; Lobbies--Tacoma--1960-1970;

Bank of California exterior, taken on July 25, 1968. Built in the Italian Renaissance style of Wilkerson sandstone and granite by J.E. Bonnell & Son in 1928, the Bank of California's four Ionic columns made for an impressive sight on busy downtown Pacific Avenue. A contemporary touch has been added with the installation of a narrow vertical sign to the building's exterior with the bank's name on it.

Bank of California National Association (Tacoma); Banks--Tacoma; Signs (Notices);