Vaudeville Party at the Top of the Ocean, photograph ordered by the Tacoma Actors Guild.. Man at microphone addressing audience seated at tables around dance floor. Two of the columns in the room have sea shell decorations near top of column. For Tacoma Actors Guild, Frank Murtough.

Top of the Ocean (Tacoma); Tacoma Actors Guild (Tacoma); Parties--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Vaudeville Party at Top of the Ocean, photograph ordered by Tacoma Actors Guild. Audience seated at tables around dance floor. Two of the columns in the room have sea shell decorations near top of column. For Tacoma Actors Guild, Frank Murtough.

Top of the Ocean (Tacoma); Tacoma Actors Guild (Tacoma); Parties--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Santa Claus has joined a group from Puget Sound National Bank at Fisher's Toy Department. The group have gathered for their portrait at "Santa's Western Home". Ordered by Puget Sound National Bank, Bob Gordon.

Department Stores--Tacoma--1940-1950; Fisher's Department Store (Tacoma); Bankers--Tacoma; Puget Sound National Bank (Tacoma)--People;

The new 1951 Chevrolets were available at South Tacoma Motor Company. The new models featured fresh styling. Design improvements accentuated a longer, lower appearance. Radiator grills had been simplified, the decorative body moulding lowered and the rear fender crowns raised. Soldiers are checking out the interior while a young couple tries to make a decision near the trunk. (TNT, 12/9/1950, p.13)

Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1940-1950; South Tacoma Motor Co. (Tacoma); Chevrolet automobile;

South Tacoma Motor Company. View of dealership in rain. 1951 Chevrolets in showroom, neon sign at corner, banner promoting "America's Largest and Finest Low-Priced Car" on transom, painted footprints bearing word "Chevrolet" on sidewalk, man on bicycle.

Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1940-1950; South Tacoma Motor Co. (Tacoma); Chevrolet automobile;

In December of 1950, Arthur K. Jordan (left) and an unidentified baker proudly watched another gentleman taste their freshly toasted bread. In 1950, the Jordan Baking Company won the "First Prize for Quality" in the Better Bread contest staged by the Quality Bakers of America. The competition featured bread baked by over 100 bakeries nationwide. Mr. Jordan began his bakery in 1937 when he purchased the Bert Nichols plant in Old Tacoma and opened it under the Jordan name with six employees and one delivery truck. The bakery quickly outgrew this location and in 1939 moved to 5233 S. Washington St., formerly home to the DuLac Auto Body Co. By 1950, the company employed 131 people in Tacoma with a payroll of a half million a year. In 1952, they introduced their most famous product, Sunbeam Bread, with its mascot, the blond cherub Little Miss Sunbeam. Ordered by Jordan Baking Company.

Jordan Baking Co. (Tacoma); Bakeries--Tacoma--1940-1950; Bread--Tacoma; Jordan, Arthur K.;

William D. Hopping, president of Tacoma Savings & Loan, poses with the five women employees of the thrift in front of a large poster of him at their annual Christmas party. In June 1949 the company had five women employees and fifteen men employees in addition to their president. Robert N. Ketner, a prominent builder, was elected as a director in June 1950. (TNT, 6/19/1950)

Tacoma Savings & Loan Association (Tacoma)--People; Financial facilities--Tacoma--1940-1950; Hopping, William D.;

In December of 1950, William D. Hopping (center in suit), president of Tacoma Savings & Loan, joined the "Kornaires"a barbershop quartet, to sing the praises of his company during the thrift's annual Christmas party. Louis Tebeau has been identified as the singer third from left. The following month, Mr. Hopping announced the substantial growth of the thrift during 1950. Savings increased $793,059.34 to a total of $10,830,421.78. Reserves increased to 8.8% of share liability. 35% of assets were represented by cash, US government, state and municipal bonds. Directors were: George B. Guyles, Charles B. Welch, Raymond T. Winden, and President Hopping. (TNT, 1/16/1951)

Tacoma Savings & Loan Association (Tacoma)--People; Financial facilities--Tacoma--1940-1950; Barbershop quartets; Hopping, William D.; Tebeau, Louis;

A group of fifty-two men and women have gathered for a Christmas party at the Mirror Room in the Olympus Hotel. Many of them hold packages, possibly presents from the company. Ordered by Mrs. Brown.

Hotels--Tacoma; Mirror Room (Tacoma); Olympus Hotel (Tacoma); Parties--Tacoma--1950-1960;

A group of employees at Tacoma Auto Sales. This photograph was used in a one-page Christmas message to Tacoma Auto Sales' customers for their support during 1950. The automobile dealership also thanked their employees who made it possible to serve their customers so well during 1950. Ordered by Brick Gardner. (TNT, 12/26/1950, p.10)

Automobile dealerships--Tacoma; Automobile equipment & supplies; Vehicle maintenance & repair--Tacoma--1940-1950; Tacoma Auto Sales Co. (Tacoma)--Employees;

William D. Hopping Sr., president of the Tacoma Savings and Loan Association and State Chairman for the National Thrift Campaign, dropped a coin into the savings bank of seven year old Bonnie Jean Will to kick off Thrift Week, Jan. 17-23, 1951 while Gerrit VanderEnde, Pierce County Chairman of the Thrift Drive, looked on approvingly. The campaign, with the slogan "Save...It's the American way to success," was designed to place emphasis on the old time philosophy of Benjamin Franklin which encouraged thrift and savings to build up individual security and the nation. Thrift Week began on Jan. 17th, the national birthday of Ben Franklin "the Apostle of Thrift." The nation wide campaign was being pushed as an all-out effort to help hold down post-war inflationary forces which were threatening the economy. (TNT 1/16/1951, pg.1 & 8-11)

Tacoma Savings & Loan Association (Tacoma); Banks--Tacoma; Girls--Tacoma--1950-1960; Coin banks; Hopping, William D.; Will, Bonnie Jean; VanderEnde, Gerrit; National Thrift Week (Tacoma);

Exterior exposure Porter-Griffith Shell Oil Station.

Automobile service stations--Tacoma--1950-1960; Gasoline pumps--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Grand opening of the Shell Oil station at Center and Union, Earl Moon's Shell Service, 3520 Center St. Three employees service a car in the right foreground, checking under the hood and cleaning windows. Another employee gases up a car at the pumps. The Shell oil delivery truck can be seen beside the station. A paneled station wagon is at the other side of the station. The skyline of residential Tacoma can be seen in the background. Owner Earl J. Moon ran an ad in the January 25, 1951 News Tribune the grand opening of his Shell Service Station. The ad promoted Goodyear tires and batteries, Shell gas and "Shellubrication." Free balloons and candy would be available for the kids and one prize of four free tires for adults. (TNT 1-25-1951, p. 28-advertisement)

Automobile service stations--Tacoma--1950-1960; Gasoline pumps--Tacoma--1950-1960; Automobiles--Tacoma--1950-1960; Trucks--Tacoma--1950-1960; Earl Moon's Shell Service (Tacoma);

Five men stand around a new model Packard Bell television at the Top of the Ocean exhibit. A portrait of founder H.A. Bell smiles down from the wall. The festivities were hosted by Packard Bell to celebrate their 25th year in business. In attendance from the Los Angeles home office were Vice President Joe E. Spain, General Sales Manager Kenneth R. Johnson and Glen C. Tillack, chief field engineer. N. Earl Davisson, PB distributer, was host. The highlight of the evening was the preview of Packard Bell's 1951 "Masterpiece Founders Series." (TNT 2/8/1951, pg. B-6)

Top of the Ocean (Tacoma); Televisions--1950-1960; Packard Bell Co. (Tacoma);

Exterior of new Maxwell station at Lakewood Center, Maxwell Petroleum, 520 E. D St.

Automobile service stations--Lakewood--1950-1960; Gasoline pumps--Lakewood--1950-1950;

Exterior of new Maxwell station at Lakewood Center, Maxwell Petroleum, 520 E. D St.

Automobile service stations--Lakewood--1950-1960; Gasoline pumps--Lakewood--1950-1950;

Power shovel at City Bus Barns. The Tacoma Transit Co.'s garage, destroyed by fire the previous year, was being torn down to make room for a 118 car parking lot for use by Puget Sound Bank. The garage began life as a street car facility; the building housed the huge wheels that dragged the cables for the cable cars. The garage also had a lower level, possibly the area that the man is gazing into, that had a blacksmith shop, streetcar wheel storage area and machine shop, among other things. The bricks left from the destruction of the garage were used to fill the holes where once were foundries and mysterious caverns. (TNT 3/4/1951, pg. A-9)

Tacoma Transit Co. (Tacoma); Tacoma Transit Co. Garage (Tacoma); Mass transit--Tacoma; Bus terminals--Tacoma; Transportation facilities--Tacoma; Steam shovels--1950-1960; Digging--Tacoma--1950-1960; Puget Sound National Bank (Tacoma); Banks--Tacoma;

Progress picture of Puget Sound Bank parking lot being built on the site of the demolished Tacoma Transit Co. Garages. The Eleventh Street Bridge can be seen in the background. The Richards photographer captured his own vehicle in the foreground. Earth moving equipment can be seen at the center of the picture. This site will soon become the 126 car courtesy parking lot for Puget Sound Bank. The bank for several years had seen the need for a parking area and was pleased to purchase the transit site. As more customers owned their own autos and mass transit was less utilized, free parking was essential to the survival of downtown businesses.

Tacoma Transit Co. (Tacoma); Tacoma Transit Co. Garage (Tacoma); Puget Sound National Bank (Tacoma); Progress photographs--1950-1960; Banks--Tacoma;

Progress picture of Puget Sound Bank parking lot. A heavy crane has been brought in to assist in the demolition of the Tacoma Transit garages, partially destroyed by fire. A worker poses atop the structure and another on the crane itself. This was the original site of the old street car company cable building. The plaque presented in 1927 by the Tacoma Women's clubs commemorating the "Site of the First Tacoma Building in the Street Car Industry" had been removed until it can be placed on the parking lot attendant's structure. (TNT 5/24/1951, pg. 23)

Tacoma Transit Co. (Tacoma); Tacoma Transit Co. Garage (Tacoma); Puget Sound National Bank (Tacoma); Hoisting machinery; Progress photographs--1950-1960; Banks--Tacoma;

Progress picture of Puget Sound Bank parking lot, being constructed on the site of the burned and demolished Tacoma Transit garages. Most of the upper building has been removed, exposing the warren of rooms underneath used when the building housed the street car cables and shops. Puget Sound Bank, following the trend of offering free parking to entice customers, had been looking for a parking lot site for their downtown building and happily purchased the site.

Tacoma Transit Co. (Tacoma); Tacoma Transit Co. Garage (Tacoma); Puget Sound National Bank (Tacoma); Progress photographs--1950-1960; Banks--Tacoma;

John Stanley poses in a publicity photo for opening of Gay Nineties Room of Steve's (Gay '90s) Cafe at 5238 South Tacoma Way. Steve's was owned by John J. Stanley and Stephen O. Pease. The mural on the wall depicts area businesses such as Jordan Bakery and Pantex Cleaners in the "Gay Nineties." Steve Pease began his business around 1941 partnered by Mrs. John Martinolich, of the shipbuilding family, in "Steve's Tavern." After two years, he bought out her interest in the building. When liquor-by-the-drink legislation came along in 1949, he needed a restaurant in order to have a liquor license. He formed a partnership with John Stanley who owned a coffee shop next door to the south. Stanley ran the restaurant and Pease ran the lounge. Much of the area surrounding the original restaurant was bought and remodeled to become part of Steve's. The spot became a tourist attraction and popular hangout of the fifties and sixties. It closed around 1977 and in 2001 is again opening after being converted to retail and restaurant space. (TNT 4/4/1951, pg. B6-B7)

Steve's Gay '90s (Tacoma); Restaurants--Tacoma--1950-1960; Buffets (Cookery)--Tacoma--1950-1960; Stanley, John;

Two men repair a utility pole after a car-bus accident in front of Conley's Grocery Store at 6601 South Tacoma Way. Oil marks in the street and the downed pole are the only reminders of the wreck the night before when a station wagon ran the red light at 55- 80 mph and hit a Tacoma Transit Co. bus broadside sending it careening 10 feet into the power pole and shearing it off. The driver of the station wagon was killed and three other persons were injured in the accident. (TNT 3/21/1951, pg. 1)

Tacoma Transit Co. (Tacoma); Wrecks; Traffic accidents--Tacoma--1950-1960; Conley's Grocery (Tacoma); Utility poles--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Rainier Auto Sales lot and cars at 2220 South Tacoma Way. Rainier sold used cars and their street side sign says "STOP and sell us your car." They arranged their own auto loans and insurance and were open evenings and Saturdays. Clyde E. Engoe was the owner of the lot which bought, sold and traded used cars.

Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1950-1960; Rainier Auto Sales (Tacoma); Automobiles--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Progress photograph of Puget Sound Bank's new parking lot, formerly the Tacoma Transit garages. A steam shovel and trucks are being used for excavation and hauling away of the debris.The bricks from the Transit building demolition were used to fill in the warrens left below ground from the street car days. The ground has now been leveled and the site looks more like the parking lot it will become. The parking lot will measure 320 ft by 144 ft and will have a capacity of 126 automobiles. Bank customers will be able to enjoy a half hour of free parking in which to attend to their banking needs. The lot will also employ an attendant during hours of operation, 8:30-5 weekdays. Schoenfelds Furniture, at 1423 Pacific Ave., can be seen in the background of the picture. (TNT 5/24/1951, pg. 23)

Tacoma Transit Co. (Tacoma); Tacoma Transit Co. Garage (Tacoma); Puget Sound National Bank (Tacoma); Progress photographs--1950-1960; Steam shovels; Banks--Tacoma;

Scene from the Grand Opening of the Gay Nineties Room at Steve's Cafe (later commonly known as Steve's Gay '90s.) Customers and employees pose in Nineties costumes, the women in elaborate picture hats. Steve's was the brainchild of Steve Pease and John Stanley. It incorporated good food, cocktails and entertainment in a unique and imaginative setting. The restaurant became a tourist attraction in the fifties and sixties, and grew from a 20 person coffee shop to swallow up all surrounding businesses and become a huge facility that seated up to 725 at a time. Mary and Steve Pease are standing at the middle of this group shot, Dorothy Jean Pease is seated at the far right. William and Harriet B. Fowler, parents of Mary Pease, are also included in this photograph. Mrs. Fowler is standing next to Mrs. Pease and her husband is seated before her. Another daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Pease is Mary Lou (Pease) Torgeson who is seated between Mr. Fowler and John Stanley. (TNT 4/4/1951, pg B6-B7) (Additional identification provided by two readers) TPL-10448

Steve's Gay '90s (Tacoma); Restaurants--Tacoma--1950-1960; Clothing & dress--Tacoma--1890-1900; Pease, Stephen O.; Pease, Mary; Pease, Dorothy Jean; Fowler, William; Fowler, Harriet B.; Torgeson, Mary Lou;

Scene from the Grand Opening of the Gay Nineties Room at Steve's Cafe (later commonly known as Steve's Gay '90s.) Employees pose in Nineties costumes, with frilly garters on their sleeves. Steve's was owned and operated by local restaurateur John Stanley and Steve Pease, the "unofficial mayor of South Tacoma." They merged Stanley's coffee shop and Pease's tavern in 1949 when, with the passage of liquor by the drink, Pease found he needed a restaurant in order to retain his liquor license. Providing new and unique environments and entertainments during the next twenty years, such as the Cable car room and the Opera House with its can can dancers, the Gay '90s remained a popular tourist attraction throughout the fifties and sixties. They closed in 1977. (TNT 4/4/1951, pg B6-B7)

Steve's Gay '90s (Tacoma); Restaurants--Tacoma--1950-1960; Clothing & dress--Tacoma--1890-1900;

A man, probably John E. Berglund, stands by one of the dining tables at the Viking Smorgasbord holding one of the new restaurant's menus. John E. Berglund was president and manager of the incorporated business. He had started his career in 1916. He had worked in some of the finest hotels and restaurants throughout the world in Paris, Nice, London, Cairo and the old Waldorf Astoria in New York. He managed the "Bit of Sweden" in Hollywood for more than 10 years. Miss Maja Lisa Lindberg joined the restaurant at vice president. Other officers included Mr. and Mrs. Charles O. Anderson and Mr. and Mrs. David Benson. (TNT, 4/14/1951, p.C-5)

Viking Smorgasbord (Tacoma); Restaurants--Tacoma; Menus; Men--Tacoma--1950-1960;

A banquet is being held at the Viking Smorgasbord. A group of 20 people are grouped in front of the large painting of a Viking ship at the restaurant. (Format 5' x 14")

Viking Smorgasbord (Tacoma); Banquets--Tacoma--1950-1960; Restaurants--Tacoma--1950-1960;

The Ladies' Musical Club sponsored a concert by Hildegarde, a New York supper club singer who was on a concert tour across the continent, at Temple Theater. She would perform a 2 1/2 hour concert with her 12-piece orchestra. Her program included not the classics but favorites such as, "The Last Time I Saw Paris". She traveled with 35 evening costumes packed in specially built 6-foot trunks but would only be wearing two for her Tacoma appearance. She is seen here looking from the window of her room at the Hotel Winthrop. Tacoma's City Hall can be seen through the window. (TNT, 4/18/1951, p.12)

Hotel Winthrop (Tacoma); Hildegarde; Singers;

Felkins Fine Foods (A.G. Felkins No. 13) is located in a two story building built using concrete blocks. Posters in the front window offer rhubarb 2 pounds for 15 cents, butter for 69 cents per pound, and oranges 8 cents per pound. Ordered by the Holroyd Company.

Holroyd Co. (Tacoma); Building materials; Concrete--Tacoma; Concrete products industry--Tacoma; A.G. Felkins No. 13 (Tacoma); Grocery stores--Tacoma--1950-1960;