National clothiers Foreman & Clark opened up the latest in their 90 chain stores in the Villa Plaza Shopping Center on June 6, 1957. They were well-known for their fine quality men's, women's and children's line of clothing. Foreman & Clark's was established in Los Angeles in 1909 by W.A. Foreman. His policy of upstairs stores, low rental costs and inexpensive fixtures resulted in savings passed on to his customers in the form of quality merchandise at low prices. The Foreman & Clark chain ran from New York to California and then up to the Pacific Northwest. The Villa Plaza store had a prime location next to Rhodes Department Store. It was run by Hal Miller. This is probably the rear view of the store, taken on June 17, 1957. For another view, probably of the front, see A107266-1. Sepia photograph ordered by Walter Scott, Foreman & Clark. (TNT 6-5-57, A-6)
Foreman & Clark (Lakewood); Clothing stores--Lakewood--1950-1960; Signs (Notices); Villa Plaza Shopping Center (Lakewood);
Large selection of men's suits at the new Foreman & Clark's clothing store in Lakewood's Villa Plaza Shopping Center. Foreman & Clark celebrated its grand opening with three days full of bargains on June 6-8, 1957. Men could purchase a 100% wool suit for only $39.90 and pick up a toggle car coat for $12.88. The firm manufactured its own men's and boys' clothing with men's sizes ranging from 34-50. Among the newest of 90 stores from coast-to-coast, the Villa Plaza location followed store policy of low rental expense and inexpensive fixtures so that quality merchandise could be manufactured while keeping costs low for shoppers. The Villa Plaza store was managed by Hal Miller who along with Byron W. Foreman, nephew of store founder W.A. Foreman and Walter Scott, regional manager, were present for the grand opening celebration. (TNT 6-5-57, A-6-article)
Foreman & Clark (Lakewood); Clothing stores--Lakewood--1950-1960; Merchandise displays--Lakewood--1950-1960; Suits (Clothing); Villa Plaza Shopping Center (Lakewood); Shopping centers--Lakewood--1950-1960;
Just past the men's suits was the Forewyn Shop for Women located inside Foreman & Clark at the Villa Plaza. The latest fashions in suits, dresses, blouses and skirts could be found for the discerning shopper. While Foreman & Clark did not manufacture the women's clothing itself, as it did men and boys clothing, they made sure that the manufacturers chosen were worthy of the Forewyn name.
Foreman & Clark (Lakewood); Clothing stores--Lakewood--1950-1960; Merchandise displays--Lakewood--1950-1960; Villa Plaza Shopping Center (Lakewood); Shopping centers--Lakewood--1950-1960;
ca. 1957. According to the History of Pierce County, Vol. 1, the congregation of the First Presbyterian Church predates the official founding of the City of Tacoma. Seven people met on July 27, 1873, to establish the "Tacoma Presbyterian Church," eight months before the authorization of a town government. In its long history, church members have worshipped in one town hall and three church edifices. The magnificent Romanesque building was designed by noted church architect, Ralph Adams Cram of Boston; it was dedicated on September 20, 1925. In 1984, a new Swiss tower clock was added to the structure. Photograph ordered by First Presbyterian Church. (History of Pierce County, Vol. 1, p. 450) TPL-10105
First Presbyterian Church (Tacoma); Presbyterian churches--Tacoma;
ca. 1925. Lincoln High School with the cast of an oriental themed operetta on stage. Students on stage are wearing oriental costumes and are backed by a large dragon. The orchestra sits in front of the stage. No Richards Studio description is available.
Auditoriums--Tacoma--1920-1930; Costumes; Actors--Tacoma; Public schools--Tacoma; Students--Tacoma--1920-1930; Lincoln High School (Tacoma); Operas & operettas; Orchestras;
6A Class at Franklin School. The original school was built in 1889 and named after Benjamin Franklin. The pictured building replaced the old school in 1910 with additions in 1914. The architects were Heath & Twichell. It was demolished in 1997. (WSHS)
Public schools--Tacoma--1920-1930; Franklin School (Tacoma); School children--Tacoma--1920-1930;
ca. 1957. Exterior of the National Bank of Washington located in the Villa Plaza Shopping Center. The bank sponsored an open house on July 13, 1957, at its new banking office located in the north wing of the Lakewood shopping center. It was one of eight Tacoma area offices. The one-story building was 50-feet wide, 104-feet deep and totaled 5,200 square feet. The exterior was constructed of mottled blue ceramic tile with large areas of plate glass. The facility was designed by Lea, Pearson & Richards and built by general contractor Merritt Construction. Six teller units, a conference room and officers quarters were located on the east side lobby. There was a modern vault in the rear. The Villa Plaza-Lakewood branch of the National Bank of Washington had as its first manager Marc H. Miller. (TNT 7-11-57, A-6-article & alt. photograph; A-7 full page ad)
National Bank of Washington (Lakewood); Banks--Lakewood; Electric signs--Lakewood; Villa Plaza Shopping Center (Lakewood); Shopping centers--Lakewood--1950-1960; Facades--Lakewood--1950-1960;
Aerial photographs of the Huntington Rubber Mills were taken on July 13, 1957. This is possibly the Seattle plant at 35 W. Lander. The business occupied a large chunk of land bordered by several roads. There were at least four separate buildings making up the plant. Photograph ordered by Huntington Rubber Mills.
Progress photograph of Bethlehem Pacific Coast Steel expansion. Bethlehem Pacific Coast Steel Corporation underwent expansion of its Seattle facilities in 1957; view of busy construction site taken on July 13, 1957. Rebar and forms are in place; cement mixer and crane are nearby as well as railroad cars to transport rubble. Bethlehem Pacific Coast Steel provided the steel used in many local projects, including the new Tacoma Narrows Bridge. Photograph ordered by Bethlehem Pacific Coast Steel Corporation.
Progress photographs; Building construction--Seattle--1950-1960; Bethlehem Pacific Coast Steel Corp. (Seattle);
6A Class at Horace Mann School posed in front of the school in January of 1926. This southend school was constructed in 1901 and named after noted American educator Horace Mann. Horace Mann revolutionized education in the US, establishing the first school for teacher training and promoting "public" education for all. This structure was demolished after the new Mann Elementary was built in 1953. (WSHS)
Horace Mann School (Tacoma); Students--Tacoma--1920-1930; Public schools--Tacoma--1920-1930;
Two loaves of Roman Meal bread were dramatically displayed on a black background on July 10, 1957. The bread was baked in two different locations and accordingly labeled. Both the Amrhein's Roman Meal of Springfield, Illinois, and Braun's Roman Meal of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, were light brown breads that were vitamin fortified. The bread was a mixture of white, whole wheat, bran and rye bread. Roman Meal Bread was said to be "so good tasting" and "so good for your figure." Consumers could write for a special diet plan that utilized this particular brand of bread. Photograph ordered by Tacoma Engraving.
6A Class posed in front of Stanley School in January of 1926. Stanley School was built in 1925 and served students who had previously attended Lincoln, Longfellow and Irving. It was named after George A. Stanley, Central School Principal for 27 years. He helped develop the District's new Junior High system and headed their teacher training program from 1896-1901 at Central. (WSHS)
School children--Tacoma--1920-1930; Group portraits; Stanley Elementary School (Tacoma); Public schools--Tacoma--1920-1930;
6A Class at Mary Lyon School on steps of school building in January of 1926. The school was only 2 years old at this point, having opened in 1924. It was designed by Hill & Mock, architects, and was named after the founder of Mount Holyoke College for women in Massachusetts, an early supporter of higher education for girls. (WSHS)
Mary Lyon School (Tacoma); School children--Tacoma--1920-1930; Group portraits; Public schools--Tacoma--1920-1930; Education--Tacoma;
Rowland Pontiac-Cadillac opened a used car center near their dealership on South Tacoma Way in July, 1957. Several late model vehicles are angle parked close to the building. Rowland Pontiac-Cadillac's dealership, owned and operated by Don Rowland, was formerly the location of Irwin-Jones Motor Co., dealers in Pontiacs and Dodges. View of used car lot and building; large signs inform drivers on busy South Tacoma Way of the company's phone number, address, and purpose of business. Photograph ordered by Rowland Pontiac-Cadillac.
Rowland Pontiac-Cadillac Used Car Center (Tacoma); Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1950-1960; Signs (Notices);
An aerial photograph of the Hooker Electrochemical plant in the Tideflats was taken on July 24, 1957, for possible order by the company. Storage tanks appear to be loaded on railroad cars on two parallel tracks. Hooker was the second chlor-alkali plant in the United States and the first caustic soda plant in the Pacific Northwest. This was apparently an aerial view of an area of Hooker Electrochemical Co. on Industrial Waterway.
Aerial photographs; Hooker Electrochemical Co. (Tacoma); Chemical industry--Tacoma--1950-1960;
McKinley School graduating class in January of 1926. McKinley School was built in 1908 and was designed by Frederick Heath, architect. It was named after the 25th President of the United States, William McKinley. (WSHS)
School children--Tacoma--1920-1930; Group portraits; Public schools--Tacoma--1920-1930; Education--Tacoma; McKinley School (Tacoma);
W.T. Grant Co. department store at the Villa Plaza Shopping Center. Grant's was the 22nd business to open in the Villa Plaza when it threw open its doors at 9:30 a.m. on Thursday, August 1, 1957. The store was fully air-conditioned and featured fluorescent lighting. Family fashions, dry goods, home and hardware were all under one roof in the 22,000 square foot building. This was the fifth W.T. Grant Co. store in Washington state amongst nearly 600 stores nationwide. The business had grown from a small single store in Lynn, Mass., started by William T. Grant in 1907. Mr. Grant was still alive in 1957, age 81. (TNT 7-30-57, p. 2; TNT 7-31-57, A-9; TNT 8-7-57, D-2) TPL-10526
W.T. Grant Co. (Lakewood); Department stores--Lakewood--1950-1960; Villa Plaza Shopping Center (Lakewood); Shopping centers--Lakewood--1950-1960;
Interior exposures--W.T.Grant store. The well-stocked W.T. Grant Co. department store appears nearly ready to greet its first customers in a July 29, 1957, photograph. Signs proclaiming Grant's to be "America's favorite family store" and "Get more, save more" are prolific throughout the store. Individual cash registers are located in the jewelry and other designated departments; in addition, there were check-out counters at each end of the store. Air conditioning and bright fluorescent lighting would make shopping comfortable. W.T. Grant Co. was located in Lakewood's new Villa Plaza Shopping Center. It was the fifth W.T.Grant store in Washington and one of 660 stores nationwide. William T. Grant opened his first store, a small one, in Lynn, Mass., in 1907; fifty years later, 22,000 supermodern department stores are the norm for Grant's. Photograph ordered by W.T. Grant Co. (TNT 7-31-57, A-9)
W.T. Grant Co. (Lakewood); Department stores--Lakewood--1950-1960; Signs (Notices); Villa Plaza Shopping Center (Lakewood);
Interior - auto parts store. Nelson Auto Parts was located on the lower level of Normanna Hall on (then) South "K" Street. It had opened for business there in October, 1952. The store was owned by Lee Nelson who had previously operated an auto parts store on Fort Lewis. Nelson Auto Parts apparently carried a full line of genuine replacement parts and accessories; view of interior of store shows three men behind the counter with displays of Laher batteries, Brookins service station equipment, Burgess sponges, Lasco brake linings, and Valvoline oil. Photograph ordered by Laher Spring & Fire Corp.
Nelson Auto Parts (Tacoma); Automobile equipment & supplies stores--Tacoma--1950-1960; Merchandise displays--Tacoma--1950-1960;
Interior--drugstore. McMillan Brothers had two drugstores located close together; one was at 738 St. Helens Avenue and the other at 749 Market St. J. Cuthbert Carr was listed as president of both. Drugstores in the 1950's still had ice cream counters where shoppers could pause for a refreshing treat. The soda fountain in McMillan Brothers was located to the rear of the store; customers would need to pass by enticing displays of sunglasses, suntan lotions, candy, and the prescription counter. Photograph ordered by Union Interchange, Inc.
McMillan Brothers (Tacoma); Drugstores--Tacoma--1950-1960; Soda fountains--Tacoma--1950-1960;
ca. 1957. Fashion Shoes at the Villa Plaza Shopping Center. There were two locations of this family shoe store, one at Villa Plaza in Lakewood and the other in downtown Tacoma at 1128 Broadway. The Villa Plaza store, like most stores in the shopping center, had both a front and rear entrance. Fashion Shoes, part of the extensive Roe Brothers chain, opened on Thursday, May 16, 1957 with a three-day grand celebration. The chain was known for good quality shoes at very reasonable prices. Mr. M. Barnes was the Villa Plaza store's first manager. (TNT 5-15-57, A-7-article; TNT ad 7-7-57, D-8; TNT 8-7-57, B-13)
Fashion Shoes (Lakewood); Shoe stores--Lakewood--1950-1960; Villa Plaza Shopping Center (Lakewood); Shopping centers--Lakewood--1950-1960;
ca. 1957. Brightly lit, spacious interior of the Fashion Shoes store in the new Villa Plaza Shopping Center. Besides shoes for the family, a wide selection of purses and socks was available for purchase. The Villa Plaza location was the second store site for Fashion Shoes who also maintained a store at 11th & Broadway in downtown Tacoma. Fashion Shoes was part of the Roe Brothers chain which had served shoe needs of West Coast families for over 25 years. The Villa Plaza store's first manager was Mr. M. Barnes. (TNT 5-15-57, A-7-article)
Fashion Shoes (Lakewood); Shoe stores--Lakewood--1950-1960; Villa Plaza Shopping Center (Lakewood); Shopping centers--Lakewood--1950-1960;
A multitude of stores opened in the new Villa Plaza Shopping Center in the late spring-summer seasons in 1957. The W.T. Grant Co. store featured fall fashions for women and children in their storefront windows; signs indicate that the grand opening would be the evening of August 21, 1957. The 22,000 square foot supermodern store would be the 5th W.T. Grant store in Washington, and one of the 660 stores nationally. Charles W. West would be the first manager. Photograph ordered by the W.T. Grant Co. (TNT 7-31-57, A-9) TPL-9928
W.T. Grant Co. (Lakewood); Department stores--Lakewood--1950-1960; Signs (Notices);
Graduating class at Rogers School in January of 1926. This building was constructed in 1908 and was named after John R. Rogers, the Washington governor who fathered the law that guarantees a free public education to all children in the state. Rogers closed in 2002. (WSHS)
School children--Tacoma--1920-1930; Public schools--Tacoma--1920-1930; Rogers School (Tacoma); Group portraits; Education--Tacoma;
Rowell's in Puyallup was apparently having a sale on their Quaker gas heaters and other appliances in mid-August, 1957. View of exterior of store on River Road showing row of stoves, refrigerators, heaters and laundry appliances. Rowell's was owned by Bruce Rowell. Photograph ordered by Quaker Mfg. Co.
Graduation Class at Sheridan School in January of 1926. The original Sheridan was built in 1889 as part of School District 53; the area was annexed by Tacoma in 1890. At that time, the school's name was changed from Bismark to Sheridan, to honor the Civil War general Philip H. Sheridan. A new school was built to replace the old in 1908. The 1908 facility was demolished and replaced in the 1990's. (WSHS)
School children--Tacoma--1920-1930; Public schools--Tacoma--1920-1930; Sheridan School (Tacoma); Education--Tacoma; Group portraits;
Technician is possibly conducting product testing in Vancouver, British Columbia, on June 12, 1957. It appears that white fibered material, possibly pulp, is being examined. This may have involved the Canadian paper industry. Photograph ordered by Malcolm McGhie.
Quality control is being conducted in a laboratory by a technician on August 12, 1957. The unidentified lab is located in Vancouver, British Columbia. Product being tested possibly may be for the paper industry. Photograph ordered by Malcolm McGhie.
