Studio exposure of the customer's model, ordered by Sun Lake Stores Inc. of Coulee City, Wa. This store model was being designed to sit on the edge of a cliff with an observation window intended to take in the sights of the majestic country surrounding the Grand Coulee Dam. Through a series of pictures, an artist has altered the photographs, changing a roofline or adding a fence and then re-photographed the altered picture. For the full series, see image #2, 3, 4, 7, 8 & 10c.
Building models; Sun Lake Stores Inc. (Coulee City);
Studio exposure of the customer's model, ordered by Sun Lake Stores Inc. of Coulee City, Wa. This store model was being designed to sit on the edge of a cliff with an observation window intended to take in the sights of the majestic country surrounding the Grand Coulee Dam. Through a series of pictures, an artist has altered the photographs, changing a roofline or adding a fence and then re-photographed the altered picture. For the full series, see image #2, 3, 4, 7, 8 & 10c. Here the artist has changed the shape of the roof, added a room of floor to ceiling glass in the back and added a rock fence at the edge of the cliff.
Building models; Sun Lake Stores Inc. (Coulee City);
Studio exposure of the customer's model, ordered by Sun Lake Stores Inc. of Coulee City, Wa. For this view, a second floor has been added to the original model and the cars and phone booth placed on what was previously the roof. The roofline has also been altered, extending the observation area and the second floor out over the edge of the cliff. For the full series, see image #2, 3, 4, 7, 8 & 10c.
Building models; Sun Lake Stores Inc. (Coulee City);
Studio exposure of the customer's model, ordered by Sun Lake Stores Inc. of Coulee City, Wa. This store model was being designed to sit on the edge of a cliff with an observation window intended to take in the sights of the majestic country surrounding the Grand Coulee Dam. For the full series, see image #2, 3, 4, 7, 8 & 10c.
Building models; Sun Lake Stores Inc. (Coulee City);
In November of 1959, Verla White was photographed selecting art prints for the imported grasscloth wall in her new apartment at the Finisterre Apartments. The modernistic Finisterre (meaning "lands end") was built in 1959 by Stromberg Building Enterprises, who served as builder, architect and contractor. It was completed on November 20, 1959. The building was located at the north corner of 6th and No. Jackson, overlooking Puget Sound and the Narrows Bridge. Each apartment had soundproofing, wall-to-wall carpeting, draperies, built-in colored appliances and ceramic tile baths. Five color schemes were available. There were a total of 20 one and two bedroom suites. The one bedrooms rented for $105- 127.50, the two bedrooms for $120-127.50. They could be rented furnished or unfurnished. The building was sold to C. William Brasier prior to opening. (TNT 9/20/1959, pg. B-6; 11/8/1959, pg. B-4-B-5-photograph & article on Finisterre)
Studio exposure of the customer's model, ordered by Sun Lake Stores Inc. of Coulee City, Wa. This store model was being designed to sit on the edge of a cliff with an observation window intended to take in the sights of the majestic country surrounding the Grand Coulee Dam. Here the artist has changed the shape of the roof, added a room of floor to ceiling glass in the back and added a rock fence at the edge of the cliff and then rephotographed the altered picture to make it appear as a changed model. For the full series, see image #2, 3, 4, 7, 8 & 10c.
Building models; Sun Lake Stores Inc. (Coulee City);
The modernistic Finisterre was built in 1959 by Stromberg Building Enterprises, who served as builder, architect and contractor. It was completed on November 20, 1959. The court apartments were labeled "Century 21 Architecture." The building was a four story court type structure with 22 suites, including 2 penthouses. The penthouses were originally occupied by Mr. and Mrs. Bill Harbke and Dr. and Mrs. Frank Unmack. The building offered panoramic views of the Puget Sound and the Narrows. The exterior was viking brick accented with modern panels and 18 foot contemporary seahorses on the 6th Avenue side. The suspended, motel-like cantilever decks and stairs were built of structural steel and concrete with a paneled railing for safety. The court area included a contemporary pool and an original design fountain garden was the focal point of the courtyard. Finisterre means "lands end." The building was located at 6th and No. Jackson. TPL-7913 (TNT 11/8/1959, pg. B-4- B-5)
In November of 1959, two unidentified women, dressed in black, demonstrate the exercise equipment at the New Era Studio at 6011 Mount Tacoma Dr. S.W. in Lakewood, one of a chain of Body Culture Studios. One of the women spins away on an exercise bike while the other sits at a rowing machine. The women, and the photographer, are reflected in the surrounding mirrors. The low-tech exercise bike resembles a bicycle cut in half more than the stationary bikes of today. The studio offered body building and weight control equipment. It also gave a one year guarantee or your money back. At the end of one year, women were guaranteed a 15 pound loss and 2 additional inches on the bustline, while men were promised more muscle. (TNT 11/8/1959, pg. D-14)
Exercise equipment & supplies; Weight loss--Tacoma--1950-1960; Physical fitness--1950-1960; New Era Studio (Lakewood);
A long shot of the New Era Studio gym, one of a chain of Body Culture Studios. The gym was owned by Donna and Riley N. Keith and located in Lakewood Square at 6011 Mt. Tacoma Dr. SW. Their slogan was "Add years to your life and life to your years." The gym has some of the same equipment as today: stationary bicycles, slant boards and freeweights. The exceptions are the four machines to the right of the front row. These passive exercise machines were thought to reduce the fat by jiggling or rolling it. The studio advertised spot reducing, slenderizing, bust development, body conditioning, steam baths, sun lamps and massage. (TNT 11/8/1959, pg. D-14)
Exercise equipment & supplies; Weight loss--Tacoma--1950-1960; Physical fitness--1950-1960; New Era Studio (Lakewood);
Steven Motor Co. in their new location at 2705 South Tacoma Way. Steven Motors was the Plymouth and Valiant dealer and had formerly been located in downtown Tacoma on Broadway. Everett T. Steven was the president of the sales and service company. Steven had 50 years experience in the automotive business. He started out with Harold Gilliam as Gilliam & Steven at 733 St. Helens in 1916. Prior to that partnership, Steven had worked at Pacific Car Company as a youngster, polishing the brass on new cars. New Plymouth automobiles can be seen in the showroom window and on the lot. The dealership was 2 1/2 acres with a 350 foot frontage on South Tacoma Way and 600 feet deep. The showroom had 3,000 square feet of floor space with 16 foot high glass windows on 2 1/3 sides. Above the showroom was a conference room and coffee bar, behind the showroom sales offices were the parts department and shop area. (TNT 11/4/1959, section A)
Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1950-1960; Plymouth automobile; Steven Motor Co. (Tacoma);
Steven Motor Company, Chrysler and Plymouth dealers, general view of the showroom at their new South Tacoma location. New Plymouth Fury hardtop at left in photo, station wagon at right. To the left of the photo are cubicles, probably holding the desks of the sales agents. To the right of the photo is a stand up cardboard cut out of Steve Allen advertising "The Steve Allen Plymouth Show." Behind and to the left of the cut out is the parts department; the shop area can be seen through the open space at the back of the office. Located above the offices, that were behind the doors in the back wall, were a conference room and a coffee bar. The approximately 3000 square foot showroom had 16 foot high glass windows on 2 1/3 sides. It was one of the finest Chrysler Corporation dealerships on the West Coast. The dealership was also one of two local dealers of the Valiant, the 101 horsepower, 6 cylinder family sized economy car. (TNT 11/4/1959, section A)
Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1950-1960; Plymouth automobile; Steven Motor Co. (Tacoma);
On October 31, 1959, two boys, Patrick on the left and David on the right, modeled their costumes for a group of approximately 20 children and assorted adults at a Halloween party held at the Blue Barons Motorcycle Clubhouse, 5623 South Monroe Street. David is dressed in a shiny black skeleton costume topped with a cowboy hat and Patrick wears a clown outfit that is a few sizes too small. The children reside at St. Ann's Home and they are receiving gifts and treats at this party hosted by the Blue Barons. St. Ann's Home was an orphanage located at 6602 Alaska and run by the Sisters of St. Francis. (TNT 11/2/1959, pg. 6)
St. Ann's Home (Tacoma); Orphanages--Tacoma--1950-1960; Blue Barons Motorcycle Club (Tacoma); Holidays--Tacoma; Halloween--Tacoma; Children's parties;
To celebrate National Restaurant Month, the Pierce County Chapter of the Washington State Association of Restaurants, and the Cooks and Waiters Union, hosted their 7th annual luncheon for members of the Chamber of Commerce on October 14, 1959. More than 400 local business leaders and city, county and state officials were guests for the event, held in the Elks Club ballroom. The meal was prepared by representatives of the Tacoma Vocational School and served by members of the Cooks and Waiters Union, who posed outside the Elks building on the Spanish steps. (TNT 10/13/1959, pg. 19; 10/15/1959, pg. A-22 see photograph caption for names)
Cooks; Restaurant workers--Tacoma--1950-1960; Waiters--Tacoma--1950-1960; Washington State Restaurant Association (Tacoma); Culinary Alliance Union Local 61 (Tacoma); Elks Club (Tacoma);
Rabbi Richard Rosenthal poses with a wide-eyed group of nine children, seven boys and two girls, at the Temple Beth Israel Synagogue on October 23, 1959.
The Wonderland Store. The Wonderland Store sold toys, games and juvenile furniture. It was full of everything a little heart could desire. The store would be having its Grand Opening October 23, 24 & 26, 1959. William J. (Bill) Robertson was president, with Mrs. Hazel Gord as vice president and Mrs. Ruth Robertson as Secretary-Treasurer. Bill Robertson was a native Tacoman and a graduate of Sherman School, Mason Jr. High, Stadium High and the College of Puget Sound. He was married to the former Ruth Wolland and had two sons, Gary (5) and Dave (3). Robertson was formerly a toy buyer for a Tacoma Department store. Gord was also a native Tacoman and had formerly managed a toy store for 11 years. Cribs, bassinets and strollers line the walls. Large dolls sit or stand at a table while an upright carton holds stick horses. A three piece matching set of luggage sits on a table to the left while board games line the standing storage units. (TNT 10/22/1959, pg. A-8)
Wonderland store (Tacoma); Toys; Toy stores (Tacoma);
The Puget Sound National Bank Christmas Club trophy, ordered by the company magazine. The winner in 1959 was the K Street branch; the winner in 1958 was the Midway bank. Christmas Club accounts were used to save money all year long for Christmas gifts and travel. In an economy that still depended heavily on cash, saving for the holidays was essential.
Puget Sound National Bank (Tacoma); Banking--Tacoma--1950-1960;
Studio portrait of Jerry Werner with his accordion, ordered by Mrs. George Werner of 513 So. 59th. The emblem on Jerry's accordion identifies him as a WATA (Washington Accordion Teachers' Association) state champion. It appears that he won 2nd place in the group division.
Interiors at Barks House of Music. Accordions of all makes and sizes sit on the counter. Stringed instruments hang from the peg board behind. There are ukeleles, banjos, mandolins and violins, to name a few. Cases rest above and below the instruments. Barks held an Open House at this new spacious location October 15-17, 1959. This was the store's third location, each expansion due to growth. The Barks had over 50 years experience in the music business. (TNT 10/15/1959, pg. A-6-7)
Barks House of Music (Tacoma); Music stores--Tacoma--1950-1960; Musical instruments; Accordions; Ukeleles; Stringed instruments; Merchandise displays--Tacoma--1950-1960;
In October of 1959 Barks House of Music moved to a new location at 1114 Pacific Avenue, taking over a former Publix Market building. The new neon sign in the front of the store proudly displays their barking dog emblem and the slogan "Everything in Music." Owned by Earl and T.R. "Dick" Barks, the store sold wind, string and band instruments and accessories, as well as sheet music, records, tape recorders, televisions, radios and high fidelity phonographs. Earl and Dick Barks already had over 50 years of experience in the music business. They only stayed at this location until 1965 when they moved to 955 Commerce. T. R. "Dick" Barks died in January of 1968; Earl E. Barks died November 6, 2000. (TNT 10/15/1959, pg. A-7)
Barks House of Music (Tacoma); Musical instruments; Music stores--Tacoma--1950-1960; Merchandise displays--Tacoma--1950-1960; Electric signs--Tacoma--1950-1960;
April, a chimpanzee, drapes her arm affectionately around a jean clad, tow headed youngster, 18 month old Jimmy Janne. The B&I was well known for its menagerie of animals and the store housed two other chimps, Kathy & Murphy. April was purchased by Earl L. Irwin, B&I owner, from the Charles Janne family in Seattle. They had raised the chimp from the age of 9 1/2 months as a family member. Prior to living with the Jannes, the infant April had lived in Hollywood and appeared in movies and on television. April was very childlike in her play and actions and over 10,000 people had flooded the B&I to see the 60 pound chimp that dressed in T shirts and capris. At the store, she was kept in a brightly lighted glass walled apartment where she dined (the health department had stopped her from eating at the lunch counter,) played or napped in a crib. She used the facilities in the ladies room and was free to walk down the corridors, frequently catching a ride on the merry-go-round. (TNT 10/22/1959, pg. D-1)
Chimpanzees--Lakewood; B&I Circus Store (Tacoma); Janne, Jimmy;
In October of 1959, April, a four year old chimpanzee, posed with laughing 18 month old toddler Jimmy Janne on the famous merry-go-round at the B&I Circus Store. Earl L. Irwin, owner of the B& I, had purchased April from Libby (Mrs. Charles) Janne of Seattle when she was forced to sell the family pet in order to settle the estate of her late mother. Mrs. Janne's mother was a former pet store owner in Burien. The only problem was that April thought she was a child, not an animal, and was devoted to her "baby brother" Jimmy. Mrs. Janne had obtained April when she was 9 1/2 months old. When Jimmy was born, April became his sister, babysitter and constant companion. She changed his diapers and taught him to dress himself and how to handle a cup, spoon and fork. Irwin eventually offered a $100 reward for the best suggestion on how to break the bond between April & Jimmy, while retaining April's sweet and friendly nature. (TNT 10/22/1959, pg. D-1 full page ad by the B&I)
Chimpanzees--Lakewood; B&I Circus Store (Tacoma); Janne, Jimmy; Merry-go-rounds--Tacoma;
Puget Sound National Bank, Lakewood branch. As the fifties dawned, so did urban flight. All of the necessities of life began to be available outside of the city core, and the banks followed suit. Puget Sound first build a temporary branch adjacent to the Lakewood Center that took in 2 million in deposits by the end of its first year. On October 5, 1953, this permanent facility opened in an elegant building that included two fireplaces and piped in music. ("Banking on Independence" by Provorse)
Puget Sound National Bank (Lakewood); Banks--Lakewood; Banking--Lakewood;
Publicity photo for the Fircrest Golf Club, ordered by the Tacoma News Tribune society pages. Five committee members pose in oriental garb advertising a night of "Mandarin Mischief", a dinner with an oriental theme followed by dancing and games. Photograph taken at the home of Arla (Mrs. Gordon) Rohrs at 707 Alta Vista Place, Fircrest. The committee members are, left to right, Arla Rohrs, Edith (Mrs. Harold) Tollefson, Mrs. Gordon Dowling, Alice (Mrs. John) Tollefson and Irene (Mrs. Elmer) Alskog. (TNT 10/11/1959, pg. D-5)
A South Seas theme has been used to decorate this room in the Lake City home of Gordon and Peggy Rupe. The bar is a "Hoola Hut" designed by Speedy Rest Furniture Co. Two stools stand before the bar. The room is filled with tropical foliage, palm trees and jungle island inspired decorations. Beaded curtains frame the picture. Speedy Rest Lawn & Patio Furniture Co. was located at 9835 North Lake Dr. They specialized in portable snack or beverage bars with old Hawaiian styles or beachcomber effects. The bars cost $60 & up. They also sold realistic palms 3-9 feet tall. (TNT 7/1/1959, pg. B-16)
Progress photograph featuring the structural steel framework of the new Nestles Co. building in Salinas California, ordered by Bethlehem Pacific Coast Steel Corporation of San Francisco, Ca. A hardhatted worker stands on one of the beams, silhouetted against a sky filled with cloud formations.
Progress photographs--1950-1960; Building construction--Salinas; Structural frames--Salinas; Bethlehem Pacific Coast Steel Corp. (San Francisco);
Progress photograph featuring the structural steel framework of the new Nestles Co. building in Salinas California, ordered by Bethlehem Pacific Coast Steel Corporation of San Francisco, Ca.
Progress photographs--1950-1960; Building construction--Salinas; Structural frames--Salinas; Bethlehem Pacific Coast Steel Corp. (San Francisco);
Approximately 150 officials and onlookers watched in October of 1959 when Governor Albert D. Rosellini cut the bright red ribbon to open the first stretch of the Tacoma Freeway (I-5). The section ran from Gravelly Lake Dr. (near Ponders) to 72nd St.; the Highway 5G (south 104th St.) cloverleaf overpass is at top. City, county and state dignitaries waited to tour, with the governor, the 6 lane stretch of highway, that cost $4,800,000 to construct. Gov. Rosellini is in the center of the picture, to the left of Rosellini is County Commissioner Fritz Geiger and to the left of him is Tacoma Mayor Ben Hanson. To the far right of the picture is Highways Director William A. Bugge. This is one of the least expensive segments of the freeway in Tacoma; the total cost of the freeway within the Tacoma city limits was 25 million dollars. (TNT 10/1/1959, pg. 1)
Express highways--Tacoma--1950-1960; Rosellini, Albert D.; Hanson, Ben; Geiger, Fritz; Bugge, William A.;
Governor Albert D. Rosellini cuts the bright red ribbon opening the first stretch of the Tacoma Freeway. This section runs from Gravelly Lake Dr. (near Ponders) to 72nd St.; the Highway 5G (south 104th St.) cloverleaf overpass is at top. Holding the end of the ribbon to the left is Tacoma Mayor Ben Hanson. The highway stretches across six lanes and will significantly ease the traffic congestion around Fort Lewis and McChord Air Force Base. (TNT 10/1/1959, pg. 1) TPL-9643
Express highways--Tacoma--1950-1960; Rosellini, Albert D.; Hanson, Ben;
Highland Hills Shopping Center. A female shopper gazes into the window at Coonan's Country Store in late September of 1959. Coonan's was a variety store owned by Frank R. Coonan. The building utilized large windows to permit customers to view goods offered for sale, both from within and outside the facility.
Highland Hills Shopping Center (Tacoma); Shopping centers--Tacoma--1950-1960; Coonan's Country Store (Tacoma);
Highland Hills Shopping Center. Only a few cars occupy the huge lot at the west end shopping center. The Center opened in 1956 to serve the growing westend community. Shown are the Big Bear Market, Coonan's Country Store, Jewel's Styling Salon and Stebner's Furniture.
Highland Hills Shopping Center (Tacoma); Shopping centers--Tacoma; Big Bear Stores (Tacoma); Supermarkets--Tacoma--1950-1960; Grocery stores--Tacoma--1950-1960;
