Exterior view of Lakewood Community Center just prior to its grand re-opening in November, 1951. An extensive addition to the center added 34,000 square feet to the original 25,000 square foot structure. Parking was expanded to accomodate 650 cars. Over twenty stores and businesses would provide goods and services to suburban dwellers in a one-stop shopping concept. The original Lakewood Center was opened in July 1937 under the guidance and ownership of Norton Clapp and his Lakewood Development Company. (TNT 11-14-51, C-19)

Shopping centers--Lakewood--1950-1960; Stores & shops--Lakewood--1950-1960; Lakewood Community Center (Lakewood);

View of Lakewood Colonial Center in November of 1951. Tradewell Supermarket with parking lot and automobiles in foreground. Lakewood Theater under clocktower at rear.

Shopping centers--Lakewood--1950-1960; Tradewell Stores, Inc. (Lakewood); Lakewood Theatre (Lakewood);

Phares Advertising of Seattle commissioned the Richards Studio to take several photographs of model homes in the city's southend in early December, 1951. View of small bedroom; attention is focused on double bed with hunting motif bedspread. Large chest of drawers has attached mirror, smaller drawers of similar design with lamps flank the bed. Floor is wooden to blend in with furniture. Photograph ordered by Phares Advertising.

Phares Advertising Agency (Seattle); Model houses--Tacoma; Bedrooms--Tacoma--1950-1960; Bedspreads; Clothes chests--Tacoma; Lamps;

The new Selden's of Lakewood opened in November, 1951, in the recently expanded Lakewood Community Center. Selden's had a well-established reputation as a leader in floor coverings; their original store was located on Broadway. Their new Lakewood location, in addition to carrying rugs, linoleum, carpets and draperies, also carried household appliances and televisions. View of floor coverings section of Selden's of Lakewood, including massive rolls of flooring contained in two large open cabinets, rolled carpets on floor, and piles of small rugs. (TNT 11-14-51, C-18)

Selden's of Lakewood, Inc. (Lakewood); Stores & shops--Lakewood--1950-1960; Floor coverings; Rugs;

Selden's, specialists in floor coverings, opened a Lakewood branch location in the newly expanded Lakewood Community Center in November, 1951. Selden's of Lakewood, Inc., sold televisions and household appliances in addition to providing the traditional Selden's expertise in interior decorating and floor coverings. Sydney C. Selden, Jr., was the president of the Lakewood store and it was managed by LeRoy Walton. View of four televisions in wooden cabinets, stoves and Crosley Shelvador refrigerators. (TNT 11-14-51, C-18)

Selden's of Lakewood, Inc. (Lakewood); Stores & shops--Lakewood--1950-1960; Televisions--1950-1960; Stoves--Lakewood--1950-1960; Refrigerators;

Selden's Lakewood Store. Rolls of floor covering on left side with wall of draperies and curtain samples hanging in the back. Tables of drapery material on bolts with some being upright and some laying down. Photograph was taken in November of 1951.

Seldens of Lakewood, Inc. (Lakewood); Floor coverings; Draperies;

A few self-service stations were starting to appear in the early 1950's in the Puget Sound area; however, it was still an unusual sight. A customer would pump his own gas rather than waiting patiently in his car for an attendant to do so. As this gas station's large sign advertised, you could "save $$" by doing the work yourself. Photograph ordered by Fletcher Oil Company.

Automobile service stations--Tacoma; Signs (Notices); Fletcher Oil Co. (Tacoma);

An unusual sight in the early 1950's was a self-service gas station. Instead of having an attendant come out and pump the gas, the customer would do the work himself. As the large sign on the light pole proclaims, it would be possible to "save" money if you were willing to "serve-ur-self". Photograph ordered by Fletcher Oil Company.

Automobile service stations--Tacoma; Signs (Notices); Fletcher Oil Co. (Tacoma);

Two men were inducted into the Quarter Century club of Standard Brands, Inc., at the annual dinner for the Northwest area at Winthrop Hotel. They were Walter A. Logan, a machinist in the maintenance deparment of the Sumner Fleischmann's yeast plant, and Clarence H. Romnes, who worked in the vinegar department. Acme News, Ronald Schaad. (TNT, 11/15/1950, p.27)

Hotel Winthrop (Tacoma); Standard Brands, Inc. (Tacoma);

Employees of Sears, Roebuck & Co. attended a banquet held at the Top of the Ocean in October, 1950. The photograph commissioned by Mr. Moore of Sears Roebuck showed the head table with amusing signs and slogans.

Sears, Roebuck & Co. (Tacoma)--People--1950-1960; Group portraits--1950-1960; Signs (Notices);

A group of 34 employees pose for their group portrait at Western Furnace. The company had moved into spacious, new shops and showrooms at 2801 South Tacoma Way in July 1949. The company was founded in 1912 and the firm offices were formerly located in the Fidelity Building. The new building covered approximately 10,000 square feet and included offices, showrooms, and repair shops for the nearly 40 employees. One of the longtime employees has been identified as Terence Patrick Francis Rossiter, 50, who would retire from the company about 1960. He is standing with his arms crossed in the top row, second from the left. (TNT, 7/8/1949, p.3) (Additional identification provided by a reader) TPL-10101

Western Furnaces, Inc. (Tacoma)--Employees; Rossiter, Terence Patrick Francis;

Fruit and vegetable display equipment at Market Street Thriftway. The display cases are filled with fall vegetables: cabbage, carrots, celery, followed by parsnips later on. Oranges and apples are behind the two men wearing green aprons. Small pumpkins sit along the top of the cases. Ordered by Washington Equipment and Sales Company, Seattle. ALBUM 15.

Market Street Thriftway (Tacoma); Grocery stores--Tacoma--1950-1960; Showcases; Fruit--Tacoma; Vegetables--Tacoma; Merchandise displays--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Mayberry Motor Parts, Inc. and Oxygen Sales & Service Co. were owned and operated by members of the Mayberry family. Roy B. Mayberry is listed as president of both companies in the 1951 City Directory. Angled view of exterior of businesses; photographed on September 28, 1950. Both Mayberry Motor Parts and Oxygen Sales & Service occupied the same long rectangular building on Market Street.

Mayberry Motor Parts, Inc. (Tacoma); Oxygen Sales & Service Co. (Tacoma); Mayberry, Roy B.;

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;

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;

Vaudeville Party at the Top of the Ocean, photograph ordered by Tacoma Actors Guild. Two men and three women, acting as restaurant staff, at bar. For Tacoma Actors Guild, Frank Murtough.

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

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;

Footprints on the sidewalk lead people to South Tacoma Motor Company to see the 1951 Chevrolets. Fourteen passenger body types were included in the 1951 line. Two- and four-door sedans were available in the Styleline and Fleetline series. All sedans and the sport coupe came in de luxe or special trim. A convertible coupe, all-steel station wagon and the Bel Air were exclusively in the de luxe series. The business coupe was only available in the Special series. (TNT, 12/9/1950, p.13)

Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1940-1950; South Tacoma Motor Co. (Tacoma); Chevrolet automobile; Showrooms--Tacoma--1950-1960;

December was the month to showcase the upcoming year's new automobile models. Here the 1951 Chevrolets, including the Bel Air, are gleaming under the overhead lights of South Tacoma Motor Company at 5602 South Tacoma Way. The Bel Air's white-wall tires set off its new styling, where improvements and changes were featured in both the chassis and body for 1951. Model changes ranged from the "biggest brakes in the low-price field" to longer and lower design innovations. The Powerglide automatic transmission, optional on the deluxe models only, was also refined. Both South Tacoma Motor Co. and Walker Chevrolet would open their showrooms at night during part of December to highlight the impressive catalog of new cars. (TNT, 12/8/1950, p.13-article )

Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1940-1950; South Tacoma Motor Co. (Tacoma); Chevrolet automobile; Showrooms--Tacoma--1950-1960;

A general view of the South Tacoma Motor Company at night. The 1951 Chevrolets are seen through the showroom windows. A neon sign is elevated from the corner of the building and a banner promoting "America's Largest and Finest Low-Priced Car" is seen on the transom.

Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1940-1950; South Tacoma Motor Co. (Tacoma); Chevrolet automobile; Showrooms--Tacoma--1950-1960; Electric signs--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Newly remodeled 2nd floor at Harold E. Dahl Company. The company sold office supplies and furniture, Mosler safes, typewriters, adding machines, and duplicators. This view features metal and wooden desks, desk chairs, visitor chairs, tables, file cabinets, coat racks and lamps.

Harold E. Dahl Co. (Tacoma); Office furniture; Stores & shops--Tacoma--1950-1960; Desks; Chairs;

Vaudeville Party at the Top of the Ocean, photograph ordered by Tacoma Actors Guild. Group of men and women seated at tables with Bingo cards. 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;

A tractor and implements are displayed in Buck & Sons showroom with Christmas decorations suggesting a gift for Christmas 1950. The tractor has been covered with plastic wrap.

Buck & Sons Tractor & Implement Co. (Tacoma); Tractors--Tacoma; Merchandise displays--Tacoma--1950-1960; Showrooms--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Consolidated Freightways' annual awards dinner was held at the Country House again in 1950. Four couples are shown at the head table that has been decorated for the holiday season. A banner with Santa Claus wishes "Fellow Freighters a Merry Christmas." Maynard Mayfield was the company's agent at this time.

Consolidated Freightways, Inc. (Tacoma)--Employees; Christmas decorations; Banquets--Tacoma--1940-1950; Country House (Tacoma);

In December of 1950, passersby could pause in their nightly stroll downtown to peer through the curved windows into the festive showroom at the Mueller-Harkins Buick dealership, 455 Saint Helens Ave. The showroom was decorated for Christmas and featured two new 1950 Buicks on display. A neon sign promoting "Buick Dynaflow Drive" (automatic transmission) hung in the showroom window. Buick sold over half a million of their 1950 models using the slogan "Better Get a Buick." Prices in December 1950 in Tacoma ranged from $2256 for a Buick Special to $3157 for the Roadmaster. TPL-5045

Mueller-Harkins Motor Co. (Tacoma); Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1950-1960; Buick automobile; Christmas decorations; Window displays--Tacoma--1950-1960;

A young man has just completed the display of Johnson's Glo-Coat floor wax and applicator at the Park-N-Shop grocery store. Ordered by S.C. Johnson.

Park-N-Shop, Inc. (Parkland); Grocery stores--Parkland--1950-1960; Merchandise displays--Tacoma; Housework--Tacoma;

The back of the old Tacoma Transit property. Several buses are seen inside the building being serviced. Ordered by Rinaldo Keasal.

Tacoma Transit Co. (Tacoma); Mass transit--Tacoma; Bus terminals--Tacoma; Transportation facilities--Tacoma;

The interior of the Silver Dollar Tavern is being remodeled. The tavern was located at 1554-56 Jefferson Avenue in the Carlton Hotel. A tile floor with set-in designs and a border is shown. A large arched doorway leads to the exterior of the building. A counter with beer taps is standing on the floor in the right, center. Light fixtures hang from the tall ceiling. Ordered by Dorothy Harradine, owner of the new tavern and cafe.

Silver Dollar Cafe (Tacoma); Remodeling--Tacoma--1950-1960; Carlton Hotel (Tacoma);