Back of Photo: News Marlene Tenzler is just waiting for the auctioneer to auction off Bullwinkle and his friends, because she said she has five grandchildren. The public auction was held in the former Bullwinkle's Family Food N Fun theater and restaurant at 2424 S. 320th St. in Federal Way today. She didn't buy the moose. Winning bidder spent more than $4,000 for the sculptured pieces and equipment. Photo by Russ Carmack
Back of Photo: Pet Petersen (left, and Ray Causey sip a beer at eh Shoboat Cabaret (owned by Causey) in Ruston. Petersen's tavern (Pete's Place tavern --clever name!) is in South Tacoma. Photo by Jeff Larsen
Back of Photo: Many Asian businesses can be found along South Tacoma Way. Story by Dorian Smith Photo by Bill Hunter
“Signs in two languages light up the Royal Box in South Tacoma.” There were seven Korean nightclubs along South Tacoma Way and Pacific Highway NW, possibly making the highest concentration of Korean nightclubs on the West Coast according to the New Tribune. Along with serving food and drinks, they served as cultural meeting places for Tacoma’s Korean community.
Back of Photo: Old Barnacle Bill's Leveled- A longtime Tacoma waterfront landmark, Barnacle Bill's Cafe at the intersection of 11th Street and Port of Tacoma Road, was leveled early last week. The structure has been a cafe since the 1930s and was moved to the site from across 11th Street in 1941, according to owner Ben Erhart, who bought the establishment in 1950. The cleared site will be developed as a parking lot for the new, enlarged Barnacle Bill's, which has opened its doors to the rear of the site.
The remodeling of Peoples flagship store in downtown Tacoma also included updating the Sportswear section on the second floor. A glimpse into the Sportswear area on May 2, 1969, shows crowded racks of pants on spinners and shirts hung on the wall. Folded casualwear is piled high on convenient shelving. A pair of mannequins dressed in the latest styles are posed adjacent to the Sportwear; a functioning jukebox is plugged in next to them. Photograph ordered by Peoples.
Peoples (Tacoma); Department stores--Tacoma--1960-1970; Mannequins; Jukeboxes;
Even into the late '60s, wigs were frequently advertised and purchased by women desiring a change of hairstyles or to supplement what nature had originally given them. Peoples downtown Tacoma store had extensively remodeled their second floor which included the Wig Boutique. The store had hired expert stylists to offer advice and fittings. This May 2, 1969, photograph shows the wide variety of styles and colors of wigs on sale. Pre-styled human hair wigs, machine-tied, were on sale at the time for $29.95. Wigboxes and styrofoam heads were included to transport the items home. Photograph ordered by Peoples. (TNT ad 4-30-69, B-2)
Peoples (Tacoma); Department stores--Tacoma--1960-1970; Wigs;
Russ Dunmire Oldsmobile, general view of agency building from across rain soaked South Tacoma Way. Two men are picketing the dealership at left center in July of 1969. Several 1950s and 60s automobiles, trucks and vans parked at curb. Although this photograph was taken in July, a large sign remained in the dealership's window advertising "Olds Spring Fashion Show." Photograph ordered by General Motors, Portland.
Russ Dunmire Oldsmobile, Inc. (Tacoma); Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1960-1970; Signs (Notices); Pickets--Tacoma--1960-1970;
James Will at the Titus-Will Ford dealership. Jim Will and Leon Titus were co-founders of the dealership in 1938. Awards and plaques on wall behind him. Photograph ordered by Ford Motor Co., Dearborn, Michigan.
Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1960-1970; Awards; Titus-Will Ford (Tacoma); Will, James W.;
Ball joint press and gauge in use at Bohannon's Bridgeport Service Station, 11026 Bridgeport Way S.W., Lakewood on September 29, 1969. Stress placed on ball joints made them one of the most common suspension parts to wear out. Bohannon's Bridgeport Service was owned and operated by James Bohannon. Photograph ordered by Lomac, Inc., Seattle.
New tire store. Baldwin Tire & Brake Service opened for business in September of 1969 in the old OK Tire Store building. It was located at 1922 Tacoma Ave. So. and offered both new tires and retreads, including El Dorado and Goodrich brands. Front end alignment and brake service were also provided. Owner and operator Leonard Baldwin was a former real estate salesman for Frank Russell & Associates and a retired Army sergeant. Mr. Baldwin is believed to be the second man to the right in this September 22, 1969, group photograph. He was the sixth in the nation to utilize funds available through the (then) eight-month old minority enterprise program of the Small Business Administration. The loan to purchase the tire store was made possible through a special partnership from tire dealers and the SBA to help minorities obtain and operate their own tire business. Photograph ordered by R.H. Gillette Distributors, Inc. (TNT 10-12-69, D-10)
Baldwin Tire & Brake Service (Tacoma); Tires; Signs (Notices);
Baldwin Tire & Brake Service. The large OK sign was still fastened to the roof of the tire store at 19th and Tacoma Ave So. now owned by Leonard Baldwin in September of 1969. Now called Baldwin Tire & Brake Service, the store sold new tires and retreads, emphasizing the El Dorado and Goodrich brands, and also fixed flats for 96 cents or tubeless tires for $1.25. A customer could also have his vehicle's front end aligned and brakes repaired. Store owner Leonard Baldwin, a former real estate salesman and retired Army sgt., was able to purchase the business with the help of a minority enterprise program. This September 22, 1969, general view also indicates the wooded and shrub-filled lot next to the tire store had recently been sold by Wm. C. Johnston, realtor. Photograph ordered by the R.H. Gillette Distributors, Inc. (TNT 10-12-69, D-10)
Baldwin Tire & Brake Service (Tacoma); Tires; Signs (Notices);
Actor John Forsythe shakes hands with a young woman during grand opening night at the Southcenter Theatre, April 1, 1970. Mr. Forsythe was present to greet his fans and address the audience from the stage. His film, "Topaz," was the first film shown at the new theater. It was directed by Alfred Hitchcock and based on the Leon Uris spy novel. ALBUM 7.
ca. 1970. Southcenter Theatre. The single screen auditorium had 1,228 seats. Due to the giant 88 x 32-foot high curved screen, patrons would have had good views from any seat in the house. The screen was flanked by floor length curtains. The Southcenter Theatre opened in April of 1970 and went dark in August of 2001. The first film shown was Alfred Hitchcock's "Topaz," and the last, "Moulin Rouge." Photograph ordered by Southcenter Theatre, Tukwila. (ww.cinematour.com)
Guests at Southcenter Theatre. These three men may have been guests at the special V.I.P. night held just before the 1970 grand opening of the Southcenter Theatre in Tukwila. The actual grand opening was on April 1, 1970, with a guest appearance by actor John Forsythe, in town to promote his new film, "Topaz," which had the honor of being the first film shown in the new theater. Two of the men are unidentified; the third (extreme right) is Michael R. Forman. Mr. Forman is associated with Forman United Theaters, owners of the new theater, and also owners of the Tacoma Mall Theater. Photograph ordered by Southcenter Theatre.
Motion picture theaters--Tukwila; Southcenter Theatre (Tukwila); Forman, Michael R.;
Opening night for the Southcenter Theatre, April 1, 1970. Building lit up with personal appearance by actor John Forsythe highlighted on marquee. Cars fill the parking lot as moviegoers are attracted both to the appearance of Mr. Forsythe and his film, the Alfred Hitchcock production, "Topaz." The exterior of the building, with its floor-to-ceiling glass windows, resembles that of the Tacoma Mall Theater, which had opened just two years before. TPL-6196
Projectors - Southcenter Theatre. The Southcenter Theatre, opened in April of 1970, was reportedly the last 70-mm Cinerama-capable theater built in North America. Patrons could sit in comfort in one of the 1,228 plush seats and watch movies on a giant 88 x 32 feet curved screen. Southcenter Theatre was a single-screen theater and never part of the multi-plex trend which later developed across the country. It would close in 2001 with its last performance of "Moulin Rouge." Publicity photograph ordered by Southcenter Theatre, Tukwila. (www.cinematour.com- article)
Machinery. Globe Machine, a longtime Tacoma manufacturing company, built machines for the plywood industry. This is believed to be a glue spreader. Photograph ordered by Globe Machine Manufacturing Co.
Woolworth's offered "Golden Fried Chicken" to-go by the bucket, bag or piece in 1970. Located in a corner of the store by the lunch counter, local business people or the casual shopper could satisfy their hunger at reasonable prices. A Woolworth's employee in white uniform poses next to the display of paper buckets and serving stand in this June, 1970, photograph. TPL-6408
Bank of Washington Plaza. Towering over its neighbors is the new Bank of Washington Plaza on 12th & Pacific in downtown Tacoma. The National Bank of Washington and Pacific National Bank had merged effective August 16, 1970. The bank's new name was the Pacific National Bank of Washington with headquarters in Seattle. The Tacoma headquarters would remain in the 24-story plaza tower shown above. Goodwin Chase, former Chrm. of the Board of (National) Bank of Washington, became the president of the consolidated bank. The highest tenant level of the Bank of Washington Plaza tower was actually the 22nd floor with air conditioning units and other service facilities on levels above. View of the Bank of Washington Plaza taken on February 23, 1971. Occupants peering through the nearly 2000 solar bronze windows would have sweeping views of Mount Rainier and the Tacoma landscape. Photograph ordered by Lennen & Newell-Pacific. (TNT 5-17-70, p. 1- article; TNT 8-17-70, p. 30 -article)
National Bank of Washington (Tacoma); Pacific National Bank of Washington (Tacoma); Banks--Tacoma;
Modern barber shop in the Bank of Washington Plaza. Portraits of four presidents overlook the customers of this modern barber shop in February of 1971. Walls are painted with bold stripes and checkered linoleum is found in the shop's work areas. A man reads a newspaper while he is waiting for his hair to be cut. Photograph ordered by Lennen & Newell-Pacific.
National Bank of Washington (Tacoma); Pacific National Bank of Washington (Tacoma); Barbershops--Tacoma; Barbers--Tacoma;
Sherwood Inn. The Sherwood Inn, located at So. 84th & Hosmer, celebrated its grand opening on August 18, 1965. The 121-unit inn reportedly contained the second largest banquet facilities in the Northwest; entitled the "Guild Hall," it had a seating capacity of 450. The Sherwood Inn contained three dining rooms, an all-electric kitchen and bakery, 24-hour coffee shop, heated swimming pool and electrically heated sauna. Designed by architects Nelsen, Krona & Ziegler, and built by the Merit Co., the Sherwood Inn offered plenty of free parking and easy access to the freeway. It was located about 1.5 miles south of the Tacoma Mall. The above photograph was taken on May 25, 1970. (TNT ad 8-15-65, B-6; TNT 8-17-65, p. 8-9 article)
Bar area of The Old Spaghetti Factory. Turn-of-the-century memorabilia was found in abundance within The Old Spaghetti Factory, located in the 1700 block of Jefferson Ave. The restaurant itself was located in a 1904-vintage building, former home to the Tacoma Biscuit & Candy Co. and the Blake, Moffitt, & Towne warehouse. Included among various antiques was the 24-foot oak bar and backbar from the Savoy Hotel, then 75 years old. in addition, booths and benches were made from old bed stands. The Old Spaghetti Factory, opened on July 19, 1971, had a floor space of 10,000 square feet and could seat 200 diners. Color photograph ordered by The Old Spaghetti Factory. (TNT 7-18-71, B-7 - article on opening of restaurant) TPL-6394
The Old Spaghetti Factory (Tacoma); Restaurants--Tacoma--1970-1980; Bars (Furniture)--Tacoma;
Interior view of The Old Spaghetti Factory. Vivid colors of red and yellow attract attention to the turn-of-the-century interior of The Old Spaghetti Factory as pictured on January 17, 1973. Hardwood floors, wood furniture, and even the utilization of iron headboards create a comfortable, "homey" feel while dining. A 30-foot, completely refurbished trolley car, parked in the middle of the restaurant and colorfully painted in the same yellow and red tones prevalent throughout the room, surprisingly does not seem out of place. Color photograph ordered by The Old Spaghetti Factory. (TBT 7-18-71, B-7 - article on opening of restaurant)
The Old Spaghetti Factory (Tacoma); Restaurants--Tacoma--1970-1980; Street railroads--Tacoma;
The Stadium branch of United Mutual Savings Bank would celebrate its grand opening on June 26, 1972. Free Elgin watches would be given out to depositers of fifty or more dollars. The chalet-styled bank building was located at North 1st and Tacoma Avenue North. Photograph ordered by United Mutual Savings Bank. (TNT Ad 6-25-72, A-16)
United Mutual Savings Bank (Tacoma); Banks--Tacoma;
