This photograph of the Bekins Moving and Storage Company at 615 Tacoma Avenue South was taken in October of 1952 shortly after they added a 40,000 square foot addition to the south end of their building. Bekins had been at this location since 1925 when they took over the building built in 1916 for City Transfer & Storage Company. In 1931 Bekins hired the architect George L. Ekvall and the Walesby Construction Company to completely rebuild the original building. The First United Methodist Church purchased this building in 2006 and it is being remodeled for use as a church by David Boe, architect.

Bekins Moving & Storage Co. (Tacoma); Moving & storage trade--Tacoma; Storage facilities--Tacoma;;

Remington Rand equipment at Brown & Haley. Woman seated at desk with two large account drawers pulled out looking over account papers. Desk has been designed specifically for account files which each have three file sections with metal tabs.

Chocolate industry--Tacoma--1950-1960; Brown & Haley (Tacoma); Office equipment & supplies; Desks; Office workers--Tacoma--1950-1960; Remington Rand Co. (Rowayton, Ct.);

Packard Bell Company's factory service facilities for radio and television. Ordered by H. J. McGrath & Company.

Packard Bell Co. (Tacoma);

A woman at Brown & Haley displays part of the billing system the company used from the Remington Rand Company. The desk has been designed specifically for account files with three file sections each that fit into the two open drawers.

Remington Rand Co. (Rowayton, Ct.); Chocolate industry--Tacoma--1950-1960; Brown & Haley (Tacoma); Office equipment & supplies; Desks; Office workers--Tacoma--1950-1960;

A woman at Brown & Haley displays part of the billing system the company used from the Remington Rand Company. She is adding a stack of punched cards to the Tabulating machine.

Remington Rand Co. (Rowayton, Ct.); Chocolate industry--Tacoma--1950-1960; Brown & Haley (Tacoma); Office equipment & supplies; Desks; Office workers--Tacoma--1950-1960; Punched card systems;

Alma Ayres, Inc., ladies' apparel, coats, suits and dresses, "quitting business sale". Crowds of women rummage through clothes racks and counters looking for bargains. There appears to be only one saleswoman working behind counter on the left.

Alma Ayres, Inc. (Tacoma); Clothing stores--Tacoma--1950-1960; Women--Clothing & dress--Tacoma--1950-1960; Shopping--Tacoma--1950-1960;

The interior of the Marshall-Wells store on Sixth Avenue was photographed on November 14, 1952. Shelves are crowded with a variety of items for sale, including fans, basketballs, tricycles, and garbage cans. The business was owned and operated by John B. McKinney. Although signage on the storefront welcomed customers to a Marshall-Wells store, it was also known as McKinney Electric & Hardware. Several large floral arrangements of chrysanthemums and dahlias also appear on the shelves.

Hardware stores--Tacoma--1950-1960; Marshall-Wells Stores (Tacoma); McKinney Electric & Hardware (Tacoma); Storefronts--Tacoma--1950-1960; Flowers--Tacoma;

A new cocktail lounge, the "Terrace Room", was added when the Lakewood Terrace was remodeled in 1952. Mrs. Edwin Booth created a unique atmosphere decorating with combed redwood, black wrought iron against stark white, with bits of brick here, panels of grass-woven linen there and living greenery. The small tables set about the floor were made of redwood planks. The chairs were white matchstick plastic and each table had a white ash tray and a black plastic basket housed a big white candle. (TNT, 10/31/1952, p.C-11)

Lakewood Terrace (Lakewood); Eating & drinking facilities--Lakewood; Lounges--Lakewood;

The remodeled Lakewood Terrace included the Snack Shop for lunches, dinners, after-the-show snacks. It had been re-done and enlarged. A lunch counter with stools is seen on the left and tables and booths are seen along the right an in the rear. (TNT, 10/31/1952, p.C-4).

Lakewood Terrace (Lakewood); Eating & drinking facilities--Lakewood; Snack bars--Lakewood;

Lincoln Electric's storefront was photographed at night on November 26, 1952. Large neon sign has business' name on it along with a silhouette of Abraham Lincoln. Plate glass windows permit customers and passersby to examine the Hotpoint appliances and children's toys and furniture on display. Owned by Anthony Ricono and his sister, Virginia Ricono, Lincoln Electric moved into their South 38th Street location in 1952, vacating their former building nearby at 37th & Yakima. The $175,000 structure was formally opened to the public on December 11, 1952, with Mayor John H. Anderson cutting the traditional ribbon. Faced in Lanonite cast stone, the building had three floors and totaled 20,000 square feet. (TNT 12-10-52, p. B-1)

Lincoln Electric (Tacoma); Electric signs--Tacoma--1950-1960; Storefronts--Tacoma;

Smitty's Coffee Mug was a small restaurant located at 3838 South Tacoma Way. It was owned and operated by Hugh O. Smith. Besides offering coffee as a beverage, a large sign also promises a "soda bar". View of business storefront with large electric sign, other signage. The Tahoma Motel, "best known motel in Tacoma", is located next door at 3836 South Tacoma Way. Photograph ordered by Smitty's Coffee Mug.

Smitty's Coffee Mug (Tacoma); Restaurants--Tacoma--1950-1960; Storefronts--Tacoma--1950-1960; Signs (Notices); Electric signs--Tacoma--1950-1960; Tahoma Motel (Tacoma);

Stebner's announced the grand opening of its new drapery department in November 1952. Samples of drapes hang along the back wall and drapery fabrics are displayed on the tables and shelves. Stebner's also carried floor coverings, wall coverings, linoleum, rugs, carpets, asphalt and rubber tile, and household appliances. August Stebner was president of the company, DeForest A. Bullock was vice president, and Harold Nutley served as secretary-treasurer at this time. (TNT, 11/2/1952, p.D-11)

Stebner's, Inc. (Tacoma); Draperies; Home furnishings stores--Tacoma; Stores & shops--Tacoma;

Sure-Fit Seat Cover Center, owned by Marvin E. Hoffmeister and John T. Stone. The neon sign over the entrance announces "Sure-Fit Seat Covers Designed by Howard Zink".

Sure-Fit Seat Cover Center (Tacoma); Business enterprises--Tacoma; Facades--Tacoma--1950-1960; Electric signs--Tacoma--1950-1960;

The Tacoma Savings and Loan Association held their annual Christmas party at the Fircrest Golf Club in 1952. Dorothy Hopping Roberts (third from left), Hazel Schaeffer Hopping and William D. Hopping, Jr. (second from right and extreme right) posed for a casual portrait behind a decorated tree branch. The couple at the extreme left were not identified. Dorothy Hopping Roberts was the daughter of William Hopping, Sr., president of Tacoma Savings & Loan. William D. Hopping, Jr., here with his wife Hazel, was the son of the savings & loan president. (Additional identification provided by a reader)

Tacoma Savings & Loan Association (Tacoma); Roberts, Dorothy Louise Hopping; Hopping, William D.; Hopping, Hazel Schaeffer; Hopping, William D.--Family;

Tony Ricono, born Antonio L. Riconoscuito, opened his new Lincoln Electric store at 751-55 South 38th Street in December of 1952. Mr. Ricono became an electrical contractor shortly after graduating from Lincoln High School, and started the Lincoln Electric Company in the 1940s. By 1950 he had expanded into retail furniture and appliances. As an electrician, Mr. Ricono made sure that his new building was fully wired. The building's many features included: $15,000 worth of lighting fixtures; 57 miles of electric wiring; an inter-com system; a music and broadcasting hook-up with 24 speakers; and over 500 electrical outlets to permit the most advantageous display of lamps and furniture. The stores name was changed to "Ricono's" in 1956. Antonio Riconoscuito died in August of 1996 at the age of 76. (Photograph ordered by Clark Richardson Advertising Agency.)

Lincoln Electric (Tacoma); Electric signs--Tacoma--1950-1960; Storefronts--Tacoma; Facades--Tacoma--1950-1960;

The Buick Product School is in session at Mueller-Harkins in the glassed-in round room on their building's top level in November, 1952. Several men learn about the new Buick V8 by watching a demonstration using a partly disassembled motor on an engine stand. Sun Equipment Company's test equipment lines the curved wall.

Mueller-Harkins Motor Co. (Tacoma); Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1950-1960; Vocational education--Tacoma--1950-1960; Automobile equipment & supplies;

Between 1950 and 1960, this little building at 3838 South Tacoma Way was the home for at least three diners. When this photograph was taken it was Smitty's Coffee Mug. The owner was Hugh O. Smith, who also owned Smitty's Drive In on Puyallup Avenue. By 1954 it had been taken over by Vernon Gjerstad, and from 1955 to 1963 it was known as Gail & Vern's Coffee Mug. TPL-7944

Restaurants--Tacoma--1950-1960; Diners (Restaurants) --Tacoma--1950-1960; Smitty's Coffee Mug (Tacoma); Storefronts--Tacoma--1950-1960; Electric signs--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Admiring crowds gather around a South Tacoma Motor Company salesman extolling the features of the new 1953 Chevrolet Bel Air 2-door hardtop. He holds the passenger door invitingly open so the onlookers can check out the car's interior. South Tacoma Motor Company was owned by C.W. Wallerich and was a Chevrolet car and truck dealership.

South Tacoma Motor Co. (Tacoma); Chevrolet automobile; Sales personnel--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Exterior of new Westinghouse Electric Supply Co. The Westinghouse Electric Supply Co. made a move from Pacific Avenue to South Tacoma Way in December, 1955. Arthur F. Sheehan remained as manager of the electrical equipment and supply firm. The one-story buick unit was designed by architect Percy G. Ball. Photograph ordered by Westinghouse Electric Supply Co.

Westinghouse Electric Supply Co. (Tacoma); Facades--Tacoma--1950-1960;

ca. 1956. The grand building at 11th & Pacific was the home of Pacific First Federal Savings & Loan Association for decades. The Merchants National Bank was the Romanesque structure's first tenant back in 1891. The brick and marble edifice had two entrances, one on 11th and the other on Pacific, to catch traffic on both streets. It would eventually be demolished about 1961 and a new Pacific First Federal Savings & Loan Association building be constructed on the same site. BU -11,004

Pacific First Federal Savings & Loan Association (Tacoma); Banks--Tacoma; Pacific First Federal Building (Tacoma);

Exterior of the Manning's Market, taken from the intersection of 11th & Commerce, for Stan Warburton. The alternate address for this location is 1101-03 Broadway. The building was built in 1905 and demolished in 1972. It was designed by Frederick Heath, Architect. It was the first concrete building in Tacoma. Other businesses occupying the 11th street side are, left to right, Brown & Haley, Greens, Hayden-Watson; Manning's Coffee Cafe and the Owl Drug Store. The market was part of Manning's Inc., a multi million dollar food chain begun in Seattle in 1908. The market contained a coffee shop, cafe, bakery, meat market and beauty salon.

Manning's Market (Tacoma);

Interiors of Z's Coffee Shop. The new coffee shop on Highway 99 South, owned and operated by Morris & Gertrude Zelinsky, would be celebrating its Grand Opening on April 28, 1956. The newly completed and modern highway restaurant would feature breakfast, lunch and short orders for hungry travelers and residents of the Lakes District. A lunch counter with round stools runs the length of the room. A formica table and chairs sits on the checkerboard floor. Behind the counter can be seen a sink, glass fronted shelves, freezer cabinets and the grill. The cash register sits on the counter next to the window. In front of the counter is a refrigerated self serve Coca-Cola box. Through the window behind the sink can be seen a pole sign for the Colonial Motel. (TNT 4/27/1956, pg. B-11)

Diners (Restaurants); Counters; Stools; Z's Coffee Shop (Parkland);

Portrait of Jane McKee, formerly Powers, organist at Steve's Gay '90s. Monday through Saturday night McKee played dinner music on the Hammond organ from 6:15p.m.- 8:15p.m. She was one of the featured performers at Steve's.

Steve's Gay '90s (Tacoma); Restaurants--Tacoma--1950-1960; McKee, Jane; Powers, Jane;

Wellman Catering Service, new building. The successful catering service was owned and operated by Russell Wellman with his son and partner Robert. The completion date for the building was scheduled for June 1st at a cost of approximately $100,000 with seating for 500 persons. The building occupied two levels for a total square footage of 9,000 sq. ft. It had a banquet room, reception room and wedding chapel. The company began operation 8 years prior in a Quonset hut serving luncheons to employees in industrial plants on the Tideflats. The new facility would be available for banquets, receptions, conventions and religious and school activities. In addition, they offered rental service of silver and dishes, preparation of invitations, car rental and travel arrangements for bridal parties and off site catering for groups as large as 5,000. It would be open to the public on Sundays, when it would sponsor the largest Sunday buffet in Tacoma with over 100 different foods. (TNT 6-17-1956, pg. A-15 & D-11)

Wellman Catering Co. (Tacoma);

The patio of the Anderson residence, built by H.A. Briggs. The floor to ceiling glass area of the house looks out onto and opens on this patio. The patio is partially covered by a lattice work ceiling. A card table and lounge chair sit empty.

Briggs Construction Co. (Tacoma); Patios;

The Auto Clinic, ordered by Bethlehem Pacific Coast Steel. This location combined an auto repair shop with a five story "pigeon hole" parking structure. A hydraulic lift was used to "park" the cars in their places.

Auto Clinic (Tacoma); Automobile repair--Tacoma--1950-1960; Automobile service stations--Tacoma--1950-1960; Parking garages--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Exteriors of the Bell Fuel Co. in Lakewood and the oil loading rack. Bell Fuel was owned by William H. and Edgar A. Bell. They had two branch offices. The Tacoma office was located at 1210 Sprague Ave. The new office in this picture was located in Lakewood at 111th and Bridgeport Way and opened for business on August 15, 1956. It had its own storage tanks and business office. The Lakewood branch served the Lakes district and was managed by Robert W. Bell and Frank Radnick, both 15 year veterans with the company. The new branch had been in the planning stages for over a year as a part of a long range expansion and modernization program. Bell Fuel offered "Mobilheat" fuel and the famous flying horse logo can be seen at their filling area. They also sold Pres-to-logs by automatic dispenser. Four delivery trucks can be seen at the filling area; two are oil carriers, one is a flat bed truck and one appears to be a station wagon. Their slogan was "Ring us for oil." (TNT 8/14/1956, pg. 9)

Bell Fuel Co. (Lakewood); Fuel trade--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Night exposure "back to school" window at Rhodes. August is alway the month for buying school wardrobes and this window shows what the fashionable 1953 student will be wearing that first day of school. Plaid and double breasted coats were the fashion of choice. Girls are attired in dresses and the layered look appears popular. TPL-9346

Rhodes Brothers Department Store (Tacoma); Window displays--Tacoma--1950-1960; Mannequins; Clothing stores--Tacoma--1950-1960; Clothing & dress--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Cash registers and check out stands at Sib's Thriftway. The new market had eight check out stands with conveyor belts to speed checking. Little push carts were provided for children to shop with Mommy and small tables and chairs were available for children to sit and color. The interior decorating colors were yellow, green and brown and soft background music played. The window glass was frosted and the store had fluorescent lighting and air conditioning. The store had some of the first automatic opening doors in use. (TNT 9/2/1953, pg. C-1)

Sib's Thriftway (Tacoma); Grocery stores--Tacoma--1950-1960; Cash registers;

Bank of California- customer parking and drive up banking window. The Bank of California heavily advertised its convenience features- a free parking lot, drive up teller windows and a rear bank entrance just steps from the parking lot. The drive up windows now had two tellers, making banking quicker and easier. The banking institutions tried to make banking in the downtown area more attractive, as business deserted the downtown area for the suburbs. The fifties saw the beginning of the desertion of downtown Tacoma as a retail area. (TNT 10/11/1953, pg. A-4)

Bank of California National Association (Tacoma); Banks--Tacoma; Banking--Tacoma--1950-1960; Parking lots--Tacoma;