Tacoma's totem pole in Fireman's Park was commissioned by W.F. Sheard and Chester Thorne. It was carved by Native Americans from Sitka, Alaska in the Haida tribal style. Then it was presented to the city in 1903, it stood 103 feet tall. This totem pole represents the history of the Eagle Tribe of Alaska. The top most figure of a totem pole would be the special animal god (eagle, seal, salmon or bear or even the sun) from which the tribe claimed descent and a particular protection. The eagle on top of Tacomas pole is "Skanskwin", the crest of the Nexa'da people. (Tacoma Ledger, 12/14/1924; TNT, Page R. Hosmer, 3/16/1946; TNT, 12/6/1953)
Tacoma Totem Pole (Tacoma); Totem poles--Tacoma; Skanskwin; Eagles; Sculpture--Tacoma;
Telenews Theater, Les Allen. The marque advertises Ken Murray's unique award winner, "Bill and Coo", featuring a group of remarkably accomplished birds and animals, the tale of two lovebirds. The co-feature was "Driftwood" starring Walter Brennan and Ruth Warrick. Movie posters nearly cover the exterior of the theater. Popcorn was advertised at 10 cents. An American Flag stands outside the theater. (T.Times, 4/1/1948, p.12) TPL-1939
Tacoma Athletic Club Dinner for Gretchen Fraser. More than 600 people jammed the Top of the Ocean to pay tribute to the Olympic Champion, Gretchen Kunigk Fraser. The Tacoma Ski Team was also honored that evening. Several young men line the outdoor stairway to the top of the Top of the Ocean singing and holding ski poles. (TNT, 4/6/1948, p.1) TPL-2220
Top of the Ocean (Tacoma); Restaurants--Tacoma--1940-1950; Fraser, Gretchen Kunigk, 1919-1994; Skiers--Tacoma--1940-1950; Medals; Celebrations--Tacoma--1940-1950; Tacoma Ski Team (Tacoma); Tacoma Athletic Commission (Tacoma);
On April 5, 1948, the Top of the Ocean had out a Welcome banner for Gretchen Kunigk Fraser, the first American skier to win an Olympic event. Mrs. Fraser won a Gold Medal (first place) for the special slalom and a Silver Medal (second place) for the Alpine combined downhill and slalom in the 1948 Winter Olympics. The Tacoma Athletic Commission was hosting a dinner at the Ruston Way restaurant for Mrs. Fraser. More than 600 people, including Tacoma mayor C. Val Fawcett, crammed the restaurant to its ceilings to honor the former Tacoma resident. (T.Times, 4/6/1948, p.5) TPL-2220
Top of the Ocean (Tacoma); Restaurants--Tacoma--1940-1950; Fraser, Gretchen Kunigk, 1919-1994; Skiers--Tacoma--1940-1950; Signs (Notices); Electric signs--Tacoma--1940-1950; Celebrations--Tacoma--1940-1950; Tacoma Athletic Commission (Tacoma);
On Sunday April 11, 1948, 20 members of Tacoma Painters' Union, Local 64, helped to kick off the Clean-up Tacoma campaign by giving the Tacoma totem pole a fresh coat of paint. Working to the music of Max Frolic and 27 of Tacoma's union musicians, the painters finished the job in just 72 minutes. Einar Nelson, head of Tacoma's Steelworkers' Union, and his men, put up the steel scaffold used by the painters on Saturday. In comments by Mayor Fawcett, he stated: "Tacoma can well be proud of the part labor, as represented by the tree participating unions, plays in our community life". (T.Times, 4/12/1948, p.1)
Men painting totem pole, Times, Burt McMurtrie. It took the twenty members of Painters' Union Local 64 (AFL) 72 minutes to paint Tacoma's totem pole at 10th and A Streets as they kicked-off the Clean-up Tacoma Campaign for 1948. Max Frolic and 27 of Tacoma's union musicians played for 90 minutes finishing their performance with the Star Spangled Banner just as the painters were finishing painting the totem pole. The totem pole was a famous old landmark at this time, standing in Fireman's Park at 10th and A Streets. (T.Times, 4/12/1948, p.1)
Totem poles--Tacoma; Labor unions--Tacoma; Urban beautification--Tacoma--1940-1950; Painting--Tacoma; Painters Union Local No. 64 (Tacoma); Scaffolding--Tacoma; Trucks--Tacoma--1940-1950;
Korny Karnival, Women of Rotary. The Women of Rotary entertained their husbands at a "Barn Frolic" held at the Woodbrook Riding Academy. They planned to make the affair an annual event. The evening began with a buffet dinner and was followed by the appearance of costumed members. (TNT, 2/29/1948, p. B-4)
Women of Rotary (Tacoma); Clubs--Tacoma--1940-1950; Woodbrook Riding Academy (Lakewood); Costumes; Parties--Tacoma--1940-1950; Entertainment--Tacoma--1940-1950;
Korny Karnival, Women of Rotary. A buffet dinner and was followed by entertainment provided by the women. Guests enjoy the antics of one of the costumed dancers. L-R, Osee V. and Maud C. Snyder, Evelyn and Fred Treichel, Mary E. amd Martin Petrich and Mrs. Paul Latham watched Pigtail Fleet Goop (played by Mrs. H. Sanford Saari). Several of the guests hold soda pop bottles. (TNT, 2/29/1948, p. B-4)
Women of Rotary (Tacoma); Clubs--Tacoma--1940-1950; Woodbrook Riding Academy (Lakewood); Costumes; Parties--Tacoma--1940-1950; Entertainment--Tacoma--1940-1950; Bottles;
Ray G. Young, deputy collector at the U.S. Customs Office in Tacoma holds a confiscated cigarette case made in China. Behind him is a display of opium smoking gear that also had been confiscated by Customs officials. Items include 5-tale opium tins, opium "decks", pipes, lamp and yen hok and yen skee gow, and scraper tools used by addicts. The U.S. Customs Office is located in the Federal Building. (T.Times, 4/19/1948, p.1)
Young, Ray; Customhouses--Tacoma; Customs inspections--Tacoma--1940-1950; Government officials--Tacoma--1940-1950; Opium; Opium pipes; Drug seizures--Tacoma--1940-1950; Narcotics; Government facilities--Tacoma;
Building and pipe yard, American Plumbing, George Hill. The exterior of the American Plumbing and Steam Supply Company. The four-story brick building was built in 1911. Darmer and Cutting were the architects and the Cornell Brothers were the contractors. Walsh and Gardner Plumbing Company was the first owner. American Plumbing and Supply moved to this location in 1921 from its earlier location at 1750 Pacific Avenue. TPL-8831
Scotch boiler for catalog cuts, Mr. Kenton, Birchfield Boiler. A view of the Scotch boiler being manufactured by Birchfield Boiler showing the interior of the boiler being sealed shut with insulating bricks. Demand had grown for these high pressure boilers used in dairies, laundries, bakeries, cleaning and pressing plants and others that required large amounts of ready steam. (T.Times, 3/1/1948, p.3)
Birchfield Boiler, Inc. (Tacoma); Boilers; Boiler industry--Tacoma;
Several shots of illuminated neon signs. Batsford, Constantine & Gerdner, Mr. Haverly. This neon sign spells out, "Olympia, It's the Water." Olympia Brewing Co. was located in Tumwater, Washington, just south of Olympia. Located at the southernmost tip of Puget Sound, by the waterfall on the Deschutes River, the brewery was proud of their good water. Tumwater is an Indian name that means "strong water," or "falling water." The brewery was built by Leopold F. Schmidt. The battle of the beers between Olympia and Rainier beer began early and lasted through the advertising schemes where wild Rainiers took on the Artesians during the 1980s. TPL-9327
Electric signs--Tacoma--1940-1950; Olympia Brewing Co. (Olympia); Brewing industry--Olympia--1940-1950;
Interior of Fawcett's Jewelry store, Carl Fawcett, Fawcett's Jewelry store. Fawcett's Jewelry store is newly opened in one of the store fronts in the Rust Building. The store's counters, upper shelves and even the floor are crowded with bouquets wishing the new enterprise success.
Fawcett's Jewelry Store (Tacoma); Jewelry stores--Tacoma--1940-1950; Bouquets; Festive decorations--Tacoma; Rust Building (Tacoma);
24 men at Ohmer Sales Meeting, Club Room 5, Hotel Winthrop, Mr. R.E. Barrett, Ohmer Corp., Dayton, Ohio. Ohmer Corporation were makers of the cash register displayed here among a group of business people who came to learn more about the machine.
Hotel Winthrop (Tacoma); Hotels--Tacoma--1940-1950; Ohmer Corp. (Tacoma); Meetings--Tacoma--1940-1950; Business people--Tacoma--1940-1950; Sales personnel--Tacoma--1940-1950; Cash registers;
Floral arrangement and casket at Mt. View, Mrs. Robert Haley. Cpl Keith W. Hanson, age 19, received a full military service. He was born in Mullen, Wisconsin, and had lived in Tacoma 10 years. He was survived by his mother, Mrs. Robert Haley, of Tacoma, and his father, Clarence Hanson, of Wisconsin. (T.Times, 4/26/1948, p.13
Mountain View Memorial Park (Lakewood); Hanson, Keith W.; Morgues & mortuaries--Lakewood; Funeral rites & ceremonies--Lakewood--1940-1950; Flowers--Lakewood--1940-1950; Military personnel--Lakewood--1940-1950;
Tomato packing machine, machine for making card board containers, Mutual Fruit Company, Union Pacific Freight Terminal, Les Crawford. One man watches to be sure the tomatoes are properly fed into the packing machine and another man watches to be sure they are wrapped correctly coming out of the machine before packing the cartons into wooden crates.
Mutual Fruit Co., Inc. (Tacoma); Packaging; Machinery; Conveying systems--Tacoma--1940-1950; Fruit--Tacoma--1940-1950; Tomatoes--Tacoma--1940-1950; Fruit industry--Tacoma--1940-1950;
Exterior of house at present state, Wollander Far West Homes, W.A. Wollander. Site construction of this prefabricated home was begun January 22, 1948 (see Richard's collection series #D31,563). The windows, doors and roof have been installed. The chimney is complete. Frames are in place for a concrete front step. The landscaping has not been finished.
Progress photographs; Wollander Farwest Homes (Tacoma); Housing--Tacoma--1940-1950; Prefabricated houses; Construction--Tacoma--1940-1950;
Caskets, Bill Gregory, Puget Sound Casket Company. A handsomely ornamented casket is shown with its lid open revealing the beautiful detailing of the fabric interior with pleating, gathers and ruffles. The metal handles along the sides are also ornamented.
Filipino-Americans from the Puget Sound area honored Pedro G. Ramirez, newly appointed consul for the Republic of the Philippines, at a banquet held in Swiss Hall. Appointed by President Manuel Roxas, Ramirez opened an office in Seattle and is the first Filipino diplomatic representative to maintain an office in the Pacific Northwest. The dinner and dance was sponsored by the Filipino-American Council of Puget Sound. (TNT, 3/27/1948, p. 10).
Ramirez, Pedro G.; Philipino-American Council of Puget Sound (Tacoma); Swiss Hall (Tacoma); Restaurants--Tacoma; Banquets--Tacoma--1940-1950; Ethnic groups--Tacoma--1940-1950; Filipino Americans; Philippines--Foreign relations--1946-1973;
Cecil B. DeMille's "King of Kings" was presented at the Roxy (Pantages) Theater March 22 - 26, 1948. Admission was free as sponsored by the Tacoma Council of Churches. The theater was nearly filled for the showing of the film when this photograph was taken on the 26th. The Pantages was built as a vaudeville theater in 1917. Motion pictures replaced vaudeville shows and the name was changed to the RKO Orpheum in 1930 and changed again in 1932 when the new Roxy opened. The Pantages was rededicated after restoration in 1983. Ordered by, Council of Churches, Loyal Vickers. (TNT, 3/21/1948, p. A-12). TPL-1773
Roxy Theatre (Tacoma); Tacoma Council of Churches (Tacoma); Motion picture theaters--Tacoma--1940-1950; Motion pictures; Motion picture audiences--Tacoma--1940-1950;
Employees at Supreme Fur Storage are examining furs in the workshop which is equipped with tables and sewing machines. The company prides itself on its workmanship. Brothers Earle G. Greenfield, manager, and Gerald A. Greenfield are on the right. Earle is thoroughly trained in the care, cleaning and repair of furs. Their father, furrier Amos G. Greenfield, also works at Superior. Ordered by Mr. VanMeter, Llewellyn Advertising Agency (T.Times, 4/16/1948, p.5)
Officials at opening of new laundry office, Mr. Van Meter, Llewellyn Advertising Agency. A man in the clothing storage area of Supreme Fur Storage is evaluating the condition of one of the fur coats hung on racks. Fur stoles are also shown. The company advertised steel and concrete vaults, new scientific equipment, fumigation and demothing, refrigeration and expert craftsmanship. The facility had the capacity to store 5,000 furs and fur coats. (T.Times,4/16/1948, p.5, TNT, 4/15/1948, p.6)
When this photograph was taken in February of 1948, the venerable Bowes Building, 100 So. 9th St., was home to Tacoma Savings and Loan, one of the pioneer financial institutions on the Pacific Coast. The company had purchased the building in 1920 and added their neon sign above the entrance in 1941. The Bowes Building was designed by the architectural firm of Heath & Twichell and built of white Vermont marble. It was named after its developer Major Edward J. Bowes, who achieved national fame for his "Amateur Hour" radio program. It is on the City, State and National Registry of Historic Buildings. Photo ordered by William D. Hopping, president Tacoma Savings and Loan. (T.Times, 2/26/1948, p.29)
Tacoma Savings & Loan Association (Tacoma); Bowes Building (Tacoma); Banks--Tacoma; Tacoma Hotel (Tacoma); Hotels--Tacoma--1940-1950;
Several views of local plant at 250 East D showing tankage and general view of yard. Tide Water Associated Oil Co., M.A. Legg. The facilities are built near the waterfront on the City Waterway.
Furniture Department at Weisfield & Goldberg, Virginia Knowlen. Weisfield and Goldberg announced their Grand Opening of their newly enlarged, newly remodeled and newly redecorated, five floors of furniture values with a one-half page advertisement in the Tacoma Times. Shown here is one of the floors in their building with upholstered furniture: sofas, and armchairs; and floor lamps. (T.Times, 3/4/1948, p.2)
Furniture Department at Weisfield & Goldberg, Virginia Knowlen. This view shows the selection of rugs and carpeting available in Weisfield & Goldberg's newly remodeled rug department in February of 1948. Samples cover several of the building's support columns and several are displayed on the walls in addition to layers of rugs on raised platforms on the floor and rolls of carpeting.
Nancy Savidge, former Navy WAVE who served during World War II, is the first woman training under the GI Bill flight program at Ben Barry's Sky Harbor. Nancy will be flying a "Lucky Piper Cub" plane, and will be the first woman at the flight school to obtain a private pilot rating. Barry's Sky Harbor is reported to be the oldest flight school near Tacoma, it was established in 1937. There are 20 students currently enrolled at the school in the government approved program. The school is located on Highway 99, near the Puyallup River Bridge. (T. Times, 6/3/48, p. 4).
Panhellenic Tea at Great Hall, Annie Wright, News Tribune, Mrs. Hosmer. The Tacoma Panhellenic honored graduating senior high school girls and their mothers at their annual tea on April 24, 1948, at the Great Hall at Annie Wright. The program consisted of talks by Miss Maxine Blake and Miss Jacquine Norback about college life from the student's view point. Lona Huseby played Chopin and Debussy on the piano. The Clover Park choir sang. This view shows four women wearing corsages in front of one of the fireplaces in the Great Hall. (T.Times, 4/22/1948, p.10)
View of sand blasting and re-painting of boat "Eileen", work is being done by Machinists Incorporated, a repair shop from Seattle, Washington, the job is being done at Tacoma Boat Building facilities. The workman is painting the side of the boat, he is using a paint sprayer and wearing a face mask. The boat is expected to be completed in a few days, photo ordered by Machinists Inc. TPL-8956
Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Boats & boating; Fishing boats--Tacoma; Maintenance & repair--Tacoma; Sand blast; Tacoma Boat Building Co., Inc. (Tacoma); Machinists, Inc. (Seattle);
Johnnie B a recently launched purse seiner, built by Pacific Boat Building Company. Pacific Boat was owned by John B. Breskovich, he was also Vice-President of Puget Sound Boat Building Corporation. Pacific Boat Building plant and facilities were located at 759 Port of Tacoma Road. View of two people waving from "Johnnie B" fishing boat (Steve Mullan on right). TPL-10567
