Lakewood Summer Festival princess Jana Oglesbee grabs a winning entry at the United Mutual Savings Bank's grand opening of their Lakewood community branch on November 10, 1969. Although the branch officially opened on November 1st, November 10th was selected as the date of the prize drawings. First prize was an 18" portable Admiral color TV; a Polaroid color camera was awarded as the second prize and a short wave radio given away as third prize. Robert E. Kahle was the branch manager in charge of a staff of three full-time employees. Photograph ordered by United Mutual Savings Bank. (TNT 10-29-69, D-15; TNT Ad 10-31-69, C-1)

United Mutual Savings Bank (Lakewood); Banks--Lakewood; Awards; Oglesbee, Jana;

Bank of Washington Plaza. Diners are pictured leaving the new O'Brien's restaurant located below street level in the Bank of Washington Plaza complex on February 23, 1971. People could use the large curving staircase to journey from the tower building to the restaurant and shops located beneath. A large circular fountain added to the peaceful view. Photograph ordered by Lennen & Newell-Pacific.

National Bank of Washington (Tacoma); Banks--Tacoma; Fountains--Tacoma; Stairways--Tacoma--1970-1980; O'Brien's Restaurant (Tacoma);

Circular fountain at the Bank of Washington Plaza. Diners at the new O'Brien's restaurant have a lovely view of the large fountain and courtyard outside their floor-to-ceiling windows. A spiral staircase leads from the street level down to the fountain and restaurant. The fountain is illuminated at night. Photograph ordered by Lennen & Newell-Pacific. (TNT 11-1-70-, A-16 - Emily Walker column)

National Bank of Washington (Tacoma); Pacific National Bank of Washington (Tacoma); Banks--Tacoma; Fountains--Tacoma; O'Brien's Restaurant (Tacoma);

Newly remodeled trust department of Bank of California. During the summer of 1968, the Bank of California began an extensive remodeling project of its Pacific Ave. location. One of the areas affected was the bank's trust department. Polygon-shaped overhead lighting and arched windows combined with rows of elongated desks add modern touches to the venerable building. Static-free carpeting was added. The Bank of California would celebrate its grand opening from December 11, 1968, to January 10, 1969. Photograph ordered by Bank of California. (TNT full page ads 12-10-68, p. 10, 11; TNT 12-10-68, p. 39)

Bank of California National Association (Tacoma); Banks--Tacoma; Office equipment & supplies;

Safe-deposit boxes. The Bank of California had undergone extensive remodeling in 1968 totaling $600,000. One of the areas being improved was the vault room in the Italian Renaissance-styled building. View of rows of safe-deposit boxes, each requiring two keys for opening. Conveniently located freestanding tables were attached to the ends of the cabinets holding the boxes; bank customers had plenty of room to spread out contents of their boxes for inspection. Photograph ordered by the Bank of California.

Bank of California National Association (Tacoma); Banks--Tacoma; Safe-deposit boxes--Tacoma; Vaults (Strong rooms)--Tacoma;

Vault in the Bank of California. A direct look into the vault area of the Bank of California indicates that the bank took the issue of protecting customers property very seriously. Not only did the customer have to proceed through a glassed-in entry and through the rounded vault steel doorway, but also needed to pass through a final entrance secured by bars. Only then could the customer gain entry to the safe deposit boxes within the vault room. The Bank of California spent $600,000 in extensive remodeling which concluded in late November, 1968. Beside the vault area, the main lobby and trust departments were among those refurbished. Photograph ordered by the Bank of California.

Bank of California National Association (Tacoma); Banks--Tacoma; Safe-deposit boxes--Tacoma; Vaults (Strong rooms)--Tacoma;

Interior view of Seattle-First National Bank Highland Hills branch, taken on day of bank dedication, December 9, 1972. The bank has yet to open formally for business but this is the view that customers would see when they walked through the large glass doors of the contemporary designed bank. There is a feeling of openness with the lack of cubicles or cages and the use of "natural" earthtones in the decor. Sea-First had moved its Sixth Ave. branch from Sixth & "L" to the Highland Hills area on Sixth. There would be 3,720 sq. feet of bank space in the brick and cedar building. Color photograph ordered by Seattle-First National Bank. (TNT 4-30-72, D-12- article on new bank plans)

Banks--Tacoma; Seattle-First National Bank (Tacoma); Building dedications--Tacoma--1970-1980;

New United Mutual Savings Bank headquarters. This view of the massive new savings bank building is believed to be looking from So. 11th St. The structure, dedicated on Friday, February 14, 1975, was located on So. 11th between Commerce & Broadway. Other views of the building are shown on D165624, image 3 and image 1. The six-story precast concrete building was designed by the Tacoma architectural firm of Lea, Pearson & Richards and built by McDonald Construction Co. It apparently took nearly two years to complete.

United Mutual Savings Bank (Tacoma); Banks--Tacoma; Facades--Tacoma--1970-1980;

On October 13, 1970 a photographer from the Richards Studio leaned out of an unfinished window of the Bank of Washington building at 1201-23 Pacific Avenue and captured this abstract image of the plaza below. The spiral at top center is the unfinished staircase that when completed would lead to the fountain, restaurant and shops that were planned for the lower level of the plaza. The small circles that surround half of the spiral were designated to hold trees. On the lower edge, two men are working on a scaffold suspended from the side of the building. The plaza became Wells Fargo Plaza in 1997. (Photograph ordered by Labor Advocate Publishing Co.) TPL-9547

National Bank of Washington (Tacoma); Banks--Tacoma; Fountains--Tacoma; Stairways--Tacoma--1970-1980;

ca. 1979. A curved staircase leads down from the ground level to the fountain level of the Bank of Washington Plaza, 1201-23 Pacific Ave., in this 1979 photograph. Structure was built in 1970; Lea, Pearson and Richards, architects.

National Bank of Washington (Tacoma); Banks--Tacoma; Fountains--Tacoma; Stairways--Tacoma--1970-1980;

An automobile crashed into the Central Bank, at 2816 6th Ave., early in the morning on Friday August 24, 1934 tearing a hole in the brick wall. Ellis Ayr Smith and Frances Urch, employees of the bank, examine the damage. The car driven by 20 year old Charles Arwood skidded 40 feet on a slippery street, slammed into the wall of the bank and introduced "drive through" banking to Tacoma. Arwood and his passenger Dorothy Roberts both escaped without serious injury. (T. Times 8/31/1934)

Central Bank (Tacoma); Smith, Ellis-Ayr; Urch, Frances; Traffic accidents--Tacoma--1930-1940; Accidents--Tacoma--1930-1940;

Charles W. Greening, manager of the Lincoln Branch Puget Sound National Bank of Tacoma, stands behind the bank counter and discusses recent bank robberies. He became a hero when he pursued and shot a young bandit who held up his bank January 13th, 1937. The wounded robber was arrested when he sought medical attention in Spokane. Mr. Greening was later rewarded with a watch by the bank's insurance company. (T. Times 11/11/1937, pg. 13)

Puget Sound National Bank (Tacoma); Banks--Tacoma; Greening, Charles W.;

In January of 1937, Charles W. Greening, manager of the Lincoln Branch of the Puget Sound National Bank of Tacoma, stood behind the bank counter while holding a 30-30 caliber rifle crooked over his arm. He became a local hero when he pursued and shot a young bandit who held up his bank on January 13th, 1937. Mr. Greening commandeered a passing car and fired three shots at the fleeing automobile driven by the robber. The wounded robber was arrested when he sought medical attention in Spokane. Mr. Greening was later rewarded with a watch by the bank's insurance company. (T. Times 1-13-37, p. 1-photograph & article; 11/11/1937, pg. 13-article on award)

Puget Sound National Bank (Tacoma); Banks--Tacoma; Greening, Charles W.; Robberies--Tacoma--1930-1940;

Group at National Bank of Washington wearing Jubilee hats.

National Bank of Washington (Tacoma)--People;

ca. 1938. National Bank of Washington, South 12th and Pacific Avenue. Sandstone renaissance style building designed by Sutton, Whitney and Dugan, Architects in 1920 for National Bank of Tacoma on site previously occupied by the Rudolph Knabel Bakery. The structure is listed on the National Registry. (filed with Argentum)

National Bank of Washington (Tacoma); Banks--Tacoma;

ca. 1938. National Bank of Washington, South 12th and Pacific Avenue. Sandstone renaissance style building designed by Sutton, Whitney and Dugan, Architects in 1920 for National Bank of Tacoma on site previously occupied by the Rudolph Knabel Bakery. (filed with Argentum)

National Bank of Washington (Tacoma); Banks--Tacoma;

Apple display at National Bank of Washington. Elevated view of bank lobby, shows two women with baskets of apples dispensing them to customers, also apple posters suspended overhead. Saturday, November 4th, 1939 was designated as "Apple Day" and the month of November as "Apple Month" in a state and national campaign to advertise the Washington apple and dispense of surplus apples. Foreign markets for apples had dried up due to the war in Europe, causing an over-abundance of apples available domestically. All retail stores were asked to display apples and serve them to their customers on Apple Day. (T. Times 11/2/1939, pg. 18)

National Bank of Washington (Tacoma); Apples;

Apple display at National Bank of Washington. People lined up on either side at tellers. Two women in matching pants outfits are giving out apples from a basket. November 4th, 1939 was designated as "Apple Day" in a state and national campaign to advertise Washington apples. Washington was also trying to dispose of a surplus of apples, caused by the loss of foreign markets due to the war. Shipping apples to Europe was impossible and Washington was glutted with apples. Retailers were asked to display apples and serve them to their customers on Apple Day, with the admonition to "eat more apples." (T. Times 11/2/1939, pg. 18)

National Bank of Washington (Tacoma); Apples;

Pacific Savings & Loan Association occupied the Equitable Building (former location of the Merchants National Bank) in 1928. Other tenants included Crown Drugs and Pyro-Kure Dentists. The building adjoining the Equitable Building was the home of the F.W. Woolworth 5 & 10 cent store.

Pacific Savings & Loan Association (Tacoma); Banks--Tacoma; F.W. Woolworth Co. (Tacoma); Variety stores--Tacoma--1920-1930;

The foreman and crew of "erectors" for the Scandinavian-American Bank being built at 1019 Pacific Avenue were photographed during a pause in work in November of 1920. The erectors were responsible for raising the 32-ton beams and 60-foot steel columns into position. The 12 men were handpicked for their steady nerves, even tempers and ability to work as team players. The first two floors alone contained over 1,000 tons of steel. The planned 16 story building rose beam by beam until January of 1921 when the bank failed and construction was shut down. The building was eventually completed in 1925 for the Washington-California Co. and named the Washington Building. (TDL 11/14/1920, pg. B-7) BU-10760, Boland B 3244, TPL-9548

Scandinavian-American Bank (Tacoma); Building construction--Tacoma--1920-1930; Construction industry--Tacoma--1920-1930;

One of the "erectors" dangles high in the air in this November 1920 photograph, attaching chains and wires that will pull the 60 foot column into position at the Scandinavian-American Bank (now the Washington Building) construction site. The skeleton of the building was put together by the erectors, who were followed by the riveters. As designed, the building would ascend to 16 stories. Over 1,000 tons of steel were used in the first 2 floors alone. (TDL 11/14/1920, pg. B-7) BU 10, 756, Boland B 3212

Scandinavian-American Bank (Tacoma); Building construction--Tacoma--1920-1930; Construction industry--Tacoma--1920-1930;

The "erectors" get one of the massive 32 ton steel beams into position at the construction site of the Scandinavian-American Bank (later the Washington Building) in this November 1920 photograph. The beams were lifted into place by a pulley system and then rivetted. Because the main banking room, when completed, would be the largest open space on the Pacific Coast without a supporting pillar or post, the massive cross beams required specially designed lifting equipment. When completed, the room was to measure 60 feet frontage, 100 feet deep and 30 feet from floor to ceiling. However, construction was halted when the bank failed in 1921. The building was resold, redesigned and completed in 1925 as the Washington Building. (TDL 11/14/1920, pg. B-7) BU 10, 758, G17.1-122 TPL-9944

Scandinavian-American Bank (Tacoma); Building construction--Tacoma--1920-1930; Construction industry--Tacoma--1920-1930;

Tacoma Savings & Loan Association operations. The office staff of the Tacoma Savings & Loan Association, 100 So. 9th St. in downtown Tacoma, is pictured on September 12, 1923, conducting daily operations. An unidentified woman is making an entry on a ledger while her co-worker, seated at a large adding machine, observes. The Tacoma Savings & Loan Association, with assets (then) of over 3 1/2 million, was located in the white marbled Bowes Building. It was established in 1899 and was one of the city's oldest financial institutions. G13.1-009

Tacoma Savings & Loan Association (Tacoma); Banks--Tacoma; Office workers--Tacoma--1920-1930;