Reed Fixtures had moved into a larger building in 1946. They took over a fifty by ninety foot government surplus warehouse located on Center Street. They specialized in business fixtures, display cases and other commercial fixtures. Interior view of grocery store with new Reed fixtures, which included: food shelves, fruit and vegetable bins, and fixtures for frozen foods. This image shows the bins and fixtures stocked.
The Towers' kitchen measured 33 feet by 66 feet. It had all electric appliances and was finished in stainless steel. Bruce Parkers was the head chef, he was very well known throughout the Pacific Northwest. Interior view of the Towers' kitchen and dinner china, photo ordered by Dohrmann Hotel Supply.
The National Cash Register Co. was the business machines headquarters in Tacoma. They had a sales and service department equipped to handle Tacoma business needs. Exterior view of store, window displays featuring modern cash registers for 1947 are next to a holiday sign.
Interior view of Mallon Motors Ford Sales and Service shop, service area shows equipment installed by Equipment Supply Company, automobile supplies manufacturers and distributors. Ford sign is between the Mallon Motors Inc. sign and "Approved lubrication" signs. Ford sedan on lift rack, motor oil tanks and overhead hoses are visible.
Irwin-Jones Motor Company, Dodge and Plymouth dealers, service department showing equipment installed by Equipment Sales Corporation. Auto hoist, Pennsoil tanks, Purolator filter sign, enameled cabinets, sign w/ Dodge crest, Quaker State Motor Oil clock.
Business Enterprises - Tacoma - Automobile Dealers - New Automobile Dealers - Dodge / Plymouth Dealers - Irwin--Jones Company
Pantorium Cleaners & Dyers at 3306 Tacoma Avenue South was one of five dry cleaning and laundry services operated by the Home Service Laundry Company. Pantorium had domestic and commercial accounts throughout Tacoma. Besides apparel , the laundry specialized in cleaning drapes, curtains, carpets, rugs and upholstery. Door-to-door service was available. People are unidentified.
Tacoma Auto Sales. Exterior of South Side Used Car facilities. Used cars were "Bot and Sold" at this location. You could also obtain insurance and car loans. Two men wearing business suits stand outside the shop by a mid-1940's automobile with wide-wall white walls. TPL-8100
Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1940-1950; South Side Used Cars (Tacoma); Automobiles--Tacoma--1940-1950;
Interior of Rug Cleaning Plant, Cartozian & Sons Rug Company, Edward S. Cartozian. A man views a guage that not only reads the current conditions but also prints a scale of conditions over time on a circular chart.
Cartozian & Sons Rug Co. (Tacoma); Rugs; Service industry facilities--Tacoma--1940-1950;
Interior of Rug Cleaning Plant, Cartozian & Sons Rug Company, Edward S. Cartozian. One of the employees of the company places a carpet into a storage bin.
Cartozian & Sons Rug Co. (Tacoma); Rugs; Service industry facilities--Tacoma--1940-1950; Cleaning personnel; Cleaning;
Interior of Rug Cleaning Plant, Cartozian & Sons Rug Company, Edward S. Cartozian. Two young work together, one to spray the back of a rug and the other to move the rug up and down with a pulley.
Cartozian & Sons Rug Co. (Tacoma); Rugs; Service industry facilities--Tacoma--1940-1950; Cleaning personnel; Cleaning;
In July of 1947, Edward S. Cartozian moved his carpet business in Tacoma from 759 Broadway to the old automobile dealership building at 3320 So. G St. The Cartozian family had been in the carpet business in the Pacific Northwest since 1906 when Abram O. Cartozian started selling Oriental rugs from a small rented room in Portland. Ed Cartozian sold his business in Tacoma to Matt O'Haleck in 1994. The men in this photograph are unidentified, but it is believed that the third man from the right is Edward S. Cartozian.
Cartozian & Sons Rug Co. (Tacoma); Rugs; Service industry facilities--Tacoma--1940-1950; Cleaning personnel; Cleaning; Chevrolet trucks;
Old time truck for contest, South Tacoma Motors, Ted Hoakinson. Three men stand with an old Chevrolet truck. The cab is very tall and has a curved hood. The wheels are spoked and the tires are worn flat. One of the men has white hair and points lovingly at the hood over the engine. Both the other men are listening carefully to what he is telling them.
South Tacoma Motor Co. (Tacoma); Trucks--Tacoma--1940-1950; Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1940-1950; Chevrolet trucks;
When the South Tacoma Motor Company at 5602 South Tacoma Way ran a contest for old time trucks in June of 1947, this Chevrolet was probably the winner. An unidentified man, hat in hand, stands next to a 1919 Chevrolet Platform Stake. Chevrolet made their first trucks in 1918. They had only manufactured 8,179 trucks by the end of 1919. Photo taken for Old time truck for contest, South Tacoma Motor Co., Chevrolet, Ted Hoakinson. TPL-6544
South Tacoma Motor Co. (Tacoma); Trucks--Tacoma--1940-1950; Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1940-1950; Chevrolet trucks;
Thorsen's Service Station was an official distributor of Standard Oil Company gasoline. View of garage interior, tires on top shelf (left side), advertisements featuring "RPM" lubrication and oil products and "Filko" automotive replacement parts, and grease rack in center.
Automobile service stations--Tacoma; Vehicle maintenance & repair--Tacoma; Automobile equipment & supplies stores--Tacoma; Thorsen's Service Station (Tacoma);
Photograph taken in November of 1947 of the Captain's Quarters at the Tacoma Athletic Commission's Club, located on the upper level of the Top of the Ocean, 2217 Ruston Way. Top of the Ocean housed Tacoma Athletic Commission, which retained its own private Club on the top level. The lower portions of the facility were open to the public. Organizations could also rent the facilities for parties. A cocktail area in the TAC Club is pictured; with a small dance floor, cocktail tables and comfortable chairs, a full bar and slot machines against the back wall. Photo ordered by Condon Advertising. (T. Times, 11/28/47, p. 5).
Dance floors--Tacoma--1940-1950; Restaurants--Tacoma--1940-1950; Top of the Ocean (Tacoma); Tacoma Athletic Commission (Tacoma);
In November of 1947, Tacoma's Top of the Ocean was in such high demand, that the restaurant had to reduce the general operating hours for the public. Clubs and organizations now had more time options in reserving private dining rooms. Interior view of the main dining room and dance floor. Orchestra area in background, where Hal Gullett's Orchestra appeared on the weekends, photo ordered by Condon Advertising. The Top of the Ocean was also home to the Tacoma Athletic Commission. They maintained their own private club on the upper level with its own private entrance. (T. Times, 11/28/47, p. 5). TPL-8248
Dance floors--Tacoma--1940-1950; Table settings & decorations; Restaurants--Tacoma--1940-1950; Interior decoration; Top of the Ocean (Tacoma); Tacoma Athletic Commission (Tacoma); Condon Co., Inc. (Tacoma);
Graybar had an increase of orders for their products, which came with the post-war building boom. John Reine was Graybar's current Tacoma manager. In the past Graybar had specialized on certain industries, such as the telegraph business, but they were now dealing with all home electronics. Interior view of Graybar Electric kitchen appliances, "Hotpoint" refrigerators, stoves, kitchen cabinets, water heater and kitchen sink.
Graybar Electric Co. (Tacoma); Appliance stores--Tacoma; Appliances;
Weisfield & Goldberg were having an emergency warehouse furniture sale at Weisfield's Furniture Warehouse, located on East 26th Street and Bay Street. Everything in stock would be marked down 15% to 60% off the regular low warehouse prices. Weisfield & Goldberg had a full two page ad in the Tacoma Times, advertising their one day sale (T. Times, 11/7/47, p. 6-7).
In October of 1947 Weisfield and Goldberg's moved all the furniture out of their store at 923-25 Broadway and into the Tacoma Exhibition Hall at 1616-32 East 26th Street. Beginning on November 7th they held an "Emergency Warehouse Furniture Sale" out of this building. They were offering low prices, easy credit, free deliveries throughout the State of Washington, free parking and brand name furniture. They had to move the furniture out of their regular store because they were remodeling all four of the upper floors in their downtown building. In February of 1948 they re-opened their newly remodeled store. (T. Times, 11/7/47, p. 6-7).
Titus Motor Company offered Tacoma customers the largest selection of Ford cars and trucks. Titus also had a full service department and parts available on site. Here Titus Motor Company parts delivery man, Phil Martin, proudly wears his Ford uniform. Mr. Martin stands at the door of his Vanette delivery truck which reads "Phil Martin at your service."
Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1940-1950; Automobile equipment & supplies; Trucks--Tacoma--1940-1950; Automobile equipment & supplies stores--Tacoma; Titus Motor Co. (Tacoma); Martin, Phillip J.;
Titus Motor Company was an authorized Ford cars and trucks dealership, in Tacoma for many years. Titus Motor Company, parts delivery man Phil Martin stands by his Vanette delivery truck in front of the Titus showroom. His name is written prominently near the wheel well. Exterior view of Ford neon and painted signs on building, and information painted on truck in this photograph dated January 2, 1948.
Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1940-1950; Automobile equipment & supplies; Electric signs--Tacoma--1940-1950; Trucks--Tacoma--1940-1950; Automobile equipment & supplies stores--Tacoma; Titus Motor Co. (Tacoma); Martin, Phillip J.;
Exterior view of Titus Motor Company and parts delivery man, Phil Martin Jr. who is standing by his Vanette delivery truck parked in front of the Titus showroom. There are Ford neon and painted signs on building. Titus Motor Company delivered genuine Ford parts ranging from visor vanity mirrors to V-8 engines to your home or garage with their new "traveling parts store." Titus Motor Company and Titus Manufacturing Company had one of the best auto repair shops in the Pacific Northwest for Ford automobiles. TPL-10162 (TNT 2-7-1948, p. 6-ad w/background eliminated)
Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1940-1950; Automobile equipment & supplies; Electric signs--Tacoma--1940-1950; Trucks--Tacoma--1940-1950; Automobile equipment & supplies stores--Tacoma; Titus Motor Co. (Tacoma); Martin, Phillip J.;
View of Titus Motor Company parts delivery man, Phil Martin Jr. moving a Ford "flathead" V-8 engine using a hand winch mounted inside the rear door of his Vanette delivery truck; cabinets and shelves for parts inside of truck. This "flathead" V-8 Ford engine is a rebuilt engine from Titus Manufacturing Company.
Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1940-1950; Automobile equipment & supplies; Engines; Trucks--Tacoma--1940-1950; Automobile equipment & supplies stores--Tacoma; Titus Motor Co. (Tacoma); Martin, Phillip J.;
Engines are taken from Ford cars and trucks, then replaced with a rebuilt engine by the Titus plant, payment is made with the trade in of the old engine and cash. Testing includes the engine being spun at over 800 r.p.m. while its operation, sound and oil pressure are carefully monitored. This service is available to individual owners, garages and Ford dealers. Interior view of Titus Manufacturing Company's engine rebuilding shop, men assembling rebuilt Ford "flathead" V-8 engines; tools, parts and supplies in factory area.
In July 1946, as engine rebuilding demand and production increased, the Titus Motor Company had to restructure their engine rebuilding department which became Titus Manufacturing Company.This is an interior view of Titus Manufacturing Company's engine rebuilding shop. Two men are working on Ford "flathead" V-8 engines while two other men work in machine tools. The Titus shop was at 6th and Broadway. In later years Titus-Will had a body shop in the same building.
Titus Motor Company's parts delivery truck, interior view of Vanette delivery truck from cab looking to rear, steering wheel, seat and parts books; cabinets, overhead panels and shelves for parts; hand winches for engine blocks, Ford "flathead" V-8 engines at far end. Ford authorized parts visible are, foot operated tire pumps, tire and fire units, engine compartment lamps, visor vanity mirrors, gas tank locking cap kits and black enamel.
Interior view of Vanette delivery truck from Titus Motor Company, one of Tacoma's authorized dealerships for Ford cars, trucks, parts and service. View from the right side of cab looking to rear, driver's seat, cabinets, overhead panels and shelves for parts. View of Ford authorized: body polish, hydraulic brake fluid, shock absorber liquid, cleaner and polish, located on shelves behind driver's seat.
Automobile dealerships--Tacoma; Vehicle maintenance & repair--Tacoma; Automobile equipment & supplies; Trucks--Tacoma--1940-1950; Automobile equipment & supplies stores--Tacoma; Titus Motor Co. (Tacoma);
Patricia Clarke modeled a yellow and black formal with an over skirt for the Fisher's Department Store style show held in the recently opened Wedgewood Room at the Hotel Winthrop in February of 1948. Beginning in March, Fisher's started a series of monthly fashion shows held on the first Thursday of each month. Starting at 1 p.m. the fashion shows were held in connection with a "musical" luncheon with music provided by Bob Dickinson and his orchestra; there was no charge other then the cost of the luncheon. (T.Times, 2/20/1948, p.11)
Hotel Winthrop (Tacoma); Hotels--Tacoma--1940-1950; Fisher's Department Store (Tacoma); Fashion shows--Tacoma--1940-1950; Fashion models--Tacoma; Clarke, P.; Evening gowns--Tacoma--1940-1950; Restaurants--Tacoma--1940-1950; Women--Tacoma--1940-1950;
Tacoma Panhellenic Conference at Top of the Ocean, TNT, Frank Lockerby. The Panhellenic Association chose the theme of "Wear Your Pin" for their luncheon and bridge party on February 7, 1948. The decorations followed the sorority pin theme with large replicas of the embossed gold pins of each national sorority. A valentines motif was followed in the table decorations with red candles and heart-shaped table markers. Greek symbols are seen on the drapery behind these women. (T.Times, 2/2/1948, p11)
Top of the Ocean (Tacoma); Tacoma Panhellenic Conference (Tacoma); Clubwomen--Tacoma--1940-1950; Fraternities & sororities--Tacoma--1940-1950; Candles;
On February 6, 1948 the first Tacoma Panhellenic day luncheon was held at the Top of the Ocean. The theme for the day was "Wear Your Pin", and all Tacoma alumnae of national college sororities were invited. A prize was given to the sorority having the largest attendance. At the close of the formal program, the guests were escorted to the Tacoma Athletic Commission rooms for an afternoon of bridge. (T.Times, 2/2/1948, p.11)
Top of the Ocean (Tacoma); Tacoma Panhellenic Conference (Tacoma); Playing cards; Clubwomen--Tacoma--1940-1950; Fraternities & sororities--Tacoma--1940-1950; Smoking--Tacoma--1940-1950; Cigarettes;
