Copy made from glass plate, Richards Studio. Imprinted on the photograph are the words "Emergency Fleet Corp., Todd Dry Dock & Construction Corp., July 20, 1918, Tacoma, Wash." WW1 was still in effect at this time. Todd Dry Dock was a major shipbuilder with plant and offices located on the Hylebos Waterway. They were also listed as engineers and boilermakers according to the 1918 City Directory with C.W. Wiley as president of the firm. Later, it appears that Todd Dry Dock may have changed its name to Todd Pacific Shipyards; it then became the largest single war producing unit in Pierce County during WWII with over fifty vessels built for the Navy. Copy of glass plate made on October 3, 1958.
Todd Dry Dock & Construction Corp. (Tacoma); Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1910-1920;
ca. 1958. Additional work had been done on C116559, image 1, to improve appearance of players manually added to the team's roster. This was the South End Boys Club baseball team sponsored by Stamey Insurance in 1958. They played in the Junior League of Metro Park's baseball program. Three boys apparently were not present at the time of the original photograph; the Richards Studio then cut and pasted their images into the group shot. Photograph ordered by Ben Cheney.
Baseball players--Tacoma--1960-1970; Baseball--Tacoma--1960-1970; Stamey Insurance, Inc. (Tacoma);
ca. 1928. A copy of this photograph was ordered in October of 1958 by the Cheney Lumber Co. In the photograph, the members of the "Decimo Club" posed in their basketball uniforms. It appears to date from around 1928; the "Decimo" Club participated in the City League basketball league that year. The player holding the basketball in the front row is believed to be Ben Cheney. In 1924, Mr. Cheney arrived in Tacoma from South Bend at the age of 19. He loved sports and participated in several, including basketball. He drew a cartoon for his 1920 South Bend High School yearbook of himself dreaming of basketball glory, but at 5'8" tall he did not play varsity basketball. His true skill was in business. In 1936, he bought his first lumber mill and began building the empire that became the internationally known Cheney Lumber Co. He donated generously to allow local children to have the opportunity to participate in sports. Ben Cheney died in 1971. (The Ben Cheney Story by Med Nicholson, The Sou'wester, Fall 2000)
Group portrait of Daughters of the Nile. These women belong to the Daughters of the Nile, Zora Temple No. 5. In the foreground are the temple dancers dressed in Arabian gear. The women in the background are possibly the Nile patrol and chorus. Mrs. Robert Hunt was the temple's reigning queen. Photograph was taken on January 6, 1959, at the Masonic Temple as the Daughters of the Nile met to honor the Supreme Queen, Mrs. Adam T. Neen of Vancouver, B.C., during the winter ceremonial. Dinner would be held later at the Winthrop Hotel. Color photograph ordered by the Daughters of the Nile. (TNT 1-2-59, p. 11)
Daughters of the Nile Zora Temple No. 5 (Tacoma); Fraternal organizations--Tacoma--1950-1960; Group portraits; Women--Tacoma--1950-1960;
Ben Cheney's generosity allowed hundreds of Tacoma area youth to participate on basketball, football and baseball teams. Each year his Cheney Lumber Co. sponsored a Sports Award banquet to honor these young people. Several boys in this November 30, 1958, photograph are wearing jackets with the Cheney Studs logo. This year the Studs Midget football team were co-champions along with Lakewood of the Metro Park District league; one boy happily holds onto his individual trophy while others in the group share smiles. Photograph ordered by Gene Anderson, Cheney Lumber Co.
This aerial photograph shows the original cloverleaf interchange at I-5 and 512 when it was under construction in January, 1959. The road cutting through from left to right is Hwy 99 right at the point where it changes from South Tacoma Way to being Pacific Hwy. SW. The houses at the bottom are part of the Southgate housing development. Southgate was a newer suburban park developed by Tacoma Master Builder Sherman Rowland which lay west of Hwy. 99. Plans were to build 300+ private homes in a park-like setting.
Aerial photographs were taken on New Year's Day, 1959, of the South End neighborhood in the vicinity of South 56th & Park Ave. This is 56th St. east of the new freeway which would carve out a section of the busy street. This area was already quite settled in the late 1950's. A new Safeway store would be built on South 56th St. just beyond Park Ave. to replace the Safeway on So. 54th & Sheridan, just off 56th St. The Moore branch of the Tacoma Public Library, on 56th close to Pacific Avenue and not visible in this photograph, would be completely rebuilt in 1988. Bethany Methodist Church and Clubhouse, the imposing buildings on Park near the top of the photograph, are still there. Traffic has increased substantially since 1959 on South 56th St.
ca. 1958. The Christmas shopping season was rapidly approaching and the Villa Plaza's Woolworth's was set for hordes of shoppers eager to stretch their dollars at the nation's premier five-and-dime store. Clothing for men, women and children could be purchased relatively inexpensively and still prove serviceable. An array of toys were on hand to delight youngsters on Christmas morning.
F.W. Woolworth Co. (Lakewood); Variety stores--Lakewood--1950-1960; Merchandise displays--Lakewood--1950-1960; Villa Plaza Shopping Center (Lakewood); Shopping centers--Lakewood--1950-1960; Signs (Notices);
Sixty-seven employees of the Globe Machine Mfg. Co. posed for a group picture in front of the company plant on November 18, 1958. The company were manufacturers of veneer plywood and woodwork machinery. They had apparently moved from their longtime location at 301 E. 11th St. to East D by 1958. Photograph ordered by Globe Machine Mfg. Co.
Machinists at Globe Machine Mfg. Co. are pictured on the job at the company's new plant on East D Street on November 21, 1958. Globe Machine had been in Tacoma since the 1920's. They manufactured veneer plywood and woodwork machinery. The company was run by Calvin D. Bamford, president. Photograph ordered by Globe Machine Mfg. Co.
ca. 1958. The walls of Saunders Health Service were nearly all glass so passersby could easily view the merchandise within the store. Saunders carried a complete line of natural foods, vitamins and minerals. The one-story health food store was located in the Villa Plaza Shopping Center. There was also a Tacoma store located in the 900 block of Commerce St. in the downtown business district.
Saunders Health Service, Inc. (Lakewood); Nutrition--Lakewood; Villa Plaza Shopping Center (Lakewood); Shopping centers--Lakewood--1950-1960;
Award-winning paintings are held up for display by their proud artists in a January, 1959, photograph. National Bank of Washington branch manager W.W. Dean points to the first place winner's artwork. Each painting has a ribbon dangling from it. The paintings will hang in the lobby of the Villa Plaza National Bank of Washington; the bank was a sponsor of the art contest. The winners of the contest were all seniors at Clover Park High School and had entered the art department's contest. From L-R are Vicky Sebro (3rd place), Mrs. Albert Scott, art teacher, Susan Strickland (2nd place), Iris Waite (1st place) and W.W. Dean. Photograph ordered by National Bank of Washington. (TNT 1-25-59, D-9)
White jacketed dance band onstage at the Puyallup Elks Club. The band members appear to play the bass, accordion and a number of different saxophones. The PE on the band stands possibly stands for Puyallup Elks.
Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Lodge No. 1450 (Puyallup); Musicians--Puyallup--1950-1960;
Family portrait of Mrs. Blanche Nicewanger and her brother and sisters. Blanche was the widow of Henry Nicewanger. She was a Christian Science Practitioner and had offices in the Security Building, 915 1/2 Pacific Ave., Ste. #514. Her home address was 1270 Fairview Dr. She poses here with her four sisters and brother. The man holds a violin. The other woman is unidentified. Her obituary in November of 1967 listed her siblings as Noble Rilay; Mrs. Martha Howe; Mrs. Roxie Haynes; Mrs. Maude Sutton and Mrs. John R. Brown of Oswego, N.Y. (TNT 11/28/1967, pg. 33)
ca. 1959. A geology class at Pacific Lutheran College. The college students sit at lab tables and listen intently as new Professor Jack Gaines points out a feature on a rock. A three story wing added to the Science Hall was one of the completed building projects for 1959. The addition offered more laboratory and classroom space, as well as a new science library. Total expenditure for the new building was over $250, 000. (TNT 4/7/1959, pg. C-9)
In 1959, two unidentified Pierce County deputy sheriffs have their sleeves all rolled up in preparation for a polio vaccination at the Polio Vaccine Center at 936 Pacific Avenue. They joined others to take advantage of the free shots on January 7, 1959, to mark the opening of the 1959 March of Dimes campaign. The discovery of the Salk vaccine earlier in the 1950's definitely lessened the dreaded disease. Pierce County had run a vigorous campaign to vaccinate all children and young adults when the vaccine became available. Shots were still being administered by trained medical personnel at the Polio Vaccine Center. The public was urged to complete the series of three shots. Photograph ordered by the March of Dimes. (TPL-6492, TNT 1-4-59, A-13)
Closer view by air of the Seattle Huntington Rubber Mills plant. The elongated loaf-shaped buildings with dark stripes painted on the roofs were the Seattle plant of Huntington Rubber Mills. The plant was located at 34315 - 16th South, between two roadways. This area was still relatively sparsely populated in the late 1950's; there would probably have been more room for plant expansion if necessary. A large dirt or gravel pit is next door to the plant with forests to the rear. Photograph ordered by Huntington Rubber Mills.
The newly expanded Block's Furniture Mart. A second story has been added, as well as a one story addition to the right. Block's sold new and used furniture and household appliances. They opened at this location at 82nd and South Tacoma Way 10 years prior with 1500 square feet of display space. The newly expanded store offered a spacious 27,000 square feet of display space. Payment terms were easy and the home delivery was free. A 10 piece living room suite was $189.50 or you could buy 3 complete rooms of fine furniture for $399. The store was also the new Kelvinator dealer; Kelvinator was the oldest manufacturer of electrical home appliances. The Grand Opening for the expanded store began on February 27, 1959 with drawings for free gifts. (TNT 2/27/1959, pg. 9)
Furniture stores--Lakewood--1950-1960; Block's Furniture Mart (Lakewood); Appliance stores--Lakewood--1950-1960;
Groff's Natural Foods. Groff's was owned by Virgil Groff and offered vitamins and all natural foods to the discerning consumer. Groff stands at the entrance of his new store at 11th & Market. The store was formerly located in the same building, but moved to the space on the corner previously occupied by Frank's Jewelers. It was rebuilt with a new brick front, new flooring and lighting, window displays and entrances. Displayed in the windows are 100% pure honey and green Papaya juice for digestion. The interior color scheme was sunshine yellow and chlorophyll green. The oldest health food store in Tacoma, it was founded in 1928 as Thomson's Natural Food Store. Groff purchased the store in 1943 and expanded and modernized three times. The new store had a 3 1/2 ton walk in refrigerator to keep fresh natural foods and whole grains, also raw carrots for the juice extractor at the Juice Bar. Virg Groff was an energetic man who played handball and performed with the Tacoma Little Theatre. He claimed his success and energy came from "shots" of wheat germ and carrot juice consumed throughout the day. (TNT 2/19/1956, pg. A-5)
Four unidentified students of the Honolulu Conservatory of Music posed for this photograph in February of 1959. The young man at the far left is playing a Gretsch White Falcon Hollow Body Guitar. The other two young men are both behind triple-necked Fender steel guitars similar to the one played by Wayne Newton when he first appeared on the Jackie Gleason Show in 1956, although the one at the right is "playing" a ukelele. The girl is dressed to perform a hula dance. The Honolulu Conservatory of Music was owned by Karolyn & Floyd Piper who operated the school out of their home at 617 No. 2nd St. They specialized in instruction in Hawaiian music, teaching lessons on the ukelele, guitar and accordion.
Honolulu Conservatory of Music (Tacoma); Musicians--Tacoma--1950-1960; Stringed instruments; Hula dancing--Tacoma--1950-1960;
Trinity Lutheran Church, 121st St. and So. Park Ave., Parkland. Trinity was the area's largest Lutheran church. It was designed by John Richards of Lea, Pearson & Richards, architects. The main sanctuary could seat 800-1,000 people. A parsonage was added in 1961, designed by the same architectural firm. The church was remodeled in 1993, under the direction of the BJSS Group, architects. (TNT 3/8/1959, pg. C-15)
Trinity Lutheran Church (Parkland); Lutheran churches--Parkland;
Trinity Lutheran Church, 121st St. and So. Park Ave., Parkland. Three bells adorn the tower above the Trinity Lutheran Church, designed by John Richards of Lea, Pearson & Richards, Architects. Trinity was the area's largest Lutheran church; its sanctuary could seat 800-1000 worshipers. It was dedicated on March 8, 1959 and over 2600 persons attended the dedication. (TNT 3/8/1959, pg. C-15)
Trinity Lutheran Church (Parkland); Lutheran churches--Parkland;
Trinity Lutheran Church, 121st St. and So. Park Ave., Parkland. This bas relief over the main entrance was designed by Pacific Lutheran College Assistant Professor of Art George Roskos. It illustrates the parable of the sower. The 3 ton sculpture relates how the word and the seed need friendly soil. The first figure on the left is depicted preaching the word and sowing the seed. The next group depicts non-concern and egotism, also the birds eat the seed. The next seed are cast in rocky and shallow soil and wither away. The next group of figures have the trappings of the church, but still show lack of interest. The third group shows greed and lust for riches, as one of them clutches a money bag. In the group furtherest to the right, all seven figures hold a reaper. The seed has been planted in rich, deep soil and is bearing fruit. During the design period, the artist worked with a 5 x 18 foot canvas and applied wire lath and clay. It took 1500 pounds of plaster to make a 14 piece mold. The mold was filled with aggregate. The sculpture weighed 3 tons and was lifted up at either end with 1 ton hoists. The area's largest Lutheran Church was dedicated on March 3, 1959. Over 2600 persons attended the dedication. (TNT 3/8/1959, pg. C-15, 3/22/1959, pg. C-17)
Trinity Lutheran Church (Parkland); Lutheran churches--Parkland; Bas-reliefs;
Each year the students of Annie Wright Seminary held a May Day festival to welcome back the blooming life of spring to the cool and gray Northwest. The ceremony in 1959 was held on a bright, sunny May 9th with the air stirred by a stiff breeze. 1959 was a special year, the 75th anniversary of the founding of the school, which opened in 1884 with a class of 93 from Washington, Oregon and British Columbia. Since most of the upper class girls were directly involved in the pageant, the entertainment was usually provided by the lower and middle school classes. This group appears to be performing a folk dance, perhaps from the Netherlands. Some girls are dressed in full skirts with aprons and boxy bonnets, some are dressed as boys in knee length pants and vests.
Electrical contractor Carl T. Madsen and Mort Anderson study blueprints in front of the new County-City Building on March 21, 1959. The building was designed by A. Gordon Lumm. architect, and the general contractor was the Macdonald Building Co.
County-City Building (Tacoma); Courthouses--Tacoma--1950-1960; Madsen, Carl T.; Anderson, Mort; Blueprints;
Nine men pose outside the newly completed County-City Building on March 21, 1959. Two of the men are believed to be electrical contractor Carl T. Madsen and Mort Anderson. The County-City Building would be dedicated on April 10, 1959, nearly seven years after voters approved its construction.
County-City Building (Tacoma); Courthouses--Tacoma;
The plant formerly occupied by the Tacoma Sash & Door Co. on the Tideflats was destroyed by a $400,000, 2 hour fire on May 9, 1959. The building had been abandoned by the previous company and was now occupied by 8 smaller businesses, including Nordlund & Silva Boat Co., Educators Manufacturing, Nu Life Fertilizer, City Millwork, General Hardwood Co. and Thunderbird Water Ski Co. All of the businesses suffered extensive losses, most were insured to some extent. The fire was started by an oil burner and tank that were installed without the Fire Department's knowledge. Three-fourths of the sprinkler system had been turned off a few days before the fire due to its leakage on desks stored in the plant by Educators Manufacturing. Firefighters kept the flames from spreading to surrounding plants. (TNT 5/9/1959, pg. 1; 5/10/1959, pg. 1, TNT 5/19/1959, pg. 3)
Fires--Tacoma--1950-1960; Fire fighting--Tacoma--1950-1960; Tacoma Sash & Door Co. (Tacoma);
Balcom & Vaughan of Tacoma exhibit booth at the 1959 Tacoma Home Show. Balcom & Vaughan had recently opened at their new location, 747 Broadway. They sold Wurlitzer pianos and organs. A group of four men speak into a microphone for the benefit of the KTVW Television camera. The company was one of over 100 exhibiting wares for the discriminating home owner at the eleventh annual home show. The attendance at the '59 Home Show was a record breaking 40,016 for the shortened 6 day run.
Greater Tacoma Home Show (Tacoma); Exhibitions--Tacoma--1950-1960; Exhibit booths--Tacoma; Balcom & Vaughan of Tacoma (Tacoma); Organs; Keyboard instruments;
This large tri-level was located in Skyline Terrace and built by Miller Construction. The 30 million, 1500 home subdivision was designed by Ed Miller. This large home features additional living space over the two car garage.
This one story rambler with its attached one car garage was built by Miller Construction in Skyline Terrace. The 1500 home project, designed by Ed Miller, featured homes of many designs and price ranges. This home was owned by Mr. and Mrs. Tom McGraw. A community recreation center was being planned by Miller for the addition. It would have 2 pools, tennis, basketball and volleyball courts, a picnic area and a large clubhouse. A family membership would be included with the home purchase.
