The new saltwater public swimming pool at Titlow Beach was dedicated on June 4, 1955. The new pool measured 165 feet long by 75 feet wide with a depth of 3-5 feet for 85% of the length, with 15% deeper and used for diving. The pool had 3 diving boards, 2 one meter boards and 1 three meter board. The water was filtered continually and heated and chlorinated and lit by underwater and overhead lighting. Twenty feet of deck space was provided for sunbathing. Funded by special tax funds voted in 1952 plus appropriations and constructed at a cost of $225,796.54, the pool also had a 500 car parking area and bathhouses with automatic showers and large dressing rooms. Pool design was by Lea, Pearson & Richards. A two day pancake feed called the "Griddle Go Round" was planned for June 4-5. The TAC expected to fill 10,000 people with griddle cakes, syrup, orange juice and sausage. Entertainment would be provided by a touring Aunt Jemima (Palmere Jackson) and her troupe. There would be bubble gum and pancake eating contests, a water show and vaudeville acts with proceeds going to the fund to build a band shell at the lagoon at the entrance of Point Defiance Park. (TNT 5/29/1955, pg. A-10, 6/1/1955, pg. 11, 6/3/1955, pg. B-2, 6/5/1955, pg. 1)

Swimming pools--Tacoma; Titlow Park (Tacoma);

The Tacoma City Lights Administration Building, now known as the Tacoma Public Utilities Center, opened in 1953. Silas E. Nelson was the architect and Roy T. Early Co. was the contractor. Photo series ordered by Bethlehem Pacific Steel Co. (SA-7) The Administration Building was the center of Tacoma's controversial new multi-million dollar Public Utility operating headquarters at So. 35th & Union Ave. The administrative, service and engineering staffs of both the Light and Water Divisions would be housed here. In addition to office and working space, the building had an auditorium, cafeteria, first aid and dispensary room, a model kitchen and a home economics department.

Tacoma Dept. of Public Utilities, Light Division (Tacoma); Silas E. Nelsen Architects (Tacoma); Public utility companies--Tacoma;

Golden Jubilee Circus in Seattle with the Sea Fair Queen. Photo ordered by the Douglas Fir Plywood Association. The Sea Fair Queen makes friends with a lion, tiger and giraffe, part of the plywood menagerie travelling with the "Fir Plywood Golden Jubilee Show." The free show had something for every member of the family. It featured a color film showing how plywood is manufactured and some new ideas for modern living. Part of the celebration of the 50th anniversary of plywood production, the show would be touring West Coast regions where plywood is manufactured. (TNT 7/10/1955, pg. C-17)

Animal training--Seattle; Circus animals--Seattle; Circuses & shows--Seattle; Circus performers;

Unidentified young baseball player with the 1955 Washington Cheney Studs team. The Cheney Studs were an amateur team made up of the most talented high school and college talent in the Seattle-Tacoma area. The Studs began the season by playing exhibition games against professional farm teams and also the amateur city league. They ended the season by finishing second in the nation, behind Houston, at the nationals of the American Baseball Congress.

Baseball players--Tacoma--1950-1960; Baseball--Tacoma--1950-1960; Washington Cheney Studs (Tacoma);

George Kritsonis; young baseball player with the 1955 Washington Cheney Studs team. The Cheney Studs were an amateur team made up of the most talented high school and college talent in the Seattle-Tacoma area. George was one of the pitchers for the team and attended Seattle University. He also played outfield for the Studs. He was 18 years old during the season, 6'1" tall and 160 pounds and was a native of Issaquah, Wa. George was voted "Most Valuable Player" of the Northwest series of the American Baseball Congress at Watertown, S.D. The Studs defeated Omaha 12-3 to clinch the Northwest title.

Baseball players--Tacoma--1950-1960; Kritsonis, George; Washington Cheney Studs (Tacoma); Baseball--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Launching of the MSO 505 at Tacoma Boat Building. Photo ordered by the Industrial Development Service. Grain elevators in the background. The Navy's newest minesweeper, the 171 foot MSO 505, was launched Saturday August 6, 1955 at Tacoma Boatbuilding. Mrs. C. E. Trescott was the sponsor and Miss Irene Trescott was the attendant. They were introduced by Capt. James R. Davis, USN. The 13th Naval District band played. (TNT 8/8/1955, pg. 9)

Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1950-1960; Tacoma Boat Building Co., Inc. (Tacoma);

ca. 1955. Prominent Tacoma businessman Ben Cheney in a ca. 1955 portrait. He was well known as the president and founder of Cheney Lumber Co. but became even better known for his generosity in supporting athletics for the young. Thousands of children were given the chance to participate in sports including baseball, football and basketball. It is estimated that over 5,000 people played on Mr. Cheney's various Studs teams over twenty years.

Cheney, Ben B., 1905-1971; Philanthropists;

Four women in print, Hawaiian-like dresses, with leis around their necks, posed in August of 1955 to help publicize the University Union Club's Hawaiian Party. Planned for August 18, the party featured an exotic luau, followed by dancing to the strains of a Hawaiian orchestra. Pictured (left to right) are Jeanette (Mrs. William) Shaw, Jean (Mrs. William) Drury, Ruth (Mrs. Thomas) Murphy and Jeanne (Mrs. Frank) Kraucunas. (TNT 8/18/1955, pg. 13, 8/14/1955, pg. D-1)

Clubs--Tacoma; University Union Club of Tacoma (Tacoma); Dinner parties--Tacoma--1950-1960; Costumes; Shaw, Jeanette; Drury, Jean; Murphy, Ruth; Kraucunas, Jeanne;

Mrs. Ralph Chantry is pictured in August of 1955 with two unidenfied men admiring the new 1955 Custom Royal Lancer Dodge she recently won as the grand prize in a U & I Sugar contest. She had previously received the keys to the automobile from C.M. Young of B & Y Motors, Dodge representatives. She was especially happy to get a new car as her 1949 vehicle had just been sent to the garage for repairs. In addition, Mrs. Chantry, with her husband, would be going on an all-expense-paid trip to Hollywood as guests of the sugar company. Mr. and Mrs. Chantry resided in a newly built home in Bonney Lake, four miles from Sumner. Photograph ordered by David Evans & Associates. (Puyallup Valley Tribune, 8-11-55-alt. photograph & article)

Dodge automobile; Contests; Chantry, Ralph--Family;

The "All Electric Starliner" home by Miller Construction Co., built for the 1955 Parade of Homes. This home was one of the model homes in the 1955 Parade of Homes in University Estates, 2 miles south of the University Place school. The homes were built by members of the Tacoma Master Builders Association and their location was kept secret until their unveiling Sept. 10th. The 21 homes in 1955 were located on 42 acres in University Place. The Starliner was built of clinker brick and cedar siding and featured 3 bedrooms, a merged living and dining area, planned kitchen, 2 baths and a family room with an 8 ft wide sliding glass door opening onto a partially paved play area. The play area had a built in sunken sandbox and wading pool. The children in the picture are Penny Valley (on tricycle), Polly Valley (filling pool with hose) and Beidra Miller, daughter of Edward P. Miller- builder and contractor. The home also had an attached garage and a large storage room. After the Parade of Homes, the house was placed on the market for $15,000. (TNT 9/9/1955, pg. B-16, B-29)

Houses--University Place--1950-1960; Children playing in sand; Children playing in water; Children playing outdoors--University Place--1950-1960; Children riding bicycles & tricycles; Valley, Penny; Valley, Polly; Miller, Beidra;

Ground breaking for U.S. Oil and Refining Co. plant on Tideflats. Senators Warren G. Magnuson and Henry M. Jackson (5th and 8th from L), Congressman Thor Tollefson (6th from L) and Mayor Harold Tollefson behind Fun Fair Queen Shiela Widener. Seated in the giant diesel shovel is U.S. Oil & Refining Co. president, Dr. Ernest Lyder. Perched on the shovel's front are Port Commissioners M.S. Erdahl and Maurice Raymond, who was the principal speaker at the event. Many of those present, including hundreds of spectators, had used the site formerly as a swimming hole and for duck hunting. (TNT 7-21-55, p. 1, TNT 7-22-55, p. 1) ALBUM 4

Magnuson, Warren G., 1905-1989; Jackson, Henry M., 1912-1983; US Oil & Refining Co. (Tacoma); Legislators--Washington--1950-1960; Tollefson, Thor C., 1901-1982; Mayors--Tacoma--1950-1960; Tollefson, Harold M., 1908-1985; Lyder, Ernest;

Graduating class from Tacoma General Hospital's nursing school. The Baccalaureate service for the 1955 graduates from the Tacoma General Hospital School of Nursing was held at the First Methodist Church. The graduation of the thirty nine new nurses signalled the end of three years of training. The student nurses will later take the state exams to earn the designation of RN, Registered Nurse. The students represented the state of Washington, as well as 3 other states, 2 foreign countries and the territory of Alaska. It was the 59th graduating class in the history of TGH. Mrs. Grace Marlene Koski Guenther won a $200 scholarship for her top scholastic standings. Miss Annette George was second in the class and received a $150 scholarship to continue her studies. Al Babbit, hospital business administrator, presented the scholarships. (TNT 9/4/1955, pg. C-9)

Nurses--Tacoma--1950-1960; Tacoma General Hospital School of Nursing (Tacoma); Graduation ceremonies--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Group boarding bus at the Olympus Hotel, photograph ordered by the Young Calvinist. Members of the group appear to be of many different ages. Based on the ordering newspaper, the group must be followers of Calvinism. According to the Webster's Dictionary, the theological system of John Calvin and his followers is marked by a strong emphasis on the sovereignty of God, the depravity of mankind and the doctrine of predestination.

Olympus Hotel (Tacoma); Hotels--Tacoma--1950-1960;

One of the two men in #10 poses with a woman and a new General Electric stove. They appear to be perusing the directions for the stove. Appointment book labels this series as Pease & Sons Appliances. Photographs ordered by David Evans & Assoc.

Stoves--Tacoma; Appliances; Pease & Sons Appliance Center (Tacoma);

The PNGA Junior Championship banquet and trophy presentation at the Tacoma Country & Golf Club. The Pacific Northwest Golf Association sponsored the junior tournament held August 29- September 1st. Entrants were boys under the age of 19 on Aug. 29th. They were anticipating around 125 entrants from Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Montana, British Columbia and Alberta, Canada to participate in the 9 hole qualifying round. Erv Parent (left), president of the PNGA, is presenting Bryan Copp (center), of Vancouver BC, the medalist trophy at the conclusion of the qualifying round held on August 29, 1955. The wiry, red headed seventeen year old Copp was the current British Columbia Junior Champion. He posted one over par in the 9 hole play off to break a three way tie with Gary Congdon and Bobby Pratt of Tacoma. Qualifiers will continue play until there is a single winner. Copp was defeated in the final round by Ted Puetz of Seattle. (TNT 8/7/1955, pg. B-10, 8/30/1955, pg. 2, 9/2/1955, pg. 20)

Tacoma Country & Golf Club (Tacoma); Country clubs--Tacoma; Golf--Tacoma; Parent, Erv; Copp, Bryan;

On August 12, 1955, Mayor Harold Tollefson christened a new Trailways bus at the Trailway Bus Depot, 114-116 So. 8th St. The unidentified members of an all girl accordion band, in satin skirts with matching beanies and slippers, looked on in varying states of surprise. Three of the accordions had advertisement on them for the "Vista Liner." The luxury Continental Trailways "Vista Liner 100" bus being unveiled at the station on 8th and Pacific Ave. The fleet of new liners was being placed in service on Trailways' Evergreen routes from Seattle to San Diego and Los Angeles to San Francisco. The term "Vista Liner" refers to the raised rear deck with skylights for full enjoyment of passing scenery. The bus features contour seating with adjustable headrests, FM background music, springs to absorb road shock and facing seats with card tables. (TNT 8/10/1955, pg. B-1) TPL-8354

Tollefson, Harold M., 1908-1985; Mayors--Tacoma--1950-1960; Buses--Tacoma; Bus terminals--Tacoma; Accordions;

In September of 1955, three tow trucks and their drivers stand at the ready in front of Del's Service and Repair at 711 Tacoma Ave So. Del's was owned by Delbert Heim who took over Art's Auto Repair around 1953 and changed the name. The garage specialized in brake repair, and towing was available 24 hours a day. The building was originally constructed in 1929 for a cost of $38,000. The site includes the Washington Grocery (to the left) at 707 Tacoma Ave So. The same builder, Oscar Volk, built the 85 unit brick Washington Apartments to the left of the photograph at 7th and Tacoma Ave So. (actual address 518 So. 7th St.). Del moved his business to 224 St. Helens Ave. in the late 1950s.

Del's Service & Repair (Tacoma); Automobile repair--Tacoma--1950-1960; Wreckers (Vehicles);

ca. 1955. The Winthrop Hotel, circa 1955. The hotel, designed by W.L. Stoddard, architect, and Roland Borhek, associate architect, had its grand opening on 5/16/1925. The hotel was named in a Tacoma Ledger newspaper contest. The winning name was submitted by George L. Dickson. It was named after explorer and writer Theodore Winthrop, author of "The Canoe and the Saddle," which helped popularize the Northwest. The building was eleven stories and 110 feet high. In 1973, it was converted into apartments. In 1955, it was home to the Sabre Room and the Daffodil Room.

Hotels--Tacoma--1950-1960; Hotel Winthrop (Tacoma);

American Wholesale Grocers. Nighttime view of exterior of new IGA Foodtown store located at Park Ave. and Airport Way. The supermarket shares the same strip mall with Devereaux Realty, Ruth's Cafe, a beauty and barber shop and a drycleaning plant. The entrance to the grocery store is to the right. The variety section may have had its own entrance to the left of the brick wall. Each IGA was independently owned and operated, but affiliated with IGA, the second largest retail food outlet in the country. (TNT 8/16/1955, pg. 7-10)

IGA Foodtown (Parkland); Grocery stores--1950-1960; Supermarkets;

American Wholesale Grocers. Exterior of new IGA Foodtown store located at Park Ave. and Airport Way. A planter box and flagstone paving lead to the entrance of the store. The 20,000 square foot building was built of concrete block and roman brick with large plate glass windows across the north side. A large modernistic marquee extended over the northwest corner and a raised planting area with flowering and evergreen shrubs included two oriental trees that extended through the roof. (TNT 8/16/1955, pg. 7-10)

IGA Foodtown (Parkland); Grocery stores--1950-1960; Supermarkets;

ca. 1955. Outdoor seating area and wheelchair ramp at Laboure Nursing Home at 901 Tule Lake Rd. The Laboure Home was owned and operated by Grace M. Hoffman and Florence B. Moore. It was a rest home for the aged and convalescent. It had a licensed nursing staff and a house physician. It was a member of WALNH (Washington Association of Licensed Nursing Homes.)

Laboure Nursing Home (Parkland); Houses--Parkland--1950-1960;

Two trucks hauling two caterpillar tractors at Northwest Hauling Co., 2318 South Tacoma Way. Photos ordered by Holte Trucks. In the 1956 City Directory, they described their services as "expressing and moving." In 1957, they described their services as "Rigging and hoisting, heavy hauling, house moving and crane service."

Northwest Hauling Co. (Tacoma); Trucks--Tacoma--1950-1960; Tractors--Tacoma--1950-1960; Moving & storage trade--Tacoma--1950-1960;

In August of 1955, two unidentified young girls were photographed as they gazed up at Northern Pacific Engine No. 1364 at Point Defiance Park. The 4-6-0 type engine was built by the Baldwin Locomotive Works in 1902, and for the first 25 years of its service it was used to assist the North Coast Limited over the Cascades. It was retired in 1953 and donated by the Northern Pacific Railroad to the Metropolitan Park Board. It was on display on a specially installed section of track just south of Funland at Point Defiance from 1954 to the mid-1970s. The Yakima Valley Rail and Steam Association is refurbishing the antique engine in Toppenish. (TNT 1/27/1954, pg. 11 & Toppenish Review 8/8/2001)

Point Defiance Park (Tacoma); Railroad locomotives;

Cyclone fence surrounding Engine # 1364 on display at Point Defiance Park. In 1868, the US government claimed Point Defiance as a military reservation. The land laid unused for 20 years until 1888, when Congress allowed the land to be turned into a park. In 1905, Tacoma gained full control of the park with the military only reserving the right to repossess in a national emergency. From the beginning, the park was developed in a manner that would preserve its natural state while accommodating the public. The park saw an influx of federal funds and work force through the projects of the 30's. Point Defiance received this 1902 series locomotive from the Northern Pacific Railroad.

Point Defiance Park (Tacoma); Railroad locomotives;

A couple, believed to be Kenneth and Helen Cobb, are photographed before a circular mirror on September 20, 1955. Mrs. Cobb is proudly holding a first place ribbon from the American Violet Festival held in Tacoma that year. Mr. Cobb displays what appears to be the prize winning exhibit in full bloom. Kenneth Cobb operated the Telex Hearing Center in the historic Perkins Building downtown on A Street.

Awards; Mirrors; Violets;

All eyes are focused on the well-dressed speaker at the awards banquet honoring the Washington Cheney Studs baseball team which was held in Seattle on October 30, 1955. The large trophies won by the amateur team at the American Baseball Congress tournament the previous month, along with smaller individual trophies, are on display before the head table. There is a portrait of sponsor Ben Cheney which is leaning on a chair in front of the stage. Sepia photograph ordered by Cheney Lumber Co.

Baseball players--Tacoma--1950-1960; Awards; Banquets;

A member of the Cheney Studs baseball team, believed to be coach Joe Budnick, casually poses for a September, 1955, photograph. Dressed in a striped uniform, he sports the Cheney Studs insignia of a horse on his shirt and cap. Ben Cheney, lumberman and philanthropist, enabled thousands of men and children to participate in sports. Cheney Stadium was dedicated in his honor in 1960.

Baseball players--Tacoma--1950-1960; Baseball--Tacoma--1950-1960; Uniforms; Sporting goods;

Team photo of Cheney Studs. A beaming Ben Cheney (L, second row) stands proudly with his Cheney Studs amateur baseball team in Battle Creek, Michigan, on September 21, 1955. The Studs were composed of local high school and college-level stars. They had journeyed to Michigan to participate in the American Baseball Congress tournament where they concluded as national runner-ups. It appears that the Cheney Studs had also been the Cascade, Washington State, and Northwest Regional champions. Sepia photograph ordered by Cheney Lumber.

Baseball players--Tacoma--1950-1960; Cheney, Ben B., 1905-1971; Awards;

Young baseball players attempt to relax as they enjoy the comforts of a private railroad car in a September, 1955, photograph. The men are part of the Cheney Studs, an amateur baseball team sponsored by Cheney Lumber. It is possible that the Studs were on their way to Watertown, S.D., for the first rounds of the American Baseball Congress national tournaments.

Baseball players--Tacoma--1950-1960; Railroad passenger cars--Tacoma;

Chunks of broccoli pass swiftly down the assembly line to be selected and packaged for Minute Maid. Women, all in white uniforms complete with cap and clear aprons, work in two separate assembly lines. Sharp knives are used to separate the broccoli sections. Minute Maid had been known for their concentrated orange juice. In December, 1954, however, they purchased the Snow Crop Division of Clinton Foods. This gave them access to the frozen foods, vegetables, and juices market. Snow Crop had a plant in Kent; it is unknown whether this September 19, 1955, photograph was taken there. Photograph ordered by Batten Barton, Durstine & Osborn. (TNT 12-1-54, C-4)

Broccoli; Assembly-line methods; Uniforms;