Progress photographs were taken on April 30, 1958, of work being completed at McChord Air Force Base. The Western Electric Co. of New York City had been involved in several projects on base. This is the graphic panel room in 117 D Building. It was part of Project #1557. The control board is carefully labeled: some switches are connected to the second floor system and computer, others are noted as the fresh air system and fourth floor air conditioning system. Gauges and knobs accompany a directory on the instrument panel. Sepia photograph ordered by Western Electric Co., Inc.

Progress photographs; Control rooms; Scientific equipment; Western Electric Co., Inc.;

St. Joseph alumnae met at the home of Olga O'Neil to plan homecoming activities. Graduating seniors and past presidents of the alumnae association will be honored at Honan's Restaurant on June 7, 1958. The committee of seven enjoyed reminiscing and giggling over old photos. From left to right are Mrs. Grant Moshner, Miss Mary Williams, Mrs. Joseph Renggli, Mrs. Paul Lucien, Mrs. Robert Ettlin (homecoming chairman), Miss Olga O'Neil and Mrs. Alvin Robbecke. The women would have all graduated from St. Joseph's Hospital School of Nursing. Photograph ordered by St. Joseph Alumnae group. (TNT 6-2-58, p. 10-11)

Reunions--Tacoma--1950-1960; Nurses--Tacoma--1950-1960;

The Winthrop Motor Company were Plymouth and De Soto dealers located in the 600 block of Saint Helens Ave. A general view of agency building shows neon signs, advertising banners in windows and a new automobile in the showroom. There is a mid 1950s Ford truck parked at the curb. Winthrop Motor, owned by George W. Miller, offered three floors of complete service. Photograph from slide ordered by KTVW television.

Winthrop Motor Co. (Tacoma); Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1950-1960; Signs (Notices); Electric signs--Tacoma--1950-1960;

As the store name indicated, a customer could buy 28 flavors of ice cream at Louis Lamken's 28 Flavors Ice Creamery on Gravelly Lake Dr. The small store had wall-to-wall glass, making it easy for sweet-seeking customers to check out the variety of ice cream. Listed on the wall were signs naming all the flavors; larger signs indicating the familiar chocolate, vanilla, and strawberry with the more exotic Hawaiian Delight, caramel fudge and pistachio were pasted on the storefront windows. It is believed that the name of the ice cream store is new as a 24 Flavors Ice Cream store had been at the same location, 8922 Gravelly Lake Dr., prior to its move to the Villa Plaza Shopping Center next to Thrifty Drugs. 24 Flavors, owned by Mrs. Ellice Westrope, celebrated its grand opening May 17-18, 1958. Photograph ordered by Medosweet Dairies. (TNT Ad 5-16-58, p. 6; article -text only about 24 Flavors Ice Cream)

28 Flavors Ice Creamery (Lakewood); Dairy stores--Lakewood; Ice cream & ices; Signs (Notices);

Eric Hayes may have had his residence on the same piece of property as his new nursery in Purdy, a small community near Gig Harbor. The two-story Dutch colonial home had a porch surrounding the second floor; it would have provided a clear view of the woods and garden plots. There were several rectangular plots of land, contained with borders, which would grow specific plants and shrubs. The Eric Hayes Nursery celebrated an open house on March 22, 1958. Located seven minutes from the Narrows Bridge, the nursery carried a wide variety of trees and shrubs, as well as garden equipment and supplies. Photograph ordered by Eric Hayes Nursery. (TNT 3-21-58, A-9)

Houses--Purdy; Nurseries (Horticulture)--Purdy;

Chickens huddle under large heaters at the Curtis chicken farm in Graham. The large poultry barn is made of arched wooden beams with plenty of space inside for the chickens. Overhead fluorescent lighting would provide illumination even at night. There is a man kneeling pouring water into pans for the thirsty chickens. Photograph ordered by Douglas Fir Plywood Association.

Poultry houses--Graham; Poultry industry--Graham; Douglas Fir Plywood Association (Tacoma);

Snow-capped Mount Rainier is clearly visible over the trees surrounding the Curtis chicken farm in Graham. The long poultry house is built of wood. The two twin towers next to the barn doors may have been bulk storage containers for chicken feed. A ladder is fastened to each tower so that the small square lid can be reached to open. For an interior view of the chicken house, see A114464-2. Photograph ordered by Douglas Fir Plywood Association.

Poultry houses--Graham; Poultry industry--Graham; Douglas Fir Plywood Association (Tacoma);

The new Bethel Junior High School under construction in May, 1958, combined the use of fabricated steel, brick, cement and glass materials. Here a worker in hard hat and overalls is shown climbing to possibly inspect the steel trusses. Wood car decking would be added to the roof. The long-awaited steel had finally arrived for the 7th, 8th, and 9th grade wings and for the gym, hallway and shop building. The school was designed to house 600 students. The school district hoped to open in Fall, 1958. The lunchroom, shop, gym were scheduled to be finished last; the first urgency was for the classrooms to be completed. Bethlehem Pacific Coast Steel's fabrication plant in Seattle was responsible for cutting, punching, drilling, bending and machining the structural steel and plates prior to erection. Each column or girder is carefully marked to show its exact place in the completed structure before it is shipped to the erection site. Photograph ordered by Bethlehem Pacific Coast Steel Corp. (Bethlehem Pacific Steel in the Northwest, Booklet #361, c. 1954, TNT 5-4-58, B-4)

Progress photographs; Building construction--Spanaway--1950-1960; Public schools--Spanaway--1950-1960;

Swimming pool at the Babcock residence. Swimmers seem to be enjoying the backyard inground pool at the James Babcock residence in the Rhododendron Lanes neighborhood. The square swimming pool, surrounded by a cement patio, is divided into two portions by the use of small floaters. James Babcock was the president of Babcock-White Insurance, Inc., and Western Pools, Inc. He was also part owner of the Babcock-Olson Co., distributors of swimming equipment. The public was invited to inspect the new swimming pool at the Babcock's on June 22, 1958. This "Western" pool, 16' x 32', was advertised as the ideal family size. Babcock headed the newly established Western Pools, Inc. He indicated that this particular pool would cost $3750 installed, complete with filtering and heating systems. It would be heated with natural gas and would never need to have the water changed. It could be installed in 10 days. Photograph ordered by Babcock-White Insurance. (TNT 6-22-58, B-9, Ad B-11)

Swimming pools--Lakewood; Babcock, James--Homes & haunts;

The Cheney Studs are pictured in front of the Cheney Field sign on August 9, 1958. The Richards Studio has labeled these pictures as the "Seattle" Cheney Studs baseball team. Ben Cheney, local lumberman and noted philanthropist, sponsored many amateur teams in a variety of sports. All groups were called the Cheney Studs regardless of members' ages or sport chosen. Coach Joe Budnick is seated to the far left in this photograph. Others identified are: Earl Hyder, first row 4th from left; Bob Maguinez is in the second row, second from right; Gene Anderson, Cheney Studs Athletic Director is in the second row, extreme right. Photograph ordered by Cheney Lumber Co. (Additional identification provided by a reader)

Baseball players--Tacoma--1950-1960; Hyder, Earl; Maguinez, Bob; Anderson, Gene;

Two determined-looking women seem to be making their point clear to the thoughtful group of bearded men in a tableau set at Steve's Gay '90s. This scene was part of the beard-growing contest sponsored by the Barbers Local #158 on July 17, 1958. Participants are dressed in clothing which may have been worn in the mid-1800's, including evening clothes, top hats, and gold mining gear. Photograph ordered by the Barbers Local #158.

Contests--Tacoma--1950-1960; Beards; Theatrical productions--Tacoma--1950-1960;

The Barbers Union Local #158 sponsored a citywide whiskers-growing contest in July of 1958 in conjunction with the 11th annual national Western Caravan of the Horseless Carriage Club of America. Photographed at Steve's Gay '90s, these ten men had one thing in common: their whiskers were real! Dressed in a mixture of gold mining and evening clothes of the 1800's, entrants sported handlebar mustaches, muttonchops and Abe Lincoln beards. Even the judges of the event wore appropriate facial hair as they pondered their choices. William L. Wade, the Abe Lincoln lookalike at the right (second row), was declared the first prize winner. Photograph ordered by the Barbers Local #158. (TNT 7-18-58, p. 14-article; TNT 7-19-58, p. 3-article & picture of Mr. Wade)

Contests--Tacoma--1950-1960; Beards; Wade, William L.;

On April 10, 1959, the new 9 1/2 million dollar County-City Building was dedicated. The raised square stand in front of the building was seating for dignitaries and speakers such as County Commissioner Harry Sprinker, Tacoma Mayor Ben Hanson and Washington State Governor Albert Rosellini, as well as others. The sidewalks and street in front of the building were thronged with people and office workers watched out the windows. The Pacific Lutheran College Choir of the West, under the direction of Gunnar J. Malmin, sang for the ceremony. The eleven story glass and aluminum edifice was designed by A. Gordon Lumm. It stretched over two city blocks. It replaced the old City Hall, old County Courthouse, old Police Station and the old County City Health Department. (TNT 4/9/1959, pg. 1 & 4/10/1959, pg. 1) TPL-3848

County-City Building (Tacoma); Dedications--Tacoma--1950-1960; Building dedications--Tacoma--1950-1960; Crowds--Tacoma; Choirs (Music);

With Mount Rainier as a majestic backdrop, members of the Horseless Carriage Club of America, dressed in authentic styles of long ago pose for a portrait on July 18, 1958. Several early model American cars are parked behind them. They were taking part in the 11th annual national Western Caravan. This particular group met earlier at the Capitol (Legislative) Building in Olympia before taking in the sights of Mount Rainier and Paradise Inn. 100 vintage automobiles, all 1915 and older, were involved in the four-day gathering. Five local horseless carriage buffs participated in the Western Caravan. From the Tacoma area, B. Terry Payson drove a 1915 Ford touring car, Steve Davison his 1910 Reo touring car, N. Earl Davison, a 1909 Stoddard-Dayton touring car, Ben Shandrow a 1909 Wilson touring car and Mrs. Alberta Shandrow, her 1913 Buick touring car. Gas consumption on Caravan members' vehicles range from 9-34 mpg. (Photograph taken for the Richards Studio.) (TNT 7-1-58, A-3)

Group portraits--1950-1960; Horseless Carriage Club of America; Mount Rainier National Park (Wash.);

A new exterior sign for Pierce County Federal Savings & Loan has just been delivered to the building site on Pacific Avenue early on June 30, 1958. The Sunnen crane is in the process of lifting the sign from the truck bed in preparation of its erection. Pierce County Federal Savings & Loan was located at 1007 Pacific Avenue, flush between the Bank of California and Hunt's Office Supply. The W.H. Opie Co. can be spotted at the corner with the Security Building across the street. Photograph ordered by Cappy Ricks & Associates, Seattle.

Pierce County Federal Savings & Loan (Tacoma); Banks--Tacoma; Electric signs--Tacoma--1950-1960; Hoisting machinery;

Two employees of Sunnen Auto Freight & Heavy Hauling Co. steady the enormous vertical sign for the Pierce County Federal Savings & Loan Assn. on June 30, 1958. A portable crane has lifted the sign in preparation for its erection. In order not to cause a traffic hazard, the work was accomplished at 6 o'clock in the morning. Photograph ordered by Cappy Ricks & Associates, Seattle.

Pierce County Federal Savings & Loan (Tacoma); Banks--Tacoma; Electric signs--Tacoma--1950-1960; Hoisting machinery;

Even at 6 o'clock in the morning, cranes plus electric signs still equaled a fascinating draw for spectators. Military personnel are among those viewing the erection of a new Pierce County Federal Savings & Loan sign on the edge of the narrow building. The savings & loan was located between Hunt's Office Supply and the Bank of California on Pacific Avenue. A large sign on the side of the building indicated that a 3 1/2% dividend was paid currently on accounts with savings federally insured up to $10,000. Photograph ordered by Cappy Ricks & Associates, Seattle.

Pierce County Federal Savings & Loan (Tacoma); Banks--Tacoma; Electric signs--Tacoma--1950-1960; Signs (Notices); Hoisting machinery;

An employee of Ace Furnace & Steel Co. leans one arm against a massive steel jet propulsion fuel storage tank on company property on August 5, 1958. He appears diminutive when contrasted with the 10.6 foot diameter tank. The gas tank measures 77.5 feet in length. Ace Furnace produced steel storage tanks for oil, gasoline and water, stacks, marquees, canopies, steel heating and ventilation systems, boilers, furnaces, and marine sheet metal. The company's major output now are tanks of all sizes, approximately 400-800 tanks per month. The huge tanks pictured above were just built for McChord Air Force Base. It is estimated that these were the largest shop fabricated steel tanks ever built in Tacoma. The Northern Pacific cars in the background would make transportation of these heavy steel products easier and more efficient. Photograph ordered by Ace Furnace & Steel Co. (TNT 9-1-58, C-7)

Ace Furnace & Steel Co. (Tacoma); Steel industry--Tacoma; Storage tanks--Tacoma; Railroad freight cars--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Additional aerial photographs of the Lakewood area surrounding the Villa Plaza Shopping Center were taken by the Richards Studio for a sample book on August 5, 1958. Lakewood was a fast growing community in the 1950's and the developers of the Villa Plaza filled a niche for a large one-stop shopping center. There was plenty of parking available, enough for 4000 cars, and apparently room for further expansion of the center. Aerial photographs of that time showed that there were neatly laid out streets with many trees. Lots were probably larger and less expensive than those within Tacoma city limits. The remodeled Lakewood Center, a smaller shopping center that was Lakewood's first, is almost directly in the center of the picture above the Villa Plaza. TPL-8319

Aerial photographs; Villa Plaza Shopping Center (Lakewood); Shopping centers--Lakewood--1950-1960; Neighborhoods--Lakewood--1950-1960;

Absher Construction Co. of Puyallup were the general contractors for the new Pacific Telephone & Telegraph Switching Center in Lakewood. In a July 2, 1958, photograph taken from the southeast corner, three men are examining the reinforced steel in the footings prior to the cement pouring. The new telephone center would be close to Gravelly Lake Drive and would serve an additional 2000 telephone numbers in the Lakewood area immediately with the capacity of 15,000 numbers in the future. The $700,000 project would consist of a complete new dial switching center made of reinforced steel and brick veneer measuring 69 x 99 feet. Photograph ordered by Absher Construction Co. (TNT 6-3-58, p. 10)

Building construction--Lakewood--1950-1960; Pacific Telephone & Telegraph Co. (Lakewood);

Henry F. Hunt Junior High School was applauded for its innovative use of wood. Architect Robert Billsbrough Price designed the new West end school to be built on one-level using primarily wood instead of the traditional brick or concrete. Costs were kept low at 15 cents a square foot because of the wood usage. View of Hunt cafetorium, an unusually shaped cafeteria/auditorium, showing huge curved glue-lam beams. Photograph ordered by American Lumberman, Chicago.

Henry F. Hunt Junior High School (Tacoma); Public schools--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Interior of Star Iron & Steel plant. Elevated view on May 1, 1963, of interior of the Star Iron & Steel plant shows fabricated steel products ready to be assembled. Star Iron, well-known for crane construction, also made towers, hydraulic presses, power operated grapples, and fabricated steel for buildings, bridges and grandstands. They had built a larger plant on Alexander Avenue in 1963.

Star Iron & Steel Co. (Tacoma); Steel industry--Tacoma--1960-1970;

This is the historic Bair Drug & Hardware store at 1617 Lafayette Street in Steilacoom as it looked at the turn of the last century. Seven men and boys were photographed lounging on the wooden sidewalk that wrapped around the building. W.L. Bair, a pharmacist, built the store in 1895, with an addition and soda fountain installed in 1906. The cedar framed building had a false front and a sloping canopy to protect shoppers from the elements. The Bair Store was donated to the Steilacoom Historical Museum Association in 1973 by the children of W.L. and Hattie Bair. Photograph ordered by the Town of Steilacoom in April, 1963.

Drugstores--Steilacoom; Bair Store (Steilacoom); Facades--Steilacoom;

Aerial view of the Port Industrial waterway taken in late August, 1963, with industrial facilities close by. 11th St. runs horizontally over the waterway. Bridge is the Blair Bridge. Photograph ordered by Port of Tacoma. TPL-2248

Aerial photographs; Port Industrial Waterway (Tacoma);

Capturing the attention of a full house is Suzanne (Suzy) Christel (now Fox), dressed in a plaid coat with fur collar and dark hat. Seventeen Magazine in conjunction with the Rhodes Brothers Department Store sponsored a "back-to-school" style show at Rhodes' Broadway location on August 8, 1963. The fashion show gave its audience a preliminary look at the newest clothing styles and trends. The Rhodes high school and college fashion board modeled the clothes featured in the August issue of Seventeen Magazine. The fashion board was composed of a representative from each high school in the area who worked part-time at the store and modeled in their fashion shows. (TNT Ad 8-7-63, A-20) TPL-9825

Fashion models--Tacoma--1960-1970; Fashion shows--Tacoma--1960-1970; Women--Clothing & dress--Tacoma--1960-1970; Rhodes Brothers Department Store (Tacoma); Christel, Suzanne;

Seventeen Magazine coordinated a "back-to-school" style show at the Rhodes Brothers Department Store at 950 Broadway in August, 1963. The models, all members of the Rhodes high school and college fashion board, wore dresses, coats and hats that were featured in the August issue of Seventeen Magazine. The young girl fourth from the right has been identified as Suzanne (Suzy) Christel (now Fox), who was a member of the board representing Stadium High School. (TNT Ad 8-7-63, A-20) TPL-9098

Fashion shows--Tacoma--1960-1970; Fashion models--Tacoma--1960-1970; Women--Clothing & dress--Tacoma--1960-1970; Rhodes Brothers Department Store (Tacoma); Christel, Suzanne;

A lone fisherman, bearing a large catch, looks up to see a Rayonier, Inc., train with open freight cars of logs pass overhead. Destination of the train was unknown. Rayonier had established a pulp mill in Shelton but the mill had closed in 1957 and equipment auctioned off in 1963. Photograph ordered by Malcolm McGhie, industrial consultant, New York.

Fishermen--Washington; Railroad bridges; Railroads; Logs;

The Brynn Foss tugboat provides welcome assistance to the newly launched minesweeper MSI-14 on October 26, 1963. The ship was built by Tacoma Boat Building Co. and apparently launched at the Pacific Boat Yard. She was the second of a series of wooden-hulled, non-magnetic Navy minesweepers ordered from Tacoma Boat Building. The 110-foot craft carried a crew of 18. Photograph ordered by Tacoma Boat Building Co. (TNT 10-25-63, p. 28., TNT 10-27-63, A-8) TPL-9250

Launchings--Tacoma--1960-1970; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1960-1970; Tacoma Boat Building Co., Inc. (Tacoma); Tugboats--Tacoma--1960-1970;

A five-piece combo entertains youngsters at Remann Hall on October 2, 1963. The young audience, primarily male, got a close-up view of musicians at work. Remann Hall provided temporary housing for more than 30 children ranging from three days old to 18 years. Photograph ordered by Barrie Jackson Advertising.

Music ensembles--Tacoma--1960-1970; Remann Hall (Tacoma);

National Bank of Washington manager A.M.(Lee) Nordi bids a customer goodbye on August 29, 1963. He is standing next to the open doors facing the north side of the building; that side of the bank was almost entirely plate glass and polished aluminum. The bank, located at So. 54th & Pacific Ave., had been built in 1955. This picture was used in a large ad run in the October 29, 1963, News Tribune, which advised that customers could expect to receive a cordial welcome from Mr. Nordi, a veteran banker, and financial counseling tailored to their specific needs. National Bank of Washington was advertised as the "Bank of Personal Service." (TNT 10-29-63, p. 2)

National Bank of Washington (Tacoma); Banks--Tacoma; Banking--Tacoma--1960-1970; Nordi, A.M.;