The Olympus Hotel at 815-17 Pacific Ave. was originally built in 1909. In May of 1951 it re-opened after much needed modernization that included new wiring, new funiture, new plumbing and new lighting.This photograph of Becky Barker in a cowgirl outfit, lasso in hand, was taken to help advertise the hotel's dinning rooms. The Corral Room and Frontier Room had a western theme that offered a "Bit of the Old West" to Tacomans and hotel guests.

Olympus Hotel (Tacoma); Restaurants--Tacoma--1950-1960; Cowgirls--Tacoma--1950-1960; Barker, Becky;

Exterior of Sears store at the corner of South 13th Street and Broadway as pictured on November 15, 1950. The Coliseum Bowling Alley is seen up the hill along South 13th Street and the Savon Rexall Drug store is across Broadway. Ordered by Herb Moore.

Sears, Roebuck & Co. (Tacoma); Department stores--Tacoma--1950-1960; Coliseum Bowling Alley (Tacoma);

This building, which used to stand at 13th and A St., was originally built in 1889 as the power house for the Tacoma Railway and Motor Company. On June 2, 1920 is was destroyed by a major fire. After being rebuilt, it was used by Tacoma Transit until a fire in February of 1950 destroyed it for the second time. The building was razed in July of 1959 to make way for a parking lot.

Tacoma Transit Co. (Tacoma); Mass transit--Tacoma; Bus terminals--Tacoma; Transportation facilities--Tacoma;

A group of employees at Tacoma Auto Sales. This photograph was used in a one-page Christmas message to Tacoma Auto Sales' customers for their support during 1950. The automobile dealership also thanked their employees who made it possible to serve their customers so well during 1950. Ordered by Brick Gardner. (TNT, 12/26/1950, p.10)

Automobile dealerships--Tacoma; Automobile equipment & supplies; Vehicle maintenance & repair--Tacoma--1940-1950; Tacoma Auto Sales Co. (Tacoma)--Employees;

Exterior exposure Porter-Griffith Shell Oil Station.

Automobile service stations--Tacoma--1950-1960; Gasoline pumps--Tacoma--1950-1960;

A group of fifty-two men and women have gathered for a Christmas party at the Mirror Room in the Olympus Hotel. Many of them hold packages, possibly presents from the company. Ordered by Mrs. Brown.

Hotels--Tacoma; Mirror Room (Tacoma); Olympus Hotel (Tacoma); Parties--Tacoma--1950-1960;

William D. Hopping Sr., president of the Tacoma Savings and Loan Association and State Chairman for the National Thrift Campaign, dropped a coin into the savings bank of seven year old Bonnie Jean Will to kick off Thrift Week, Jan. 17-23, 1951 while Gerrit VanderEnde, Pierce County Chairman of the Thrift Drive, looked on approvingly. The campaign, with the slogan "Save...It's the American way to success," was designed to place emphasis on the old time philosophy of Benjamin Franklin which encouraged thrift and savings to build up individual security and the nation. Thrift Week began on Jan. 17th, the national birthday of Ben Franklin "the Apostle of Thrift." The nation wide campaign was being pushed as an all-out effort to help hold down post-war inflationary forces which were threatening the economy. (TNT 1/16/1951, pg.1 & 8-11)

Tacoma Savings & Loan Association (Tacoma); Banks--Tacoma; Girls--Tacoma--1950-1960; Coin banks; Hopping, William D.; Will, Bonnie Jean; VanderEnde, Gerrit; National Thrift Week (Tacoma);

Bread delivery truck outside of Jordan's Bakery, the state's largest independent bakery, serving Tacoma and surrounding areas. Arthur K. Jordan began his company in 1937 when he purchased the Bert Nichols plant in Old Tacoma and opened it under the Jordan name on May 16 with six employees and one delivery truck. The bakery quickly outgrew this location and opened at 54th and Washington in 1939. The company expanded in 1941 when it purchased Apex Bakery in Bremerton. In 1950, the company won the "First Prize for Quality" in the Better Bread contest staged by the Quality Bakers of America. The competition featured bread baked by over 100 bakeries nationwide. By 1950, the company employed 131 people in Tacoma with a payroll of a half million a year. The bakery bought and used a million dollars worth of ingredients a year. Art Jordan maintained ownership and control of the company.

Jordan Baking Co. (Tacoma); Trucks--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Exterior remodeling on the Rhodes Brothers Department store budget annex, photo for Roy T. Earley Co., engineers. The annex was designed to fulfill the demand for lower priced quality merchandise for the budget shopper.

Rhodes Brothers Department Store Budget Annex (Tacoma); Construction--Tacoma--1950-1960; Scaffolding--Tacoma; Department stores--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Progress picture of Puget Sound Bank parking lot. A heavy crane has been brought in to assist in the demolition of the Tacoma Transit garages, partially destroyed by fire. A worker poses atop the structure and another on the crane itself. This was the original site of the old street car company cable building. The plaque presented in 1927 by the Tacoma Women's clubs commemorating the "Site of the First Tacoma Building in the Street Car Industry" had been removed until it can be placed on the parking lot attendant's structure. (TNT 5/24/1951, pg. 23)

Tacoma Transit Co. (Tacoma); Tacoma Transit Co. Garage (Tacoma); Puget Sound National Bank (Tacoma); Hoisting machinery; Progress photographs--1950-1960; Banks--Tacoma;

Progress picture of Puget Sound Bank parking lot, being constructed on the site of the burned and demolished Tacoma Transit garages. Most of the upper building has been removed, exposing the warren of rooms underneath used when the building housed the street car cables and shops. Puget Sound Bank, following the trend of offering free parking to entice customers, had been looking for a parking lot site for their downtown building and happily purchased the site.

Tacoma Transit Co. (Tacoma); Tacoma Transit Co. Garage (Tacoma); Puget Sound National Bank (Tacoma); Progress photographs--1950-1960; Banks--Tacoma;

Interior exposure of Helen Davis Shop, smart apparel for women, at 917 Broadway. Helen Davis, President. This elegant boutique features antique light fixtures, a sweeping staircase and a divan for waiting as the lady decides on a special outfit in the dressing rooms at the back of the picture. Dresses hang on the right and on a free standing rack while accessories are displayed in the ornamental cart and the glass topped cases. The shelves behind the cases hold separates, such as blouses and sweaters. Everything for the discriminating woman.

Helen Davis Shop (Tacoma); Clothing stores--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Fixture displays at Sib's Thriftway, 1215 So. Union Ave., showing housewares. A rack of household extension cords is located to the left hand side. The grocery store was owned by Sib L. Carstensen. The numbers on the divided bins possibly indicate the prices. Bundt pans, cookie sheets, muffin tins, pots, utensils, potholders and what appear to be dog or cat food bowls are displayed. Everything that the busy 1950's housewife needed in a hurry for her kitchen is here.

Sib's Thriftway (Tacoma); Grocery stores--Tacoma--1950-1960; Cooking utensils--1950-1960; Pots & pans--1950-1960; Merchandise displays--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Interior of the Silver Dollar Cafe, 1554-56 Jefferson, for the liquor board. The cafe was owned by Mrs. Dorothy Harradine. The cafe is set up like a classic diner. Booths line the right hand side of the picture. A lunch counter, with mirror behind, is on the left hand side of the picture. Three waitresses stand behind the counter ready to refill coffee cups or take orders. At the rear of the picture, a rectangular opening can be seen in the wall where the chef can pass out prepared plates for delivery to customers.

Silver Dollar Cafe (Tacoma); Diners (Restaurants)--Tacoma--1950-1960; Counters--Tacoma--1950-1960; Cafes--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Rainier Auto Sales lot and cars at 2220 South Tacoma Way. Rainier sold used cars and their street side sign says "STOP and sell us your car." They arranged their own auto loans and insurance and were open evenings and Saturdays. Clyde E. Engoe was the owner of the lot which bought, sold and traded used cars.

Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1950-1960; Rainier Auto Sales (Tacoma); Automobiles--Tacoma--1950-1960;

This building at 3812 So. Yakima was originally built in 1930 as a post office. In 1951, the year of this photograph, it was converted into a restaurant, the Golden City Cafe. Originally owned by George Lew, Lung F. Louie, and Jung Git, the Golden City Restaurant is still in business at this address.. TPL-9066

Golden City Cafe (Tacoma); Restaurants--Tacoma--1950-1960; Electric signs--Tacoma--1950-1960;

A long vegetable case has been installed along one wall at Paul Cook's Market. Mirrors at the back of the case enhance the display of vegetables. A special railing has been added along the top of the case to easily show and change the prices of produce as available. Ordered by Carl Rhodes Sales Company, Seattle.

Paul Cook's Market (Tacoma); Grocery stores--Tacoma--1950-1960; Vegetables--Tacoma; Showcases; Merchandise displays--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Sepic Electric Co. new location at night. The Sepic brothers, Fred and Stan, opened their second appliance and home furnishings store in May of 1951 at So. 72nd and Pacific Ave. A large sign on the store window announced that this was Sepic's #2. The same quality Hotpoint appliances and well designed furniture as found in the main store on "K" St. were also located here in the city's southern end. Sepic's had a vertical neon sign planted outside the building so that it could be clearly visible at night. Photograph ordered by Sepic Electric Co.

Sepic Electric Co. (Tacoma); Home furnishings store--Tacoma; Appliance stores--Tacoma; Merchandise displays--Tacoma--1950-1960; Electric signs--Tacoma--1950-1960; Signs (Notices);

Ardens, like other women's clothing stores, prepared for the fall fashion season with full racks and displays of skirts, blouses, jackets and dresses. Layaways were encouraged as signs advertised on the walls. Ardens was located on Broadway near the Broadway Theatre and the Knights of Pynthias Temple. Photograph taken on August 28, 1951; commissioned by Jess Jackson.

Ardens (Tacoma); Clothing stores--Tacoma--1950-1960; Signs (Notices);

Schumm's Associated Service, self service gas station. Four sets of two pumps with building at rear of lot, Miller Tire and oil display. Trailers in extreme background. Ordered by Fletcher Oil Company.

Business Enterprises - Automobile Service Stations - Associated Dealers - Tacoma - Schumm's Associated Service

Interior view of Fife's Poodle Dog restaurant taken in August, 1951, shows waitress serving area, comfortable upholstered bench seating, and a variety of murals on the restaurant's walls. The Poodle Dog is a long-time Fife mainstay; originally opened in 1933, it was demolished and rebuilt on the same site in 1949 and then replaced by the current building in 1967. Richard's Commercial Photography would decorate the walls with photo murals, including a copy of a large backlit illustrated Washington State map, shown on the right hand side of the photograph. (TPL-3231)

Diners (Restaurants)--Fife; Poodle Dog (Fife); Murals--Fife; Equipment;

The drafting room of the Miller Construction Company was photographed in the evening of November 21, 1951. Architectural drawings, both rolled and spread out, are on each drafting table. Some drawings are posted on walls and the bulletin board. Edward P. Miller was listed as the president in the 1953 City Directory and Glen W. Miller as vice president. They were general contractors whose business was located at 6909 North 13th. Large housing developments in Fircrest and in the Northend were constructed by the Miller Company.

Miller Construction Co., Inc. (Tacoma); Drafting tables; Architectural drawings; Stools;

Sears, Roebuck and Co. Department Store, Second Floor. Hardware, hoses in stack, cabinet hardware, tools on back wall. Sears promoted their "easy payment plan."

Sears, Roebuck & Co. (Tacoma); Department stores--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Sears Roebuck and Co. Department Store, Kitchen Display. Refrigerator on left with cabinets in L- shape. Sink with window above, stove on right, small counter with rounded shelves on end. Photograph taken on September 5, 1951.

Sears, Roebuck & Co. (Tacoma); Department stores--Tacoma--1950-1960; Merchandise displays--Tacoma--1950-1960; Refrigerators; Stoves--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Even in the alley entrance to the Sears, Roebuck parking lot, a customer could not escape displays of Sears automotive supplies for sale. Boxes of car blankets, rows of Allstate motor oil, Hide A Keys, and Allstate Cross Country tool kits could be seen through large, unadorned windows while a huge banner urging savvy customers to buy and save money on tires and tubes is pasted above. This is possibly the entrance to the Tacoma Sears, Roebuck parking lot on Court C which was built in spring of 1951. Photograph ordered by Mr. Abolofia of Sears, Roebuck, Seattle.

Sears, Roebuck & Co. (Tacoma); Merchandise displays; Signs (Notices); Automobile equipment & supplies;

Elevated view of the Sears, Roebuck & Co.'s parking lot taken on July 23, 1951. Photograph was apparently taken from across the street and shows that the lot is full; apparently many Tacomans were taking advantage of the free parking that Sears provided. The multi-tiered parking lot would help to alleviate the problems of insufficient parking that downtown Tacoma was already starting to experience.

Sears, Roebuck & Co. (Tacoma); Parking garages--Tacoma; Parking lots--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Cornerstone ceremony. Bank executives from Tacoma and Seattle lay the cornerstone to the new National Bank of Washington building at South 12th and Pacific in November, 1951. From left to right are James Byers, J.K. Ewart, C.T. Chandler, G.T. Pierce, Ward Estey, Maxwell Carlson and A.H. Brouse at the site of the new annex. Carlson was the president of National Bank of Commerce (Seattle) and Brouse, trowel in hand, was the National Bank of Washington president. One of the highlights of the formal opening was the placing of a specially designed copper box in the cornerstone which contained historical documents for future generations. (TNT 11-17-51, p. 9)

National Bank of Washington (Tacoma); Banks--Tacoma; Banking--Tacoma--1950-1960;

View of merchandise on display at Washington Hardware. Special plywood shelving was constructed to make an attractive display of various sample products ranging from door knobs to grates on sale at a Washington Hardware location. Washington Hardware had three facilities in downtown Tacoma, including 924 Pacific Avenue, 923 Commerce, and a sales warehouse at 1247 Puyallup Avenue. Photograph taken on October 11, 1951; ordered by Douglas Fir Plywood Association.

Washington Hardware Co. (Tacoma); Hardware stores--Tacoma--1950-1960; Door knobs; Merchandise displays--Tacoma--1950-1960; Douglas Fir Plywood Association (Tacoma);

Fraser's Gift Store at Lakewood Center. Exterior, front side of shop with window displays.

Fraser's (Lakewood); Gift shops--Lakewood--1950-1960;

Northwest Radio, Inc. celebrated the grand opening of its second Tacoma store at 3009 Sixth Avenue on November 1, 1951. According to the two full page ads in the News Tribune on November 1, Northwest Radio was offering such specials as the brand new 1952 Philco 17 inch TV combination for $412.45 and a 20 inch Motorola TV for $314.95. Orchids would be given to the first 500 women visiting the store and special gifts were promised to all children attending with their parents. View of night exterior of well-lighted store flanked by giant searchlight and two billboards, Heidelberg Beer and Krispy Crackers. (TNT 11-1-51, B-6, B-7, TPL-5551)

Northwest Radio, Inc. (Tacoma); Televisions--1950-1960; Searchlights--Tacoma; Billboards--Tacoma--1950-1960;