Road signs. View of Pacific Avenue around 26th Street on a busy November 30, 1956, shows heavy traffic. Traffic signs warn that the speed limit is 25 mph and to be careful of a railroad crossing. A large metallic sign hanging on a sturdy pole gives motorists the choice to heading toward Bremerton, Portland, or Seattle. Puget Sound Auto Electric is to the right of the photograph with the Travel Lodge and Hauge's Gateway Service across the street. Photograph ordered by Condon Co. TPL-8384

Traffic signs & signals--Tacoma--1950-1960;

View of tanks and building. Several large fuel tanks are placed in close proximity to one another in a photograph taken on December 13, 1956. One horizontal tank has the name "Chapman Chemical Co., Tacoma, WN" clearly marked on its base. These possibly could have been used by the National Paint & Oil Companies, refiners and manufacturers, both located at 3011 So. Fife. Photograph ordered by National Paint & Oil Co.

Storage tanks; National Paint & Oil Co. (Tacoma); Signs (Notices);

Interiors of Wood Convalescent Home. In late 1956, the former John S. Baker home became the Wood Convalescent Home. Built in 1887 in the Queen Anne style of architecture, the rest home had semi-private rooms with hospital-style beds and modern trays. Comfortable period furniture was available for either patient or guest. The Wood Convalescent Home was owned and operated by Agnes H. Wood. It had room for 34 beds and each bed was equipped with a modern buzzer button to summon nurses. Three sitting rooms were provided for quiet visits from guests or just relaxing. Patients enjoyed 24 hour patient care and visitors were welcome at any time. Remodeling was done by Cameron Construction Co. Photograph ordered by Wood Convalescent Home. (TNT 12-2-56, B-13)

Wood Convalescent Home (Tacoma); Rest homes--Tacoma--1950-1960; Nursing homes--Tacoma;

Tacoma Mayor "Big John" Anderson at the microphone after receiving the official plaque declaring Tacoma an "All-America City" at the event banquet at the Top of the Ocean on Ruston Way in Old Town. Four hundred and thirty eight attendees watched on January 15, 1957, as Tacoma was presented the parchment "in recognition of progress achieved through intelligent city action." Only a few years earlier, Tacoma had received a "bad" rating from the American Social Hygiene Association. It was a "wide open" town where vice reigned. Ft. Lewis was threatening to put the city "off limits" and a legislative committee had aired the city's "dirty laundry" on television to the amusement of the rest of the state. The reaction was to change the city's form of government and to bring in a reformer as Police Chief. Tacoma had operated under the commission form of government for over 50 years, where the 5 commissioners as councilmen made the laws and enforced them. The form was changed to council-manager on June 1, 1953 after a hotly contested election. The new city council hired Frank Backstrom as Tacoma's first City Manager. He, in turn, imported Police Chief Roy Kerr who proceeded to stamp out prostitution and vice. Both individuals noted the contribution of John Anderson to the improvement of Tacoma. Anderson had served as Tacoma's mayor under both forms of government. (TNT 1/16/1957, pg. 1+) G 10.1-044 ALBUM 14

Awards; Mayors--Tacoma--1950-1960; Anderson, John H.;

All America City Banquet held January 15, 1957 at the Top of the Ocean. J.D. (Jack) Powell, president of the Tacoma Municipal League, accepts the award on behalf of the citizens of Tacoma. Tacoma's nomination for the award was made jointly by the American Association of University Women, the League of Women Voters and the Tacoma Municipal League. Standing to the left of Powell are representative of those organizations; Councilwoman Mrs. Clara Goering of the League of Women Voters on the left and Mrs. Lucille Chastek of the Tacoma Municipal League on the right. Mrs. Robert Chamberlin, representing the AAUW, is hidden by Powell. These three women, along with Gerrit VanderEnde, had represented the city at the judging in Memphis Tennessee. Standing to the right of Powell are the representatives of the joint sponsors of the award; George Leonard of Look Magazine on the left and Seattle businessman and council member of the National Municipal League Myron Law on the right. Seated to the right of Powell are Karen Anderson, daughter of the Mayor, Tacoma Mayor John H. Anderson and Mrs. Frank Backstrom, wife of Tacoma's first city manager. (TNT 1/15/1957, pg. 1 & 1/16/1957, pg 1+) G 10.1-047

Awards; Powell, J.D.; Goering, Clara; Chastek, Lucille; Leonard, George; Law, Myron; Anderson, Karen; Anderson, John H.; Mayors--Tacoma--1950-1960; Backstrom, Frank--Family;

All America City Banquet held January 15, 1957 at the Top of the Ocean. Celebration Chairman Roe Shaub kicked off the event by paying tribute to "a city of beautiful homes, fine schools and government, progressive business and industries and wonderful people"- the city of Tacoma. The 438 revelers jammed into the upper deck of the Top of the Ocean agreed with him. He suggested a new city slogan- "I like Tacoma." Tacoma was one of eleven US cities recognized in 1956, and one of only 4 in the west, for their dramatic progress through the action of their citizens. In Tacoma's case, the city had voted in the council-manager form of government and made great strides in ridding Tacoma of vice. (TNT 1/15/1957, pg. 1 & 1/16/1957, pg 1+) G 10.1-045

Awards; Shaub, Roe;

The Tacoma Athletic Commission would be sponsoring the ninth annual Golden Gloves tournament January 18 & 19, 1957. Charles "Charley" Brown, Fort Lewis light-heavyweight, takes a familiar stance. Brown would be one of twelve Tacoma-area entrants. He would eventually meet Johnny White of the Portland Knott Streeters in the finals of the 147# class; White would decision Brown for the victory. The Golden Gloves traditionally attracted many entrants from throughout Washington, as well as Oregon and British Columbia. Military personnel also commonly entered the amateur boxing tournament. Photograph ordered by Tacoma Athletic Commission. (TNT 1-17-57, C-9, TNT 1-21-57, p. 14))

Boxing--Tacoma--1950-1960; Boxers (Sports)--Tacoma--1950-1960; Brown, Charles; Tacoma Athletic Commission (Tacoma);

When January, 1957, rolled around, it was time to prepare for the 9th annual Camp Fire Girls candy sale. Thousands of Tacoma homes would be visited by Camp Fire Girls and Blue Birds in a door-to-door campaign extending to February 23rd. Three unidentified girls stopped by the Brown & Haley Co. on January 22nd to pick up boxes of the chocolate mint wafers packed in new slim cases. It was the first time that wafer-thin chocolate-covered mints were offered. Proceeds of the sales went to support the Camp Fire Girls Camp Wakoma. Photograph ordered by the Camp Fire Girls. (TNT 1-27-57, B-15-article)

Camp Fire Girls (Tacoma); Fund raising--Tacoma--1950-1960; Candy--Tacoma;

Douglas Fir Plywood Association employees were photographed in February, 1957, in the association's mail room facilities. Here two workers, wearing aprons, keep careful eyes on the operating machinery. They appear to be turning handles nearly in unison. Photograph ordered by Douglas Fir Plywood Association.

Machinery; Douglas Fir Plywood Association (Tacoma);

Mothers were prepared to march in the fight against polio during the 1957 March of Dimes annual campaign. Frank Gillihan, campaign director, is seated to the foreground, holding envelopes filled with donations. Other mothers sort through their "Mothers March On Polio" packets with the help of the Tacoma Police Department. A blackboard shows listed donations from various parts of the city and neighboring communities. Photograph ordered by the March of Dimes.

March of Dimes (Tacoma); Fund raising--Tacoma--1950-1960; Gillihan, Frank J.;

North Fort Lewis had made special accommodations in the mid-1950's for military servicemen stationed far away from home. Pacific Telephone & Telegraph installed a bank of telephone booths especially designated for long distance calls. Each booth had closing glass doors for privacy and was labeled with a number. Pictured on January 21, 1957, are two high ranking non-commissioned officers using the new facilities. A woman is either placing the call for one of the men or listening to the conversation on the other end. Photograph ordered by Pacific Telephone & Telegraph.

Telephones; Telephone booths--Fort Lewis; Pacific Telephone & Telegraph Co. (Tacoma); Military personnel--Fort Lewis;

Construction at Fort Lewis remained strong in the mid-1950's as the military population continued to grow. February 12, 1957, aerial photographs show two company barracks and utilities structures being built at the south end of Gray Field. Donald M. Drake Co. of Portland, Oregon, apparently were involved in Contract #3706. Photograph ordered by the Donald M. Drake Co.

Aerial photographs; Building construction--Fort Lewis; Donald M. Drake Co. (Portland, Or.);

Exterior bowling alley. Bowling alleys were often located in nondescript buildings. A large neon sign directs customers to this bowling alley's entrance. Metered parking was available for those choosing to park on the street. This has been identified as University Bowl at 1104 E. 45th, Seattle. Bowling continued to be very popular in the 1950's; leagues flourished, often sponsored by employers, and results of tournaments continued to be reported in local newspapers. Photograph ordered by Western Bowling, Inc. (Additional identification provided by a reader)

Bowling alleys--Seattle; University Bowl (Seattle); Electric signs--Seattle--1950-1960;

A Lorain crane continues to hoist materials needed for the construction of a new power building at McChord Air Force Base on February 26, 1957. Trusses are being installed on this date by the Western Electric Co., Inc. This is project #1557. Photograph ordered by Western Electric Co., Inc.

Building construction--McChord AFB; Hoisting machinery; Western Electric Co., Inc.;

On February 28, 1957, a series of photographs were taken apparently at an unidentified testing laboratory. Several technicians were pictured running tests on various machines. This man is intently gazing at the meter, which is registering all zeros, and has a notepad with calculations close at hand. The machine was manufactured by the Tinius Olsen Testing Machine Co. of Philadelphia. Part of the machine is labeled "Massachusetts Institute of Technology Folding Endurance Testing". Working in conjunction with the Tinius machine is a speed reducer from Janette Mfg. Co. of Chicago. Photograph ordered by Merchandising Factors, Seattle.

Electrical apparatus; Machinery; Testing; Merchandising Factors, Inc. (Seattle);

Instead of cutting the traditional ribbon, Mayor John Anderson saws through a foil-wrapped board on Opening Day of the 1957 Tacoma Home Show. Norman Jardeen, general Home Show chairman for the Tacoma Master Builders Association, smiles broadly as does General J.W. Schwartz, commanding officer of the Madigan Army Hospital. Mayor Anderson is ably assisted by four Tacoma candidates for Daffodil Parade queen in this March 19, 1957, photograph. The four young women pictured wearing hats were (L-R): Joan Weller, Sherry Holmes, Debbie Dean and Janice Methven. Miss Methven would be later chosen queen. Not identified was the woman without a hat who was standing next to Mayor Anderson. Photograph ordered by National Home Show, Inc. (Additional information provided by a reader)

Greater Tacoma Home Show (Tacoma); Dedications--Tacoma--1950-1960; Anderson, John H.; Jardeen, Norman; Schwartz, J.W.; Weller, Joan; Holmes, Sherry Lee; Dean, Debbie; Methven, Janice; Beauty contestants--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Free admission and a chance to view innovative furnishings and design drew thousands to the Tacoma Master Builders Association's 1957 Tacoma Home Show model home in March, 1957. Here, crowded streets and a long line of people testify to the interest shown in the annual model home open house. "Oakhurst" was located in the Southgate neighborhood; its location was not revealed until the day before the home show opened. Built by Master Builder Sherman L. Rowland, "Oakhurst" lived up to its name with plenty of Northwest woods and a comfortable floor plan. Photograph ordered by Tacoma Master Builders Association. (TNT 3-19-57, C-5)

Greater Tacoma Home Show (Tacoma); Houses--Lakewood--1950-1960; Tacoma Master Builders Association (Tacoma); Queues--Lakewood;

Members of the Tacoma Association of Classroom Teachers gathered to model a variety of hats on March 14, 1957. Most of the hats seemed to be made of paper and could easily be used for crafts in local schools. The hats pictured were to be sold at the March 20th variety show sponsored by the Classroom Teachers Association to raise funds for the Tacoma Teachers Home Corp. The Teachers Home Corp. was dedicated to raising money for the construction of a retirement home for Tacoma teachers. From left to right are: Marvin Christel, Wilfred Jewell, Al Moffat, Harry Erickson, William Ravey. In the center is Eula May Taylor, chairman of the event. Photograph ordered by Tacoma Association of Classroom Teachers. (TNT 3-18-57, p. 9)

Hats; Tacoma Association of Classroom Teachers (Tacoma); Teachers--Tacoma--1950-1960;

The National Bank of Washington opened temporary quarters in a 40 foot trailer at the Villa Plaza in April, 1957, while their permanent Lakewood branch was being constructed. Flowers were planted in concrete block borders for a homey effect. Here on April 1, 1957, two men shake hands on the steps leading to the bank. The man to the left is believed to be branch manager, Marc H. Miller. The permanent branch, built on the Villa Plaza's north wing, would celebrate its open house on July 13, 1957. Customers would enjoy a rare "behind-the-scenes" look at bank operations during the open house. The new 50' X 104' structure would officially open for business on July 15, 1957. Photograph ordered by National Bank of Washington. (TNT 3-15-57, p. 9, TNT 7-11-57, A-6)

National Bank of Washington (Lakewood); Banks--Lakewood; Banking--Lakewood; Signs (Notices);

The sidewalks were packed on March 1, 1957, as potential car buyers streamed into Steven Motor Co.'s open house. Local residents were asked to "look around" at all the different used cars for sale to see how much money they could save that evening. Convenient terms to suit each individual buyer could be arranged. Steven Motor Co. was a Chrysler and Plymouth dealership, selling both used and new cars. Photograph ordered by Steven Motor Co.

Steven Motor Co. (Tacoma); Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Folk dancers entertain the large crowd gathered for May Festival activities on the campus of Pacific Lutheran College in May, 1957. Fellow students in the orchestra watch closely just a few feet away. The dancers form a circle as they in turn link arms and twirl. The women are dressed in long dark skirts with light borders and vests of varying shades. The men are wearing sashes and light-colored clothing. Photograph ordered by Pacific Lutheran College.

Students--Parkland--1950-1960; Folk dancing--Parkland--1950-1960; Festivals--Parkland--1950-1960; Pacific Lutheran College (Parkland)--1950-1960;

On March 8, 1957, as the vast empty rain-swept parking lot indicated, stores at the newly constructed Villa Plaza in Lakewood were not yet open for business. The location of the new shopping center was formerly the 200-acre Visitation Villa, a Catholic boarding and day school for girls and a summer retreat for women operated by the Sisters of Visitation. The school closed in 1954 and the property sold to developers. The buildings were demolished, oak groves pulled down, the creek filled in and stores constructed. The Villa Plaza later changed its name to the Lakewood Mall. Photograph ordered by the Pacific First Federal Savings & Loan.

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

Mauer Construction built this tidy one-level apartment complex in 1957. Located at 3315 Sixth Avenue, it consisted of four brick units with large view windows. It appears that a new sidewalk has just been constructed in front of the complex. A stylish street lamp is located near a corner of the apartments. According to the 1957 City Directory, Mauer Construction Co. was located at 8307 Nixon S.W. in the Lakewood Center area.

Apartment houses--Tacoma--1950-1960; Sidewalks--Tacoma; Mauer Construction Co. (Lakewood);

The First Presbyterian Church Orchestra practices arrangements from the Tabernacle Hymns on March 21, 1957. The young musicians are shown playing violins, clarinets, trumpets, trombone and cello with piano accompaniment. They are performing in one of the many rooms located in the massive brick Romanesque structure which was designed by famous architect Ralph Adams Cram of Boston. Photograph ordered by First Presbyterian Church.

First Presbyterian Church Orchestra (Tacoma); Youth orchestras--Tacoma--1950-1960; Presbyterian churches--Tacoma;

Exterior- Inferno restaurant. As their large signage indicates, the Inferno restaurant specialized in charcoal broiled steaks and chicken in 1957. Flames roar under the Inferno's name on their neon sign. A canopy covers the long walkway to the front door; awnings in the same material on windows provide shade. The Inferno was located in a modest wooden one-story building at 7430 Pacific Avenue. TPL-9663

Inferno Charcoal Broiler Restaurant (Tacoma); Restaurants--Tacoma--1950-1960; Electric signs--Tacoma--1950-1960; Awnings--Tacoma;

Abundant cabinet space was provided in this contemporary suburban kitchen built by George Barclay Builders. Tiled countertops and a double sink, a built-in General Electric stove with ceiling vent and separate oven made this kitchen attractive as well as useful. Photograph ordered by George Barclay Builders.

Kitchens;

The Normanna Male Chorus, led by Gunnar Malmin of Pacific Lutheran College, posed for a group picture on March 7, 1957. Professor Malmin, dressed in a dark tuxedo, is seated in the front row. Normanna Male Chorus was the oldest Norwegian singing organization in the west. It was formed in 1888 by Tacoma and Parkland men, and held its first Sangerfest in Tacoma in 1906. The first director was Professor Carlo Sperati; the present conductor Malmin has held the title since 1947. Normanna Male Chorus has approximately 50 members. Photograph ordered by Normanna Male Chorus. (TNT 2-25-57, p.5)

Normanna Male Chorus (Tacoma); Choirs (Music); Singers; Malmin, Gunnar J.;

Employees of the Tacoma Dental Lab are shown hard at work on March 12, 1957. Dental impressions can be seen in trays accompanied by charts. Lee Siler was listed as president of the firm according to the 1957 City Directory; it was located in the Medical Arts Building. Photograph ordered by Tacoma Dental Laboratory.

Tacoma Dental Laboratory (Tacoma); Molds (Shaping tools);

The John and Julia Uglicks residence at 11604 Mount Brook Lane was set in the suburban community of Rhododendron Lanes. Nestled among tall trees, the contemporary rambler style home had an extended porch, shutters and attached two-car garage. A long, wide paved driveway was an added amenity. According to the 1958 Tacoma Suburban Directory, John Uglicks was in the U.S. Army. Photograph ordered by George Barclay Builders.

Uglicks, John--Homes & haunts; Houses--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Students at Annie Wright Seminary gather outdoors on May 18, 1957, for the annual Dads Day festivities. These girls look like they are enjoying the activity before them. They may be cheering on their personal favorites. Most of the girls are wearing the traditional uniforms with a few dressed in more sporting gear. Photograph ordered by Annie Wright Seminary.

Annie Wright Seminary (Tacoma)--1950-1960; Private schools--Tacoma; Spectators--Tacoma;