Work continues on the Durkin Banfield medical building on South 10th St. on November 3, 1955. It was being built on behalf of Dr. L. Stanley Durkin and Dr. Ernest E. Banfield. There appears to be a temporary roof on with sawhorses and plywood despite the fact the walls are not yet in place. Across the street is Bottcher's Candy Service on South "J" Street. Photograph ordered by Douglas Fir Plywood Association.

Building construction--Tacoma--1950-1960; Douglas Fir Plywood Association (Tacoma); Bottcher's Candy Service (Tacoma);

The Gig Harbor fire department's trucks, firemen and firefighting apparatus posed for a November 2, 1955, evening photograph, outside a local Chevrolet dealership. In 1955, the volunteer fire department of Pierce County Fire District #5, headed by fire chief Charles L. Summers, answered 14 calls with only one major fire. One new and one used truck, perhaps the ones shown in the above picture, were added to help firefighters. A new station was built in Arletta to cut down on the time to answer calls. Firefighters presumably would have taken care of fires and other emergencies in the peninsula area. Photograph ordered by the Gig Harbor Firemen's Association. (TNT 1-22-56, B-7)

Fire engines & equipment--Gig Harbor; Fire fighters--Gig Harbor; Gig Harbor Firemen's Association (Gig Harbor); Automobile dealerships--Gig Harbor--1950-1960;

The meeting room is full as Pacific Telephone & Telegraph employees gather to discuss sales and strategies on November 29, 1955. Goals are listed on the blackboard along with clever lyrics sung to the tune of "She'll Be Coming Around the Mountain" and "Little Brown Jug". Several telephones are lined up on the rectangular table; these may have been the models waiting to be sold. Photograph ordered by Pacific Telephone & Telegraph.

Pacific Telephone & Telegraph Co. (Tacoma)--Employees--1950-1960; Telephone companies--Tacoma; Telephones; Sales personnel--Tacoma--1950-1960;

ca. 1955. Two tall brick storage tanks appear as stark monoliths against the hazy blue skies in Acme, North Carolina. These were part of the Riegel Carolina Paper Co.'s plant. Railroad cars are in the photo's background; Riegel Paper apparently had easy rail access for transporting their paper products. Photograph ordered by Stebbins Engineering & Manufacturing Co., Seattle.

Riegel Carolina (Acme, N.C.); Paper industry--North Carolina--Acme; Industrial facilities--North Carolina--Acme; Storage tanks; Stebbins Engineering & Manufacturing Co. (Seattle);

The Geo. D. Poe & Co. was a well-known insurance and real estate firm in Tacoma. They handled investments, mortgage loans, real estate appraisals, property management and also sold a full-line of insurance plans. They were located in the Jones Building at 9th & Broadway. In January, 1956, several sepia-toned photographs were taken of South State Street in Chicago. It is not clear to what extent the Poe Co.'s involvement of the properties pictured was. This photo shows a probably older section of South State Street, with a remodeled Ritz Hotel for Men sandwiched between a vacant building and a Buick dealership. Photograph ordered by Geo. D. Poe & Co.

Ritz Hotel for Men (Chicago, IL); Commercial streets--Illinois--Chicago; Geo. D. Poe & Co. (Tacoma);

ca. 1955. This appears to be a more intimate coffee shop atmosphere on the campus of Pacific Lutheran College in 1955. Students could place their orders at the nearby counter and then relax alongside the large plate glass windows. This photograph was taken in the evening as students enjoyed their ice cream sundaes, pie and milk. The coffee shop, located in a spacious room in the new College Union Building overlooking Wheeler St., seats 90 persons. Photograph ordered by Pacific Lutheran College. (TNT 12-18-55, A-19, TNT 2-5-56, B-6) TPL-9321

Universities & colleges--Parkland--1950-1960; Students--Parkland--1950-1960; Eating & drinking--Parkland; Pacific Lutheran College (Parkland)--1950-1960;

ca. 1955. Copy of customer print. Heidelberg Brewery requested a copy of this enlarged painting of the "Student Prince" enjoying an overflowing stein of Heidelberg beer. His stein is lifted in a gesture of welcome or possibly a toast. Arm bent at his side and cape flowing, the "Student Prince" sports a charming expression. The painting was possibly used for advertising. Date of actual picture is unknown; print was made on November 9, 1955.

Heidelberg Brewing Co. (Tacoma)--1950-1960; Advertisements--Tacoma;

Charlotte Cunningham, head nurse at the Tacoma General Hospital's nursery, holds the brand new daughter of Ben and Marian Cheney on December 9, 1955. Baby Piper is swaddled in a warm blanket and has her eyes closed. Sepia photograph ordered by Cheney Lumber Co.

Cheney, Ben B., 1905-1971--Family; Cheney, Piper; Cunningham, Charlotte; Infants--Tacoma--1950-1960; Nurses--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Frank Gillihan, the Pierce County campaign director for the March of Dimes, visited Tacoma's Crippled Children's School at East 50th Street and Sumner Avenue on December 20, 1955. While there he took time to read the classic children's book "The Christ Child" by Maud and Miksa Petersham to Jimmy Galligan, Frances Miller (on Mr. Gillihan's lap), and Gretchen Hensel. They were among the seventeen children afflicted with polio attending the school located by Salishan. All were reported progressing well. In 1958 the Tacoma school district became one of the first school districts in the United States to move to "mainsteaming", providing handicapped pupils with ongoing contact with their nonhandicapped peers. (Photograph ordered by the March of Dimes.) (TNT 12-21-55, A-15)

Children & adults--Tacoma; Reading--Tacoma; People with disabilities--Tacoma; Orthopedic braces; Wheelchairs; Gillihan, Frank J.; Galligan, Jimmy; Miller, Frances; Hensel, Gretchen;

St. Ann's School was dedicated on December 11, 1955. The new parochial school was built next to the church after which it was named. Here Seattle Archbishop Thomas A. Connolly shares a friendly word with one of the school children. Photograph ordered by St. Ann's Parish School.

Church schools--Tacoma; Building dedications--Tacoma--1950-1960; Rites & ceremonies--Tacoma; St. Ann's Parish School (Tacoma); Priests--Tacoma--1950-1960; Connolly, Thomas A.; School children--Tacoma--1950-1960;

An employee of Georgia Pacific Plywood uses propane to test the durability of the company's plywood at its Olympia laboratory on December 14, 1955. He is not wearing safety goggles or gloves but does have a sturdy apron on. A stopwatch, pencil and notepad are within his reach. A test tube is positioned over a semi-filled flask. Photograph ordered by Georgia Pacific Plywood Co.

Georgia Pacific Plywood Co. (Olympia); Testing--Olympia; Product inspection--Olympia; Test tubes;

Employees of Pacific Telephone & Telegraph entertain fellow employees in an amusing skit in December, 1955. One woman, dressed in an overlarge man's suit, holds a microphone as she interviews "teenagers," including one blowing a bubble, and possibly the "parents." Photograph ordered by Pacific Telephone & Telegraph.

Pacific Telephone & Telegraph Co. (Tacoma)--Employees--1950-1960; Theatrical productions--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Two employees of the U.S. Plywood Corporation examine sheets of plywood in their Seattle plant on January 6, 1956. They were manufacturers of the "Weldwood" brand of Douglas fir plywood. U.S. Plywood had two locations in Seattle including a lumber division on E. Marginal Way. It also had plants in Mapleton, Oregon, and a 60 million foot capacity mill in Anderson, California. By 1954, with the addition of Associated Plywood Mills' two holdings, U.S. Plywood was capable of 342 million feet annually. (Cour: Plywood Age, p. 158-59)

Plywood; Lumber industry--Seattle--1950-1960; United States Plywood Corp. (Seattle);

Two cuddly chinchillas huddle amidst frosted Christmas decorations in a December 8, 1955, photograph. Chinchillas were bred for their fur, used in women's coats and wraps, but also were sold as pets. They originated in South America's Andes Mountains and had very soft pearly gray fur. Photograph ordered by Gold Seal Chinchilla, Inc.

Rodents--Tacoma; Christmas decorations; Gold Seal Chinchilla Enterprises (Tacoma);

View of the Rowland Pontiac-Cadillac dealership from rear. This January 12, 1956, photograph shows boxcars on the railroad tracks adjacent to the business. The body shop area has assorted Pontiacs, Cadillacs and other automobiles parked behind the building. There is a billboard advertising the " New '56 Nash - Sanford Nash Company" planted in the hillside across the street from the Rowland Pontiac-Cadillac Co. Irwin-Jones Motor Co.'s Truck Department had formerly occupied this dealership's space. Photograph ordered by Rowland Pontiac-Cadillac Co. TPL-8153

Rowland Pontiac-Cadillac Co. (Tacoma); Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1950-1960; Railroad freight cars--Tacoma--1950-1960; Railroad tracks--Tacoma--1950-1960;

A classroom of beaming young girls greet the photographer on December 8, 1955. This was one of the primary grades at Annie Wright Seminary. The little girls are all wearing uniforms with white collars. Sandra Cheney, daughter of Ben Cheney, is seated on the extreme right, last seat. Sepia photograph ordered by Cheney Lumber Co.

School children--Tacoma--1950-1960; Classrooms--Tacoma; Annie Wright Seminary (Tacoma)--1950-1960; Private schools--Tacoma; Cheney Lumber Co. (Tacoma); Cheney, Sandra;

Five unidentified members of the Pacific Coast Division of the American Pulp & Paper Mill Superintendents Association performed a "space age" skit involving a hodgepodge of space visitors and robots at their annual conference held at the Hotel Winthrop, 773 Broadway, in December of 1955. Following panel and group discussions on sulphate pulping, sulphite pulping, and papermaking, the delegates ended their annual meeting with an informal banquet in the Crystal Ballroom and a dance in the Wedgewood Room. (Photograph ordered by American Pulp & Paper Mill Superintendents Association.) (TNT 12-4-55, B-11)

Theatrical productions--Tacoma--1950-1960; Costumes; Robots; Signs (Notices); American Pulp & Paper Mill Superintendents Association (Tacoma);

Marjorie Eileen Webster McDaniel poses on the altar after her December 23, 1955 wedding with her little sister and flowergirl Joyce Webster. The bride was the daughter of Martin Frederick and Jeanett Webster. She and Malcolm Craig McDaniel were wed at the Asbury Methodist Church with a reception following at the V.F.W. Hall, 6229 South Tacoma Way. Both girls look lovely in full dresses and carry winter bouquets.

Webster, Marjorie Eileen--Marriage; Webster, Joyce; Weddings--Tacoma--1950-1960; Wedding clothing & dress--1950-1960;

Night exposure - Lou Johnson, Inc. Lighted storefront windows provide a flattering look at elegant evening wear and lingerie offered by Lou Johnson, Inc.'s main store on Broadway. Elaborate wreaths are the only wall decorations within the showcases; this causes attention to be focused upon the mannequin and its clothing. A neon sign is the sole indication of the store's name; it juts out from the marbled facade. Lou Johnson, Inc. specialized in women's fine apparel and accessories. With three locations in the Tacoma area alone, it was a well-known business. Photograph ordered by Lou Johnson, Inc.

Lou Johnson Inc. (Tacoma); Clothing stores--Tacoma--1950-1960; Merchandise displays--Tacoma--1950-1960; Mannequins; Electric signs--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Interiors of Lou Johnson, Inc. Elegant period furniture is scattered throughout this spacious waiting area located in Lou Johnson Inc.'s main store on Broadway. Beautiful evening wear is displayed in an uncluttered manner; one outfit per focal point. Lou Johnson's specialized in women's apparel and accessories. The firm was owned by Lucie Palmer, president, and consisted of three stores in the Tacoma area in addition to a store in Yakima. Photograph ordered by Lou Johnson Inc.

Lou Johnson Inc. (Tacoma); Clothing stores--Tacoma--1950-1960; Sofas;

Coved ceilings accentuated the spaciousness of Lou Johnson, Inc.'s main store on Broadway. Lou Johnson's specialized in women's apparel and accessories. The lower level contained the shoe and hat departments. An elegant curved staircase led to an alcove where fine dresses were located. A bit of Christmas was brought into the store with the use of an enormous wreath attached to the railing on the second level. Lou Johnson, Inc., had three locations in the Tacoma area, including one near Division Avenue and another in Lakewood. There was also a store in Yakima. Photograph ordered by Lou Johnson, Inc.

Lou Johnson Inc. (Tacoma); Clothing stores--Tacoma--1950-1960; Stairways--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Lou Johnson, Inc., had three stores in the Tacoma area, specializing in women and misses apparel and accessories. They were owned and operated by Lucie Palmer, president. The Lakewood store in the newly expanded Lakewood Center was decorated in muted grays and accents of pink and exhibited a beautiful colonial crystal chandelier. Portions of the shop's interiors show displays of fine jewelry, lingerie, and hats. There was an uncrowded feel to the store with merchandise spread throughout the floor and plenty of walking space between them. Photograph ordered by Lou Johnson, Inc. (TNT 11-16-55, C-8)

Lou Johnson, Inc. (Lakewood); Lingerie; Clothing stores--Lakewood--1950-1960;

An unidentified man stands in front of the National Shuffleboard Sales Company located at 1119 Tacoma Avenue South across the street from the Main Branch of the Tacoma Public Library. Both the Stanley Amusement Co. and the National Shuffleboard Sales Co. of Tacoma were owned by Stanley Kolitzoff and George Sellers in the mid-1950's. The shuffleboard company was the exclusive distributor of shuffleboards for the entire state. Trophies were on display in the storefront windows as well as clocks, blankets and other items used for prizes. The Stanley Amusement Co. sold and serviced coin machines, including apparently riding horses like the one located in the store's display window. This store, originally built in 1922, is currently being restored. ( Photograph ordered by Stanley Amusement Co.)

Stanley Amusement Co. (Tacoma); National Shuffleboard Sales Co. of Tacoma (Tacoma); Facades--Tacoma--1950-1960;

A brightly colored studio close up of a Brown & Haley Easter Egg candy was taken in December, 1955, possibly for use in advertising. The candy was photographed against a rosy tinted carpet-like backdrop. The Easter Egg bar had a smiling cartoon rabbit on the cover and cost a mere nickel. Brown & Haley was noted for their chocolate and Almond Roca products; they also made specialty candies like these as well. Photograph ordered by Brown & Haley.

Brown & Haley (Tacoma); Candy--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Architectural plans are being discussed at the James Fowler residence in the Rhododendron Lanes community on January 26, 1956. A young couple, presumably James and Georgia Fowler, examine with interest the plans that are being shown to them by an unidentified man. Fowler was employed by the Douglas Fir Plywood Association. Photograph ordered by Douglas Fir Plywood Association.

Architectural drawings; Douglas Fir Plywood Association (Tacoma); Fowler, James--Homes & haunts; Fowler, James; Fowler, Georgia;

1956 Golden Glove champions. These nine young men are the individual champions in their weight category for the eighth annual Golden Gloves tournament sponsored by the Tacoma Athletic Commission. Although six major cities in the Northwest plus the military were represented in the tournament, the majority of champions came from either Portland or Seattle. Kneeling in front are: Tommy Thomas, Portland, 147 pounds, Johnny White, Portland, 132#, and Tommy Takao, Seattle, 112#. Standing left to right are: Tommy Delvecchio, Vancouver, B.C., 139#, Phil Moyer, Portland, 156# , Willie Richardson, Portland, 178#, Bruce Olson, Eugene, heavyweight, Harvey Burke, Portland, 165# and Bobby Hicks, Seattle, 125#. Takao, representing the Royal Athletic Club of Seattle, was the evening's first crowned champion. Hicks, wearing the colors of the George Chemeres Boxing School of Seattle, was voted "Golden Boy" honors, as the most popular fighter. (TNT 1-23-56, p. 17) TPL-10451;

Boxing--Tacoma--1950-1960; Boxers (Sports)--Tacoma--1950-1960; Group portraits; Tacoma Athletic Commission (Tacoma);

A boxer bows his head in apparent defeat as he has just been knocked down by the blond boxer to the left. This action occurred during the eighth annual Golden Gloves boxing tournament held at the College of Puget Sound Fieldhouse on January 20-21, 1956. 59 amateur boxers competed in nine weight categories. They came from six major Northwest cities plus the military. Sponsored by the Tacoma Athletic Commission, winners might have been considered for the upcoming Olympics by the U.S. and Canadian national teams. While no one from Tacoma was declared a champion, Seattle and Portland clubs were well-represented in the finals. Photograph ordered by the Tacoma Athletic Commission. (TNT 1-20-56, p. 20, TNT 1-22-56, B-11)

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

In January of 1956 Joan Oliver, Janet Shull and Esther Gerald (far right) were already calculating how many boxes of chocolates they could sell during the 8th annual Tacoma Camp Fire and Blue Bird Girls "Candy Mint Sale". The sale ran to February 22, and proceeds went to the development and operations fund for Camp Wakoma. Prizes were awarded to the Camp Fire Girls who sold the most boxes, including an all-expense overnight stay at Camp Wakoma. It is still a tradition for Camp Fire Girls to sell mints. Photograph ordered by the Camp Fire Girls. (TNT 1-29-56, D-6)

Camp Fire Girls (Tacoma); Children--Clubs--Tacoma; Fund raising--Tacoma--1950-1960; Gerald, Esther; Oliver, Joan; Shull, Janet; Blackboards;

Reichhold Chemicals was constructing a new plant in early 1956. Work had barely gotten started in this marshy lowland area where pools of water dot the landscape. A road of sorts has been carved out of the area; piles of excavated dirt are stacked on either side. Photograph ordered by Reichhold Chemicals, Inc.

Dirt; Dirt roads; Reichhold Chemicals, Inc. (Tacoma);

Bowling team. The Pacific Telephone & Telegraph women's bowling team posed for a group portrait on February 3, 1956. Bowling was a popular sport in the 1950's and many businesses sponsored company teams. Photograph ordered by Pacific Telephone & Telegraph.

Pacific Telephone & Telegraph Co. (Tacoma)--Employees--1950-1960; Bowlers--Tacoma--1950-1960; Bowling alleys--Tacoma--1950-1960; Bowling balls;