Modular home on display. The "MODS" modular home manufactured by the St. Regis Paper Co. was divided into three sections. Here a crane has carefully lowered one section onto the cement parking lot behind the University of Puget Sound Fieldhouse. One more modular home would be placed on display for thousands of Tacomans to inspect as part of the 24th annual Tacoma Home Show. Photograph ordered by St. Regis Paper Co.
St. Regis Paper Co. (Tacoma)--1970-1980; Prefabricated houses; Hoisting machinery;
Bellevue apartment house. This unidentified apartment house in Bellevue overlooked a tranquil body of water in March of 1970. The contemporary structure's units had balconies on al four floors. The apartments were located at 6001 - 140th N.E., Bellevue. Photograph ordered by W-O Co., Bellevue.
Apartment houses--Bellevue; Bodies of water--Bellevue;
Modular home. St. Regis Paper Co. would make their "MODS" modular homes available for touring at the 24th annual Tacoma Home Show held March 31- April 5, 1970. The three sections of the home would be transported to the University of Puget Sound Fieldhouse's parking lot where they would be assembled. The modular home could apparently be assembled in one day, including carpeting. The "MODS" were geared toward people looking for affordable, low-cost housing. St. Regis was a leader in the fast-growing field of modular home construction. Photograph ordered by St. Regis Paper Co. (TNT 3-22-70, D-10--article; TNT 4-1-70, D-16 - article)
St. Regis Paper Co. (Tacoma)--1970-1980; Prefabricated houses; Signs (Notices);
Modular home on the move. "Here come the MODS" warned the sign plastered to a section of modular homes that was being transported to the University of Puget Sound Fieldhouse in mid-March, 1970. The "MODS" would be on display at the 24th annual Tacoma Home Show to be held March 31 - April 5th. The manufacturer was the St. Regis Paper Co., a leader in the Pacific Northwest's fast-growing modular home construction field. Photograph ordered by St. Regis Paper Co. (TNT 3-22-70, D-10--article)
St. Regis Paper Co. (Tacoma)--1970-1980; Prefabricated houses; Trucks--Tacoma--1970-1980;
Modular home units. A Kenworth truck has just pulled up to the University of Puget Sound Fieldhouse on March 18, 1970, and will shortly be unloading one section of a modular home which will be displayed during the annual Tacoma Home Show. The modular homes, called "MODS," were manufactured by St. Regis Paper Co. and aimed toward buyers seeking low-cost homes. They could be assembled in one day at the buyer's lot. View of heavy duty truck with "Caution Wide Load" sign and part of modular home; the university's Baker Stadium is in rear. (TNT 3-22-70, D-10- article)
St. Regis Paper Co. (Tacoma)--1970-1980; Trucks--Tacoma--1970-1980; Prefabricated houses;
A wide-body Kenworth truck carefully emerges from a St. Regis Paper Co.'s facility as it prepares to deliver the "MODS" modular home to the University of Puget Sound Fieldhouse. Once there the modular home sections will be assembled so that Tacoma Home Show attendees could check them over and hopefully be encouraged to buy. St. Regis was a leader in the field of modular home construction and priced their homes low enough for the average worker. Photograph of St. Regis Paper Co. (TNT 3-22-70, D-10 - article)
St. Regis Paper Co. (Tacoma)--1970-1980; Trucks--Tacoma--1970-1980; Prefabricated houses;
Projectors - Southcenter Theatre. The Southcenter Theatre, opened in April of 1970, was reportedly the last 70-mm Cinerama-capable theater built in North America. Patrons could sit in comfort in one of the 1,228 plush seats and watch movies on a giant 88 x 32 feet curved screen. Southcenter Theatre was a single-screen theater and never part of the multi-plex trend which later developed across the country. It would close in 2001 with its last performance of "Moulin Rouge." Publicity photograph ordered by Southcenter Theatre, Tukwila. (www.cinematour.com- article)
Southcenter Theatre. Workers are busy doing finishing touches to the new Southcenter Theatre in Tukwila prior to the theater's opening night of April 1, 1970. With two weeks to spare, they are working in the spacious lobby. The theater was the last 70-mm Cinerama model built in North America. It would eventually close and be demolished in 2002. (www.cinematour.com--article)
Southcenter Theatre under construction. This is believed to be the auditorium of the Southcenter Theatre in Tukwila a few weeks before its grand opening on April 1, 1970. The theater would only have one screen but it would be an immense one - 88 feet wide and 32 feet high. The extremely curved screen would insure that all customers would have a good view when seated. Publicity photograph ordered by Southcenter Theatre.
Southcenter Theatre. Rows of plush seats with armrests face the screen in the ultra-modern Southcenter Theatre prior to its April 1, 1970, opening night. The giant screen is curved (88 feet wide and 32 feet high) and floor-to-ceiling for the maximum benefit of its patrons. A man's jacket, possibly belonging to the Richards' photographer, is draped over an end seat. Southcenter Theatre had a single screen auditorium with seating capacity of 1,228. Publicity pictures ordered by Southcenter Theatre, Tukwila. (www.cinematour.com--article)
Publicity pictures - Southcenter Theatre. Although the theater's marquee is bare, April 1, 1970, would be the opening night to showcase the new theater. "Topaz" would be the first film shown in the facility and actor John Forsythe would make a special appearance that evening. The ultra-modern building had walls of sheer glass and an overhanging roofline. Its design resembled the Tacoma Mall theater which had been built two years before. Photograph ordered by Southcenter Theatre, Tukwila.
Progress photographs at the site of the upcoming (National) Bank of Washington Plaza in March of 1970. Heavy rains appear to have left their mark at the Pacific Avenue construction site. The dirt walls have forms to prevent future mud slides. Photograph ordered by Donald M. Drake Co., Portland, the project's general contractors.
Progress photographs; National Bank of Washington (Tacoma); Banks--Tacoma; Building construction--Tacoma--1970-1980; Dirt; Mud--Tacoma;
Workers at the muddy site of the upcoming (National) Bank of Washington Plaza in downtown Tacoma watch as an earthmover removes pieces of old foundation on March 16, 1970. To prevent future mud slides, forms have been placed against the dirt walls. Puget Sound National Bank's Operations Center at 13th & A Sts. overlooks the construction site. Progress photograph of the construction project ordered by Donald M. Drake Co., Portland.
Progress photographs; National Bank of Washington (Tacoma); Banks--Tacoma; Building construction--Tacoma--1970-1980; Tracklaying vehicles--Tacoma; Dirt; Mud--Tacoma; Puget Sound National Bank (Tacoma);
Two wide-eyed teens, accompanied by an equally wide-eyed bunny-suited doll, exemplify the theme of the 24th annual Tacoma Home Show, a "Look into the 70s." More than 150 displays would be on hand at the University of Puget Sound Fieldhouse to give present and prospective homeowners a glimpse into the newest and most innovative products to enhance today's lifestyles. Pam Jenkins (l) and Betsy Wilkins (r) were photographed at Ghilarducci's Florists on March 13, 1970. (TNT 3-29-70, B-5)
Greater Tacoma Home Show (Tacoma); Wilkins, Betsy; Jenkins, Pam; Dolls; Ghilarducci's California Florists (Tacoma);
Bon Marche in 1970. This is believed to be the first floor (mall level) of the Bon Marche, located in the Tacoma Mall. Sturdy columns are interspersed on the floor, separating various departmental merchandise. The showcases in the foreground tastefully display well-known cosmetic manufacturers' products. Women's shoes and stockings are on separate tables. Aisles were constructed wide so that people could walk through easily without bumping into cases/tables or one another. The Bon Marche was the first occupant of the Tacoma Mall, opening for business in 1964 months before other stores. Althought the Bon started as a local business, it became part of a national concern, and in 2003 became known locally as Bon Macy's. By 2005 all stores were just called Macy's. Photograph ordered by the Bon Marche.
Bon Marche (Tacoma); Department stores--Tacoma--1970-1980; Merchandise displays--Tacoma--1970-1980;
Bon Marche. By March of 1970, the Bon Marche located in the Tacoma Mall was nearly six years old. It was the first store opened in the Tacoma Mall Shopping Center and at 256,000 square feet, the largest department store in Pierce County. It attracted crowds of 150,000 on its first day of business causing massive traffic woes. Even though the Bon Marche would be the only occupant in the mall for nearly a year, business continued to thrive. The lure of plenty of free parking, quality of products and services offered, and easy freeway access drew thousands to shop at the Bon. View of the Bon Marche and attached Cascade Room restaurant; the restaurant was accessible both from inside the mall and outside the building. Photograph ordered by the Bon Marche.
Bon Marche (Tacoma); Department stores--Tacoma--1970-1980; Restaurants--Tacoma--1970-1980;
Large barrels of ICC Chemicals line the metal shelves of this unidentified warehouse. One of the striped barrels is being hoisted by a worker in the Hyster forklift. Photograph taken on March 7, 1970, for Pacific Storage, Inc.
A large wooden crate marked "447" is being carefully hoisted by a worker in a Clark equipment unit on March 7, 1970. There are three layers of crates stacked in this unidentified warehouse with at least one more mountain of crates in the background. Photograph ordered by Pacific Storage, Inc.
Post-launching. The "Polaris" was successfully launched into Commencement Bay on March 7, 1970, by Mrs. Joseph A. Gann, wife of the ship's co-owner. The Gann family watched as the 165-foot "Polaris" slid down the ways from Martinac Shipbuilding facilities. The "Polaris" had a 650-ton frozen fish capacity and was owned by Joseph and Edmund Gann of San Diego. This would be one of three fishing boats built by Martinac Shipbuilding for the Gann brothers and was expected to be delivered in May. The "Polaris" was destined for fishing operations in South America and Africa. Photograph ordered by J.M. Martinac Shipbuilding Corp. (TNT 3-8-70, C-23- article) TPL-9453
The man in the Clark equipment unit appears tiny as seen at the far end of a corridor lined with wooden crates. He is pictured on March 7, 1970, in the act of lifting the heavy crate with the use of the Clark truck. The warehouse containing these containers was not identified but is believed to be the new Pacific Storage warehouse at 440 E. 19th St. Pacific Storage had recently moved from their longtime facility on Jefferson to new warehouse and offices totaling 750-feet long and 150-feet wide. Pacific Storage offerd complete storage for commercial and household goods. All furniture would be stored in moisture-free and mothproof boxes like the crates above until delivered to the customer's home. Photograph ordered by Pacific Storage, Inc. (TNT full-page ad 5-3-70, C-22)
Hoisting machinery; Crates; Shipping; Warehouses; Pacific Storage, Inc.
Launching. Champagne explodes as Mrs. Joseph A. Gann, wife of the ship's co-owner, officially christens the tuna seiner, "Polaris," on March 7, 1970. The 165-foot fishing boat was one of three ships built for Joseph and Edmund Gann of San Diego by J.M. Martinac Shipbuilding. The sister ship of the "John F. Kennedy" would be handed over to her owners in May and would join the Gann fleet operating near South America and Africa. Photograph ordered by J.M. Martinac Shipbuilding Corp. (TNT 3-8-70, C-23 - article) TPL-9452
Launching party. Posed before the 165-foot tuna seiner, the "Polaris," are members of the launching party on March 7, 1970. The fishing vessel was built for the Gann brothers of San Diego by the J.M. Martinac Shipbuilding Corporation. It was the 9th seiner built of that size by Martinac and one of three built for Joseph and Edmund Gann by the company. Mrs. Joseph A. Gann, clutching the traditional spray of red roses, was the ship's sponsor. Photograph ordered by the J.M. Martinac Shipbuilding Corporation. (TNT 3-8-70, C-23- article) TPL-9454
Two men are pictured on March 7, 1970, removing furniture from a large packing crate. A Clark equipment truck is stationed next to the crate. Some of the furniture has been wrapped in plastic to protect it from damage. Photograph ordered by Pacific Storage, Inc.
Machinery. Globe Machine, a longtime Tacoma manufacturing company, built machines for the plywood industry. This is believed to be a glue spreader. Photograph ordered by Globe Machine Manufacturing Co.
John F. Kennedy. The 165-foot tuna seiner, "John F. Kennedy," was photographed on March 3, 1970, probably as she was undergoing sea trials in Puget Sound. The ship, built by Martinac Shipbuilding, had been launched on December 20, 1969. Upon completion of sea trials, she would be delivered to Star-Kis Foods on Terminal Island, California. Photograph ordered by Martinac Shipbuilding Corp. TPL-9455
View of the Grand Rapids' stern taken on March 3, 1970. Tacoma Boatbuilding was nearing an end to the 12-boat contract with the Navy to build aluminum gunboats for the US Navy. The Grand Rapids would be launched on April 4, 1970, with then-House Minority Leader and future President Gerald R. Ford and family in attendance. The Grand Rapids, the second ship of that name in the Navy, was named for the city in Michigan, the hometown of Gerald Ford. She would be commissioned five months later in September, 1970, and decommissioned in 1977. (www.navsource.org/archives; Marine Digest, April 11, 1970) Photograph ordered by US Steel.
Gunboats--United States; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1970-1980; Tacoma Boat Building Co., Inc. (Tacoma);
Tuna clipper "John F. Kennedy." She was successfully launched in late December of 1969 by Martinac Shipbuilding Corporation. Pictured above on March 3, 1970, in the waters of Puget Sound, the ship was probably undergoing sea trials. The 165-foot fishing vessel had a frozen fish capacity of 650-ton. Photograph ordered by J.M. Martinac Shipbuilding Corp. TPL-9456
This is the Grand Rapids PG-98 gunboat about a month before her launch date of April 4, 1970. She was the 11th of 12 gunboats built for the US Navy by Tacoma Boatbuilding. Susan Ford, young daughter of Rep. (later President) and Mrs. Gerald R. Ford of Michigan, was the ship's sponsor. The Grand Rapids was named after the hometown of Rep. Ford. The vessel would be commissioned the USS Grand Rapids on September 5, 1970 and be decommissioned on October 1, 1977. Photograph ordered by US Steel. (www.navsource.org/archives)
Gunboats--United States; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1970-1980; Tacoma Boat Building Co., Inc. (Tacoma);
Patent application. A Honda 90 motorcycle is fastened to the rear of an automobile located at the home of Richard Lund, 8308 Woodbourne Rd. S.W., Lakewood, in March of 1970. Photograph ordered by Davies, Pearson, Anderson & Gadbow, attorneys at law for a patent application.
Patent application. A Honda 90 motorcycle is secured to the front of an automobile through the use of spring-like cords and brackets. The vehicles were located at the residence of Richard Lund in Lakewood. Photograph ordered by Davies, Pearson, Anderson & Gadbow, attorneys at law, for a patent application.
