A feeling of spaciousness prevails in the Martin Gosselin residence at Lake Steilacoom Point with a "Great room" concept. The kitchen appears to be tucked away between the living room and informal room. There do not appear to be many walls separating the defined living spaces. A large glass door leads to the fenced outdoors which may have a covered patio. Because the flooring appears to be a natural tile, it blends in with the outdoor concrete. A clam-shell style chair and bean-shaped laminated table are prominent in the foreground. This three bedroom home was designed and constructed by Mark Hoskins Home Construction Co. Photograph ordered by Home Construction Co.

Gosselin, Martin D.--Homes & haunts; Houses--Lakewood--1950-1960;

Kitchen in colonial-style home. This colonial-style home was located in the Sylvan Park neighborhood in the Lakes District, one of the area's newer housing developments, not far from South Tacoma. The kitchen appears to have been a corridor style kitchen with sink and dishwasher across the aisle from the built-in stove & oven, and refrigerator. There were an abundance of knotty pine cabinets. A table and four chairs fit nicely in the kitchen nook. Colorful linoleum decorates the kitchen floor. The home was designed and built by Mark Hoskins Home Construction Co. Ads welcoming prospective home owners ran in the News Tribune on consecutive Sundays, March 23 and March 30, 1958. This three bedroom, 2 1/2 bath home at 3011 Sylvia Blvd. So. was advertised at $23,900. Tacoma businessman Russ Dunmire would become one of the home's owners. Photograph ordered by Home Construction Co. (TNT ads 3-23-58, A-12, 3-30-58, C-19) (Additional information provided by a reader)

Kitchens--Lakewood--1950-1960;

Copy of customer print. Aerial photographs of Seattle's Huntington Rubber Mills' facilities were taken in the spring of 1958. The smaller building in front may have been the office and the larger elongated buildings nestled close together, plant facilities. All three have semi-curved roofs. There were also two other buildings joined together to the left of the photograph. Photograph ordered by Huntington Rubber Mills.

Aerial photographs; Huntington Rubber Mills (Seattle);

The Oxford Apartments were located in Auburn at 717 A St. N.E. The two-story, twenty-unit apartment complex was built in a L-shape with carports for some renters. Auburn was a growing little community with a population of nearly 7,000 in the 1950 Census. By 1960, the population had sprouted to 11,933. Housing would be needed for new residents with new housing developments and apartments springing up to meet the need. Photograph ordered by S & S Builders.

Housing developments--Auburn; Garages--Auburn;

Intersection of Bay St. and Puyallup Ave. Traffic appears light at 10 a.m. on March 13, 1958, at the intersection of Bay St. and Puyallup Ave. Only five cars are clearly visible on Puyallup Ave. Safeway and Brownie's Texaco station are across the street from Cavanaugh Lumber, where "Reject Plywood" can be purchased, and Ben's Truck Parts. Washington Hardware Co's wholesale division is next door. Smitty's Drive-In restaurant, "Open All Nite," is close to Safeway. Photograph ordered by Peterson & Peterson, attorneys, for Hess vs. Bettridge.

Commercial streets--Tacoma--1950-1960; Signs (Notices);

Southdale, a model home in the Auburn area, was photographed on March 13, 1958, from the viewpoint of another new house across the street. The model home was constructed in the contemporary rambler style; it had a one-car garage and small covered porch. Auburn in the 1950's was still a small "bedroom" community with many residents commuting to Seattle and other King County jobs. Lots appear to have been on the large side and housing relatively inexpensive. Photograph ordered by S & S Builders.

Houses--Auburn--1950-1960;

Construction continues on the new County-City Building in the spring of 1958. At this point, work on the edifice is now past the half-way point. View of construction at the corner of So. 11th and Tacoma Avenue So. shows the two-story court wing and the ten-story plus penthouse central structure. The court wing is being constructed of reinforced concrete. The court rooms will be soundproof and windowless. The towering central portion is 165 feet above Tacoma Avenue. It is being built to be fireproof and will be only one of about 100 in the country with exterior aluminum paneling. Another unit, a four-story law enforcement wing, will be finished later. Photograph ordered by Fentron Industries, Seattle. TPL-6679. (TNT 1-5-58, A-6)

Progress photographs; County-City Building (Tacoma); Building construction--Tacoma--1950-1960;

A cascade of (play) money floats around the new Miss Tacoma Home Show, Marilyn Ganes, in March, 1958. She has a bag of silver and a handful of bills in her hands. One lucky winner would trot home clutching a sack of silver each night from the Tacoma Home Show. The beauty queen is wearing a trim one-piece bathing suit with a diamond pattern and has a banner draped around her indicating that she is the Miss Tacoma Home Show. Each year the Home Show, held in the College of Puget Sound Fieldhouse, crowned a new queen. Marilyn Ganes was a junior at Franklin Pierce High School at the time of her selection; the 17-year-old also was a drum majorette. Photograph ordered by National Home Shows, Inc. (TNT 3-16-58, A-1) TPL-10238

Beauty contestants--Tacoma--1950-1960; Ganes, Marilyn; Banners--Tacoma; Bathing suits; Greater Tacoma Home Show (Tacoma);

On March 11, 1958, Miss Tacoma Home Show of 1958, Marilyn Ganes, was photographed leaning out of the front door of a BMW Isetta 300 parked near the Tacoma Totem Pole. The small car, quite an oddity with its door that opened from the front where the engine normally would be, was introduced to compete with the Volkswagen "Beetle". The Tacoma Home Show presented its annual week long collection of new ideas for the homeowner at the College of Puget Sound Fieldhouse. Each year a new queen was selected as Miss Tacoma Home Show. Marilyn Ganes was 17 at the time of her selection; she was a junior at Franklin Pierce High School. Photograph ordered by National Home Shows, Inc. (TNT 3-16-58, A-1) TPL-10239

Beauty contestants--Tacoma; Ganes, Marilyn; Automobiles--Tacoma--1950-1960; Tacoma Totem Pole (Tacoma);

Harold and Dagmar Wick's brick home, with awning, is the last house on the left in this March 9, 1958, photograph. Brick homes predominate the row of houses. This 9th & Monroe northend neighborhood was extremely close to Jefferson Park. Photograph ordered by Reyier & Wick Construction Co.

Wick, Harold E.--Homes & haunts; Houses--Tacoma--1950-1960; Neighborhoods--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Built circa 1950, the lovely brick home at 4017 No. 9th St. was the residence of Harold E. and Dagmar Wick. Mr. Wick was a partner in the construction firm of Reyier & Wick. The traditional style brick home had dormers, a small balcony and an awning for protection against the afternoon sun. It was located in the No. 9th and Monroe neighborhood near Jefferson Park. Photograph ordered by Reyier & Wick.

Wick, Harold E.--Homes & haunts; Houses--Tacoma--1950-1960; Dormers--Tacoma; Awnings--Tacoma;

Patricia Westbrook and Ron Taylor posed for a charming engagement photograph on March 8, 1958, at Miss Westbrook's North Jackson St. residence. All eyes are focused on the cuddly black cat, Who-Dat?, in her arms. Patricia was the daughter of Mrs. John Westbrook. She was a graduate of Stadium High School and Stanford University. Her fiance, Air Force Lt. Ronald Taylor, graduated from Indiana University where he was on the varsity basketball team. The young couple planned to marry on June 21st at St. Luke's Memorial Episcopal Church. Photograph ordered by Patricia Westbrook. (TNT 3-16-58, C-2)

Westbrook, Patricia; Taylor, Ronald; Cats;

Passport picture- Ed Miller. Edward P. Miller was a well-known innovative builder in the Tacoma area. He posed for a passport photograph on March 7, 1958, wearing a dark suit, white shirt and tie. Decorating his lapel are three ribbons and a name tag. Mr. Miller may have been preparing to attend a conference as a member of the Spring Board of Directors, National Association of Home Builders. The ribbons indicate the offices he has held in the association: Executive Committee, Regional Vice President and Director. Mr. Miller was past president of the Tacoma Master Builders Association. He later would be appointed housing adviser to the Republic of Chile by the U.S. State Department. He and wife Juanita resided in the Skyline Terrace neighborhood. Photograph ordered by Miller Construction Co.

Miller, Edward P.;

The Washington State Apple Commission ran a promotion in March, 1958, in local supermarkets extolling the virtues of the state fruit, the apple. Washington State apples come in many varieties, sizes and colors. Three people in the produce department unwrap a banner indicating bargain days for apples and to "Buy 'em Now!" Because baseball was so popular for both young and old, apple sellers hoped to entice ball players to devour the fruit by claiming beneficial effects with "Here's Big League Energy." Shoppers would be greeted by rows of many varieties of apples, some wrapped in tissue, at reasonable prices. Photograph ordered by Washington State Apple Commission, Wenatchee.

Apples; Signs (Notices);

This is believed to be the Rev. Martin J. Duggan, pastor of Holy Cross Catholic Church. Father Duggan had celebrated his 25th anniversary as a priest in 1950. He is dressed in special vestments which appear to be made of brocade. Six tall candles and candelabra are on the altar behind the pastor with a large cross hanging above. Sepia photograph ordered by Holy Cross Church.

Priests--Tacoma--1950-1960; Holy Cross Catholic Church (Tacoma); Catholic churches--Tacoma; Altars--Tacoma;

Molten showers were not an unusual occurrence at the Bethlehem Pacific Coast Steel works in Seattle. The steel manufactured at Bethlehem's facilities was used in many structures locally, including the Alaska Way Viaduct and the Tacoma Narrows Bridge. The Bay area's Carquinez Straits Bridge utilized Bethlehem Corporation's steel in the approaches to the bridge and Bethlehem's shipbuilding division in Quincy, Mass., produced the steel used in 25,000 to 106,500-ton tankers. Bethlehem plants nationwide were booming and a new basic steel research center was being built in the adjoining site to Lehigh University in Pennsylvania to carry on vital new research projects. (TNT ad, 1-2-58, B-8)

Bethlehem Pacific Coast Steel Corp. (Seattle); Steel industry--Seattle; Industrial facilities--Seattle;

Bethlehem Pacific Coast Steel's works were booming in the 1950's, necessitating a $25 million dollar expansion in Seattle, as well as improvements and new construction elsewhere. New electric furnaces promised to boost steelmaking capacity 70% to 420,000 tons annually. Workers are pictured on March 6, 1958, seemingly dwarfed by the size of the huge equipment used in the Seattle plant. A cascade of sparks and smoke stream from an open hearth. The men are wearing hard hats and long coats for protection.

Bethlehem Pacific Coast Steel Corp. (Seattle); Steel industry--Seattle; Industrial facilities--Seattle;

A small, desktop model Singer sewing machine has been removed from its table at the Joe L. Long, Jr., residence in Lakewood. The machine has been threaded and still has a full spool of thread. An opening has been cut into the plywood sewing table so that the machine can be upended and hidden from view. The table can then be used to cut material or for other uses. Photograph ordered by Douglas Fir Plywood Association.

Sewing machines; Sewing equipment & supplies; Plywood; Douglas Fir Plywood Association (Tacoma);

Model Helene Williamson is photographed on March 5, 1958, at the sewing table and cabinet in the Joe L. Long, Jr., Lakewood residence. There is an overhead cabinet with sliding doors that could hold sewing items that do not fit on the nearby plywood shelves. Spools of thread, balls of yarn, sewing magazines and pattern books all fit neatly on the open shelving. Plenty of natural light to sew by, and admire the lake view, is available through the home's many windows. Photograph ordered by Douglas Fir Plywood Association.

Long, Joe L.--Homes & haunts; Williamson, Helene; Sewing equipment & supplies; Sewing machines; Douglas Fir Plywood Association (Tacoma);

Model Helene Williamson selected a spool of thread from a plywood sewing cabinet on March 5, 1958. The cabinet was conveniently placed adjacent to a small Singer sewing machine. Thread spools were fastened to a board in rows, and patterns and sewing magazines were displayed on shelves. The model sewing cabinet was located in the Lakewood home belonged to Joe L. Long, Jr., vice-president of Atlas Foundry, and wife, Leona. Photograph ordered by Douglas Fir Plywood Association.

Long, Joe L.--Homes & haunts; Williamson, Helene; Sewing equipment & supplies; Sewing machines; Douglas Fir Plywood Association (Tacoma);

Idlewild Elementary School was located in Lakewood at 10806 Idlewild Rd. S.W. , a part of the Clover Park School District. James E. Rediske was listed as principal in the 1958 Tacoma Suburban Directory. The school's buildings were clustered together; they all seemed to be of modern style and one-story in nature. The largest building with a steep roof shown in this March 4, 1958, photograph appeared to be the auditorium. Idlewild followed the new trend in wood framing and glue-lam beams for school construction. 70,000 feet of fir plywood was used for roof decking. Donald Burr was the architect for the project; Strom Construction was the contractor. Photograph ordered by Penman Neil, Inc. (TNT 2-9-58, A-19)

Idlewild Elementary School (Lakewood); Public schools--Lakewood;

Greeting card racks were on display at the University Place Pharmacy on March 1, 1958. Located on Aisle #10, gift wrapping, ribbons, and greeting cards of all varieties were within easy reach of customers. The two-sided racks with the semi-curved end had signs to identify different sections. The University Place Pharmacy was owned by Don Heerma and located in the University Place Shopping Center. Store hours were 10-9 daily and 11-7 on Sundays. Photograph ordered by Gibson Art Co.

Greeting cards; Merchandise displays--University Place; Drugstores--University Place; University Place Drugstore (University Place);

Clear blue sky can be seen through the unfinished roof and incomplete walls of housing being constructed on Fort Lewis in early 1958. Dimensional Lumber may have been used in the building of these multiple dwelling units. Fort Lewis' population continued to grow in the 1950's and more housing was necessary for military personnel. This may have been part of the six million dollar Capehart project at Fort Lewis. Capehart was housing built with private funds on military bases for officers and non-commissioned officers and their families. Financing was through FHA. The military wanted to offer attractive living accommodations to attract men from civilian ranks. Similar housing projects were being constructed at McChord Air Force Base. Photograph ordered by Weyerhaeuser Timber Co. (TNT 1-18-59, C-12)

Building construction--Fort Lewis; Housing--Fort Lewis; Plywood;

View of multiple dwelling units under construction on Fort Lewis. These military housing units appear to be in roughly the same stage of completion; wood frames are up including the roof trusses. This cluster of new units may have come equipped with carports or garages. They are surrounded by other, older houses/barracks. This new construction may have been part of the six million dollar Capehart project at Fort Lewis. The first segment of 375 new units was under construction with more to be built later. Capehart was housing built with private funding on military bases, financing through the FHA, for officers and non-commissioned officers and their families. The military was looking to expand housing on base to keep their men close at hand and thus needed to offer attractive living accommodations. Photograph ordered by Weyerhaeuser Timber Co. (TNT 1-18-59, C-12)

Building construction--Fort Lewis; Housing--Fort Lewis;

A young boy removes a belt from a hook placed in the doorway of a plywood closet. The versatile closet not only had space for hanging coats and shirts but also had separate sections in the doorway for belts, hats, socks and notebooks. Narrow shelves tidily kept smaller items from spilling onto the floor. This closet would be portable and a welcome addition to rooms without proper storage. Copy of customer's negative ordered by Douglas Fir Plywood Association.

Closets; Plywood; Belts (Clothing); Douglas Fir Plywood Association (Tacoma);

The Horace Mann Elementary School PTA was preparing for an upcoming carnival at the southend school. The baked salmon dinner and carnival was to be held on April 18, 1958 with a "Mother Goose in Outer Space" theme. Here a stuffed, or perhaps papier-mache, Mother Goose perches on a tinfoil log. A touch of the modern world intrudes with the addition of satellites and rockets as decorations; news of the Russian Sputnik had captivated the world in 1957. Mrs. Anton Gesinger, standing far right, headed the committee in charge of the event. Photograph ordered by Horace Mann PTA.

Tacoma Council of Parent-Teacher Associations (Tacoma); Horace Mann School (Tacoma); Public schools--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Ahlab Court, Ladies' Oriental Shrine of North America, welcome passengers aboard the well-known Steve's cable car on a wet February noontime. Some of them are wearing the traditional fez but others have on more daring "Hedda Hopper" creations. The women may have had their own "Oriental Band" similar to male Shriners; an accordion, banjo, and drums are visible. Photograph was taken on February 25, 1958, outside Steve's Gay '90s. Photograph ordered by Ahlab Court, Ladies' Oriental Shrine of North America.

Ahlab Court, Ladies' Oriental Shrine of North America (Tacoma); Fraternal organizations--Tacoma; Hats--1950-1960; Cable railroads--Tacoma;

Smoke drifts from a chimney toward the looming hills in Elbe on a rainy February day. The streets appear quiet with no visible traffic proceeding on the two-lane road. There are no cars outside the Chevron pumps at M. Gilliardi's Standard Oil station. A grocery store is further down the road across from a B & O boxcar. Elbe is a small community on the Nisqually River at the east end of Lake Alder in the south central section of Pierce County. Photograph ordered by Standard Oil Co. of California. TPL-8363

Standard Oil Co. of California (Elbe); Automobile service stations--Elbe; Signs (Notices);

Harold Stamey, owner of Stamey Insurance, sponsored several amateur baseball and basketball teams in the 1950's. During the 1957-58 season, he sponsored a rookie basketball team called the "Stamey's" composed of ten 10-year-olds. From L-R in the back row in February of 1958: Mr. Leon Cunningham, Larry Mock, Jerry Mock, Ronnie Lyons, Richard Dixon, Curtis Stamey and Mr. Harold Stamey. Front row, L-R, David Cooper, Ricky Nordquist, John Fishburn, Keith Smith and Buddy Brown. This photograph was taken in the Lincoln High School gym. Photograph ordered by Stamey Insurance.

Stamey Insurance Inc. (Tacoma); Basketball players--Tacoma--1950-1960; Basketball--Tacoma--1950-1960; Stamey, Harold; Stamey, Curtis; Cunningham, Leon;

In a scene reminiscent of the day after Christmas, anxious crowds pour into the Washington Hardware store to snap up bargains in hardware and sporting goods. Even the cold, damp weather is not enough to deter shoppers attending Washington Hardware's Washington Birthday Sales in 1958. As the crowds push through the doors, young boys who had hopped onto the store's thin cement wall try to maneuver their way over the bodies of others. As an added attraction, KTAC would be broadcasting direct from within the store. Photograph ordered by Washington Hardware Co.

Washington Hardware Co. (Tacoma); Shopping--Tacoma--1950-1960; Crowds--Tacoma;