ca. 1957. Nick's clothing store and Karl's Shoes were neighboring businesses in the Villa Plaza Shopping Center in 1957. Nick's was a boys and student shop and offered a handy layaway plan. It celebrated its grand opening August 8-10, 1957. Nick's also had a downtown store at 1124 Broadway which apparently closed in December of 1957. The store was owned by Phil Friedman and the Villa Plaza location managed by June Eckroth. Karl's Shoes were holding a back-to-school sale with the latest styles offered. Karl's, located at 10431 Gravelly Lake Dr. S.W., had its grand opening June 20-22, 1957. It was the second Karl's in the Tacoma area along with a downtown location at 1126 1/2 Broadway. Karl's, a family shoe store, had its headquarters in Los Angeles. The 52-year-old firm had 350 stores in the United States with more than 100 stores in the Greater Los Angeles area alone. The Villa Plaza store was under the management of Ronald D. Stenberg, a Stadium High School graduate and military veteran. (TNT 6-19-57, A-5-article on Karl's Shoes; TNT 8-7-57, B-8-article & alt. photograph of Nick's)
Nick's Boys & Student Shop (Lakewood); Karl's Shoes (Lakewood); Clothing stores--Lakewood--1950-1960; Shoe stores--Lakewood--1950-1960; Villa Plaza Shopping Center (Lakewood); Shopping centers--Lakewood--1950-1960;
ca. 1957. Exterior of Villa Plaza Garden Center. The Villa Plaza Garden Center was located in the new Villa Plaza Shopping Center at its SW corner next to Firestone. It was a subsidiary of Tacoma Seed Co. and celebrated its grand opening on October 28, 1957. Villa Plaza Garden Center was managed by M. R. Bishop and owned by Mr. and Mrs. Chen Rowe. The Rowe family had been associated with Tacoma's garden supply business for 40 years. (TNT 10-27-57, A-6 - Ad; B-9-photograph; TNT 11-5-57, D-11-ad, text only)
Villa Plaza Garden Center (Lakewood); Gardening equipment & supplies; Villa Plaza Shopping Center (Lakewood); Shopping centers--Lakewood--1950-1960;
ca. 1957. Ghilarducci's Villa Plaza Florists. Located in the newly opened Villa Plaza Shopping Center, Ghilarducci's store was was designed with large glass walls including a modern glass entrance so that the various flowers and gift items could easily be seen from the exterior. It was managed by Charlotte Gronlund and was the third Ghilarducci's Florists in Pierce County. (TNT Ad 6-2-57, D-7-alt. photograph)
Ghilarducci's Villa Plaza Florists (Lakewood); Florist shops--Lakewood; Villa Plaza Shopping Center (Lakewood); Shopping centers--Lakewood--1950-1960;
ca. 1957. Architectural model. An architectural model, believed to be of the Nell Hoyt Primary School complete with artificial trees and toy traffic, was created perhaps in 1957. The school, which was designed by noted architect Robert Billsbrough Price and built in 1958, appears very modern in design, composed of four square buildings with domed roofs connected to one another, and a glassed-in structure which may have been the cafeteria or auditorium. A playground with swings and sandboxes separates the two distinct sections. 35 mm slides were made from the customer's negatives as requested by the Douglas Fir Plywood Association; date of original negative is unknown but slides were made on September 23, 1957. (Additional information provided by a reader)
Architectural models; Douglas Fir Plywood Association (Tacoma);
ca. 1957. Copy of customer print. Mrs. Thomas Murphy, the former Billie Jean Rust, a small boy, and two poodles sit behind the steering wheel of a pleasure craft. Mrs. Murphy and the child are dressed in summer gear. She is the granddaughter of prominent businessman William R. Rust, after whom the community of Ruston was named. The date of the original print is unknown; sepia copy of the print was made on December 21, 1957.
ca. 1957. Copy of customer print. Construction continues on the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum in New York City in 1957. Workers swarm busily about the huge structure. Plywood forms are in place and one level of the steel-reinforced concrete ramp has already been built. Industrialist and patron of the arts Guggenheim commissioned noted architect Frank Lloyd Wright to design an original building for the display of the growing collection of contemporary art which he had bequeathed to the public. The circular shape of its galleries and the gently sloping ramp which winds its way around the building will be symbolic of a new era in the display of art. It was Wright's intention to have architecture appear plastic, one floor flowing into another, more like sculpture, rather than be superimposed in stratified layers. Thus having walls which slant gently outward forming a giant spiral would provide a new unity between the viewer, painting and architecture. Guggenheim died in 1949 but was able to approve Wright's design before his death; Frank Lloyd Wright's only major work in New York City was very nearly completed before he passed away. View of building construction taken possibly in the spring or summer of 1957; a glimpse of the Central Park West reservoir can be spotted beyond the ridge of trees on Fifth Avenue. Copy of print was made on March 25, 1958. Photograph ordered by Douglas Fir Plywood Association. (Wright: The Solomon Guggenheim Museum)
Building construction--New York--New York City; Samuel R. Guggenheim Museum (New York City, NY); Plywood; Douglas Fir Plywood Association (Tacoma);
ca. 1957. This "L" shaped contemporary Northwest home was built by the Tacoma Master Builders Association in 1957. Built basically of wood with some brick facing, the home has attractive shutters and an attached one-car garage. Tall trees would provide shade during hot summer months. See D105170-3 for another view of the home. This Sherman L. Rowland-built home was chosen as the 1957 Tacoma Home Show model home. Called "Oakhurst," it would be open to the public on the Home Show opening day, March 19, 1957. The house was located in the Southgate neighborhood at 10103 Montrose Avenue S.W. Photograph ordered by Tacoma Master Builders Association. (TNT 3-19-57, C-5)
Houses--Lakewood--1950-1960; Tacoma Master Builders Association (Tacoma); Greater Tacoma Home Show (Tacoma);
ca. 1957. This house was built under the guidance of the Tacoma Master Builders Association in 1957. The L-shaped contemporary home was primarily constructed of Northwest woods with brick facing. The one-car garage was attached to the longer side of the "L." The home, called "Oakhurst," was the 1957 Tacoma Home Show model home. It was built by Sherman L. Rowland; Rowland also received the honor of building the 1954 Home Show model home, TX 101. The model strolling from the house is Shirley Vanek. According to the 1957 City Directory, Mrs. Vanek was a cashier at the Commonwealth Title Insurance Company. Photograph ordered by the Tacoma Master Builders Association. (TNT 3-3-57, C-18, TNT 3-19-57, C-5)
Houses--Lakewood--1950-1960; Tacoma Master Builders Association (Tacoma); Vanek, Shirley;
ca. 1957. A young couple and two children pose for this sepia photograph in 1957. They may have attended a wedding; the man has a carnation boutonniere and the woman an attractive hair ornament and a pearl necklace. The two girls are wearing identical flowered dresses and pert little hats. Photograph ordered by Mrs. Gail Kaup.
ca. 1957. G.W. Paulson Co. store at the Villa Plaza Shopping Center, circa 1957. Just three years after the opening of their store at 12th & Martin Luther King Jr. Way (then "K" St.), the Paulson Co. opened another store in Lakewood's Villa Plaza Shopping Center with a three-day celebration starting on May 16, 1957. As viewed through the expansive windows, the firm sold name brand linoleum, carpet, floor and wall tile, blinds and formica. Paulson's were specialists in all types of floor coverings. Their Villa Plaza branch was set up to better serve the Lakewood area. Robert Paulson was the company's co-owner and manager with C.K. Heath as the first manager of the Villa Plaza store. (TNT 5-15-57, A-13-article; TNT 8-7-57, B-17 - alt. photograph; B-18-article)
G.W. Paulson Co. (Lakewood); Floor coverings; Merchandise displays--Lakewood--1950-1960; Villa Plaza Shopping Center (Lakewood); Shopping centers--Lakewood--1950-1960;
ca. 1957. Copy of customer print. The do-it-yourself handyman special was in full tilt during the 1950's. Consumers discovered that they could put together furniture, toys, and other wooden items using convenient instructions. As this undated photograph shows, even youngsters could fit together plywood pieces to make toys, and possibly chairs and tables. Date of original print is unknown; copy of print was made on May 17, 1957. Photograph ordered by the Douglas Fir Plywood Association.
Plywood; Toys; Douglas Fir Plywood Association (Tacoma);
ca. 1957. According to the History of Pierce County, Vol. 1, the congregation of the First Presbyterian Church predates the official founding of the City of Tacoma. Seven people met on July 27, 1873, to establish the "Tacoma Presbyterian Church," eight months before the authorization of a town government. In its long history, church members have worshipped in one town hall and three church edifices. The magnificent Romanesque building was designed by noted church architect, Ralph Adams Cram of Boston; it was dedicated on September 20, 1925. In 1984, a new Swiss tower clock was added to the structure. Photograph ordered by First Presbyterian Church. (History of Pierce County, Vol. 1, p. 450) TPL-10105
First Presbyterian Church (Tacoma); Presbyterian churches--Tacoma;
ca. 1957. Employees at the new King's are possibly preparing for a noon rush in 1957 as they are applying relish and pre-wrapping burgers. The drive-in featured Medosweet dairy products including Smitty freeze cones for 5 and 10 cents and hard ice cream. Prawns could be purchased for 65 cents and hot dogs cost a quarter. Signs assured the public that only the finest of meat cuts were served from King's own Sunset Markets. King's #2 on Wakefield Dr. (now South Tacoma Way), just off Pacific Avenue, was designed by owner Werner Schmid to run efficiently and provide excellent customer service. Schmid was the owner of the Smitty Drive-In restaurants; King's #2 was the latest of five in the Tacoma area. Photograph ordered by Smitty's Drive-In. (TNT 9-11-57, D-3)
ca. 1957. A bright neon sign pointed the way to the new Kings drive-in restaurant at 315 Wakefield Dr. (now South Tacoma Way) in late summer, 1957. A delicious burger could be purchased there for only 19 cents. The small brick building had expansive glass windows and fluorescent lighting; the parking area was still unfinished. King's #2 celebrated its grand opening on September 12, 1957, with food specials and orchids for the ladies. Owner Werner Schmid was well-known for his clean restaurants and fine service. In addition to King's #2, Mr. Schmid owned Smitty's Drive-In on Puyallup Ave., King's #1 on Pacific Ave., Smitty's Hilltop and the Burger Bowl. Werner Schmid died in January 1984 at the age of 78. Photograph ordered by Smitty's Drive-In. (TNT 9-11-57, D-3) TPL-8326
Kings (Tacoma); Drive-in restaurants--Tacoma--1950-1960; Restaurants--Tacoma--1950-1960; Electric signs--Tacoma--1950-1960;
ca. 1957. Lerner Shops for women and children at Lakewood's Villa Plaza Shopping Center. On June 6, 1957, the 252nd store in the Lerner Shops chain, and second in the Tacoma-area, opened at the Villa Plaza Shopping Center. It was the nation's largest women and children's apparel store. The 12,500 square foot store featured the latest in summer fashions for juniors, misses, women, children and girls. It also included a complete line of maternity wear. Lerner's advertised that "You don't have to be an heiress to look like a million!" The Villa Plaza store's first manager was Mrs. Eunice Grout and her staff of 35 all hailed from the Lakewood area. (TNT 6-5-57, A-9-article & ad)
Lerner Shops (Lakewood); Clothing stores--Lakewood--1950-1960; Villa Plaza Shopping Center (Lakewood); Shopping centers--Lakewood--1950-1960;
ca. 1957. Copy of customer print. A farrow of young pigs root around a dirt-filled pen; the pen is sheltered by a wooden roof with ventilation windows in the walls. A wooden chute protrudes into the pigpen: this may have been a feeding unit where food for the pigs could be easily funneled through. There are separate pens adjacent to the pigs which appear empty. Photograph ordered by Douglas Fir Plywood Association to be made from 35 mm slides. Date of original picture is unknown; copy was made on September 18, 1957.
Swine; Pig houses; Plywood; Douglas Fir Plywood Association (Tacoma);
Aerial photographs of the Middle Waterway and the Tideflats area were taken on behalf of Malcolm McGhie in December, 1957. The St. Paul & Tacoma Lumber Co. facilities, sawmill, and log ponds are toward the center of the photograph. The St. Regis plants are, with smokestacks billowing, are near the top of the picture. Forty-five years later, the Tideflats landscape would be quite transformed. The City Waterway (now Thea Foss Waterway), although not in this picture, would no longer have docks, plywood mills, shipyards and warehouses crowding its sides. A 29.3 million dollar Museum of Glass and the adjoining Chihuly Bridge of Glass would be the first of millions of dollars of improvement to the area. TPL-5893
Aerial photographs; Middle Waterway (Tacoma); St. Paul & Tacoma Lumber Co. (Tacoma); St. Regis Paper Co. (Tacoma)--1950-1960;
Newlyweds Robert F. and Luella H. Collins prepare to depart for their Canadian wedding trip as Mr. Collins clutches a multi-labeled suitcase with another at his feet. Labels indicating former stays in Honolulu, Brazil, and perhaps France and Switzerland are pasted on the luggage. Mrs. Collins, the former Luella H. Kuethe, has on a stylish white felt hat, navy blue suit, and calf-length fur coat. The couple were wed on December 27, 1957, in the Tower Chapel on the campus of Pacific Lutheran College. A reception was held at Barcott's. The hands on the grandfather clock behind them indicates it is nearly twelve, and time to leave. Sepia photograph ordered by Dorothy Hoffman.
Spotlights illuminate the frosted Christmas tree placed in the new kiosk located on the campus of Pacific Lutheran College. The kiosk was installed earlier in 1957 and served as an informational bulletin board for students. A couple stares admiringly at the Christmas motif on the various boards. Sepia photograph ordered by Luella Kuethe.
Christmas trees; Kiosks--Parkland; Pacific Lutheran College (Parkland)--1950-1960;
Baby chicks are kept warm under large heating units which can be raised or lowered by pulleys in a December 26, 1957, photograph. This may be a fairly large chicken farm since there are at least four heating units with many chickens peeking out from beneath, while others swallow feed or just roam. A little boy smilingly holds a chick gently in his clasped hands. Photograph ordered by Washington Cooperative Farmers Association.
Two large Saint Bernards stand guard on the concrete porch close to a little girl and her big brother. Even the smaller dog is nearly as tall as the mittened child on her scooter and may virtually outweigh her. The boy, bundled up in leather cap with ear flaps and warm corduroy-like coat, has one hand on the massive dog's collar. Photograph ordered by Washington Cooperative Farmers Association.
Publicity picture for March of Dimes. Jimmy Galagan holds a toy pistol, perhaps a Christmas gift, as he listens to the two kneeling men, co-chairmen of a March of Dimes benefit. Gil Schoeffler is holding up a poster for the Tacoma Moose Lodge's Talent Extravaganza benefit on behalf of the March of Dimes while R.W. Blasdell looks on. Donations of $1.00 would be accepted for the January 4, 1958, event to be held at the College of Puget Sound Field House. Twenty top acts would be appearing and all money collected would be sent to the Pierce County Chapter of the March of Dimes. An enthusiastic crowd of approximately 400 later attended the benefit performance where 5 1/2 year old Jimmy, son of the C./J. Galagans, was introduced as the "star" of the show. Photograph ordered by the March of Dimes. (TNT 12-29-57, A-4, TNT 1-5-58, C-11) TPL-10588
Galagan, Jimmy; Schoeffler, Gil; Blasdell, R.W.; March of Dimes (Tacoma); Orthopedic braces; Signs (Notices);
One can only guess what this particular skit was about but the Pacific Telephone & Telegraph Co. employees seem to be enjoying themselves during the company's annual Christmas breakfast at Wellman's. The actors appear to be participating with true gusto. Teas, award ceremonies, banquets, bowling teams were just some of the ways Pacific Telephone & Telegraph sought to foster camaraderie among workers. Photograph ordered by Pacific Telephone & Telegraph Co.
