The Greater Sixth Avenue Inc., a business and civil organization, presented a plaque of appreciation to Officer Evan W. "Skip" Davies during a luncheon held at the Towers Restaurant on June 29, 1954. He was recognized for his leadership in youth activities in the Sixth Avenue district. Officer Davies was a policeman for the City of Tacoma. He had served Sixth Avenue for four years. From left to right with Officer Davies are: J.C. Beckman, Ed Rich, Fred Diamond, and Howard Godfrey. (TNT 6-30-54, B-5)

Awards; Police--Tacoma--1950-1960; Davies, Evan W.;

A model graciously demonstrates the features of the "hi-fidelity" cabinet in a June 29, 1954, photograph. The large wooden cabinet has tiny, dark heart-shaped handles. The television set may be on a rotating wheel so it can be positioned to best face its audience and the wooden column may be removeable. At least one speaker can be spotted in the screened space below the television. Photograph ordered by Douglas Fir Plywood Association.

Cabinets (Case furniture); Televisions--1950-1960; Douglas Fir Plywood Association (Tacoma);

John W. Jankanish farm, Rt. 2, Box 660, Tacoma. View of cultivated, fenced land and trees. Large, industrial complex in distant background.

Farms--Tacoma; Farmhouses--Tacoma; Jankanish, John W.--Homes & haunts; Fences;

John W. Jankanish farm, Rt. 2, Box 660, Tacoma. Gravel road leading to farm.

Farms--Tacoma; Jankanish, John W.--Homes & haunts;

A June 29, 1954, photograph shows a handy storage unit built onto the side of a home's carport. It is protected from the elements by an extended portion of the carport's roof. A young woman has the door of the storage unit open; she is apparently in the process of lifting a manual lawn mower. Built-in shelves hold lawn care and gardening supplies; a coiled hose also has a designated spot. Photograph ordered by Douglas Fir Plywood Association.

Garages; Sheds; Gardening equipment & supplies; Hoses; Douglas Fir Plywood Association (Tacoma);

View of garden caddy on lawn of lakeside home. A caddy on wheels was a convenient way for gardeners to transport tools and plants. Constructed of wood, this garden caddy was triangular shaped with shelves to hold plants and water cans; shovels, rakes and spades could be hung on its sides. It apparently was pulled by a long, sturdy rope. Photograph ordered by Douglas Fir Plywood Association.

Gardening equipment & supplies; Shovels; Douglas Fir Plywood Association (Tacoma);

Exterior of Woolworth store. Long a downtown Tacoma fixture, the F.W. Woolworth Co. store was built on the Fidelity Building site at 9th and Broadway and celebrated its grand opening in November, 1950. The four story building had entrances both on Broadway and on Commerce Street. Thousands of shoppers flocked to Woolworth's during its tenure as Tacoma's premier five-and-dime store until its closure in 1993. View of Woolworth Building on Broadway with Rust Building in background. TPL-9909

F.W. Woolworth Co. (Tacoma); Variety stores--Tacoma;

Interior of Bank of California. Sailors and civilians alike utilized the services of the Bank of California in June, 1954. The Italian Renaissance-styled building was built in 1928 by J.E. Bonnell & Son, contractors, and designed by architect John Graham. Graham later was the architect for the Medical Arts Building. The interiors of the Bank of California building contained walnut and Travertine masonry and many arched windows. As shown here, the bank's lobby was very spacious with an abundance of teller windows. The enormously high ceilings, chandeliers and wall sconces provided an elegant, almost cathedral atmosphere. TPL-8453

Lobbies--Tacoma--1950-1960; Banks--Tacoma; Bank of California National Association (Tacoma);

There was a happy gathering of friends and family on June 22, 1954, as they celebrated the 50th wedding anniversary of Lewis C. and Ada Williams. 39 people pose in front of the Williams' home at 124 Linden in this sepia photograph. Ten of the Williams' eleven children were present, the only exception being Doris (James) Franklin who was in Austria. Mr. and Mrs. Williams were married in Bismarck, North Dakota on June 22, 1904 and came to Tacoma in 1918. Beside their eleven children, they had 31 grandchildren and 8 great-grandchildren. (TNT 6-26-54, p. 5)

Anniversaries--Tacoma--1950-1960; Celebrations--Tacoma--1950-1960; Group portraits--1950-1960; Williams, Lewis C.; Williams, Ada;

The Tacoma Country & Golf Club was the setting for a luncheon honoring the women attending the Washington State Bankers Association meeting in late June, 1954. Six bankers' wives are pictured on the lawn of the country club in the shade of a large tree. They took advantage of the first day of summer to enjoy the luncheon and bridge party. From left to right are: Mrs. C.T. Chandler, Mrs. James G. Fowler, Mrs. Frank Langer, Mrs. Arthur Ganson, Mrs. Everett E. Reese and Mrs. Lyal Stringham. (TNT 6-22-54, p. 8)

Women--Clothing & dress--Lakewood--1950-1960; Tacoma Country & Golf Club (Tacoma); Group portraits;

Group portrait of banker association retired presidents. Reno Odlin, president of Puget Sound National Bank, hosted a reunion of Washington State Bankers Association's past presidents on June 20, 1954. Prior to the dinner in the Wedgewood Room, Winthrop Hotel, the group met at Mr. Odlin's home overlooking Commencement Bay. Reno Odlin is standing to the extreme right in the group portrait. He was the convention president in 1942. The Bankers Association was holding their 58th annual conference with 375 delegates in attendance; this was the first time since 1940 that the convention had been held in Tacoma. (TNT 6-21-54, A-1)

Washington State Bankers Association (Tacoma); Odlin, Reno, 1897-1979; Bankers--Tacoma--1950-1960; Group portraits;

In 1954 Tacoma had its own toy factory, the Tacoma Metal Products Company, located at 414-16 Puyallup Avenue. Workers at the manufacturing plant are pictured using a primitive looking assembly line. During the assembly line process, toy tea kettles are painted, parts assembled, polished and then placed in small boxes. A thin conveyor belt moves the tiny tea kettles from one worker to another.

Tacoma Metal Products Co., Inc. (Tacoma); Assembly-line methods--Tacoma; Toys; Toy industry--Tacoma;

Parker Pens had a nationwide promotion of their new Jotter ball pen in 1954. The Stationers, Inc, prominently displayed samples of the new pen in their front windows. The Jotter came in three point sizes--fine, medium and broad, four colors and promised to last six times longer than the average ball pen. The rotating ball seat prevented wear and leaking. The Stationers, Inc., had two locations in downtown Tacoma. They were complete office outfitters; besides office supplies, they sold desks, chairs, typewriters, filing equipment and engineering supplies. The 1954 City Directory listed C. Howard Armstrong as president with J.F. Wilhelmi as vice-president/treasurer. View of Stationers' display window photographed at night; abundant signs promoting Parker Jotter ball pens.

Window displays--Tacoma; Pens; Stationers, Inc. (Tacoma); Signs (Notices);

An unidentified little girl clutches a box of crackers while Jean Brown examines an item from her cold storage locker at the University Place Thomas Brothers' Foodliner supermarket, 8425 - 27th St. W., in June, 1954. Because large home freezer units were not readily available, supermarkets were adding frozen food lockers for shoppers' convenience. A customer could rent the freezer for a period of time, usually a year, and be able to retrieve her frozen items while dressed comfortably for supermarket shopping. The "Cold Cache" brand of storage lockers found at the Foodliner store were manufactured locally by Room-Temp Lockers, Inc. Photograph ordered by Condon Advertising.

Freezers; Thomas Bros. Foodliner (University Place);

Copy of customer's print of outdoor screen. This large motion picture screen is apparently used for drive-in theaters. It looms upward, many feet higher than the surrounding fence. The screen is attached to what appears to be a sturdy wood wall. The copy of this customer's print was made on June 14, 1954; location of the drive-in theater is unknown. Tacoma had more than one drive-in theater at that time and there was also one located in Fife. Photograph ordered by Douglas Fir Plywood Association.

Drive-in theaters; Douglas Fir Plywood Association (Tacoma);

In June of 1954, customers at Scotty's Cafe, 29 Tacoma Ave. North, could purchase Tray Vittles, "delicious foods served conveniently", packaged in easy-to-carry boxes. The complete hot dinners, which might have included soup, burgers & fries, turkey and mashed potatoes, and a large wedge of pie, could be consumed at home, in hotel rooms, offices, banquets, and even in cars. In this customer's print made in June, 1954, Beverly "Bev" Loska, dressed tidily in white cap and uniform, displays boxes of Tray Vittles. Scotty's Cafe was owned by Joseph W. Carbone. TPL-2580

Food--Tacoma--1950-1960; Scotty's Cafe (Tacoma);

Annabelle Joan Breland, daughter of John and Lula C. Breland, and Robert Lee Swanson wedding and reception at Immanuel Lutheran Church, 7th Street and Main Avenue, Puyallup. Bride and groom receiving vows at altar in modern church on June 10, 1954.

Weddings--Puyallup--1950-1960; Breland, Annabelle Joan--Marriage; Brides--1950-1960; Grooms (Weddings)--1950-1960; Immanuel Lutheran Church (Puyallup);

Television host and columnist Ed Sullivan met with Tacoma heavyweight boxer Pat McMurtry and his brother, Mike (far right), outside Ray Ridge Lincoln-Mercury at 124 Tacoma Avenue on June 9, 1954. Mr. Sullivan was in town to help lay the cornerstone for the new Mary Bridge Children's Hospital at 311 South L Street. He was guest speaker at the ceremony and later attended a large celebratory luncheon at the Masonic Temple. ALBUM 7.

Sullivan, Ed, 1902-1974; Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1950-1960; Ray Ridge Motors, Inc. (Tacoma); McMurtry, Pat; McMurtry, Mike;

Well-known newspaper, radio and television personality Ed Sullivan arrived in Tacoma in June, 1954, to participate in the cornerstone laying ceremony for Mary Bridge Children's Hospital. Mr. Sullivan was the host of the hour-long variety show, "Toast of the Town". He had been the first to introduce Jack Benny to radio audiences in 1932 and lyric soprano Margaret Truman made her debut on his television show in 1952. Mr. Sullivan was expected to comment on the growing need for children's hospitals in America. Mary Bridge Children's Hospital had an estimated cost of $900,000; it would be a two-story structure built on South "L" Street between 3rd and 4th Streets. Initially, it would have forty beds for children ranging from babies to 14 year olds. Photograph ordered by Tacoma Orthopedic Association. (TNT 5-20-54, C-2)

Cornerstone laying--Tacoma; Mary Bridge Children's Hospital (Tacoma); Sullivan, Ed, 1902-1974;

Television host and columnist Ed Sullivan is welcomed to Ray Ridge Lincoln-Mercury on Tacoma Avenue South after his arrival on June 9, 1954, for the laying of the cornerstone on the new Mary Bridge Children's Hospital. Mr. Sullivan received a TPD motorcycle escort and a ride in a new convertible courtesy of Mr. Ridge's dealership. Ray Ridge is on the right in the light suit; man shaking hands with Mr. Sullivan is tentatively identified as Judge George Boldt. Mr. Ridge, Mr. Sullivan and Judge Boldt would be among the honored guests at a 1500 person celebration of the new hospital held at the Masonic Temple's Fellowship Hall. ALBUM 7.

Sullivan, Ed, 1902-1974; Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1950-1960; Ray Ridge Motors, Inc. (Tacoma); Ridge, Ray; Shaking hands--Tacoma;

In June of 1954, television host and columnist Ed Sullivan flew out to the Puget Sound region to make a series of personal appearances. On Sunday June 9th at 10:15 a.m. he signed autographs at Ray Ridge Motors, 124 Tacoma Avenue So. He then was provided a police motorcycle escort to 3rd and "L" where at 11:00 a.m., he helped Mayor Tollefson lay the cornerstone for the Mary Bridge Children's Hospital. In this photograph, Ed Sullivan, the host of "Toast of the Town," signs an autograph for an unidentified young girl as an Army officer looks on at Ray Ridge Lincoln-Mercury. Others await their turn for Mr. Sullivan's signature. ALBUM 7.

Sullivan, Ed, 1902-1974; Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1950-1960; Ray Ridge Motors, Inc. (Tacoma); Autographing--Tacoma;

Arrival of television host and columnist Ed Sullivan at Ray Ridge Lincoln-Mercury at 124 Tacoma Avenue So. for a personal appearance in June, 1954. Mr. Sullivan's very popular variety television show of the 1950s is noted for introducing many new entertainers. Standing next to Mr. Sullivan is dealership owner Ray H. Ridge. His Lincoln-Mercury automobile dealership opened in 1946. It closed after his death in 1964. TPL-140 ALBUM 7.

Sullivan, Ed, 1902-1974; Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1950-1960; Ray Ridge Motors, Inc. (Tacoma); Ridge, Ray;

Television host and columnist Ed Sullivan signs autographs for delighted youngsters at the Ray Ridge Lincoln-Mercury on Tacoma Avenue during a personal appearance on June 9, 1954. Framed Norman Rockwell print of Henry, Edsel and Henry Ford II, issued for the Ford Golden Anniversary in 1953, on wall. Dealership owner Ray Ridge and former Tacoma mayor John Anderson look on with smiles. Mr. Sullivan, host of a popular variety show, was in Tacoma for the laying of the cornerstone of Mary Bridge Children's Hospital. Elvis Presley and the Beatles would make their television debuts on his program. ALBUM 7.

Sullivan, Ed, 1902-1974; Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1950-1960; Ray Ridge Motors, Inc. (Tacoma); Ridge, Ray; Anderson, John H.; Autographing--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Tacomans of all ages wait their turn to meet television host and columnist Ed Sullivan and to get his autograph at Ray Ridge Lincoln-Mercury on Tacoma Avenue during a personal appearance on June 9, 1954. While waiting they can check out the new 1954 Mercurys in the showroom. For 23 years, America invited Ed Sullivan into their homes on Sunday evenings for shows that featured opera, rock music, comedic acts, ballet and dramatic readings, often on the same telecast. The show's name changed from "Toast of the Town" to simply "The Ed Sullivan Show" in September, 1955. Mr. Sullivan's famous saying was "We have a 'really big shew' for you." The former journalist with the awkward wooden delivery also had a sentimental side which appeared in his conversations with the Italian mouse, Topo Gigio, and in his continuing press for more children's medical facilities. He was in Tacoma for the cornerstone ceremony at the new Mary Bridge Children's Hospital. ALBUM 7.

Sullivan, Ed, 1902-1974; Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1950-1960; Ray Ridge Motors, Inc. (Tacoma); Autographing--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Television host and columnist Ed Sullivan signs autographs and chats with fans at Ray Ridge Lincoln-Mercury on Tacoma Avenue during a personal appearance. Mr. Sullivan flew in on June 9, 1954, specifically for the cornerstone laying of the new Mary Bridge Children's Hospital. He delivered an address at the ceremony in which he remarked "This will always be my memory of Tacoma, one of human values and sacrifice." (TNT 6-9-54, p. 1) ALBUM 7.

Sullivan, Ed, 1902-1974; Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1950-1960; Ray Ridge Motors, Inc. (Tacoma); Autographing--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Crowd waiting for appearance of television host and columnist Ed Sullivan at Ray Ridge Motors on June 9, 1954. Sullivan made a brief publicity stop at the dealership prior to taking part in the cornerstone laying ceremonies for the new Mary Bridge Children's Hospital. Four Tacoma Police Department motorcycles await their riders; they are parked in front of a convertible in which Mr. Sullivan will be transported. There is a small banner welcoming Mr. Sullivan on the automobile. ALBUM 7.

Sullivan, Ed, 1902-1974; Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1950-1960; Ray Ridge Motors, Inc. (Tacoma); Motorcycles--Tacoma; Tacoma Police Department (Tacoma);

Display of office equipment. The H.D. Baker Company was a family owned and operated business; the company sold business machines including cash registers, typewriters and adding machines. In 1954, they were located in downtown Tacoma at 1015 Pacific Avenue. View of various models of cash registers, Remington and Smith-Corona manual typewriters, and Victor adding machines. Photograph ordered by Llewellyn Advertising. TPL-9383

H.D. Baker Co., Inc. (Tacoma); Office equipment & supplies; Cash registers; Calculators; Typewriters;

This was how the interior of Smitty's Hilltop Drive-In Restaurant, 2508 So. 38th St., appeared on June 8, 1954, prior to its Grand Opening. Houston O. Smith was listed in the 1955 City Directory as the owner of this drive-in restaurant. When it opened for business, it was the first of its type in Tacoma. Open seven days a week, Smitty's featured the famous 19 cent hamburger among other entrees, and customers were served minutes after their orders were placed. Mr. Smith had spent over a year doing research for the best possible design and operation. The site of Smitty's Hilltop Drive-In is now the massive Borders Books & Music store. (TNT 6-11-54, p. 13)

Smitty's Hilltop Drive-In Restaurant (Tacoma); Restaurants--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Employees of Globe Ticket Company of Washington pose for a group portrait in front of their McKinley Avenue location in June, 1954. The company had moved its business from South Chandler Street to 6002 McKinley Avenue in February, 1954. The business had grown, both in employee size and number of accounts, necessitating new quarters. Globe Ticket printed theater tickets and admission tickets for all kinds of entertainment. According to the 1954 City Directory, Harry L. Jackson remained as vice-president and general manager of Globe Ticket.

Globe Ticket Co. of Washington (Tacoma)--People; Group portraits--1950-1960; Printers; Printing--Tacoma;

A.B. Williams, Mrs. Max L. Maynard and Mrs. Harry Ketell admire prize-winning irises displayed at the Pierce County Iris Society's flower show in June, 1954. The event was held at the South Park Community Center. All three are gazing at the tall, stately Blue Rythmn iris entered by C.S. Shassey which had been awarded the "Best Specimen of Show". A ribbon had been placed on a smaller iris indicating that it had won the Artistic Sweepstakes category; it was Mrs. Ketell's entry. The theme of the show was "Iris on Parade." (TNT 6-3-54, B-2, TNT 6-6-54, A-9)

Pierce County Iris Society (Tacoma); Flowers--Tacoma; Flower shows--Tacoma--1950-1960; Awards; Ribbons; Williams, A.B.;