ca. 1955. Students enjoy tasty meals at one of the dining halls on the Pacific Lutheran College campus in 1955, while lines of people wait to be seated. This may have been taken roughly around Thanksgiving, as trays are filled with plates of turkey, mashed potato, peas, and pumpkin pie. The dining hall appears to be very large with bright overhead lights and plenty of windows. The new dining hall seats 600 persons. Everything is new, including furniture, dishes, silverware, and even trays. Students who board at P.L.C. eat very well on $1.33 a day covering three meals. Photograph ordered by Pacific Lutheran College. (TNT 2-5-56, B-6) TPL-9320

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

ca. 1955. Tacoma Boat Building Co. on the Sitcum Waterway. The photograph is labelled 9-1-1955, but has a series number that belongs in 1956. The two buildings with the curved roofs are the dry docks for Tacoma Boat Building. Several large vessels being worked on rest in the water beside the boat company. Large log booms float there also. To the left lies the Henry D. Gee Co. grain storage building, with the C. M. ST. P. & P. terminals below. Below Tacoma Boats is the Milwaukee Boom Co. What appear to be railroad tracks run between Tacoma Boat and Henry Gee.

Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1950-1960; Tacoma Boat Building Co., Inc. (Tacoma); Henry D. Gee Co. (Tacoma);

ca. 1955. Copy of customer print. Two men are in the process of inspecting large steel machinery in a brightly lit plant. These may be plane engines. This photograph may have been taken in the mid-1950's. Photograph ordered by Douglas Fir Plywood Association. Copy of print was made in March, 1958.

Machinery; Engines;

Roadside traffic sign surrounded by hollyhocks and shrubs, for the DFPA.

Traffic signs & signals; Signs (Notices);

ca. 1955. A man stands in a doorway at the end of a long corridor of rolls of paper. The man is dwarfed by the seemingly ends rolls of paper in this proportional long shot. This room is probably a storage room at one of the paper and pulp plants.

Paper--Tacoma; Paper industry--Tacoma; Paper products;

ca. 1955. Mary Bridge Children's Hospital opened in March of 1955, serving as a general hospital for children ages infancy through 14 years. The hospital was built with the combined funds of the Dr. A.W. Bridge estate, the Tacoma Orthopedic Association and the William R. Rust trust. It was named after Mary Bridge, mother of medical pioneer Dr. Albert W. Bridge and designed by John W. Maloney, Lea, Pearson & Richards, Architects. Mary Bridge began with 40 beds but was designed and built with an eye toward growth, allowing for a 100-bed capacity with three stories. In 1955, only 2 floors were in use with the third enclosed but not finished or furnished until it was needed. The hospital was of modern concrete fireproof construction with three sections of parking, two modern surgeries and a guest room for out of town mothers. Photograph ordered by the Tacoma Orthopedic Association. (TNT 1-20-1955, pg. B-3)

Mary Bridge Children's Hospital (Tacoma); Hospitals--Tacoma--1950-1960;

ca. 1955. Architectural drawing of Engineer Aviation building, Camp Murray, Wa. McGuire & Muri, Architects. Camp Murray was located on American Lake. It served as the military headquarters of the state of Washington and the Washington National Guard. It was named for a stream running through the property, which in turn was named for the Murray family. Henry Murray arrived in the northwest on the first American ship to visit Puget Sound on a commercial venture and settled east of Steilacoom..

Military camps--Camp Murray;

ca. 1955. Artists rendering of Puyallup Junior High School, Robert Billsbrough Price, A.I.A. The structure consists of three main units grouped around a paved outdoor social court. Covered walkways will protect the students as they go from building to building. Most classes would be in the "L" shaped building which would also contain the Administrative offices. The "cafetorium" would contain the music rooms, stage, cafeteria and boiler room. The cafetorium could seat 1,000 and was divided into 2 sections with collapsible doors.The third building would contain Physical Education rooms, showers and dressing rooms. The school site was located on 3rd St. SE, between 4th & 7th Ave. The completed school would contain 14 general classrooms, 11 specialty area rooms (science, art, music and shop), 4 physical education stations and accomodate 750-800 students. Plant cost is projected at $850,000 with an additional $50,000 in equipment. Work would begin in the summer of 1955 with opening projected for 1956. The steel frame structure was the first school to be designed based on community, teacher and student input. The school did open in 1956, but at a cost of $1,120,000 and housed 800 7-9th graders. (TNT 4/15/1955, pg. B-10, 8/7/1955, pg. C-16, 8/15/1956, pg. B-10)

Puyallup Junior High School (Puyallup); Public schools--Puyallup--1950-1960;

ca. 1955. A woman in western style riding gear sits astride a horse and is being awarded a ribbon by a woman in formal English hunt attire. Photograph ordered by the Woodbrook Hunt Club. The Woodbrook Hunt Club's 1955 Spring Horse Show was held May 21-22, 1955 in the covered arena at the Woodbrook Stables. It featured exhibitions by the Pierce County Sheriff's Posse, square dancing on horseback by the Lariettes and a style show of what the best dressed horsewoman wears for Western riding, to an English hunt or square dancing. Also featured was competition in different horseback skills and on different breeds of horses. (TNT 5/15/1955, pg. D-1& D-2)

Horses--Lakewood--1950-1960; Horseback riding--Lakewood--1950-1960; Clothing & dress--Lakewood--1950-1960; Woodbrook Hunt Club (Lakewood); Woodbrook Stables (Lakewood);

ca. 1955. The lovely Miss Marion Gabrielson of Eugene, Oregon, will be crowned 1955 May Queen at Pacific Lutheran College. Her coronation would take place during a program on May 4, 1955, in the college gym. She was a senior nursing education student. She poses here on the campus grounds in front of what is probably the Science Hall. She is dressed formally in an evening gown and holds a bouquet of spring daffodils and forsythia. (TNT 5/1/1955, pg. D-1, 5/5/1955, pg. A-8)

Pacific Lutheran College (Parkland)--1950-1960; Students--Parkland--1950-1960; Gabrielson, Marion; Beauty contestants--Parkland--1950-1960; Evening gowns--1950-1960;

ca. 1955. Dick Tracy's famous visage appears on the black & white television set located in this entertainment center. A smiling man in houndstooth jacket turns the knobs to perhaps adjust the picture. The television set could be hidden behind small wooden doors when not in use. Books and records are stored on the shelves next to the television. Built to fit in a corner, this entertainment center was probably state-of-the-art in the mid-50s.

Televisions--1950-1960; Phonographs; Bookcases--Tacoma--1950-1960;

ca. 1955. An exterior view of the Student Union Building at Pacific Lutheran College. This building was constructed in 1947 on the foundation of the gym that was destroyed by fire in 1946. It was designed by Lea, Pearson and Richards, Architects. During its use as the Student Union, it served as the center of student social and extra curricular activities. It contained a bookstore, coffee shop, recreation room, student lounge, auditorium, and stage. It was replaced in 1955-56 by a larger and more modern Student Union and this structure was converted to classrooms.

Universities & colleges--Parkland; Pacific Lutheran College (Parkland)--Buildings; Pacific Lutheran College (Parkland)--1950-1960;

ca. 1955. Nalley Valley Fire Station, Engine Company #17 located in the industrial section near So. 35th St. and Union Ave. The station was designed by Robert Billsbrough Price, architect, of frame construction. It contained an area of 5,200 sq. ft. The outside was dark stained textured plywood contrasting with light colored stucco. It was Tacoma's first one floor fire station. The station began operation in March of 1955. Information received from a reader indicates that this station is now closed. Engine #17 was relocated to the City of Fircrest's fire station and that station re-designated as Station #17 when Tacoma assumed fire protection responsibility for Fircrest. The building at 3471 South 35th still exists and remains owned by the Tacoma Fire Department. It has been heavily remodeled and no longer resembles a fire station from street view. (TNT 1/9/1955) (Additional information obtained from a reader)

Fire stations--Tacoma--1950-1960;Tacoma Fire Department, Engine Company #17 (Tacoma);

ca. 1955. Artist's rendering of Harvard Elementary School, Franklin Pierce School District 402. Lea, Pearson & Richards, Architects. Gilbert M. Wojawn, Associate, 2-16-1954. The one story school with eleven classrooms would be constructed in the Midland district, near the intersection of So. 84th and Portland Ave. It was of reinforced concrete construction and faced with brick on the front side. Built at a cost of $316,477, the school could accomodate 300 -350 students. It was anticipated that the school would be completed by the 1955 Fall term. The school was arranged "campus" style, in keeping with the Franklin Pierce district. C.E. Skinner & Co. were the contractors. (TNT 5/15/1955, pg C-18)

Public schools--Midland; Harvard Elementary (Midland); Renderings;

ca. 1955. Pacific Oerlikon Co. Four workers gingerly lower a large and fragile circuit breaker using ropes and pulleys. The company manufactured giant electronic components for use by the power suppliers.

Pacific Oerlikon Co. (Tacoma); Electrical apparatus; Electrical apparatus industry--Tacoma--1950-1960; Electronic industry--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Portrait of Ben Cheney, Cheney Lumber Company. In 1936, Cheney bought his first lumber mill and began aggressively marketing eight foot, two by four "shorts". His "Cheney Studs", sporting a horse logo and painted, red wax ends, set the standard for the eight-foot residential ceiling height in the United States. Cheney shared the wealth of business success. He lived out his benevolent life in the Tacoma area from 1924 until he died in 1971. (Nicholson, Med. "Ben Cheney", manuscript, 3/22/2000). TPL-6322.

Portraits; Cheney, Ben B., 1905-1971;

A lighted star guides visitors to the Nativity scene of Mary with baby Jesus in her arms at the Calvary Catholic Cemetery. A simple statement of "Let Us Adore Him" rests among the holly before the figures. The plywood cutouts are flanked by two tall pillars of light in this December 31, 1954, photograph. Photograph ordered by Douglas Fir Plywood Association.

Cemeteries--Tacoma; Calvary Catholic Cemetery (Tacoma); Creches (Nativity scenes)--Tacoma; Plywood; Christmas decorations; Signs (Notices); Douglas Fir Plywood Association (Tacoma);

Christ's crucifixion in stone or marble appears to be on permanent display at the Calvary Catholic Cemetery. Two angels kneel in prayer on either side of the monument which is decorated in native greenery. Women are portrayed collapsed in grief while others stand and pray. The juxtaposition of plywood angels and stone sculpture apparently works; it is a pleasing blend of materials. The Calvary Catholic Cemetery was one of Tacoma's oldest, purchased in 1905 to be used as burial grounds for the area's Catholic community, and spanned 35 acres. Photograph ordered by Douglas Fir Plywood Association.

Cemeteries--Tacoma; Calvary Catholic Cemetery (Tacoma); Monuments & memorials--Tacoma; Sculpture; Douglas Fir Plywood Association (Tacoma);

Sections of the New Tacoma Cemetery remained in its natural state with looming fir trees and tall grass. In 1954, the large Nativity scene was positioned on a rough wooden stand with evergreen boughs over its roof while the Three Wise Men approached under the shade of an enormous tree. The painted cutouts were made of plywood and could be used more than once. Photograph ordered by Douglas Fir Plywood Association.

Creches (Nativity scenes)--Tacoma; Cemeteries--Tacoma; Christmas decorations; Plywood; New Tacoma Cemetery (Tacoma); Douglas Fir Plywood Association (Tacoma);

Another view of a Nativity scene at Calvary Catholic Cemetery was taken on December 31, 1954. This was photographed during daylight hours but still shows the plywood cutouts of Mary and baby Jesus in great detail. The creche is located before a brick house, perhaps the sexton's office or lounge, on part of the cemetery's 35 acres. The wooden materials blend with the attending fir trees to become a part of the natural landscaping. Photograph ordered by Douglas Fir Plywood Association. TPL-8112

Cemeteries--Tacoma; Calvary Catholic Cemetery (Tacoma); Creches (Nativity scenes)--Tacoma; Plywood; Christmas decorations; Signs (Notices); Douglas Fir Plywood Association (Tacoma);

St. Regis Paper Co. at night with lighted Christmas display on top of building. Union Oil and its tanks with the famous 76 logo are in the right foreground on the City (now Foss) Waterway.

Paper industry--Tacoma--1950-1960; St. Regis Paper Co. (Tacoma)--1950-1960; Christmas decorations; Union Oil Co. of California (Tacoma);

Christmas decorations at Bob Tribensen's house for the DFPA. A solitary angel stands guard outside the window, flanked by two stars. A shadow is thrown by one of the stars onto the siding of the house, which is decorated by strings of holiday lights.

Christmas decorations;

The birth of the baby Jesus takes center stage in this roof top holiday decoration, as Santa stands to one side, at 6421 Vickery Ave. The one story rambler has a unique angled roof line. The fence to the viewer's left has shelves with potted plants, while built in planter boxes line the front of the home. A woodsy undeveloped area can be seen to the rear of the house.

Houses--Puyallup--1950-1960; Creches (Nativity scenes)--Puyallup--1950-1960; Christmas decorations;

Night exposure of Christmas decorations at Sprague Hardware Co. The three Kings approach the baby Jesus cradled in the stable against a painted mural of Bethlehem. Sprague Hardware was owned by Guy B. and Gordon L. Sprague. A sign in the window promotes "do it yourself tools" for home handymen. The building is of concrete construction, circa 1908, and originally housed Owen N. Johns Grocery.

Sprague Hardware Co. (Tacoma); Christmas decorations; Creches (Nativity scenes)--Tacoma; Hardware stores--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Santa seems to have enlisted the aid of the seven dwarfs, rather than the elves, in this rooftop display on the Farm Restaurant on the Seattle Highway (Hwy 99.) This holiday scene atop The Farm retained for Mr. & Mrs. Stan Koskovich, operators of The Farm, the gold trophy that they won the previous year in Federal Way's first Christmas Lane Contest.

Christmas decorations; Farm (Federal Way);

Nighttime exposure of Christmas display on The Farm on the Seattle Highway. For same display in daylight, see D 87610 #3. Lights illuminate Santa in his sleigh over the "snow" and evergreens of the North Pole while the seven dwarfs work on the other half of the roof. Twinkling lights are strung in the evergreens at the front of the house. This display helped Mr. & Mrs. Stan Koskovich, operators of The Farm, to retain their gold trophy for best display in Federal Way's second annual Christmas Lane Contest.

Christmas decorations; Farm (Federal Way);

Pennsylvania Salt Manufacturing Co. of Washington; yard employees' Christmas party. The lone female at this gathering laughs out loud while the man behind her seems to be offering to help her with her soup. The Pennsalt plant manufactured chemicals used in industrial processing, sanitation and also insect irradication. The company later changed its name to Penwalt.

Pennsylvania Salt Manufacturing Co. of Washington (Tacoma)--Employees; Chemical industry--Tacoma--1950-1960; Factories--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Lundgren Dealers Supplies Inc.; personnel. Lundgren Supplies dealt in building materials. Arthur E. Lundgren was president and Ephriam Klopstein was vice-president. In this Christmas Eve photo, employees pose in front of stacks of lumber in what appears to be a warehouse. The two women wear dresses and most of the men are wearing suits and ties.

Lundgren Dealers Supplies Inc. (Tacoma)--employees; Building materials industry--Tacoma--1950-1960;