One of a series of aerial views, taken aboard a helicopter on April 2, 1973, of the Tacoma Mall area as requested by Puget Sound National Bank. This view is east from South 56th & Manitou area. The Tacoma Mall is upper center with I-5 running next to the shopping center. Heavily wooded area in direct center is part of South Park and also the Tacoma Cemetery, established in 1875. Northern Pacific Shops are lower center.
Aerial views; Neighborhoods--Tacoma--1970-1980; Tacoma Mall Shopping Center (Tacoma);
Aerial view on April 2, 1973, of the Nalley Valley and 38th St. interchange. Atlas Foundry is on the right side. The Tacoma Mall is left-center, adjacent to the freeway. There were a variety of ways to get to the Mall, including the heavily utilized South Pine and South 38th St. entrances. Less than nine years old and already boasting of several large department stores as well as specialty shops, the Mall was able to draw a shopping population from as far south as Olympia and from as far north as Seattle. Photograph ordered by Puget Sound National Bank.
Another in a series of aerial photographs taken on April 2, 1973, for Puget Sound National Bank regarding the Tacoma Mall and surrounding areas. The hundreds of automobiles in the parking lot appear the size of matchbox cars when viewed via helicopter on this sunny spring day. Parking was obviously no problem and the weather would not be a factor either, since the Tacoma Mall was an enclosed, climate-controlled shopping center. J.C. Penney, the Bon Marche, Nordstrom and the soon-to-be constructed Rhodes department store on the west side would be the four major stores anchoring the Mall. Separate buildings in the Mall area included (l-r)the Tacoma Mall Office Building, the Bon Marche Tire Center, the round Pacific National Bank of Washington and the Tacoma Mall Theatre.
Aerial views; Parking lots--Tacoma--1970-1980; Tacoma Mall Shopping Center (Tacoma); Shopping centers--Tacoma--1970-1980; Tacoma Mall Office Building (Tacoma); Tacoma Mall Theater (Tacoma); Pacific National Bank of Washington (Tacoma);
Closer look at the Tacoma Mall Shopping Center as seen by air on April 2, 1973. 25 more stores would open on July 25th bringing the total number of stores found within the Mall to 110. Construction would begin soon on the two-story Rhodes Bros. department store at the far west end. Prominent buildings easily noted in this photograph are the Bon Marche, which was the first occupant of the Mall; the luxurious Tacoma Mall Theatre (bottom center); Pacific National Bank of Washington's circular building; the Bon Marche Tire Center, directly across from the Bon and the six-story Tacoma Mall Office Building. What the Tacoma Mall enjoyed, and downtown shopping lacked, was an abundance of free parking and a climate controlled atmosphere. Access to the Mall was easy with several entrances and quick freeway travel time. The wooded area across the Mall on South 48th St. would eventually become Best Buy, a Pierce County Transit Center, and closer to Pine St., the Social Security office. Ordered by Puget Sound National Bank.
Aerial views; Tacoma Mall Shopping Center (Tacoma); Shopping centers--Tacoma--1970-1980; Parking lots--Tacoma--1970-1980; Bon Marche (Tacoma); Tacoma Mall Theater (Tacoma); Pacific National Bank of Washington (Tacoma); Tacoma Mall Office Building (Tacoma)
Aerial view of Tacoma's largest shopping center, the Tacoma Mall, on April 2, 1973. Traffic on I-5 flows quickly along and there was easy access to the shopping center. South 48th St. with its overpass over I-5 intersects with South Ferry at the Mall. The Allstate Insurance Co.district office is the large building at the southwest corner of South 48th & Ferry. The wooded area next to Allstate would later be developed. This view, looking north, shows the Mall in its entirety, including the separate structures of the Tacoma Mall Theatre, Pacific National Bank of Washington, and the Tacoma Mall Office Building. With 83 acres of land, there was plenty of room for free parking and also for later expansion. Rhodes department store had already announced plans to open a branch at the Mall; it would be built on the extreme far west section. This aerial also shows the Mall's surrounding neighborhoods including Lincoln Heights off 38th St. past the grove of evergreens. Photograph ordered by Puget Sound National Bankl.
The focus of this April, 1973, aerial is the Tacoma Mall Shopping Center and its environs. Located in the city's south end, the Tacoma Mall enjoyed easy access from the freeway and acres of free parking space. Customers could choose from about 100 stores, all under one climate-controlled roof. Rhodes Bros. would be the next large department store to open in the newly expanded Mall, a move that would eventually mean the closing of its flagship downtown location in late 1974. This view, looking east, also shows South Tacoma Way at the bottom. Photograph ordered by Puget Sound National Bank.
Northwest view from South 84th & Park Ave. This aerial look at Tacoma's south side was taken on behalf of Puget Sound National Bank on April 2, 1973. Lake in the center is Wapato Lake, bordered by South Alaska, South 72nd and Sheridan Ave. John S. Baker Junior High (now Middle School) is near bottom-center. Park Ave. has been marked in ink. Yakima Ave. is parallel to Park and is left of Park.
Aerial views; Neighborhoods--Tacoma--1970-1980; Wapato Lake (Tacoma); Baker Junior High School (Tacoma);
Looking west from South 56th & Pacific Ave. Aerial view on April 2, 1973, of the densely populated area around the Tacoma Mall. The Mall itself is right-center. Olympics are at the top of the photograph. Photograph ordered by Puget Sound National Bank.
Aerial views; Neighborhoods--Tacoma--1970-1980; Tacoma Mall Shopping Center (Tacoma); Shopping centers--Tacoma--1970-1980;
Color photograph ordered by Holly Homes, Inc., of unidentified one-level home overlooking rapidly moving creek or river. The home was built with several large windows with prime views of the water although the drapes were pulled shut on this spring day in 1973. There is a deck extending the length of one side of the home facing the water, a portion of which has been roofed for protection against the elements. The creek or river is just steps away from the home's lawn.
Color rendering dated March 4, 1973, by Laigo & Associates, of a multi-level Trade Center Shopping Mall to be built in downtown Tacoma. Extended marquees are pictured on the landmark Pantages Theater. The artist has envisioned well-dressed strollers eying the many display windows.
Artist's color rendering of blueprints featuring public access to a proposed Trade Center Mall and various businesses including a coffee shop, jeweler, and theater in downtown Tacoma. The theater in question was the Pantages. Drawing by Laigo & Associates dated March 24, 1973.
Color rendering by Laigo & Associates dated March 24, 1973, of a "typical subcommerce layout," part of a series of blueprints for a proposed Trade Center Shopping Center at the vicinity of the Pantages Theater. The artist has drawn space for a large restaurant/disco with room for 200 persons and nearby elevators. This appears to be a plan to have businesses in the lower levels of the proposed mall.
Laigo & Associates' March 4, 1973, color rendering of a "Typical Shopping Mall Layout," apparently a proposed shopping mall at the corner of 9th & Commerce, roughly the site of the Pantages Theater. Stairs and elevators would be used to reach the mall. There would be an entry at 9th next to some sidewalk shops and also one on Commerce, next to a sidewalk elevator.
Color rendering dated March 24, 1973, by Laigo & Associates of a proposed tour bus route which would include stops at the Port of Tacoma, State Historical Museum, Point Defiance Zoo & Fort Nisqually, University of Puget Sound, Old City Hall and the proposed NPWTC & Trade Center Shopping Mall. Miniature cartoon figures add a note of whimsy to the drawing.
Progress photograph of United Mutual Savings Bank's new headquarters. Construction on a new $6,000,000 six-story precast concrete highrise would start soon in the spring of 1973 on the site of the former Manning's Market in downtown Tacoma. Signs placed at the site indicate that this will be the new home of United Mutual Savings Bank. It is located on 11th St. between Broadway and Commerce St. with 90 feet on Commerce and 100 feet on 11th. There would be 35,000 square feet of floor space. The building would be built of fire-resistant structural steel and using a brown-tone precast concrete facing on the exterior. Groundbreaking ceremonies would be held on Thursday, May 4th, and the building would be dedicated nearly two years later on February 14, 1975. Photograph ordered by United Mutual Savings Bank. (TNT 3-11-73, D-10- article)
Progress photographs; United Mutual Savings Bank (Tacoma); Banks--Tacoma; Building construction--Tacoma--1970-1980;
Launching. This is the "Maia H" tugboat that was officially launched on Saturday, March 24, 1973, at Tacoma Boatbuilding facilities. According to a News Tribune article, she was the first tug launched in Tacoma in many years. She had actually had an "instant dumping" two months ago. Maia Halvorsen, daughter of owner Boyer Halvorsen of Bainbridge Island, was the ship's sponsor. The "Maia H" will haul a fast freight barge between Seattle and Ketchikan, Alaska. (TNT 3-25-73, A-22)
Launchings--Tacoma--1970-1980; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1970-1980; Tugboats--Tacoma--1970-1980; Tacoma Boat Building Co., Inc. (Tacoma);
The Sheet Metal Workers Union honored 25-year members at an evening banquet held at the New Yorker on March 21, 1973. Each honored member received a pin. Photograph ordered by the Sheet Metal Workers Union.
Awards; Sheet Metal Workers (Tacoma); Labor unions--Tacoma--1970-1980;
Washington Mutual Savings Bank. Washington Mutual Savings Bank opened their first Pierce County branch in mid-December of 1972. The single-story building was located at 6616 Sixth Ave. (Sixth & Mildred) and featured a new brickwork technique utilized by noted local architect Robert Billsbrough Price. David C. Van Hoose was the branch's first manager. Color photograph ordered by Washington Mutual Savings Bank, Seattle.
Washington Mutual Savings Bank (Tacoma); Banks--Tacoma;
BASH (Building a Scholastic Heritage) auction. An unidentified woman tries out a girl's Schwinn bicycle, one of the many donations to be auctioned off during BASH's annual event held on April 27-28, 1973. About $200,000 worth of goods are going up on the block: including a $50,000 duplex being built in Twin Lakes, a 1930 Model A, a dune buggy, four totem poles and a school bus. Proceeds from the auction help support five local private schools. Photograph ordered by ADPR Group. (TNT 3-25-73, A-15 article)
BASH auction. Goods were being stored at BASH (Building a Scholastic Heritage) headquarters, 1130 Commerce St., as the group geared up for its annual auction to be held at the University of Puget Sound Fieldhouse on April 27-28, 1973. Approximately $200,000 worth of donations would be ready to be snapped up by eager customers, including this antique Edison machine. An unidentified woman is pictured on March 20th testing out its sound. Some of the items, of course, could not fit inside a building - a school bus and a newly built Twin Lakes duplex, for example. Proceeds of the auction supported five private schools in the area, including Annie Wright School, Aquinas Academy, Bellarmine Prep., Charles Wright School and St. Leo's School. Photograph ordered by ADPR Group. (TNT 3-25-73, A-15-article)
1973 Tacoma Home Show. A representative of Holly Homes is pictured on the opening day of the Tacoma Home Show, March 13, 1973, speaking to an interested mother about Holly Homes' various house plans. Holly Homes was one of more than 70 exhibitors at the Home Show; for the first time, the event was held at the Tacoma Mall Shopping Center, already an important gathering spot for local residents. Photograph ordered by Holly Homes.
Greater Tacoma Home Show (Tacoma); Holly Homes, Inc.; Exhibit booths--Tacoma--1970-1980; Tacoma Mall Shopping Center (Tacoma);
1973 Tacoma Home Show. A mock living room, tiny as it appears, still draws several interested visitors due to the solid state television and comfortable chairs. It is possible that the two young men seated before the television are using two controllers to play an early version of a video game. This was the Bon Marche's exhibit booth at the 1973 Tacoma Home Show. For the first time in the show's 27-year history, the six-day event was held at the Tacoma Mall Shopping Center. Hundreds would flock to the Mall on opening day, March 13, 1973.
Greater Tacoma Home Show (Tacoma); Exhibit booths--Tacoma--1970-1980; Tacoma Mall Shopping Center (Tacoma); Televisions;
1973 Tacoma Home Show. In lieu of the traditional ribbon snipping, Tacoma Mayor Gordon Johnston (extreme r) and County Commissioner Clay Huntington (2nd from left) put some muscle into the 8-foot logger's saw as it sliced through a 2 x 4. They officially opened the 27th edition of the Tacoma Home Show at the Tacoma Mall. This was a new venue for the Home Show; for the past 23 years it had been located at the University of Puget Sound Fieldhouse and prior to that, at the Tacoma Armory. Admission to the Home Show was free. Hundreds attended opening day to look, try, and dream about the 70+ Home Show exhibitions. The Tacoma Home Show would run from March 13-18th. Photograph ordered by the Home Builders Association of Greater Tacoma. (TNT 3-13-73, p. 2 -article)
Greater Tacoma Home Show (Tacoma); Dedications--Tacoma--1970-1980; Mayors--Tacoma--1970-1980; Johnston, Gordon N.; Huntington, Clay; Saws;
1973 Tacoma Home Show. County Commissioner Clay Huntington (left) and Tacoma Mayor Gordon Johnston (right) lend a hand in the grand opening festivities of the 1973 Tacoma Home Show. For the first time in its 27-year history, the Home Show was held at the Tacoma Mall. As the signs held by the officials indicate, the event running from March 13-18 was free and those in attendance need not have worried about cold/rain/hail or sleet as the Mall was covered and climate controlled. Both Mayor Johnston and Commissioner Huntington wore hard hats and overalls -and ties- during the ceremony. They had used the 8-foot logger's saw to snap the 2 x 4 wooden "ribbon." This was also the first year without longtime Home Show promoter, Patrick O'Toole; Mr. O'Toole had died in a car accident in California ten months ago. Photograph ordered by the Home Builders Association of Greater Tacoma. (TNT 3-14-73, C-8)
Greater Tacoma Home Show (Tacoma); Mayors--Tacoma--1970-1980; Johnston, Gordon N.; Huntington, Clay; Tacoma Mall Shopping Center (Tacoma); Dedications--Tacoma--1970-1980; Saws;
Fort Lewis at night. This night exposure of the Main gate at Fort Lewis was taken on March 7, 1973. At the date of this color photograph, the gate was over a half-century old. It was built using field stone and squared logs for a cost of $4000. Photograph ordered by Carl Courtrier, Fort Lewis. (www.globalsecurity.org/military/facility/fort-lewis.htm)
Overhead look at construction workers on the job building the new St. Joseph Hospital. The men will soon be pouring concrete forms. The hospital, with its unusual curvilinear style, used 22,000 tons of concrete in its construction. The 14-story, 189-foot tower would be dedicated on December 15, 1974. Color photograph ordered by Baugh Construction Co., general contractors of the project.
Building construction--Tacoma--1970-1980; St. Joseph's Hospital & School of Nursing (Tacoma); Hospitals--Tacoma--1970-1980;
Exterior of model home. This is the "Encore 73," an $50,000 luxury home built by Evergreen State Builders for the 1973 Tacoma Home Show. The University Place home was located in the new Woodlake development off Chambers Creek Rd. where an angled driveway led to the model home. The contemporary home had adapted the "hip roof" design for its cedar shake roof. It contained 2,268 sq. ft. on the main floor and another 932 sq. ft. on the upper level. The double car garage contained an additional 540 sq. ft. The model home would be open for touring during the March 13-18th run of the home show. Photograph ordered by Home Builders Association of Greater Tacoma. (TNT 3-7-73, C-15 -article; TNT 3-12-73 Home Show insert)
Greater Tacoma Home Show (Tacoma); Houses--University Place--1970-1980;
Family room of model home. A corner metal fireplace encased in black "lava rock" and resting on black slate provides warmth to this contemporary family room found in the "Encore 73" model home built for the 1973 Tacoma Home Show. In 1973 both permanent site home show model homes were located in University Place. The "Encore 73" was an $50,000 luxury home built in the new Woodlake housing development off Chambers Creek Rd. Photograph ordered by Home Builders Association of Greater Tacoma. (TNT 3-7-73, C-15- article; TNT 3-12-73 Home Show insert-article)
Greater Tacoma Home Show (Tacoma); Houses--University Place--1970-1980; Fireplaces--University Place--1970-1980;
Kitchen of model home. The spacious kitchen of the model home "Encore 73" had many dark built-in cabinets, plenty of counter space, and enough room for a rectangular table and chairs. A fondue pot, popular in the '70s, awaits diners. Other amenities included a dropped ceiling, self-cleaning oven and range, garbage disposal and automatic dishwasher. Practical linoleum flooring was easy to clean and maintain. In addition, the room's large windows overlooked the patio and the landscaped backyard. The "Encore 73," built by Evergreen State Builders, was located in the new Woodlake housing development in University Place. The home had a total square footage of 3,200 square feet- most on the first floor. Visitors to the Tacoma Home Show could tour the model home during the home show's March 13-18, 1973, run. Photograph ordered by Home Builders Association of Greater Tacoma. (TNT 3-12-73 Home Show insert-article)
Greater Tacoma Home Show (Tacoma); Houses--University Place--1970-1980; Kitchens--University Place--1970-1980;
