Harkness was a family owned business in Tacoma since 1921. They offered a wide selection of home furnishings. Interior view of Harkness Furniture showroom, with sectional sofa on display. Three piece sofa has a number of possibilities, each piece is shown separately with a split level end table between sofa ends, left end displays a sash indicating the furniture was "Custom Built by Harkness".

Showrooms--Tacoma; Furniture stores--Tacoma; Home furnishings stores--Tacoma; Sofas; Couches; Harkness Rug & Furniture Co. (Tacoma);

Harkness was a family owned business in Tacoma since 1921. They offered a wide selection of home furnishings. Interior view of Harkness Furniture showroom, with sectional sofa on display. Sofa is shown in a neutral tone, split level end tables on each end with modern lamps, throw rug complements this living room look, right side of sofa displays a sash indicating the furniture was "Custom Built by Harkness".

Showrooms--Tacoma; Furniture stores--Tacoma; Home furnishings stores--Tacoma; Sofas; Couches; Harkness Rug & Furniture Co. (Tacoma);

Interior view of West Coast Grocery's food storage building, boxes of "Red & White Yellow Freestone Peaches", "AMOCAT Corn" and "Booth's Y. C. Peaches" are stacked up throughout warehouse, a workman is in center of boxes, possibly checking inventory. Photo ordered by Condon Company, a local advertising company.

Storehouses--Tacoma; Business enterprises--Tacoma--1940-1950; West Coast Grocery Co. (Tacoma); Condon Co., Inc. (Tacoma); Boxes;

West Coast Grocery was now in their new headquarters. The building housed their offices, food storage warehouses, distribution center and their subsidiary companies as well. West Coast had just had their formal opening in January of this year. Interior view of West Coast Grocery's food storage building, boxes of "Gerber's Baby Food", "Snow's Clam Chowder", "Wheaties" and "Franco-American Spaghetti" to the right of man on fork lift, photo ordered by Condon Company, an advertising company.

Storehouses--Tacoma; West Coast Grocery Co. (Tacoma); Condon Co., Inc. (Tacoma); Barrels--Tacoma; Boxes; Hoisting machinery; Business enterprises--Tacoma--1940-1950;

The Tacoma Council of Churches was sponsoring National Youth Week. They were presenting a special program throughout Tacoma high schools and colleges. The presentation followed a dinner hosted by Bellarmine. View of Bellarmine students and their guests in the school's cafeteria.

Students--Tacoma--1940-1950; Priests--Tacoma; Dinner parties--Tacoma; Clothing & dress--Tacoma--1940-1950; Cafeterias--Tacoma; Bellarmine High School (Tacoma);

West Coast Grocery was a wholesale grocery company with their large new offices and headquarters on East D Street. Charles H. Hyde was president of West Coast Grocery. Exterior view of West Coast Grocery Company's AMOCAT and Olympia Beer trucks, photo ordered by Condon Company, an advertising company (T. Times, 2/26/47, p. 12-B).

Trucks--Tacoma--1940-1950; Commercial facilities--Tacoma; Food industry--Tacoma; West Coast Grocery Co. (Tacoma); Condon Co., Inc. (Tacoma); Business enterprises--Tacoma--1940-1950; Storehouses--Tacoma;

I. W. Johnson Engineering Company were well known specialists in the designing and building of sawmill machinery. In 1938 they designed and built the innovative sawdust making machine. View of sawmill workers and machinery, it appears workers are feeding pieces of plywood into machine.

Machinery; Laborers--Tacoma; Machinery industry--1940-1950; Plywood; I.W. Johnson Engineering Co. (Tacoma);

Mountain View was a modern mortuary and funeral home. It had been completely renovated in 1942, making this one of the few funeral facilities that offered families a complete Unit Memorial Service. Exterior view of Garden Chapel at Mountain View Burial Park.

Morgues & mortuaries--Lakewood; Undertaking--Lakewood; Religious facilities--Lakewood; Mountain View Memorial Park (Lakewood);

Camp Fire Girls would learn about government offices, education and get a tour of the Capitol buildings on March 8, 1947. Camp Fire Girls was founded in 1910 and their slogan was "Be Friendly--Make Friends--Join Camp Fire Girls." View of 200 Camp Fire Girls and their chapter leaders prior to boarding North Coast buses for their "Going Places" trip to Olympia (T. Times, 3/5/47, p. 16).

Buses--Tacoma; Children--Clubs--Tacoma; Uniforms; Girls--Tacoma; Camp Fire Girls (Tacoma); North Coast Transportation Co. (Tacoma);

Mallon Motor Company, interior of service area showing equipment installed by Equipment Sales Corporation. Lift racks, motor oil tanks, overhead hoses, etc.

Business Enterprises - Tacoma - Automobile Dealers - New Automobile Dealers - Ford Dealers - Mallon Motor Company

Benbow Lakes Resort advertised "No Mosquitoes" in a 1930 advertisement. They were a family resort with a large inn and individual cottages besides a lake. Relaxation in a fresh invigorating atmosphere was promised for all resort guests. Exciting tennis games on their courts and great fishing on Lake Tanwax was guaranteed. View of cottages in background, vacationers are enjoying the afternoon sunshine.

Cabins--Tacoma; Leisure--Tacoma; Recreation--Tacoma; Vacations--Tacoma; Vacation houses--Tacoma; Resorts--Tacoma; Benbow Lakes Resort (Kapowsin); Lakes & ponds--Kapowsin;

Junior Red Cross volunteers can be seen working in the Production Program of the Red Cross. The Production Program made hospital garments and children's clothing for disaster and overseas needs. Junior Red Cross volunteers were receiving guidance and training from Edith Ackerman and Irma Hagen. View of group sewing for Red Cross, young children are being fitted for pajamas.

Charitable organizations--Tacoma--1940-1950; Community service--Tacoma--1940-1950; Sleepwear; Children dressing--Tacoma; American Red Cross Pierce County Chapter (Tacoma);

The Elks Club was having their annual Father-Daughter program at the Elks Temple in March of 1947. A large number of club members and their daughters and granddaughters would be performing. The show's main attraction was a six year old pianist. View of two Elks club members doing a dancing cow puppet show act (T. Times, 3/6/47, p. 13).

Theatrical productions--Tacoma--1940-1950; Puppets; Puppet shows--Tacoma; Fraternal organizations--Tacoma--1940-1950; Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Tacoma Lodge No. 174 (Tacoma);

Whitworth Fuel Company sold and delivered fuel oil, coal, sawdust and wood. Whitworth was owned and operated by Clarence R. and Reginald P. Johnson. Exterior view of Whitworth Fuel, fuel truck is parked in foreground, their signs were painted by Cliff Sign Company. TPL-9671

Fuel--Tacoma; Fuel trade--Tacoma; Trucks--Tacoma--1940-1950; Commercial facilities--Tacoma; Whitworth Fuel Co. (Tacoma);

Baby Kathleen Ann McKenty celebrated both St. Patrick's Day and her first birthday in March 1947. Her parents brought her over to a stone found behind the College of Puget Sound women's dormitory in order to teach her about the "Blarney Stone" of Blarney Castle, located near Cork, Ireland. Her parents hoped to bring Kathleen to the real Blarney Stone someday - which is supposed to confer the gift of persuasive eloquence (blarney) to all who kiss it. Kathleen is the granddaughter of Harry Sprinker, who would hold the office of Pierce County Commissioner for 20 years. She did not get to visit Ireland with her parents as they both died when she was young. Kathleen would go on to marry John Hartman and presently resides in Snohomish. Nearly 60 years after this photograph was taken, the Hartmans are planning their first trip to Ireland in 2007. (T. Times, 3/17/47, p. 1; additional information provided by a reader).

Boulders; Infants--Tacoma; McKenty, Kathleen Ann--Birthdays; College of Puget Sound (Tacoma)--1940-1950;

Brown & Haley. Brown and Haley honored all their employees who had worked for the local candy making firm for more than five years with a dinner party on May 16, 1947. Special guests were, left to right, Emma Green, Ernest Meredith and Bertah Penney. It was Mrs. Green's 70th birthday so she is cutting her birthday cake. She had been working actively for 55 years. She was given an orchid corsage and a gold watch by the company. She also became eligible for retirement benefits with this birthday. Ernest Meredith had been with the company 30 years and was given a traveling bag. Miss Penney had also been with the company 30 years and received an orchid corsage and a gold watch. (T.Times, 5/20/1947, p.3)

Brown & Haley (Tacoma); Chocolate industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Dinner parties--Tacoma--1940-1950; Birthdays--Tacoma--1940-1950; Employees--Tacoma--1940-1950; Green, Emma; Meredith, Ernest; Penney, Bertha;

College of Puget Sound purchased U. S. Army surplus buildings in 1947. These buildings would be used to provide more classrooms, they were assembled, renovated and christened as "South Hall". The student population grew from 250 students to 1900 students, the growth is attributed to post-war growth and expansion. View of Army barracks being assembled (Tamanawas 1948).

Building construction--Tacoma; Residential facilities--Tacoma; Portable buildings--Tacoma; Universities & colleges--Tacoma; College of Puget Sound (Tacoma)--1940-1950;

The W. R. Rust Building was built in 1920 by William R. Rust, the contractor was J. E. Bonnell and Sutton, Whitney and Dugan were the architects; it is twelve stories high. Between 1929 and 1931 the building was known as the Townsend Building. It is now the Seafirst Center in downtown Tacoma. Exterior view of building, Franwell fountain lunch, Virges Drug Company and Lundquist Lilly shops on ground level.

Business districts--Tacoma; Office buildings--Tacoma--1940-1950; Rust Building (Tacoma);

Reed's Cabinet & Fixture Shop had moved into a larger building in 1946. They took over a fifty by ninety foot, government surplus warehouse, located on Center Street. Reed's specialized in the designing and engineering of business fixtures, display cases and other commercial fixtures. Exterior view of Reed's, seven workmen from Reed's and a little girl stand in front of a Ward Rugh truck, that will be delivering Reed's fixtures. The fixtures are marked to indicate where they will be placed.

Cabinets (Case furniture)--Tacoma; Showcases; Factories--Tacoma; Laborers--Tacoma; Reed's Cabinet & Fixture (Tacoma);

The College of Puget Sound Loggerettes and the Yell Team helped cheer on the athletic teams and they motivated and promoted student involvement in many other school activities. View of four Yell Team members, they are wearing white sweaters and maroon skirts or pants, this uniform was the "new look". The Yell Team poses with their CPS Loggers megaphone (Tamanawas, 1946 & 1948).

Cheerleading--Tacoma; Cheering--Tacoma; Students--Tacoma; Megaphones; Sweaters--Tacoma; Uniforms; College of Puget Sound (Tacoma)--1940-1950;

Safeway Stores bought out Totem Food Stores, a Washington owned and operated grocery stores, in 1942. In 1947 Safeway had over sixteen stores throughout the Tacoma area. Harry P. Brown was the district manager of Safeway Stores in Tacoma. Interior view of Safeway Stores Inc. offices in the Rust building.

Commercial facilities--Tacoma; Offices--Tacoma--1940-1950; Rust Building (Tacoma); Safeway Stores, Inc. (Tacoma);

Between 50,000 and 60,000 people gathered along the downtown Tacoma streets to view the impressive Puyallup Valley annual Daffodil Festival Parade. The parade began by inaugurating the inclusion of army units, a band and marching men from Fort Lewis would lead the parade participants. View of marching men along Pacific Avenue (T.N.T., 3/30/47, p. 1).

Drill teams; Parades & processions--Tacoma--1940-1950; Events--Tacoma--1940-1950; Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1947 : Tacoma);

It was estimated that over 600,000 daffodils were used to decorate the floats and vehicles used in the Tacoma parade, making this one of the most spectacular parades in years. View of the 1947 Daffodil Festival Parade along Broadway in downtown Tacoma; a large group of majorettes are marching along, they are wearing white uniforms, white boots and plumed hats (T.N.T., 3/30/47, p. 1).

Drum majorettes--Tacoma; Drill teams; Marching--Tacoma; Parades & processions--Tacoma--1940-1950; Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1947 : Tacoma);

17-year-old Puyallup High School senior Joan Eidson was the 1947 Daffodil Queen. She was picked by a panel of local news photographers out of a group of 30 contestants to reign as the queen of the Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival. She is pictured above at her high school, clutching a bouquet of long stemmed daffodils, on March 20, 1947. (T.Times 3-21-47, p. 1)

Eidson, Joan; Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1947 : Puyallup); Beauty contestants--Puyallup; Students--Puyallup--1940-1950;

Fisher's Department Store, fashion show. Fishers Department Store held a birthday party on May 3, 1947 for the 5th anniversary of Joan Miller's clothing collection. A young model stands by a column with a sign for "Junior World." The fashion show included boys from three of the local high schools as judges of the male-appeal of the dresses. (T.Times, 5/2/1947, p.3)

Fisher's Department Store (Tacoma); Department stores--Tacoma--1940-1950; Fashion shows--Tacoma--1940-1950; Clothing & dress--Tacoma--1940-1950; Fashion models--Tacoma--1940-1950; Posing;

Fisher's Department Store, fashion show. Fishers Department Store held a birthday party for the 5th anniversary of Joan Miller's clothing collection. The ten models stand together showing all the dresses from the Joan Miller collection included in the Saturday afternoon fashion show. (T.Times, 5/2/1947, p.3)

Fisher's Department Store (Tacoma); Department stores--Tacoma--1940-1950; Fashion shows--Tacoma--1940-1950; Clothing & dress--Tacoma--1940-1950; Fashion models--Tacoma--1940-1950; Posing;

Fisher's Department Store held a birthday party in May of 1947, for the 5th anniversary of the Joan Miller clothing collection. The party included a fashion show of Joan's newest and cutest sport and date fashions, a birthday cake and plenty of ice-cold Coca-Cola. The fashion show drew a large crowd of mostly teenage girls who admired outfits such as the $14.95 double-breasted jacket with stitched bib and full skirt with deep twin pockets worn by the unidentified model above. (T.Times, 5/2/1947, p.3-ad)

Fisher's Department Store (Tacoma); Department stores--Tacoma--1940-1950; Fashion shows--Tacoma--1940-1950; Clothing & dress--Tacoma--1940-1950; Fashion models--Tacoma--1940-1950; Posing;

The annual Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival Parade would go through Pacific Avenue in downtown Tacoma, view of the Puyallup Lodge No. 32 Ancient Order of United Workmen float attached to a Commercial Distributing truck, before it proceeded onto the parade on Pacific Avenue. This float received third place in the floats among organizations and lodges (T.N.T., 3/29/47, p. 1).

Floats (parades)--Tacoma--1940-1950; Parades & processions--Tacoma--1940-1950; Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1947 : Tacoma); Ancient Order of United Workmen Puyallup Lodge No. 32 (Tacoma);

Daffodil Festival Parade along Pacific Avenue in downtown Tacoma, view of the Puyallup Lodge No. 32 Ancient Order of United Workmen float being pulled by a Commercial Distributing truck. Young ladies and children are riding on the float and greeting the crowd. This float received third place among the floats in the organizations and lodges division (T.N.T., 3/29/47, p. 1).

Floats (parades)--Tacoma--1940-1950; Parades & processions--Tacoma--1940-1950; Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1947 : Tacoma); Ancient Order of United Workmen Puyallup Lodge No. 32 (Tacoma); Daffodils--Tacoma;

The F. S. Harmon Manufacturing Co. building at 1938 Pacific Ave. was built in 1909. When the company was founded, it was in the wholesale furniture business. As it grew, it expanded into manufacturing. The Harmon Co. was the only Northwest store holding a franchise for the manufacture of "Serta" mattresses and springs. They also manufactured tables, chairs, bedroom suites and desks, among other furniture. In the early 1940s, they developed "Harmonite" a plastic finish for tables that would ensure durability. (T. Times, 4/23/47, p. 5). TPL-10507

Furniture industry--Tacoma; Advertising agencies--Tacoma; F.S. Harmon Manufacturing Co. (Tacoma)--Buildings; O'Connell-Ragan Co. (Tacoma);