In June of 1947, the Pierce County Chapter of the Red Cross held a 10 day aquatic safety school with 131 men and women from Washington, Oregon, Idaho, California and Montana at Benbow Lakes near Kapowsin. It was one of six such schools operated in the U.S. One of the skills covered was lifesaving. Some of the women practiced artificial respiration with other trainees on a dock at the lake. The women were wearing bathing suits and caps. (T. Times 6/24/1947, pg. 5)

American Red Cross Pierce County Chapter (Tacoma); Safety; Lifesaving; Bathing suits; Benbow Lakes Resort (Kapowsin); Lakes & ponds--Kapowsin;

July 3, 1947, saw the opening of Cliff Anderson's new Chevron gas station in Spanaway. The station had two gas pumps and a one-bay compartment for vehicle maintenance and repair. Its address was not provided. (scan of original negative, no print on file)

Automobile service stations--Spanaway; Vehicle maintenance & repair--Spanaway;

Peggy Jan McCarty is wearing a one-piece bathing suit at the waterfront while posing by driftwood and concrete pieces on a June day in 1947. Miss McCarty was selected by the Tacoma Chapter as its candidate in the Disabled American Veterans "America's Sweetheart Contest" that was held at the Disabled Veterans conference the week of August 17, 1947. She was chosen to represent Washington, Oregon and Idaho. During the war, Miss McCarty served in the Waves as a hospital apprentice, first class. (T.Times, 8/13/1947, p.5) TPL-8492

Bathing beauties; Bathing suits; Waterfronts; McCarty, Peggy Jan;

Oldsmobile billboard on new ball park fence, City Motor Co., Anson Hart. Two other, smaller, billboards above advertise the Sportsmen's Grill and Russ Michael's Service.

Billboards--Tacoma--1940-1950; City Motor Co. (Tacoma); Sportsmen's Grill (Tacoma); Russ Michael's Service (Tacoma); Automobiles--Tacoma--1940-1950; Athletic fields--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Birthday party for Rosalie McGavick, ordered by Mrs. Leo McGavick. Rosalie McGavick was celebrating her 14th birthday with a large group of friends in June, 1947. Rosalie, wearing a ruffled dress, is standing near the piano. Music was provided by Sonny Sundgren on accordion and Joe Galluci on piano. Joining in song are Sheila Sundgren who is behind brother Sonny, John Galluci, next to Rosalie, Dan Rigney at top left and Leo J. McGavick, standing on a chair (center). Also expressing birthday wishes are Mary Lee Seithwrath, Drummey and Margaret Corbett Inglima (near Rosalie), Ruben Carlson who is behind Rosalie, and Larry Kavanaugh to his left. Tommy Thompson, Pat Kohl and Bill McKenzie are birthday guests as well. In later years, Rosalie McGavick became Rosalie McGavick Hopper.

Birthday parties--Tacoma--1940-1950; Pianos; Pianists--Tacoma--1940-1950; Accordions; Children playing musical instruments--Tacoma--1940-1950; Children singing--Tacoma--1940-1950; McGavick, Rosalie; McGavick, Leo J.; Galluci, Joe; Galluci, John;

Installation and erection of trestle for new East 34th Street bridge, Mr. Elon Ellis, Timber Structures, Inc. This elevated view looks down on the trestle from above. Several concrete columns are seen in addition to the trestle. A large pyramidical tower stands across the ravine holding the cabling that will be used during construction of the bridge. When complete the bridge will be 550 feet long and 170 feet high. The cost was $430,000.

Bridges--Tacoma--1940-1950; Bridge construction--Tacoma--1940-1950; Trestles--Tacoma--1940-1950; East 34th Street Bridge (Tacoma); Progress photographs;

Progress photographs, installation and erection of trusses, Timber Structures, Inc., Elon Ellis. East 34th St. bridge construction. First truss on East side. Men on scaffolding. TPL-3658

Bridges--Tacoma--1940-1950; Bridge construction--Tacoma--1940-1950; Trestles--Tacoma--1940-1950; East 34th Street Bridge (Tacoma); Progress photographs;

Progress photographs, installation and erection of trusses, Timber Structures, Inc., Elon Ellis. East 34th St. bridge construction. A close up photograph of workers connecting a section of the truss.

Bridges--Tacoma--1940-1950; Bridge construction--Tacoma--1940-1950; Trestles--Tacoma--1940-1950; East 34th Street Bridge (Tacoma); Progress photographs;

Installation and erection of trestle for new East 34th Street bridge, Mr. Elon Ellis, Timber Structures, Inc. This view looks up to the trestle. Concrete columns are seen near the top of the ravine. A large pyramidical tower stands across the ravine holding the cabling that is used during construction of the bridge. The project took a year to complete. It was finished in December 1947.

Bridges--Tacoma--1940-1950; Bridge construction--Tacoma--1940-1950; Trestles--Tacoma--1940-1950; East 34th Street Bridge (Tacoma); Railroad tracks--Tacoma--1940-1950; Progress photographs;

Bud's Welding Supply opened at the corner of 9th and Market in July of 1944. The company's delivery truck is parked at the delivery door and the staff stand on the sidewalk by the large "welding supply on wheels" truck in front of the shop. Bud Ohler was the owner of the business that handled a full line of welder's supplies, sight feed acetylene generators, P & H, and AC/DC welding machines and electrodes. Bud's moved to 1640 E. 27th, and was in business until the mid-1950s. L-R, Bert Billett, repairman; Beatrice M. Dexter, bookkeeper; Bud Ohler, owner, Ken Ripley, fire extinguisher sales and service; Joe Netzel, equipment repair; Dan Tracy, salesman. (T.Times, 7/16/1947, p.5)

Bud's Welding Supply (Tacoma); Business enterprises--Tacoma--1940-1950; Employees--Tacoma--1940-1950; Billett, Bert; Dexter, Beatrice M.; Ohler, Bud; Ripley, Ken; Netzel, Joe; Tracy, Dan;

Interior of Rug Cleaning Plant, Cartozian & Sons Rug Company, Edward S. Cartozian. The company also provides upholstery cleaning to its customers. Two men work together; one places the cleaning solution on the fabric while the second man vacuums the dirty solution from the fabric.

Cartozian & Sons Rug Co. (Tacoma); Rugs; Service industry facilities--Tacoma--1940-1950; Cleaning personnel; Cleaning;

Aerial view of Cascade Pole Company and the Tacoma tideflats. Log booms float on both sides of the facility. Birchfield Boiler is located across the road from Cascade Pole at the end of the waterway. Cascade Pole Company occupied 10 acres on the tideflats adjacent to the Port of Tacoma and was served by rail and trucking facilities in addition to the waterways. The company was under the direction of Victor Monahan. (T.Times, 7/2/1947, p.5)

Cascade Pole Co. (Tacoma); Lumber industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Logs; Birchfield Boiler, Inc. (Tacoma);

This aerial photograph from June of 1947 shows the south end of the Wapato (now Blair) Waterway in Tacoma's tideflats industrial area. The large building at the end of the waterway is the Birchfield Boiler Company at 2503 East 11th Street, the first industry in Tacoma to lease land from the Tacoma Port Commission. The logs in the right bottom corner are part of the large Cascade Pole Company operation. Cascade Pole opened in 1943. Their creosote treated poles, ties, lumber and pilings were sent as far as Arabia. Much of the tideflats land south of 11th Street was still undeveloped in 1947. (T.Times, 7/2/1947, p.5)

Cascade Pole Co. (Tacoma); Utility poles--Tacoma--1940-1950; Lumber industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Logs;

Cheney Lumber Company. Three of the loggers working in one of the Cheney Lumber camps. Their faces are as dirty as their clothes after a day cutting and hauling the big logs. The Cheney Lumber Company had logging and mill operations in Washington, Oregon and California. (TNT, 6/10/1960)

Cheney Lumber Co. (Tacoma); Lumber industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Trees;

Cheney Lumber Company. Ben Cheney loved baseball. He made his considerable fortune in lumber but he loved baseball and kids. Here he shows how to swing at the ball. Ben Cheney had a firm commitment to give youth a chance to become active in athletics. More than 5000 persons had played on the Cheney Studs teams over a 20 year period ending with his death in 1971. (TNT, 5/19/1971)

Cheney, Ben B., 1905-1971; Baseball--Tacoma--1940-1950; Athletic fields--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Cheney Lumber Company. Ben B. Cheney has just let go of the ball in a pitch to the batter. He was a well known Tacoma and Pacific Coast lumberman. He played a key role in bringing Tacoma back into the Pacific Coast league after the Tacoma Tigers were sold. He was a stockholder in the San Francisco Giants baseball team later in his life. (TNT 5/19/1971) TPL-6326

Cheney, Ben B., 1905-1971; Baseball--Tacoma--1940-1950; Athletic fields--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Friday, June 13th was the last day of school for Tacoma public school students in 1947. Eljean Thompson, age 9, with her dog, was so excited about the summer break that she skipped her piano lesson so she could get outside. Richard Ludeman (right) age 12, has a fishing pole and a spinach can full of worms, and is all set to go fishing. (T.Times, 6/13/1947, p.20)

Children fishing--Tacoma--1940-1950; Dogs--Tacoma--1940-1950; Children & animals--Tacoma--1940-1950; Children--Tacoma--1940-1950; Summer--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Mrs. Marchell Sterns, Normanettes. The Normanette Women's Chorus Ensemble poses with their conductor and pianist. This was their fourth annual concert and was given at Weyerhaeuser Hall at the YWCA, May 29, 1947. One of their groups of songs was conprised of four songs, each in a different Scandinavian language. The rest of the program was sacred and classical music with some in a lighter vein. Names listed. (T.Times, 5/24/1947, p.12; 5/28/1947, p.4)

Choirs (Music); Conductors; Pianists--Tacoma--1940-1950; Women--Tacoma--1940-1950; Singers--Tacoma--1940-1950; Normanette Women's Chorus Ensemble (Tacoma); Young Women's Christian Association (Tacoma);

Veterans Hospital, exercise hall showing flooring. Workers are smoothing and finishing the new concrete floor at American Lake Veterans Hospital. The arched roof trusses are visible above the workers.

Concrete--Tacoma--1940-1950; Construction--Tacoma--1940-1950; Floors--Tacoma--1940-1950; Military hospitals--Tacoma--1940-1950; American Lake Veterans Hospital (Lakewood);

Veterans Hospital, exercise hall showing flooring. Workers are putting the finishing touches on the concrete floor in the Exercise Hall at American Lake Veterans Hospital. Lights are already installed showing the large area that will be available to rehabilitating veterans. TPL-10356

Concrete--Tacoma--1940-1950; Construction--Tacoma--1940-1950; Floors--Tacoma--1940-1950; Military hospitals--Tacoma--1940-1950; American Lake Veterans Hospital (Lakewood);

Douglas Fir Plywood Association. Four men stand by one of the displays at the one-day convention of the Douglas Fir Plywood Association showing some of the post-war requirements of the plywood industry. Among the displays at the convention were samples made by the Plywood Research Foundation showing new uses and new products from plywood. (T.Times, 6/11/1947, p.1)

Douglas Fir Plywood Association (Tacoma); Lumber industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Meetings--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Douglas Fir Plywood Association. Four men stand by one of the display boards at the DFPA conference referring to the advertising done by the association on behalf of the plywood industry. All 33 of the Douglas Fir plywood factories in the western parts of Oregon and Washington were then participants in the plywood industry's quality control program. (T.Times, 6/11/1947, p.1)

Douglas Fir Plywood Association (Tacoma); Lumber industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Meetings--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Residence and grounds at Wayne W. and Bernice Keyes home in the Lakes District. Mr. and Mrs. Keyes sit on a bench in their garden with two of their dogs. Mr. Keyes wears riding breeches. Wayne W. Keyes was an attorney in Tacoma at this time.

Dwellings--Lakewood--1940-1950; Trees--Lakewood--1940-1950; Lawns--Lakewood--1940-1950; Gardens--Lakewood--1940-1950; Keyes, Wayne W.; Keyes, Bernice; Dogs--Lakewood--1940-1950; Keyes Mansion (Lakewood);

Home of Dora B. (Mrs. Percy C.) Smith, Times Society, Mrs. MacDonald. A group of society women gather outside Mrs. Smith's large, two-storied home. The porch has large columns with a balcony over the porch. The exterior of the house is clapboards painted white. The group met to define organization plans for the newly formed auxiliary to the Dixie Chapter of the United Daughters of the Confederacy. The president of Dixie, Mrs. Edwin Keyes, appointed officers. L-R, seated: Mrs. Richard L. Smith, Vice Chairman; Mrs. Richmond Higy, Chairman; Frances M. (Mrs. Charles Q.) Jackson, Treasurer; standing: Louise M. (Mrs. George C.) Roberts, Secretary, the next three are unnamed, Sarah E. (Mrs. Alfred) Gruetter, Corresponding Secretary (third from right) and the last two are unnamed. (T.Times, 7/26/1947, p.10)

Dwellings--Tacoma--1940-1950; Clubwomen--Tacoma--1940-1950; Roberts, Louise M.; Gruetter, Sarah E.; Jackson, Frances M.; United Daughters of the Confederacy (Tacoma); Smith, Dora B.--Homes & haunts;

Washington National Guard members and wives using facilities at Camp Murray. A family is enjoying setting up a hot-dog roast and picnic together. A tablecloth covers the picnic table and they have set out condiments and milk in a glass bottle. One of the teenagers has hot-dogs on a stick over the fire. A teenage boy is splitting wood while another unpacks bread. One of the girls pours her mother a cup of coffee. The outdoor fireplace is built of large field stones.

Families--Tacoma--1940-1950; Fireplaces--Tacoma--1940-1950; Picnic grounds--Tacoma--1940-1950; Picnics--Tacoma--1940-1950; Frankfurters--Tacoma--1940-1950; Teenagers--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Royal Arch Masons. A gathering of members wearing various costumes. York Rite delegates attended the annual state convention during May 11 through May 16, 1947. Meetings of the three grand bodies, Royal Arch Masons, Knights Templar and the Council were held during this time. (T.Times, 5/9/1947, p.1)

Fraternal organizations--Tacoma--1940-1950; Royal Arch Masons (Tacoma);

Leo Forsberg, new garage. A new garage, built of cement blocks and painted white sits behind Leo Forsberg's home in this May, 1947, photograph.

Garages--Tacoma--1940-1950; Building materials; Concrete--Tacoma--1940-1950; Forsberg, Leo--Homes & haunts;

New spray equipment, George R. Marvin Company. The company manufactured fabricated steel products. This view of the spray equipment shows that the spray can be directed downwards and a person can ride on the back to control the flow of liquid. The sprayer was developed to meet the State of Washington, Department of Transportation's, need for asphalt application for roads. The sprayer can also be used in crop spraying or fire prevention. The sprayer, exclusive to Marvin, is being pulled by a pick-up truck in the yard of a large factory. (T.Times, 8/6/1947, p.5)

George R. Marvin Co. (Tacoma); Steel industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Equipment; Trucks--Tacoma--1940-1950; Factories--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Demonstration of farm machinery, Machinery Manufacturing and Sales Inc., Bob Airey. A portable sawmill is seen after completion of cutting a log into a large, square column of wood. The photographer's Woody is seen parked on the street along with several other automobiles and pick-up trucks. TPL-3826

Logs; Machinery; Machinery industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Machinery Manufacturing & Sales, Inc. (Tacoma);

View of sawdust stockpiling with smoke stacks in the distance. Railroad tracks run between the sawdust stacks and a road. Equipment and buildings were designed to help distribute the sawdust. The lumber industry was experimenting with different uses for the residue from their operations. Bark was used as a glue extender, molding powders, soil builders, specialty fuels and filler for linoleum. Sawdust and wood chips were turned into presto logs and wood alcohol or used in the pulp industry whereas these byproducts had once been burned. (TNT, 2/17/1948)

Lumber industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Railroad tracks--Tacoma--1940-1950; Smokestacks--Tacoma--1940-1950;