Farrell's Ice Cream Parlor celebrated its grand opening on May 21, 1974, with dignitaries enjoying a bite of red licorice instead of the traditional red ribbon snipping. Located in the west end portion of the Tacoma Mall, Farrell's offered delicious hamburgers and other delicacies as well as mountains of ice creams in many flavors. It was an old fashioned ice cream parlor, believed to be the 84th in a large chain. Food was not served sedately but with much horn blowing and drum beating, especially for soon-to-be popular birthday parties. Color photograph ordered by Gerber Advertising, Portland. (TNT 5-22-74, B-12 -article)
Boyd Motor Company, Rambler agency, general view of dealership. New Ramblers in front of building, advertising banners in windows, used car lot in background
Business Enterprises - Tacoma - Automobile Dealers - New Automobile Dealers - Nash / Rambler Dealers - Boyd Motor Company
ca. 1957. Rowland Pontiac - Cadillac dealership. New Cadillacs in showroom, used Pontiacs, Cadillacs and other automobiles in carport area and outside. Neon service sign, moved here from Commerce St. side of old downtown location, at far right in photo. Rowland Pontiac-Cadillac was located on South Tacoma Way, the city's "auto row." Irwin-Jones Motor Co.'s Truck Department was the former occupant of this site.
New neon sign lights up the night over the entrance to Rhodes, Tacoma's largest department store at 11th and Broadway. Rhodes was founded in 1892 by Henry A. Rhodes as a tea and coffee shop. The small shop operated in various downtown locations until it opened at its Broadway location in 1903 as a grand department store, on the model of Wanamaker's or Marshall Fields. The store continued to expand until 1925 when Henry Rhodes retired and the family business was sold. The store eventually became part of the Western Department store chain, until it closed in 1974.
Rhodes Brothers Department Store (Tacoma); Department stores--Tacoma; Electric signs--Tacoma--1950-1960;
The family dog posed outside the exterior of a new ranch block home. The home, nestled in the northwest evergreens, displayed lots of windows to let in the light and a single car garage.Photo ordered by Holroyd Co., manufacturer of concrete blocks, at 5047 S. Washington, Tacoma. As construction boomed, and wood became scarcer, even in the Northwest, concrete became a common construction material. Holyroyd manufactured a product that was economical and versatile, coming in a variety of colors and textures.
Ed Lee's new Shell Oil station at the intersection of Division and No. Yakima was photographed just before its Grand Opening on March 31st, 1950. The station, at 102 No. Yakima Ave., had a garage for car repairs and new gasoline pumps. For the Grand Opening, 32 hourly drawings were held for prizes, with the grand prize being a set of four Firestone Champion tires. The signpost in front pointed out the directions to the Fox Island and Bremerton ferries and the Stadium city center.The billboard to the left of the station was an advertisement for Shell Oil. Gas at the Grand Opening sold for between 25.2 and 27.2 cents per gallon. TPL-10300
Shell Oil Co., Inc. (Tacoma); Automobile service stations--Tacoma--1950-1960; Gasoline pumps--Tacoma--1950-1960; Billboards--Tacoma;
Gasoline was selling at 25.2-27.2 cents per gallon at Ed Lee's new Shell Oil Station at Division and Yakima. Cars were waiting in line to gas up at these prices, and receive a free set of drinking glasses. Klieg lights and banners also helped to announce the station's March 31st Grand Opening. Several Shell servicemen were waiting on each car in turn, checking under the hood and filling up the tank. The billboard to the left of the station was an advertisement for Shell Oil.
Shell Oil Co., Inc. (Tacoma); Automobile service stations--Tacoma--1950-1960; Automobiles--Tacoma--1950-1960; Gasoline pumps--Tacoma--1950-1960; Searchlights; Billboards--Tacoma;
Ed Lee's new Shell Oil station at Division and Yakima before opening.The station had a garage for car repairs and fuel islands with gasoline pumps. Firestone tires and automotive parts and accessories were on display in front of the station office. The station's Grand Opening was March 31- April 1, 1950 and featured prize drawings and giveaways.
Shell Oil Co., Inc. (Tacoma); Automobile service stations--Tacoma--1950-1960; Gasoline pumps--Tacoma--1950-1960;
Tietz Construction Inc. display board from their exhibit at the second annual Greater Tacoma Home Show, March 21-26, 1950, at the College of Puget Sound fieldhouse. The sign displays pictures of some of the homes designed and built by the company. Richards Studio did the photography on most of these pictures. The construction industry was very busy in 1950, with many new housing additions being built. Most single family homes were 2-3 bedrooms and sold from $6500 - $8000.
Tietz Construction Inc. (Lakewood); Greater Tacoma Home Show (Tacoma); Construction Industry--Tacoma--1950-1960; Exhibitions--Tacoma--1950-1960; Exhibit booths--Tacoma;
Booth at the second annual Greater Tacoma Home Show for Holroyd Co., 5047 So. Washington, manufacturers of concrete masonry units. The shelves at the back of the exhibit hold Holroyd concrete blocks in many shapes and forms that are used for construction. At either side of the booth, tables are set up with photographs of homes and construction sites utilizing the masonry units and forms for goers to request further information. The focal point of the display is a masonry fireplace.
Holroyd Co. (Tacoma); Exhibitions--Tacoma--1950-1960; Exhibit booths--Tacoma; Building materials industry--Tacoma--1950-1960; Construction industry--Tacoma--1950-1960; Fireplaces--Tacoma--1950-1960; Greater Tacoma Home Show (Tacoma);
Interior of Gambles Western Auto Supply Co. store at 8104 South Tacoma Way during their Grand Opening. In addition to auto supplies, the store also sold housewares and appliances, such as the wringer washer on the right hand side. Flexible flyer wagons line up under the windows. Prominent in the foreground of the picture are kitchen aids- mixers, irons, hot plate, pans and baking pans.
Gambles Western Auto Supply Co. (Tacoma); Automobile equipment & supplies stores--Tacoma--1950-1960; Stores & shops--Tacoma--1950-1960;
Ray W. Perkins and his son, John Bachmann, celebrated the Grand Opening of the new Gambles Western Auto Supply Co. store at 8104 South Tacoma Way in March of 1950. Mr. Perkins, a veteran of WWI and free-lance writer, had moved to Pierce County in the early 1940s. By the time of his death in 1981, Mr. Perkins and his wife had reared 23 foster children.
Gambles Western Auto Supply Co. (Tacoma); Automobile equipment & supplies stores--Tacoma--1950-1960; Stores & shops--Tacoma--1950-1960;
Interior of the Gambles Western Auto Supply Co. store at 8104 South Tacoma Way during their Grand Opening. In addition to auto supplies, the store also has wheelbarrows, bicycles, and refrigerators for sale along the front walls. The store also offers housewares for sale, including lightbulbs and kitchen canisters. Automobile batteries, belts and a toy car occupy the foreground of the picture.
Gambles Western Auto Supply Co. (Tacoma); Automobile equipment & supplies stores--Tacoma--1950-1960; Stores & shops--Tacoma--1950-1960;
Attendees at the Saturday, 3/11/1950, Panhellenic luncheon at the Top of the Ocean. The annual affair recognized the friendship among alumnae of all area sorority groups affiliated with the national Panhellenic congress. The program featured a smorgasbord and a musical program. The decorations, as shown in the picture, were replicas of represented sorority's pins displayed on the back curtain. (TNT 3/8/1950 pg. 37, TNT 3/15/1950 pg. 10-picture and names)
Top of the Ocean (Tacoma); Events--Tacoma--1950-1960; Fraternities & Sororities--Tacoma--1950-1960;
The Parkland Branch of the National Bank of Washington was located at the corner of Pacific Avenue and South 112th. The building was recently completed. Architectural studies, ordered by Lea, Pearson & Richards, Charles Pearson.
National Bank of Washington (Tacoma); Banks--Tacoma; Banking--Tacoma--1940-1950; Architectural drawings; Architects; Lea, Pearson & Richards (Tacoma);
The sales room at Mayberry Auto Parts, 1934 Market St., the "Tool House." Mayberry Auto Parts was both a wholesale and retail seller of auto parts, tools and equipment with a complete machine shop. A complete line of auto tools, including Bonney and Herbrand brands, are displayed behind and in front of the display cases.
Automobile equipment & supplies stores--Tacoma--1950-1960; Automobile equipment & supplies; Mayberry Motor Parts, Inc. (Tacoma);
The sales room at Mayberry Auto Parts, 1934 Market St., "The Tool House." The service counter displays an advertisement for Brolite paints. Stored behind the counter are boxes containing auto parts. Seated on the curve of the counter is a cash register.
Automobile equipment & supplies stores--Tacoma--1950-1960; Automobile equipment & supplies; Mayberry Motor Parts, Inc. (Tacoma);
A night shot of the display windows and showroom floor at Hawk Motor Company, 204 Pioneer Ave. E. in Puyallup. The Oldsmobile Sales and Service center was owned by William S. Hawk. The new 1950 model Olds beckon from the showroom window. With a shortage of the new model cars, dealers scrambled to fill orders.
Hawk Motor Co. (Puyallup); Showrooms; Show windows--Tacoma; Window displays--Tacoma--1950-1960; Automobile dealerships--Puyallup--1950-1960;
Picture of three men at Cole's Supermarket, 5512 Pacific Ave., taken for advertising copy for grand opening ads. The store featured all new self service and Pictsweet frozen foods. The supermarket was open weekdays 9am-9pm and Sundays from 10am-9pm. New refrigerator cases were installed by Paul's Refrigeration. (TNT 3/3/1950 pg. 12)
Exterior of the new refrigerator case at Cole's Supermarket, modern technology for the preservation of fresh fruits and vegetables installed by Paul's Refrigeration in Tacoma. This photo served as advertising copy for the grand opening of Cole's which featured self service and Pictsweet frozen foods. Free coffee and ice cream for the kids was given at the opening. (TNT 3/3/1950 pg. C-12) TPL-9269
The "noon rush" filled the booths, tables and counter space at Peters' Golden Gate Oyster House, 1122 Pacific Avenue, in February of 1950. The restaurant, in the heart of Tacoma's financial and office building district, was owned and operated by Gus and Mike Peters. The brothers came to Tacoma from the Island of Crete in Greece in 1912 and entered the restaurant and seafood catering business while still teenagers. Gus Peters' original Greek name was believed to be Paneoto Constantine Rodakalikis. They had owned and operated restaurants in Tacoma for 26 years when they opened this new cafe in 1948. It was open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. (TNT 12/9/1948 p.B-9) (Additional information provided by a reader)
Restaurants--Tacoma--1950-1960; Eating & drinking--Tacoma--1950-1960; Counters--Tacoma--1950-1960; Restaurant workers--Tacoma--1950-1960; Waitresses--Tacoma--1950-1960; Peters Golden Gate Oyster House (Tacoma);
Fire damage at Tacoma Transit. The fire at the Tacoma Transit Company terminals destroyed four buses, several private automobiles and gutted the firm's repair shops and maintenance depot. Bricks, placed more than 50 years earlier in the two-story building, withstood the heat and flames. The framed interior of the building was a total loss, however. During streetcar days, in the section of the building damaged, were housed the old power house and the giant 12 and 15-foot diameter wheels which furnished power for the fleet of Tacoma cable cars. Ordered by United Pacific Insurance Company, Mr. Littlemore. (TNT, 2/16/1950, p.1)
Tacoma Transit Co. (Tacoma); Fires--Tacoma--1950-1960; Buses--Tacoma--1950-1960; Bus terminals--Tacoma;
Fire damage at Tacoma Transit. A fire destroyed four Tacomna Transit Company buses, several private automobiles and gutted the firm's repair shops and maintenance depot February 15, 1950. Losses were estimated at $267,000. The buses, in the process of repair, were probably totally ruined by the gasoline-fed flames. Ordered by United Pacific Insurance Company, Mr. Littlemore. (TNT, 2/16/1950, p.1)
Tacoma Transit Co. (Tacoma); Fires--Tacoma--1950-1960; Buses--Tacoma--1950-1960; Bus terminals--Tacoma;
Four Tacoma Transit buses were totally destroyed on February 15, 1950 when a gasoline-fed fire swept through the Transit Company's repair shop at 1301 A Street. The repair shop was located in the historic Tacoma Railway & Motor Company Power House which was built in 1889; it was originally built as the main powerhouse for Tacoma's streetcars. Although the brick walls withstood the heat and flames, the frame interior of the building and the buses inside were a total loss. Today the site of the old Transit building is occupied by the Columbia Bank Center which was built in 2001. Pictured above removing a "school bus" sign from one of the destroyed buses is Herbert "Herb" Emerick. His primary bus route was "Old Tacoma," which was also the area he lived in with his wife, Ida Strubstad Emerick. "Herb" Emerick would retire from Tacoma Transit and pass away in 1955. (Ordered by United Pacific Insurance Company, Mr. Littlemore.) (TNT, 2/16/1950, p.1. Additional information provided by a reader.)
Tacoma Transit Co. (Tacoma); Fires--Tacoma--1950-1960; Buses--Tacoma--1950-1960; Bus terminals--Tacoma; Emerick, Herbert;
1,200 pound anniversary cake, Big Bear Store, Mr. Taylor. The Big Bear Stores were celebrating the second anniversary of their Tacoma store. The store at this location was opened January 1948. This enormous five-layer cake is shown in front of a display of Biskit Mix and Fisher's enriched flour. A banner hanging over the flour display says the cake was made with Fisher's Blend Flour, Medosweet milk, and C & H Pure Cane Sugar.
Big Bear Stores (Tacoma); Grocery stores--Tacoma--1950-1960; Cakes--Tacoma--1950-1960; Anniversaries--Tacoma--1950-1960; Merchandise displays--Tacoma;
A view of the produce department and apple display at the Tacoma Big Bear Store. An unidentified shopper and Produce Manager Steve Turlis stand between the rows of displayed produce. Large amounts of fresh produce are mounded into the display bins. Bananas, rhubarb, lemons, are shown, but apples are the featured fruit. Posters hang on the walls and from banners. Large sacks and cases of apples stand open in the foreground. Ordered by the Washington State Apple Commission, Jack Sharp.
A view of the sales room and inventory arranged carefully on rows of shelving at C & G Radio, ordered by Lloyd Norberg. The wholesale distributing company advertised industrial electronic supplies from General Electric, Everready Batteries, Scotch Recording Tapes, Stromberg-Carlson Sound, Weston Instruments and Sylvania Tubes. (TNT, 2/14/1950, p.A-14)
C & G Radio Supply Co. (Tacoma); Radios; Stores & shops--Tacoma;
In February of 1950 an unidentified stock clerk at C & G Radio Supply Company, 2502 Jefferson Ave., pulled an order for radio and television tubes from the neatly organized shelves of inventory. Before transistors and modern printed circuits, radios and televisions used glass vacuum tubes produced by manufactures such as Jensen, Philco, and Tung Sol. Still in business at the same address, C & G Electronics carries hard to find bulbs and electronic items. (Ordered by Lloyd Norberg)
C & G Radio Supply Co. (Tacoma); Radios; Stores & shops--Tacoma;
Sepic Electric employees are gathered for a group portrait outside the remodeled facilities. The furniture and appliance store was owned by Stan and Fred Sepic. Several of the men wearing coveralls are standing by the company's three delivery trucks. Administrative staff are standing by the show windows. The company advertises Kelvinator and Maytag appliances. Ordered by Stan Sepic. (TNT, 2/14/1950, p.D-14) TPL-8167
Sepic Electric Co. (Tacoma); Furniture stores--Tacoma--1940-1950; Appliance stores--Tacoma--1940-1950;
