The S. L. Savidge, Inc., company specialized in auto loans. They were located at 414 Saint Helens Avenue next to Factory Motor Parts and were managed by Roy M. Maning. Small ads promoting the company's low-cost loans were placed in the News Tribune on a frequent basis. View of business shows a compact building, possibly two-toned sandstone, with large neon signage. By November, 1959, Boze-Chester would occupy this site as a drive-in insurance agency. Photograph ordered by S. L. Savidge, Inc.

S.L. Savidge, Inc. (Tacoma); Financial facilities--Tacoma; Facades--Tacoma--1950-1960; Electric signs--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Clad in white, several rows of newly minted LPNs (licensed practical nurses) clutch their beribboned diplomas and certificates during Tacoma Vocational-Technical School's graduation ceremonies on November 14, 1957. Over a thousand hours of training was necessary to graduate and often included years of employment. Friends and family filled the seats in the school's auditorium to watch the 6th annual graduation exercises for the 49 recipients. Names of the new practical nurses are listed in the November 17, 1957, News Tribune. Photograph ordered by Tacoma Vocational-Technical School. (TNT 11-17-57, B-11) TPL-10124

Nursing--Tacoma--1950-1960; Tacoma Vocational School (Tacoma); Vocational education--Tacoma;

Sepia photograph of unidentified Japanese couple; they may be the mother and father of a member of the Hasui-Yamane bridal party. Man is wearing a black tuxedo with carnation boutonniere while his companion has a large orchid corsage pinned to the collar of her brocade coat. On November 9, 1957, Naomi Hasui wed Tonney T. Yamane in the Japanese Methodist Church. The Rev. Alpha Takagi conducted the evening ceremonies. Both bride and groom are college graduates; she graduated from the University of Colorado and he, from the University of Washington. Photograph ordered by Mrs.Tonney Yamane. (TNT 11-17-57, D-10)

Spouses; Weddings--Tacoma--1950-1960; Japanese Americans--Tacoma;

The whole staff of the Tacoma Floor Company, along with their fleet of vehicles and their sanding and polishing equipment, posed for a group portrait in front of their business at 1319 Center Street on November 8, 1957. Tacoma Floor was owned by Leo Nelson and specialized in laying, sanding and refinishing hardwood floors. After the death of Mr. Nelson in 1958, at the age of 53, his wife Margaret managed the business for several years. (Photograph ordered by Tacoma Floor Co.)

Tacoma Floor Co. (Tacoma);

This November, 1957, photograph may be that of the new Henry F. Hunt Junior High School in the West End of Tacoma. The giant loaf-sized buildings in the rear could be the new gymnasium. The building to the foreground is apparently designed for classrooms. Constructed on one level, there are multiple skylights to add natural light to the new rooms. Tacoma's school population had been growing in the 1950's, possibly due to the "baby boom" following WWII, and school construction had to keep pace. Photograph ordered by Douglas Fir Plywood Association.

Public schools--Tacoma--1950-1960; Douglas Fir Plywood Association (Tacoma);

Groups of men appear to be consulting one another as work progresses on the construction of a new unidentified bridge in late 1957. Plywood has been laid on most of the roadbed with one section of exposed rebar yet to be covered. Photograph ordered by Douglas Fir Plywood Association.

Bridge construction; Bridges; Suspension bridges; Plywood; Douglas Fir Plywood Association (Tacoma);

Workmen are busy laying plywood for the roadbed as construction continues on a new bridge in late 1957. The bridge is not identified. Photograph ordered by Douglas Fir Plywood Association.

Bridge construction; Bridges; Suspension bridges; Douglas Fir Plywood Association (Tacoma);

Interior of Calvary Baptist Church. Standing behind the pulpit is believed to be the Rev. Robert S. Hess, pastor of the Calvary Baptist Church. There is an abundance of wood in this church, from the long rows of pews to the arched and beamed ceilings. Rilco Laminated Products, Inc., may have supplied some of the wood products used in the sanctuary. Calvary Baptist Church has had a long history in Tacoma; it celebrated its 100th anniversary in 1999. In June, 1997, a rare twister damaged the church buildings; it was subsequently rededicated in September, 1997. Photograph ordered by Calvary Baptist Church.

Calvary Baptist Church (Tacoma); Baptist churches--Tacoma; Protestant churches--Tacoma;

Exterior of school. Rilco Laminated Products, Inc., may have supplied some of their wood products in the construction of a school in California in 1957. View of Poplar School located in Fontana, California, shows a modern one-story brick and concrete school with multiple buildings connected by covered walkways. Newly planted trees would eventually grow large enough to provide additional shade. Rilco Laminated was located in the Tacoma Bldg. at 1015 A St. It was managed by Roland A. Glaze. Photograph ordered by Rilco Laminated Products, Inc.

Rilco Laminated Products, Inc. (Tacoma); Public schools--California--Fontana; Poplar School (Fontana, Calif.);

Here is another view of the progress being made in the construction of a new unidentified suspension bridge in late 1957. Skilled workers are covering wooden slats with sheets of plywood. In the distance cranes and additional workmen are apparently involved in the construction of a bridge tower. Photograph ordered by Douglas Fir Plywood Association.

Bridge construction; Bridges; Suspension bridges; Plywood; Douglas Fir Plywood Association (Tacoma);

Interior of church. The sanctuary of this simple church is highlighted by the V-shaped ceilings, made of laminated wood, perhaps provided by Rilco Laminated Products, Inc. Looking directly from the preacher's pulpit, a large window, possibly stained glass, adds more light to complement the unusual chandeliers. The location and identity of this church is not known. Photograph ordered by Rilco Laminated Products, Inc.

Churches; Rilco Laminated Products, Inc. (Tacoma);

Stores began gearing up for the Christmas shopping season as early as November, even in the 1950's. The Bon Marche set up a Christmas display on its sixth floor where a jolly Santa extends a beribboned gift. Dolls, including a smiling clown, dump trucks, and an electric football game await holiday browsers. Wrapped gifts are positioned under gilded bells to tantalize the curious. Photograph ordered by the Bon Marche.

Christmas--Tacoma; Christmas presents; Merchandise displays--Tacoma--1950-1960; Bon Marche (Tacoma);

Interior of Richards Camera Store and Portrait Studio, Villa Plaza. A look through the floor-to-ceiling glass windows showed the immense array of photographic equipment and supplies offered by the new Richards Camera and Portrait Studio located in the new Villa Plaza Shopping Center. This store would open on November 15, 1957, and was the second owned by the Paul Richards family. The first store was located in the 700 block of Pacific Avenue. Richards Studios were noted for their high quality services and supplied the Tacoma-area with major lines including Eastman, Leica and Bolex. (TNT 11-14-57, A-13-alt. photograph)

Richards Cameras, Inc. (Lakewood); Photographic studios--Lakewood; Photography stores--Lakewood; Cameras; Villa Plaza Shopping Center (Lakewood); Shopping centers--Lakewood--1950-1960;

Well-equipped Richards Camera Store and Portrait Studio, Villa Plaza Shopping Center. The business would be celebrating its grand opening on November 15, 1957, in the new Villa Plaza Shopping Center located in Lakewood. It would be the second Richards in the Tacoma-area with the first situated in downtown Tacoma since 1898. F.W. (Red) Cowan would be the first manager of the camera shop in Lakewood and Clare Richards the manager of the portrait studio. Richards was known for using the finest in photo equipment and supplies and offered complete photographic services. The Lakewood location would also offer equipment rentals and repairs. (TNT 11-14-57, A-13-alt. photograph)

Richards Cameras, Inc. (Lakewood); Photographic studios--Lakewood; Photography stores--Lakewood; Cameras; Villa Plaza Shopping Center (Lakewood); Shopping centers--Lakewood--1950-1960;

On November 15, 1957 the new Richards Camera Store and Portrait Studio in Lakewood's Villa Plaza Shopping Center celebrated its grand opening. Located at 10303 Gravelly Lake Dr. S.W., it was managed by Floyd W. "Red" Cowan. This view of the interior shows the studio portion of the building, which was managed by Clare Richards. Modernistic furniture awaited customers who could examine Richards' portraits of all shapes and sizes in display before deciding on their purchases. Other sections of the store, not shown, had a wide assortment of cameras and accessories for sale. Richards had a reputation for high quality services, fine photography and carried leading lines of camera equipment and supplies. (Photograph ordered by Richards.) (TNT 11-14-57, A-13)

Richards Cameras, Inc. (Lakewood); Photographic studios--Lakewood; Photography stores--Lakewood; Villa Plaza Shopping Center (Lakewood);

The Japanese Methodist Church celebrated its 50th anniversary October 25-57, 1957. The congregation is amassed in front of the venerable church at South 19th and Fawcett. One of the special guests on October 27, 1957, was the first minister of the (then) Tacoma Japanese Methodist Episcopal Church, the Rev. Seichi Higashida. The building at 19th & Fawcett was started in 1929 and paid off in 1933. Begun in 1907 as a mission society for Japanese immigrants, the church was to change its name to Whitney Memorial United Methodist Church in the 1960's. It was to later close in 1999, due to declining attendance, and the property purchased by the University of Washington. Photograph ordered by Kaz Yamane, Tacoma Japanese Methodist Church. (TNT 10-26-57, p. 14)

Tacoma Japanese Methodist Church (Tacoma); Whitney Memorial United Methodist Church (Tacoma); Protestant churches--Tacoma; Japanese Americans--Tacoma;

Eileen Eckstrom, dressed in riding habit, leans casually against a stone room divider as she proudly displays the numerous trophies and ribbons she has won. The wall cabinet is filled with loving cups, trays, and trophies regarding her endeavors with horses. Eileen is the daughter of Charles Eckstrom; the Eckstroms resided in the Rhododendron Lanes neighborhood near Lakewood. Sepia photograph ordered by Charles Eckstrom.

Eckstrom, Eileen; Awards; Clothing & dress--Lakewood--1950-1960;

A new crop of summer Sunkist oranges had just arrived at the Albertson's Food Center on Pacific Avenue on October 23, 1957. Hanging flags directed customers to the Sunkist display in the produce aisle. Fresh, juicy, and sweet oranges were being sold at 2 lbs. for 35 cents, a real bargain. Stacks of oranges were contained in wire containers along with signs advising consumers that although some of the oranges may be green tinged, they are actually ripe. Photograph ordered by Sunkist Growers, Inc.

Oranges--Tacoma; Merchandise displays--Tacoma--1950-1960; Signs (Notices); Albertson's Food Center (Tacoma); Sunkist Growers, Inc.;

View of Hunt & Mottet Co. building. Designed by the architectural firm of Bullard & Hill and constructed by Joseph Wells, the eight-story brick Hunt & Mottet Building was completed in 1907. Later, a smaller four-story unit was constructed to its left. The company were wholesalers of hardware and also sporting goods. Signs on the ground floor windows indicate that Hunt & Mottet also occupied space in the original Love-Johnson Co./Tacoma Grocery Co. building next door. Photograph ordered by Hunt & Mottet Co. TPL-4792

Hunt & Mottet Co. (Tacoma); Facades--Tacoma--1950-1960; Hardware stores--Tacoma;

Hunt & Mottet Co. Building and parking lot shot from the side angle at S. 22nd and Pacific Avenue on October 21, 1957. A small parking lot is available for customers of the Hunt & Mottet Co., wholesale hardware and sporting goods dealer, in downtown Tacoma. The small four-story building adjacent to the parking lot was a later addition to the original 1907 eight-story unit. The company made sure that their name was highly visible for many blocks by the use of extremely large lettering on the side of the main building. TPL-4794

Hunt & Mottet Co. (Tacoma); Signs (Notices); Parking lots--Tacoma--1950-1960;

A view of the Hunt & Mottet Bldg. on Pacific Avenue was taken from across the street on October 21, 1957. The eight-story brick building is in stark contrast to the concrete-faced unit next door, which was designed by architect Frederick Heath and constructed by W.J. Collins, contractors. Hunt & Mottet, hardware and sporting goods dealers, apparently occupied space in both buildings, according to ground level signage. Enormous lettering emblazoned on one side of the brick building, not visible in this photograph, made the company a well-known presence in the Tacoma business district. Photograph ordered by Hunt & Mottet Co. TPL-4793

Hunt & Mottet Co. (Tacoma); Facades--Tacoma--1950-1960; Hardware stores--Tacoma;

Another view of the Hunt & Mottet Co. building showing the four-story addition and small parking lot was taken on October 21, 1957. Located on busy Pacific Avenue, near S. 22nd St., the wholesale hardware and sporting goods company had been doing business there since 1907. Lettering several feet high on one side of the main brick building alerted commuters to the company's presence. The eight-story concrete faced building to the right of Hunt & Mottet is believed to be the Love-Johnson Co./Tacoma Grocery Co.building constructed in 1906. Photograph ordered by Hunt & Mottet Co.

Hunt & Mottet Co. (Tacoma); Facades--Tacoma--1950-1960; Hardware stores--Tacoma; Signs (Notices);

The S.H. Kress store had been a presence on Broadway since its opening on October 16, 1925. 32 years later, the store underwent extensive remodeling under the supervision of contractor G. Kirkebo & Sons, following the designs of architect Lyle Swedberg. View of dirt piled on one side of the Kress building, open beams, and probably sheets of black tarp covering one end of building. Kress celebrated its grand reopening in August, 1958. Air conditioning and a lunch counter were additions to the store. The store was to eventually close in 1972; later, the building was to become the home of the Children's Museum of Tacoma. Photograph ordered by S.H. Kress & Co. (TNT 11-24-57, C-16) TPL-9207

S.H. Kress & Co. (Tacoma); Variety stores--Tacoma--1950-1960; Building construction--Tacoma--1950-1960;

The Lerner Shops can be glimpsed through the space next to the S.H. Kress store across the street as the variety store underwent extensive remodeling in the fall of 1957. Mounds of rubble including pieces of wood, hoses, rubber, and shattered concrete are clearly visible. It was apparently time for the Kress store to update itself; it was built originally in 1925 as part of the nationwide chain of variety stores. The new Kress store would celebrate a grand reopening in August, 1958. Fourteen years later, in 1972, the store would end its presence in downtown Tacoma. The Children's Museum of Tacoma would remodel and occupy the building in the late 1990's. Photograph ordered by S.H. Kress & Co.

S.H. Kress & Co. (Tacoma); Variety stores--Tacoma--1950-1960; Building construction--Tacoma--1950-1960;

A Globe Machine employee holds onto a large piece of machinery on October 15, 1957. It appears to be a giant roller of some type. Globe Machine was in the business of manufacturing machinery for veneer, plywood, and woodworking purposes. A number of machines had been damaged in transit; it is not clear whether this machine was one of them, or what the damage was supposed to be. Photograph ordered by Globe Machine Manufacturing Co.

Globe Machine Manufacturing Co. (Tacoma); Machinery; Machinery industry--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Wine display. A large assortment of Nawico and other wines greet shoppers at a local supermarket in October, 1957. Displayed neatly on four shelves, wines could be purchased for $1.09 to $2.50. Many of the bottles came with twist-off caps instead of corks. The "Wine Cellar" made sure its presence was extremely visible with its name and product, "WINE", in large letters. Photograph ordered by American Wine Growers Association.

Merchandise displays; Wine; Signs (Notices);

The George R. Marvin Co. was a steel fabrication plant located on Taylor Way in the Tideflats. Besides manufacturing cranes and other hoists, they also were involved in fabricated steel products. A model in an October 4, 1957, photograph is examining a piece of machinery manufactured by the Marvin Co. The exact use of the product is not known; it does appear to be solidly constructed and capable of containing either solids or liquids. What appears to be an Air Force fuel tank is in the background of the photograph. Photograph ordered by the George R. Marvin Co.

George R. Marvin Co. (Tacoma); Steel industry--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Aerial photographs- U.S. Oil Refinery. Aerial photographs of the U.S. Oil refinery were taken on October 3, 1957. The petroleum "tank farm" was located on an 120 acre site in the Tideflats. The light colored round cylinders shown in the photograph are probably the storage tanks. The refinery would be close to both rail and water transport. Photograph ordered by U.S. Oil & Refining Co.

Aerial photographs; Storage tanks--Tacoma; US Oil & Refining Co. (Tacoma);

In October of 1957 the Rainbow Contractors company, owned by Howard M. Bryan, Jr., moved Chapel no. 16 through the streets of Parkland to its new home at 12223 A Street. The old Army chapel became the Parkland United Methodist Church. Since its move, an education wing has been added to the building. A similar chapel was moved ten years earlier; that chapel became the Parkland Evangelical Lutheran Memorial Church at 12301 Pacific Avenue. (Photograph ordered by Rainbow Contractors.) (Additional information provided by a reader) TPL-9967

Chapels--Tacoma; Moving of structures--Tacoma; Moving & storage trade--Tacoma--1950-1960; Rainbow Contractors (Tacoma); Parkland United Methodist Church (Parkland);

A heavy duty Rainbow Contractor truck hauls a large building, Chapel #16, down a suburban street on October 3, 1957. A man on the very top of the roof is stationed there to watch for entangling power lines. Rainbow Contractors was very experienced in moving of large structures, both on land and on water. They were located at 3601 South Lawrence and owned by Howard M. Bryan, Jr.

Moving of structures; Moving & storage trade--Tacoma--1950-1960; Rainbow Contractors (Tacoma);