Star-Lite drive in theatre was one of the largest outdoor theaters in the world. Sue and Chester Nilsson and Cora and C. L. Theuerkauf were the owners. Star-Lite had a 39 by 54 foot screen and was spread out over three acres on South Tacoma Way, the theater was having their Grand-Opening celebration this week. View of laborers working on the roof trusses for the bunker style type theater area, this area would give people who did not want to bring their cars, an enclosed area to watch the movies from, it would accommodate up to 60 people (T.N.T., 5/25/48, p. 8).

Roof trusses--Tacoma; Building construction--Tacoma; Progress photographs; Construction workers--Tacoma; Drive-in theaters--Tacoma; Star-Lite Park In Theatre (Tacoma);

Annie Wright Seminary was having a full day of activities, including their annual banquet hosted by the Athletic Association, a theatrical production featuring many of the classes, and the crowning of the May Queen. View of Annie Wright Seminary's May Day Festival, school children are dressed as bunnies for "The King and the Piper" production. The younger children at Annie Wright would be dressed a animals and creatures (T. Times, 5/12/47, p. 6).

School children--Tacoma; Private schools--Tacoma; Children performing in theatrical productions--Tacoma; Costumes; May Day--Tacoma; Rites & Ceremonies--Tacoma; Festivals--Tacoma; Annie Wright Seminary (Tacoma)--1940-1950;

Annie Wright Seminary's May Day Festival, children are dressed as the royal attendants for the 1948 May Queen. Marilyn Meyer, daughter of Fred J. and Florence Meyer, of Tacoma would be crowned the May Queen of Annie Wright Seminary. These children would present her with her scepter and her crown. The May Day festival would also have a traditional May Pole dance. From L to R: Ruth McLeod, Gretchen Collins, Barbara McBride, Jane Weyerhaeuser, Mitzie Weiss,Barbara Benson, Karen Ramsted, Robin Cunningham (T. Times, 5/12/48, p. 6).

School children--Tacoma; Private schools--Tacoma; Children performing in theatrical productions--Tacoma; Costumes; May Day--Tacoma; Rites & Ceremonies--Tacoma; Festivals--Tacoma; Annie Wright Seminary (Tacoma)--1940-1950;

First Communion, St. Joseph's Church, Father Joe. Four girls and ten boys pose for their group portrait with the priest from St. Joseph's Church. The girls wear white dresses with lots of ruffles and white headdresses. The boys wear white shirts and bow ties and hold their hands in front of themselves. Several of the children hold their rosary beads. Many of the children are smiling for their portrait.

St. Joseph's Catholic Church (Tacoma); Communion; Rites & ceremonies--Tacoma--1940-1950; Children--Tacoma--1940-1950; Children & adults--Tacoma; Children--Clothing & dress--Tacoma--1940-1950; Group portraits;

Pacific Lutheran College was cleaning up their campus for the upcoming May Fete carnival in 1948. The carnival would include: the college band playing under the direction of Professor Gunnar J. Malmin, violin solos, folk games and many other activities. The festivities would begin after Queen Ardys Bredvold was crowned, and Student Body President, Walter Kunchak, has read the traditional May Fete. View of students gathering tree branches and other debris on campus.

Students--Parkland--1940-1950; Universities & colleges--Parkland; Tree limbs; Events--Parkland; Cleaning--Parkland; Pacific Lutheran College (Parkland)--1940-1950;

On May 4, 1948, Pacific Lutheran College students were getting their campus ready for the annual May Fete. These unidentified students were raking in front of Old Main and loading the debris in a wheelbarrow. The May carnival would include many fun filled activities for the students. The highlight of the festivities would be the crowning of the 1948 Queen, Ardys Bredvold. TPL-8476

Students--Parkland--1940-1950; Wheelbarrows; Raking (Sweeping)--Parkland; Leaves; Universities & colleges--Parkland--1940-1950; Cleaning--Parkland; Pacific Lutheran College (Parkland)--1940-1950;

Alfred E. Hill, 22 years old, was killed instantly when his motorcycle hit the rear left fender of an on-coming car. Sergeant Andrew Prevuznak of Fort Lewis was turning onto Highway 99 from Sales Road, Hill's motorcycle collided with his automobile. View of blood stains on Highway 99 at Sales Road, scene of motorcycle and car accident; photo ordered by Farmers Insurance Company (T. Times, 6/17/48, p. 1).

Traffic accidents--Tacoma; Roads--Tacoma; Hill, Alfred E.--Death & burial; City & town life--Tacoma; Insurance companies--Tacoma; Farmers Insurance Group (Tacoma);

The Monday Civic Club members were planting trees at Franklin Park near So. 12th St. and So. Puget Sound, Milton Anderson, Superintendent of the park was supervising the tree planting. An Italian Flag, a gift to the club by Marie Trompen Gilley, who received it from an Italian soldier while in service with the Red Cross in Rome in 1919, will be presented to Chapin D. Foster, Director of the Washington State Historical Society, by Mrs. Archie Idso, club member. View of club members by their newly planted trees, flags in center (T. Times, 6/3/48, p. 10). TPL-9700

Tree planting ceremonies--Tacoma; Parks--Tacoma; Trees--Tacoma; Franklin Park (Tacoma); Women--Clubs--Tacoma; Monday Civic Club (Tacoma);

Dr. Seth C. Eastvold, President of Pacific Lutheran College, and his wife Enga are getting ready to depart on a three month trip to Europe. The Eastvold's will be visiting England, Scandinavian countries, Germany, the Netherlands, France, Switzerland and Italy. Dr. Eastvold plans to make two quick stops prior to leaving for Europe. In Moorhead, Minnesota he will give the Commencement Address at Concordia University, and he will attend the Biennial Convention of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Minneapolis. The Eastvolds will return to Tacoma in September (T. Times, 5/29/48, p. 10).

Universities & colleges--Parkland; College presidents--Parkland; Travel--Parkland; Pacific Lutheran College (Parkland)--1940-1950; Eastvold, Seth C.--Family;

On May 18, 1948, College of Puget Sound's athletic coaches and the school president were meeting for the very first time to discuss strategies for next year. Left to right, R. Franklin Thompson, CPS president, Rod Giske, ex-football star at WSU (and Stadium High School alumni), John Heinrick, (seated) Headman of the Grid and Athletic Director, Ray Mahnkey, former football player for the Washington State Cougars, and Harry Bird. The men are making plans for next grid season (T. Times, 5/21/48, p. 12). (Additional identification provided by a reader)

Universities & colleges--Tacoma; College presidents--Tacoma; Coaching (Athletics)--Tacoma; Football--Tacoma--1940-1950; Meetings--Tacoma--1940-1950; College of Puget Sound (Tacoma)--1940-1950; Thompson, R. Franklin, 1908-1999; Heinrick, John;

This is a portrait of Peter Wallerich, dean of Tacoma's bankers, which was taken in June of 1948. Mr. Wallerich, then 81 years old, was still active in multiple family-owned businesses as president of the North Pacific Bank, South Tacoma Motor Co. and City Motor. The family also owned Wallerich Agencies, an insurance company. Mr. Wallerich was born in Alsace-Lorraine on April 8, 1867. He came to the U.S. when he was 18 and worked on several Iowa farms. He learned telegraphy and came west to Almira, Washington, to work at a railroad station. He helped organize the much-needed Almira State Bank in 1902 and was elected cashier. He bought all the stock in South Tacoma's North Pacific Bank in 1910 and became cashier and manager. Mr. Wallerich had been involved in the automobile business in South Tacoma since 1924. Peter Wallerich died on October 25, 1951, at age 84; he had continued working as president of North Pacific Bank until just days before his death. Photograph finished in sepia tones, ordered by his son, Clarence W. Wallerich. (TNT 10-26-51, p. 1-photograph & obituary) TPL-10446

Wallerich, Peter; Men--Clothing & dress--Tacoma--1940-1950; Bankers--Tacoma; Wallerich Agencies (Tacoma); North Pacific Bank (Tacoma);

Grand Opening, Blue Moon Tavern, John Monta. The Blue Moon Tavern, 8402 Pacific Ave., was about to open in May of 1948. Stools line the counter where customers can choose their favorites on the jukebox from the lists at the counter. Behind the counter are storage drawers and shelves, a large cooler and decorations made with fishing gear. Liquor bottles are on display under the back counter. Above the mirrors are neon beer signs for Bohemian Club Beer, Schlitz, and Rainier. A large painting of a mountain and a lake is hung on the back wall. The back counter displays many bouquets sent wishing the owners success with their new establishment.

Blue Moon Tavern (Tacoma); Bars--Tacoma--1940-1950; Bars (Furniture)--Tacoma; Stools; Jukeboxes; Beer--Tacoma; Alcoholic beverages;

Hollywood Boat & Motor Company, owned and founded by Harry A. Esborg, was located at 4049 South Union Avenue. The boat business started when he began bringing in boats from Canada in 1943 and sold them from his used car lot that he had started in 1926. In 1947 the company began building wood boats. Exterior view of Hollywood Boat and Motor Company, signs along the windows include: "Evinrude--The Greatest Name in Outboard Motoring," "Champion Motors" and "Wagemaker Wolverine Boats." TPL-9924

Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Merchandise displays--Tacoma; Window displays--Tacoma--1940-1950; Boat engines; Industrial facilities--Tacoma; Hollywood Boat & Motor Co. (Tacoma);

Birchfield Boiler Company was currently working on cutting steel for the construction of a new fishing boat, a 57 foot seiner, "Alaska Limit". Birchfield was expanding their shipbuilding and conversion department. View of workman using machinery manufactured by Rud Engineering Company at Birchfield Boiler Company, possibly for new fishing boat (T. Times, 6/21/48, p. 5).

Boiler industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Laborers--Tacoma; Machinery; Rud Engineering Co. (Tacoma); Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Birchfield Boiler, Inc. (Tacoma);

The New Tacoma Cemetery offers their clients 100 acres of beautiful peaceful resting grounds. The New Tacoma Cemetery has been serving Tacoma families since 1932, they are under the administration of the Tacoma Cemetery Association, a non-profit organization. Exterior view of grounds, large trees and beautifully landscaped grounds offer peace and tranquility, sacred sanctuary in background.

Cemeteries--Tacoma; Gardens--Tacoma; Trees--Tacoma; Graves--Tacoma; Undertaking--Tacoma; Morgues & mortuaries--Tacoma; Death--Tacoma; New Tacoma Cemetery (Tacoma); Tacoma Cemetery Association (Tacoma);

Myra Hackney of Clinton, Oklahoma died in San Francisco, California, at the age of 63. Myra was born in Independence, Kansas, she was a member of the Order of Eastern Star and the Methodist Church in Clinton. Myra is survived by her daughters and her husband; her body is being brought to Tacoma for services and burial. View of Myra Elizabeth Hackney's casket surrounded by flower bouquets, at Buckley-King Funeral home, photo ordered by Mrs. Glen Coulson, Mrs. Hackney's daughter.

Coffins; Funeral rites & ceremonies--Tacoma; Undertaking--Tacoma; Morgues & mortuaries--Tacoma; Dead persons--Tacoma; Hackney, Myra Elizabeth--Death & burial; Buckley-King Funeral Service (Tacoma);

Weisfield's Inc., previously known as Weisfield & Goldberg Inc., window display in the Commerce Street entrance, features "America's Greatest Chair Value" Samson All-Purpose folding chairs, for only $7.95. The chair has a cushion comfort chair, welded steel construction for durability, baked enamel finish and durable samsonite covering. Samson folding tables are featured for $12.95. The chairs and tables are a great buy for either the business or the home.

Department stores--Tacoma; Window displays; Tables; Chairs; Home furnishings stores--Tacoma; Merchandise displays--Tacoma; Weisfield's, Inc. (Tacoma);

Several interiors and exteriors of stores in Fircrest, Lakewood Log, Charlie Mann. An exterior view of the Fircrest Barber Shop and the Beauty Nook. Near the corner of Berkeley Street and Regents Boulevard, the Beauty Nook and the Fircrest Barber Shop share the same space and are in the same building as the Fircrest Food Market, Gift Mart and pharmacy. The barber can be seen through the glass door giving a man a hair cut. A poster, coat rack and other items can also be seen through windows of the shop. The property adjacent to the building is being cleared but has not yet been improved with a building.

Fircrest Barber Shop (Fircrest); Beauty Nook (Fircrest); Barbershops--Fircrest--1940-1950; Beauty shops--Fircrest--1940-1950;

Hickey Sales Company sold punch boards and the prizes to different types of businesses in Tacoma. Albert B. Hickey was the President and Arthur B. Hitchcock was the Secretary-Treasurer of Hickey Sales Company. View of five cent "The Square Deal" and ten cent "Treasure Seals" punch boards, Seal No. 13 would win the two complete freshwater fishing outfits shown.

Fishing & hunting gear; Gambling--Tacoma--1940-1950; Board games--Tacoma; Awards; Merchandise displays--Tacoma; Business enterprises--Tacoma; Hickey Sales Co. (Tacoma);

General Mills Sperry Flour Division was located on Tacoma's waterfront near Sixth Avenue. The company's officers were: Paul A. Folquet, District Coordinator, and Willard H. Meinecke, Plant Supervisor. Interior view of plant, new machinery and equipment has been installed. Sperry was planning to increase their production to fill the demand for their products.

Flour & meal industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Industrial facilities--Tacoma; Grains--Tacoma; Grain industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Grain elevators--Tacoma; Remodeling--Tacoma; General Mills, Inc., Sperry Division (Tacoma);

General Mills Incorporated Sperry Division were the leading manufacturers of flour, cereal, poultry and dairy products in Tacoma. The flour company had first been the Puget Sound Flouring Mills, this company was absorbed by Sperry Flour then General Mills merged with Sperry. In 1947 General Mills decided to expand their facilities, interior view of new plant.

Flour & meal industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Industrial facilities--Tacoma; Grains--Tacoma; Grain industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Grain elevators--Tacoma; Remodeling--Tacoma; General Mills, Inc., Sperry Division (Tacoma);

Members of Beta Delta Chapter of Sigma Alpha Iota, the National Professional Music Fraternity, were installing new officers. The College of Puget Sound fraternity was having a banquet on Saturday evening at the New Yorker Cafe. View of fraternity members after the installation ceremonies, the ladies are wearing lovely evening gowns (T.N.T., 5/24/48, p. 12).

Fraternities & sororities--Tacoma--1940-1950; Alumni & alumnae--Tacoma; Evening gowns--Tacoma; Dresses--Tacoma; Banquets--Tacoma; New Yorker Cafe (Tacoma); College of Puget Sound (Tacoma)--1940-1950;

This house is a Vernacular/Popular style building, this architectural genre can be portrayed in either cottage, contemporary, ranch, shed or split level style. Typical characteristics of this style house include the following features: long horizontal lines, one-story, shallow-pitched roofs and exterior material used is usually wood. View of Contemporary Vernacular/Popular style house built in one day by Wollander Farwest Homes, photo ordered by Willard A. Wollander.

Houses--Tacoma--1940-1950; Chimneys--Tacoma; Building construction--Tacoma; Decks (Rooms & spaces)--Tacoma; Windows--Tacoma; Wollander Better Builder Plans (Tacoma); Wollander Farwest Homes (Tacoma);

Baker U-Drive Company was an automobile and truck rental agency, they were owned and operated by Myron J. Gladstone. The company's facilities were located in downtown Tacoma at 754 Commerce Street. Exterior view of Baker U-Drive Company, unidentified man is standing by Ford trucks from Titus Motor Company, photo ordered by Titus Motor Company. TPL-10343

Lease & rental services--Tacoma; Trucks--Tacoma--1940-1950; Ford trucks; Garages--Tacoma; Signs (Notices); Baker You-Drive Co. (Tacoma); Titus Motor Co. (Tacoma);

View of three piece Mitchell Luggage display at Rhodes Brothers Department Stores in June of 1948. The largest piece has two handles, which allows the suitcase to be moved around much easier; the smaller pieces allow you to conveniently pack your items for any length of travel. Mitchell Luggage was being displayed at Rhodes in downtown Tacoma; the merchandise was promoting summer travel plans and end of the school year trips.

Luggage; Merchandise displays--Tacoma--1940-1950; Window displays--Tacoma--1940-1950; Department stores--Tacoma--1940-1950; Rhodes Brothers Department Store (Tacoma); Mitchell Luggage (Tacoma);

View of five piece Mitchell Luggage display at Rhodes Brothers Department Stores. This set includes four suitcases and a beauty case, the open suitcase allows us to see the convenient pockets which will help keep our items organized. All pieces have double locks and are in an "Alligator skin" finish. Mitchell Luggage was being displayed at Rhodes in downtown Tacoma, the merchandise was promoting summer travel plans and end of the school year trips.

Luggage; Merchandise displays--Tacoma; Window displays; Department stores--Tacoma; Rhodes Brothers Department Store (Tacoma); Mitchell Luggage (Tacoma);

New Shell Station at 6th and Mason, Shell Oil Co., Mr. Holm. A daytime view of the new service station was taken on April 29, 1948 from street level showing the two garage doors open, banners flying and the two gasoline pumps with "Shell" signs, shaped like shells, on top. At night the Shell signs were lit.

Marty's Shell Service (Tacoma); Automobile service stations--Tacoma--1940-1950; Gasoline pumps--Tacoma--1940-1950; Vehicle maintenance & repair--Tacoma--1940-1950;

New Shell Station at 6th and Mason, Shell Oil Co., Mr. Holm. Another day-time view of the new service station. It is on the corner of Sixth Avenue and Mason. Residences line the street across from the service station. Two tall light poles will provide plenty of illumination during the dark, wet northwest weather.

Marty's Shell Service (Tacoma); Automobile service stations--Tacoma--1940-1950; Gasoline pumps--Tacoma--1940-1950; Vehicle maintenance & repair--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Wells and Brunell Manufacturing Company manufactured food display items, such as freezers and vending machines. Mark A. Wells was the President of the company, John M. Widner was the Vice-President, Leonard J. Brunell, Secretary, and Victor E. Johnson, Treasurer. View of "Fresh Peanuts" machine, paper bags on right side, dispensing area says "Serve Yourself".

Peanuts--Tacoma; Vending machines--Tacoma; Nuts; Bags; Wells & Brunell Manufacturing Co. (Tacoma);

Assembly of God was hosting a United Full-Gospel Fellowship Rally, Reverend Walter McAllister was the guest speaker. The rally would include eleven churches and eleven pastors, community Christian discussions with worship services and growing revivals. View of participating people in the auditorium of the First Christian Church, the balcony and ground level pews are filled up, stained glass in background (T. Times, 5/29/48, p. 3).

Religious meetings--Tacoma; Audiences--Tacoma; Churches--Tacoma; Pews--Tacoma; Religion; Assembly of God (Tacoma); First Christian Church (Tacoma);