Passport picture- Ed Miller. Edward P. Miller was a well-known innovative builder in the Tacoma area. He posed for a passport photograph on March 7, 1958, wearing a dark suit, white shirt and tie. Decorating his lapel are three ribbons and a name tag. Mr. Miller may have been preparing to attend a conference as a member of the Spring Board of Directors, National Association of Home Builders. The ribbons indicate the offices he has held in the association: Executive Committee, Regional Vice President and Director. Mr. Miller was past president of the Tacoma Master Builders Association. He later would be appointed housing adviser to the Republic of Chile by the U.S. State Department. He and wife Juanita resided in the Skyline Terrace neighborhood. Photograph ordered by Miller Construction Co.

Miller, Edward P.;

The Washington State Apple Commission ran a promotion in March, 1958, in local supermarkets extolling the virtues of the state fruit, the apple. Washington State apples come in many varieties, sizes and colors. Three people in the produce department unwrap a banner indicating bargain days for apples and to "Buy 'em Now!" Because baseball was so popular for both young and old, apple sellers hoped to entice ball players to devour the fruit by claiming beneficial effects with "Here's Big League Energy." Shoppers would be greeted by rows of many varieties of apples, some wrapped in tissue, at reasonable prices. Photograph ordered by Washington State Apple Commission, Wenatchee.

Apples; Signs (Notices);

This is believed to be the Rev. Martin J. Duggan, pastor of Holy Cross Catholic Church. Father Duggan had celebrated his 25th anniversary as a priest in 1950. He is dressed in special vestments which appear to be made of brocade. Six tall candles and candelabra are on the altar behind the pastor with a large cross hanging above. Sepia photograph ordered by Holy Cross Church.

Priests--Tacoma--1950-1960; Holy Cross Catholic Church (Tacoma); Catholic churches--Tacoma; Altars--Tacoma;

Molten showers were not an unusual occurrence at the Bethlehem Pacific Coast Steel works in Seattle. The steel manufactured at Bethlehem's facilities was used in many structures locally, including the Alaska Way Viaduct and the Tacoma Narrows Bridge. The Bay area's Carquinez Straits Bridge utilized Bethlehem Corporation's steel in the approaches to the bridge and Bethlehem's shipbuilding division in Quincy, Mass., produced the steel used in 25,000 to 106,500-ton tankers. Bethlehem plants nationwide were booming and a new basic steel research center was being built in the adjoining site to Lehigh University in Pennsylvania to carry on vital new research projects. (TNT ad, 1-2-58, B-8)

Bethlehem Pacific Coast Steel Corp. (Seattle); Steel industry--Seattle; Industrial facilities--Seattle;

Bethlehem Pacific Coast Steel's works were booming in the 1950's, necessitating a $25 million dollar expansion in Seattle, as well as improvements and new construction elsewhere. New electric furnaces promised to boost steelmaking capacity 70% to 420,000 tons annually. Workers are pictured on March 6, 1958, seemingly dwarfed by the size of the huge equipment used in the Seattle plant. A cascade of sparks and smoke stream from an open hearth. The men are wearing hard hats and long coats for protection.

Bethlehem Pacific Coast Steel Corp. (Seattle); Steel industry--Seattle; Industrial facilities--Seattle;

A small, desktop model Singer sewing machine has been removed from its table at the Joe L. Long, Jr., residence in Lakewood. The machine has been threaded and still has a full spool of thread. An opening has been cut into the plywood sewing table so that the machine can be upended and hidden from view. The table can then be used to cut material or for other uses. Photograph ordered by Douglas Fir Plywood Association.

Sewing machines; Sewing equipment & supplies; Plywood; Douglas Fir Plywood Association (Tacoma);

Model Helene Williamson is photographed on March 5, 1958, at the sewing table and cabinet in the Joe L. Long, Jr., Lakewood residence. There is an overhead cabinet with sliding doors that could hold sewing items that do not fit on the nearby plywood shelves. Spools of thread, balls of yarn, sewing magazines and pattern books all fit neatly on the open shelving. Plenty of natural light to sew by, and admire the lake view, is available through the home's many windows. Photograph ordered by Douglas Fir Plywood Association.

Long, Joe L.--Homes & haunts; Williamson, Helene; Sewing equipment & supplies; Sewing machines; Douglas Fir Plywood Association (Tacoma);

Model Helene Williamson selected a spool of thread from a plywood sewing cabinet on March 5, 1958. The cabinet was conveniently placed adjacent to a small Singer sewing machine. Thread spools were fastened to a board in rows, and patterns and sewing magazines were displayed on shelves. The model sewing cabinet was located in the Lakewood home belonged to Joe L. Long, Jr., vice-president of Atlas Foundry, and wife, Leona. Photograph ordered by Douglas Fir Plywood Association.

Long, Joe L.--Homes & haunts; Williamson, Helene; Sewing equipment & supplies; Sewing machines; Douglas Fir Plywood Association (Tacoma);

Idlewild Elementary School was located in Lakewood at 10806 Idlewild Rd. S.W. , a part of the Clover Park School District. James E. Rediske was listed as principal in the 1958 Tacoma Suburban Directory. The school's buildings were clustered together; they all seemed to be of modern style and one-story in nature. The largest building with a steep roof shown in this March 4, 1958, photograph appeared to be the auditorium. Idlewild followed the new trend in wood framing and glue-lam beams for school construction. 70,000 feet of fir plywood was used for roof decking. Donald Burr was the architect for the project; Strom Construction was the contractor. Photograph ordered by Penman Neil, Inc. (TNT 2-9-58, A-19)

Idlewild Elementary School (Lakewood); Public schools--Lakewood;

Greeting card racks were on display at the University Place Pharmacy on March 1, 1958. Located on Aisle #10, gift wrapping, ribbons, and greeting cards of all varieties were within easy reach of customers. The two-sided racks with the semi-curved end had signs to identify different sections. The University Place Pharmacy was owned by Don Heerma and located in the University Place Shopping Center. Store hours were 10-9 daily and 11-7 on Sundays. Photograph ordered by Gibson Art Co.

Greeting cards; Merchandise displays--University Place; Drugstores--University Place; University Place Drugstore (University Place);

Clear blue sky can be seen through the unfinished roof and incomplete walls of housing being constructed on Fort Lewis in early 1958. Dimensional Lumber may have been used in the building of these multiple dwelling units. Fort Lewis' population continued to grow in the 1950's and more housing was necessary for military personnel. This may have been part of the six million dollar Capehart project at Fort Lewis. Capehart was housing built with private funds on military bases for officers and non-commissioned officers and their families. Financing was through FHA. The military wanted to offer attractive living accommodations to attract men from civilian ranks. Similar housing projects were being constructed at McChord Air Force Base. Photograph ordered by Weyerhaeuser Timber Co. (TNT 1-18-59, C-12)

Building construction--Fort Lewis; Housing--Fort Lewis; Plywood;

View of multiple dwelling units under construction on Fort Lewis. These military housing units appear to be in roughly the same stage of completion; wood frames are up including the roof trusses. This cluster of new units may have come equipped with carports or garages. They are surrounded by other, older houses/barracks. This new construction may have been part of the six million dollar Capehart project at Fort Lewis. The first segment of 375 new units was under construction with more to be built later. Capehart was housing built with private funding on military bases, financing through the FHA, for officers and non-commissioned officers and their families. The military was looking to expand housing on base to keep their men close at hand and thus needed to offer attractive living accommodations. Photograph ordered by Weyerhaeuser Timber Co. (TNT 1-18-59, C-12)

Building construction--Fort Lewis; Housing--Fort Lewis;

A young boy removes a belt from a hook placed in the doorway of a plywood closet. The versatile closet not only had space for hanging coats and shirts but also had separate sections in the doorway for belts, hats, socks and notebooks. Narrow shelves tidily kept smaller items from spilling onto the floor. This closet would be portable and a welcome addition to rooms without proper storage. Copy of customer's negative ordered by Douglas Fir Plywood Association.

Closets; Plywood; Belts (Clothing); Douglas Fir Plywood Association (Tacoma);

The Horace Mann Elementary School PTA was preparing for an upcoming carnival at the southend school. The baked salmon dinner and carnival was to be held on April 18, 1958 with a "Mother Goose in Outer Space" theme. Here a stuffed, or perhaps papier-mache, Mother Goose perches on a tinfoil log. A touch of the modern world intrudes with the addition of satellites and rockets as decorations; news of the Russian Sputnik had captivated the world in 1957. Mrs. Anton Gesinger, standing far right, headed the committee in charge of the event. Photograph ordered by Horace Mann PTA.

Tacoma Council of Parent-Teacher Associations (Tacoma); Horace Mann School (Tacoma); Public schools--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Ahlab Court, Ladies' Oriental Shrine of North America, welcome passengers aboard the well-known Steve's cable car on a wet February noontime. Some of them are wearing the traditional fez but others have on more daring "Hedda Hopper" creations. The women may have had their own "Oriental Band" similar to male Shriners; an accordion, banjo, and drums are visible. Photograph was taken on February 25, 1958, outside Steve's Gay '90s. Photograph ordered by Ahlab Court, Ladies' Oriental Shrine of North America.

Ahlab Court, Ladies' Oriental Shrine of North America (Tacoma); Fraternal organizations--Tacoma; Hats--1950-1960; Cable railroads--Tacoma;

Smoke drifts from a chimney toward the looming hills in Elbe on a rainy February day. The streets appear quiet with no visible traffic proceeding on the two-lane road. There are no cars outside the Chevron pumps at M. Gilliardi's Standard Oil station. A grocery store is further down the road across from a B & O boxcar. Elbe is a small community on the Nisqually River at the east end of Lake Alder in the south central section of Pierce County. Photograph ordered by Standard Oil Co. of California. TPL-8363

Standard Oil Co. of California (Elbe); Automobile service stations--Elbe; Signs (Notices);

Harold Stamey, owner of Stamey Insurance, sponsored several amateur baseball and basketball teams in the 1950's. During the 1957-58 season, he sponsored a rookie basketball team called the "Stamey's" composed of ten 10-year-olds. From L-R in the back row in February of 1958: Mr. Leon Cunningham, Larry Mock, Jerry Mock, Ronnie Lyons, Richard Dixon, Curtis Stamey and Mr. Harold Stamey. Front row, L-R, David Cooper, Ricky Nordquist, John Fishburn, Keith Smith and Buddy Brown. This photograph was taken in the Lincoln High School gym. Photograph ordered by Stamey Insurance.

Stamey Insurance Inc. (Tacoma); Basketball players--Tacoma--1950-1960; Basketball--Tacoma--1950-1960; Stamey, Harold; Stamey, Curtis; Cunningham, Leon;

In a scene reminiscent of the day after Christmas, anxious crowds pour into the Washington Hardware store to snap up bargains in hardware and sporting goods. Even the cold, damp weather is not enough to deter shoppers attending Washington Hardware's Washington Birthday Sales in 1958. As the crowds push through the doors, young boys who had hopped onto the store's thin cement wall try to maneuver their way over the bodies of others. As an added attraction, KTAC would be broadcasting direct from within the store. Photograph ordered by Washington Hardware Co.

Washington Hardware Co. (Tacoma); Shopping--Tacoma--1950-1960; Crowds--Tacoma;

Washington Hardware Washington Birthday Sales. The cashiers stand ready before their registers as they await purchases at the 1958 Washington Hardware Co.'s Washington Birthday Sales. Some of the items bought would be destined for presents as three girls were prepared to gift wrap. The store is packed with customers, bargain hunters and just plain browsers. Moose and elk heads are mounted on the walls along with stuffed swordfish and birds. Guns, tools, and outdoor clothing are on display. Photograph ordered by Washington Hardware Co.

Washington Hardware Co. (Tacoma); Shopping--Tacoma--1950-1960; Crowds--Tacoma;

Washington Hardware's annual Washington Birthday Sales always drew large crowds. Even on a cold, damp, day people of all ages flocked to the Pacific Avenue location in anticipation of finding bargains in sporting goods and hardware. View of crowds milling about the two store entrances; photograph ordered by Washington Hardware Co.

Washington Hardware Co. (Tacoma); Shopping--Tacoma--1950-1960; Crowds--Tacoma;

In February of 1958, this group of young men was prepared for a long wait as they settle in before the closed doors of the Washington Hardware Co. store, 922-24 Pacific Ave. The store was having their annual Washington Birthday Sales and these teens may have camped out overnight. They are warmly dressed against the cold winter weather and have brought along the comforts of home: chairs, books, and food. Besides the lure of sporting goods and various hardware, the teenagers may have been attracted by the presence of KTAC radio which was broadcasting live from the sale. Photograph ordered by Washington Hardware Co.

Washington Hardware Co. (Tacoma); Shopping--Tacoma--1950-1960; Teenagers--Tacoma--1950-1960;

An employee of Puget Sound Plywood is measuring an exceptionally large log on a log deck at the company's East "F" St. plant on February 20, 1958. Photograph ordered by Douglas Fir Plywood Association.

Puget Sound Plywood, Inc. (Tacoma); Logs; Lumber industry--Tacoma--1950-1960; Cooperatives--Tacoma;

It appears that a giant log is carefully being barked by hand in a February 20, 1958, photograph. The Puget Sound Plywood employee is apparently using a long tool to lift the exposed layer. It is possible that this peeler will be used in the production of plywood. In that case, after barking, the peeler will be rotated in a lathe, removing strips of veneer. Photograph ordered by Douglas Fir Plywood Association.

Puget Sound Plywood, Inc. (Tacoma); Logs; Lumber industry--Tacoma--1950-1960; Cooperatives--Tacoma;

A studio portrait of a portable television was taken on behalf of Washington Hardware on February 17, 1958. The store planned to use it later for a newspaper ad. The Emerson TV came in a white case with colored stripe. It had small "rabbit ears" and a handle for carrying. Control buttons for brightness, volume, horizontal and vertical positions were on the side of the television along with a station selection and tuning knob. Sound appeared to emerge from slits flanking the station selection knob. This 17 inch Emerson was the latest 1958 model. The regular price at Washington Hardware was $179.95. For one day only, Washington's Birthday Sale on February 22, the price would drop to $128. (TNT ad- 2-21-58, A-6)

Televisions--1950-1960; Washington Hardware Co. (Tacoma);

It was a pleasant Valentine's Day in 1958 at the Ben Cheney residence when the Cheneys hosted a reception for the victorious Cheney Studs basketball team. Ben Cheney holds a trophy proclaiming the Cheney Studs the City League champions. Marian Cheney has an opened box of fresh carnations in her arms. The basketball players had just concluded games at Fife High School. Flanking the Cheneys are believed to be the O'Brien twins, former basketball stalwarts from Seattle University and currently members of the Studs team. The O'Briens, Eddie and Johnny, would be heading south for spring training with the Pittsburgh Pirates baseball team. Photograph ordered by Cheney Lumber Co. (TNT 2-11-58, C-4)

Cheney, Ben B., 1905-1971; Cheney, Marian; Awards; Carnations--Tacoma; Receptions--Tacoma;

Three saxophones and six clarinets line the display cases at Myers Music in Seattle. The store was owned and operated by Julian Myers and was located just a short walking distance from the Pike Street Public Market. Myers sold a variety of musical instruments, including guitars, brass, woodwind and keyboards. The saxes and clarinets displayed on February 10, 1958, were not behind glass cases. They were mounted on pegboards so that the customer could easily reach and examine them. Photograph ordered by Myers Music.

Myers Music (Seattle); Music stores--Seattle; Saxophones; Wind instruments; Merchandise displays--Seattle--1950-1960;

Besides carrying a wide variety of musical instruments, Myers Music on Seattle's 1st Avenue also had a small record section. Customers were invited to visit the store's Hi-Fidelity Room where presumably records, and the store's equipment itself, could be tested. Valentine's Day was rapidly approaching so Myers suggested that a good way to " Remember your Valentine" would be to purchase a phonograph record. Jazz, show and classical records were displayed with "The Bridge on the River Kwai," "Beethoven's Symphony No. 7 in A Major, Op. 92," and "Jose Greco" in the foreground. Photograph ordered by Myers Music.

Myers Music (Seattle); Music stores--Seattle; Merchandise displays--Seattle--1950-1960; Sound recordings;

A worker stands at one end of an enormous roller at the Huntington Rubber Mill on February 10, 1958. His feet are resting very close to a conveyer belt or chain. Huntington Rubber was located in Seattle at 34315 -16th S.

Huntington Rubber Mills (Seattle); Machinery;

Accordions were very popular in the 1950's with many accordion studios springing up to keep up with the heavy demand. It was an especially popular instrument with children. Myers Music in Seattle carried a wide range of accordions for purchase. Tidily aligned on three shelves were Matelli, Dallape, Merano and other brands. They appeared to be made in other colors than black alone. Photograph ordered by Myers Music.

Myers Music (Seattle); Music stores--Seattle; Accordions; Merchandise displays--Seattle--1950-1960;

Several rows of stringed instruments, including guitars and banjos, line the walls of Myers Music in Seattle. The small store had a good location in downtown Seattle, close to the Pike Street Public Market. Customers could take in a glance the many types of instruments sold by Myers. The guitars and banjos in this February 10, 1958, photograph are hung on hooks on pegboard. Catching the eye are some that are upside down. A few have prices listed on them, including a "Tiple" for $65 and a mandolin-type instrument for $75. What appear to be carrying cases for the instruments or perhaps portable speakers with handles are on the floor before the wall display; a phonograph record of musician Dave Brubeck is placed near a drum set. Photograph ordered by Myers Music.

Myers Music (Seattle); Music stores--Seattle; Guitars; Banjos; Merchandise displays--Seattle--1950-1960;