On March 8, 1957, as the vast empty rain-swept parking lot indicated, stores at the newly constructed Villa Plaza in Lakewood were not yet open for business. The location of the new shopping center was formerly the 200-acre Visitation Villa, a Catholic boarding and day school for girls and a summer retreat for women operated by the Sisters of Visitation. The school closed in 1954 and the property sold to developers. The buildings were demolished, oak groves pulled down, the creek filled in and stores constructed. The Villa Plaza later changed its name to the Lakewood Mall. Photograph ordered by the Pacific First Federal Savings & Loan.

Villa Plaza Shopping Center (Lakewood); Shopping centers--Lakewood--1950-1960;

The Normanna Male Chorus, led by Gunnar Malmin of Pacific Lutheran College, posed for a group picture on March 7, 1957. Professor Malmin, dressed in a dark tuxedo, is seated in the front row. Normanna Male Chorus was the oldest Norwegian singing organization in the west. It was formed in 1888 by Tacoma and Parkland men, and held its first Sangerfest in Tacoma in 1906. The first director was Professor Carlo Sperati; the present conductor Malmin has held the title since 1947. Normanna Male Chorus has approximately 50 members. Photograph ordered by Normanna Male Chorus. (TNT 2-25-57, p.5)

Normanna Male Chorus (Tacoma); Choirs (Music); Singers; Malmin, Gunnar J.;

Interior of Inferno Charcoal Broiler Restaurant. An unusual lattice ceiling, artificial tree with spreading branches and potted plants brought the outdoors into the Inferno restaurant. Chairs and drapes were decorated in a floral pattern to further accentuate the garden atmosphere. Part of the walls were apparently draped in sack-like materials, with masks staring at the seated customers. The Inferno Charcoal Broiler Restaurant was located at 7430 Pacific Avenue. TPL-9662

Inferno Charcoal Broiler Restaurant (Tacoma); Restaurants--Tacoma--1950-1960; Ceilings--Tacoma; Masks--Tacoma;

The sidewalks were packed on March 1, 1957, as potential car buyers streamed into Steven Motor Co.'s open house. Local residents were asked to "look around" at all the different used cars for sale to see how much money they could save that evening. Convenient terms to suit each individual buyer could be arranged. Steven Motor Co. was a Chrysler and Plymouth dealership, selling both used and new cars. Photograph ordered by Steven Motor Co.

Steven Motor Co. (Tacoma); Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Exterior- Inferno restaurant. As their large signage indicates, the Inferno restaurant specialized in charcoal broiled steaks and chicken in 1957. Flames roar under the Inferno's name on their neon sign. A canopy covers the long walkway to the front door; awnings in the same material on windows provide shade. The Inferno was located in a modest wooden one-story building at 7430 Pacific Avenue. TPL-9663

Inferno Charcoal Broiler Restaurant (Tacoma); Restaurants--Tacoma--1950-1960; Electric signs--Tacoma--1950-1960; Awnings--Tacoma;

Car shopping was truly a family affair in the 1950's. At their open house on March 1, 1957, Steven Motor Co. gave out balloons to the youngsters while their parents scrutinized the "best used car deal in town!" Steven Motor Co. was owned by Everett T. Steven. The long-time Chrysler and Plymouth dealership had three locations: the pictured sales & service center at 738 Broadway, a repair department on Saint Helens and their used car lot at 37th and South Tacoma Way. Photograph ordered by Steven Motor Co.

Steven Motor Co. (Tacoma); Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1950-1960;

A warning on the Sheffield Precisionaire column instrument indicates that the only persons authorized to handle the machine are paper inspectors and testing station personnel. The Sheffield machine may be used in testing paper strength. One technician has his hand on a handle of a smaller Sheffield product; the black disc is applying pressure on the sheet of paper. Photograph ordered by Merchandising Factors, Seattle.

Electrical apparatus; Testing; Measuring; Paper products; Merchandising Factors, Inc. (Seattle);

Judge Wilford A. Richmond, Superior Court judge, and his colleagues posed for a portrait at the Pierce County Court House on February 28, 1957. Photograph ordered by Washington Tuberculosis Association.

Richmond, W.A.; Judges--Tacoma; Washington Tuberculosis Association (Tacoma);

Douglas Fir Plywood Association employees were photographed in February, 1957, in the association's mail room facilities. Here two workers, wearing aprons, keep careful eyes on the operating machinery. They appear to be turning handles nearly in unison. Photograph ordered by Douglas Fir Plywood Association.

Machinery; Douglas Fir Plywood Association (Tacoma);

On February 28, 1957, a series of photographs were taken apparently at an unidentified testing laboratory. Several technicians were pictured running tests on various machines. This man is intently gazing at the meter, which is registering all zeros, and has a notepad with calculations close at hand. The machine was manufactured by the Tinius Olsen Testing Machine Co. of Philadelphia. Part of the machine is labeled "Massachusetts Institute of Technology Folding Endurance Testing". Working in conjunction with the Tinius machine is a speed reducer from Janette Mfg. Co. of Chicago. Photograph ordered by Merchandising Factors, Seattle.

Electrical apparatus; Machinery; Testing; Merchandising Factors, Inc. (Seattle);

Two office workers are shown in the mail facilities of the Douglas Fir Plywood Association in a February, 1957, photograph. A wall of filing cabinets provides some privacy and helps to lower noise levels. One woman is busy placing envelopes under a small machine. Another woman in striped blouse is at a keyboard transcribing information. Photograph ordered by Douglas Fir Plywood Association.

Office workers--Tacoma--1950-1960; Machinery; Douglas Fir Plywood Association (Tacoma);

A technician's hands are pictured carefully turning knobs on February 28, 1957, as he is apparently running quality control tests. Several small post-it notes with negative numbers and letters are located nearby. Voltage can be measured from 0 to 135 volts on this machine. The compensator and reflection scale can apparently be adjusted. It is possible that these quality control tests would measure the whiteness of paper. Photograph ordered by Merchandising Factors, Seattle.

Electrical apparatus; Measuring; Testing; Paper products; Merchandising Factors, Inc. (Seattle);

A peeler block appears to be emerging from this machine; it has apparently been barked. A technician, on an slightly elevated platform, monitors the proceedings in front of his control panel. He has his hand on a lever. Photograph ordered by Merchandising Factors, Seattle.

Logs; Merchandising Factors, Inc. (Seattle);

A series of photographs were taken on February 28, 1957, at an unidentified laboratory involving product testing. This technician appears to be monitoring the strength of note-size paper using the Elmendorf Paper Tester. Manufactured by the Thwing Instrument Co. of Philadelphia, the arrow on the paper tester is pointing at 30 on the scale. Photograph ordered by Merchandising Factors, Seattle.

Machinery; Testing; Measuring; Paper products; Merchandising Factors, Inc. (Seattle);

Construction continues on a new Tacoma highrise built by Fentron Industries. This photograph, taken on February 28, 1957, shows the new Tacoma Building (later to be called Weyerhaeuser Bldg.) at 1015 A St. Weyerhaeuser Timber Co. would be the primary occupant after completion. According to the 1957 City Directory, Cole & Weber, advertising, Cheney Lumber Co., Mutual Life Ins. Co. of N.Y., and Metzger, Blair & Gardner, attorneys, would also have offices in the new Tacoma Building. The twelve-story building next to the new construction is also called the Tacoma Building; it was built in 1910. The new Tacoma Building was actually located at 1015 A St., and considered an annex to the old section at (then) 1019 A St. Photograph ordered by Fentron Industries.

Building construction--Tacoma--1950-1960; Tacoma Building (Tacoma); Weyerhaeuser Building (Tacoma); Fentron Industries (Seattle);

There are printed instructions on the Bausch & Lomb machine that show a technician how to measure "Printing opacity" and "Opacity". He is looking at a small negative or picture with a magnifying glass. Copies of prints are laying next to the machine. Photograph ordered by Merchandising Factors, Seattle.

Machinery; Hand lenses; Testing; Merchandising Factors, Inc. (Seattle);

A Lorain crane continues to hoist materials needed for the construction of a new power building at McChord Air Force Base on February 26, 1957. Trusses are being installed on this date by the Western Electric Co., Inc. This is project #1557. Photograph ordered by Western Electric Co., Inc.

Building construction--McChord AFB; Hoisting machinery; Western Electric Co., Inc.;

Exterior of new home. Large view windows are abundant in this newly constructed home, believed to belong to the Brockman family, in a February 23, 1957, photograph. It has a very modern feel with its flat roof, large use of wood, and wall-to-wall windows. The home appears to be situated in a suburban landscape and surrounded by tall trees. The foundation appears yet to be built as the home is still on jacks. Photograph ordered by Douglas Fir Plywood Association.

Building construction; Douglas Fir Plywood Association (Tacoma);

Crowds of shoppers hit downtown Tacoma to hunt for bargains during the 1957 Washington Birthday Celebration sales. Washington Hardware and their Sports Shop at 922-24 Pacific Avenue were having a massive sale; this lucky man shows off his gun purchases to three interested boys. Names of the man and boys were not provided. Photograph ordered by Washington Hardware Co.

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

Heavy wood ceiling beams attract the eye in the new Brockman residence; there are not many lights to distract from the smooth wooden surfaces. Wood is plentiful in the living and play areas, with paneled walls and vertical columns separating large plate glass windows. A woman is enjoying the sunshine as she sits on top of an elongated wooden desk. Photograph ordered by Douglas Fir Plywood Association.

Living rooms--1950-1960; Douglas Fir Plywood Association (Tacoma);

Construction at Fort Lewis remained strong in the mid-1950's as the military population continued to grow. February 12, 1957, aerial photographs show two company barracks and utilities structures being built at the south end of Gray Field. Donald M. Drake Co. of Portland, Oregon, apparently were involved in Contract #3706. Photograph ordered by the Donald M. Drake Co.

Aerial photographs; Building construction--Fort Lewis; Donald M. Drake Co. (Portland, Or.);

Aerial photographs of the south end of Gray Field on Fort Lewis were taken on February 12, 1957. Construction appears to be continuing on two company barracks and utilities building. Roads will have to be extended to meet the new quarters. Photograph ordered by Donald M. Drake Co., Portland, Oregon. TPL-10352

Aerial photographs; Building construction--Fort Lewis; Donald M. Drake Co. (Portland, Or.);

Two members of the Tacoma Orthopedic Association are shown with papers in hand at Mary Bridge Children's Hospital on February 11, 1957. One woman has her hand on the cover of a recording machine. The walls of the room are painted with a circus motif, including elephants, giraffe, and circus wagon. Photograph ordered by Tacoma Orthopedic Association.

Tacoma Orthopedic Association (Tacoma); Charitable organizations--Tacoma--1950-1960; Mary Bridge Childrens Hospital (Tacoma); Hospitals--Tacoma--1950-1960;

An exterior view of the Armco Drainage & Metal Products plant was taken on February 6, 1957. Armco was located at 1721 Thorne Rd in the Tideflats, close to the paper manufacturers, Blake, Moffitt & Towne, and next to Certain-teed Products Corporation, roofing materials. The office and shipping/receiving departments were situated in smaller separate buildings from the main plants. A large sign on the plant clearly stated the business' name. Photograph ordered by Armco Drainage & Metal Products.

Armco Drainage & Metal Products (Tacoma); Signs (Notices);

George Anthony Trudnich posed for a sepia portrait at the Richards Studio on February 2, 1957. He planned to give copies of his photograph as Valentine Day gifts. This photograph, including his profile silhouetted against the wall, was a "non-retouched" photograph according to the studio. Trudnich was a clerk at Top Auto and resided at 2514 N. Starr. He was a graduate of Bellarmine and attended the College of Puget Sound. Trudnich was also a former amateur boxer who had participated in Golden Gloves matches. He married Elizabeth McCoy on January 27, 1958. (TNT 2-15-58, p. 5)

Trudnich, George Anthony;

Mothers were prepared to march in the fight against polio during the 1957 March of Dimes annual campaign. Frank Gillihan, campaign director, is seated to the foreground, holding envelopes filled with donations. Other mothers sort through their "Mothers March On Polio" packets with the help of the Tacoma Police Department. A blackboard shows listed donations from various parts of the city and neighboring communities. Photograph ordered by the March of Dimes.

March of Dimes (Tacoma); Fund raising--Tacoma--1950-1960; Gillihan, Frank J.;

Publicity picture for Golden Gloves. The Tacoma Athletic Commission was once again sponsoring the amateur boxing tournament, the Golden Gloves, during January, 1957. This event continued to attract entrants from across the Pacific Northwest and Canada. Welterweight Paul Olive of Tacoma poses for a studio portrait in the traditional boxing stance. Photograph ordered by the Tacoma Athletic Commission. (TNT 1-18-57, C-13)

Boxing--Tacoma--1950-1960; Boxers (Sports)--Tacoma--1950-1960; Olive, Paul; Tacoma Athletic Commission (Tacoma);

The Tacoma Athletic Commission would be sponsoring the ninth annual Golden Gloves tournament January 18 & 19, 1957. Charles "Charley" Brown, Fort Lewis light-heavyweight, takes a familiar stance. Brown would be one of twelve Tacoma-area entrants. He would eventually meet Johnny White of the Portland Knott Streeters in the finals of the 147# class; White would decision Brown for the victory. The Golden Gloves traditionally attracted many entrants from throughout Washington, as well as Oregon and British Columbia. Military personnel also commonly entered the amateur boxing tournament. Photograph ordered by Tacoma Athletic Commission. (TNT 1-17-57, C-9, TNT 1-21-57, p. 14))

Boxing--Tacoma--1950-1960; Boxers (Sports)--Tacoma--1950-1960; Brown, Charles; Tacoma Athletic Commission (Tacoma);

The bakery staff at a local Albertson's Food Center stand behind the V-shaped counter on January 30, 1957. Showcases are filled with a variety of cakes, pastries, donuts, and cream puffs. For those items needing refrigeration, Tyler Refrigerator Corporation provided welded steel commercial refrigerators to prevent spoilage. As in regular display cases, there were large glass windows in these refrigerators so that customers could see the bakery items. Photograph ordered by Tyler Refrigerator Corporation.

Refrigerators; Bakeries--Tacoma--1950-1960; Albertson's Food Center (Tacoma);

Several ladies, possibly members of the Washington T.B. Association, learn to make artificial flowers under the guidance of Pat & Bobbie's Studio of Floral Arts. Pat & Bobbie's was owned and operated by Patricia Evans and Mrs. Roberta Gocke and located at 1106 Sixth Avenue. The women at the long worktable are looking intently at their instructor; she is putting together a flower petal by petal. It appears that the flowers are made of paper as there are several sheets of paper before each woman along with scissors, ribbon and glue. Photograph ordered by the Washington Tuberculosis Association.

Washington Tuberculosis Association (Tacoma); Tuberculosis--Tacoma--1950-1960; Artificial flowers; Pat & Bobbie's Studio of Floral Arts (Tacoma);