Former World Heavyweight Boxing Champions Joe Louis, second from left, and Max Baer, far right, signed autographs during a special appearance at Tacoma's B&I Circus Store, 8012 South Tacoma Way, on Saturday May 3, 1958. Joining them at the autograph tables were Frank Stojack (far left), professional wrestling standout and Pierce County Sheriff, and a fourth unidentified man. Boxers Louis and Baer had been flown by helicopter to the B&I from the Lakewood Villa Plaza where they had signed autographs earlier the same day. ALBUM 9.

Boxers (Sports)--Tacoma--1950-1960; Baer, Max, 1909-1959--Public appearances; Louis, Joe, 1914-1981--Public appearances; Stojack, Frank; B&I Circus Store (Tacoma); Autographing--Tacoma--1950-1960;

A man sets his sights on something, perhaps a bird, in the distance as he stands in heavily forested terrain. He is wearing a hard hat but no other apparent hunting garb. He appears very tiny in comparison to the enormous trees. Photograph ordered by the Condon Co., an advertising firm.

Forests; Hunting;

Ribbon cutting ceremonies at the "Blue Flame" home in Glenwood Acres were held on May 18, 1958. The planned community in Lakewood was comprised of 60+ houses built by Stromberg Construction. It was the first housing development to feature natural gas for home heating. View of Mrs. America of 1957, Cleo Maletis, cutting the ribbon with a giant pair of scissors; she is assisted by a smiling Dick Stromberg, president of Stromberg Construction. Standing next to Mrs. Maletis is believed to be Gretchen Brockhoff, 1958 Daffodil Queen, and next to Miss Brockhoff, Judith Williams, Miss Tacoma. For additional view of home, see A114469-18. Photograph ordered by Stromberg Construction.

Houses--Lakewood--1950-1960; Housing developments--Lakewood--1950-1960; Dedications--Lakewood; Maletis, Cleo; Stromberg, Dick; Williams, Judith; Scissors & shears;

National Transportation Week was around the corner when Col. Harry T. Meyers, post transportation officer at Fort Lewis and Harry D. Smith, western division traffic manager for Weyerhaeuser Sales Co., pointed out various modes of transportation to Mayor John Anderson in May of 1958. Models of a United Airlines airplane, Pacific Intermountain Express (PIE) semi-truck and trailer, and Milwaukee Road train are displayed before the mayor. Publicity for Tacoma Chamber of Commerce. ALBUM 14. (TNT 5-11-58, B-4)

Mayors--Tacoma--1950-1960; Anderson, John H.; Meyers, Harry T.; Military officers; Smith, Harry D.; Model airplanes; Model vehicles; Model railroads;

Ed Miller posed for a series of informal photographs at his Skyline Drive office on May 28, 1958. Mr. Miller is shown kneeling beside a giant wall display of homes he has designed and built and multiple awards he has been received. He is holding a recent Practical Builder trophy awarded to his company, Miller Construction. He has been a longtime member of the Tacoma Master Builders Association and held national and regional offices. His Skyline Terrace housing development, which was pictured on the wall display, featured innovative houses built on view lots. Mr. Miller is also proud of his fishing abilities; a recently awarded sea fishing trophy and a plaque from the Sailfish and Tarpon Club of Mexico adorn the wall. Photograph ordered by Miller Construction Co.

Miller, Edward P.; Awards; Plaques--Tacoma;

Customers peruse the outdoor displays at the newly opened Eric Hayes Nursery in Purdy. Plants are neatly organized in large rectangular boxes or a more open array of greenery. Architect Marshall Perrow designed both the covered outdoor sales building (not pictured here) and the layout of trees and shrubs. The nursery held its grand opening on March 22, 1958. It is run by part-owner Eric Hayes, a professional English gardner and member of the Royal Horticultural Society of England. It is possible that the large two-story Dutch colonial home shown in the background is the Hayes residence. Photograph ordered by the Eric Hayes Nursery. (TNT 3-21-58, A-9)

Nurseries (Horticulture)--Purdy; Eric Hayes Nursery (Purdy);

A dog and his master seem to enjoy a chuckle after a hunting trip in an April 30, 1958, photograph. The dog appeared to have enjoyed his ride in the station wagon while ensconced in an airy pet carrier. The plywood carrier had several large holes on each side for ventilation in addition to the screened doors. The animal would be able to see out of the carrier easily. Photograph ordered by Douglas Fir Plywood Association.

Plywood; Cages; Dogs; Douglas Fir Plywood Association (Tacoma);

These little girls lounging on the grass at Annie Wright Seminary were probably part of the Lower School. They were waiting to participate in the school's annual May Day festival. It is likely that they would be performing a dance, perhaps ballet, for the enjoyment of parents and fellow students. Sepia photograph ordered by Annie Wright Seminary.

Private schools--Tacoma; School children--Tacoma--1950-1960; Annie Wright Seminary (Tacoma)--1950-1960;

Models Helene Williamson and Dani Rae Sweet examine one of the many safe deposit boxes in the vault at the Pacific First Federal Savings & Loan. Ponytailed Dani Rae helps to pull out the rectangular metal box. Safe deposit boxes came in many shapes and sizes; each was individually marked and two keys were necessary to open the mini-vault. Tacoma was the savings & loan's home office although it had branches in Western Washington and Oregon. Photograph ordered by Pacific First Federal Savings & Loan Association.

Safe-deposit boxes--Tacoma; Vaults (Strong rooms)--Tacoma; Pacific First Federal Savings & Loan Association (Tacoma); Williamson, Helene; Sweet, Dani Rae;

A woman assumes the diving position as she stands at the edge of the diving board in a May, 1958, photograph. Other women lounge on the concrete surrounding the large swimming pool or take a dip in the refreshing water. A concrete block dressing area for both men and women is adjacent to the pool. The pool facilities appear to be nestled among a tall strand of trees. This was the 1600 square foot heated and filtered swimming pool at the Glenwood Acres housing development. The water was a balmy 75 degrees at all times. A Hi-fi music system provided entertainment for the swimmers. Swimming was permitted at night since the pool had special night lighting. A clubhouse, wading pool and tennis courts were planned to be built later. The pool was designed by Sitts & Hill, engineers, and the cost born by area residents. Developer of the Glenwood Acres planned community was Fanning-Starkey Co. with Stromberg Construction as the contractor. Photograph ordered by Stromberg Construction. (TNT 3-30-58, A-17, TNT 5-18-58, B-10)

Swimming pools; Swimming; Bathing suits;

A wide driveway, flanked by two small street lamps, leads to a charming one-story home in Lakewood's Glenwood Acres neighborhood. A planned community of 60+ homes constructed by Stromberg Construction, Glenwood Acres was the first to feature natural gas for home heating. This home is built low to the ground and appears nestled under the tall trees. The sweeping shake roofline and crossed framed windows gives the house a cottage-like appearance, French Provincial in design. This was the "Blue Flame" home which was open to the public in mid-May, 1958. All appliances and heating used gas. Glenwood Acres was located on 104th St. S.W. near Hipkins Rd. Photograph ordered by Stromberg Construction. (TNT 5-18-58, B-4-B-11)

Houses--Lakewood--1950-1960;

Gentle landscaping and a modest sign were located at the entrance to the New Tacoma Cemetery on Chambers Creek Road. The gates to the cemetery are opened wide with a building, possibly the visitors center, to the right. The New Tacoma Cemetery, along with the Tacoma Cemetery, was operated by the Tacoma Cemetery Association, a mutual, non-profit association which had served the community since 1884. The New Tacoma Cemetery was the newer of the two locations; it began helping Tacoma families in 1932. Ponds, bridges, waterfalls and an urn garden helped create a peaceful, quiet atmosphere for reflection and mourning. A Lutheran section and a Veterans section were available along with a special Lullaby Land for children. Free bus service was available on Sundays from downtown Tacoma with enough time to spend strolling the cemetery grounds before departure. Photograph ordered by Johnson Cox Co.

New Tacoma Cemetery (Tacoma); Tacoma Cemetery Association (Tacoma); Cemeteries--Tacoma;

Work proceeds steadily on the new County-City Building being constructed on Tacoma Avenue South, next door to the Tacoma Public Library. The massive, multi-storied central structure will be one of the very few in the country with exterior aluminum paneling. The two-story court building shown above is made of reinforced concrete. Although the interior court rooms are soundproof and windowless, there appear to be windows on the exterior walls. A. Gordon Lumm, A.I.A., is the architect of the project; Macdonald Building Co. is the contractor. There is a large sign at the site listing the names of the County Commissioners, Tacoma City Council, Architect, Engineers and Contractor. The County-City Building would be formally dedicated on April 10, 1959. Photograph ordered by Fentron Industries, Seattle.

Progress photographs; County-City Building (Tacoma); Building construction--Tacoma--1950-1960;

The Public Safety Building on Pacific Avenue was also known as the City Hall Annex. Originally built for Northern Pacific Railroad for use as its headquarters in 1887, the City of Tacoma purchased the building in 1922 . The south wing of the Italianate, stucco-covered stone structure was later rebuilt to house the jail. The Old City Hall was directly across the street on Pacific. View of the Public Safety Building taken on May 9, 1958, indicates that this was Police Headquarters, with separate entrances for the detective division and for traffic violators. With the completion of the County-City Building in 1959, the Public Safety Building was vacated. An art center was proposed to occupy the empty space and in 1962, the Allied Arts Center began a remodeling project. A few years later, the Public Safety Building escaped total demolition, although the jail wing was destroyed, and was placed on historic registries. Photograph ordered by Alan Liddle, architect. TPL-6491. (Tacoma Rediviva, p. 27)

Public Safety Building (Tacoma); City Hall Annex (Tacoma); Tacoma Police Department (Tacoma);

Placed on the City, State and National Registry of historic buildings, the French chateau styled Stadium High School opened as a school in 1906. Intended originally for use as a hotel, and damaged by fire, the building was saved and remodeled to be used as a high school. View of Stadium High School; the unusual spires, turrets and towers would have been a challenge for roofers to maintain and replace. Nevertheless, $850,000 was spent in the summer of 1958 for renovations to the school. A new roof, rewelded and repainted fire escapes, replacement windows and sashes and a 50 foot steel beam lowered across the top of the gym to make the basketball court regulation sized and turned around were just some of the projects. Photograph ordered by Chase Brass & Copper Co., Waterbury, Conn. (TNT 7-20-58, B-11) TPL-8668

Stadium High School (Tacoma); Public schools--Tacoma--1950-1960;

This side view of Stadium High School was taken on a sunny spring day in 1958 from the corner of N. 2nd and "E" Sts. Fire escapes are attached to the outside of the buildings so that students could exit in case of emergencies. These fire escapes would be removed, rewelded and painted during the $850,000 renovation project at the school during summer, 1958. Hipped and pitched roofs, spirals, and dormers blend in with the French chateau architecture but would have been difficult to repair and maintain. Besides a new roof, 500 windows and sashes were replaced during renovations. Photograph ordered by the Chase Brass & Copper Co., Waterbury, Conn. (TNT 7-20-58, B-11)

Stadium High School (Tacoma); Public schools--Tacoma--1950-1960;

ca. 1950. Copy of customer print. At least two shoe stores occupied this same ground floor location perhaps in the 1950's, Pat's Booterie and Buck's Shoes. Except for the change in name in signage, the exterior appeared the same. Drs. Hoeft and Adams still remained tenants in the building, perhaps on the second floor. Pat's Booterie's sign indicated that shoes for men, women and children were sold within, and more women's shoes appear to be on display than in the Buck's showcases. The lettering making up the shop's name may have been constructed out of wood, rather than neon. Date of original picture is unknown; copy was made for Douglas Fir Plywood Association on May 13, 1958. See C114349-2 for view of Buck's Shoes.

Pat's Booterie; Shoe stores; Shoes; Signs (Notices); Douglas Fir Plywood Association (Tacoma);

ca. 1950. Copy of customer print. A missile, possibly made out of wood, is mounted on a small wheeled cart in an undated photograph. The missile appears to be composed of several pieces of wood welded together. Perhaps the pieces could be stored in the wooden boxes adjacent to the cart. Copy of print was made on May 24, 1958. Photograph ordered by Douglas Fir Plywood Association.

Toys; Rockets; Douglas Fir Plywood Association (Tacoma);

ca. 1958. Copy of customer print. An attractive garden storage unit and bench is framed by numerous trees in a residential backyard. The large storage closet, made of plywood, has two compartments. Each has shelves built in the inside doors to hold gardening equipment, including tools and plant potions. There is plenty of room inside the cabinet for lawnmowers and even camping gear. A convenient bench is built facing the cabinet; the overhead slanting roof would provide necessary shade. The pergola is positioned over a bed of gravel. With the storage unit doors closed, this could serve as an outdoor entertainment center for barbecues and parties. A copy of this picture was used in the News Tribune layout on March 16, 1958, advertising the 10th annual Tacoma Home Show. Photograph ordered by Douglas Fir Plywood Association; the actual date of the picture is unknown but it was copied on May 27, 1958. (TNT 3-16-58, B-18)

Gardening equipment & supplies; Storage facilities; Pergolas;

Corsages are worn by the incoming and outgoing officers of the American Legion Auxiliary on August 2, 1958, as they posed for a group portrait in the Elks Temple. The woman seated to the extreme right lacks a corsage but wears a ribbon and name tag labeled "Greetings from Tacoma." All the women are dressed in white and wear dark narrow sashes. Mrs. Everett Eaton of Battleground, was elected as new department president, succeeding Mrs. Frank S. Evans of Sedro Woolley. In addition, twelve new district auxiliary presidents were chosen. $74,000, the amount earned through the sale of veteran made paper poppies, was spent by the auxiliary for rehabilitation of the veterans. Photograph ordered by the American Legion Auxiliary. (TNT 8-3-58, A-11)

American Legion Auxiliary (Tacoma); Veterans' organizations--Tacoma--1950-1960;

ca. 1958. The seven-member staff of this ice cream parlor believed to be named the "24 Flavors Ice Cream" store posed for a group portrait behind the store counter circa 1958. The ice cream parlor offered 24 flavors of ice cream made from Carnation milk and cream which could be purchased by cone, pint or gallon. Fresh banana, blueberry, cantaloupe and strawberry could be selected as well as such unique flavors as licorice, butter brickle and lemon custard. Shakes, sundaes and sherbets were also on the menu. There was a "24 Flavors Ice Cream" store that opened in the Villa Plaza Shopping Center next to Thrifty Drugs in May of 1958. It had previously been located elsewhere on Gravelly Lake Dr. for five years. Mrs. Ellice Westrope was the store's owner.

Dairy stores--Lakewood; Ice cream & ices; Signs (Notices); 24 Flavors Ice Cream (Lakewood);

Tacoma Boat Building launched MSC-277, a 145-foot minesweeper built for the Navy, on June 30, 1958, in Sitcum Waterway. During the early 1950's, Tacoma's shipbuilding companies had garnered several contracts to build vessels for the government. This wooden minesweeper, however, was the first to be formally launched in nearly two years by a Tacoma firm. Tacoma Boat Building was awarded a contract to build four minesweepers for the Navy at a cost of approximately $7 million. Since then, the firm had received contracts totaling $4.25 million for six more Navy craft. The ship's sponsor was Mrs. Guy Garland, wife of the commander of the Tacoma Naval Station. Photograph ordered by Tacoma Boat Building Co., Inc. (TNT 6-27-58, A-1, TNT 6-29-58, B-2, TNT 7-1-58, A-6))

Launchings--Tacoma--1950-1960; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1950-1960; Tacoma Boat Building Co., Inc. (Tacoma);

Mount Rainier can be seen in the distance through the mist in this aerial photograph of Fox Island taken on June 16, 1958. Heavily wooded Fox Island is located between the Carr Inlet and Hales Passage, two miles northeast of McNeil Island in northwestern Pierce County. It was named in 1841 after Dr. J.L. Fox, an assistant surgeon of the Wilkes Expedition. The Fox Island Bridge can be spotted toward the center of the photograph. It spans 1,981 feet over Hales Passage and was completed in 1954. The bridge was opened by Governor Arthur Langlie and Anne Nelson, the first white girl born on Fox Island. Fox Islanders had to pay tolls on the new bridge; added to the expenses incurred with cars and gasoline, the cost of getting to Tacoma more than doubled. By 1956, the population on the island had declined to 115 families. Nearly a half-century later, according to the 2000 census, there were approximately 2800 people living on Fox Island. (History of Pierce County, Vol. 1, p. 59) TPL-9232

Aerial photographs; Bridges--Fox Island;

Aerial photographs of Tacoma's northend were taken on June 16, 1958. Looking toward Mount Rainier are the industrial Tideflats area. Smoke from many pulp and paper mills drifts over the landscape. The first wooded area nearest downtown would be Wright Park. The second large forested region in the middle is Garfield Park, near Annie Wright Seminary and the Tacoma Lawn Tennis Club, and the distinctive half-moon street. The largest green area, shaped somewhat like a boot, is Puget Park as it was in 1958. It may not be as large now.

Aerial photographs; Parks--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Money Creek Bridge for Websrer Mills, Inc. Road 285, Mile 0.7, Snoqualmie National Forest. View of wooden bridge constructed of glue-laminated beams over creek, partially logged hills in background. Money Creek is low during the summer months. The bridge is carefully wedged in between rocks. This particular bridge is approximately 110 miles from Tacoma. Photograph ordered by Woodlam, Inc., a laminated wood products company.

Bridges; Forests; Streams;

The finished interior of the new Henry F.Hunt Junior High cafetorium at 6501 South 10th Street was photographed on June 23, 1958. The school opened in September of 1958, and the dedication was held on October 29th. The innovative dome-shaped building combined the cafeteria and the school auditorium. The curved stage blends with the building's curved glue-lam beams. The cafetorium had 20 bays with the dome covering a 144 foot span. The dome was formed by the use of 7" by 26" glue-lam beams; the purlins between the beams were covered with a half-inch fir plywood sheathing. There were many skylights to help with the natural lighting. The feeling of spaciousness was further accentuated by the lack of supporting columns within the building. Because of the extensive use of wood, the school district was able to save quite a bit of money in construction; costs ran 15 cents per square foot. (TNT 2-9-58, A-19, 20)

Henry F. Hunt Junior High School (Tacoma); Public schools--Tacoma--1950-1960; Building construction--Tacoma--1950-1960;

This was the crowded Little J.E.M Dining & Dancing Cafe parking lot on July 16, 1958. Every Wednesday night from 8-12 was "Teen-age Hop" night with admission at 75 cents. The place was packed that Wednesday, crammed with kids anxious to listen and rock to the sounds of the Bluenotes, one of first rock bands in the area. In July of 1958 the Bluenotes included Robin Roberts on vocals, Bill Engelhart on guitar, Buck Ormsby on bass, Frank Dutra on sax and Lassie Aanes on drums. The Little J.E.M. was located on Highway 99 just past the Puyallup Bridge, and outside of Tacoma's city limits. On Fridays and Saturdays, the Little J.E.M was opened from 11 am to 2 am for dancing with live music. (TNT ad 7-23-58, A-10)

Little J.E.M. Cafe (Tacoma); Parking lots--Tacoma--1950-1960; Automobiles--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Exterior - Max Frolic's cafe. Well-known entertainer Max Frolic opened his restaurant in 1938 at the (then) South Tacoma Way location. It was designed and built by Mr. Frolic and William Thornburg because of the rerouting of U.S. Highway 99 from Lakeview Drive to the newly extended South Tacoma Way. On June 20-22, 1958, Max Frolic's celebrated its grand opening to highlight its new exterior and new dining room. Neon signs advertised sea foods and fried chicken as part of the menu. Colorful awnings help to shade the windows of this brick and wood building. Max Frolic was a former vaudevillian, violinist and band leader. He directed the Elks Club Extravaganzas for many years. He also was the music director, arranger and conductor of the Pantages Theatre orchestra from 1920-1932. Mr. Frolic died at the age of 89 on December 14, 1974. Photograph ordered by Max Frolic's Restaurant. TPL-5799. (TNT 6-20-58, p. 4, History of Pierce County, Vol. 1, p. 421)

Max Frolic's Restaurant (Lakewood); Restaurants--Lakewood; Electric signs--Lakewood;

Interior - Max Frolic's cafe. Well-known entertainer Max Frolic opened his restaurant in 1938 at the (then) South Tacoma Way location. It was designed and built by Mr. Frolic and William Thornburg because of the rerouting of U.S. Highway 99 from Lakeview Drive to the newly extended South Tacoma Way. On June 20-22, 1958, Max Frolic's celebrated its grand opening to highlight its new exterior and new dining room. Neon signs advertised sea foods and fried chicken as part of the menu. Colorful awnings help to shade the windows of this brick and wood building. Max Frolic was a former vaudevillian, violinist and band leader. He directed the Elks Club Extravaganzas for many years. He also was the music director, arranger and conductor of the Pantages Theatre orchestra from 1920-1932. Mr. Frolic died at the age of 89 on December 14, 1974. Photograph ordered by Max Frolic's Restaurant. TPL-5799. (TNT 6-20-58, p. 4, History of Pierce County, Vol. 1, p. 421)

Max Frolic's Restaurant (Lakewood); Restaurants--Lakewood; Interiors--Lakewood;

The elegant living room in the Harold W. Meyer residence featured an enormous stone/brick fireplace which occupied an entire wall. A large rug with geometric patterns lies in the center of the tiled floor surrounded by several couches. The wooden beams in the ceiling were probably glue-laminated and provided by Woodlam, Inc. Harold W. Meyer owned Harold Meyer Drugs as well as the Crystalike Photo Service & Color Laboratory and Meyer Camera Shop. He and his wife Louise resided on Gravelly Lake Drive in Lakewood. Photograph ordered by Woodlam, Inc.

Meyer, Harold W.--Homes & haunts; Houses--Lakewood--1950-1960; Fireplaces--Lakewood; Rugs;