ca. 1925. Foster & Kleiser billboard advertising church attendance. The billboard reads "Our churches cordially invite you to attend their services. A hearty welcome awaits you." Notes indicate that the billboard was located on Division Ave. (WSHS-negative A671-0)

Billboards;

ca. 1925. Movie posters listing coming attractions decorate the entrance to this unidentified theater in the mid-1920's. For a mere dime, customers could watch Ernst Lubitsch's "Kiss Me Again" or Joe Rock in "Aladdin." Arriving shortly were "No Man's Law" starring Bob Custer and on March 1-4, Lon Cheney's "Phantom of the Opera." Moviegoers could be assured of rapidly changing programs in the 1920's and 30's as most films only stayed in theaters for a few days before moving on. This particular theater apparently did not show matinees except on Sundays as the motion pictures started at 6:15 p.m. on week days.

ca. 1925. Two men flank placard announcing the upcoming arrival of Lon Cheney's "Phantom of the Opera" ca. 1925. They are standing outside the entrance of an unidentified theater that was currently showing Ernst Lubitsch's "Kiss Me Again" and "Aladdin" starring Joe Rock. The men appear proud to present a four-day showing of the advertised Universal masterpiece which featured a cast of 5000+. Price of a ticket was a mere 10 cents, a relative bargain. TPL-1427

ca. 1927. St. Clair Ranges Advertisement on billboard in front of Cooney Transfer Company. The ranges were sold exclusively in Tacoma by Craig Furniture Company, 1137 Broadway. (Argentum)

Billboards--Tacoma; Signs (Notices)--Tacoma;

New outside bulletin board at University Place School as pictured on February 12, 1940. Large group of adults and children gather around walk-through sign board for posted school events. Board reads: "Built by co-operation." School building in background. The University Place Improvement Club was responsible for the handsome new board. Donated materials included sheet metal provided by the Carl Anderson Sheet Metal works, lumber from the Hampton Lumber Co. and lettering from the Cliff Sign Co. (T.Times 2-12-1940, p. 5-article & other photograph)

Signs (Notices); University Place School (University Place);

New outside bulletin board installed at University Place School. The sign says "Built by Co-Operation." The University Place Improvement Club is responsible for the erection of the sign that will advise the community of activities at the school. Neon tubing will be installed on the inside of the board so that the interchangeable letters can be seen at night. Pictured, left to right, are Ruth (Mrs. Bud) Bolstad, "Bud" Bolstad, Anne Leland, George Curtis (school principal), Lester Morgan (designer of the board) and Pauline (Mrs. Mark) Bryant. University Place School was located on Bowman Ave. SW at the corner of Grandview. UP's Curtis Junior and Senior Highs were named after George Curtis, who later became district school superintendent and was an area educator for over 30 years. (T.Times 2/12/1940 p.5)

Signs (Notices); University Place School (University Place); Bolstad, Ruth; Bolstad, Bud; Leland, Anne; Curtis, George; Morgan, Lester; Bryant, Pauline;

ca. 1943. A large pig looks at a sign held by two men and a woman :"You will help--won't you?" The pig was slated for the War Chest. Photograph was taken circa 1943.

Signs (Notices); Swine;

Electrical Products Consolidated manufactured signs. They also manufactured street lights in the downtown Tacoma area. View of Mobilgas sign above the Washington Building, lights through building windows.

Electric signs--Tacoma--1940-1950; Electric lighting--Tacoma; Electrical Products Consolidated (Tacoma); Mobilgas;

Electrical Products Consolidated manufactured signs. They also manufactured street lights in the downtown Tacoma area. View of Mobilgas sign above the Washington Building, Pacific Avenue and street lights can be seen on right side.

Electric signs--Tacoma--1940-1950; Street lights--Tacoma; Electrical Products Consolidated (Tacoma); Mobilgas;

Condon Co. was an advertising company, Roscoe A. Smith is the President and Victor Kaufman is the Vice-President. The Condon Co. was working on an advertising campaign for Mobilgas. Mobilgas sign on Washington Building, view of downtown Tacoma buildings, Rust building on left side with the Medical Arts Building (now Tacoma Municipal Building) in the left background.

Electric signs--Tacoma--1940-1950; Cityscapes; Office buildings--Tacoma--1940-1950; Condon Co., Inc. (Tacoma); Washington Building (Tacoma); Rust Building (Tacoma); Medical Arts Building (Tacoma); Petroleum industry; Advertisements;

Condon Co. was an advertising company, Roscoe A. Smith is the President and Victor Kaufman is the Vice-President. The Condon Co. was working on an advertising campaign for Mobilgas. Close-up view of neon Mobilgas sign on Washington Building. TPL-8460

Electric signs--Tacoma--1940-1950; Business districts--Tacoma--1940-1950; Office buildings--Tacoma--1940-1950; Condon Co., Inc. (Tacoma); Washington Building (Tacoma); Petroleum industry; Advertisements;

The Towers, at 6805 Sixth Avenue, had their grand opening on December 28, 1946. The restaurant quickly became one of Tacoma's most popular night spots for both food and entertainment. Owned and managed by the Radonich family, the Towers went out of business in the late 1960s. After extensive remodeling, it reopened in 1971 as the Empress Gardens Restaurant.

Electric signs--Tacoma--1940-1950; Nightclubs--Tacoma; Restaurants--Tacoma; Towers--Tacoma; Towers Restaurant (Tacoma);

The Towers, at 6805 Sixth Avenue, had been open for less then a month when this photograph was taken in January 1947. The Towers featured dancing to the music of the "Sky Lighters" in its circular Rainbow Room, and the Rose Room could be booked for private parties and banquets. Owned and managed by the Radonich family, the Towers went out of business in the late 1960s. After extensive remodeling, it reopened in 1971 as the Empress Gardens Restaurant. (Photo ordered by Dohrmann Hotel Supply.) TPL-9279

Electric signs--Tacoma--1940-1950; Nightclubs--Tacoma; Restaurants--Tacoma; Towers--Tacoma; Towers Restaurant (Tacoma);

View from the top of the Tacoma Drug Co. building looking down onto Pacific Avenue. Eagle Loan Company, Pessemier Brother's Shoes, The Anchor Tavern, J. & M. Cafe, the Rust Building and the Fisher Company building and Old City Hall in background. A pedestrian is crossing the intersection on Pacific Avenue, on what appears to be a rather calm day in downtown Tacoma, photo ordered by Electrical Products Consolidated, a sign manufacturer.

Electric signs--Tacoma--1940-1950; Business districts--Tacoma; Commercial streets--Tacoma--1940-1950; Electrical Products Consolidated (Tacoma); Tacoma Drug Co. (Tacoma);

Several shots of illuminated neon signs. Batsford, Constantine & Gerdner, Mr. Haverly. This neon sign spells out, "Olympia, It's the Water." Olympia Brewing Co. was located in Tumwater, Washington, just south of Olympia. Located at the southernmost tip of Puget Sound, by the waterfall on the Deschutes River, the brewery was proud of their good water. Tumwater is an Indian name that means "strong water," or "falling water." The brewery was built by Leopold F. Schmidt. The battle of the beers between Olympia and Rainier beer began early and lasted through the advertising schemes where wild Rainiers took on the Artesians during the 1980s. TPL-9327

Electric signs--Tacoma--1940-1950; Olympia Brewing Co. (Olympia); Brewing industry--Olympia--1940-1950;

Puget Sound Auto Electric Company was hosting a "Delco" batteries and automotive parts sales convention. "Delco" battery signs are advertising the many uses and advantages for choosing "Delco". "Delco" products are ideal for tractors, cars, buses, trucks and diesel operated vehicles. View of "Delco" Battery sales representatives at New Yorker Cafe, photo ordered by Puget Sound Auto Electric Company.

Signs (Notices); Electric batteries; Automobile equipment & supplies; Automobile equipment & supplies stores--Tacoma; Puget Sound Auto Electric Co. (Tacoma); New Yorker Cafe (Tacoma);

Puget Sound Auto Electric is hosting a "Delco" batteries and automotive parts sales convention at the New Yorker Cafe. Delco celebrates its 20th Anniversary this year. An unidentified man, possibly a "Delco" sales representative, stands behind an advertisement for "Delco" automotive radios. The circle of a "Pigskin Pete" sign surrounds six men. Delco Battery Dealers, Tacoma News Tribune and Tacoma Recreation Commission sponsored the event. Ordered by Puget Sound Auto Electric Company.

Signs (Notices); Radios; Automobile equipment & supplies; Automobile equipment & supplies stores--Tacoma; Puget Sound Auto Electric Co. (Tacoma); New Yorker Cafe (Tacoma);

Bisig's Market was owned by Emil Bisig, it was located at 1918 East Main Street in Sumner. Exterior view of Bisig's Market in Sumner, Washington; two unidentified store clerks, possibly the owners, are standing by the store entrance. The window display indicates the store offers a wide selection of fruits, vegetables, groceries, meats, dairy products, "Fulmer" ice cream, "Coca-Cola" and "Alt Heidelberg" beer. TPL-9312

Signs (Notices); Grocery stores--Sumner; Supermarkets; Window displays; Bisig's Market (Sumner);

Exterior view of Mountain Road Inn coffee shop and restaurant, located in Chehalis, Washington. Chehalis is located on the Chehalis River at the junction of the Newaukum River in west central Lewis County. Chehalis is an Indian name, altered from Chi-ke-lis, which mean shifting sands, and refers to the sands at the mouth of the Chehalis River (TPL Washington Place Names).

Electric signs--Chehalis; Cities & towns; Business enterprises--Chehalis; Restaurants--Chehalis; Automobiles--Chehalis--1940-1950; Mountain Road Inn (Chehalis);

May 2, 1949 exterior view of house built by the Welch Construction Company; sign indicates a "Sandberg Heating" system was installed by the Stoker-Lad Company, heaters and furnace dealers located in Tacoma. This house was constructed with Douglas Fir plywood panels. Photo ordered by Harold Dixon, Publicity Director of Douglas Fir Plywood Association.

Signs (Notices); Houses--Tacoma--1940-1950; Plywood; Construction industry--Tacoma; Building construction--Tacoma--1940-1950; Welch Construction Co. (Tacoma); Stoker-Lad Co. (Tacoma); Douglas Fir Plywood Association (Tacoma);

In this photograph from 1949, a recently erected neon Olympia "It's the Water" beer sign towers over the Ingleside Cafe located on 12914 Pacific Highway Southwest in Lakewood, Washington. Other electric signs are also visible, including: the restaurant name sign, "EAT", "Fish and Chips", and a portion of the drugstore sign in foreground. The Ingleside Cafe was built on the site of the Ingleside Sunken Gardens which was destroyed by fire in 1936. The Ingleside Cafe closed in 1960. Photo ordered by Electrical Products Consolidated. TPL-2469

Electric signs--Lakewood; Diners (Restaurants)--Lakewood; Automobiles--Lakewood--1940-1950; Hogan's Rexall Drugs (Lakewood); Ingleside Cafe (Lakewood); Electrical Products Consolidated (Tacoma);

View of recently erected Olympia "It's in the Water" beer electric sign at the Ingleside Cafe located on 12914 Pacific Highway Southwest in Lakewood, Washington; Hogan's Rexall Drugs is on left side foreground. The beer sign was manufactured by Electrical Products Consolidated, they also manufactured street lights in the downtown Tacoma area. TPL-2455

Electric signs--Lakewood; Diners (Restaurants)--Lakewood; Automobiles--Lakewood--1940-1950; Hogan's Rexall Drugs (Lakewood); Ingleside Cafe (Lakewood); Electrical Products Consolidated (Tacoma);

Nighttime view of Olympia "It's in the Water" beer electric sign at the Ingleside Cafe located on 12914 Pacific Highway Southwest in Lakewood, Washington. Photo ordered by EPCON, which was the shortened name of the Electrical Products Consolidated Company; they advertised in the 1949 City Directory as sign painters and manufacturers instead of neon signs, L.M. Moore was the district manager for the company.

Electric signs--Lakewood; Night--Lakewood; Diners (Restaurants)--Lakewood; Automobiles--Lakewood--1940-1950; Ingleside Cafe (Lakewood); Electrical Products Consolidated (Tacoma);

Neon highlights the Mirror Room at the Olympus Hotel, 815 Pacific Ave. The newly remodeled Mirror Room was very modern with its gleaming bandstand reflected at every turn in mirrored pillars. The evening began with dinner music from 6 - 8 p.m., followed by dancing nightly at 9p.m. The dining room remained open until 2 a.m. for the late night crowd and reopened the next day for the businessman's lunch group. The Olympus Hotel was one of the most luxurious hotels in Tacoma.

Electric signs--Tacoma--1950-1960; Eating & drinking facilities--Tacoma--1950-1960; Nightclubs--Tacoma--1950-1960; Olympus Hotel (Tacoma);

A banner at the end of the well lit portion of casino-lined Fremont Street in Las Vegas, Nevada, reminded locals to "Be Sure to Vote" in October, 1952, while the tall cowboy welcomed everyone to the Pioneer Club. The 40 feet tall "Vegas Vic" remains a downtown Vegas landmark; efforts are underway to refurbish the aging structure constructed in 1951. Bingo was available across the street at the Las Vegas Club. There may not be any room to park along the street but there is no traffic moving. An arched steel canopy now covers the entire four blocks of Fremont Street where an animated electric light show is presented nightly; traffic has been diverted to side streets and pedestrians can roam freely. Photograph ordered by Cheney Lumber Co.

Casinos--Las Vegas--1950-1960; Electric signs--Las Vegas--1950-1960;

Daylight creates a less glamorous atmosphere around the casinos lining this street in Las Vegas, Nevada, in October, 1952. The two- and three-story buildings carry neon and incadescent electric signs advertising the "Westerner," "Buckley's," and the "49'er Club." The figure of a cowboy is taller than the building housing the "Pioneer Club;" the landmark neon "Vegas Vic" is 40 feet high. Automobiles have parked in every available parking space and there are but a few pedestrians. Photograph ordered by Cheney Lumber Co.

Casinos--Las Vegas--1950-1960; Electric signs--Las Vegas--1950-1960;

The casinos lining this street in Las Vegas, Nevada, in October, 1952, are lit with neon and incandescent electric signs that are taller than the buildings to which they are attached. The "Golden Nugget Gambling Hall" electric sign appears to dwarf the neon signs of other establishments; this sign is no longer in usage in 2002 as it has been replaced by more elegant gold lighting. The "Hotel Apache" sign includes a neon outline of an Indian brave's head. The outline of cowboy "Vegas Vic" invites gamblers to the "Pioneer Club". A Shell gasoline station is situated at the intersection in the foreground. Photograph ordered by Cheney Lumber Co.

Casinos--Las Vegas--1950-1960; Electric signs--Las Vegas--1950-1960;

A large, freestanding neon sign directed shoppers to Parkland's Park-N-Shop supermarket at 9662 Pacific Avenue in December, 1952. A clock was mounted near the base of the sign. The Park-N-Shop store joined the trend of multi-line grocery stores in offering a variety of services including prescription drugs, dry goods, groceries and meats. Its meat department offered a self-service section where fresh and smoked meats were pre-packaged for customer convenience. Ample parking was provided. (Photograph ordered by Park-N-Shop, Inc.) TPL-9966

Electric signs--Parkland; Clocks & watches; Park-N-Shop, Inc. (Parkland); Parking lots--Parkland;

A worker appears to be peering into a woman's head on a Foster & Kleiser billboard in January, 1953. The giant cutout focuses the passerby's attention on the virtues of saving at the National Bank of Washington. The billboard was placed at the corner of Puyallup and Winthrop Streets. Photograph ordered by Merchandising Factors, Inc., San Francisco.

Billboards--Tacoma--1950-1960; Advertisements--Tacoma; Signs (Notices); Foster & Kleiser Co. (Tacoma); National Bank of Washington (Tacoma); Merchandising Factors, Inc. (San Francisco);

In January of 1953, workers got a good grip on the giant cutout of a woman's head as they prepared to hoist it into place on the Foster & Kleiser billboard at Puyallup and Winthrop Streets. The giant cutout was intended to focus the passerby's attention on the virtues of saving at the National Bank of Washington which began business in Tacoma in 1885 as the Pacific National Bank. Photograph was taken on January 14, 1953; copy ordered by Merchandising Factors, Inc., San Francisco.

Billboards--Tacoma--1950-1960; Advertisements--Tacoma; Signs (Notices); Foster & Kleiser Co. (Tacoma); National Bank of Washington (Tacoma); Merchandising Factors, Inc. (San Francisco);