ca. 1937. Exterior elevation of the Rust Building, a multi-story office building, at So. 11th Street and Pacific Avenue. The Rust Building is named for its builder William R. Rust. It was designed by the architectural firm of Sutton, Whitney and Dugan. The twelve story building opened in 1920. Since 1986, it has been known as the Seafirst Center. For Johnson-Cox, printers, for school annuals. (Image also numbered 8A3 image 2 in Argentum)
Business districts--Tacoma; Office buildings--Tacoma--1930-1940; Rust Building (Tacoma);
ca. 1937. Full view of the Rust Building on 11th Street between Commerce and Pacific Avenue. Sandstone clad steel frame 12-story business block for William R. Rust by Sutton, Whitney and Dugan, Architects, 1920. It was known as the Townsend building from 1929- 1931. It was remodeled by Seafirst bank in 1986 and renamed the Seafirst Center.
Business districts--Tacoma; Office buildings--Tacoma--1930-1940; Rust Building (Tacoma);
ca. 1926. In 1926, this photograph was taken of South 11th Street between Tacoma Ave So. and So. Fawcett. The businesses are, left to right, the Pleasant Corner Candy Store, an upholstery shop, Clinton's Pianos at 506 So. 11th, the Pok-A-Dot-Pup Sandwich Shop and an unidentified storefront. The tall building in the back is 1111 Tacoma Ave. So., at this time occupied by A. Gehri & Co. and Erickson Bro. This building is still across the street from the Tacoma Public Library. However, the top floors have now been removed. (WSHS)
Business districts--Tacoma--1920-1930; Commercial streets--Tacoma--1920-1930; Clinton's Music House (Tacoma);
The top of the Washington Building tower, circa 1925. At 17 stories, almost everyone had to look up at this building, it was the second highest in the Northwest. The Washington Building was innovative in grouping its tenants by fields and making offices specific to those fields. The top floors were dedicated to doctors and medical offices. Some floors were huge open spaces on completion, for large concerns who would dictate where partitions would be placed. (TNT 6/30/1925, pg. 1) (WSHS)
ca. 1925. Construction on the Washington Building started in 1919 for the Scandinavian- American Bank, but halted when the bank went bankrupt. The steel framework sat deserted until it was purchased by the Washington-California Co. In 1925, the building was completed. The steel framework was clothed in white terra cotta, which was glazed. It was fireproof. It had 1925 technologically superior Otis elevators, which could take visitors from the bottom to the top in 16 seconds. The building was completed with an investment of 1 1/2 million dollars. (TNT 6/30/1925, pg.1) (WSHS)
Washington Building (Tacoma); Office buildings--Tacoma--1920-1930; Business districts--Tacoma--1920-1930;
The Bernice and First Federal Buildings on Pacific Ave. On the left is the Victorian Bernice Building, 1106-1108 Pacific Ave., build in 1890 by John S. Baker and named in honor of his first child. Located on the ground floor of the building is Bender's, men's and women's ready to wear clothing, owned by Jack R. Bender and the Tacoma Magazine and Gift Shop in the lobby of 1108 Pacific Ave. On the right is the First Federal Building, built in 1891 for Merchants National Bank and designed by Proctor and Dennis. Pacific First Federal Savings and Loan occupied the building in 1939. At this time, the ground floor was occupied by Horluck's Fountain Lunch, a fountain and lunch counter owned by Arthur Riebli and George Hoertrich. Both historic buildings were demolished in 1963 to make way for the modern and expanded Pacific First Federal Building.
Bernice Building (Tacoma); Bender's (Tacoma); Tacoma Magazine and Gift Shop (Tacoma); Soda fountains--Tacoma; Restaurants--Tacoma; Horluck's Danish Ice Cream Shop (Tacoma); Pacific First Federal Building (Tacoma);
The Bernice and First Federal Buildings on Pacific Ave. On the left is the Victorian Bernice Building, 1106-1108 Pacific Ave., build in 1890 by John S. Baker and named in honor of his first child. Located on the ground floor of the building is Bender's, men's and women's ready to wear clothing, owned by Jack R. Bender and the Tacoma Magazine and Gift Shop in the lobby of 1108 Pacific Ave. On the right is the First Federal Building, built in 1891 for Merchants National Bank and designed by Proctor and Dennis. Pacific First Federal Savings and Loan occupied the building in 1939. At this time, the ground floor was occupied by Horluck's Fountain Lunch, a fountain and lunch counter owned by Arthur Riebli and George Hoertrich. Both historic buildings were demolished in 1963 to make way for the modern and expanded Pacific First Federal Building.
Bernice Building (Tacoma); Bender's (Tacoma); Tacoma Magazine and Gift Shop (Tacoma); Soda fountains--Tacoma; Restaurants--Tacoma; Horluck's Danish Ice Cream Shop (Tacoma); Pacific First Federal Building (Tacoma);
ca. 1925. The new Washington Building had its Grand Opening in June of 1925. Construction of the building was begun in 1919 for the Scandinavian American Bank and halted in 1921 when the bank failed. It was completed in 1925 and was, at that time, the second tallest building in the Northwest. The main tenant at its opening was the Brotherhood Cooperative National Bank. The Cooperative Bank was the first of its kind in any Northwest City. Although it was part of the Brotherhood group of banks, strong in the eastern part of the country, the local bank had local supporters, management and share holders, many of them working men. It was approved by both the Federated Improvement Clubs of Tacoma and the labor unions. (TNT 6/30/1925, pg. 14)(WSHS)
Washington Building (Tacoma); Brotherhood Cooperative National Bank (Tacoma); Banks--Tacoma--1920-1930;
ca. 1926. Photomontage of Downtown Tacoma from the City Waterway, ordered by the Chamber of Commerce. Ships and warehouses in foreground, 11th Street bridge at left, major buildings shown in their relative locations. (filed with Argentum)
Business districts--Tacoma--1920-1930; Cityscapes--Tacoma--1920-1930; City Waterway (Tacoma);
Two buildings in 900 block of Pacific, containing four storefronts, as photographed in December of 1940. Ground level remodeled to match with new tile storefronts. Tenants, L to R: Hy (Henry) Mandles & Son, Men's Clothiers (948 Pacific); Chappell and Grimes, Cigars & Lunch (946 Pacific); Oregon City Woolen Mills (942-44 Pacific); and the fourth storefront was apparently vacant at the time.
Commercial streets--Tacoma--1940-1950; Business districts--Tacoma--1940-1950; Oregon City Woolen Mills (Tacoma); Chappell & Grimes (Tacoma); Hy Mandles & Son (Tacoma);
ca. 1925. The Washington Building under construction. Construction on the modern American skyscraper in downtown Tacoma began in 1919 for the Scandinavian American bank, but halted a couple of years later when the bank closed. The steel structure sat deserted until it was completed in 1925 for the Washington-California Co. and dedicated on June 29, 1925. At 17 stories, it was the second tallest building in the Northwest. (WSHS)
Washington Building (Tacoma); Office buildings--Tacoma--1920-1930; Business districts--Tacoma--1920-1930;
Washington Building under construction in April of 1925. Started 1919 by the Scandinavian-American Bank and left unfinished when the bank failed, the building was completed and opened in June of 1925. At 17 stories, it was one of the skycrapers changing the skyline of Tacoma. The building is of steel framework, completed with glazed white terra cotta. The investment in the building was 1 1/2 million dollars. (filed with Argentum)
Washington Building (Tacoma); Office buildings--Tacoma--1920-1930; Building construction--Tacoma--1920-1930;
ca. 1925. The 17 story Washington Building near completion. The building was officially opened at the end of June, 1925. The ground floor was occupied by the Brotherhood Cooperative Bank, Theodore Knutson's cigar store, Henrietta McNerthney's Purity Pharmacy and the "Orange Bower," the first orange mill in Tacoma. The orange mill's specialty was fresh squeezed orange juice, that you could watch being processed by a machine. (TNT 6/30/1925, pg. 13)(WSHS)
ca. 1925. Washington Building as completed. Started 1919 by the Scandinavian-American Bank, unfinished when bank failed. The steel framework was completed by a group established for that purpose, the Washington-California Co. Frederick Webber, Original Architect; Doyle and Merriam, Architects for completion. The Washington Building opened at the end of June in 1925. (WSHS & Argentum)
ca. 1941. Detail view of Puget Sound National Bank (National Realty Company) building showing elaborate doorway featuring carved figures. Heath and Twichell, Architects, 1910.
Commercial facilities--Tacoma--1940-1950; Business districts--Tacoma--1940-1950; Puget Sound National Bank (Tacoma); Banks--Tacoma;
ca. 1941. View of Puget Sound National Bank from across street. Building for National Reality Company by Heath and Twichell, Architects, 1910. Washington Building in background.
Commercial facilities--Tacoma--1940-1950; Business districts--Tacoma--1940-1950; Puget Sound National Bank (Tacoma); Banks--Tacoma;
View of Hunt & Mottet Co. building. Designed by the architectural firm of Bullard & Hill and constructed by Joseph Wells, the eight-story brick Hunt & Mottet Building was completed in 1907. Later, a smaller four-story unit was constructed to its left. The company were wholesalers of hardware and also sporting goods. Signs on the ground floor windows indicate that Hunt & Mottet also occupied space in the original Love-Johnson Co./Tacoma Grocery Co. building next door. Photograph ordered by Hunt & Mottet Co. TPL-4792
A view of the Hunt & Mottet Bldg. on Pacific Avenue was taken from across the street on October 21, 1957. The eight-story brick building is in stark contrast to the concrete-faced unit next door, which was designed by architect Frederick Heath and constructed by W.J. Collins, contractors. Hunt & Mottet, hardware and sporting goods dealers, apparently occupied space in both buildings, according to ground level signage. Enormous lettering emblazoned on one side of the brick building, not visible in this photograph, made the company a well-known presence in the Tacoma business district. Photograph ordered by Hunt & Mottet Co. TPL-4793
Another view of the Hunt & Mottet Co. building showing the four-story addition and small parking lot was taken on October 21, 1957. Located on busy Pacific Avenue, near S. 22nd St., the wholesale hardware and sporting goods company had been doing business there since 1907. Lettering several feet high on one side of the main brick building alerted commuters to the company's presence. The eight-story concrete faced building to the right of Hunt & Mottet is believed to be the Love-Johnson Co./Tacoma Grocery Co.building constructed in 1906. Photograph ordered by Hunt & Mottet Co.
Hunt & Mottet Co. Building and parking lot shot from the side angle at S. 22nd and Pacific Avenue on October 21, 1957. A small parking lot is available for customers of the Hunt & Mottet Co., wholesale hardware and sporting goods dealer, in downtown Tacoma. The small four-story building adjacent to the parking lot was a later addition to the original 1907 eight-story unit. The company made sure that their name was highly visible for many blocks by the use of extremely large lettering on the side of the main building. TPL-4794
ca. 1958. Photograph taken in 1958 at the corner of Pacific Ave. and 10th, looking north on Pacific. The six story Security Building, 917 Pacific Ave., is clearly marked on the side of the building. It was built in 1903 from a design by George Bullard, architect, and named the "Provident Building." It was renamed in 1952. To the right is a smaller building, originally built in 1885 for the Tacoma National Bank and added on to in 1888 (921-23 Pacific Ave.) It has since been demolished. The tenants in 1958 were the Smoke Shop Tavern at 921, the Travel Center of Tacoma at 923 and Archie's Coffee Cup at 925 Pacific Ave. Around the corner was the Lutheran Service Center for service men and Ward-Smith, Inc. The Montgomery Ward catalog center is located at 919 Pacific Ave.
Security Building (Tacoma); Provident Building (Tacoma); Facades--Tacoma--1950-1960; Archie's Coffee Cup (Tacoma); Smoke Shop Tavern (Tacoma); Travel Center of Tacoma (Tacoma);
An unusual concrete roof, resembling a wave, highlights the new office building owned by Lundberg Concrete Pipe Co. Carports and storage units were located under the small building. The new modern building was designed by architect Robert Billsbrough Price. It measured 23 x 30 feet and was made of reinforced concrete, painted gold and white with black columns. Lundberg Concrete Pipe had recently consolidated its operations at the newly expanded plant at Center & Cedar Strs.; large pipe sections are visible in the August 30, 1958, photograph's background. The company was owned by the Lundberg family with Oscar N. Lundberg as president. Photograph ordered by Lone Star Cement Co. (TNT 9-1-58, C-8)
Office buildings--Tacoma--1950-1960; Lundberg Concrete Pipe Co., Inc. (Tacoma); Pipes (Conduits)--Tacoma;
View of businesses in 700 block of Saint Helens Ave. Honan's Restaurant was owned by John and Robert Honan. A large angled neon sign is placed over the canopy leading to the restaurant. Included in the restaurant was the Arbor Room cocktail lounge. The restaurant was situated between Shipman's Surgical Co. and Paul's Executive Juvenile Footwear. The Steven Motor Co.'s used car division and the R.E. Anderson Co. real estate firm sandwiched the 1924-built light art brick and terra cotta building. The Medical Arts Building was across the street. Photograph ordered by Ward Smith, Inc.
Commercial streets--Tacoma--1950-1960; Honan's Restaurant (Tacoma); Electric signs--Tacoma--1950-1960;
ca. 1925. The Lorenz Building, 1552-56 Market St. The Lorenz Building was constructed in 1889 and was designed by architect R. L. Robertson. From 1899- 1914, it was home to the Astor House, also known as the Hiroshimaya Hotel, the first major Japanese Hotel in Tacoma. In the mid 1920's, the building housed the Columbus Hotel and the Tacoma Ju Jitsu School.
Lorenz Building (Tacoma); Columbus Hotel (Tacoma); Tacoma Ju Jitsu School (Tacoma);
Commerce St. side of Bernice Building. By 1960, there were many vacancies in the venerable Bernice Building located in the 1100 block of Pacific Avenue. The building would be demolished later to make room for the new Pacific First Federal Savings & Loan Assn.site. Pacific First Federal had requested photographs of the front and rear of the Bernice Building with adjoining buildings removed.
Full front of Bernice Building, Pacific Avenue side. Located on the ground floor of the Victorian era Bernice Building was Bender's, women and men's clothing store owned by Jack R. Bender. Customers seem to be flocking to the ready-to-wear store, drawn by the low prices in the quitting business sale. The Bernice Building, as well as the adjacent Pacific First Federal Savings & Loan Assn. building, would be demolished to make way for a modern, expanded Pacific First Federal structure. The new building would open in September, 1964.
Pacific First Federal Savings & Loan building at intersection of S. 11th & Commerce Sts. Pedestrians wait to cross busy Commerce St. on February 1, 1961. The savings & loan association had announced two weeks before that they would be constructing a new building on the original site and including the Bernice Building location next door. Both buildings had been built in the late 1800's and heavily utilized the semi-circular Roman arch feature. Photograph ordered by Pacific First Federal Savings & Loan Assn.
Pacific First Federal Building (Tacoma); Bernice Building (Tacoma);
