ca. 1979. This 1979 photograph shows the deterioration of the Commerce side of the buildings located at, left to right, 1523 Broadway and 1519-21 Broadway. The buildings are studded with broken windows and plants growing from crevices. The buildings have since been demolished and this is now the site of the Convention Center.

Commercial facilities--Tacoma--1970-1980; Building deterioration--Tacoma--1970-1980;

ca. 1979. The historic Waddell Building, 1502-04 Pacific Ave., circa 1979. The structure was built in 1890 by builder James Waddell. It has been remodeled and in 2004 it was incorporated into the Marriott Hotel.

Waddell Building (Tacoma); Business districts--Tacoma--1970-1980;

ca. 1979. The historic Waddell Building, 1502-04 Pacific Ave., circa 1979. The structure was built in 1890 by builder James Waddell. It has been remodeled and in 2004 it was incorporated into the Marriott Hotel.

Waddell Building (Tacoma); Business districts--Tacoma--1970-1980;

ca. 1979. Shrubs grow from crevices of the historic Waddell Building, 1502-04 Pacific Ave., circa 1979. The structure was built in 1890 by builder James Waddell. It has been remodeled and in 2004 it was incorporated into the Marriott Hotel.

Waddell Building (Tacoma); Business districts--Tacoma--1970-1980;

ca. 1979. The ground floor of the historic Waddell Building, 1502-04 Pacific Ave., circa 1979. The structure was built in 1890 by builder James Waddell. It has been remodeled and in 2004 it was incorporated into the Marriott Hotel.

Waddell Building (Tacoma); Business districts--Tacoma--1970-1980;

ca. 1974. By 1974, Seattle-First National Bank had been in the Pierce County market for five years. It had purchased the main office and branches of the Bank of Tacoma. This view of the bank building with its familiar "1" sign was taken from the Pacific Avenue side. Commonwealth Title Insurance Co. is on the left (with flag) and Pacific First Federal Savings & Loan to Sea-First's right. The Rust Building (now known as the American Federal Building since the purchase of the building by the American Federal Savings & Loan Assn. in October, 1972) is at the far right.

Commercial streets--Tacoma--1970-1980; Seattle-First National Bank (Tacoma); Commonwealth Title Insurance Co. (Tacoma); Pacific First Federal Savings & Loan Association (Tacoma); Banks--Tacoma; Rust Building (Tacoma);

ca. 1973. 1973 Richards stock footage. Intersection of South 9th & Broadway. The venerable Roxy theatre is on the left; a double bill of "Summer of 42" and "Play It Again Sam" advertised during the 1972 Christmas holiday season, or shortly thereafter. LeRoy Jewelers and Woolworth's are also on the left of the photograph, further down on Broadway. Sherman Clay & Co. (pianos) and the Singer Co. are on the right side of Broadway, next to the enormous tree decorated in lights.

Business districts--Tacoma--1970-1980; Roxy Theatre (Tacoma); Motion picture theaters--Tacoma--1970-1980; Sherman Clay & Co. (Tacoma); Singer Co. (Tacoma);

ca. 1973. 1973 Richards stock footage. Pacific Avenue at night during the 1972 Christmas holiday season or shortly thereafter. This view looks south; the Security (Provident) Building, Washington Building and Puget Sound National Bank are on the left with the Park Plaza North parking garage and the Rust Building, purchased in October of 1972 by American Federal Savings & Loan, on the right.

Business districts--Tacoma--1970-1980; Parking garages--Tacoma--1970-1980; Rust Building (Tacoma); Puget Sound National Bank (Tacoma); Washington Building (Tacoma); Security Building (Tacoma); Christmas decorations;

This is how the 800 block of Pacific Avenue looked like in November of 1972. In the foreground is the Hotel Olympus which was originally constructed in 1909. A free TV in every room was advertised and food and entertainment available in the coffee shop and the Mirror Room. The hotel was flanked by Dammeier Printing (Print NW) and the Tacoma Beauty Supply. Robblee's Safe & Lock Co. was next to the beauty supply store. Further down Pacific was Ghilarducci's Florists, the Trailways Bus Station and at the end of the street, the old Northern Pacific Headquarters building. Photograph ordered by Western Union, Seattle.

Business districts--Tacoma--1970-1980; Commercial streets--Tacoma--1970-1980; Olympus Hotel (Tacoma); Electric signs--Tacoma--1970-1980; Tacoma Beauty Supply (Tacoma); Robblee's Safe & Lock Co. (Tacoma); Dammeier Printing Co. (Tacoma);

View of downtown Tacoma's business district on Pacific Ave. In 1972, businesses on one side of Pacific Ave. included Dammeier Printing (Print NW), the Olympus Hotel, the Security (Provident) Building, the Washington Building with the giant neon Bank of California sign on its roof, and Puget Sound National Bank. In the foreground of this November 22, 1972, picture is the Olympus Hotel: it offered free television in every room and entertainment in the Frontier and Mirror Rooms. Built in 1909, the Olympus would close its doors as a hotel in November of 1974, later undergoing several changes in use of the property. Photograph ordered by Western Union, Seattle.

Business districts--Tacoma--1970-1980; Olympus Hotel (Tacoma); Security Building (Tacoma); Washington Building (Tacoma); Electric signs--Tacoma--1970-1980; Puget Sound National Bank (Tacoma);

Wispy clouds race by dark blue skies in mid-October, 1972, in Tacoma's downtown business district. The temperature, as shown on Puget Sound National Bank's gauge, is a brisk 45 degrees. This view of Pacific Avenue looking north shows many of the city's long established buildings: (r-l) Tacoma Art Museum in the former home of the National Bank of Washington; Puget Sound National Bank with its prominent spire; Peoples department store; Washington Building with the striking Bank of California red neon sign; Bank of California, Security (Provident) Building and the Olympus Hotel. Color photograph ordered by De Vac Chamberlain, Seattle.

Business districts--Tacoma--1970-1980; Puget Sound National Bank (Tacoma); Tacoma Art Museum (Tacoma); Peoples (Tacoma); Washington Building (Tacoma); Electric signs--Tacoma--1970-1980; Security Building (Tacoma);

ca. 1972. Downtown Tacoma wished its residents "Seasons Greetings" during the 1972 Christmas holidays with a lighted banner spanning Pacific Ave. Schoenfeld's, Puget Sound National Bank, and the Washington Building with the red neon Bank of California rooftop sign are some of the major businesses on the right side of Pacific, looking north. Bimbo's Italian Restaurant, Tacoma Rescue Mission and American Federal Savings are on the left.

Business districts--Tacoma--1970-1980; Commercial streets--Tacoma--1970-1980; Christmas decorations; Electric signs--Tacoma--1970-1980; Washington Building (Tacoma); Puget Sound National Bank (Tacoma); L. Schoenfeld & Sons (Tacoma);

ca. 1972. Downtown Tacoma wished its residents "Seasons Greetings" during the 1972 Christmas holidays with a lighted banner spanning Pacific Ave. Schoenfeld's, Puget Sound National Bank, and the Washington Building with the red neon Bank of California rooftop sign are some of the major businesses on the right side of Pacific, looking north. Bimbo's Italian Restaurant, Tacoma Rescue Mission and American Federal Savings are on the left.

Business districts--Tacoma--1970-1980; Commercial streets--Tacoma--1970-1980; Christmas decorations; Electric signs--Tacoma--1970-1980; Washington Building (Tacoma); Puget Sound National Bank (Tacoma); L. Schoenfeld & Sons (Tacoma);

Intersection of 11th St. & St. Paul Ave, requested by law firm of Davies, Pearson, Anderson & Gadbow for Jennings vs. Bergsten case. This is a view of the 11th St. Bridge (now Murray Morgan Bridge) leading into the tideflats on November 21, 1971. Medical Arts Building (now Tacoma Municipal Building) can be seen in the distance on the right; Tacoma Building is on right side of the bridge with Perkins Building on left.

Commercial streets--Tacoma--1970-1980; 11th Street Bridge (Tacoma);

1971 Richards color stock footage featuring the Washington Building in the downtown business district. The Bank of California's red neon sign and the United States flag are prominently displayed on top of the 17-story Washington Building at 1019 Pacific Ave. The Bank of California was a much smaller building nearby. Other neighbors include Seldens furniture store and the Tacoma Building.

Washington Building (Tacoma); Electric signs--Tacoma--1970-1980; Flags--United States; Business districts--Tacoma--1970-1980; Seldens, Inc. (Tacoma); Tacoma Building (Tacoma);

ca. 1971. Pacific Avenue view of remodeled Seattle-First National Bank building taken possibly in the spring of 1971. The large structure, with the bold "1," is in the center of the photograph with Commonweath Title Insurance Co. on its left and Pacific First Federal Savings & Loan Association on its right. A bit of the 12-story Rust Building is visible on the extreme right. Trees in planter boxes had recently been installed alongside the buildings' entrances on Pacific Avenue. Photograph ordered by Construction Specialties, Inc., San Marcos, CA.

Commercial streets--Tacoma--1970-1980; Seattle-First National Bank (Tacoma); Commonwealth Title Insurance Co. (Tacoma); Pacific First Federal Savings & Loan Association (Tacoma); Banks--Tacoma; Rust Building (Tacoma);

ca. 1971. This is believed to be the rear view on Commerce St. of the remodeled Seattle-First National Bank building (formerly Bank of Tacoma) and the Commonwealth Title Insurance Co. in early 1971. The brokerage firm of Merrill Lynch Pierce Fenner & Smith occupied the entire second floor of the Commonweath Building. Next door to the Sea-First Building is the Pacific First Federal Savings & Loan Assn. The Rust Building, with enormous American Federal Savings sign, is also visible. Photograph ordered on 6-29-71 by Construction Specialties, Inc., San Marcos, CA.

Commercial streets--Tacoma--1970-1980; Seattle-First National Bank (Tacoma); Commonwealth Title Insurance Co. (Tacoma); Pacific First Federal Savings & Loan Association (Tacoma); Banks--Tacoma; Rust Building (Tacoma);

Washington Building. The venerable Washington Building is still located in downtown Tacoma at So. 11th & Pacific Ave. Initial construction was in 1919 for the Scandinavian-American Bank but was halted when the bank failed. It was finally completed in 1925 for the Washington-California Co. At 17-stories, it was the "second tallest in the entire Northwest" at the time. Located in the heart of the commercial district, the striking structure had a large red neon sign indicating the presence of its neighbor, the Bank of California. Other businesses in the vicinity included Peoples department store across the street and Selden's furniture store next door. A $700,000 cooling and heating system was installed in August of 1970 in the Washington Building. The system was set to begin operations on or about September 15, 1970. The 400-ton-capacity cooler was installed under the building and the 2-ton cooling tower on the roof. Photograph ordered by the Washington Building. (article on cooling system - TNT 8-16-70, A-18)

Washington Building (Tacoma); Electric signs--Tacoma--1970-1980; Peoples (Tacoma); Department stores--Tacoma--1970-1980; Seldens, Inc. (Tacoma); Business districts--Tacoma--1970-1980; Commercial streets--Tacoma--1970-1980;

Washington Building. This color photograph of the Washington Building was believed to have been taken from the viewpoint of the Pacific First Federal Savings & Loan Association building on August 6, 1970. The red neon Bank of California sign on top of the Washington Building stands brightly out amidst the gray landscape. One side of the 17-story structure faces 11th St.; at that time 11th St. was a one-way street only, heading uphill. Other notable buildings in the vicinity included Peoples department store across the street; Seldens furniture next door, and the Tacoma Building. A sliver of the Bank of California with the Commerce Savings & Loan banner is visible. Color photograph ordered by the Washington Building.

Washington Building (Tacoma); Electric signs--Tacoma--1970-1980; Seldens, Inc. (Tacoma); Peoples (Tacoma); Tacoma Building (Tacoma); Business districts--Tacoma--1970-1980; Commercial streets--Tacoma--1970-1980;

Washington Building. View of the Washington Building, 1019 Pacific Ave., believed to have been photographed from the top of the Perkins Building in August of 1970. From this angle, the distant Art-Deco styled Medical Arts Building (now Municipal Building) can be seen along the right-center edge. The Rust Building, another well known Tacoma landmark, is slightly up the hill at 950 Pacific. Seldens furniture store is in the right lower corner. A small section of the Bank of California, whose large red neon sign rested on top of the Washington Building, can be spotted at the lower right edge. Photograph ordered by the Washington Building.

Washington Building (Tacoma); Medical Arts Building (Tacoma); Rust Building (Tacoma); Seldens, Inc. (Tacoma); Business districts--Tacoma--1970-1980; Commercial streets--Tacoma--1970-1980; Electric signs--Tacoma--1970-1980;

ca. 1970. Close-up view of Seattle-First National Bank building, Commerce St. side, taken prior to remodeling, with its entrance and exit doors open for parking underneath the building. Once remodeling was complete in 1971, there would be double the banking area. The exterior of the building would be extruded aluminum. Tacoma architects Harris, Reed & Litzenberger would supervise the project; Sproul Construction would be the general contractor. Seattle-First National Bank was a relative newcomer to Tacoma; the bank had purchased the main office and branches of the Bank of Tacoma in 1969. This building had originally been the Publix Garage before the Bank of Tacoma moved there in 1965. Flanking the Sea-First building are the Pacific First Federal Savings & Loan (L) and Commonweath Title Insurance Co. (R). Photograph ordered by Construction Specialties, Inc., San Marcos, CA. (TNT 10-4-70, B-8 article)

Commercial streets--Tacoma--1970-1980; Seattle-First National Bank (Tacoma); Commonwealth Title Insurance Co. (Tacoma); Pacific First Federal Savings & Loan Association (Tacoma); Banks--Tacoma; Rust Building (Tacoma);

Three blended photographs of the area between Sears, Roebuck & Co. and the Bon Marche building in downtown Tacoma taken in September, 1965. The J.C. Penney company was conducting clearance sales as it had moved its main store to the Tacoma Mall Shopping Center. Longtime downtown fixtures on Broadway pictured above were Mode O'Day, Leroy Jewelers, Bernie's Men's Wear, Fashion Shoes, Karl's Shoes, Lyon's, Frank's Diamond Shop, Spellman's Shoes and Penney's. Photograph ordered by Puget Sound National Bank. TPL-502

Commercial streets--Tacoma--1960-1970; J.C. Penney Co. (Tacoma); Stores & shops--Tacoma--1960-1970;

Located at the busy intersection of So. 11th & Pacific in downtown Tacoma's business district is the imposing 17-story Washington Building. To the photograph's left are the Commerce Savings & Loan Association and the Bank of California. A large red neon sign noting the presence of "Bank of California" is also on the rooftop of the Washington Building. Remodeling is occurring at Selden's Carpet & Floor Coverings, located behind the Washington Building on South 11th St., as the home center is completing modernization. The 1910-era Tacoma Building is the large structure on A Street close to Selden's. Photograph ordered by the Washington Building Co. BU-10,894

Washington Building (Tacoma); Electric signs--Tacoma--1960-1970; Bank of California National Association (Tacoma); Seldens, Inc. (Tacoma); Tacoma Building (Tacoma); Business districts--Tacoma--1960-1970;

Washington Building. Situated at the corner of 11th & Pacific, the imposing Washington Building, built in the style of the Chicago School, stands 17 stories high. A large red neon sign installed on the top of the building advertised its neighbor, the Bank of California. As their signs advertised, United Mutual Savings Bank and Household Finance had offices in the Washington Building. The left side of the photograph shows the Rust Building, 950 Pacific Ave., also built in the 1920's. Beyond the Rust Building, on Tacoma Ave. So., is the County-City Building. The Medical Arts Building, on Market St., is the large Art-Deco structure on the right side of photograph. Photograph ordered by Washington Building Co.

Washington Building (Tacoma); Electric signs--Tacoma--1960-1970; Bank of California National Association (Tacoma); Rust Building (Tacoma); Medical Arts Building (Tacoma); Signs (Notices);

Looking down S. 11th St. in downtown Tacoma on the first of September, 1964. Cross streets are Commerce, Pacific and A. Bright lighting helps to make the darkness less oppressive as Manning's Coffee Shop, Peoples store, and the Washington Building are lit from within and also on the street. Wide-Lite pole-mounted floodlights were turned on in a demonstration by Connors Electric Co. Other structures illuminated that night were the Tacoma Building, Schoenfeld's, National Bank of Washington and Pacific First Federal Savings & Loan. Photograph ordered by Wide-Lite Corp., Houston, Texas. (TNT 9-2-64, A-16)

Commercial streets--Tacoma--1960-1970; Lighting--Tacoma; Lampposts--Tacoma; Peoples (Tacoma); Washington Building (Tacoma); Manning's Market (Tacoma);

Downtown Tacoma at night, vicinity of 10th & A Sts, on September 1, 1964. The Tacoma Building, headquarters of the Weyerhaeuser Co. and the Perkins Building are on the left along with Tacoma Office Supply. Modern Wide-Lite pole-mounted floodlights help to illuminate one of the primary business areas of downtown Tacoma. Connors Electric Co. demonstrated for area merchants the advantages of having buildings take on glowing white color and making streets and sidewalks "as bright as day." Photograph ordered by Wide-Lite Corp., Houston, Texas. (TNT 9-2-64, A-16) TPL-10578

Commercial streets--Tacoma--1960-1970; Tacoma Building (Tacoma); Perkins Building (Tacoma); Tacoma Office Supply (Tacoma); Lampposts--Tacoma; Lighting--Tacoma;

125 feet of property around Sixth Avenue and Proctor, ordered by Arthur Locke. This is approximately the 3800 block of Sixth Avenue and features several businesses: Johnson's Bakery with its brick facade and awnings spanning the length of the building, Petite Beauty Salon, Pearl's Nook restaurant, Stop-Lite Tavern, and Value Stores. This block was built ca. 1926, apparently by Arthur Locke.

Commercial streets--Tacoma--1960-1970; Facades--Tacoma--1960-1970; Johnson's Bakery (Tacoma); Petite Beauty Salon (Tacoma); Pearl's Nook (Tacoma); Stop-Lite Tavern (Tacoma); Value Stores (Tacoma); Awnings--Tacoma;

In July of 1964, awnings extended from the buildings on the 3800 block of Sixth Avenue near Proctor; providing shade and protection from the elements for customers frequenting the variety of businesses along the 125 foot stretch of property. Built in 1926 by Arthur Locke, the brick businesses consisted of Johnson Bakery, Petite Beauty Salon, Pearl's Nook restaurant, Stop-Lite Tavern and the 5 & 10 cent Value Stores. A modern street lamp towers over the one-story businesses. Photograph ordered by Arthur Locke.

Commercial streets--Tacoma--1960-1970; Facades--Tacoma--1960-1970; Johnson's Bakery (Tacoma); Petite Beauty Salon (Tacoma); Pearl's Nook (Tacoma); Stop-Lite Tavern (Tacoma); Value Stores (Tacoma); Awnings--Tacoma; Street lights--Tacoma--1960-1970;

On Sunday, April 16, 1961, a Richards Studio photographer journeyed to the third floor of the Washington Building to snap photos of the soon-to-be demolished Bernice Building and Pacific First Federal Savings. Bender's Ready to Wear fashions for men and women appears to already have vacated the premises; windows are either boarded up or empty. A modern Pacific First Federal Savings & Loan would emerge in 1964. The new building, designed by Tacoma architects Lea, Pearson & Richards, would cost $1,500,000, and more than double the present size of the savings and loan. (TNT 1-12-61, p. 1)

Bernice Building (Tacoma); Pacific First Federal Building (Tacoma); Bender's (Tacoma);

Streets of downtown Tacoma appear quiet on a Sunday in April, 1961. A few people stand near Bender's Ready to Wear clothing store for women and men located in the Bernice Building in the 1100 block of Pacific Avenue. Both the Bernice and the adjoining Pacific First Federal Building would be but a memory shortly as they would be torn down to make way for a modern Pacific First Federal Savings location. Photograph taken from the third floor of the Washington Building on behalf of Pacific First Federal Savings & Loan.

Bernice Building (Tacoma); Pacific First Federal Building (Tacoma); Bender's (Tacoma);