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);

Undated photograph taken at night of a business district, probably located in Centralia. Several taverns, a Bonanza 88 store, and a pharmacy dot the two-lane street. The area is brightly lit with freestanding light poles. Photograph ordered by General Electric.

Business districts; Lampposts; Street lights;

ca. 1900. This view of hilly 11th Street was probably taken in the late 1890s or very early 1900s. The street is relatively empty of traffic with pedestrians having time to stop and talk while still in the roadway. Peoples department store, built in 1895, is on the left side of 11th while the Fidelity Building, built in 1890, is at 9th & Broadway on the right hand side. The Fidelity Building is pictured without its additional six stories which were not added until 1909. The Fidelity Building was demolished in 1949 to make way for the F.W.Woolworth Co. Bldg. TPL-9915

Commercial streets--Tacoma--1890-1900; Peoples (Tacoma); Fidelity Building (Tacoma);

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);

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);

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;

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. 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;

Tacoma Safety Council Safety Show parade on Ninth Street. Pedestrians and automobiles on street with view of buildings from Commerce to A Streets. Motoramp Garage on left. McCormack's Hats neon sign on right. Decorative metal canopy covers sidewalk.

Business districts--Tacoma--1930-1940; Motoramp Garage (Tacoma);

Main Street, Sumner, Washington. View of commercial buildings including Berryland Confectionery, Sumner Pharmacy, Schafer's Variety Store, United Purity Store and other businesses. Pedestrians and automobiles in view. The town was named in 1876 after Senator Charles Sumner. (T. Times, Special Edition).

Commercial streets--Sumner; Berryland Confectionery (Sumner); Sumner Pharmacy (Sumner); Schafer's Variety Store (Sumner); United Purity Store (Sumner);

This photograph shows Pacific Avenue looking north from the corner of South 24th Street (Puyallup Avenue starts one block east) as it looked in January 1941. The large, two story building to the left, 2314-24 Pacific Ave., was the Tacoma Sears, Roebuck & Co. department store from 1928 until 1936, when they moved to 1148 Broadway. In 1941 the building was home to the Used Car Bargain Center, and the Pierce County Welfare Department. To the right is MacKenzie's Pharmacy, 2401 South Pacific Avenue.

Commercial streets--Tacoma--1940-1950; Used Car Bargain Center (Tacoma); MacKenzie's Pharmacy (Tacoma); Welfare facilities--Tacoma; Pierce County Welfare Department (Tacoma);

ca. 1907. Copy of photograph of Rhodes Department Store, circa 1907. View of three story building by Ambrose J. Russell and Frederick Heath, Architects, 1903. Photograph was taken after repairs to building. Richards Studio copy made on 11-31-1937. (filed with Argentum)

Commercial buildings--Tacoma--1900-1910; Department stores--Tacoma--1900-1910; Rhodes Brothers Department Store (Tacoma);

Looking down on Pacific Avenue at 11th Street from upper floors of old Pacific First Federal Building. The Rust Building is at the left, buses and automobiles; people on sidewalk. (T. Times, 2/8/1939).

Business districts--Tacoma; Commercial streets--Tacoma--1930-1940; Buses--Tacoma; Automobiles--Tacoma--1930-1940;

Pacific Avenue at 11th Street. Rust Building at left, Bank of California at right. People cross the intersection and head toward one of 95 buses operated by Tacoma Railway and Power Company. (T. Times, 2/8/1939, p. 21)

Commercial streets--Tacoma--1930-1940;

Looking up 11th street hill with its large high rise buildings--Tacoma Building (Weyerhaeuser), Washington, Rust and Fidelity Buildings. The street is void of activity and traffic. (T. Times, 2/8/1939.

Commercial streets--Tacoma--1930-1940;

View of Puyallup Avenue at Bay Street. Puyallup River Bridge with traffic. Resurfacing of Puyallup Avenue was the first of the new series of P.W.A. (Public Works Administration) contracts in Tacoma and first completed at a cost of $54,710. (T. Times, 10/20 p. 4,10/21 p. 20).

Commercial streets--Tacoma--1930-1940; Bridges--Tacoma; Puyallup Avenue Bridge (Tacoma); Depressions--1929; Public Works Administration (Tacoma);

This was how Puyallup Avenue appeared on October 20, 1938, looking east along the newly resurfaced street from Pacific Avenue to Bay Street and the bridge to the Seattle Highway. A stretch of 2601 feet of road, from East "G" Street to Pacific Avenue, was all new, including sidewalks, curbs and street surface. To construct the level 100- feet-wide road, the old asphalt was broken up and new concrete laid up to 20 inches thick. It was the first of the new series of Public Works Administration (PWA) contracts to be finalized and the first finished. The job took 60 days from start to finish and a ceremony was scheduled for October 21st to mark the record time. The newly surfaced road would bring traffic from the Seattle Highway directly into the downtown Tacoma shopping district. Standard Service Station and Firestone Store on left, OK Bakery and McKenzie Drug on right. (T. Times, 10/20/1938, p. 4).

Commercial streets--Tacoma--1930-1940; Bridges--Tacoma; Puyallup Avenue Bridge (Tacoma); Depressions--1929; Public Works Administration (Tacoma);

In 1938, buses replaced streetcars in Tacoma and major thoroughfares were repaved in concrete. Contractor Ray A. Moisio's crew resurfaced Puyallup Avenue from Pacific Avenue to East G Street in 60 days. Concrete, up to 20 inches thick, paved a level, 100-feet-wide and 2,601-feet-long section including sidewalks. The $54,710 contract, funded by the Public Works Administration, extended to the Seattle Highway and stimulated business in the downtown district. (T. Times, 10/20/1938, p. 4).

Commercial streets--Tacoma--1930-1940; Bridges--Tacoma; Puyallup Avenue Bridge (Tacoma); Depressions--1929; Public Works Administration (Tacoma);

View from Court C down 11th Street toward bridge. Fisher's Department Store on right, Rhodes Department Store, Fidelity, Rust, Washington, and Tacoma Buildings on left. Pedestrian and vehicle traffic downtown business district. (T. Times, 2/8/1939)

Commercial streets--Tacoma--1930-1940; Department stores--Tacoma--1930-1940;

Puyallup Avenue and Pacific Avenue intersection with Standard service station on left and MacKenzie Drug on right. To construct a level 100- feet-wide and 2,601 feet long road, old asphalt was broken up and new concrete laid up to 20 inches thick on Puyallup Ave.

Commercial streets--Tacoma--1930-1940; Standard Service Station (Tacoma); Vehicles--Tacoma; MacKenzie's Pharmacy (Tacoma);

Newly paved Pacific Avenue looking south from 9th Street. Automobiles and pedestrians are using the new street and sidewalks. A signal light hangs in the center of the intersection. Good view of buildings in 900 and 1000 blocks of Pacific Avenue.

Commercial streets--Tacoma--1930-1940;

This was the Pacific Avenue intersection of 17th St. Jefferson Ave./ Hood St. looking north in late August of 1939. Depot Service Station with Schenley Red Label billboard behind, Hotel Lewis on left; Sprague Block, on right. Streetcar tracks, railroad tracks crossing at angle.

Commercial streets--Tacoma--1930-1940; Depot Service Station (Tacoma); Hotel Lewis (Tacoma); Street railroad tracks--Tacoma--1930-1940;

The Anderson Building at the corner of 10th and Pacific was built in 1941, and in 1942 became the new home for Knapp College, the Federal Insurance Group, Gale's Rugs, and the Lutheran Service Center. Knapp's Modern Business College was founded in 1921 and for many years was the only fully accredited business training school in Tacoma. In 1965 they remodeled and expanded their building, and in 1975 they moved to 1001 North J Street. After being in business for almost 70 years, Knapp College declared bankruptcy and closed in 1990.

Anderson Building (Tacoma); Knapp College (Tacoma); Storefronts--Tacoma--1940-1950; Federal Insurance Group (Tacoma); Gale's Rugs (Tacoma); Lutheran Service Center (Tacoma);

This artistic rendering of the R.E. Anderson building on the southeast corner of 10th and Pacific was used to herald its opening in December of 1941. Albert Gardner of Los Angeles was tapped to draw up the plans. His modernistic design featured a center tower of cut stone granite lighted at night by spotlights. The 75 x 120 foot total structure was constructed of reinforced concrete. Knapp Business College took a lease on the entire second floor, with Gale's Rugs and S. Grimstead, Jeweler, relocating to the first floor. The modern design continued inside with all fluorescent lights and bronze trim. (T. Times 12/8/1941, pg. 4)

Anderson Building (Tacoma); Knapp College (Tacoma); Storefronts--Tacoma--1940-1950; Gales Rugs (Tacoma);

International Harvester Company. A view of the front of the International Harvester Company facilities, a one-story brick building. Signs on the front advertise "Motor Trucks".

Commercial facilities--Tacoma--1940-1950; International Harvester Co. (Tacoma);

Exterior of Rhodes Store, Olympic Ice. A five-story brick department store. Window displays of women's clothing are shown. Signs advertise War Bonds being sold at Rhodes. Miller's Furs and the Olympic Ice Cream stores are seen up the street on 11th. Pedestrian's images are blurred because they are walking and the camera's lens is open for a long time to get a good image of the building. Corner of 11th and Market.

Commercial buildings--Tacoma--1940-1950;Department stores--Tacoma--1940-1950; Rhodes Brothers Department Store (Tacoma); Miller's Furs (Tacoma); Olympic Ice Cream Co. (Tacoma);

Electrical Products Corporation, day and night, sign on Olympia Beer on Ingleside Cafe on Fort Lewis Highway. A view looking along North 2nd Street. Signal Gas station can be seen on the right side of the street. Trucks and automobiles can be seen driving and parked.

Commercial streets--Tacoma--1940-1950; Automobiles--Tacoma--1940-1950; Trucks--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Buildings along the north side of Pacific Avenue, between 11th and 12th Streets. The businesses include Peoples Store, the Public Telephone Center, Walter C. Steel/Langlow Insurance (both in the Banker's Trust Building), Fine Art Studios, the State Savings and Loan Association, the Puget Sound National Bank Builidng, and the National Bank of Washington Building. The street shows automobiles, a bus and delivery trucks.

Commercial streets--Tacoma--1940-1950; Commercial buildings--Tacoma--1940-1950;