This was the view of Tacoma from the top of the Medical Arts Building (now the Tacoma Municipal Building), 747 Market Street, in September of 1953. Looking toward the southeast, Mount Rainier dominates the horizon. The tall building below Mt. Rainier, near the center of the picture, is the Washington Building, 1019 Pacific Avenue, with a giant Mobil Gas sign on top. To the far left is the Murray Morgan Bridge, providing access to the many businesses on Tacoma's tideflats. TPL-9496

Rainier, Mount (Wash.); Cityscapes--Tacoma--1950-1960; Business districts--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Mueller-Harkins Motor Co. exterior, for the Condon Co. This facility was considered to be one of the most complete automotive centers in the U.S. Founded in 1916 at 8th and A, the company was still run by the Mueller family. In September of 1953, negotiations were underway to sell the family owned business to a Seattle automobile man. Effective October 1, 1953, the new owner was identified as E.H. (Gene) Brus, a prominent Seattle automobile man since 1921. (TNT 9/14/1953, pg. 1 & TNT 10/4/1953, pg. B5-B7)

Buick automobile; Automobile dealerships--Tacoma; Mueller-Harkins Motor Co. (Tacoma); Brus Buick Co. (Tacoma);

Offices at Brown & Haley Candy Co., for West Disinfecting Co. A young woman sits typing at a desk labelled "information." Surrounding her are office cubicles, separated by plate glass windows. Light fixtures are suspended from the ceiling. Brown and Haley was founded in 1913 by J.C. Haley and grew because of the company's insistence on quality. In 1948, the company underwent a 1/2 million dollar expansion. The company's most famous product was Almond Roca, but they also made the Mountain Bar, Olympic Mint and the Almond Butter Crunch Bar. The company pioneered packing in a vacuum packed tin for freshness. (TNT 9/4/1953, pg. C-15)

Confections; Candy; Chocolate industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Brown & Haley (Tacoma); Offices--Tacoma--1950-1960; Office workers--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Although the company name "Brown & Haley" calls to mind their famous Almond Roca candies, the Brown & Haley Candy Company, 108-16 East 26th Street, has always made a variety of candy products. This photograph from September, 1953 shows seven women employees on the manufacturing line that made high quality, hand-dipped chocolates. The second woman on the line, counting from the right, has been identified as Katherine White. The last woman in the line has been identified as Mollie Tripple. TPL-8786

Confections; Candy; Chocolate industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Packaging; Assembly-line methods; Brown & Haley (Tacoma);

Holroyd Co.; exposure of five trucks in front of the plant at So. 52nd and Washington. Holroyd mixed concrete and manufactured concrete building units. These units were especially popular for building during the war when wood was in short supply. The large trucks are used for transporting materials. The company also had a gravel pit at Nisqually and another at Meadow Park.

Holroyd Co. (Tacoma); Concrete products industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Building materials industry--Tacoma--1940-1950;

New DFPA offices in the Fuller Building as pictured on September 18, 1953. This appears to be the mailroom. The Douglas Fir Plywood Association's headquarters in Tacoma was the center of the industry's national promotion of fir plywood. The cost of this promotion was over 2.5 million a year, much of it spent in postage. The DFPA was the highest volume customer of the Tacoma Post Office. TPL-8393

Plywood; Douglas Fir Plywood Association (Tacoma); Lumber industry--Tacoma--1950-1960; Offices--Tacoma--1950-1960; Office workers--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Packed attendance at the Lorne F. Fox Party, the city wide salvation and healing campaign held at the Tent Cathedral at So. 23rd & Steele in August of 1953. The Rev. Lorne F. Fox was a traveling evangelist who appeared in Tacoma sponsored by the Full Gospel Fellowship of Tacoma. His traveling ministry offered music, prayer for the sick and claimed conversion of thousands. Rev. Lorne F. Fox was the primary speaker and musician. He played the piano, organ, accordion and Hawaiian guitar. Ruth L. Fox was the song leader and contralto soloist. Joe & Gerry Pontrello filled in as organist, trumpeter and vocalist. The Crusade had taken the internationally known musicians and evangelists to Alaska, Mexico, the West Indies and South America. The revival opened August 16, 1953 at 3 & 7:30p.m. and would continue nightly, except for Mondays. (TNT 8/8/1953, pg. 4 & 8/15/1953, pg. 4)

Revivals--Tacoma--1950-1960; Religious meetings--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Fuel Oil Service Co.; exterior of trucks. Fuel Oil Service was a distributer of furnace and stove oil. Mark C. Dolliver was the Manager & Roger C. Stewart the Sales Manager. The trucks were used to deliver the oil to the residential customers.

Trucks--Tacoma--1950-1960; Fuel Oil Service (Tacoma);

The American Smelting and Refining Co. had celebrated its 50th anniversary as a business in 1949. It was one of the largest employers in Tacoma with well over a thousand employees. As its name indicates, it was primarily involved in the smelting of ore and refining of copper. View of storage tanks at smelter, with truck parked alongside fence. Photograph ordered by David Somerville.

American Smelting & Refining Co. (Tacoma); Smelters--Tacoma--1950-1960; Copper industry--Tacoma--1950-1960; Industrial facilities; Storage tanks--Tacoma;

Workers appear to be examining construction of a new church steeple in March, 1953. One man is perched on a scaffold with a hammer in his extended hand; he appears to be grasping the steeple. Another man in a checkered jacket stands on the ground with his right arm resting on a plywood plank. The church is believed to be the new First Church of Christ, Scientist, in the Lakewood Center. The top of the steeple, when put into place, would be over 55 feet above ground. Photograph ordered by Douglas Fir Plywood Association. (TNT 3-15-53, C-14)

Building construction--Lakewood--1950-1960; Steeples; Douglas Fir Plywood Association (Tacoma);

Three members of Cub Scout Pack #19 are pictured in this February, 1953, photograph as they took part in the Indian ceremony held at Lowell Elementary School. Stephen Gratzer, Bill Kelly, and Roddy Rosenbladt, Cub Scouts who had attained Webelos rank, were initiated as tenderfoot Scouts. All Cub Scouts present were dressed in Indian regalia. George Williams, Pack 19 Cubmaster, and Troop 19 Scoutmaster Orville Dandenberg officiated, each dressed in full Indian costume. The new Boy Scouts pictured here were all dressed in Scout uniforms with a multitude of badges. Adult in Indian headdress and buckskins is probably George Williams. Photograph ordered by Mrs. Williams. (TNT 2-27-53, p. 17, TNT 3-1-53, C-16))

Cub Scouts (Tacoma); Boy Scouts (Tacoma)--1950-1960; Uniforms; Badges; War bonnets; Gratzer, Stephen; Kelly, Bill; Rosenbladt, Roddy;

A figurine of two sturdy horses, perhaps Clydesdales, harnessed to a driverless Heidelberg wagon was photographed in March, 1953. There are five miniature kegs of beer, including two in the rear of the wagon. A circular drawing of a man enjoying a stein of beer is placed alongside the Heidelberg sign. Heidelberg beer was one of the popular brands produced by Columbia Breweries. Photograph ordered by Columbia Breweries.

Figurines; Model vehicles; Signs (Notices); Columbia Breweries, Inc. (Tacoma)--1950-1960;

A small stage, decorated in red, white and blue bunting, was constructed to be used in the February, 1953, launching of the USS Energy, #436, built by the J.M. Martinac Shipbuilding Corporation. Martinac had landed the contract to build a series of 171-foot mindsweepers for the Navy; this is the second completed after the USS Endurance the previous year. Photograph ordered by J.M. Martinac Shipbuilding.(TNT 2-1-53, B-2, TNT 2-14-53, p. 1)

Launchings--Tacoma--1950-1960; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1950-1960; J.M. Martinac Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma); Stages (Platforms);

A large neon sign juts out from the Northwest Radio facade; the "TV" portion is much larger than the store name or Motorola brand name. Northwest Radio had three locations in the Tacoma area in the early 1950's; this store was located on Sixth Avenue near the Sixth Avenue Launderette and Clark's Garage. Northwest Radio featured Philco, Motorola and RCA Victor products.

Northwest Radio, Inc. (Tacoma); Televisions--1950-1960; Stores & shops--Tacoma--1950-1960; Electric signs--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Building continues on the new Tacoma City Light administrative building and garage in March, 1953. Buildings were made of reinforced concrete. Roy Earley Company and Concrete Construction were contractors on the project designed by architect Silas Nelsen. Multi-story structure in the background is probably the administrative building; walls on the left side of photograph are probably those of the garage. Photograph ordered by Tom Sias, Douglas Fir Plywood Association.

Progress photographs; Building construction--Tacoma--1950-1960; Tacoma Dept. of Public Utilities, Light Division (Tacoma); Plywood; Douglas Fir Plywood Association (Tacoma); Public utility companies--Tacoma;

ca. 1953. Snow-capped Mount Rainier is a majestic sight in 1953 as it looms over thousands of acres of timber growth. Logging companies would be permitted to harvest some of these trees.

Rainier, Mount (Wash.); Forests--Washington; Trees;

Five well-dressed men, with carnation boutonnieres, are prepared for the grand reopening of the recently remodeled Spellman's Buster Brown Shoe Store on Broadway. They are standing in front of stacks of Roblee shoes in this March 9, 1953, photograph. Eugene Pease, partner, is third from the left and owner/manager Jerry Spellman is second to the right. The other three men are possibly the Spellman Brothers, Joseph, Jack and Bill, prior owners. Spellman's Buster Brown Shoe Store has been completely rebuilt from front to back, with all new interiors, floors, displays, lighting, and furniture. Tacoma has the distinction of having the first ever Buster Brown store in the United States, which opened up in the Mullin Building on Broadway in September, 1915. Photograph ordered by Dave Lester, Fairchild Publications. (TNT 3-8-53, B-7)

Spellman's Buster Brown Shoe Store (Tacoma); Shoe stores--Tacoma--1950-1960; Pease, Eugene; Spellman, Jerry;

The Model Shop, the Dandy Cafe, and the Dandy Barber Shop were occupants of the C.J. Duffy building, 915-17 Tacoma Ave. South, in 1953. The Model Shop sold model airplanes and trains; it was owned by Morris Hinckley and George Venneau. Next door was the Dandy Cafe, a small diner, and adjacent to it, the Dandy Barber Shop. Flett's Ice Cream and Coca Cola signs were prominently displayed on the building. Built in 1890, this photograph was taken shortly before the building was demolished.

Storefronts--Tacoma--1950-1960; Dandy Cafe (Tacoma); Dandy Barber Shop (Tacoma); Model Shop (Tacoma); Signs (Notices);

A daughter of the Dr. William R. Taylor family carefully selects a dress from her combined desk-closet wall unit in March, 1953. There is plenty of room for storage; open door shows shelves for shoes and hanging closet. Drawers on the other side of the desk possibly hold more clothing and/or toys. There is a chalkboard partially visible behind the open closet door. Photograph ordered by Douglas Fir Plywood Association.

Taylor, William R.--Homes & haunts; Bedrooms--Tacoma--1950-1960; Blackboards; Children--Clothing & dress--Tacoma--1950-1960; Douglas Fir Plywood Association (Tacoma);

A member of the Young Men's Business Club auxiliary, believed to be Nancy Hubbert, gestures gracefully as she prepares to model in the March, 1953, YMBC luncheon and style show held at the Lakewood Terrace. She is dressed in a taffeta-style calf length dress, with formal gloves and open toe shoes. A small hat with large net bow and veil along with a cloth flower completes her ensemble. A fur coat is lying on the couch nearby. (TNT 3-10-53, p. 12)

Young Mens Business Club, Womens Auxiliary (Tacoma); Fashion shows--Tacoma--1950-1960; Fashion models--Tacoma--1950-1960; Clothing & dress--Tacoma--1950-1960; Posing;

B & B Glass and Paint Co. offered convenient drive-in service and glass installation at their 748 Market Street location. The company was owned by Benjamin E. Bassett and LeRoy O. Bertheau. They offered glass for every purpose, including plate, crystal, sheet, glass blocks, mirrors, re-silvering and residence glazing. They also sold Pabco paints. View of side of B & B Glass building with large advertising, including painting of two men holding a large plate glass, and parking lot full of cars. There is also a Rainier Beer billboard attached to the side of the building. Photograph ordered by Mrs. Ben Bassett.

B & B Glass & Paint Co. (Tacoma); Glass industry--Tacoma; Signs (Notices); Electric signs--Tacoma--1950-1960; Billboards--Tacoma;

A man carefully dabs on paint on the "log" cabin as Lincoln Electric prepares its float for the 1953 Daffodil parade. A giant penny is located on one end of the float with Lincoln's head in silhouette; Lincoln Electric also used a silhouette of Lincoln on its building at South 38th and Park. Photograph ordered by Tony Ricono.

Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1950-1960; Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1953 : Tacoma); Lincoln Electric (Tacoma); Silhouettes;

Because our area's population was booming in the early 1950's, many new housing developments sprang up to accomodate new buyers. Sylvan Park was located near Lakewood; view of brick one-story home with attached garage and built -on planters. The house is so new that the front landscaping has yet to be completed. The home was designed and built by Home Construction Co. Photograph ordered by Mark Hoskins.

Houses--Lakewood--1950-1960; Home Construction Co. (Lakewood);

A Lincoln Electric salesman, possibly Lincoln Electric co-owner, Tony Ricono, shows an interested customer a large Bendix television console. The television is encased in a fine wood cabinet with doors. The firm featured Bendix and Hoffman brands with a wide assortment of 1953 choices. Lincoln Electric had recently moved into a new building on South 38th and Park Avenue; besides selling and servicing appliances, they had also expanded into the furniture and juvenile market. TPL-2290

Lincoln Electric (Tacoma); Televisions--1950-1960; Shopping--Tacoma--1950-1960;

The Pacific Coast Association of Pulp & Paper Manufacturers met in Tacoma in March, 1953. They were attending the 7th Annual Joint Labor-Management Safety Conference. They joined union and employer representatives from twenty mills; sponsors included the International Brotherhood of Pulp, Sulphite and Paper Mill Workers and International Brotherhood of Paper Makers. View of association members awaiting luncheon at the Winthrop Hotel. (TNT 3-1-53, B-10)

Pacific Coast Association of Pulp & Paper Manufacturers (Tacoma); Group portraits; Meetings--Tacoma--1950-1960; Hotel Winthrop (Tacoma);

A large fleet of delivery trucks and vans is parked outside of Sepic Electric's South "K" Street (now known as Martin Luther King Jr. Way) store in February, 1953. Sepic's was well known as an appliance store; they also sold furniture and floor coverings. They maintained their own repair department so they could offer their customers repair and installation services. Sepic Electric was owned by brothers Fred and Stan Sepic. Photograph ordered by Stan Sepic.

Sepic Electric Co. (Tacoma); Appliance stores--Tacoma--1950-1960; Furniture stores--Tacoma--1950-1960; Trucks--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Sepic Electric was started as a repair shop by two brothers, Fred and Stan Sepic, in the early 1940's. It gradually expanded to include appliances, furniture, and floor coverings for sale. They continued to offer repair services, including washing machines and electric motors. Their South "K" Street (now known as Martin Luther King Jr. Way) store had been remodeled by February, 1950. In May, 1951, the Sepics opened a second furniture and appliance store at South 72nd and Pacific. Photograph ordered by Stan Sepic. TPL-3788

Sepic Electric Co. (Tacoma); Furniture stores--Tacoma--1950-1960; Appliance stores--Tacoma--1950-1960; Storefronts--Tacoma--1950-1960;

The Tacoma Plumbing Supply Co. were wholesale dealers in plumbing, heating and mill supplies. They were located at 315 South 23rd Street. According to the 1953 City Directory, Chauncey B. Baxter was listed as president with Ernest O. Thomson as sales manager. The large brick building is three stories high with two open garages. View of Tacoma Plumbing Supply building with employees shifting boxes of materials onto an Acme Transfer & Storage Co. flatbed truck.

Tacoma Plumbing Supply Co. (Tacoma); Plumbing stores--Tacoma--1950-1960; Storefronts--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Both cars and bicycles are parked outside the new Tradewell supermarket on South 56th and Pacific in February, 1953. As the signs posted on the wall indicated, Tradewell offered free parking for customers. The store was open seven days a week, with shorter hours on Sunday, and stayed open until 11 p.m. on Friday night. Specials changed frequently at Tradewell; a customer could purchase fresh red snapper at 29 cents a pound or giant size detergent Duz or Cheer at 65 cents. Photograph ordered by Washington Mutual Savings Bank.

Tradewell Stores, Inc. (Tacoma); Supermarkets; Parking lots--Tacoma--1950-1960;

W. H. Opie and Company, real estate. March, 1953, photograph shows corner entry to Art-Moderne-style building. It also displays a full corner view with tower forming point at second level and curve at first floor. The Anderson Building was constructed in 1941; it was designed by architect Albert Gardner. Knapp College was located on second floor. The Camera Shop, at right, with window display sold Ansco films and Kodak supplies.

W.H. Opie & Co. (Tacoma); Real estate business--Tacoma; Storefronts--Tacoma--1950-1960; Knapp College (Tacoma); Camera Shop (Tacoma);