A steel tower is affixed to the top of this small building on wheels at the Pioneer Sand and Gravel pit. This is probably part of the enormous Pioneer Sand and Gravel pit north of Chambers Creek near Steilacoom. Steel wires appear to be linked to another tower in the horizon. Photograph was taken on September 20, 1963, upon request by Sauerman Brothers.

Pioneer Sand & Gravel Co. (Steilacoom);

A Pioneer Sand & Gravel employee in hard hat watches as a giant shovel deposits sand into a wooden bin on wheels on September 20, 1963. Utilizing steel wires connected by two towers, workers were able to move great amounts of sand and gravel smoothly and efficiently. This is believed to be Pioneer Sand & Gravel's pit near Steilacoom. Photograph ordered by Sauerman Brothers.

Pioneer Sand & Gravel Co. (Steilacoom); Hoisting machinery; Pulleys; Sandstone quarrying--Steilacoom;

In 1963 United Mutual Savings Bank advertised that it was "Tacoma's ONLY Savings Bank." The above photograph is United Mutual's No. 26th & Madison branch, one of three in the city. Designed by architects Harris, Reed & Wilson, the new branch had a circular floor plan. The bank was mushroom-shaped with the upper story overhanging the lower. It would be holding an open house on Saturday, June 29, 1963, to become acquainted with its new northend neighbors. Photograph ordered by Gardner Advertising Agency. (TNT 6-28-63, p. 14)

United Mutual Savings Bank (Tacoma); Banks--Tacoma;

Dining at the Winthrop Hotel. Four diners are enjoying a beautifully served meal at the Winthrop Hotel in April of 1963. Two waiters attend their table; one is preparing to pour from a bottle of wine while the other carefully displays a platter of onions, mushrooms and beef. The Winthrop had several banquet rooms, the Sabre Room, a coffee shop, and the remodeled and renamed Three Keys main dining room. Photograph ordered by the Winthrop Hotel.

Hotels--Tacoma--1960-1970; Restaurants--Tacoma--1960-1970; Waiters--Tacoma--1960-1970; Hotel Winthrop (Tacoma);

Owned by Walt Hogan, the Food King supermarket in 1963 provided its South Tacoma neighborhood with a convenient place to stop and fill up with groceries. Located at 3510 So. 56th St., it was directly across the street from the Post Office and close to the South Tacoma Branch Library. Neighboring businesses in the small shopping center included Pate's Coin-Op Cleaners & Laundry and Bob's Burger Barn. Food King on So. 56th St. celebrated its grand opening from July 18-20, 1963. The celebration, where a live steer was given away to one lucky customer (steer to be cut up and packaged to customer's wishes), coincided with a outdoor sidewalk sale planned by South Tacoma merchants. The supermarket provided parking for about 100 cars. The new Food King was the sixth in a chain of supermarkets; it replaced the old Hogan's Fine Foods. Its exterior, faced with Palos Verde stone from Mexico, had plenty of glass and a modern arcade providing protection from the elements. Food King provided air conditioning, wide aisles, a variety section, and the OK Bakery, an in-store bakery. 41 years later, Food King is now the Red Apple supermarket and Bob's Burger Barn transformed into a Starbucks. (TNT 7-16-63, p. 9)

Food King (Tacoma); Supermarkets--Tacoma--1960-1970;

J.C. Penney's had a gas station and auto center located right next to their new store at the Tacoma Mall Shopping Center in 1965. A 1960 Chevy El Camino truck and a 1965 Ford Mustang are ready to be serviced at the outdoor pumps. Customers and attendants were protected from Northwest weather by the auto center's extended roofline. The auto center and the main store opened on October 13, 1965. Lysle G. Paterson was manager of the Tacoma Mall Penney's. Photograph ordered by News Tribune. TPL-498

J.C. Penney Co. (Tacoma); Automobile service stations--Tacoma--1960-1970; Gasoline pumps--Tacoma--1960-1970; Tacoma Mall Shopping Center (Tacoma); Shopping centers--Tacoma--1960-1970;

The Tacoma Mall Thriftway supermarket had its grand opening on October 13,1965. The store was decorated throughout with wooden panels and murals that, through color and design, imitated Pacific Northwest Indian art motifs without reproducing actual design elements from any particular tribe. In the Bakery Department, shelves offered a variety of freshly baked goods and apparently offered wedding cakes as well since a variety of bride-and-groom ornaments were displayed. The supermarket became part of the Lucky's chain in the early 1970's and was converted later into the Mall's food court. (Photograph ordered by Associated Grocers.) (TNT 10-12-65, C-8, C-9 Ad, C-13)

Bakeries--Tacoma--1960-1970; Baked products--Tacoma; Supermarkets--Tacoma--1960-1970; Tacoma Mall Thriftway (Tacoma); Merchandise displays--Tacoma--1960-1970;

As part of the 77th Anniversary celebration of the Peoples department store chain, the Mercy Boys rock band with lead singer Jim Brady (later of the Sonics) played on October 9, 1965 in the Junior World Department of their flagship store in downtown Tacoma, 1101-07 Pacific Avenue. Also appearing at the store was Australian TV star and disc jockey Rhett Hamilton Walker 1st, or R.H.W. One as he was officially known on KOL radio. His show was broadcast daily from 3 to 6 p.m. The Peoples store closed in 1983 and was remodeled becoming the Puget Sound Plaza in 1985. Photograph ordered by Peoples. (TNT 10-5-65, D-1) (Additional identification provided by a reader) TPL-9173

Peoples (Tacoma); Department stores--Tacoma--1960-1970; Musicians--Tacoma--1960-1970; Mercy Boys (Tacoma);

In June of 1965 the employees of the Puget Sound National Bank dressed in costumes from the "Gay 90s" to celebrate the bank's 75th anniversary. A beautiful, multi-layer cake with a giant 75 on top was baked for the occasion. The bank, originally named the Puget Sound Savings Bank, opened on June 10, 1890 at 2422 Pacific Avenue. From 1890 to 1965 the bank survived the financial panic of 1893, the Great Depression and several name changes. In the 1990s they were taken over by KeyBank. (Photograph ordered by Puget Sound National Bank.)

Puget Sound National Bank (Tacoma); Banks--Tacoma; Anniversaries--Tacoma--1960-1970; Cakes--Tacoma--1960-1970;

The McKinley Hill Banking Center of National Bank of Washington had been open for six months in August, 1965. It was the bank's 16th office in the Tacoma area and had hosted a "bankwarming" on February 27, 1965. Located at the corner of Harrison St. and McKinley Ave., the contemporary 3700-square foot building was constructed of travertine stone and vertical resawn cedar siding. A large parking lot and drive-up window was built for the convenience of the bank's customers. Local architects Lea, Pearson & Richards designed the building which was built by Levage Construction Co. Richard Blamey, executive officer and Donald Rhodus, assistant cashier, were in charge of the banking center. A 25-foot "money ribbon" was cut at the time of the bank's opening and the money donated to the Tayet School for Handicapped Children. (TNT 2-26-65, p. 11)

National Bank of Washington (Tacoma); Banks--Tacoma; Signs (Notices);

Passersby glance at the clearance merchandise in the windows of the J.C. Penney's downtown Broadway store in early September, 1965. Penney's would be relocating its main store to the city's southside, in the new Tacoma Mall Shopping Center. The downtown store would close on October 2, 1965, with the new Tacoma Mall store to open on October 13th. Penney's need for more parking and more area to expand led them to move the main store to the mall with its 7,000-car parking lot. New departments added to the store would include a 50-seat coffee shop, gun department, and a separate auto center. Photograph ordered by Puget Sound National Bank. (TNT 8-24-65, p. 1)

J.C. Penney Co. (Tacoma); Department stores--Tacoma--1960-1970; Facades--Tacoma--1960-1970; Signs (Notices);

View of massive unidentified machinery manufactured by Globe Mfg. Co. of Tacoma at company plant on November 2, 1964. Company name is imprinted on machine. Photograph ordered by Globe Machine Manufacturing Co.

Globe Machine Manufacturing Co. (Tacoma); Machinery industry--Tacoma--1960-1970; Machinery;

People of all ages stream through the doors of Gov-Mart South, a discount department store, on October 14, 1964. Gov-Mart was located on a strip of land between Hwy. 99 and and I-5, opposite McChord AFB. 20,000 people flocked to the grand opening of the newly remodeled and expanded store. Previously a membership-only store, those attending on October 14th were admitted without membership requirements. Not only did Gov-Mart expand to 100,000 square feet, it also changed its name to Gov-Mart/Baza'r. Photograph ordered by Gov-Mart. (TNT 10-13-64, p. 8)

Gov-Mart South (Lakewood); Department stores--Lakewood--1960-1970; Crowds--Lakewood;

A smiling group of seven men pose in the Gov-Mart South department store on October 14, 1964. Each man is sporting a carnation boutonniere. Most of these men are believed to be Gov-Mart executives present for the official ribbon-snipping. From L-R are Kenneth Smith, unidentified man, District supv. Jerome Alhadeff, unidentified man, Manager Frank Walker, George Branfeld and William T. Triplett, Jr. Photograph ordered by Gov-Mart. (TNT 10-15-64, A-10)

Gov-Mart South (Lakewood); Department stores--Lakewood--1960-1970; Group portraits--1960-1970;

Gov-Mart South, a discount department store located between I-5 and Hwy. 99, opened a new expanded food market within the store on October 14, 1964. Besides food bargains such as bananas at 10 cents a pound, and meats and fresh produce on sale, Gov-Mart put 4000 food items on price reductions. Thousands of shoppers took advantage of the low prices. In addition to store expansion and remodeling, Gov-Mart opened its doors to the general public instead of by-membership-only and also changed its name to Gov-Mart/Baza'r. View of shoppers inspecting produce and selecting shopping carts; one man, face and figure blurred, ducks under railing instead of using turnstile. Photograph ordered by Gov-Mart. (TNT 10-13-64, p. 8)

Gov-Mart South (Lakewood); Department stores--Lakewood--1960-1970; Supermarkets--Lakewood; Signs (Notices);

Occupants of the second-floor patio deck and people in the courtyard below could all enjoy the sight and sound of George Tsutakawa's bronze water fountain located on the premises of Pacific First Federal Savings & Loan Association's downtown main office. Shaped in the form of a dark lily, the fountain would provide many years of pleasure before it was moved ten years later to the savings and loans' new Lakewood branch near the Villa Plaza. It would be replaced with a "dandelion" fountain. Photograph ordered by Lea, Pearson & Richards, architects.

Pacific First Federal Savings & Loan Association (Tacoma); Banks--Tacoma; Fountains--Tacoma; Courtyards--Tacoma;

Scenes from Gov-Mart. Before there was Costco and Sam's Club in this area, there was Gov-Mart South, which claimed to be the Northwest's first and finest membership department store. Throngs attended the grand opening on October 14, 1964, of a new market and other additions to the store. October 14th saw a change in name and policy, as well as showcasing expansion: store name changed to Gov-Mart/Baza'r and it was now open to the public without membership requirements. 20,000 eager shoppers took advantage of Gov-Mart's one-stop discount shopping that promised complete customer satisfaction with low prices. Photograph ordered by Gov-Mart. (TNT 10-13-64, p. 8)

Gov-Mart South (Lakewood); Department stores--Lakewood--1960-1970; Crowds--Lakewood;

Close-up of bronze fountain designed by George Tsutakawa of Seattle for Pacific First Federal Savings & Loan Association's new building at 1102-08 Pacific Ave. Shaped in the graceful form of a lily, the fountain was installed in time for Pacific First Federal's grand opening in late September, 1964. Careful placement of shrubs and benches made this courtyard a peaceful place in which to reflect. Japanese cherry and Japanese pine, cut maple, azales and rhododendrons were all installed by landscape architects Chaffee-Zumwalt. Photograph ordered by Lea, Pearson & Richards, architects.

Pacific First Federal Savings & Loan Association (Tacoma); Banks--Tacoma; Fountains--Tacoma; Courtyards--Tacoma;

October, 1964, scenes from Gov-Mart. Everything from toys to clothing could be purchased at the Gov-Mart South department store in Lakewood. Wide aisles made for easy shopping cart passage and items were stacked and hung attractively. Gov-Mart was a discount department store located in a warehouse setting in Lakewood, between I-5 and Hwy. 99, and opposite McChord AFB. It had opened for business in 1959 with 30 employees in 30,000 square feet. After extensive remodeling and addition, it had expanded to 100,000 square feet. Employees now numbered over 100. Vowing that their customers would never have to pay retail, and would be guaranteed complete customer satisfaction, Gov-Mart changed their policies to allow shopping by the general public instead of by-membership-only and also changed its name to Gov-Mart/Baza'r. Photograph ordered by Gov-Mart. (TNT 10-13-64, p. 8)

Gov-Mart South (Lakewood); Department stores--Lakewood--1960-1970; Crowds--Lakewood;

Shoppers looking for bargains attend the grand opening of a new 24,000 square foot supermarket and expansion and addition of other departments at the Gov-Mart discount department store in Lakewood on October 14, 1964. The clock and watch department is crowded with customers perhaps buying early Christmas gifts. Gov-Mart abolished its membership-only requirement and opened the store to the general public. It also changed its name to Gov-Mart/Baza'r. Photograph ordered by Gov-Mart. (TNT 10-13-64, p. 8)

Gov-Mart South (Lakewood); Department stores--Lakewood--1960-1970; Crowds--Lakewood;

Courtyard of new Pacific First Federal Savings & Loan Assn. building. This late October, 1964, view of the serene courtyard attached to the Pacific First Federal Savings & Loan Assn. was taken from 11th & Commerce St. Benches are placed strategically so that customers, or merely those wanting to take a quiet break, can enjoy the splashing fountain designed by famed artist George Tsutakawa, a University of Washington professor of art. A second-floor patio deck overlooks the courtyard and is decorated with small shrubs. Photograph ordered by Lea, Pearson & Richards, architects.

Pacific First Federal Savings & Loan Association (Tacoma); Banks--Tacoma; Fountains--Tacoma; Courtyards--Tacoma;

Grand opening signs are peppered through the many departments at Gov-Mart South, a discount department store located on a strip of land between Hwy 99 and I-5 in Lakewood. October 14, 1964, saw crowds of enthusiastic shoppers inspecting and purchasing everything from clothing to clocks to major appliances. View of washers/dryers, stoves, radio/phonograph consoles and televisions; gas stove on sale for $189 and a dryer on special at $109. With the grand opening of October 14th, Gov-Mart changed its policies regarding membership-only status and also changed its name to Gov-Mart/Baza'r. Photograph ordered by Gov-Mart. (TNT 10-13-64, p. 8)

Gov-Mart South (Lakewood); Department stores--Lakewood--1960-1970; Crowds--Lakewood; Washing machines; Appliances; Televisions; Signs (Notices);

Night exposure of Kmart, Sixth Ave. The newly built Kmart department store, 5132 Sixth Ave., provides a beacon of light in the early fall darkness of October 2, 1967. Large neon letters spell out the store name. The store, the 200th in the Kmart chain, was located west of Orchard St. on Sixth Ave., next to Busch's Sixth Ave. Drive-In. It is still there 38 years later in 2005. Photograph ordered by the News Tribune. (TNT ad 10-1-67, A-23, TNT 10-4-67, A-4)

Kmart (Tacoma); Department stores--Tacoma--1960-1970; Electric signs--Tacoma--1960-1970;

ca. 1967. Doughnut Shop at Fort Lewis. Fort Lewis was, in essence, a miniature city. The Army military base provided its soldiers and their families with goods and services that could normally be found off-base. Here in 1967 soldiers could enjoy doughnuts at the Doughnut Shop pictured above or "take 'em home." Color photograph ordered by Puget Sound Area Support Center, Fort Lewis.

Restaurants--Fort Lewis--1960-1970; Signs (Notices);

Tires section, Kmart department store. John Harvey (L) and James Fought pause during the set-up of the tires/auto accessories section of the new Kmart department store on Sixth Ave. on October 2, 1967. Built across the street from the First Christian Church and next door to Busch's Sixth Ave. Drive-In, Kmart was prepared to offer West enders a complete discount department store where automotive, appliance, clothing, and household needs could be met. The store would celebrate its grand opening on October 5, 1967. Photograph ordered by the News Tribune. (TNT ad 10-1-67, A-23, TNT 10-4-67, A-4)

Kmart (Tacoma); Department stores--Tacoma--1960-1970; Harvey, John; Fought, James; Merchandise displays--Tacoma--1960-1970; Automobile equipment & supplies; Tires;

Interior aisles of Kmart, Sixth Ave. Kmart department store, 5132 Sixth Ave., prepared for its grand opening in October, 1967. Standing next to a matching washer-dryer set is general manager Robert Emery Armstrong. Mr. Armstrong was a Kmart manager for many years and later worked in the company office. The massive store totaled 105,000 square feet; with its wide aisles, customers had plenty of room to maneuver. A sampling of merchandise in the store included records, party goods, hobby shop products, appliances, and housewares. Multiple check-out registers ensured that customers could shop and pay for items quickly. Photograph ordered by the News Tribune. (Additional information provided by a reader)

Kmart (Tacoma); Department stores--Tacoma--1960-1970; Merchandise displays--Tacoma--1960-1970; Armstrong, Robert Emery;

Ed Taylor and beauticians Alice Burns (left) and Willie May Harris celebrated the grand opening of the newly remodeled Ed Taylor Barber & Beauty Salon facility in late February of 1969. Both men and women customers could be accommodated at Ed's South 23rd & "K" Street (now Martin Luther King, Jr. Way) shop. Walls appear to be covered with wood panels with matching cabinetry. Photograph ordered by Puget Sound National Bank.

Barbershops--Tacoma--1960-1970; Beauty shops--Tacoma--1960-1970; Ed Taylor Barber & Beauty Salon (Tacoma); Taylor, Edward; Burns, Alice; Harris, Willie May;

PLU choir at Bank of California. Customers and employees of Bank of California all enjoyed the musical performance from the Pacific Lutheran University Choir of the West on December 18, 1967. The choir and their audience gathered around the enormous Christmas tree in the lobby of the Italian Renaissance-styled bank building prior to Christmas. It was the sixth annual program of Christmas music direct from the bank's lobby and was broadcast live on KTNT radio. The Choir of the West is led by Maurice Skones, director. Photograph ordered by Bank of California. (TNT ad 12-17-67, A-27)

Bank of California National Association (Tacoma); Banks--Tacoma; Choirs (Music); Choir of the West (Parkland); Pacific Lutheran University (Parkland)--1960-1970; Christmas trees--Tacoma;

Informal portrait of Bank of Tacoma president David J. Williams. A peek through the open door finds Mr. Williams hard at work at bank headquarters, in the 1100 block of Pacific Avenue, on November 20, 1967. The Bank of Tacoma, organized in 1963, had moved to the remodeled Publix Garage from its original South Tacoma Way location a few years later and also changed its name from the South Tacoma State Bank. Mr. Williams assumed the presidency in 1967 when Frank Cooper left the bank. Photograph ordered by Bank of Tacoma.

Bank of Tacoma (Tacoma); Banks--Tacoma; Bankers--Tacoma; Williams, David J.;

Exterior view of Bank of Tacoma's Lakewood branch. The Lakewood branch of the Bank of Tacoma celebrated its grand opening on Tuesday, March 21, 1967. Located at 9919 Bridgeport Way, it was managed by Joe Pelky. The bank's name and logo are prominently displayed outside the modern structure. Photograph ordered by the Bank of Tacoma. (TNT ad 3-20-67, p. 15)

Bank of Tacoma (Lakewood); Banks--Lakewood; Banking--Lakewood;