Exterior view of J.C. Penney store. Built in 1916 and known as the Frye Building, the J.C. Penney department store made substantial renovations to the building with its occupancy in the 1930's, prompting a visit from company founder, J.C. Penney in 1934. Ornamental frieze and the Italianate style of architecture make an interesting contrast to the more modern display windows found on the first floor. Photograph ordered by the J.C. Penney Co.

J.C. Penney Co. (Tacoma); Department stores--Tacoma--1950-1960; Facades--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Customers in the 1950's could purchase bottled beer in bars to take home. A waitress hands over a six-pack of Heidelberg costing $1.15 to a smiling customer as three other men enjoy a glass of suds at the bar. Although Heidelberg was heavily advertised behind the bar, other name brands such as Olympia, Lucky Lager, and Hamm's were also available for consumption. This bar also carried candy, sodas, eggs, night gowns and even roaring gorilla toys for the discerning consumer. Photograph ordered by Heidelberg Brewing. TPL-8155

Bars; Alcoholic beverages; Heidelberg Brewing Co. (Tacoma)--1950-1960;

Motoramp Garage was built in 1925 as a multi-story parking garage with a 325 car capacity. Designed by architect A.J. Russell and constructed by the Hurley-Mason Co., it was built on the site of the Fife Hotel/Hotel Donnelly. Ben-Dew's, who served fried chicken, sandwiches and spaghetti and Vern's Sandwich Shop were two eating establishments located on the ground floor in the Motoramp building. A sign high up on the building directed passersby to the Hotel Winthrop a block away. Photograph ordered by Al Taylor, Standard Oil of California.

Motoramp Garage (Tacoma); Parking garages--Tacoma; Signs (Notices);

At 10:15 p.m. the new Tradewell supermarket at South 56th and Pacific Avenue is closed for the day. Six cigarette stands are placed before the checkout aisles; popular brands of Pall Mall , Kool, Philip Morris and Camel are readily available for the Tacoma shopper. The SpeeDee automated checkout lines resemble their 2001 counterparts, including rubber "sticks" to separate shoppers' groceries. Photograph ordered by Tradewell, Inc., Seattle.

Tradewell Stores, Inc. (Tacoma); Supermarkets; Cigarettes; Merchandise displays--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Six Sears, Roebuck employees appear to be happily gazing at a check or benefit statement from their employer in this March, 1953, photograph. D.A. Anderson, manager of Sears Tacoma, presents Connie Vaughn, newest member to the profit sharing plan, her annual statement. Sears offered profit sharing as one of their many employer-paid benefits to all regular employees after a year's employment. A poster on the wall behind the employees shows some of the benefits covered by the company; besides profit sharing, these included paid vacation and holidays, group life insurance, group hospitalization and employee discounts. A second poster displays a map locating Sears retail and factory stores nationwide and indicates the possibility for unlimited advancement. (TNT 3-7-53, p. 7)

Sears, Roebuck & Co. (Tacoma)--Employees--1950-1960; Employee fringe benefits; Posters; Anderson, D.A.; Vaughn, Connie;

Mannequins appear to be peering through the shop windows of Lyon's Apparel in this March 1953 photograph. In September of 1952, Lyon's Ladies Apparel at 1151 Broadway was completely destroyed by fire. Six months later, on March 5, 1953, Mr. & Mrs. Herman Lehrer welcomed Tacoma to their newly rebuilt, redecorated Lyon's at the same address. Lyon's carried nationally advertised labels in ladies' sportwear and ready-to-wear apparel. They specialized in extra large and extra small sizes. "Joan Marie" sweaters were on sale for $3.95 (Slip-ons) and $5.95 (Cardigans) in the sweater bar section of the store. Photograph ordered by Fairchild Publications. (TNT 3-4-53, B-2)

Clothing stores--Tacoma--1950-1960; Lyon's Apparel (Tacoma); Mannequins; Sweaters--Tacoma;

Munson-Smith Motors, located on South Tacoma Way, sold both new and used Dodge and Plymouth vehicles. They offered a wide variety of models in their large parking lot; cars were parked neatly in rows with plenty of room for customers to walk around them for inspection. Munson-Smith was open in the evenings for those who could not stop by in the daytime; visibility was not a problem with the many bright lights dotting the facility. Photograph ordered by Ed Munson.

Munson-Smith Motors (Tacoma); Automobile dealerships--Tacoma; Dodge automobile; Dodge trucks;

Munson-Smith Motors was a Dodge and Plymouth dealership located on South Tacoma Way. Owned and operated by the Munson family, Ed, Alberta and Donald, they sold Dodge and Plymouth passenger cars and Dodge job-rated trucks, both new and used. Munson-Smith had its grand opening in July, 1946. View of Munson-Smith Motors taken at night on March 18, 1953; rows of vehicles in brightly lit parking lot. Photograph ordered by Ed Munson.

Munson-Smith Motors (Tacoma); Dodge automobile; Dodge trucks; Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1950-1960;

The interior of the recently remodeled Spellman's Buster Brown Shoe Store is pictured in this March, 1953, photograph. The long, narrow store is brightly lit, with rows of comfortable chairs for waiting customers. There are shelves full of boxed shoes for easy accessibility. They may not have used a storeroom since there are boxes of shoes even behind the cash register counters. Spellman's had two locations in Tacoma, one on Broadway and the other on South Tacoma Way. They were both owned by Jerry I. Spellman, with the 1953 City Directory also listing Eugene Pease as co-owner of the South Tacoma Way store.

Spellmans Buster Brown Shoe Store (Tacoma); Shoe stores--Tacoma--1950-1960; Shoes;

Spellman's Buster Brown Shoe Store was located at 1122 Broadway; it had been there for many years and remodeled several times. The store would present its latest remodeling in March, 1953. Night exposure of Spellman's, with neon signs indicating Buster Brown, Roblee and Air Step shoes were sold within. It had a recessed covered entry with large display windows on both sides.

Spellmans Buster Brown Shoe Store (Tacoma); Shoe stores--Tacoma--1950-1960; Storefronts--Tacoma--1950-1960; Electric signs--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Temple Motors opened a used cars division in the Banford & Newsome Bldg. on Pacific Avenue on March 1, 1953. The building formerly had housed various tire companies. According to their many signs, Temple Motors offered easy terms for purchasing one of their vehicles as well as paying cash for the customer's trade-in. Temple Motors was owned by Henry G. Geissler and Ed M. Williams. They were a Studebaker dealership whose main location was on Saint Helens. View of Temple Motors, Used Cars division; four cars are parked in the two open garage doorways. Photograph ordered by Henry Geissler. (TPL-6384)

Temple Motors, Inc. (Tacoma); Automobile dealerships--Tacoma; Signs (Notices);

Workers examine the excavation site and footings of the permanent home of the Lakewood Puget Sound National Bank in April, 1953. Unlike its predecessor, a 35 X 75 foot plywood structure which took only 10 working days to complete, the new brick colonial would take a more leisurely six months to construct. It would open on October 5, 1953, on Mt. Tacoma Dr. S.W. in the Lakewood Center. By the end of 1953, its deposits would have increased more than one million dollars from the previous year. (Provorse: Banking on Independence, p. 107)

Puget Sound National Bank (Lakewood); Banks--Lakewood; Excavation--Lakewood; Building construction--Lakewood--1950-1960;

The spacious parking lot is full and more cars seem to be headed toward the grand opening, in early May, 1953, of the newest Tradewell supermarket located at Sixth Avenue & Union. Flags flap briskly in the spring air as shoppers stroll by. The store was built basically in the same style as other Tradewell's; it was a one-story, made of Roman brick, and sported large attractive windows. A Van de Kamps bakery was included in the supermarket. This was store #30; the supermarket would later be destroyed by fire in September, 1963. Photograph ordered by Carl Swanson, Tradewell Stores, Inc.

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

Tacoma Rhododendron Society display at Winthrop Motor Company, Plymouth and De Soto dealers. 1953 De Soto advertising displays, including a medallion bearing the likeness of Hernando De Soto, on the walls..

Business Enterprises - Tacoma - Automobile Dealers - New Automobile Dealers - Plymouth / De Soto Dealers - Winthrop Motor Company Organizations - Clubs - Garden Clubs - Tacoma Rhododendron Society

Monitoring various Beloit Iron Works machine gauges, this St. Regis Paper Co. employee stands at a metallic instrument panel probably made by the General Electric Co. in a photograph taken on July 29, 1953. One of the technician's hands covers what may be a dial, one finger is slightly curled perhaps preparing to turn it. Photograph ordered by the General Electric Co.

General Electric Co.; Beloit Iron Works (Beloit, WI); St. Regis Paper Co.; Measuring;

ca. 1953. Stebner's, Inc. Stebner's, a home furnishings store with extensive floor coverings on display, had celebrated its grand opening at the Sixth Avenue location in December of 1950. This daytime view of the business, taken circa 1953, shows a large neon sign on the rooftop. Nearby businesses included a Farmers Insurance branch, a shoe store and parking for Thriftway. TPL-10138

Stebner's, Inc. (Tacoma); Home furnishings stores--Tacoma--1950-1960; Electric signs--Tacoma--1950-1960; Facades--Tacoma--1950-1960;

A dazzling display of canned goods greet the shopper at the new Sixth Avenue Tradewell supermarket in late April, 1953. There is not an empty space showing among the rows of Campbell and Heinz soups or Walla Walla and S&W vegetables. Checkered tile emphasizes the trend of wide shopping aisles in new supermarkets so that shopping carts could pass with ease. The Tradewell store at 3609 Sixth Avenue would be store #30 and celebrate its grand opening on May 4, 1953. General contractors were the Bona Fide Builders, Inc., who had also built the Pacific Avenue Tradewell a few months before. Like the Pacific Avenue store, the Sixth Avenue location would have special housewares and toiletries departments. Tradewell stores were noted for their large parking lots, ample display space for merchandise and many types of modern equipment, including the newest in automatic check stands. Photograph ordered by Carl Swanson, Tradewell Stores, Inc. (TNT 5-3-53, E-4,5)

Tradewell Stores, Inc. (Tacoma); Supermarkets; Grocery stores--Tacoma--1950-1960; Merchandise displays--Tacoma--1950-1960;

By 1953, Tradewell Stores had three supermarkets in the Tacoma area. The above picture is that of the newest Tradewell, the Sixth Avenue location which was across the street from the Union Oil service station. It had a large, well-lit parking lot to handle a multitude of shoppers. As with other Tradewell stores, Van de Kamps Bakery was a prime addition to the supermarket. The Sixth Avenue Tradewell was preparing for its grand opening in early May, 1953. A staff of 70 would be involved in the grand opening of the 12,000 foot supermarket. New amenities such as music playing softly over a public address system would be offered. A whimsical touch would be the hand painted scenes of farm life on the east and west walls. Tradewell's traditional large sign would be clearly visible along Sixth Avenue; the sign would be 30 feet high with Tradewell letters three feet high and 22 feet in length. Photograph ordered by Carl Swanson, Tradewell Stores, Inc. (TNT 5-3-53, E-4,5)

Tradewell Stores, Inc. (Tacoma); Supermarkets; Grocery stores--Tacoma--1950-1960; Signs (Notices);

A new 1953 DeSoto Firedome convertible is on display at the Winthrop Motor Company's Saint Helens Avenue location in May, 1953. The Firedome, with V-8 engine and expanded trunk size, is surrounded by rhododendrons supplied by the Tacoma Rhododendron Society. The Rhododendron Society was using the DeSoto and Plymouth dealership's showroom for a flower show with a varied assortment of rhododendrons and supplemental greenery.

Winthrop Motor Co. (Tacoma); Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1950-1960; Convertible automobiles; DeSoto automobile; Tacoma Rhododendron Society (Tacoma); Rhododendrons; Flower shows--Tacoma--1950-1960;

National Auto Parts at 40th & Pacific. Employees pose with a large sign advertising U.S.I. permanent ethylene glycol anti-freeze, "the world's safest anti-freeze." William C. Johnston was President-manager of the store and Merle C. Johnston was Secretary-treasurer. The company sold parts for all makes of cars. U.S.I. anti-freeze contained more ethylene glycol than other brands, plus special inhibitors to stop rust, corrosion and clogging. TPL-5473

Automobile equipment & supplies stores--Tacoma; National Auto Parts, Inc. (Tacoma);

Night scene of Wolford and Brazeau Shell service station at the intersection of 6th Ave. & Sprague. The station was owned by Arnold H. Wolford and Vernon F. Brazeau. All proceeds of gasoline sales on October 17, 1953 were being donated to the Cerebral Palsy children.

Wolford & Brazeau Service Station (Tacoma); Automobile service stations--Tacoma--1950-1960; Fund raising--Tacoma;

Plywood superintendent's office at construction site for new United Pacific Insurance Co. addition, between Trovani's Junior Bootery and the Medical Arts Building (also owned by United Pacific Insurance.) The marquee for the Music Box Theatre, at 302 So. 9th, can be seen through the window opening in the plywood. The addition would provide 30,000 square feet of office space for the United Pacific's home office. The company would move from the Medical Arts building to the new addition, opening up one entire floor of the building and portions of two others for lease by medical professionals. Ordered by the DFPA. (TNT 7/5/1953, Pg. C-12)

United Pacific Insurance Co. (Tacoma); Building construction--Tacoma--1950-1960; Progress photographs--1950-1960;

Plywood barricade and superintendent's office at construction site for new United Pacific Insurance Co. addition, between Trovani's Junior Bootery and the Medical Arts Building (also owned by United Pacific Insurance.) A women walks inside the breezeway formed by the barricade.The completed five story building opened in January of 1955. The building was designed with a foundation able to support 10 stories, so the building could expand upwards if needed. James I. Barnes was the general contractor with F.C. Grosser serving as the mechanical contractor. Ordered by the DFPA. (TNT 7/5/1953, pg. C-12)

United Pacific Insurance Co. (Tacoma); Building construction--Tacoma--1950-1960; Progress photographs--1950-1960;

An "under the sea" display of watches at Weisfield's, Inc. The theme was no doubt inspired by the Benrus "waterproof" watches, which were being offered with a free thirty day home trial, twice the usual trade in, no money down and terms as low as a $1.00 per week. Benrus claimed that their watch was the only true waterproof in the five leading name brands. The watches came in nine different models for women and nine for men.

Department stores--Tacoma; Window displays; Merchandise displays--Tacoma; Weisfield's, Inc. (Tacoma); Clocks & watches; Jewelry stores--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Love Electric Co. Ordered by Smith & Murray, Consulting Engineers. The new $180,000 building measured 175 x 120 feet, with 25,000 feet of floor space. The company was formerly located at 732 Pacific Ave. Love Electric was a wholesale supplier of electrical products and appliances.

Love Electric Co. (Tacoma); Electric signs--Tacoma--1950-1960;

National Bank of Washington lobby decorated for the Northwest Territory Centennial Days. Carl L. Phillips, bank president, holds one of the pictures to be displayed. The pictures document Tacoma around 1853. The festivities designed to celebrate the 100 year anniversary included an outdoor drama, a beard growing contest, district street dances & celebrations and a parade. TPL-9204

Banks--Tacoma; Banking--Tacoma--1950-1960; National Bank of Washington (Tacoma); Lobbies--Tacoma--1950-1960; Celebrations--Tacoma--1950-1960; Centennial celebrations--Tacoma; Phillips, Carl L.;

Carl L. Phillips, Bank President, and Mayor Harold Tollefson, left, pose with a mannequin depicting banking one hundred years ago in the lobby of the National Bank of Washington. As the city of Tacoma prepared for the week long celebration of the 100 year anniversary of the Northwest Territory, centennial displays went up all over town. Tacoma's main connection with the centennial was that in 1853 Tacoma's DeLin mill shipped the first lumber from Commencement Bay.

Banks--Tacoma; Banking--Tacoma--1950-1960; National Bank of Washington (Tacoma); Lobbies--Tacoma--1950-1960; Tollefson, Harold M., 1908-1985; Centennial celebrations--Tacoma;

Women are unloading cartons of merchadise and checking shipping lists at Sears Roebuck's new warehouse. Counters with rollers on their surfaces snake around the room easing the movement of the large cartons through the various workstations.

Sears, Roebuck & Co. (Tacoma); Loading docks--Tacoma; Shipping--Tacoma--1950-1960; Warehouses--Tacoma;

Sears Roebuck and Company Department Store.Tables display sandals for $2.79 and various other shoes. Chairs and other shoe tables are seen in the rear.

Sears, Roebuck & Co. (Tacoma); Merchandise displays--Tacoma; Shoes;

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;