ca. 1951. Tacoma's Broadway in 1951 was a bustling, busy location. The Sears, Roebuck store was a major cornerstone on 11th and Broadway. It had recently opened a free parking lot for customers to alleviate parking congestion. Tacomans could also view a movie at the Blue Mouse theatre, spruce up their homes with supplies from Johnson Paint & Wallpaper, have their hair done at the Modern Beauty Academy, or fill their prescriptions at Savon or Smith Drug Stores. Those seeking to quench their thirst could visit the Happy Days tavern or Pat & Mike's. View of Broadway looking northward. TPL-1449

Business districts--Tacoma--1950-1960; Business enterprises--Tacoma; Commercial streets--Tacoma--1950-1960; Sears, Roebuck & Co. (Tacoma);

ca. 1951. Canoeing on a summer day in 1951 was an enjoyable activity for people of all ages. The canoes could hold four, and possibly more, passengers. Here a young man is prepared to release the canoe from dockside once all passengers and oars are abroad. Several canoes have already been launched; no one appears to be wearing life jackets.

Canoes; Lakes & ponds;

These youngsters are chomping down on watermelon slices on a summer day in 1951. The boys could possibly have been participating in a watermelon eating contest held in a park or recreational field. The little boy in swimming trunks is certainly eating with gusto--watermelon juice is dribbling down his chest.

Children eating & drinking; Boys; Watermelons;

The three big prize winners of the Elks Lodge #174's Fifth Annual Salmon Derby posed with part of their winnings on September 16, 1951 in front of a giant tally board that listed the prizes and the size and number of each prize winning fish. The winners were: (l to r) Ernie Krenk, 1st prize, who won both a trophy and a 15 foot boat; Charles Courtwright, 3rd prize, who won a 3.2 horsepower Evinrude outboard motor; and Burr Anderson, 2nd prize, who won a 7.5 horsepower Mercury outboard motor. The two men standing on either side of the tally board are (l to r) Sparks Washington, the derby chairman, and Harold L. "Bud" Duncan, Elks Exalted Ruler. (TNT 9-17-51, p. 14)

Fishing--Tacoma; Fishermen--Tacoma--1950-1960; Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Tacoma Lodge No. 174 (Tacoma); Fraternal organizations--Tacoma--1950-1960; Contests--Tacoma--1950-1960; Krenk, Ernie; Courtwright, Charles; Anderson, Burritt B.;

Afifi Shrine members give big smiles to their young guests as they plan the annual Shrine picnic. The three little girls and young boy are all holding paper ice cream cones as are two of the committee men. The picnic in 1951 was held at the chateau of the Tacoma Sportsmen's Club near the Brookdale Golf Club. It featured contests, ball games, a concert by the Afifi Band, family dinner and closing dance. (TNT 8-8-51, B-3)

Fraternal organizations--Tacoma; Ancient Arabic Order of Nobles of the Mystic Shrine (Tacoma); Afifi Temple (Tacoma);

Smokestack, storage tanks at Hooker Chemical Co., Tacoma, on September 10, 1951. Part of series taken that date concerning Hooker Chemical and conveyor link belt system.

Hooker Electrochemical Co. (Tacoma); Chemical industry--Tacoma--1950-1960; Smokestacks--Tacoma; Storage tanks--Tacoma;

Tacoma News Tribune "Fall Fashions" layout. Sally Marshall, 1022 No. Prospect, and Bob Brown model school clothes in front of Stadium High School on September 8, 1951. Sally is wearing a stylish purple corduroy dress with an antique coin necklace. Bob is all set for school with an ensemble of cream colored cords, maroon gabardine shirt and green-gold Karafleece sweater. Both are Stadium High School sophomores. (TNT 9-12-51, C-16)

Marshall, Sally; Brown, Bob; Students--Tacoma--1950-1960; Teenagers--1950-1960; Stadium High School (Tacoma); Men--Clothing & dress--Tacoma--1950-1960; Women--Clothing & dress--Tacoma--1950-1960; Fashion models--Tacoma--1950-1960;

A smiling nun gently holds up a new baby for display in this late August of 1951 photograph. The baby's eyes are tightly shut but the infant is not crying. Because the photograph was taken with the nun and baby behind glass, the child was probably being shown to happy visitors. For J.W.Wood.

Nuns; Infants--1950-1960;

Pacific Telephone & Telegraph held a tea to honor retiring employees in August, 1951. It was held in the company lounge at 757 Fawcett where service emblems were presented. Several employees were also gifted with Lady Elgin watches and cameo broaches.

Pacific Telephone & Telegraph Co. (Tacoma)--Employees--1950-1960; Retirements--Tacoma--1950-1960; Celebrations--Tacoma--1950-1960; Women--Clothing & dress--Tacoma--1950-1960;

A beaming bride feeds wedding cake to her new groom in a wedding photograph taken in the summer of 1951. She carefully inserts a small piece of cake into the waiting groom's mouth during the wedding reception. Dorthea Parker wed Robert Martin during an evening ceremony on August 18, 1951, at the First Evangelical Lutheran Church. The bride is wearing a satin and lace gown with long, transparent sleeves and a fingertip veil. (TNT 8-26-51, D-6)

Parker, Dorthea--Marriage; Martin, Robert; Brides--1950-1960; Grooms (Weddings)--1950-1960; Wedding costume--1950-1960; Weddings--Tacoma--1950-1960; Receptions; Eating & drinking;

Mary Pease proudly displayed the 49 pound salmon she caught at Sekiu on Monday, August 13, 1951. It was the biggest catch of the day at the popular fishing location east of Port Angeles in Clallam Bay. Sekiu Point was known by sportsmen for its early King salmon. She had only been salmon fishing once before. Her husband, Steve, also caught several fish, including a 38-pounder. Mary and Steve Pease owned and operated Steve's Cafe (Steve's Gay '90s) on South Tacoma Way. (TNT 8-19-51, p. B-11)

Pease, Mary; Salmon; Women--Clothing & dress--Tacoma--1950-1960;

A man believed to be Arthur E. Gruhl, technician at the Fir Door Institute, tests a full sized door at the Plywood Research Foundation laboratory in September, 1951. Douglas Fir plywood was constantly being tested for durability and to maintain high standards of quality production. The Douglas Fir Plywood Association, based in Tacoma, set up the Plywood Research Foundation as an industry maintained quality control laboratory.

Plywood Research Foundation (Tacoma); Plywood; Doors & doorways--Tacoma; Lumber industry--Tacoma--1950-1960; Laboratories--Tacoma--1950-1960; Product inspection--Tacoma; Testing--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Progress photographs of a sewage disposal plant taken in July, 1951. Construction continues on a sewage disposal plant being built on Cleveland Way near the Puyallup River in the summer of 1951. Workers are involved in placing forms while walls are being built; a circular structure, possibly a holding tank, appears to be partially completed. Photograph commissioned by Hoagland-Findlay Engineering.

Progress photographs; Building construction--Tacoma--1950-1960; Hoagland-Findlay Engineering Co. (Seattle); Sewerage--Tacoma; Waste disposal facilities--Tacoma;

Roof construction progresses on the Puget Sound Plywood Company's plant in July, 1951. A new roof on an extension to a building is being added; workers raise plywood panels onto building forms. Photograph ordered by Tom Sias, Douglas Fir Plywood Association.

Progress photographs; Building construction--Tacoma--1950-1960; Puget Sound Plywood, Inc. (Tacoma); Plywood; Douglas Fir Plywood Association (Tacoma); Cooperatives--Tacoma;

Plywood forms are being set into place by workers in August, 1951, as construction continues on the new Whitman Elementary School. A new auditorium will join other school rooms at the new location of 1120 South 39th Street, a short distance from the original school at South 40th and "M" Streets. Badly damaged in the April, 1949, earthquake, the city's first brick schoolhouse was forced to house its 700 students in portables and temporary buildings until the new school was completed in 1952. Photograph ordered by Tom Sias, Douglas Fir Plywood Association. (Olsen, Winnifred, For the Record, p. 75)

Progress photographs; Building construction--Tacoma--1950-1960; Whitman Elementary School (Tacoma); Public schools--Tacoma--1950-1960; Plywood; Douglas Fir Plywood Association (Tacoma);

Mountlake Terrace near Seattle was a growing area in the 1950's. Scott's Service, a Texaco service station, was photographed in August, 1951. The firm had four gas pumps, plenty of parking, and sold Firestone products. It was apparently new to the area as a "Meet your new neighbor" banner flew near the store. TPL-9075

Scott's Service (Mountlake Terrace); Texaco (Mountlake Terrace); Automobile service stations--Mountlake Terrace--1950-1960; Gasoline pumps--Mountlake Terrace--1950-1960; Banners--Mountlake Terrace--1950-1960;

View of alley entrance to Sears, Roebuck's multi-tiered parking lot. As the large sign above the parking lot's entrance indicted, Sears offered their customers one hour of free parking from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. This was a new concept to attract more customers to Sears; even in the summer of 1951, downtown parking was at a premium and parking congestion becoming prevalent. New keys could also be made at the garage's entrance with only a minute's delay.

Sears, Roebuck & Co. (Tacoma); Parking garages--Tacoma; Parking lots--Tacoma--1950-1960; Signs (Notices);

Senior captain Gordon Smith prepares to lead his Bellarmine Lions football team into battle in the 9th annual Tacoma Athletic Commission sponsored Grid-Go-Round on September 14, 1951. Four Tacoma area teams-- Bellarmine, Clover Park, Lincoln and Stadium are scheduled to compete at Lincoln Bowl. Smith, at 180 pounds, plays at both the fullback and end positions. Photograph ordered by Hugh Fotheringill, Tacoma Athletic Commission. (TNT 9-9-51, p. C-12)

Smith, Gordon; Football players--Tacoma--1950-1960; Grid-Go-Round (Tacoma); Tacoma Athletic Commission (Tacoma); Bellarmine High School (Tacoma);

A St. Paul & Tacoma Lumber Company employee checks his inventory sheet of wooden gutters which are being prepared for shipment in August, 1951. The gutters will be hoisted on board a vessel at the St. Paul & Tacoma dock. St. Paul not only shipped finished gutters but squared off lumber and plywood as well.

St. Paul & Tacoma Lumber Co. (Tacoma); Lumber industry--Tacoma--1950-1960; Gutters (Roofs)--Tacoma;

Stadium High School juniors Jim Thompson and John Wallerich display new fall fashions for a News Tribune layout in September, 1951. Jim, standing, is wearing gray slacks and a navy blue jersey shirt with white trim. He has on saddle shoes and a white cap. John, seated in a 1905 Heapmobile, also is casually dressed in a white cap and a Hawaiian shirt. The classic automobile has a plate mounted on the driver's side with City Motor Co. and South Tacoma Motor Co.'s names listed. South Tacoma Motor Co. was a Chevrolet dealership at 5602-12 So. Tacoma Way. City Motor Co. was an Oldsmobile dealership at 5622-32 So. Tacoma Way. Peter Wallerich was the president of both dealerships. (TNT 9-12-51, C-17- alt. photograph)

Students--Tacoma--1950-1960; Teenagers--1950-1960; Men--Clothing & dress--Tacoma--1950-1960; Thompson, Jim; Wallerich, John; Heapmobile automobile;

Tacoma's sixth major fire of 1951 occurred in the early morning hours of August 24th when Tacoma Boat Building Company at 2142 East D st. was nearly destroyed. The construction yard of five connecting buildings was engulfed in flames; only the outfitting dock was saved. Damages were estimated in the one million dollar range. The company's office building suffered minor damage and valuable company records were safe. Twelve land companies and the city fireboat fought the blaze throughout the night and smoke was still rising from the boatworks' ruins several hours later. Only one boat was lost in the fire; the partially completed hull of a tuna fishing boat can be seen in the center of the photograph. A General Motors truck is parked close to the blackened structures; perhaps it will be used to haul away some of the rubble. (TNT 8-24-51, p.1)

Tacoma Boat Building Co., Inc. (Tacoma); Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1950-1960; Fires--Tacoma--1950-1960; Fire fighting--Tacoma--1950-1960;

This tuna fishing boat, being bult at the Tacoma Boat Building Company facility at 2142 East D St. was over 60% complete when a fire on August 24, 1951 reduced it to a charred hulk. Several hours after the massive one million dollar blaze, smoke still billows from the ruined boat. The company's boatworks area was completely demolished; this fishing boat, however, was the only vessel damaged. Photograph ordered by Board of Marine Underwriters of San Francisco. TPL-9053

Tacoma Boat Building Co., Inc. (Tacoma); Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1950-1960; Fires--Tacoma--1950-1960; Fire fighting--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Property at 19th and Market Streets. For Harry Blangy. Graded lot on Market Street, future site of Love Electric Company, showing cuts, fill, and sitting water. OSSCO, welders' supplies, in background.

Property at 19th and Market Streets. For Harry Blangy. Looking south on Market Street with Capital Coil and Equipment Company on right, Jefferson Hotel, on left.

Aerial photographs of Mountlake Terrace were taken on August 16, 1951. Developers of this neighborhood near Seattle left many of the trees in the heavily forested area for homeowners to enjoy. Cul-de-sacs were starting to emerge as part of suburban lifestyles, to lessen amount of traffic on roads next to homes and provide safer play areas for children. Photograph commissioned by Budget Homes, Inc.

Aerial photographs; Housing developments--Mountlake Terrace;

Ardens specialized in women's clothing at their store on Broadway in 1951. They were close to the Knights of Pythias Temple and Weisfield's, Inc. Ardens' display windows are full of mannequins dressed in the latest ladies' fashions with suits, dresses, blouses and skirts. Huge letters spelling out the business' name are prominently mounted on the building's exterior as well as on windows and even the sidewalk. Customers could park directly in front of the store as evidenced by the two parking meters.

Ardens (Tacoma); Signs (Notices); Clothing stores--Tacoma--1950-1960; Mannequins;

Close up of piledriver with man on left side. Ordered by Bethleham Pacific Coast Steel Corp. W.S. Briscoe.

Bridges--Seattle; Bridge construction--Seattle; Pile drivers;

Long view of Seattle viaduct under construction. Photographed on September 5, 1951. Ordered by W.S. Briscoe.

Bridges--Seattle; Bridge construction--Seattle; Progress photographs;

Sears Roebuck and Company Department Store, Sporting Goods Department. Luggage on left, bicycles on right, table of hats, balls and bats. Back wall has rifles, tennis racquets, and fishing poles.

Business Enterprises - Department Stores - Tacoma - Sears Roebuck and Company Equipment - Sporting Goods

Mueller- Harkins Buick Agency. Advertising on tower, 35th Anniversary signs in windows, two automobile visible in showroom. Ordered by Bethelhem Steel Pacific Coast Steel Corporation.

Business Enterprises - Tacoma - Automobile Dealers - New Automobile Dealers - Buick Dealers - Mueller-Harkins Motor Company