Lakewood Country Store, Hardware Department. Four counters containing hardware items, paint against wall, tools in the back. Photograph taken in November of 1951.

Lakewood Country Store (Lakewood); Stores & shops--Lakewood; Department stores--Lakewood--1950-1960; Hardware;

The Lakewood Country Store, located in the Lakewood Community Center, was a unique department store of the early 50's; it managed to keep up-to-date inventory in its many departments while keeping the country ambience of the past. A customer could purchase anything from fine gifts to thimbles to hunting supplies at the Lakewood Country Store. View of the Ladies and Sportswear departments; Van Raalte nylon lingerie was listed on sale in newspaper ads at $8.95 for nighties and $6.95 for slips. Stockings, Belle-Sharmeer brand, could be purchased from $1.35 to $1.95 a pair. Graff man-tailored jackets were selling for $12.95 a piece. One-stop shopping, including a stop at the cracker barrel and cheese display, was made convenient for suburban shoppers. (TNT 11-14-51, C-2, C-3-5)

Department stores--Lakewood--1950-1960; Stores & shops--Lakewood--1950-1960; Lakewood Country Store (Lakewood); Lingerie; Underwear; Sport Clothes;

Lakewood Country Store, Gift Department. Tables and walls filled with glassware, games, and other gifts on display in mid-November of 1951. The Lakewood Country Store was located in the Lakewood Community Center which had recently expanded.

Lakewood Country Store (Lakewood); Department stores--Lakewood--1950-1960; Stores & shops--Lakewood--1950-1960;

Interior view of Richards Jeweler, Lakewood. Gil Richards began his career as the owner of a small watch repair shop in downtown Tacoma. Richards Jeweler is now an expanding business with fine items such as Seth Thomas clocks, Ronson lighters, 1847 Rogers Community Plate, and personally selected diamonds for sale. View of case with watches and jewelry; silverware is positioned on top of counter, with clocks and dishware on the back wall. (TNT 11-14-51, C-11, C-17)

Richards Jeweler (Lakewood); Jewelry stores--Lakewood; Clocks & watches; Silverware;

New Yorker. This portion of the "new" New Yorker spotlighted the cocktail lounge, called the "Manhattan Room," with its subdued lighting and lighted replica of the New York City skyline. The "new" New Yorker, at Sixth & Cushman, celebrated its grand opening on November 16, 1951. It was owned and operated by Pat and Mike De Voto. (TNT 11-15-1951, C-11-alt. photo)

Bars--Tacoma--1950-1960; New Yorker Cafe (Tacoma);

The "Staten Room" was the main dining room of the "new" New Yorker restaurant located at Sixth & Cushman in 1951. It had a capacity of 150 diners. The rubberized folding walls made it possible to have smaller private rooms for special occasions. (TNT 11-15-1951, C-11)

Dining rooms--Tacoma--1950-1960; New Yorker Cafe (Tacoma); Restaurants--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Cocktail lounge with New York skyline against mirrored wall and upholstered boothes and chairs at tables. This was the "Manhattan Room," the cocktail lounge of the "new" New Yorker, located at Sixth & Cushman. Subdued lighting, comfortable seating and a eye-catching replica of the NYC skyline made the "Manhattan Room" a good choice for quiet reflection and conversation. (TNT 11-15-1951, C-11)

Bars--Tacoma--1950-1960; New Yorker Cafe (Tacoma);

Coffee shop with long bar with stools, rows of booths on right, three rounded booths at rear. This was dubbed the "Long Island Coffee Shop," part of the "new" New Yorker restaurant in November of 1951. The restaurant was celebrating its grand opening on November 16, 1951. The coffee shop faced Sixth Avenue and was open from 7 a.m. to closing (either midnight or 1 a.m.) weekdays. Only food was served on Sundays at the New Yorker. (TNT 11-15-1951, C-11-article)

New Yorker Cafe (Tacoma); Restaurants--Tacoma--1950-1960; Flower arrangements;

Dining room with band in center right on elevated stage and dance floor below. This was the "Coney Island" room of the "new" New Yorker restaurant prior to its grand opening on November 16, 1951. Operated by Pat and Mike De Voto, it featured "big time floor shows and dancing nightly" and well-prepared food. The spacious "Coney Island" room had two stages with a permanent platform. Art Mineo's 10-piece orchestra performed there as well as special guest entertainers. (TNT 11-15-1951, C-11)

Dining rooms--Tacoma--1950-1960; New Yorker Cafe (Tacoma); Restaurants--Tacoma--1950-1960;

On November 15th, 1951, Sepic Electric Co. sponsored a Hotpoint Cooking School at Normanna Hall, now 1502 Martin Luther King Jr. Way, from 2 to 3:30 in the afternoon. Hotpoint's own West Coast Home Economist Clara Sherbourne was on hand to present the cooking demonstration and answer questions about the Hotpoint appliances. At Sepic, for $269.95 you could purchase a Hotpoint fully automatic electric range or an 8.11 cu. ft. refrigerator with a 24 lb. "speedy freezer." The crowd was also drawn to the auditorium by the offer of door prizes, including a Sunbeam Mixmaster, a turkey and table lamps. (T.Times 11/13/1951, pg. 6-ad) image filed with Argentum

Normanna Hall (Tacoma); Cookery--Tacoma--1950-1960; Home economics--1950-1960; Appliances--1950-1960;

On November 15th, 1951, an audience of mostly women watched closely as Hotpoint's own West Coast Home Economist, Clara Sherbourne, presented a cooking demonstration at Normanna Hall, 1502 Martin Luther King Jr. Way. The presentation was offered by Sepic Electric, which sold Hotpoint appliances. (T. Times 11/13/1951, pg. 6) Image filed with Argentum

Normanna Hall (Tacoma); Cookery--Tacoma--1950-1960; Home economics--1950-1960; Appliances--1950-1960;

Women wearing coats and hats sat on wooden folding chairs on November 15th, 1951, at Normanna Hall to view a cooking demonstration by Hotpoint Appliances. The event was sponsored by Sepic Electric and featured Hotpoint's Home Economist Clara Sherbourne. More individuals watched from the balcony. (T. Times 11/13/1951, pg. 6 - Ad) image filed with Argentum

Normanna Hall (Tacoma); Cookery--Tacoma--1950-1960; Home economics--1950-1960; Appliances--1950-1960; Women--Tacoma--1950-1960; Audiences--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Per D. D. May. Oil mist lube system at Westley, Crawford and Tone Company. Man and woman working as tomato package comes out at left side of machinery.

Machinery;

A worker at Wesley Crawford & Son examines an oil mist lubrication machine in November, 1951. According to the 1951 City Directory, the company was listed as a produce commission merchant. It was a fresh fruit and vegetable packing company.

Wesley Crawford & Son (Tacoma); Machinery; Packaging; Shipping--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Oil mist machine with gauges, electric motors and chain pulleys. Believed to have been photographed at Wesley Crawford & Son on November 16, 1951. The business was a fresh fruit and vegetable packing firm.

Machinery;

Mueller-Harkins Motor Company opened a new automobile accessories store in late 1951. View of exterior of store showing Firestone neon sign; store is lighted from within to show tires, sample material for seat covers, and batteries on sale. Signs on the windows promote Firestone tires; one offers to trade in old worn-out tires for Firestone replacements while another sign advertises Firestone polar grip winter treads. Photograph ordered by Condon Co.

Mueller-Harkins Motor Co. (Tacoma); Signs (Notices); Electric signs--Tacoma--1950-1960; Tires; Condon Co., Inc. (Tacoma);

The Mueller-Harkins Motor Company opened a new accessories store in their Saint Helens Avenue building in late 1951. Sepia photograph shows three men examining products for sale; Firestone tires were prominently featured along with Prestone anti-freeze and seat cover materials. A prudent shopper could purchase tire chains in preparation for icy roads for a cost between $10 and $14. The store even provided a Coca-Cola machine where thirst could be quenched for a mere nickel. Photograph ordered by Condon Co.

Mueller-Harkins Motor Co. (Tacoma); Signs (Notices); Tires; Condon Co., Inc. (Tacoma);

Even in the 1950's, stores began decorating for the Christmas holidays before the month of December. The Connoisseur Shop, located in the city's northend, filled their display window with glass and ceramic items, including angels, vases, candy dishes and a spritely squirrel on a branch. The Connoisseur Shop specialized in fine gifts and was owned by Mrs. Maude R. Herbert.

Connoisseur Shop (Tacoma); Window displays--Tacoma--1950-1960; Merchandise displays--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Children attentively listen to the "engineer" while on board the Milwaukee Railroad's toy train, the Hiawatha, on November 17, 1951. The train was set up to run in Rhodes Bros. Department Store; view of train and passengers, "engineer" and "conductor". Apparently the train stopped at Hiawatha Ville, pop. 18, which had an elevation of 63 feet. A banner above the "depot" indicated that it was a treat when you traveled east on the Olympian Hiawatha, with stops ranging from Spokane to Great Falls, Montana. TPL-1713

Miniature railroads--Tacoma; Rhodes Brothers Department Store (Tacoma); Signs (Notices); Railroad tracks--Tacoma;

One of the best loved features at the Rhodes Brothers Department Store at 950 Broadway was the miniature Milwaukee Railroad train, the "Hiawatha". During the Christmas shopping season children could ride the "Hiawatha" to the North Pole to visit Santa. This photo from November 1951 shows a train load of children, including Janet Meyer in lead train, leaving the Hiawatha Ville station while five Rhodes employees, including the train conductor and the engineer pose for the camera. The Hiawatha train was built by the Miniature Train and Railroad Co. in Rensselaer, Indiana.

Miniature railroads--Tacoma; Rhodes Brothers Department Store (Tacoma); Passengers--Tacoma; Railroad tracks--Tacoma; Meyer, Janet;

Children and adults are lined up at Milwaukee Road ticket booth set up in the Rhodes Bros. Department Store in order that the youngsters can catch a ride on the miniature train, the "Hiawatha", which would travel through part of the store. A blackboard indicates that the next scheduled train would depart at 10:00 am at the Hiawatha Ville station. TPL-2475

Miniature railroads--Tacoma; Rhodes Brothers Department Store (Tacoma); Queues--Tacoma; Signs (Notices); Ticket offices--Tacoma;

Funeral services for August O. Cultum, aged 70, were held at the C.C. Mellinger Co. Funeral Home in November, 1951. Mr. Cultum had resided at 6470 South Sheridan Street. He passed away on November 15, 1951. Born in Renville, Minnesota, Mr. Cultum was a 63-year resident of Tacoma, and a employee of Metropolitan Park district. He is survived by three sons, three daughters and ten grandchildren. There were several large wreaths, primarily chrysanthemums, on display near the bier, as well as smaller potted plants. Sepia photograph ordered by Stewart Cultum. (TNT 11-16-51, p. 33)

Funeral rites & ceremonies--Tacoma; Coffins; Wreaths--Tacoma; Cultum, August O.; Cultum, Stewart;

Floral displays decorate the lobby and main floor of the new National Bank of Washington's 12th and Pacific building in November, 1951. The building is an annex of the main branch and will house the installment credit department. Customers can also make deposits and withdrawls, including transactions through drive-up windows. A.H. Brouse is the president of National Bank of Washington; in his ten year term, he has seen bank assets grow 100 million dollars. (TNT 11-15-51, A-4, A-5)

National Bank of Washington (Tacoma); Banks--Tacoma; Banking--Tacoma--1950-1960; Flowers--Tacoma;

Aerial photographs were taken of Jefferson Avenue in November, 1951. Building on the right hand corner belongs to Blake, Moffitt & Towne, wholesale distributors of printing and wrapping paper. Rectangular two-story buildings in center of photograph are probably structure known as "Jefferson House", built originally in 1945 to provide emergency accomodations for single men. Jefferson Avenue was primarily a business district, filled with apartment buildings and manufacturers. Photograph ordered by John Huston.

Aerial photographs; Cityscapes; Commercial streets--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Phares Advertising of Seattle commissioned the Richards Studio to take several photographs of model homes in the city's southend in early December, 1951. View of small bedroom; attention is focused on double bed with hunting motif bedspread. Large chest of drawers has attached mirror, smaller drawers of similar design with lamps flank the bed. Floor is wooden to blend in with furniture. Photograph ordered by Phares Advertising.

Phares Advertising Agency (Seattle); Model houses--Tacoma; Bedrooms--Tacoma--1950-1960; Bedspreads; Clothes chests--Tacoma; Lamps;

This kitchen in a December, 1951, photograph, provided lots of storage room as evidenced by the many cabinets and drawers. The counterspace is tiled up and including the ledge to the window. Gleaming white appliances include a stove and refrigerator, placed kitty-corner to the sink. Patterned linoleum is included in this particular model home. Photograph ordered by Phares Advertising, Seattle.

Kitchens--Tacoma--1950-1960; Tiles; Appliances; Model houses--Tacoma; Phares Advertising Agency (Seattle);

A door is partially ajar to disclose a modern bathroom in a model home in the city's southend. Stark white fixtures dominate the small space; pipes are exposed leading to the sink. The room is abundantly tiled, both on the walls near the bathtub and also on the flooring. Photograph ordered by Phares Advertising, Seattle.

Bathrooms--Tacoma--1950-1960; Tiles; Model houses--Tacoma; Phares Advertising Agency (Seattle);

New Korean-era homes for sale are shown in this December, 1951, photograph. Rambler-style in construction, they all appear to have one-car garages. Situated on a Tacoma hillside, they may have had peek-a-boo views of the Sound. What is noticeable is that they are built very close together, with virtually no space between the houses. Photograph ordered by Phares Advertising, Seattle.

Houses--Tacoma--1950-1960; Neighborhoods--Tacoma--1950-1960; Phares Advertising Agency (Seattle);

A new home has just been sold by Valley Realty in December, 1951. The front of the home and garage appear to be built of brick while the side visible is partially wood. It appears to be a rambler in style, with fireplace and one-car garage. The new homeowner apparently will have to complete the landscaping and perhaps remove large rocks near the yard's front and side.

Houses--Tacoma--1950-1960; Yards--Tacoma;

Large picture windows let in plenty of sunlight into the living room of this model 1951 Tacoma-area home. Plain utilitarian furniture greets the eye as soon as the front door is opened. Two disparate pieces of carpet separate the living room and possibly a den. The walls are empty of any decorations. Photograph ordered by Phares Advertising, Seattle.

Model houses--Tacoma; Living rooms--Tacoma--1950-1960; Phares Advertising Agency (Seattle);