The smokestack at West Tacoma Newsprint seems to extend endlessly into the sky as it belches smoke on October 20, 1954. West Tacoma Newsprint were paper manufacturers, who despite their name, were actually located in Steilacoom. The Chambers Creek location had been home to many paper manufacturers since 1918, starting with Cascade Paper and concluding with Abitibi Consolidated Sales which announced its impending closure in July, 2000. View of chimney from its base looking upward; evenly spaced steel rings circle the chimney. Photograph requested by Boedecker Chimney.

Chimneys--Steilacoom; West Tacoma Newsprint (Steilacoom); Boedecker Chimney Construction Co. (Tacoma);

Two men are barely visible on a ledge circling the enormous smokestack outside the West Tacoma Newsprint plant on October 20, 1954. It is unclear whether they are performing maintenance work or actually installing a new chimney. Boedecker Chimney Construction Co. built many chimneys for industrial plants in this region, including St. Regis and Bethlehem Pacific Coast Steel. View of cars parked along plant with chimney in rear. Photograph ordered by Boedecker Chimney Construction Co.

Chimneys; Boedecker Chimney Construction Co. (Tacoma); West Tacoma Newsprint (Steilacoom)

Traffic flashes by on busy Pacific Avenue as this May 15, 1957, photograph shows a panorama of downtown Tacoma buildings and businesses. Looking northbound, Day's Tailor is on the right; further down on the right can be spotted Schoenfeld's furniture with the Washington Building furthest north. Billboards advertising mayonnaise, Atlas, Connie's Cafe and the National Bank of Washington are scattered on the left side of Pacific. Notable businesses such as Hunt & Mottet Co., F.S. Harmon Mfg. Co., and the Rust Building all have signage clearly visible from long distances. The Heidelberg Brewery is slightly farther away toward the left center of the picture on "C" Street; smoke is billowing from the plant's stacks. Photograph ordered by Heidelberg Brewing Co. TPL-9291

Commercial streets--Tacoma--1950-1960; Billboards--Tacoma--1950-1960; Heidelberg Brewing Co. (Tacoma);

Exterior-Heidelberg Brewery. Taken from across busy Jefferson Avenue on May 15, 1957, the Heidelberg Shipping Depot can be spotted in the center of the photograph. Other Heidelberg buildings are to its left. Heidelberg was well known for its Columbia Ale and Heidelberg beer. The brewery was purchased by Carling Brewery in 1959 and closed its doors twenty years later.

Heidelberg Brewing Co. (Tacoma); Brewing industry--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Interior-Medical Arts Building. The hallway is empty in this September 15, 1954, photograph of the Medical Arts Building lobby. Hanging lamps illuminate the ornate ceiling and marbled floors and walls . The Medical Arts Drugs Store entry is on the right facing the multiple bronze elevator doors. The Medical Arts building was a prime example of Art Deco architecture; it was designed and engineered by noted architect, John Graham, Sr. It was a new concept in medical care which called for a full service building in the central business district to handle all aspects of health care. Built of Romanite stone, it was 17 stories tall and was the tallest building in Tacoma at the time of construction in 1930. It is on all three registries--City, State and National. Photograph ordered by Comfort, Davis & Blangy. (Tacoma Rediviva, p. 79)

Medical Arts Building (Tacoma); Ceilings--Tacoma; Passageways--Tacoma--1950-1960;

On September 15, 1954, the real estate and insurance firm of Comfort, Davis & Blangy requested several photographs of the Saint Helens and Market St. business area. This photograph taken at South 7th and Saint Helens Ave.shows primarily the Medical Arts Building, partially completed United Pacific Insurance Co. addition, Mousley's Cantilever Shoes, Trovani's Jr. Bootery, Landis Shoe Repair, Don Harter's drycleaning and tailoring establishment with the Berk Apartments overhead. The Medical Arts Building, at 17 stories, looms over neighboring businesses.

Medical Arts Building (Tacoma); United Pacific Insurance Co. (Tacoma); Commercial streets--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Steve's Gay '90s. Steve's Cafe (later commonly known as Steve's Gay '90s) was a fixture in South Tacoma for several decades. It was well known for its good food and lavish entertainment. View of Cable Room, a specialty dining area within Steve's which definitely had an old-time atmosphere. Steve Pease had imported actual cable car seating for his restaurant; Bill Knabel Sign & Display Service designed the room's layout. Names of actual cable cars were attached to the ends of the seats, including Powell & Market Strs., Bay & Taylor, and Angel Flight. Photograph ordered by Douglas Fir Plywood Association. TPL-3850

Steve's Gay '90s (Tacoma); Restaurants--Tacoma--1950-1960; Signs (Notices);

Pacific Lutheran College students Naomi Rasmussen (left) and Lois Ronell are studying in the tidy room they shared in the school's new women's dormitory in October, 1954. Drapes on the large window are open to let in natural light and provide a beautiful view of a large tree-filled lot. Each girl seems to have a bed, bookcase, and possibly separate desks. Large cuddly stuffed animals rest on top of their beds. Computers and refrigerators are conspicuous by their absence.The new South Hall dormitory was home to 129 women in the fall of 1954. It had many amenities such as two decorated lounges complete with televisions and a grand piano, four small kitchen units, complete laundry service and study rooms. Mrs. Clara Nelson was housemother. (TNT 10-13-54, C-2, 1955 Saga yearbook)

Students--Parkland--1950-1960; Pacific Lutheran College (Parkland)--1950-1960; Studying; Bedrooms; Stuffed animals (Toys); Bulletin boards; Rasmusson, Naomi; Ronell, Lois;

ca. 1954. Students are clustered close to the very modern brick South Hall dormitory for women on the campus of Pacific Lutheran College, in a 1954 photograph. Clothing styles have changed since then but the art of socializing has not. The students are taking advantage of a lovely day to converse with one another. The dormitory opened for the first time that year and was home to 129 students. The facilities included two lovely lounges with televisions and a grand piano, four small kitchen units, complete laundry service and two small lounge-study rooms. View of the south side of South Hall dormitory; dorm had four stories. Extending from the building is the lounge and recreation area; there is a sun deck on top of the lounge and concrete patio at its base. (1955 SAGA yearbook, p. 108, TNT 10-13-54, C-2)

Students--Parkland--1950-1960; Universities & colleges--Parkland--1950-1960; Pacific Lutheran College (Parkland); Dormitories--Parkland;

The congregation of the University Place Assembly of God posed for this October 17, 1954, sepia photograph in front of their wood church. There appear to be many young families attending this particular house of worship. The large sign, "Jesus Saves" on the church was probably visible for quite some distance away. A black speaker is positioned above the sign next to the erected cross so that announcements could be heard even in the parking lot. The University Place Assembly of God was located at Mountain View Avenue and South 29th Street. Edwin Oster was listed in the 1954 City Directory as its pastor.

University Place Assembly of God (University Place); Protestant churches--University Place; Churches--University Place; Signs (Notices);

Coach Norm Mayer of Lincoln High School and Cliff Warling display the Cliff Warling trophy plaque awarded to the Class "A" State Champion football team on December 8, 1954. Previous recipient had been Olympia High School in 1953. In 1954, Lincoln High School of Tacoma was voted #1 in their division by the 29 state sportswriters and broadcasters. They won the award over Aberdeen High School. Photograph ordered by the Lincolnian yearbook. (TNT 12-1-54, C-9)

Awards; Lincoln High School (Tacoma); Mayer, Norm; Warling, Cliff;

Steel pieces of a new hangar are being hoisted into place by a Bethlehem Pacific Coast Steel Corporation crane on September 24, 1954. More space was becoming necessary at McChord Field to house and repair aircraft. Once completed, this new main hangar will encompass 22,000 square feet. The Seattle District Corps. of Engineers, U.S. Army, designed the hangar and supervised construction. All steel for the framework was fabricated by Bethlehem Steel 's Seattle plant and the framework itself erected by the company's steel workers. Photograph ordered by Bethlehem Pacific Coast Steel Corporation. (TNT 12-26-54, C-11)

Bethlehem Pacific Coast Steel Corp. (Seattle); Building construction; Progress photographs; Steel; Hangars;

Workers appear to be trudging uphill on top of a new hangar in a November 18, 1954, photograph. They had been working for months on constructing new steel hangars for the military on McChord Field. These hangars would be used to house and repair jets. The two men shown here are carrying sections of aluminum to be used to cover the roof of the new hangar. The Seattle District Corps. of Engineers, U.S. Army, designed the hangar and supervised its construction. All steel for the framework was fabricated by the Seattle plant of Bethlehem Pacific Coast Steel and the framework itself had been erected by the company's steelworkers. Photograph ordered by Bethlehem Pacific Coast Steel Corporation. (TNT 12-26-54, C-11)

Bethlehem Pacific Coast Steel Corp. (Seattle); Building construction; Progress photographs; Steel; Hangars;

A small child looks wistfully through the spaces between the plywood forms as work continues on the Dave Countryman's remodeling project in October, 1954. Mr. Countryman was a civil engineer with the Douglas Fir Plywood Association. His home on Gramercy Place in Lakewood had a beautiful lake view. View of the Countryman remodeling; it appears that this will be a two-story addition with workers putting roof trusses in place. Also see D85874-3 for another view of Countryman home. Photograph ordered by Douglas Fir Plywood Association.

Countryman, David--Homes & haunts; Building construction--Lakewood--1950-1960; Douglas Fir Plywood Association (Tacoma);

Architects in the firm of Jensen & Mills examine a small display of Douglas Fir Plywood Association promotional material in their Jones Building office on November 19, 1954. The plywood association always stressed the stringent quality controls utilized in approving plywood for numerous uses. The DFPA label on plywood meant that customers could count on the association standing behind its product. Photograph ordered by Douglas Fir Plywood Association.

Douglas Fir Plywood Association (Tacoma); Merchandise displays--Tacoma--1950-1960; Advertising--Tacoma--1950-1960; Jensen & Mills (Tacoma);

A well-trained dog sits at attention waiting for its treat from Virginia (Mrs. Robert E.) Ellison in this sepia photograph taken on November 14, 1954. The Ellisons and family pet are seated in front of a massive brick fireplace in their new residence. Photograph taken on behalf of the News Tribune to be used in a Thanksgiving layout for couples celebrating their first Thanksgiving together. (TNT 11-21-54, D-1)

Ellison, Robert E.--Homes & haunts; Ellison, Robert E.; Ellison, Virginia; Dogs; Fireplaces;

This group of loggers appears dwarfed by the size of the freshly cut peeler log which has already been loaded onto a truck. This giant Douglas fir, and others, would be displayed in a procession through Bellingham's streets on November 27, 1954. Georgia-Pacific Plywood Co. had sponsored a fleet hauling many giant logs; each log would contain enough plywood to be used in forty average homes. The plywood industry was still very much an economic force during the 1950's as the construction boom continued both here and nationwide. Photograph ordered by Georgia-Pacific Plywood Co.

Group portraits; Logs; Lumber industry--Bellingham--1950-1960;

Mrs. John Hreha (LaMoyne Barcott) shares an impish glance with a beaming, dark haired manikin in this studio portrait from November of 1954. Mrs. Hreha came from a well known Tacoma family. Her grandfather, John Barcott, founded Pacific Avenue's California Oyster House. Her father, Anton Barcott and family opened Harbor Lights restaurant on the waterfront, a Tacoma landmark since 1959. LaMoyne Barcott married John Hreha in August of 1952. Both were noted magicians and it is possible that this dummy may have been used in their performances.

Hreha, John--Family; Hreha, LaMoyne Barcott; Barcott, LaMoyne; Puppets; Manikins;

A Native American chief in headdress and buckskins gazes at the remainder of downed trees on November 27, 1954. He is standing on a trailer hitch of the large truck that will haul the giant peeler log through the streets of Bellingham as part of a parade. Georgia-Pacific Plywood Co. had arranged for several giant Douglas firs to be cut and transported for this special parade. Photograph ordered by Georgia-Pacific Plywood Co. TPL-8281

Indians of North America--Bellingham; Logs;

Irwin-Jones Motor Company dealership, view looking east. Irwin-Jones was a Dodge and Plymouth dealership which also sold used trucks and automobiles as well. The company's name was blazed on the building's exterior; the large lettering could be seen quite a distance away. It appears that the new models of Dodges were now available as "The '55s Are Here" was painted on showroom windows. A Nash sedan, perhaps belonging to a potential customer, was parked out front. South Tacoma Way was then a very busy road, as it still is now, and Irwin-Jones would have had a prime location to attract passersby. Rowland Pontiac Cadillac Center would be the next occupants, starting from 1955.

Irwin-Jones Motor Co. (Tacoma); Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1950-1960; Trucks--Tacoma--1950-1960; Signs (Notices);

This photograph of Edward "Whitey" Kurowski was taken on November 8, 1954 shortly after he threw a perfect 300 while bowling with the Salt League at the Coliseum Bowling Alley. The Coliseum Bowling Palace was at 407 So. 13th Street. The alley closed at the end of June 1972, and the Coliseum building was torn down in 1975.

Kurowski, Edward; Bowling--Tacoma--1950-1960; Bowlers--Tacoma--1950-1960; Coliseum Bowling Alley (Tacoma);

Seventeen members, most of them women, of the Cooks, Waiters, Waitresses & Bartenders Local #61 posed for a November 21, 1954, photograph, at union headquarters. The union had purchased the building at 1130 Commerce St. several years ago so that members might have a comfortable place to conduct meetings and enjoy social interaction.

Labor unions--Tacoma--1950-1960; Cooks, Waiters, Waitresses & Bartenders Union Local No. 61 (Tacoma); Group portraits;

The enormous splash generated as a giant peeler log is dumped into the log dump nearly obscures sight of the log. This Douglas fir log, along with several others, was used in a Bellingham parade on November 27, 1954, as entries sponsored by Georgia-Pacific Plywood Co. Harvested locally from timbered forests, the logs were marched down the city's main streets, providing an impressive display for local spectators. Georgia-Pacific wanted to stress that each log contained enough material to be used in making forty average houses. Photograph ordered by Georgia-Pacific Plywood Co.

Logs; Basins (Bodies of water)--Bellingham;

Two young ladies, who look very much alike, proudly sport banners identifying themselves as "Miss Georgia" and "Miss Pacific" as the Georgia-Pacific Plywood's entries in the November 27, 1954, Bellingham parade take a momentary pause. The plywood company had sponsored several giant peeler logs mounted on heavy duty trucks for the parade. The large banners on the logs' sides make it clear that these trees were harvested locally from timber forests in our state. Photograph ordered by Georgia-Pacific Plywood.

Logs; Parades & processions--Bellingham--1950-1960; Signs (Notices);

A scantily clad young woman cheerfully waves her hat at parade spectators while perched on top of a R.E. Gray Trucking System cab on November 27, 1954. The truck is hauling a giant peeler log courtesy of the Georgia-Pacific Plywood Co. which was cut from timber forests in Washington State. Bellingham apparently had a parade in late November in which several giant logs were on display to parade viewers. Photograph ordered by Georgia-Pacific Plywood Co.

Logs; Parades & processions--Bellingham--1950-1960; Trucks--Bellingham--1950-1960;

E.L. Cliffe (L), plant superintendent, and Col. Edward Schmitt, commanding officer of the Army Personnel Center, Ft. Lewis, met with Pennsalt employee William Otto at the company's facilities on November 10, 1954. Col. Schmitt toured the plant in preview of industry tours for military personnel on Armed Forces Appreciation Day, November 30th. Mr. Otto shows the two men the machinery used in making corrosion-resistant molds used in the manufacture of chlorine and caustic by Pennsalt. Other companies, including Puget Sound Plywood, Brown & Haley, Heidelberg Breweries and Hooker Electrochemical, would also be offering tours for the military on Armed Forces Appreciation Day. (TNT 11-21-54, B-11)

Pennsylvania Salt Manufacturing Co. of Washington (Tacoma); Chemical industry--Tacoma--1950-1960; Machinery; Cliffe, E.L.; Schmitt, Edward; Otto, William;

Point Defiance PTA Carnival. Four committee members gathered around a wooden AV cart and examine 16mm film in preparation for the November 12, 1954 Point Defiance School carnival's entertainment. From left were: Mrs. Arnold Wentlandt, co-chairperson; William Skillings, PTA member; Mrs. Ned Krilich, co-chairperson; and Mrs. Charles Gray, PTA member. "Carnival Time" was the theme of the carnival to be held at Point Defiance School located at North 45th & Visscher. (TNT 11-8-1954, p. 6-alt. photograph)

Point Defiance School (Tacoma); Parent-Teacher Association (Tacoma); Wentlandt, Arnold--Family; Skillings, William; Krilich, Ned--Family; Gray, Charles--Family; Projectors;

Corol Strickland, an exubertant teenager, shows off her balancing skills in this November, 1954, photograph. She is elegantly dressed in a polka dotted strapless gown, three-tier necklace and a bracelet but is not wearing shoes. She has her toes hooked over the edge of a balance board.

Teenagers--1950-1960; Clothing & dress--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Two employees of United Pacific Insurance Company at company headquarters in the Medical Arts Building examine data being printed probably involving policyholders on October 28, 1954. The man in the suit is pointing at a particular entry on the list while the other man observes. Three more employees are in the background possibly handling data entry cards. Photograph ordered by United Pacific Insurance.

United Pacific Insurance Co. (Tacoma); Insurance companies--Tacoma; Office workers--Tacoma--1950-1960; Machinery;

Texture One-Eleven exterior fir plywood is being installed at the Walt Wedmeyer residence on November 3, 1954. The fir plywood came from St. Paul & Tacoma Lumber Co. A worker is shown in the process of adding another panel of pre-cut plywood to the home's exterior. The large Texture One-Eleven box rests against the partially completed portion of the residence. Photograph ordered by Douglas Fir Plywood Association.

Wedmeyer, Walt--Homes & haunts; Plywood; Douglas Fir Plywood Association (Tacoma);