ca. 1920. Clyde D. Lloyd, one of the owners of the Sedro Box and Veneer Co. of Sedro-Woolley, Washington, poses with his favorite dog in his 1920 automobile. Copy of a customer's print. Lloyd, originally from Wisconsin, came west with the lumber industry and was a successful timber broker. In 1905, with an original investment of $6,000 each, William J. (Cottonwood Bill) Royse, Lloyd and Charles Peterson started the Sedro plant. For years the plant made only coffee and spice drums and berry baskets before beginning production of plywood panels in 1919. Royse was the colorful front man and Lloyd was the "all business" partner who anchored him. The Sedro plant was destroyed by fire December 4, 1924, but Lloyd played a vital role in lumber concerns in Bellingham after that time. ("The Plywood Age" by Robert M. Cour)

Lloyd, Clyde; Sedro Box and Veneer Co. (Sedro-Woolley); plywood; Lumber industry--Sedro-Woolley--1920-1930;

ca. 1920. A forest of logs waits for processing at the Sedro Box and Veneer Co. plant at Sedro Woolley, Washington. Around the time that the company began gluing fir panels, wages were a dollar a day for 10 hours of work and peelers were available for $3 a thousand. The plant produced fir panels for doors and one-side good panels for drawer bottoms. By 1924, orders were piling up and the plant was running at full capacity. ("The Plywood Age" by Robert M. Cour)

Sedro Box and Veneer Co. (Sedro-Woolley); plywood; Lumber industry--Sedro-Woolley--1920-1930; Mills--Sedro-Woolley--1920-1930;

ca. 1920. The "veneer canal at Sedro-Woolley", part of the Sedro Box and Veneer Co. plant at Sedro Woolley, Washington. The Douglas fir peeler logs were floated on the Skagit River to the area of the plant and brought to the mill by this canal. The same river that brought in the logs also frequently flooded the plant, including a major flood in January of 1918 that cost the plant $20,000. ("The Plywood Age" by Robert M. Cour)

Sedro Box and Veneer Co. (Sedro-Woolley); plywood; Lumber industry--Sedro-Woolley--1920-1930; Mills--Sedro-Woolley--1920-1930;

ca. 1920. The mill and some employees of the Sedro Box and Veneer Co. at Sedro Woolley, Washington. This photograph was taken in the early 1920's before the plant burned to the ground. The plant began plywood panel production in 1919 and by 1924 business was booming. Wages were a dollar a day for 10 hours and peelers were available at $3 a thousand. The plant employed 125 men and operated 24 hours a day. Then on December 4, 1924, the entire plant was destroyed by fire. There was little insurance and that went to the bank that supplied the money for the rebuild after the 1918 fire. The owners thanked the volunteer firemen for their valiant effort to save the plant and went out of business. ("The Plywood Age" by Robert M. Cour)

Sedro Box and Veneer Co. (Sedro-Woolley); plywood; Lumber industry--Sedro-Woolley--1920-1930; Mills--Sedro-Woolley--1920-1930;

A craftsman is applying wood tape to the edge of a shelf piece at the Sutherlan Fixture Co. The wood tape covers the rough edge of the plywood, giving it a finished appearance. Photo series ordered by Elliot Bay Lumber Company. The Sutherlan Fixture Co. was one of the largest store fixture manufacturers on the west coast. The firm was in operation from 1943 to 1967.

Carpentry--Tacoma; Cabinetmaking--Tacoma; Sutherlan Fixture Co. (Tacoma);

Interiors of Ben Cheney's home in Browns Point. The living room of the home has knotty wood panelling, exposed beams and a sunken conversation pit in front of the stone fireplace. A trophy and baseball memorabilia line the mantel. The room features the ever present fifties television and comfortable seating. The room has a comfortable, homey feel.

Cheney, Ben B., 1905-1971--Homes & haunts; Living rooms--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Plywood barricade around construction area for the new County-City building. After much discussion and delay, a site was finally decided on for the new building. Although approved by voters Nov. 4, 1952, construction did not begin until July 25, 1956. Before construction comes demolition. Homes and offices shown here will soon be torn down to make way for the new modern office building. Coast Contractors will demolish the approximately 4 square blocks of buildings for the low bid of $48, 448. A $7,000 board fence will be erected around the site, excluding the Court House and two buildings to be used an annexes.The old County Court House will remain standing and in use until the new building is built and then be torn down to make room for the parking lot. The fence is 2800 ft long and made of 2x4 and plywood and must remain up for 2 years fencing the site. A crew of 30 men will be hired for the demolition. Walter McHugh, head of Coast Construction, estimates the actual demolition cost to be closer to $70,000, the difference and profit to be made from salvage that will be sold on the spot. (TNT 3/20/1955, pg. A-18) TPL-8168

County-City Building (Tacoma);

A masked model in a one piece swimsuit stands next to a plywood panel labelled "Sizing Up Mrs. Tacoma". The 1955 Tacoma Home Show had an added feature- a contest to find the perfect Mrs. Tacoma Housewife. Contestants had to be between 18 and 35, married, have at least one child and be Pierce County residents for at least 6 months. They were judged on "housewifely arts," poise, charm and appearance. Finalists were tested on how quickly they could make a bed, how well they could iron a shirt, and the looks and appearance of their best baked goods. Equally important was how well they had "trained" their husbands, judged by how well the males could change a diaper. Although contest organizers repeatedly stated that height and weight did not matter, Mrs. Tacoma would also need to parade in a swimsuit and high heels. The winner was Mrs. Lowell Doud, the wife of a lumberjack.

Greater Tacoma Home Show (Tacoma); Beauty contests--Tacoma--1950-1960; Bathing beauties; Bathing suits;

Launching of the AM 504, the second of three 171 foot minesweepers to be launched at Tacoma Boat Building. The keel was laid on the AM 504 October 25, 1953 and expected delivery to the Tacoma Naval Station for outfitting was November of 1955. On completion, the ship would be turned over to a foreign nation. Mrs. Charles S. Weeks, wife of the commander of the Tacoma Naval Station, would be the sponsor and her seven year old daughter June would be the flower girl. (TNT 3/20/1955, pg. B-6)

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

On March 27, 1955, the huge doors of the main entrance to the new million dollar Mary Bridge Children's Hospital swung open to the public following the dedication ceremonies. Over 3,000 people attended to hear main speaker Governor Arthur B. Langlie and to view the new hospital. Built at a cost of $800,000, the building is of fireproof concrete construction faced with architectural concrete. The wall of the entrance is of Vermont red granite. The foliage in the planting boxes is bronze toned to blend with the color scheme. The hospital is named Mary Bridge, as a memorial to the mother of Dr. A.W. Bridge, whose estate is the major contributor. The W.R. Rust trust is the other main contributor. However, the erection of the hospital is due mainly to the persistence of the Orthopedic guilds that formulated the idea in 1937 and toiled 18 years to make it happen. The modern hospital will treat children from infancy through age 14.(TNT 3/27/1955, pg. A13- A17)

Mary Bridge Children's Hospital (Tacoma); Hospitals--Tacoma;

Mary Bridge Hospital; donation of surgery to hospital. Miss Virginia E. MacIvor, left, Director of Nursing, Miss Margaret Long, center, and Miss Helen Long, right, pose smiling in the surgery that was completely equipped with the generous monetary gift of the Longs. The large lamp at the top of the picture is a special low shadow type, enabling the surgeon to see more clearly. The surgery was the most modern available with all air coming into the room cleaned, heated and humidified. (TNT 3/25/1955, pg. 20)

Mary Bridge Children's Hospital (Tacoma); MacIvor, Virginia; Long, Margaret R.; Long, Helen;

Plywood displays for the Douglas Fir Plywood Association. A cabinet is viewed from above topped with an assortment of power tools, hand tools and plywood trim pieces. These are the materials and tools used in a woolworking display captured in this photographic series (D89928.) This cabinet would be perfect for the home handyman to store his tools and small materials or for the hardware store to shelve small items. The DFPA, located in the Fuller building in Tacoma, was constantly promoting its product and its myriad uses. The plywood industry exploded in the Northwest thanks to this dedicated self promotion.

Plywood; Douglas Fir Plywood Association (Tacoma); Drills (Equipment); Hammers; Woodworking--Tacoma;

Interior of the main worship area at the dedication of the new Sacred Heart Catholic Church, photograph ordered by the Catholic Northwest Progress. The new church was consecrated in special ceremonies and services on March 19 & 20, 1955. The Most Rev. Thomas A. Connolly, Archbishop of Seattle, consecrated the church's main altar on Saturday, March 19th. He assisted in the blessing and laying of the cornerstone. Following that ceremony, the parishioners entered their new church for services. The new church could seat 700. The Architectural firm of McGuire and Muri designed the building; the builder was Strom Construction. (TNT 3/18/1955, pg. A-5)

Sacred Heart Church (Tacoma); Catholic churches--Tacoma;

dedication of Mary Bridge Hospital

In March of 1955 a model, believed to be Pat Murphy, demonstrated the pull out, top loading dishwasher that was installed in the ultra-modern kitchen of the model home built for the 1955 Tacoma Home Show. Built by the Tacoma Master Builders, the 1955 model home, called "Casa Manana" was advertised as the "home of tomorrow". Over 59 Tacoma firms took part in the construction and furnishing of the modern tri-level house which was located at 7028 Cherry Lane S.W. in Lakewood.

Greater Tacoma Home Show (Tacoma); Kitchens--Lakewood--1950-1960;

Mary Bridge Children's Hospital; Hubbard tank in physical therapy room. The $800,000 hospital was designed specifically for its child patients with all equipment sized accordingly and cheerful colors and fantastical wall paintings. A basement tunnel connected the hospital with the nurses' quarters and Tacoma General Hospital, which supplied laundry facilities. The hospital opened with 40 beds. Organizers realized that this would soon be inadequate. To help cut future costs, a third floor was built but the interior left unfinished. It would be completed as more space was needed and more funds were available. The 3rd floor would bring the hospital to an expected 100 bed capacity. (TNT 3/27/1955, pg. A13-A17)

Mary Bridge Children's Hospital (Tacoma); Hospitals--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Mary Bridge Children's Hospital's main kitchen area. All patient and staff meals are prepared in this gleaming new room with polished stainless steel fixtures. Across from the kitchen is a dining room for staff. To the left are the carts for delivering the meals and a triple width commercial refrigerator. To the right is a rolling cart with the burners to heat foods and bins to keep heated foods warm. A silverware and dish cart is in front of the left hand counter with sink. The oven and grill are at the rear of the room. Counters and a sink line the right hand side. A central work island has pots hanging above.

Mary Bridge Children's Hospital (Tacoma); Hospitals--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Mary Bridge Children's Hospital's central supply room and sterilizing equipment. The room is pristine, white, almost glossy with its stainless steel sterilizing equipment and terrazzo floor. The hospital contained the most modern equipment available, all sized to treat children. The $800,000 hospital was made possible through donations from the W.R. Rust trust and the estate of Dr. A.W. Bridge. The hospital would not have been built without the dedicated volunteer time and persistence of the Tacoma Orthopedic Association and its guilds. Countless monetary donations from the generous citizens of Pierce County made possible all the latest technological equipment and the thoughtful extras that made it a welcoming place for children. The guild members also hand sewed most fabric items used by the children. (TNT 3/27/1955, pg. A13- A17)

Mary Bridge Children's Hospital (Tacoma); Hospitals--Tacoma--1950-1960;

ca. 1955. The "Kiddie Korner," copy of a customer's print for the DFPA. These young boys collect armfuls of free wood to make the perfect gift for Mom or Dad. In the loving, if not always skilled, hands of these young men the wood will become bird feeders, bird houses, footstools and just plain knick knacks. Shining smiles, fresh faces and creative plans have not changed much since the fifties.

Boys--Tacoma--1950-1960; Plywood; Woodworking;

ca. 1955. Aerial photograph of the Cascades Plywood Corp. plant circa 1955. Next door was the Battery Separation Division. Likely this was a plant in Lebanon, Oregon. (Information supplied by reader.)

Plywood; Lumber industry--1950-1960; Cascades Plywood Corp.; Aerial photographs; Aerial views;

1955 American Red Cross annual meeting. A plaque is being presented to Dr. C.G. Trimble by Gordon E. Tatum commemorating Trimble's 30 years of volunteer service with the Tacoma-Pierce County Chapter of the American Red Cross. Pictured, left to right, are Dr. Trimble, Rita Zehnder, president-elect of the Junior Red Cross, Vincent A. Carlstrom, Chapter Chairman and Tatum, member of the Board of Directors. The annual meeting was held at the Top of the Ocean. Aside from awards, the program consisted of the presentation of the annual report and the election of officers. (TNT 2/20/1955, pg C-10)

American Red Cross Pierce County Chapter (Tacoma); Trimble, Charles G.; Zehnder, Rita; Carlstrom, Vincent A.; Tatum, Gordon E.;

Lynne Hammond and Sharon Link (l to r) were co-chairmen of the "Hick Hop" held on Saturday May 7, 1955 at the Lake City Community Hall. The costume party had no reservation list, no formality and was intended for Tacoma teenagers. All teenagers were welcome and the proceeds were donated to Mary Bridge Children's Hospital. The hall was transformed into a miniature hobo jungle for the affair, with hobo manikins, campfires, trees and the proper atmosphere to make any "hobo" feel at home. Dancing, games and skits provided the evening's entertainment. (TNT 5/1/1955, pg D-10)

Clubwomen--Tacoma--1950-1960; Tacoma Orthopedic Association, Vera T. Davis Junior Guild (Tacoma); Charitable organizations--Tacoma--1950-1960; Costumes; Hammond, Lynne; Link, Sharon;

A young woman stands in front of the pansy ring in a strapless Spring formal, during ceremonies sponsored by the Delta Delta Delta sorority of the College of Puget Sound. The Pansy Ring Tea honored all senior women at the College, but only engaged or recently married senior women stepped through the seven foot ring of pansies. Part of the festivities was a fashion show. (TNT 5/8/1955, pg. D-6)

Delta Delta Delta (Tacoma); Fraternities & sororities--Tacoma--1950-1960; Students--Tacoma--1950-1960; Flowers--Tacoma; Women--Clothing & dress--Tacoma--1950-1960; College of Puget Sound (Tacoma)--1950-1960;

A young woman stands in front of the pansy ring in a Spring suit, during ceremonies sponsored by the Delta Delta Delta sorority of the College of Puget Sound. The suit is of a gingham check with a full skirt, peplum jacket, wrist length white gloves, wide brimmed hat, opened toed shoes and square dark handbag. The Pansy Ring Tea was an annual affair honoring senior women of the College. Engaged and recently married seniors will step through the seven foot ring of pansies as part of the ceremony. (TNT 5/8/1955, pg. D-6)

Delta Delta Delta (Tacoma); Fraternities & sororities--Tacoma--1950-1960; Students--Tacoma--1950-1960; Flowers--Tacoma; Women--Clothing & dress--Tacoma--1950-1960; College of Puget Sound (Tacoma)--1950-1960;

A dark haired young woman stands in front of the pansy ring in a Spring suit, during ceremonies sponsored by the Delta Delta Delta sorority of the College of Puget Sound. She wears a dark linen look suit with a straight skirt and long top belted at the waist. A sprig of lilly of the valley is pinned at the hip height pocket and a picture hat and matching dark shoes and handbag complete the look. The third annual Pansy Ring Tea was held on the College campus. The tea honored all senior women, with engaged and recently married seniors stepping through the flower ring. (TNT 5/8/1955, pg. D-6)

Delta Delta Delta (Tacoma); Fraternities & sororities--Tacoma--1950-1960; Students--Tacoma--1950-1960; Flowers--Tacoma; Women--Clothing & dress--Tacoma--1950-1960; College of Puget Sound (Tacoma)--1950-1960;

Governor Arthur B. Langlie, second from left, at College of Puget Sound graduation ceremonies to deliver the Commencement Address. President R. Franklin Thompson, in cap and gown, is next to the governor. The couple on right is likely Mr. and Mrs. Dix Rowland. There would be 163 candidates for degrees at C.P.S.'s 67th Commencement held on June 5, 1955. Governor Langlie's topic would be "Putting Meaning into Life." He had received an honorary doctorate of science degree from C.P.S. in 1942. ALBUM 10. (TNT 5-29-55, A-7)

Governors; Langlie, Arthur B., 1900-1966; Thompson, R. Franklin, 1908-1999; Universities & colleges--Tacoma; College of Puget Sound (Tacoma)--1950-1960; College presidents--Tacoma;

Photo of incoming and outgoing presidents of Grant School Preschool. Ruth (Mrs. Guy) Schubert, right, presents the president's gavel for the Grant Preschool Board to the incoming president Lois (Mrs. Thomas) Lind. Guy Schubert was the manager of Schubert's Pharmacy at 5725 No. 26th. The Schuberts lived at 3323 No. 10th. Thomas Lind was a technician at Weyerhaeuser and the Linds resided at 919 No. Sheridan Ave. Current and past officers of the Preschool Board would be honored at a banquet held at the Towers Restaurant.

Grant School (Tacoma); Public schools--Tacoma; Schubert, Ruth; Lind, Lois;

ca. 1955. The black and white television, tuned into "Perry Mason," dominates the look of this entertainment center. Doors close to hide the TV set when not in use. A radio can be seen to the right of the T.V. set. A phonograph turntable is located behind the man and can be flipped up inside the unit when not in use. The center has been specially made to fit into a corner. Convenient shelving can be used for storing books, plants or knickknacks.

High-fidelity sound systems--Tacoma--1950-1960; Phonographs; Bookcases --Tacoma--1950-1960; Televisions--1950-1960;

Kaiser Aluminum & Chemical Corp. At Kaiser's Tacoma reduction plant, ore is carefully analyzed. Dick Hildebrandt, plant chemist, performs an analysis of petroleum pitch, used in the production of carbon anodes for the electrolytic aluminum reduction process. One of the plant's largest regional purchases in 1954 was $214,000 worth of petroleum pitch. (TNT 5/16/1955, pg. 11)

Kaiser Aluminum & Chemical Corp. (Tacoma); Aluminum industry--Tacoma--1950-1960; Hildebrandt, Dick;

The Cammarano Brothers' float won second place in the Industrial Division of the 1955 Daffodil Parade. It depicts the Golden Future of space travel. Two big headed Kewpie doll figures light a rocket ready to shoot off into space, while markers show the distance to the moon, sun and Milky Way. The crowd shields itself from the rain with umbrellas while the float rolls past. The best seats for the parade this year were the upper story windows, where viewers were shielded from the elements.

Parades & processions--Tacoma--1950-1960; Puyallup Valley Daffodil Festival (1955 : Tacoma); Festivals--Tacoma; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1950-1960; Cammarano Bros. (Tacoma);