The Tacoma City Lights Administration Building, also known as the Tacoma Public Utilities Center, opened in 1953. Silas E. Nelson was the architect and Roy T. Early Co. was the contractor. Photo series ordered by Bethlehem Pacific Steel Co. (SA-28) Both the administrative and engineering staffs of the Light and Water Divisions were housed here. The building's temperature was maintained by a reverse cycle heating and cooling system using heat from the water of two wells located near the building.

Tacoma Dept. of Public Utilities, Light Division (Tacoma); Silas E. Nelsen Architects (Tacoma); Public utility companies--Tacoma;

The new saltwater public swimming pool at Titlow Beach was dedicated on June 4, 1955. The new pool measured 165 feet long by 75 feet wide with a depth of 3-5 feet for 85% of the length, with 15% deeper and used for diving. The pool had 3 diving boards, 2 one meter boards and 1 three meter board. The water was filtered continually and heated and chlorinated and lit by underwater and overhead lighting. Twenty feet of deck space was provided for sunbathing. Funded by special tax funds voted in 1952 plus appropriations and constructed at a cost of $225,796.54, the pool also had a 500 car parking area and bathhouses with automatic showers and large dressing rooms. Pool design was by Lea, Pearson & Richards. A two day pancake feed called the "Griddle Go Round" was planned for June 4-5. The TAC expected to fill 10,000 people with griddle cakes, syrup, orange juice and sausage. Entertainment would be provided by a touring Aunt Jemima (Palmere Jackson) and her troupe. There would be bubble gum and pancake eating contests, a water show and vaudeville acts with proceeds going to the fund to build a band shell at the lagoon at the entrance of Point Defiance Park. (TNT 5/29/1955, pg. A-10, 6/1/1955, pg. 11, 6/3/1955, pg. B-2, 6/5/1955, pg. 1)

Swimming pools--Tacoma; Titlow Park (Tacoma);

Studio setups for L & L Evergreens of holiday wreaths & sprays. These pictures were probably used for Christmas catalogs. For the holidays, the Northwest would be shipping cedar, pine, holly and pine cones from its great forests to people all across the country. Opening the shipping box would release that fresh evergreen smell that means "White Christmas" no matter how warm the temperature outside. Included in this picture are a wire ring from which a wreath can be made, assorted greens and pine cones and a wide satin ribbon.

Christmas decorations; Pines--Tacoma; Pine cones;

Studio setups for L & L Evergreens of holiday wreaths & sprays. Summer is the time that those catalogs that hit your mailboxes in October & November are prepared. L & L prepares for the nationwide demand for fresh Northwest evergreens shipped right to your door. A woman in a plaid lumberjack like jacket holds a shipping box for fresh cut Christmas evergreens. A disclaimer warns to protect contents from extreme heat or cold.

Christmas decorations;

Switch gear equipment at Pacific Oerlikon Co. The worker appears diminutive next to the huge electronic machinery mounted above his head. Pacific Oerlikon, a subsidiary of Oerlikon Engineering Co. of Switzerland, manufactured large equipment for the power grid. It occupied the site of the former Henry Mill and Timber Co. in a building specially designed to accomodate the sheer height of its products.

Pacific Oerlikon Co. (Tacoma); Machinery; Equipment;

Switch gear equipment at Pacific Oerlikon Co. The worker eyes suspiciously the hook used to lift this product packaged for transport. Although the hook reads Yale five ton, the worker looks doubtful that it will hold. The product is labelled "porcelain, handle with care, fragile." Pacific Oerlikon manufactured large breakers and equipment used in the transmission of electric power.

Pacific Oerlikon Co. (Tacoma); Machinery; Equipment;

A man points at the bottles inside the serve-yourself refrigerator at the Park Way Delicatessen & Tavern. The Park Way operated at this location from 1951-1957 and was owned by Al Moody. A counter and stools and a neon sign for Columbia Ale can be seen behind the man. The refrigerator is in the novelty shape of a bottle and holds 7-Up, Bubble up, Nesbit, Pepsi-Cola, Old Colony, Coca-Cola, Can-a-Pop Grape, Heidelberg beer and Squirt. TPL-7954

Park Way Delicatessen & Tavern (Tacoma); Refrigerators; Carbonated beverages; Beer

A beaming unidentified man helped himself to a six-pack of Heidelberg from the serve-yourself refrigerator at the Park Way Delicatessen & Tavern at 313 North I Street on June 7, 1955. The Park Way operated at this location from 1951-1957 and was owned by Al Moody. A counter and stools and a neon sign for Columbia Ale can be seen behind the man. The refrigerator is in the novelty shape of a floor-to-ceiling bottle and holds ice-cold 7up, Bubble Up, Nesbit, Pepsi-cola, Old Colony, Coca-Cola, Can-a-Pop Grape, Heidelberg beer and Squirt. This is currently the location of the Parkway Tavern. TPL-6630

Park Way Delicatessen & Tavern (Tacoma); Refrigerators; Carbonated beverages; Beer;

ca. 1926. Elevated view of downtown Tacoma from the northwest circa 1926. Major buildings around 11th Street and Pacific Avenue are, left to right, Tacoma Building, Washington Building, Puget Sound Bank (National Realty ) Building, and Rust Building. (filed with Argentum)

Business districts--Tacoma--1920-1930; Tacoma Building (Tacoma); Washington Building (Tacoma); Puget Sound Bank Building (Tacoma); Rust Building (Tacoma);

ca. 1939. Hot-O-Matic electric storage water heaters, made locally by Midget Heater & Specialty Co., on display at Show of Progress in November of 1939. Displayed with model in center and five models on each side. Tacoma manufacturers and distributors of all kinds had displays at the trade show; nearly every article useful in the home could be viewed. The show of Progress was held in the old Sears building at the corner of Pacific and South 24th. The Hot-o-Matic was manufactured locally by Midget, located at 3411 Pacific Ave. (filed with Argentum)

Midget Heater & Specialty Co. (Tacoma); Water heaters;

ca. 1925. A woman poses in a new 1925 automobile.

Automobiles--1920-1930;

Two Ford trucks at Coast Sash and Door Company. Three men by Hunter Fuel truck with wooden sides on bed. One man by second truck with truck dolly and other equipment. Hunter Fuel was owned by Merritt J. Hunter and was located at 6202 McKinley Ave. (filed with Argentum)

Ford trucks; Coast Sash & Door Co. (Tacoma); Hunter Fuel (Tacoma);

Exterior of C.C. Mellinger Co. Funeral Home. TPL-2430. Photograph ordered by Wally Stabbert to show "Quick Brik" building materials. The colonial style funeral home was built in 1909 and designed by Heath & Twichell, Architects. The adjoining Memorial Chapel was built in 1945 and designed by Earl N. Dugan, Architect. The family owned funeral home was operated by James J. Mellinger, president, his wife Ann as vice president and Martha Mellinger as treasurer.

Morgues & mortuaries--Tacoma; Undertaking--Tacoma; C.C. Mellinger Funeral Directors (Tacoma);

Sunlight streams through the large picture windows into the dining room of the home of Dr. William B. and Myrtle McNerthney at 24 Summit Rd. The walls are very bright and bold with rose wallpaper. Oriental style rugs grace the wood floors. A cuckoo clock adorns a wall in the room and prism crystals hang from the chandelier over a lace draped dining table. Potted houseplants make use of the sunshine. The colonial style home was built in 1940. The Mcnerthney's home would be on display as part of the first annual Home Tour on 6/18/1955. (TNT 6/12/1955, pg. C-18)

McNerthney, William B.--Homes & haunts; Dining rooms--Tacoma--1950-1960;

ca. 1955. Photograph ordered by the Weyerhaeuser Timber Co. Men sit around a boardroom table, with others seated at the back of the room. The chart in the back of the room reads "Fire Chart."

Weyerhaeuser Timber Co. (Tacoma);

In June of 1955, plywood was being promoted heavily as the building material of choice. The Condon Co. ordered this photograph of the "Harbor Wave" plywood record player and television cabinet at the residence of Harry and Edith Watson, 12005 Woodbine Lane SW. The cabinet featured a bench seat where an unidentified model lounged as she selected records. The phonograph turntable was on the top of the cabinet with the television possibly inside the larger covered area to the right. "Harbor wave" possibly referred to the wavy pattern in the plywood grain. Mr. Watson was an account executive with the Condon Co.

Watson, Harry--Homes & haunts; Cabinets (Case furniture); High-fidelity sound systems--Tacoma--1950-1960; Phonographs;

Exterior view of the National Bank of Washington, 54th & Pacific branch. The 40 x 100 foot building was of modern design. It was build of Roman brick and ceramic tile. The north side of the building glittered, being made almost entirely of plate glass and polished aluminum. Customers could enter from Pacific Avenue and also from the north end of the building.

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

Interior view of the National Bank of Washington, 54th & Pacific branch. Lea, Pearson and Richards served as the architects on this branch bank built in 1955. Construction was of brick, tile and aluminum. The front of the bank was almost entirely plate glass window. The lobby measured 3600 square feet and had brown striped mahogany woodwork with frosted walnut formica counters.

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

Exterior view of the National Bank of Washington, 54th & Pacific branch. Lea, Pearson and Richards served as the architects on this branch bank built in 1955. Construction was of brick, tile and aluminum. In the fifties, the banks followed the flow of population out of the cities and into the suburbs. While leaving their grand financial institutions open downtown for the largely business trade, small friendly neighborhood branches were built to attract individual customers. The branches offered lots of parking and efficient, convenient services.

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

Exterior of bulk feed truck, labelled Larro Feeds, at General Mills, on Schuster Parkway near 6th. The truck was manufactured by White trucks. General Mills, Sperry Division, grain elevators can be seen in the background. The White truck will be loaded with grain that will then be delivered to area farmers for feeding their livestock.

General Mills, Inc., Sperry Division (Tacoma); White trucks--Tacoma; Trucks--Tacoma--1950-1960; Flour & meal industry--Tacoma--1950-1960; Shipping--Tacoma--1950-1960; Grain elevators--Tacoma--1950-1960; Grain industry--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Exterior of bulk feed truck, labelled Larro Feeds, at General Mills, on Schuster Parkway near 6th. The truck is a White truck 3000. General Mills, Sperry Division, grain elevators can be seen in the background. The White truck will be loaded with grain that will then be delivered to area farmers for feeding their livestock.

General Mills, Inc., Sperry Division (Tacoma); White trucks--Tacoma; Trucks--Tacoma--1950-1960; Flour & meal industry--Tacoma--1950-1960; Shipping--Tacoma--1950-1960; Grain elevators--Tacoma--1950-1960; Grain industry--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Exterior of bulk feed truck, labelled Larro Feeds, at General Mills, on Schuster Parkway near 6th. The truck is a White Truck 3000. The long protruding arm is possibly used for loading and/or discharging the grain. It appears to extended with the use of the cable in the man's hands. General Mills grain elevators can be seen in the background. TPL-4480

General Mills, Inc., Sperry Division (Tacoma); White trucks--Tacoma; Trucks--Tacoma--1950-1960; Flour & meal industry--Tacoma--1950-1960; Shipping--Tacoma--1950-1960; Grain elevators--Tacoma--1950-1960; Grain industry--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Exposure showing radiant heating panel in the kitchen/dining room of the Kenith Aarhaus residence at 5923 East Vickery Rd. The panel is located underneath the window in the dining room. To the right of the window, is a standard fifties kitchen counter with curved knick knack shelves underneath. Radiant heating supplied clean and economical heat. Kenith D. was listed as machinist with Coast Iron and Machine Works in the 1955 City Directory and as an employee of St. Regis in the 1956 Directory. His wife's name was Esther. Photos ordered by Glassray of Tacoma.

Heating & ventilation industry--Tacoma; HVAC systems--Tacoma--1950-1960; Radiators; Kitchens--Tacoma--1950-1960; Dining rooms--Tacoma--1950-1960; Aarhaus, Kenith--Homes & haunts;

Exposure showing radiant heating panel in the childrens' bedroom of the Kenith Aarhaus residence at 5923 East Vickery Rd. The panel is located underneath the bedroom window. Twin beds with chenille bedspreads occupy the room. A child sized dressing table with a lace runner and a Kewpie doll is against one wall. The small chair is labelled "Patches" on the back. A long limbed monkey that looks as though it was made of socks sits in the window. Kenith D. was listed as machinist with Coast Iron and Machine Works in the 1955 City Directory and as an employee of St. Regis in the 1956 Directory. His wife's name was Esther. Photos ordered by Glassray of Tacoma.

Heating & ventilation industry--Tacoma; HVAC systems--Tacoma--1950-1960; Radiators; Bedrooms--Tacoma--1950-1960; Aarhaus, Kenith--Homes & haunts;

Kitchen of the "Hemlock House," the residence of M.E. Pitman Jr. at 8512 Veterans Dr. S.W., Lakewood. Photos ordered by the Condon Co., advertising agency. M.E. Pitman is possibly Marquis E. Pitman, real estate sales associate. This is a very modern appearing kitchen for the fifties. A back splash protects the wall space above the counter & below the cabinets. Light floods the room from the skylight above. The cabinets are rectangular with sliding plywood doors. (TNT 9/9/1955, pg. B-12)

Kitchens--Lakewood--1950-1960; Pitman, Marquis E.--Homes & haunts;

Dining area of the "Hemlock House," the residence of M.E. Pitman Jr. at 8512 Veterans Dr. S.W., Lakewood. Photos ordered by the Condon Co., advertising agency. The dining area has built in bench seating around a central table. The oven can be seen to the right. Wood panelling decorates one wall. M.E. Pitman is possibly Marquis E. Pitman, real estate sales associate.

Dining rooms--Lakewood--1950-1960; Pitman, Marquis E.--Homes & haunts;

Andy's Service Station, featuring Mobilgas, at 4801 So. Park Ave. Photos ordered by the General Petroleum Corp. Andy's was owned by Vincent M. Anderson. In addition to pumping Mobilgas, the station also sold tires and had a garage. One car can be seen on the lift in the garage. The winged horse logo of Mobil can be seen in several locations. According to the building index, the station was originally built in 1923.

Andy's Service Station (Tacoma); Automobile service stations--Tacoma--1950-1960; Automobiles--Tacoma--1950-1960; Gasoline pumps--Tacoma--1950-1960; Mobilgas--Tacoma;

Doug Garrett's Service station. Photos ordered by the General Petroleum Corp. The station was owned by Douglas E. Garrett, who had previously operated the station with a partner as Doug & Cliff's. The station sold Mobilgas and also had a repair garage.

Automobile service stations--Tacoma--1950-1960; Gasoline pumps--Tacoma--1950-1960; Automobiles--Tacoma--1950-1960; Doug Garrett's Service Station (Tacoma);

Interiors at Fletchers Grocery in Parkland. Photos ordered by the Jack Frost Co. Packs of cigarettes, cigars and chewing tobacco line the shelves behind the checkers. As the woman checker enters the prices in the cash register, two bag boys box the groceries. Signs indicate that this is the store's Grand Opening. Numerals indicate different areas of the aisles. The aisles are wide enough for carts and well stocked with canned and boxed goods.

Fletcher's Grocery (Parkland); Grocery stores--Parkland--1950-1960;

Interiors at Fletcher's Grocery in Parkland. Photos ordered by the Jack Frost Co. To the left is the pre-packaged self service meat and to the right is the glass topped butcher's display cabinet for individual cuts of meat. White attired employees stand behind the refrigerated cabinets. Self service would soon replace the neighborhood butcher shop, with self serve's lower prices and longer hours winning over shoppers. Signs offer bologna for 39 cents a pound, mock chicken legs 6 for $.59 and corned beef for $.59 a pound. The self service meats were open to 9p.m.

Fletcher's Grocery (Parkland); Grocery stores--Parkland--1950-1960; Meat;