Dravis Engineering Co. employees position themselves in a company-built lifeboat at the Hooker Electrochemical dock on September 23, 1954. The lifeboat on the SS Olympic Pioneer appears to still need completion before being readied for entry into the water. Evidentially, the boat, named "Seattle", was equipped to hold 35 persons in case of emergency. Dravis Engineering was a long-time Dock Street occupant; they were mechanical engineers who handled marine and general machine design, construction and repair.

Dravis Engineering & Machine Works (Tacoma); Lifeboats--Tacoma;

A group of nine well-dressed men look intently into the camera on October 15, 1954. They apparently are working on and will be discussing items listed on the various sheets of typed paper scattered around the desk. Attorney Neil Hoff is believed to be seated to the extreme right hand side of the photograph with Ben Hanson believed to be seated next to him. Photograph ordered by Ben Hanson.

Group portraits; Men--Clothing & dress--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Loxide Structures furnished the building materials for John Lonergan's home in October, 1954. The home appears to be a one-story contemporary ranch style building with one-car garage and doorway leading to the backyard. Loxide Structures specialized in cedar homes and gathered its building materials from the local area. The front yard appears to be nicely landscaped with small shrubs and flowers planted along side the house. Photograph ordered by Loxide Structures.

Loxide Structures, Inc. (Tacoma); Houses--1950-1960; Lonergan, John--Homes & haunts;

Pencil behind his ear, a worker ponders the placement of a sheet of plywood on forms already in place. One large sheet is already been nailed on. The man needs to stand on a wooden plank to reach the forms as the building's foundation is already set and the ground excavated. Each plywood sheet is labeled "Plyscord" and stamped in numerous places informing buyers that this genuine fir plywood has undergone stringent testing for quality. Photograph ordered by Douglas Fir Plywood Association.

Plywood; Building construction; Douglas Fir Plywood Association (Tacoma);

A young model enjoys an appetizing snack as she lounges on an extended sofa in a September 13, 1954, photograph. The plates of food are placed on a four legged TV table whose ends are tilted upward. The TV table, made out of wood, was built at the right height for someone sitting in front of it or for use as a miniature coffee table. Photograph ordered by Douglas Fir Plywood Association.

Plywood; Tables; Douglas Fir Plywood Association (Tacoma);

Exterior Eagle gas station. This particular Eagle service station was a self-service sation, as the large "Serv Ur Self" sign indicated. Gas prices were accordingly lower, at 28 cents, than at full service units. There still appears to have been an office and separate repair garage. Photograph was taken on September 22, 1954, on behalf of Sunset Oil Co.

Sunset Oil Co. (Tacoma); Automobile service stations--Tacoma--1950-1960; Signs (Notices);

Exterior Tacoma General Hospital. The Tacoma General Hospital has had a long history of service to the local community. Built in 1914 by J.E. Bonnell contractors and designed by Heath & Gove, the multi-storied hospital now at 315 Martin Luther King Jr Way has undergone many changes. First named after Fannie Paddock, wife of Episopal Bishop John Paddock, the hospital was first built on North Starr St., the second Fannie Paddock hospital was located on South "J" and finally had its name changed to Tacoma General in 1912 along with a new hospital. New wings were added in subsequent years. View of then "K" Street entrance to Tacoma General was taken in October, 1954. (Martin: Tacoma: A Pictorial History, p. 29)

Tacoma General Hospital (Tacoma); Hospitals--Tacoma--1950-1960;

This is what the exterior of the Tacoma Indian Hospital looked like in October of 1954. A shortage of building materials due to WWII delayed the construction of the nearly $2,000,000 U.S. Indian medical center at the Cushman site. Construction was finally completed in April, 1943. In October, 1954, the hospital cut Native American care to treat only those with tuberculosis. The hospital had served 285 patients the previous year; the number had dropped to 250 in 1954. Native Americans from Alaska and the Pacific Northwest were eligible for care at this facility. When the TB level dropped, the hospital was closed in 1959 despite Northwest Native American requests to keep the facility open. It was demolished and the Puyallup Tribe of Indians Bingo Hall and Emerald Queen Casino were built on this site. (TNT 10-14-54, A-9)

Tacoma Indian Hospital (Tacoma); Cushman Indian Hospital (Tacoma); Hospitals--Tacoma--1950-1960;

A member, believed to be Harold Lent, of the Woodbrook Hunt Club holds onto the reins of his horse on October 10, 1954. He is wearing hunting habit with a long jacket and cap. Woodbrook was one of the few hunting clubs in the country that maintained its own pack of hounds. This photograph would have been taken prior to the first hunt of the season. Bob Seney, huntsman, would be leading the pack. Harold Lent, president of the club, will lead the field as field master. (TNT 10-9-54, p. 5)

Woodbrook Hunt Club (Lakewood); Horses--Lakewood--1950-1960; Clothing & dress--Lakewood--1950-1960;

Father Robert E. Zahn offers a kneeling parishioner communion during his first solemn high Mass on June 26, 1955. He places the Host on the woman's tongue while he holds onto the chalice. Assisting Rev. Zahn is believed to be Rev. Gabriel Donahue, pastor. Several men wearing slashes stand behind the row of communicants; it is possible that they are Knights of Columbus who were acting as ushers. Rev. Zahn's first Mass occurred at the Church of the Visitation. He was ordained a priest of the Catholic Foreign Mission Society of America on June 11, 1955, at Maryknoll Major Seminary, Maryknoll, New York. After celebrating his first mass in Tacoma, he would be assigned to missions in Japan. (TNT 5-29-55, D-6)

Zahn, Robert E.; Priests--Tacoma--1950-1960; Rites & ceremonies--Tacoma--1950-1960; Church of the Visitation (Tacoma);

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);