The sign for Highland Hills (originally Highland Hill) Shopping Center. The parking lot was still under construction; the Grand Opening was scheduled for December of 1956. The shopping center was built to serve the growing population of the West End, including University Place and Fircrest. Located on 6th Ave. near Peal, the center would be convenient to these areas. The first tenant was the Big Bear Store, which opened in 1955. The center would house 21 stores in a modern layout with a pedestrian mall in the center and 5 acres of customer parking. The angled roofline created visual interest. (TNT 10/28/1956, pg. C-17)

Big Bear Stores (Tacoma); Supermarkets--Tacoma--1950-1960; Grocery stores--Tacoma--1950-1960; Electric signs; Highland Hills Shopping Center (Tacoma); Highland Hill Shopping Center (Tacoma); Shopping centers--Tacoma;

The sign for Highland Hills (originally Highland Hill) Shopping Center. The parking lot was still under construction; the Grand Opening was scheduled for December of 1956. The shopping center was built to serve the growing population of the West End, including University Place and Fircrest. Located on 6th Ave. near Peal, the center would be convenient to these areas. The first tenant was the Big Bear Store, which opened in 1955. The center would house 21 stores in a modern layout with a pedestrian mall in the center and 5 acres of customer parking. The angled roofline created visual interest. (TNT 10/28/1956, pg. C-17)

Big Bear Stores (Tacoma); Supermarkets--Tacoma--1950-1960; Grocery stores--Tacoma--1950-1960; Electric signs; Highland Hills Shopping Center (Tacoma); Highland Hill Shopping Center (Tacoma); Shopping centers--Tacoma;

View of South Tacoma Way showing Ed Bitterling's Chevron station. South Tacoma Way was a heavily used street in the 1950's; among its many businesses were several automotive firms. Ed Bitterling had purchased a Chevron station in the mid-50's. His neighbors included Glenn Betts Trailer Sales and the Seattle-Tacoma Auto Exchange. Photograph ordered by Ross Sumerwell.

Ed Bitterling Chevron Service (Tacoma); Automobile service stations--Tacoma--1950-1960; Automobile dealerships--Tacoma; Commercial streets--Tacoma--1950-1960;

The Highland Hills Big Bear store at 5915 6th Avenue, near Pearl Street, opened in 1955 to serve the growing West end, including the areas of University Place and Fircrest. The Big Bear was the first tenant of the Highland Hills Shopping Center, which had its Grand Opening in December of 1956. When completed, the shopping center had 21 stores with a pedestrian mall in the center and five acres of parking.

Big Bear Stores (Tacoma); Supermarkets--Tacoma--1950-1960; Grocery stores--Tacoma--1950-1960; Electric signs;

Sib's Thriftway, at 5739 North 26th Street, was built in 1953 by Sib Carstensen and was the first store in the newly named "Westgate" area of Tacoma. Sib's, with its large, sweeping arched roof advertised itself as "Tacoma's first supermarket". The Sib's store, which later became the Westgate Mark-It Store, was demolished around 1988. TPL-9761

Sib's Thriftway (Tacoma); Grocery stores--Tacoma--1950-1960; Supermarkets--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Scene of Mayfield Dam construction. Workers on City Light's Mayfield Dam may be installing a giant bolt into the gorge's rock. These giant bolts, 30 feet long, 1 1/2 inches in diameter, were to make the rock more solid. Bethlehem Pacific Coast Steel claimed that these rock anchor bolts were the biggest ever installed. Workers are suspended on the platform high above the rocky gorge on the Cowlitz River. Bags of gravel or cement are piled on the platform along with construction equipment. 200,000 cubic yards of concrete would be used for the dam and powerhouse. The dam would cost 37 million dollars. Photograph ordered by the Bethlehem Pacific Coast Steel Corporation. (TNT 2-26-56, A-1, TNT 12-23-56, A-1)

Dams; Dam construction; Hydraulic facilities; Mayfield Dam;

Scene of Bridge construction. Men and equipment on platform being suspended over gorge. Ordered by Bethleham Pacific Coast Steel Corporation.

Bridges - Washington - 1956

Scene of Mayfield Dam construction. Men in hard hats and equipment on platform are shown suspended over the rocky gorge. City Light's Mayfield Dam was being built on the Cowlitz River in 1956 at a cost of 37 million dollars. Photograph ordered by Bethleham Pacific Coast Steel Corporation. (TNT 2-26-56, A-1)

Dams; Dam construction; Hydraulic facilities; Mayfield Dam;

Martin D. Gosselin, along with wife Barbara, opened a new beauty salon in late 1956. He is pictured here, on November 19, 1956, with his trophies on display at Marty's Styling Salon on Sixth Avenue. Mr. Gosselin was formerly with Rhodes Beauty Salon prior to owning his own business. Sepia photograph ordered by Martin Gosselin.

Gosselin, Martin D.; Marty's Styling Salon (Tacoma); Beauty shops--Tacoma--1950-1960; Awards;

National Trailer Sales Inc. on South Tacoma Way. Nathan A. Perry was the president of the company and Ian McMillian was the Secretary-Treasurer. The "home on wheels" that you could pull with your car or truck was becoming more common and more aerodynamic. A square version with curtains can be seen in the right center of the picture; on the left foreground is the more sleek "Spartan Mansion." The sign for the company advertises Pan American trailer coaches.

National Trailer Sales Inc. (Tacoma); Mobile homes; Trailers;

Arrowhead Park in Auburn, ordered by Riconsuito Advertising Agency. Boys play football in the street in this residential neighborhood. Auburn was one of the growing suburban areas providing affordable housing to those working in Seattle and surrounding areas.

Residential streets--Auburn--1950-1960; Neighborhoods--Auburn--1950-1960;

Studio portrait of Rabbi Richard Rosenthal. In 1956, Rabbi Richard Rosenthal replaced Rabbi Bernard Rosenberg at Temple Beth Israel. This first Jewish congregation in the Tacoma area was organized in 1892 and identified itself with the reform movement in Judaism. Later in 1960, Temple Beth Israel and another more traditionally-minded congregation, Talmud Torah (later renamed Sinai Temple) merged into one community, Temple Beth Israel. Rabbi Rosenthal was elected to lead the combined congregation. Rabbi Rosenthal was a well-known community leader and well respected by all faiths. Besides leading Temple Beth Israel, he also taught at the University of Puget Sound. He was a German immigrant, coming to the U.S. in 1939, and a graduate of the Centenary College of Shreveport, La. and the Hebrew Union College in Cincinatti. He and his wife Barbara resided at 409 No. Sheridan Ave. (History of Pierce County, Vol. 1, p. 15 and TNT 8/17/1956, pg. 4)

Rosenthal, Richard; Rabbis--Tacoma;

Bowling teams in the 1950's dressed a bit more formally than today's bowlers. This five-man team sponsored by the Bailey Co. all wore identical long-sleeve shirts and nice slacks to bowl. Since bowling was so popular in the 1940's and 50's, many companies sponsored teams who competed in leagues. Winning teams were frequently mentioned in the sports section of the local newspaper. Sepia photograph ordered by the Bailey Co.

Bowlers--Tacoma--1950-1960; Bowling--Tacoma--1950-1960; Bowling balls; Bailey Co. (Tacoma);

People took bowling very seriously in the 1950's. It was a very popular sport, with many companies sponsoring teams in various leagues. Results were often reported in the local newspapers. These five ladies were probably on the women's team sponsored by the Bailey Co., a real estate firm. Madge, Esther, Marge, Nona and Lois all had their names stitched onto their bowling shirts and engraved on their Brunswick balls as well. Photograph ordered by the Bailey Co.

Bowlers--Tacoma--1950-1960; Bowling--Tacoma--1950-1960; Bowling balls; Bailey Co. (Tacoma);

Mobile chest X-ray units, ordered by the Tuberculosis League of Pierce County. The x-ray units were located in paneled vans, so that they could be transported to areas where people congregate, such as schools. This was part of the program to eradicate TB. Four of these mobile units would be travelling around the county until April 15th in an effort to locate undiscovered cases of TB, the 5th would unit would be located in the Sears Roebuck parking lot. Plans were to offer free chest x-rays for 219,000 county residents 6 years of age and older beginning November 13th. The goal was to x-ray 100% of the County's population over the age of 15. TB was still the deadliest and costliest of all infectious diseases. One hundred, eighty-two cases were treated in 1955 at a cost of $15,000- 20,000 each. TB shows no symptoms until the disease is in the advanced stages. (TNT 10/5/1956, pg. A-7, 11/11/1956, pg. A-14)

Tuberculosis--Tacoma--1950-1960; Tuberculosis League of Pierce County (Tacoma);

Two unidentified employees of the American Outdoor Advertising Company were photographed in November of 1956 attaching a giant plywood Santa to one of their company's billboards. The simple, eye catching sign advertised Christmas shopping at the B&I Circus Stores, located at 8012 South Tacoma Way. Owned by Earl Irwin, the B&I was known for its advertising and outrageous publicity. The American Outdoor Advertising Company, located at 3412 South Tacoma Way, was owned by Arthur J. Emery.

Billboards--Tacoma--1950-1960; B&I Circus Store (Tacoma); Advertising--Tacoma--1950-1960; American Outdoor Advertising Co. (Tacoma);

Six men pose in front of a mobile X-ray unit, photograph ordered by the Tuberculosis League of Pierce County. The men are, left to right, Ted Opdenweyer, field representative for the State Health Department, technicians Willis Scott, Howard Puckett, John Elmer, Frances Norton and Walter Kain, Opdenweyer's assistant. The x-ray units were located in paneled vans, so that they could be transported to areas where people congregate, such as schools. This was part of the program to eradicate TB. Five mobile X-ray units would be cruising the county until April 15th in an effort to find undiscovered cases of TB. The units would provide free chest x-rays to 219,000 county residents six years of age and older. A total of 4,890 were xrayed in the first week of the drive. Some of the units, as indicated by the signs on the vehicle, were paid for by the proceeds of Christmas Seal sales. (TNT 10/5/1956, pg. A-7)

Tuberculosis--Tacoma--1950-1960; Tuberculosis League of Pierce County (Tacoma);

Four young visitors on November 12, 1956 watch as the staff of the Anna E. McCormick branch library check out books to them using the new book charging machines recently installed at the Tacoma Public Library. The machine would stamp the due date on a loan slip instead of library staff stamping by hand. Observing the process is believed to be Tacoma Public Library director Howard M. Rowe and Mrs. Marian E. Kemp, wife of Dr. Charles Kemp. (Original print was torn in right corner)

Tacoma Public Library, Anna E. McCormick Branch (Tacoma); Public libraries--Tacoma--1950-1960; Children--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Two men stop to admire the Christmas billboard, complete with giant Santa, erected to advertise Christmas shopping at the B& I Circus Stores. The man on the right is believed to be Earl (E.L.) Irwin, business innovator and founder of the B&I. The B&I was located at 8012 South Tacoma Way and was known for the outrageous publicity stunts originated by Irwin. The billboard has been erected by the American Outdoor Advertising Company, located at 3412 South Tacoma Way and owned by Arthur J. Emery. TPL-8113

Billboards--Tacoma--1950-1960; Irwin, E.L.; B&I Circus Store (Tacoma); Advertising--Tacoma--1950-1960; American Outdoor Advertising Co. (Tacoma);

On November 12, 1956, four mobile chest X-ray units were parked in front of the Tacoma Municipal Water Works building for a photograph ordered by the Tuberculosis League of Pierce County. The x-ray units were located in paneled vans, so that they could be transported to areas where people congregate, such as schools. This was part of the program to eradicate TB. A total of 5 mobile units would be travelling around the county until April 15th in an effort to locate undiscovered cases of TB. One unit would remain stationed for 5 months at 11th and Commerce. The other 4 units would visit colleges, high schools, junior high schools, neighboring towns and neighborhood shopping centers. (TNT 10/5/1956, pg. A-7)

Tuberculosis--Tacoma--1950-1960; Tuberculosis League of Pierce County (Tacoma);

One of the Cheney Studs junior league football teams pose in front of the sign for Cheney Field. To the right in the Studs jacket is Ben Cheney, Tacoma lumberman and sports philanthropist, and in front and to his left is his daughter Sandra, in Studs jacket and hat. Ben Cheney donated thousands of dollars for uniforms and equipment to sports teams, enabling youngsters to experience the thrill of sports. He had helped the kids football program get started 6 years prior and had continued to aid the program. By 1956, it had 30 competing teams. The boys wear the familiar "Cheney stud" logo on their uniform shirts; they also wear helmets and pads.

Cheney, Ben B., 1905-1971; Cheney, Sandra; Cheney Field (Tacoma); Cheney Lumber Co. (Tacoma); Football--Tacoma--1950-1960; Football players--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Tacoma Vocational School; practical nurse graduation. The new nurses sit in auditorium chairs; they are attired in white nurses garb and clutching their diplomas. In the back stand the teaching and administrative staff. A total of 47 practical nurses had completed their academic work at Tacoma Vocational School. (TNT 11/11/1956, pg. A-13 see caption for names) TPL-6461

Nursing--Tacoma--1950-1960; Tacoma Vocational School (Tacoma); Vocational education--Tacoma;

Ho, Ho, Ho... a workman reinforces a plywood Santa, so that he can stand guard at the shopping areas, advising how many shopping days are left till Christmas. The Santa holds childrens' letters in one hand, helping him to make a list and check it twice. From the date of the picture, November 10th, it appears that the Christmas decorations actually went up after Thanksgiving, allowing for the natural flow of holidays.

Christmas decorations; Holidays--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Interior of the Pioneer Room at the Oregon Trail Restaurant. The room has an innovative buffet shaped like a chuck wagon.

Oregon Trail Restaurant; Buffets (Cookery);

The Pioneer Room of the Oregon Trail Restaurant. A waitress takes two men's order at a small table against a background of western murals. Photograph ordered by Carolyn Sholdar Associates.

Oregon Trail Restaurant;

Exterior of the Oregon Trail Restaurant. The restaurant featured a special dining room called the Pioneer Room, as well as dining and dancing.

Oregon Trail Restaurant;

Pacific Waxpaper Co., photograph ordered by Malcolm McGhie. This factory is processing paper for Scot Tissue. The machinery in the back is rolling the paper on huge rolls with the Scot log printed on the outside. The man to the left is operating what appears to be cutting machinery. The two women are wrapping the paper for shipment. In the front of the picture are large stacks of uncut paper measuring 4 squares by 4 squares; they are then cut into shipment size of 2 squares by 1. Scot distributed a number of household paper products. The paper carries the disclaimer, "New. Now even softer."

Paper industry--1950-1960; Pacific Waxpaper Co.; Scot Tissue;

Publicity photo for the Tacoma Junior Women's Club Christmas dinner dance. The paper mache snowman inspires one woman to break into song, possibly "Walking in a Winter Wonderland" or "Frosty."

Junior Women's Club (Tacoma); Women--Clubs--Tacoma;

General Adjustment Bureau, U.S.Oil Refinery; damaged reactor tower. The ten million dollar US Oil & Refining Co. was being built on 120 acres south of Lincoln Ave. on the newly dredged Port Industrial Waterway. Projected opening date was 12/1/1956. The workers clearly appear to be discussing the accident that managed to bend the arm of the crane so severely. The mobile cranes were being used to maneuver nine 70 foot and 110,000 pound "cracking" towers into place.

Petroleum industry--Tacoma; US Oil & Refining Co. (Tacoma); Hoisting machinery;

These women worked behind the counter at Frisbee's Bakery in November of 1956. In 1930 Fred Frisbee purchased Alexander's Bakery at 710 So. 38th St. and changed the name to Mrs. Frisbee's Bakery to honor his mother. The bakery quickly became a favorite stopping point for Lincoln High School students. In 1956, it was sold to Orville Coomb, John Olson and Al Franko, who specialized in fresh baked bread. In 1968, the bakery was purchased by Kurt Greenberger and Doug Lepinski who owned it until 1986. They added a soup and deli area and hired cake decorator Nora Lindbo; whose creations turned the focus of the bakery to cakes. In 1986, Nora Lindbo and her husband Gene took over the bakery. Through all the transitions, the Frisbee name stood for the freshest ingredients, baked "from scratch" quality and artistic decoration. The bakery closed after 2000, a victim of mass production grocery store bakeries and the closure of the 38th street I-5 overpass for renovation. (A History of Pierce County, Volume 3)

Mrs. Frisbee's Bakery (Tacoma); Bakeries--Tacoma--1950-1960; Cakes; Baked products;