Women employed by a local laundry appear to be in the process of operating a giant sheet iron and folder in an April 9, 1958, photograph. The new machinery, by American Trumatic and American Sylon, ironed and folded fourteen sheets per minute. The Tacoma-Olympic Laundry and Pantorium Cleaners were part of the Home Service Co., Inc., operated by Jack G. Hersey, president. The Home Service Co. advertised their services as dependable and "lusterized" their dry cleaning. Customers could be assured that the most up-to-date equipment would be used to clean their linens, pillows, laundry, blankets, rugs and furs. Photograph ordered by Howard R. Smith Advertising Co., for Home Service Co. (TNT Ad 4-14-58, p. 12)

Cleaning establishments--Tacoma; Machinery;

Individual clothes pressing machines are in use at a local laundry in April, 1958. Each machine has an operator on hand to place the piece of clothing into the press, over an ironing board apparatus. A battery of twenty press line units insured that gentle hand care was combined with automation for perfect garment finishing. After pressing, the clothes are removed and slung on a rack. This laundry and dry cleaning facility was probably the Tacoma-Olympic Laundry and Pantorium Cleaners. They were still settling claims from a recent fire for damaged and missing clothing. Photograph ordered by Howard R. Smith Advertising Co., for Home Service Co., Inc. (TNT ad, 4-14-58, p. 12)

Cleaning establishments--Tacoma;

Woodlam, Inc., was a laminated wood products company located in the Tideflats at 1476 Thorne Rd. William Lindberg was listed as president in the 1959 City Directory. Woodlam was formerly known as Laminated Wood Products Co. and was owned by Arne Strom. Strom had opened the plant in February, 1957, and sold the facility to Lindberg in April, 1958. Woodlam, Inc., employed between 80-100 workers. Purchase of the plant involved eight acres of land, a 500 X 100 foot main plant, drying kilns and a suite of offices. Aerial photographs were taken on April 10, 1958, showing piles of plywood outside the large plant facilities. Railroad tracks close by meant easy rail access for the laminated products. Photograph ordered by Woodlam, Inc. (TNT 4-26-58, A-1)

Aerial photographs; Woodlam, Inc. (Tacoma);

Wing's Sport & Tackle Center and the Wing Variety Store were located in one of the oldest buildings in downtown Tacoma. Built in 1889, the building was first home to the Oakland House/Hotel. Between the two William Wing establishments was the entrance to the California Apartments with apartments upstairs. Wing's Sport & Tackle was the factory authorized dealer in Mercury outboard sales and service; in addition, Bill Wing carried a complete stock of salt and fresh water fishing tackle, small boat hardware, houseware, skiis and croquet equipment. Wing's was celebrating its grand reopening of its newly remodeled and enlarged quarters in April, 1958. Now 5,000 square feet, the store originally was tiny with a 2 foot counter. Hunting and fishing licenses could be purchased at Wing's. The Wing Variety Store in the same building, also known as Wing 10 cent store, had their windows full of inexpensive items costing from 5-15 cents. This photograph was taken on April 11, 1958, from the 13th Street side. Photograph ordered by Wing Variety Store. (TNT 4-15-58, p. 19)

Wing Variety Store (Tacoma); Wing's Sport & Tackle Center (Tacoma); Variety stores--Tacoma--1950-1960; Sporting goods stores--Tacoma--1950-1960; Merchandise displays--Tacoma--1950-1960; Signs (Notices); California Apartments (Tacoma);

ca. 1926. Grocery store interior. Canned goods on shelves, scale, Wrigleys and Beech Nut Gum, Karo Syrup, Leslie Salt, Snow Flake Crackers in display case. Flowers in vases on countertop. (filed in Argentum)

Grocery stores--Tacoma--1920-1930;

Precision Machine Works, founded by Edward Gazecki and Edwin Hofstead in 1924, was located at 2102 A St., next to Graybar Electric. Edward Gazecki was still listed as president in the 1958 City Directory, however, William J. Gazecki was the vice-president and may have been in charge of the plant. Precision Machine Works specialized in automatic machinery, both in fabrication and welding. There was also an aircraft division adjacent to the main building. External view of the industrial facility was taken on an overcast day in April, 1958, for use in a brochure.

Precision Machine Works (Tacoma); Industrial facilities--Tacoma--1950-1960; Machine shops--Tacoma;

Puget Sound National Bank had a drive-in branch at South 13th & A St. downtown. There were two drive-up teller windows in the customer parking lot. The drive-up tellers, opened on April 1, 1958, replaced the less convenient singular drive-up window at the rear of the main bank building on Court A. Now a bank customer could cash checks, make checking/savings deposits, and pay loans without getting out of his car. Puget Sound Bank called itself "Tacoma's Friendly Bank" with convenient neighborhood branches and free customer parking. Under the capable hands of Reno Odlin, the bank's deposits had increased almost 50% between 1950 & 1960. This was accomplished through internal growth and not through the purchase of other banks or mergers. Photograph ordered by the Condon Co. (Provorse: Banking on Independence, p. 116, TNT ad 3-31-58, p. 15))

Puget Sound National Bank (Tacoma); Banks--Tacoma; Banking--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Photograph labelled "Stanley School- 6A Class, June 1941"

Stanley Elementary School (Tacoma); School children--Tacoma--1940-1950; Education--Tacoma; Public schools--Tacoma--1940-1950; Group portraits;

ca. 1926. Grocery store interior. Dairy case, canned goods on shelves, coffee grinder, scale, adding machine, Tree Tea display on counter.(filed with Argentum)

Grocery stores--Tacoma--1920-1930;

IBM had been located at its 12 Tacoma Ave. No. address for about seven years. It appears that some remodeling had been done since its initial move in 1951; double glass doors are now in place at the entrance. Large picture windows facing the sidewalk show most of the interior while the exposed side of the building has limited windows and plenty of brickwork. The Connoisseur Shop is located next door. The Tacoma branch of IBM was managed by William C. Bethke.

International Business Machines (Tacoma);

ca. 1926. Hollywood Market and Grocery, circa 1926. The market was located on a rural route on Lincoln Ave. Small stucco building with crenelated cornice on corner lot. Auburn Ice Cream signboard on sidewalk. (filed with Argentum)

Grocery stores--1920-1930; Hollywood Market (Tacoma);

Redi-Gas Service was located in Parkland at 14012 Pacific Ave and celebrated its grand opening in April, 1958. The company, with district manager Cleve Redig at the helm, sold bottled gas. The Parkland plant was one of ten retail outlets for the company in the Pacific Northwest. Propane gas was used for home, commercial and industrial purposes. It was easy to install for heating. No chimneys were necessary or complicated ductwork. Redi-Gas had a ten vehicle fleet with gas delivered in either bulk or cylinder form. Interestingly, 75% of poultry farmers used propane in running their businesses. Exterior view of Redi-Gas; a large lot makes parking simple for customers. The building is a modern glass and brick structure with walnut-faced plywood interiors. Douglas fir plywood panels were used in the gently arched roofline. The plant totaled 8000 square feet and included showrooms, general and adminstrative offices, warehouse and shop. Architects Swedberg and Anderson designed the project and it was built by Purvis Construction. Photograph ordered by Redi-Gas. (TNT 4-25-58, B-1,2)

Redi-Gas Service (Parkland); Fuel trade--Parkland;

ca. 1926. Meat market interior. Fresh meat case, pickled meats in jars, scale, butcher's table. (filed with Argentum)

Butcher shops--1920-1930;

The Richards Studio took several aerial photographs in April, 1958, of the downtown and Tideflats area. The growth of Tacoma can be noted in the increase of commercial buildings and industrial facilities along the City Waterway (now Thea Foss Waterway). The 11th St. Bridge is to the far right of the photograph; the 15th & 21st St. Bridges are also included. There are platforms under the 15th & 21st St. Bridges. Union Pacific Railroad buildings and possibly the Martinac Shipbuilding are visible on the bottom portion of the picture. TPL-8157

Aerial photographs; 11th Street Bridge (Tacoma); Bridges--Tacoma--1950-1960; City Waterway (Tacoma); Business districts--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Five bridges span the channelized Puyallup River in this aerial photograph taken in April of 1958 before the construction of I-5. The bridge at the bottom is the 21st Street Bridge. In the middle is the Puyallup River Bridge. Near the top, to the right of the river, is the Cushman Indian Hospital, soon to be the site of the Puyallup Tribal Casino.

Aerial photographs; Bridges--Tacoma;

Three bridges transverse the Puyallup River in aerial photographs taken by Richards Studio on April 22, 1958. The Tacoma Indian Hospital and grounds are visible at the top right of the photograph. Railroad tracks run parallel and under part of the bridges.

Aerial photographs; Bridges--Tacoma; Tacoma Indian Hospital (Tacoma);

Aerial photographs of the Puyallup River as it meanders through Tacoma were taken by Richards Studio on April 22, 1958. A close-up view of the three bridges over the river indicate that only the main bridge in the center had any traffic at the time the photograph was snapped. The bridge appears at a definite angle in this particular picture.

Aerial photographs; Bridges--Tacoma; Puyallup River (Wash.);

This aerial view of Tacoma's commercial district was taken in April of 1958. Several log booms float at the south end of the Foss waterway just past the 15th St. Bridge. The tall smokestack near the center is the Dock St. steam plant. The other two bridges are the Railroad Bridge and the Murray Morgan Bridge. Several prominent buildings, including Old City Hall, Puget Sound National Bank, and the Washington Building, are visible. Among current landmarks that are missing: I-705, the Frank Russell Building, and the Columbia Bank Building. TPL-8467

Aerial photographs; Bridges--Tacoma--1950-1960; 11th Street Bridge (Tacoma); Logs;

Aerial views of downtown Tacoma were taken on April 22, 1958. The busy commercial streets showcase many of the city's financial structures. Looking southeast in the center of the picture is Pacific Avenue with the Security Building (formerly Provident Building), the Ionic-columned Bank of California, Washington Building and Puget Sound National Bank, formerly the tallest building on the West Coast. The new Tacoma Building, Weyerhaeuser headquarters, and its predecessor are side-by-side on A Street, one street beyond, with the Perkins Building across the street.

Aerial photographs; Commercial streets--Tacoma--1950-1960; Security Building (Tacoma); Puget Sound National Bank (Tacoma); Bank of California National Association (Tacoma); Washington Building (Tacoma); Perkins Building (Tacoma);

Another view of the bridges crossing the Puyallup River was taken via air by Richards Studio on April 22, 1958. Water levels indicate that the river had not overflooded its borders. There are no buildings directly on the river's edge because of the flooding potential. The white or light gray colored bridge has been identified as the Eells St. bridge looking south. From above it appears to have an open geometric design; the curvature on top is reminiscent of a roller coaster track. It connected Pacific Highway and Fife to the left and Puyallup Ave. and Tacoma to the right. The other two bridges were railroad bridges and still there some fifty years later. (Additional identification provided by a reader)

Aerial photographs; Bridges--Tacoma--1950-1960; Railroad bridges--Tacoma; Eells St. State Highway Bridge (Tacoma); Puyallup River (Wash.);

Several aerial photographs were taken on April 22, 1958, by Richards Studio of the downtown, Tideflats, and various waterways. This is another view of the City Waterway showing the separation point between the city's commercial business district, primarily financial, and the industrial section which featured mills, logs, and chemical manufacturing. The 11th St. Bridge is to the top of the picture. TPL-10304

Aerial photographs; Bridges--Tacoma--1950-1960; 11th Street Bridge (Tacoma); Logs;

Nalley's would satisfy any pickle lover's fancy with its wide array of pickles. Dill pickles came in cans or bottles, kosher or banquet, whole or halved, and even garlic. There were barbecue and sweet relishes, hot dog and hamburger relishes. Pickles were sweet mixed, cut or sliced, or whole. Farm fresh cucumber chips and hamburger chips, both thin and regular sliced, were popular. View of four shelves of Nalley's pickles in various sizes; most came in easy twist-top containers. Photograph ordered by Nalley's.

Cucumbers--Tacoma; Merchandise displays--Tacoma--1950-1960; Nalleys, Inc. (Tacoma)--Products;

The ivy-covered walls of Annie Wright Seminary do not appear to have changed in the decades since the school was established. The elegant brick buildings of the college preparatory school for girls still remain in the city's northend. The Tudor Gothic style buildings were designed by architects Sutton Whitney and Dugan and built by J.E. Bonnell, contractor. Photograph ordered by the Shield yearbook.

Annie Wright Seminary (Tacoma)--Buildings; Private schools--Tacoma;

Long plywood boxes marked "Weldwood" are being tested by a new machine before released for sale. Two men stand by, one making notes, as the heavy machine presses down on the plywood. Plywood underwent stringent testing before it reached the marketplace. Only after passing several tests was it allowed to be sold. Photograph ordered by the Douglas Fir Plywood Association.

Plywood; Testing; Product inspection; Douglas Fir Plywood Association (Tacoma);

Broadway Food Store, 8410 South Tacoma Way, Lakewood. Originally opened in 1939 as the New Broadway Food Store, the store appears to have undergone some expansion.

Broadway Food Store (Lakewood); Grocery stores--Lakewood--1940-1950;

ca. 1926. Grocery store interior. Fresh meat and dairy/soft drink cases, canned and packaged foods on shelves, mirrors on walls. (filed with Argentum)

Grocery stores--1920-1930;

A message board lends an air of modernity which contrasts with the French chateau architecture of Stadium High School. It stands as a reminder that this beautiful building, placed on the city, state, and national registries, is being utilized as a high school by the Tacoma School District. In May, 1958, there were only two high schools in Tacoma, with Woodrow Wilson High School to open four months later. Photograph ordered by Chase, Brass & Copper Co., Waterbury, Conn. TPL-9161

Stadium High School (Tacoma); Public schools--Tacoma--1950-1960; Signs (Notices);

Placed on the City, State and National Registry of historic buildings, the French chateau styled Stadium High School opened as a school in 1906. Intended originally for use as a hotel, and damaged by fire, the building was saved and remodeled to be used as a high school. View of Stadium High School; the unusual spires, turrets and towers would have been a challenge for roofers to maintain and replace. Nevertheless, $850,000 was spent in the summer of 1958 for renovations to the school. A new roof, rewelded and repainted fire escapes, replacement windows and sashes and a 50 foot steel beam lowered across the top of the gym to make the basketball court regulation sized and turned around were just some of the projects. Photograph ordered by Chase Brass & Copper Co., Waterbury, Conn. (TNT 7-20-58, B-11) TPL-8668

Stadium High School (Tacoma); Public schools--Tacoma--1950-1960;

This side view of Stadium High School was taken on a sunny spring day in 1958 from the corner of N. 2nd and "E" Sts. Fire escapes are attached to the outside of the buildings so that students could exit in case of emergencies. These fire escapes would be removed, rewelded and painted during the $850,000 renovation project at the school during summer, 1958. Hipped and pitched roofs, spirals, and dormers blend in with the French chateau architecture but would have been difficult to repair and maintain. Besides a new roof, 500 windows and sashes were replaced during renovations. Photograph ordered by the Chase Brass & Copper Co., Waterbury, Conn. (TNT 7-20-58, B-11)

Stadium High School (Tacoma); Public schools--Tacoma--1950-1960;

ca. 1926. Interior of unidentified butcher shop. (WSHS)

Butcher shops--1920-1930; Meat cutting; Meat;