Group portrait of the Board of Directors, Tacoma Better Business Bureau, Inc. Local business, civic and military leaders gathered on the second floor of Puget Sound National Bank's main branch on February 24, 1972. Color photograph ordered by the Tacoma Better Business Bureau, Inc.

Tacoma Better Business Bureau, Inc. (Tacoma);

ca. 1941. Row of teller windows and safe deposit boxes inside lobby of Puget Sound National Bank, 1117-19 Pacific Ave., circa 1941.

Puget Sound National Bank (Tacoma); Banks--Tacoma;

Reno Odlin stands under the 96 foot tall Puget Sound National Bank electric sign which displayed both the temperature and time in this photograph from December 5, 1956. Erected in June, 1953, the double "T" sign was one of the first in the country. Reno Odlin was the long-time president and chief executive officer of the bank. He successfully led Puget Sound National Bank for several decades, positioning it as the "hometown bank" and increasing branches to 33. He retired in 1974, leaving the bank to be led by former son-in-law, Bill Philip, and passed away in 1979. (Provorse: Banking on Independence, p. 130)

Odlin, Reno, 1897-1979; Bankers--Tacoma; Puget Sound National Bank (Tacoma); Electric signs--Tacoma--1950-1960; Clocks & watches;

Erection of new sign. An overhead shot of the new Puget Sound Bank Building sign being erected was taken on June 10, 1953. The bank building was a narrow skyscraper and the exterior sign chosen was also narrow in width. It would be placed between the annex and the main building on Pacific Avenue. A Sunnen Crane is in the process of completing the hoisting. The sign was designed in Spokane by the American Sign Products Co. and delivered to Tacoma via flatbed truck. Photograph ordered by Dutton Hayward, Puget Sound National Bank.

Progress photographs--1950-1960; Electric signs--Tacoma--1950-1960; Puget Sound National Bank (Tacoma); Sunnen Auto Freight & Heavy Hauling Co. (Tacoma); Hoisting machinery; American Sign Products Co. (Spokane);

Erection of new sign. Part of the tall vertical Puget Sound National Bank sign has already been erected by a Sunnen Crane prior to the bank's opening hours on June 10, 1953. The main offices of the bank were located on Pacific Avenue. Until the Smith Tower was constructed in Seattle in 1914, the Puget Sound National Bank building was the tallest west of the Missouri River. The bank sign, designed by American Sign Products Co. of Spokane, would be placed between the bank annex and the main building. Photograph ordered by Dutton Hayward, Puget Sound National Bank.

Progress photographs--1950-1960; Electric signs--Tacoma--1950-1960; Puget Sound National Bank (Tacoma); Sunnen Auto Freight & Heavy Hauling Co. (Tacoma); Hoisting machinery; American Sign Products Co. (Spokane);

When erected in 1910, Puget Sound National Bank's main branch was the tallest building west of the Missouri River. Later buildings were constructed to rival the bank's height but it remained a focal point on Pacific Avenue. It dwarfed its neighbors, Peoples store and the National Bank of Washington. A large plaque on the side of the building indicates that the bank was established in 1890. Puget Sound Bank was the first to use a T & T sign, clearly visible, which gave the time and temperature to passersby. A "hometown bank," Puget Sound National Bank was absorbed by Key Bank in the early 1990's. Photograph ordered by the Condon Co. TPL-6569

Puget Sound National Bank (Tacoma); Banks--Tacoma;

Umbrella display. Puget Sound National Bank vice-presidents Arvie Harris and Vince Carlstrom pose with the bank's umbrella display on April 29, 1963. The accompanying sign states that people could borrow umbrellas when needed on rainy days and return them when the weather became sunny. Customer Ann Ball smiles at the bank officials while trying out a borrowed umbrella. The new free loan service of 36 umbrellas was located at the Main branch's entrance on Pacific Ave. (TNT 5-2-63, A-23)

Umbrellas; Puget Sound National Bank (Tacoma); Signs (Notices); Harris, Arvie; Carlstrom, Vincent A.; Ball, Ann;

Informal portrait of Puget Sound National Bank president Reno Odlin. He led the Tacoma-based bank for 26 years, seeing deposits grow almost 50% between 1950 & 1960, and rewarding shareholders with cash plus stock dividends. He accomplished this growth internally, without buying or merging other banks. In 1964, Puget Sound National Bank was officially designated the largest bank in Tacoma with deposits exceeding $121 million. Mr. Odlin was also for many years president of the Washington State Historical Society. (Provorse: Banking on Independence)

Odlin, Reno, 1897-1979; Bankers--Tacoma; Banking--Tacoma--1960-1970;

This damaged print is of the Puget Sound National Bank Building (1117-19 Pacific Avenue-formerly the National Realty Bldg.) taken from the 12th St. viewpoint on June 25, 1926. On its right at the corner is the National Bank of Tacoma. Looking northbound, buildings right to left are: the barely visible one-story structure at 1115 Pacific Avenue which had been built as an annex/addition to the National Realty Bldg., then the Bankers Trust building at 1109-13 Pacific, Peoples department store (1101-07 Pacific) with the 17-story Washington Building skyscraper at the far left (1019 Pacific). Flags and bunting decorate both Peoples and the Puget Sound National Bank Bldg. G61.1-043

Commercial streets--Tacoma--1920-1930; Business districts--Tacoma--1920-1930; Puget Sound National Bank (Tacoma); National Bank of Tacoma (Tacoma); Banks--Tacoma; Peoples (Tacoma); Washington Building (Tacoma); Office buildings--Tacoma--1920-1930;

Reno Odlin (R), president of the Puget Sound National Bank, and Don Franklin (L), district manager of Pacific Telephone & Telegraph, are pictured in this December, 1952, photograph standing before a topographical map of the United States with a sign indicating it represents a Radio Relay demonstration. Odlin holds a receiver to his ear as he points to the map. The Bell company moved their microwave display into the bank's lobby to demonstrate their new method, called Radio Relay, of sending hundreds of telephone conversations and TV programs over long distance. Interested spectators could try the radio relay themselves, simply by picking up a receiver and pressing a button. (TNT 12-16-52, p. 4)

Communication devices; Telecommunication lines--Washington; Radiophones; Maps; Odlin, Reno, 1897-1979; Franklin, Don;

ca. 1971. Color exterior view of Puget Sound National Bank. Brilliant blue skies cast a warm glow over the downtown Tacoma business district, seeking to melt the residue of snow that is still present on the sidewalks and on Pacific Avenue. The venerable Puget Sound National Bank, once the tallest building on the West Coast at a narrow 16 stories, is flanked by Peoples department store and the newly opened Tacoma Art Museum (former home of National Bank of Washington). The familiar blue and white sign with P & S entwined is attached to the skyscraper. Color photograph ordered by DeVac, Inc., Minneapolis, MN, on November 18, 1971.

Puget Sound National Bank (Tacoma); Peoples (Tacoma); Tacoma Art Museum (Tacoma); Banks--Tacoma; Department stores--Tacoma--1970-1980; Galleries & museums--Tacoma--1970-1980; Business districts--Tacoma--1970-1980;

Puget Sound National Bank, interior work area.

Business Enterprises - Financial Institutions - Banks - Tacoma - Puget Sound National Bank

Interior of Puget Sound National Bank, view of lobby, defense poster on column.

Business Enterprises - Financial Institutions - Banks - Tacoma - Puget Sound National Bank

Group at Puget Sound National Bank with Golden Jubilee hats. Men in western wear and women in bonnets. Bank president Reno Odlin is standing wearing dark clothing without a hat to the right of the column, in the center of the group. All employees were required to wear Jubilee garb in celebration of Pioneer Days at Puget Sound Bank. The bankers wore beaver top hats with dignified frock coats and black ties. (T. Times 7/20/1939, pg. 20)

Washington State Golden Jubilee, 1939--Tacoma; Banking--Tacoma--1930-1940; Puget Sound National Bank (Tacoma); Banks--Tacoma; Odlin, Reno, 1897-1979;

ca. 1943. Grassi Brothers radio show. A man and a woman hold papers in front of a microphone in this circa 1943 photograph. Three other men, including Julio Grassi (second from left) look on. Julio and his brother Nello operated a used car dealership in Tacoma. They sponsored a radio program on station KTBI located in the Puget Sound Bank Building, 1117-19 Pacific Ave.

Radio stations--Tacoma--1940-1950; Radio broadcasting--Tacoma--1940-1950; Grassi, Julio;

Aerial photograph of downtown Tacoma to show the spired Puget Sound National Bank building at 11th and Pacific (1119 Pacific Ave.) To the building's left is Peoples Department Store at 1101-07 Pacific and to its right is the National Bank of Washington, 1123 Pacific, the 2002 location of the Tacoma Art Museum. Behind facing A Street is the Federal Building and the Post Office at 1102 A Street. The city appears divided into a grid of large office buildings. The streets, left to right, vertically are Commerce, Pacific and A Street. They are divided by, top to bottom, by 11th Street and 12th Street. Left to right at the top of the picture are the Rust building at 950 Pacific, the Washington Building at 1019 Pacific and the Tacoma Building at 1017-21 A Street. Across 11th Street from the Tacoma Building is the Perkins building at 1101 A Street.

Puget Sound National Bank (Tacoma); Aerial photographs;

Erection of new sign. The erection of the new Puget Sound National Bank sign on the building's exterior draws an interested group of spectators even at 7:00 in the morning. The latter part of the bank's name is already up; a worker is perched on the sign-holding bar high above the street. The Sunnen Crane is preparing to install the "Puget Sound" portion of the sign which is on the sidewalk. The large sign was built by American Sign Products of Spokane and delivered to Tacoma via a Spokane-area Transfer Line truck. Photograph taken on June 10, 1953, and ordered by Dutton Hayward, Puget Sound National Bank.

Progress photographs--1950-1960; Electric signs--Tacoma--1950-1960; Puget Sound National Bank (Tacoma); Sunnen Auto Freight & Heavy Hauling Co. (Tacoma); Hoisting machinery; American Sign Products Co. (Spokane);

• Downtown Tacoma business district, highlighting the Tacoma, Perkins, Washington, Puget Sound Bank, (National Realty) and Trust buildings. circa 1930.
• Printed on front: The Commercial Center of Tacoma, Wash. Tacoma Bldg. Perkins Bldg. Washington Bldg. Puget Sound Bank Bldg. Trust Bldg.

Exterior view of Puget Sound National Bank Building in July of 1926. This block of Pacific Avenue was home to many prominent businesses including (L-R) the Washington Building, Peoples department store, the Bankers Trust Building, building at 1115 Pacific Ave. built as annex/addition to the National Realty Bldg., Puget Sound National Bank Building and the National Bank of Tacoma. When completed in 1910, the 16-story Puget Sound National Bank Building (then called the National Realty Building) was the tallest on the West Coast and the first built on the West Coast to withstand earthquakes. It was also the first in Tacoma to use cantilevered beam construction. Puget Sound Bank purchased the building in 1920. Some 80+ years later, Heritage Bank now occupies the structure. G61.1-041

Commercial streets--Tacoma--1920-1930; Business districts--Tacoma--1920-1930; Puget Sound National Bank (Tacoma); National Bank of Tacoma (Tacoma); Washington Building (Tacoma); Peoples (Tacoma); Banks--Tacoma; Office buildings--Tacoma--1920-1930;

September, 1921, display of "Old Faithful" brand of canned goods and apple cider. Spread across the long customer desk located at the Puget Sound Bank & Trust is a display of canned goods and cider under the "Old Faithful" brand. "Old Faithful," according to the framed poster, put its name on pickles and vinegar, pork & beans, and canned vegetables. The Northern Pickle Co. of Tacoma manufactured "Old Faithful" products. These were part of the refreshments served at the bank's reception/housewarming on Saturday, September 24th. The bank (later Puget Sound National Bank) was celebrating its 31st anniversary where the public was invited to view the enlargement and renovation of their skyscaper's ground floor. The interior was finished in soft gray marble, Caen stone, ivory plastering and statuary bronze. G34.1-140 (TNT 9-22-21, p. 6-article; TNT 9-24-21, p. 1+)

Merchandise display--Tacoma--1920-1930; Canned foods; Puget Sound Bank & Trust (Tacoma); Banks--Tacoma;

Woman and girl riding horses in parade event dressed in Spanish style flat brimmed hats with fringed banner overhead. Puget Sound National Bank can be identified in the background.

Grassi Brothers (Nello and Julio) Radio Program (5th). One man is at the microphone while three others look on. First two men from L-R are not known. The Grassi brothers are on the right in this September, 1943, photograph.

Radio broadcasting--Tacoma--1940-1950; Grassi, Nello; Grassi, Julio;

Grassi Brothers Radio Program. Band and singers on stage at the USO Club at 13th & Pacific. Everyone holds their ears while the male singer struggles for a high note. Banners hung from the microphone name KTBI. KTBI was at 1490 AM on the radio dial and broadcast from the second floor of the Puget Sound Bank Building.

Radio stations--Tacoma--1940-1950; World War, 1939-1945--Communications; USO clubs (Tacoma)--1940-1950; Grassi, Nello; Grassi, Julio; Singers;

Exposure of the Tacoma Planning Commission's traffic control display in the lobby of the Puget Sound National Bank. Photograph ordered by the Condon Co. The display shows the Commission's plans for a street program that will provide for a growing Tacoma's traffic needs. The plan is the result of a long range study of Tacoma's future traffic needs completed by the City Planning Commission. Emphasis is placed on the development of a Tacoma- Everett toll road, the forerunner of a freeway system. It is predicted that in the future Tacoma will have several freeways with one way traffic, no left turns, no parking and no commercial traffic. (TNT 7/12/1955, pg. 4)

Presentation drawings; Traffic congestion--Tacoma;

An unidentified employee of the Puget Sound National Bank put the bank's new IBM 1210 Reader Sorter through its paces for (l to r) Robert G. Gordon, Vice President and Cashier, and Harold Stephens, Assistant Vice-President, on January 13, 1961. In 1959 PSNB became the first bank in the State of Washington - and the second on the west coast - to convert to the use of computers. The other banks in the northwest resisted computerization, and attempted to talk PSNB out of taking this radical step, because they felt that banking customers would not accept being numbered. (Banking on Independence; the first century of Puget Sound Bankcorp, c1990)

Puget Sound National Bank (Tacoma); Banks--Tacoma;

Three employees of Puget Sound National Bank are prepared to put the bank's new IBM 1419 check-sorting machine into operation on September 30, 1963. The main office's basement was fully equipped to handle bank processing matters. Gene Amar, assistant cashier in the electronic department, Mary Lee Fanger and Eleanor Anderson (seated) look at the machine which is capable of sorting and reading 96,000 checks an hour. In 1962 Puget Sound National Bank processed some 10.4 million checks and deposits. Photograph ordered by Puget Sound National Bank. (TNT 10-6-63, B-7)

Puget Sound National Bank (Tacoma); Banks--Tacoma; Machinery; Amar, Gene; Fanger, Mary Lee; Anderson, Eleanor;