ca. 1954. An elevated view of what may be the basement of the Tacoma Public Library was taken possibly in the summer of 1954. There are rows of shelving, most filled with books and manuals. This may be the reference section of the basement. Photograph ordered by the Crane Co.

Tacoma Public Library (Tacoma); Public libraries--Tacoma; Bookstacks--Tacoma; Books;

ca. 1954. Directly below an enormous circular skylight is a matching circular stage. Both were located in the Tacoma Public Library's Main Branch circa 1954. This auditorium was located in the library's older Carnegie Building portion and was used for public and staff meetings. The skylight has since been beautifully restored and a focus point in what is now the library's Northwest Room which houses special collections including Northwest history, Genealogy, and a Rare Book Room.

Tacoma Public Library (Tacoma); Public libraries--Tacoma--1950-1960; Skylights--Tacoma; Stages (Platforms); Auditoriums--Tacoma; Chairs;

ca. 1954. There was ample space for meetings in the Carnegie Library building, a part of the Tacoma Public Library's Main branch. Rows of chairs face a semi-circle around the circular stage. An enormous skylight is situated directly above the stage. The room pictured here is now part of the library's Northwest Room; the skylight has been restored and is the room's focal point. The Northwest Room houses a large and extensive collection of northwest history in addition to genealogy resources. Photograph ordered by the Crane Co.

Tacoma Public Library (Tacoma); Public libraries--Tacoma--1950-1960; Skylights--Tacoma; Stages (Platforms); Auditoriums--Tacoma; Chairs;

This photograph of a Fluor counterflo cooling tower was taken in March, 1954. A cooling tower is a structure over which circulated water is trickled to reduce its temperature by partial evaporation. The Fluor tower rests on a concrete base and has several levels. According to the small sign on the side of the tower, the Fluor Corporation was based in Los Angeles, California. Photograph ordered by Fluor Corporation.

Fluor Corp. (Los Angeles, Calif.); Towers; Signs (Notices);

Pease & Sons Appliance Center celebrated its grand opening in late March, 1954. Night exposure of lighted store with stoves, refrigerators and washers/dryers on display. There is a neon sign on the store's brick front indicating they specialized in General Electric appliances; large sign on interior wall states that a customer "can put your confidence in GE". Pease & Sons also was an Arvin television dealership. The new store was a branch of Pease & Sons Plumbing owned by David Pease; Ronald B. Pease was listed as manager of the appliance store in the 1954 City Directory. (TNT 3-28-54, B-9)

Pease & Sons Appliance Center (Tacoma); Appliance stores--Tacoma--1950-1960; Appliances; Signs (Notices); Electric signs--Tacoma--1950-1960;

A group portrait of the elegantly dressed Pacific Lutheran College Chorus on stage was taken on April 1, 1954. The men are dressed in tuxedos while the women are wearing floor length evening gowns. In the center of the photograph at the piano is the conductor, Professor R. Byard Fritts. The 70 member choir was well known for their beautiful voices and performed often with appearances in the Christmas Concert, Capitol rotunda in Olympia, Omnibus of the Arts, Drama-Music Festival, and the Commencement Recital. (The Saga, 1954, p. 85)

Group portraits; Choirs (Music); Evening gowns--Parkland--1950-1960; Pacific Lutheran College (Parkland)--1950-1960; Fritts, R. Byard;

1939 College of Puget Sound May Day Festival. The beautiful Queen Jane Carlson, dressed in a lace gown with long train, and attendants, Marcelle Jenson, duchess, left, and Pomona Hudson, duchess, right. (T. Times, 4/26/1939, p. 1) filed with Argentum; also numbered D8183 image 2A

Holidays--Tacoma--1930-1940; Festivals--Tacoma--1930-1940; May Day--Tacoma; Universities & colleges--Tacoma; College of Puget Sound (Tacoma)--1930-1940; Carlson, Jane; Jenson, Marcelle; Hudson, Pomona;

1939 College of Puget Sound May Day Festival; the Queen's Court, a cadre of college women dressed in formal gowns. Queen Jane Carlson will be crowned on Friday, April 28. Photograph ordered by the Tacoma Times. (filed with Argentum) also numbered D8183 image 6

Holidays--Tacoma--1930-1940; Festivals--Tacoma--1930-1940; May Day--Tacoma; Universities & colleges--Tacoma; College of Puget Sound (Tacoma)--1930-1940;

Tacoma Junior Symphony Orchestra conducted by Alexander S. Melovidoff. Young musicians practice in a church with large pipe organ. also numbered D8184 image 2 (filed with Argentum)

Melovidoff, Alexander S., 1897-1961; Junior Symphony Orchestra (Tacoma); Children playing musical instruments; Youth orchestras--Tacoma--1930-1940;

National Auto Parts had several locations in Pierce County in the 1950's; their Pacific Avenue location apparently was the headquarters. They claimed to have parts for all makes of cars and offered the largest stock of genuine parts in Tacoma. According to the 1954 City Directory, William C. Johnston was the president & manager. View of National Auto Parts store at 4001 Pacific Avenue; photograph was taken at night on April 7, 1954. The name of the store is on large raised letters on the stucco exterior. Large plate glass windows are covered with advertisements promoting Moraine bearings and trade discounts on General Motor parts. The store was open seven days a week, including evening hours until 9, except for Sundays.

National Auto Parts, Inc. (Tacoma); Automobile equipment & supplies stores--Tacoma--1950-1960; Storefronts--Tacoma--1950-1960; Signs (Notices);

National Bank of Washington's trust department was enlarged and modernized in April, 1954. It occupied much of the third floor of the bank building on Pacific Avenue. The new quarters for the trust department contained acoustic ceilings, recessed fluorescent lighting, carpeted floors and air conditioning. Walnut desks matched the walnut paneling and green leather chairs provided comfortable seating. Gershom C. Rowland headed the department; it had been in existence for about forty years. Photograph ordered by Puget Sound Office Equipment, Inc. (TNT 4-11-54, A-12)

Office furniture; National Bank of Washington (Tacoma); Puget Sound Office Equipment, Inc. (Tacoma);

In April of 1939, the All-City Elementary School Orchestra posed in front of a massive doorway at Central School. The young musicians came from area schools and were between the ages of 9 and 12. The group had formed in February and rehearsed on Saturdays. They were under the direction of Delwyn B. Jones, assisted by N. Walter Anderberg and Leslie Potter. (filed with Argentum) (T. Times 5/12/1939, pg. 2- names in caption)

Children playing musical instruments; Youth orchestras--Tacoma--1930-1940; Central School (Tacoma); Public schools--Tacoma--1930-1940;

In April of 1939, the All-City Elementary School Orchestra posed on the stage of Gray Junior High School. The young musicians came from area schools and were between the ages of 9 and 12. The group had formed in February and rehearsed on Saturdays. They were under the direction of Delwyn B. Jones, assisted by N. Walter Anderberg and Leslie Potter. (filed with Argentum) (T. Times 5/12/1939, pg. 2- names in caption)

Children playing musical instruments; Youth orchestras--Tacoma--1930-1940; Public schools--Tacoma--1930-1940; Auditoriums--Tacoma; School children--Tacoma; Stages (Platforms); Music--Tacoma; Gray Junior High School (Tacoma);

A variety of plumbing fixtures, including Dresslyn lavatories by American Standard, dishwashers, Hotpoint stoves and refrigerators are readily available for perusal by interested customers in this unidentified appliance store in 1954. The Crane Co. were dealers in plumbing supplies; one of the toilets in the foreground has the company name pasted on it. Photograph ordered by the Crane Co.

Plumbing fixtures; Appliances; Appliance stores--Tacoma--1950-1960; Crane Co. (Tacoma);

Interested shoppers could examine a variety of bathroom fixtures as well as kitchen appliances in this unidentified appliance store. A smiling woman in the rear of the store would offer customer service. A sink and toilet in the foreground have the Crane Co.'s label on them; Crane was a plumbing dealership located at 1209 A Street.

Plumbing fixtures; Appliances; Appliance stores--Tacoma--1950-1960; Crane Co. (Tacoma);

A fleet of taxicabs and their drivers are lined up ready to transport passengers to and from Fort Lewis in an April, 1954, photograph. Since many soldiers on base might not have been expected to own cars, the Fort Lewis Taxi would have provided a much needed service. Passengers would have had a comfortable ride without worrying about driving.

Fort Lewis Taxicab Co. (Fort Lewis); Taxicabs--Fort Lewis; Taxicab drivers;

The spacious auditorium in the new City Light building on South 35th Street was well equipped to house any crowd attending both public or in-house meetings. Recessed lighting and up-to-date air and heating mechanisms provided a comfortable atmosphere while thickly padded seat cushions were an additional asset. This photograph was taken in August, 1954, at the request of Armstrong Cork Co.

Tacoma Dept. of Public Utilities, Light Division (Tacoma); Auditoriums--Tacoma; Public utility companies--Tacoma;

This City Light office is apparently deserted in an evening photograph taken in August, 1954. Plans cover the long desks of city engineers Emil Shabtura and Fred McNeill. The room has plenty of bright light and is apparently air conditioned. City Light's new administrative building and garage were completed in 1953; the administrative building would house both the Light and Water divisions. Photograph ordered by Armstrong Cork Co.

Tacoma Dept. of Public Utilities, Light Division (Tacoma); Desks; Drawings; Offices--Tacoma--1950-1960; Office equipment & supplies; Public utility companies--Tacoma;

A long couch nestles between two large columns in the lobby of the new City Light building. A sign points the way to the information desk visible in the background. Elevators and stairs lead to the upper levels of the administrative building. The new quarters for City Light and Water Divisions were completed in 1953, at a cost of 2.5 million dollars. This photograph was taken in August, 1954, at the request of Armstrong Cork Co.

Tacoma Dept. of Public Utilities, Light Division (Tacoma); Lobbies--Tacoma; Couches; Public utility companies--Tacoma;

New office building for Northwest Door Company, 1203 East D. Two story streamline modern building with rounded corners, ribbon windows which open inwards, one story wing to rear.

Northwest Door Co., Inc. (Tacoma);

ca. 1939. Exterior of Armory, 715 So. 11th St., for I.F. Lauckes Inc., Seattle, Wa. The Armory was constructed in 1908 as a home for the local National Guard. The gothic Pierce County Courthouse, 1012 So. G St., can be seen in the right background. This structure was demolished in 1959 after the construction of the current County City building. Its site is now a parking lot. (filed with Argentum)

State Armory (Tacoma); Pierce County Courthouse (Tacoma);

A new Diamond-T petroleum truck is parked near the Washington Cooperative Farmers Association's feed mill in April, 1954. The Co-op continually upgraded their equipment; this new truck would be used to deliver gasoline, lube and heating oils to Co-op customers. No passengers would be permitted on board and smoking was strictly prohibited.

Washington Cooperative Farmers Association (Tacoma); Trucks--Tacoma--1950-1960; Diamond T trucks; Signs (Notices);

Nalley's advertises their 1 cent sale, buy one relish at regular price and get a second one for just one penny. Pictured is a mound of relish jars backed by jars of salad dressing, mayonaise, "Tang" spread, more pickles and canned meals.

Nalley's, Inc. (Tacoma)--Products; Food--Tacoma--1950-1960; Food industry--Tacoma--1950-1960; Merchandise displays--Tacoma--1940-1950;

An aerial photograph taken in April, 1954, shows smoke billowing from the St. Regis Paper Co. facilities on the tideflats. The wide building to the right is the company's multi-wall bag plant built a few years prior; the narrow building to its rear is the kraft-pulp division. Logs are massed together in the log dump nearby.

St. Regis Paper Co. (Tacoma)--1950-1960; Paper industry--Tacoma--1950-1960; Mills--Tacoma; Logs; Aerial photographs;

A simple design graces the altar of the Asbury United Methodist Church; it apparently is made of wood and concrete block furnished by the Holroyd Co. There is a small cross on the top shelf flanked by two candlesticks. Lilies are placed in the two metallic vases below. A plaque showing hands praying is displayed on the altar's front.

Asbury United Methodist Church (Tacoma); Methodist churches--Tacoma; Altars--Tacoma; Plaques--Tacoma; Holroyd Co. (Tacoma);

Interior of new Asbury United Methodist Church. The Holroyd Co., manufacturers of concrete blocks and other building materials, apparently were suppliers of materials used in building the new Asbury United Methodist Church on South 56th and Puget Sound. The church had been in existence since 1891; the entire building had been moved to its present location from South 56th and Warner Street nearby. In 1954 a new church building was constructed and the old one razed. Rev. Robert G. Albertson was the pastor at that time. View of church's interior facing the altar; wooden beams and interior wall are curved into arch shapes and there is a piano in the right portion of the photograph. Rows of folding chairs are empty and ready for parishioners; there are no pews.

Asbury United Methodist Church (Tacoma); Methodist churches--Tacoma; Holroyd Co. (Tacoma);

Some Skyline Terrace residents enjoyed beautiful views of the Tacoma Narrows Bridge. Miller Construction Co. was a prime developer of the housing development; they had three bedroom homes built on view lots where the bridge, Puget Sound, mountains or city lights could be savored. This house, located at 1102 North Skyline Dr., was a contemporary split-level rambler with extensive Arizona sandstone exterior and large chimney. It was dubbed the "Skyliner" model home and was designed and built by Edward Miller. Photograph ordered by Miller Construction Co.; it was taken on April 20, 1954. (Additional identification provided by a reader)

Houses--Tacoma--1950-1960; Housing developments--Tacoma--1950-1960; Miller Construction Co., Inc. (Tacoma); Chimneys--Tacoma;

A large rockery borders and complements the extensive Arizona sandstone-and wood- exterior of a new Skyline Terrace residence in 1954. Each home was built on a view lot; large windows on this split-level home would probably take advantage of enjoying the Narrows Bridge, Puget Sound, mountains or city lights. Miller Construction Co. built many houses in Skyline Terrace, a relatively new housing development. Miller Construction was owned by Edward P. Miller; by 1954, he may have moved the company to Skyline Dr. This home at 1102 North Skyline Dr. was labeled the "Skyliner" model home, built and designed by Mr. Miller in 1953. The City Directory for that year lists the Millers as residents of that address. (Additional identification provided by a reader)

Houses--Tacoma--1950-1960; Housing developments--Tacoma--1950-1960; Miller Construction Co., Inc. (Tacoma);

The exterior of the Lincoln Ward, Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, was photographed on April 22, 1954. The chapel was located at 5016 A Street; it was built primarily with the labor of its congregation. The building was constructed out of concrete block; the exterior appeared to be resurfaced with Perma-Stone. Perma-Stone was a tough, long lasting material which was cast by molds on walls of brick, block, wood, stucco or tile. Photograph ordered by Karl Kaman, contractor.

Mormon churches--Tacoma; Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (Tacoma); Building materials;

Chlorine tanks are securely fastened on a barge which was dockside on April 23, 1954. There are three separate sets of rails on board to accomodate the tanks. The freighter, Mogul, out of Vancouver, British Columbia, is by the barge's side. The bridge shown in the distance between the two vessels possibly spans the Hylebos Waterway. Photograph ordered by the Griffith Steamship Ltd.

Cargo ships--Tacoma; Storage tanks--Tacoma;