Three tanks full of chlorine are are tightly wedged into place on board a barge in April, 1954. The vessel, Mogul, is docked nearby. By 1954, Tacoma was home to many large chemical producing companies, including Hooker Electrochemical and Pennsylvania Salt Manufacturing Company of Washington. Chlorine and also caustic soda were made and then shipped, by boat and rail, to pulp and paper mills. Photograph ordered by Griffith Steamship Ltd.

Cargo ships--Tacoma; Storage tanks--Tacoma; Chemical industry--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Interior of Bank of California building. Built in 1928 of Wilkeson sandstone and granite, the Bank of California building was designed in the Italian Renaissance style with interiors of walnut and Travertine masonry. This elevated view of the bank's lobby highlights the enormous skylight, arched windows, chandeliers and tiled flooring. John Graham was the architect involved in the Bank of California building and J.E. Bonnell & Son, contractors. TPL-8452

Bank of California National Association (Tacoma); Banks--Tacoma; Chandeliers;

Interior shot at Titus Motor Co., 616-24 Broadway, with a Ford automobile up on the rack and white jacketed mechanics hard at work. (filed with Argentum)

Automobile dealerships--Tacoma; Automobile equipment & supplies; Electric signs--Tacoma--1930-1940; Automobile equipment & supplies stores--Tacoma; Titus Motor Co. (Tacoma);

Interior shot at Titus Motor Co., 616-24 Broadway, with a Ford automobile up on the rack and white jacketed mechanics hard at work. (filed with Argentum)

Automobile dealerships--Tacoma; Automobile equipment & supplies; Electric signs--Tacoma--1930-1940; Automobile equipment & supplies stores--Tacoma; Titus Motor Co. (Tacoma);

Titus Motor Company, exterior of building with vehicles parked on street. Many neon and painted signs, "We give you More ..trade now" posters in windows. Elizabethan-style brick building by Roland Borhek, Architect, circa 1926. (filed with Argentum)

Automobile dealerships--Tacoma; Automobile equipment & supplies; Electric signs--Tacoma--1930-1940; Automobile equipment & supplies stores--Tacoma; Titus Motor Co. (Tacoma);

Titus Motor Company, exterior of building with vehicles parked on street. Many neon and painted signs, "We give you More ..trade now" posters in windows. Elizabethan-style brick building by Roland Borhek, Architect, circa 1926.

Automobile dealerships--Tacoma; Automobile equipment & supplies; Electric signs--Tacoma--1930-1940; Automobile equipment & supplies stores--Tacoma; Titus Motor Co. (Tacoma);

This Elizabethan-style brick building at 616-24 Broadway in downtown Tacoma was designed by Roland Borhek. Built for the Pacific Car Co. in 1919, it was taken over in 1938 by the Titus Motor Co. In recent years it has been home to several car rental dealers. Roland E. Borhek was the primary architect for many Tacoma buildings including the Rialto Theater and Jason Lee Intermediate School.

Automobile dealerships--Tacoma; Automobile equipment & supplies; Electric signs--Tacoma--1930-1940; Automobile equipment & supplies stores--Tacoma; Titus Motor Co. (Tacoma);

Various delivery trucks and a motorcycle delivery vehicle parked outside the Seymour Conservatory in Wright Park. Publicity for Titus Motor Company. (filed with Argentum)

Trucks--Tacoma--1930-1940; Titus Motor Co. (Tacoma); Seymour Conservatory (Tacoma); Wright Park (Tacoma); Greenhouses--Tacoma--1930-1940; Parks--Tacoma--1930-1940;

Carmen Hill, singer of Northwest Opera Company. Studio portrait of woman with dark mid-length waved hair in dark velvet dress with long damask sleeves, lace cuffs. Long necklace, earrings, belt & ring. For Dr. Allison, 14th Floor, Medical Arts Building.

Hill, Carmen; Women--Clothing & dress--Tacoma;

Studio portrait of opera singer, Carmen Hill. Taken on May 5, 1939, Miss Hill is dressed in a floor-length velvet gown with damask sleeves and lace cuffs. Her wavy dark hair is accented by dangling drop earrings; she is also wearing a long beaded necklace with a cross. Miss Hill is a singer with the Northwest Opera Company.

Hill, Carmen; Women--Clothing & dress--Tacoma;

The Tacoma Rhododendron Society held their sixth annual flower show May 8-9, 1954, in Normanna Hall. The public was invited to attend at no charge. The University of Washington Arboretum sent plants to display as well as the U.S. government's Ballard Canal Locks. The offerings from Tacoma growers included those plants grown specially in greenhouses. View taken of stage at Normanna Hall; stage is covered with rhodys with Maypole in center. Example of rockery with flowering plants can also be seen facing stage. (TNT 5-6-54, A-7)

Tacoma Rhododendron Society (Tacoma); Rhododendrons; Normanna Hall (Tacoma); Flowers--Tacoma;

ca. 1939. Woman sitting in chair wearing dress with printed bodice and sleeves wearing glasses. Man standing beside her with book in left hand. (filed with Argentum)

House and farm buildings. Residence of Edward D. (Ed) and Carrie A. Walstad. Small bungalow with shed dormer, man and woman in front standing by a 1930s sedan automobile. For Mr. and Mrs. E. Wallace. (filed with Argentum)

Walstad, Edward--Homes & haunts;

Pitman Home Building Co. had several homes on display in the September, 1953, Parade of Homes presented by the Tacoma Master Builders Association, in conjuction with the National Home Week celebration. Marc Pitman, owner, built contemporary styled homes with open floor plans. View of one-story rambler with flat roof and two-car carport on Hipkins Road in Lakewood, one of several constructed by Pitman Home Building.

Houses--Lakewood--1950-1960; Pitman Home Building Co. (Lakewood);

Harley L. Doyle was listed in the 1954 City Directory as the owner of the building at 5703 McKinley Avenue. It appears to have been a one-story duplex, since there are doorbells at each screen door. There is a large rectangular planter along the unit and the yard is neatly landscaped with a small contained tree growing on the front strip. The duplex was put up for sale and an ad placed in the News Tribune later in May. The ad stated that the building was made with pumice block and had a reinforced foundation and walls. It came with aluminum casement windows with ceramic tile sills and was heavily insulated. Each unit had two bedrooms, a fireplace, nice cabinets, individual heating, and separate garages. A buyer needed only to put down $1950. (TNT 5-23-54, C-12)

Doyle, Harley L.--Homes & haunts; Duplexes--Tacoma--1950-1960;

The W.H. Buzzell Construction Co. were the building contractors for the new Fircrest residence of E.J. Burgoyne. A May, 1954, photograph shows the home on Regents Blvd. to have a full daylight basement and an attached one-car garage. The house has a contemporary look with many windows and a large chimney. The landscaping is still incomplete. Photograph ordered by the Buzzell Construction Co.

W.H. Buzzell Construction Co. (Tacoma); Building construction--Fircrest--1950-1960; Houses--Fircrest--1950-1960; Burgoyne, E.J.--Homes & haunts;

Construction of new homes was still proceeding rapidly in Tacoma and surrounding areas in the 1950's. W.R. Morben was a member of the Tacoma Master Builders Association, an organization of contractors that prided itself on quality construction. He built this home, photographed in May, 1954, which was apparently situated in the 8600 block of South 35th St. The contemporary styled home was a rambler with attached one-car garage. It had a long concrete driveway.

Building construction--Tacoma--1950-1960; Houses--Tacoma--1950-1960; W.R. Morben Co. (Tacoma);

Oscar Hokold built this one-story contemporary Roman brick home for the William Vodarski family in 1954. The home was located on the city's eastside at 6824 Portland Avenue. Three steps flanked by iron railings lead to the recessed entryway. There is also a two-car detached garage with long driveway next to the home. Oscar Hokold was a member of the Tacoma Master Builders Association, an organization of local contractors who were known for their quality workmanship.

Vodarski, William--Homes & haunts; Houses--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Kitchen of new home. The kitchen of the new William Vodarski residence at 6824 Portland Avenue is made cheerful with patterned curtains, white appliances, and nicely paneled cabinets. There is plenty of counterspace and storage room. A chrome kitchen set is placed next to the large windows. The home was built by Oscar Hokold, a member of the Tacoma Master Builders Association.

Vodarski, William--Homes & haunts; Kitchens--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Robert W. Puryear, Jr. and wife Beverly, had a new house built for them by Robert M. Good's Good Construction Co. in 1954. According to the 1954 City Directory, Mr. Puryear was a salesman for Carstens Packing. His home was at 2308 North Winnifred Street. The one-story rambler style home had an attached garage with space for one car. It had a long walkway to the front door. Landscaping was still incomplete as of this May 15, 1954, photograph. The builder, Robert M. Good, was listed as a member of the Tacoma Master Builders Association; his motto was "Masterbuilder of homes for fine living."

Puryear, Robert W.--Homes & haunts; Houses--Tacoma--1950-1960;

A spacious brick rambler with attached two-car garage was built on a large lot by William H. Parrish in 1954. The home is believed to have been located in Sumner on Wood Avenue and belong to Ray Beck. Small trees and shrubs were planted surrounding the home. There is a long awning that shades the large picture window. The ubiquitous television antenna is prominently displayed.

Houses--Sumner--1950-1960;

An unusual circular driveway draws attention to the new home of Frank Washburn in May, 1954. The one-story rambler has the usual attached two-car garage; what is not usual, however, is how the buildings gently nestle against the curved driveway. The six room home had two large bedrooms and a breezeway leading to the garage. It made good use of vertical siding and also combined brick and shake building materials. The home on Clover Creek Dr. S.W. was built by Mel Pedersen, general contractor and past president of the Tacoma Master Builders Association. (TNT 9-19-54, E-10)

Washburn, Frank--Homes & haunts; Houses--Lakewood--1950-1960; Driveways--Lakewood;

Sherman Rowland was a member of the Tacoma Master Builders Association. He built many homes in the city's southend neighborhoods. The home pictured here in May, 1954, is believed to have been located at 6433 South "I" Street. The 1954 City Directory shows a William F. Beard in residence at that address. The house appears to be a typical 1950's rambler with large picture windows and two-car attached garage. The lawn looks to have been newly planted and fenced off.

Houses--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Skyline Terrace was a planned community, home to many imposing new houses in the early 1950's. Each house was built on a view lot so that homeowners could enjoy the beauty of Puget Sound, the Narrows Bridge, Olympic mountains or city lights. Miller Construction Co., owned by Edward P. Miller, built many of the homes in Skyline Terrace. This two-story stone and wood contemporary home with extended balcony could possibly have been the personal residence of Mr. Miller. The eye-catching chimney blends into the yard's natural rockery setting.

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

The many windows in this large two-story contemporary Skyline Terrace home take advantage of the beautiful view before it. All homes built in Tacoma's Skyline Terrace neighborhood were on designated view lots so the new homeowner could have the Narrows Bridge, Puget Sound, Olympic mountains or city lights as landscapes to be savored. Miller Construction Co., headed by Edward P. Miller, built many of the homes in this newer housing development. It is possible that this home, pictured in 1954, is the personal residence of Mr. Miller. (TNT 5-18-54, C-16)

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

Albert Nilsen was a general contractor whose home and business were located on North Jackson Avenue. He built several homes in his immediate neighborhood; view of row of new houses, at least two are two-story contemporary homes with many picture windows. These homes would offer superb views of the Narrows Bridge, Olympic Mountains, and daily sunsets. All are placed on large sloping lots, a good distance away from street level. Albert Nilsen was a member of the Tacoma Master Builders Association, a group of local contractors who prided themselves on quality construction. (TNT 5-18-54, C-13)

Houses--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Each year the model home constructed by members of the Tacoma Master Builders Association for the Tacoma Home Show would be full of new creative ideas for prospective homeowners. In 1954, this was no exception. The model home was built with two children's bedrooms; however, the rooms could be made into one large room or two separate ones using modern folding doors. Built-in storage units and vanities and large closets along with desks with indirect lighting were just some of the amenities. Shelves were movable so they could be adjusted for the growing child. Blackboards were provided for a child's amusement and sturdy tile floors made housekeeping easier for mothers. The 1954 Tacoma Home Show model home was designed by College of Puget Sound alumnus Robert Billsbrough Price and built by S.L. Rowland Construction Co. Photograph ordered by Douglas Fir Plywood Association. (TNT 5-18-54, C-9)

Bedrooms--Tacoma--1950-1960; Model houses--Tacoma; Greater Tacoma Home Show (Tacoma); Blackboards;

Interior of model home. The large living room in the 1954 Tacoma Home Show model home was conveniently placed next to the kitchen. The storage cabinets on one side of the room were equipped with glassware and china and had sliding peg-board doors on both sides, easily reachable from the kitchen as well as the living room. There was a large brick and slate fireplace just inside an entry way. Open book shelves on one wall complemented the exposed beams in the ceiling. Large windows and the extensive use of wood seemed to invite the outdoors in. The 1954 model, "TX-101", was the first Tacoma Home Show entry that used an all-contemporary motif. It was designed by College of Puget Sound alumnus, Robert Billsbrough Price. Photograph ordered by Douglas Fir Plywood Association. (TNT 5-18-54, C-9)

Living rooms--Tacoma--1950-1960; Model houses--Tacoma; Greater Tacoma Home Show (Tacoma);

Interior of model home. The 1954 Tacoma Home Show model home was located at 1802 North Shirley and dubbed the "TX-101", standing for "Tacoma Experiment--Year of the Washington Centennial Plus One". It was an ultra-modern, state of the art creation built by the S.L. Rowland Construction Co., a member of the Tacoma Master Builders Association. This view of the home's kitchen showed that it was the heart of the family home. The skylight provided sunshine even on the gloomiest day. The countertops were in off-white shades and peg-board cabinet doors in light blue. The kitchen came with an in-the-wall oven, popular cabinet-top range and a Dishmaster dishwasher. A housewife could stand at the double sink and observe her children playing on the private patio, peek at guests in the living room, and be steps away from her meal cooking on the stove. Photograph ordered by Douglas Fir Plywood Association. (TNT 5-18-54, C-8, 9)

Kitchens--Tacoma--1950-1960; Model houses--Tacoma; Greater Tacoma Home Show (Tacoma);

Advertised as the "World's Most Amazing Dishwasher", the Dishmaster, which sold for $49.50, had an exhibition booth at the 1954 Tacoma Home Show held in the College of Puget Sound Fieldhouse. Also on display in the S.L. Rowland model home built for the Home Show, the Dishmaster could be installed on any sink. Interested home show visitors examine the dishwashers which attached to the kitchen faucet, and was basically a sink spray attachment with a brush head; an unidentified sales representative is demonstrating the "Scraping Time" feature which was prominently advertised.

Dishwashing machines--Tacoma; Exhibit booths--Tacoma; Greater Tacoma Home Show (Tacoma); Signs (Notices);