Private pool built by Cascade Pool Co. for Dr. Ernest Banfield. The kidney shaped pool has a diving board at one end. A door from what is probably a basement recreation room of Dr. Banfield's residence opens onto a covered patio with an outdoor fireplace and built in brick barbecue and cooking area. Floor to ceiling windows in the living room overlook the pool. Dr. Banfield was a noted plastic surgeon who practiced in Tacoma. His wife Helen (Becky) served on Tacoma's city council. The house next door to the Banfields at 1212 Ventura belonged to George Jacobson. (Additional identification provided by a reader)

Swimming pools--Tacoma--1950-1960; Patios; Fireplaces; Houses--Tacoma--1950-1960; Banfield, Ernest--Homes & haunts; Jacobson, George--Homes & haunts;

Swimming and wading pools at Tacoma Lawn Tennis Club. The Tacoma Lawn Tennis Club was established in 1905. The original clubhouse was demolished in 1967 and replaced. The ground was broken for this pool in June of 1954 and the pool opened in September of 1954. The opening ceremony was a luncheon and pool party for 500.

Tacoma Lawn Tennis Club (Tacoma); Swimming pools--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Swimming and wading pools at Tacoma Lawn Tennis Club. This exclusive club, established in 1905, is located in Tacoma's north end, near the Annie Wright Academy. The pool & surrounding area was designed by Lea, Pearson & Richards, architects, and opened in September of 1954. The pool deck area is located down an incline, far below the surrounding homes. This photograph was ordered by the Cascade Pool Co.

Tacoma Lawn Tennis Club (Tacoma); Swimming pools--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Swimming and wading pools at Tacoma Lawn Tennis Club. This exclusive club was established in 1905. The pool area was designed by Lea, Pearson & Richards, architects, and opened in Sept. 1954. The pools are not very crowded, since April is still early for outdoor swimming in the Northwest. A high fence surrounds the pool area.

Tacoma Lawn Tennis Club (Tacoma); Swimming pools--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Group of 35 businessmen planning United Tacoma Day sales at the Winthrop Hotel - ordered by Mr. Fetteroff of Chamber of Commerce. Photograph was taken in October of 1939. (filed with Argentum)

Meetings--Tacoma--1930-1940; Hotel Winthrop (Tacoma);

South Puget Sound Circuit Convention. Our Savior's Lutheran Church. Tacoma-Washington, April 24-26, 1925. Group of people in front of Our Savior's Lutheran Church. Building by A.S. Knight, Architect, 1905. (filed with Argentum)

Our Savior's Lutheran Church (Tacoma); Lutheran churches--Tacoma--1920-1930; Meetings--Tacoma--1920-1930;

The Concert Chorus at Pacific Lutheran College, posed in the Music Building. The students are attired formally, with the girls wearing evening gowns and the boys in tuxedos. The 93 voice chorus was under the direction of R. Byard Fritts (seated.) The choir performed throughout the year, its productions enhanced by the special effects of staging, drama and costuming. ("1955 Saga" see the yearbook for chorus members names.)

Universities & colleges--Parkland; Pacific Lutheran College (Parkland)--1950-1960; Singers; Choirs (Music); Students--Parkland--1950-1960; Evening gowns--Parkland--1950-1960; Fritts, R. Byard;

ca. 1925. Choir at Our Saviors English Lutheran Church. Director: Mrs. J.A.E. Naess. (WSHS- negative A902-0)

Our Savior's Lutheran Church (Tacoma); Lutheran churches--Tacoma--1920-1930; Choirs (Music);

Standard Burner oil truck in front of two homes and old street light - Fuel Oil Service Corp. truck. Fuel Oil Service Corp. specialized in fuel oils and was completely Tacoma owned and operated. It was founded by Mark Dolliver and Roger Stewart. (filed with Argentum)

Fuel Oil Service (Tacoma); Trucks--Tacoma--1930-1940; Fuel trade--Tacoma--1930-1940;

On November 2, 1939, the 39-member Jason Lee junior orchestra posed with instructor R.E. Fussell at the junior high school located at 602 North Sprague Avenue. First row (l-r): Betty Garvik, Betty Thatcher, Paul Grimes, Bob Smythe, David Johnson, Eddie Nelson, Neal Miller, Ted Lyon, Chester Ryan, Bob Axlund, Dick Brewster, Jewell Windh, twins Fern Tschan and Fay Tschan. 2nd row (l-r): Rose Manweiler, Ronald Swanson, Harold Prescot, Gloria Burkhart, Jean Vergowe, Arthur Gerlach, Bob Austin, Larry Allen, Darrell Marshall, David Keffler, Shirley Morgan, Melford Carnes, Mr. Fussell. 3rd row (l-r): David Hurlow, Geraldine Massie, Dick Milton, Virginia Karponi, Shirley Jensen, Herbert Rudolph, Randall Anderson, Robert Nixon, Billy Ellis, Harry Frazier, Roy Edwardson, Lewis Perkin, David Turenne. Some of these budding symphonists continued their musical training at Stadium High School. (T.Times 11-3-39, p. 20-alternate photograph & article)

Public schools--Tacoma--1930-1940; Children playing musical instruments--Tacoma; Jason Lee Junior High School (Tacoma); Orchestras--Tacoma--1930-1940; Brass instruments; Wind instruments;

Modernistic desk and chair. This compact desk, with foldout writing area, and metal chair could easily fit in a small room. With its thin metal legs, the plywood desk could be picked up and moved without difficulty. There were cubbyholes to hold writing instruments and notepads with a larger area for books. A starburst-styled clock is displayed on the adjacent paneled wall. Photograph ordered by Douglas Fir Plywood Association.

Desks; Chairs; Clocks & watches;

Student and desk, ordered by the Douglas Fir Plywood Association. One of the purposes of the Association was to promote plywood as a building material of a million and one uses. In this campaign, a desk has been designed as a modified box with a front that drops down to supply a writing surface. The desk can either be free standing or sit flush against the wall. The interior of the desk has many cubby holes to hold her materials for school or household paperwork.

Desks;

Desk, ordered by the Douglas Fir Plywood Association. One of the purposes of the Association was to promote plywood as a building material of a million and one uses. In this campaign, a desk has been designed as a modified box with a front that drops down to supply a writing surface. The desk can either be free standing or sit flush against the wall. The interior of the desk has many cubby holes to hold materials for school or household paperwork.

Desks;

ca. 1939. Group of thirty Standard Oil Company employees at Columbia Brewing circa 1939. (filed with Argentum)

Standard Oil Co. of California (Tacoma)--People; Columbia Brewing Co. (Tacoma);

Busy as he was on Christmas Eve day 1925, Santa took a few moments from his scheduled rounds to "stop and smell the roses." The day had dawned in Tacoma with uncharacteristic gentle sunshine and springlike weather. Santa was caught by the camera as he dropped by the front yard of Mrs. Elizabeth Durgin, 709 No. Yakima Ave., to admire the Christmas roses in bloom. He later hurried back to the North Pole to prepare for his gift run that night. (TNT 12/24/1925, pg. 1) (WSHS- negative A904-0)

Santa Claus--Tacoma; Holidays--Tacoma--1920-1930; Flowers--Tacoma;

Conductor Gunnar J. Malmin posed in March of 1939 in the center of Pacific Lutheran College's "Choir of the West." The group was in its final round of rehearsals before their concert at Central Lutheran Church. Proceeds from the event would help pay their way to California to compete in the National Choral event and to perform at the World's Fair in San Francisco. (T.Times 3/23/1939, names in caption)

Choirs (Music); Universities & colleges--Parkland; Pacific Lutheran College (Parkland)--1930-1940; Conductors; Malmin, Gunnar J.; Choir of the West (Parkland);

Sunshine Service, new General Petroleum Company Mobil station at South 48th and Park. Five automobiles at gasoline pump and two attendants.

Sunshine Service (Tacoma); Automobile service stations--Tacoma--1930-1940;

Sunshine Service, new General Petroleum Company Mobil station at South 48th and Park. Two automobiles at gasoline pumps and one in garage.

Sunshine Service (Tacoma); Automobile service stations--Tacoma--1930-1940;

ca. 1925. Winthrop Motor Company, REO automobile dealership, general view of building from northwest. Brick structure with overhanging shed roof and exposed beam ends. Garage doors on both elevations, automobile visible in showroom window. (WSHS)

Winthrop Motor Co. (Tacoma); Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Interior shot of Glassray of Tacoma. Pictured left to right are Pat Pannell, office assistant, Tom Livermore, owner and Jack Foley, co-owner. Glassray sold apparatus for radiant electric heating. Radiant heat was transmitted by radiation, as opposed to that transmitted by conduction or convection, and was popular in the fifties. It supplied affordable, efficient and clean heat. Another popular item, the bold checkerboard tile floor dominates the look of the office. Radiant heat panels are on display in the office. Pat sits before a typewriter as the two owners pose standing for the picture. Long industrial type florescents supply the lighting.

Glassray of Tacoma (Tacoma); Heating & ventilation industry--Tacoma; HVAC systems--Tacoma--1950-1960; Radiators; Pannell, Pat; Livermore, Tom; Foley, Jack;

Bank of California; Rhododendron display in lobby. The Tacoma chapter of the American Rhododendron Society presented its 7th annual Rhododendron Show in the lobby of the Bank of California May 21-22, 1955. The show was free of charge and open to the public. For the show, the lobby was transformed into a Spring garden with evergreens disguising the tellers' cages and forming a backdrop for the colorful display of hybrid and specie rhododendrons. Statues adorned this flower "island" in the center of the lobby and another corner was transformed into a patio garden with a pool with running water. Exhibits were featured by the University of Washington Arboretum, Portland and Seattle chapters of the national organization, Northwest growers and local members. Attendance in 1955 was larger than ever before. (TNT 5/19/1955, pg. A-6 & 5/22/1955, pg A-2)

American Rhododendron Society, Tacoma Chapter (Tacoma); Rhododendrons; Flowers--Tacoma; Bank of California National Association (Tacoma);

Molzen wedding anniversary. According to the 1925 City Directory, there is no listing for a "Molzen." There are two listings for Molzan, Albert & Ida at 1623 E. 35th and Henry and Emily at 9006 McKinley Ave. (WSHS- negative A907-0)

Anniversaries--Tacoma--1920-1930; Celebrations--Tacoma--1920-1930; Molzan--Anniversaries;

Clever photography makes this patio shelter appear to blossom out of the rock in front of this old boat company, possibly Cummings Boat Co. on Ruston Way, and its pier. In actuality, it is a small scale model enhanced in size by trick photography and perspective. The tiny garden shelter has bonsai trees, futons and curved seating around a outdoors wood stove. Photo series ordered by the Douglas Fir Plywood Association.

Models; Architectural models; Patios--Tacoma; Garden structures--Tacoma;

ca. 1955. Nalley Valley Fire Station, Engine Company #17 located in the industrial section near So. 35th St. and Union Ave. The station was designed by Robert Billsbrough Price, architect, of frame construction. It contained an area of 5,200 sq. ft. The outside was dark stained textured plywood contrasting with light colored stucco. It was Tacoma's first one floor fire station. The station began operation in March of 1955. Information received from a reader indicates that this station is now closed. Engine #17 was relocated to the City of Fircrest's fire station and that station re-designated as Station #17 when Tacoma assumed fire protection responsibility for Fircrest. The building at 3471 South 35th still exists and remains owned by the Tacoma Fire Department. It has been heavily remodeled and no longer resembles a fire station from street view. (TNT 1/9/1955) (Additional information obtained from a reader)

Fire stations--Tacoma--1950-1960;Tacoma Fire Department, Engine Company #17 (Tacoma);

ca. 1955. View in 1955 of the tall doors to the garage bay where the fire engines are stored at Tacoma Fire Department's Engine Company #17. A reader notes that although signage over the doors indicated that Truck Co. #5 also operated from this station, the Tacoma Fire Department never established a staffed Truck 5 out of this station or anywhere else and still operates to this day with only four ladder companies city-wide. In addition to room for a thousand gallon pump truck and 75 ft aerial ladder truck, the building contained accommodations for 18 firemen and six officers. Lighting in the apparatus room came from large clerestory windows. Radiant heating panels were installed in the floors over which the trucks stood, to keep them warm and ready in all types of weather. The station had an enclosed outside garden court adjacent to the living quarters. It was closed when Engine Co. #17 moved to Fircrest. (TNT 1/9/1955) (Additional information provided by a reader)

Fire stations--Tacoma--1950-1960; Tacoma Fire Department, Engine Company #17 (Tacoma);

Mason Junior High Band with instruments and with conductor Delwin Jones. (filed with Argentum)

Bands--Tacoma--1930-1940; Youth bands--Tacoma--1930-1940; Mason Junior High School (Tacoma);

Federal Old Line Life Insurance Company dinner at 38th and Yakima. Banner of company hanging above tables filled with people. Federal Old Line was formed by J.R. Cissna and licensed in the state of Washington in 1937. (filed with Argentum)

Federal Old Line Life Insurance Co. (Tacoma); Banquets--Tacoma--1930-1940;

The interior of the Market Street Tavern, for the Washington State License & Beverage Association. George Koukles & Arthur T. Charuhas are listed as the owners in the 1955 City Directory. Booths line the right and left sides of the picture. The center section is occupied by a circular bar. On the booth tables and every few feet on the counter are Shyvers's Multiphones. They were telephones connected to an operator who would spin your selected record for a fee. The music was transmitted back via phone lines. Round built-in stools provide seating at the bar. A center island holds glasses and liquors and is topped by a shelf of displayed beer cans and bottles. Very modernistic light fixtures incorporate neon lighting. Photograph used in a Tacoma News Tribune special feature on taverns. The caption emphasized the new look of modern taverns, with greater luxury and attractive appointments replacing the dark look of earlier years. (TNT 5/30/1955, pg. 25)

Market Street Tavern (Tacoma); Bars--Tacoma--1950-1960; Eating & drinking facilities--Tacoma--1950-1960; Counters--Tacoma; Jukeboxes;

The Tacoma City Lights Administration Building, now known as the Tacoma Public Utilities Center, opened in 1953. Silas E. Nelson was the architect and Roy T. Early Co. was the contractor. Photo series ordered by Bethlehem Pacific Steel Co. (SA-7) The Administration Building was the center of Tacoma's controversial new multi-million dollar Public Utility operating headquarters at So. 35th & Union Ave. The administrative, service and engineering staffs of both the Light and Water Divisions would be housed here. In addition to office and working space, the building had an auditorium, cafeteria, first aid and dispensary room, a model kitchen and a home economics department.

Tacoma Dept. of Public Utilities, Light Division (Tacoma); Silas E. Nelsen Architects (Tacoma); Public utility companies--Tacoma;

The Tacoma City Lights Administration Building, also known as the Tacoma Public Utilities Center, opened in 1953. The controversial $2,600,000 Public Utility operating headquarters was felt to be oversized and overpriced for the department's needs. Many felt that the building should be used as the new County-City building as well as the Utilities Department headquarters, eliminating the expense of designing and building a second building. The Utilities Administration building had three times as much space as Tacoma's Old City Hall. Public Utilities successfully fought to keep the building for their own use, and it is still being used.

Tacoma Dept. of Public Utilities, Light Division (Tacoma); Silas E. Nelsen Architects (Tacoma); Public utility companies--Tacoma; Facades--Tacoma--1950-1960;