Photograph of the new storage tanks at the Air Reduction Co., an oxygen producing plant. The plant opened around May of 1942 at 702 Alexander Ave. In June of 1942, Peterman Manufacturing was forced out of its location by the government. The land was needed for the expansion of the Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Co. and its many defense contracts. Peterman, originally at 600 Alexander Ave., relocated to Garibaldi Oregon.

Factories--Tacoma; Air Reduction Sales Co. (Tacoma); Peterman Manufacturing Co. (Tacoma); Storage tanks;

Firefighters from eight companies labored nearly four hours on the evening of November 9, 1949, combating the stubborn 2-11 fire which gutted the one-story brick facilities of the Avenue Tire Shop, located at 2311 Pacific Avenue. Loss to the tire shop, principally in ruined tires and damaged machinery, was estimated at $35,000. Adjacent properties, including Willner Clothing Company, also suffered damage. No injuries were reported. (TNT,11/10/1949, p.1-alt. photograph) TPL-9144

Avenue Tire Shop (Tacoma); Fires--Tacoma--1940-1950; Fire fighting--Tacoma--1940-1950; Fire engines & equipment--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Showing of new homes at 15th & No. Huson, Briggs Construction Co., Mr. Spillman. Briggs Construction Company held an open house of model homes for sale. Several families are shown coming and going from the several homes at this corner. One family has just parked their automobile at the curb. TPL-9768

Briggs Construction Co. (Tacoma); Houses--Tacoma--1940-1950; Building construction--Tacoma--1940-1950; Automobiles--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Exterior of new store, C & G Radio Supply, Lloyd Norberg. Lloyd Norberg was president of the new radio parts, tubes, and television parts wholesale facility. The company also handled industrial and electronic equipment and public address communications equipment. C & G Radio Supply had been operating in Tacoma since the early 1930's and employed 16 persons as of 1951. This building had formerly housed the Motor Truck Service Company. (TNT, 2/13/1951, p.C-2)

C & G Radio Supply Co. (Tacoma); Radios; Stores & shops--Tacoma;

Home at Brown's Point, Cheney Lumber Company, Ben Cheney. Ben Cheney stands holding a bag in his hand next to an unidentified woman.

Cheney, Ben B., 1905-1971--Homes & haunts; Porches--Brown's Point;

Banquet at Country House, Consolidated Freightways, P.L. Thomas. Employees of Consolidated Freightways have gathered to celebrate the holidays together. A banner hangs at the back of the room and a beautifully decorated jukebox stands on the right side of the room. Betty Vogel's Country House was located 8 miles south of Tacoma on Pacific Avenue. It had an orchestra and floor show, and dancing nightly.

Consolidated Freightways, Inc. (Tacoma)--Employees; Banquets--Tacoma--1940-1950; Country House (Tacoma); Jukeboxes;

Studio portrait of Mr. Davenport in folk dancing costume, Helen Davis, Mr. Tony Davenport. A young man leans against a stage lighting fixture wearing a heavily textured tunic as a costume for a folk dancing performance.

Davenport, Tony; Dancers--Tacoma--1940-1950; Folk dancing--Tacoma--1940-1950; Costumes; Stage lighting;

Mrs. Annette DeLong needed the help of her sons Bobby (left) and Dougy to carry all their Thanksgiving groceries in 1949. Bobby helped by carrying the family turkey while Dougy clutched a bag of cranberries. They were shopping at the Big Bear Store, 618 No. 1st St., now the home of Stadium Thriftway. (TNT 11/20/1949, p.D-1) Layout for Thanksgiving, Robert DeLong family, Tribune, Barbara Dana.

DeLong, Robert--Family; Shopping--Tacoma--1940-1950; Children shopping--Tacoma--1940-1950; Turkeys; DeLong, Annette M.; Grocery stores--Tacoma--1940-1950; Fruit; Vegetables--Tacoma; Merchandise displays--Tacoma--1940-1950; Holidays--Tacoma;

Pledge dance at Jack's Lakeside Park, Five Mile Lake, Sigma Nu, Stuart Milbrad. Eight young women stand ready to paddle new pledges to Sigma Nu. They are wearing costumes for the dance party.

Fraternities & sororities--Tacoma--1940-1950; Sigma Nu (Tacoma); Jack's Lakeside Park (Federal Way); Five Mile Lake (Federal Way); Group portraits; Costumes; Dance parties--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Home portraiture for Christmas cards, Mr. William Harper. William Harper and his wife sit in their favorite chairs on either side of the fireplace at their home in Seattle. Portraits are placed along the mantle along with a floral arrangement and a clock. Two leaded glass windows are above two book cases with leaded glass doors on either side of the fireplace.

Harper, William--Family; Harper, William--Homes & haunts; Fireplaces--Seattle; Living rooms--Seattle;

Home portraiture for Christmas cards, Mr. William Harper. Mr. and Mrs. William Harper stand on the front steps in front of the porch at their home in Seattle. The two-story frame house has a symmetrical facade with a brick foundation for the porch. The second story had a large overhang and the four sides of the roof come together at the top, reminiscent of an American Four-square style.

Harper, William--Family; Harper, William--Homes & haunts; Houses--Seattle--1940-1950;

In December of 1949, the Jordan Baking Company at 5233 So. Washington St., received recognition by the Quality Bakers of America for their high quality bread. Joe Kehoe (center), the Pacific Coast representative of Quality Bakers of America holds the silver trophy that Jordan's was awarded for "The Best Loaf of Bread". Arthur K. Jordan, owner of the Jordan Baking Company, is on the right. W.J. Casteel, the company sales manager, is on the left and Anthony J. Tosic, superintendent, is standing. (TNT, 1/10/1950, p.8)

Jordan Baking Co. (Tacoma); Bakeries--Tacoma--1940-1950; Bread--Tacoma; Awards; Jordan, Arthur K.; Kehoe, Joe; Casteel, W.J.; Tosic, Anthony J.;

Residence and grounds at Wayne W. and Bernice Keyes' home in the Lakes District. Bernice Keyes and one of her beloved dogs stop during their play in the snow to look directly at the camera. The beauty of the snow and the grounds have drawn them from the warm interior of their home.

Keyes, Wayne W.--Homes & haunts; Keyes, Bernice--Homes & haunts; Dogs--Lakewood--1940-1950; Keyes Mansion (Lakewood); Dwellings--Lakewood--1940-1950; Keyes, Bernice; Snow--Lakewood--1940-1950;

Residence and grounds at Wayne W. and Bernice Keyes' home in the Lakes District. A deep snow has etched every detail of the lovely grounds at Wayne and Bernice Keys' home. One of their beloved dogs stands guard at the top of the steps leading to a large veranda overlooking the woods on one side of their property.

Keyes, Wayne W.--Homes & haunts; Keyes, Bernice--Homes & haunts; Dogs--Lakewood--1940-1950; Sunnybank (Lakewood); Keyes Mansion (Lakewood); Dwellings--Lakewood--1940-1950; Snow--Lakewood--1940-1950;

Vera Lee, studio portrait. A portrait of a young woman, smiling and looking off camera.

Lee, Vera; Portraits; Women--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Christmas bags, Moose Lodge, Ray Newland. Members of the Moose lodge, their wives and a boy have gathered to pack 1,000 gift bags to be distributed at the lodge's annual Christmas party. One man is on a step ladder decorating the top portion of a large Christmas tree near the stage at the Moose Lodge. Three other men are decorating the lower portion of the tree. Names listed in newspaper. (TNT, 12/23/1949, p.16)

Loyal Order of Moose, Tacoma Lodge 435 (Tacoma); Christmas trees--Tacoma; Bags;

Model standing in doorway showing size of vault, Condon Co., Morris. The vault section held 10,000 safe deposit boxes of varying sizes, making it one of the largest in the Pacific Northwest. It was of fortress-like construction with the outer walls of thick concrete and an inner lining, including the floors, of 1-inch and 1 1/2 inch inch steel. The massive burglar-proof circular steel door weighed 22 tons with its frame scaling 17 tons. (TNT, 11/30/1949, p.9)

Pacific First Federal Savings & Loan Association (Tacoma); Vaults (Strong rooms)--Tacoma; Banks--Tacoma;

Students at Annie Wright Seminary watch a slide presentation shown by one of their teachers. The teacher handles the slide projector from a table in the middle of the class. A movie projector stands at the back of the room. Sound panels have been attached to the back wall.

Private schools--Tacoma--1940-1950; Uniforms; Students--Tacoma--1940-1950; Group portraits; Annie Wright Seminary (Tacoma)--1940-1950; Motion picture devices; Transparencies;

Shower for Billie Jean Rust, Tribune, Barbara Dana. Twenty-three women and girls gathered at the home of Miss Nancy Slayden to shower Billie Jean Rust with presents as she prepares for her marriage and new home. Billie Jean sits on the far left. She and Dr. Thomas O. Murphy were to marry January 6, 1950, at the Tacoma Country and Golf Club. Miss Rust was the daughter of Roscoe A. and Margaret Smith. (TNT, 12/4/1949, p.D-1)

Rust, Billie Jean; Showers (Parties)--Tacoma--1940-1950; Women--Tacoma--1940-1950;

General Kaiser coming down gang plank from ship, Mt. McKinley, Chamber of Commerce, Armed Services Committee, Col. James Stack. The Second Infantry division troops have returned from "Operation Miki" maneuvers in Hawaii. Approximately 15,000 Fort Lewis men participated in the "invasion". A Red Cross stand provided milk, coffee, and doughnuts through the Tacoma Chamber of Commerce. One of the Fort Lewis Dairy delivery trucks and another vehicle with loudspeakers on top of the cab stand behind the tables with apples and milk for the service men. (TNT,11/17/1949, p.1) TPL-10358

Soldiers--Tacoma--1940-1950; American National Red Cross Pierce County Chapter (Tacoma); Charitable organizations--Tacoma; Trucks--Tacoma--1940-1950; Military uniforms--United States;

Basketball players at Boys Club, Moose Club. One of the boys on the team sits on a step ladder near the basket to tip the ball in. His teammates stand around below while the coach is ready to knock it back if it fails to go through. The Moose Club provided not only financial support but also personal time with the boys at the Boys Club.

Sports & recreation facilities--Tacoma; Basketball--Tacoma; Basketball players--Tacoma--1940-1950; Loyal Order of Moose, Tacoma Lodge 435 (Tacoma); Children--Clubs--Tacoma; Tacoma Boys' Club (Tacoma); Boys--Tacoma--1940-1950;

The L.L. Thompson family posed for a family portrait at home on December 7, 1949. Hanging on the wall behind them is a large portrait of L.F. Thompson, grandfather of Mr. Thompson. L.F. Thompson was a hop grower and member of the Washington Territorial Legislature and later a Senator in the Washington Senate. Mr. L.L. Thompson also played a major role in Washington government. He was the state's Attorney General from 1919-1923 while only in his very early 30s and the first Washington native to serve in that capacity. From left to right are: L.L. Thompson, Gen Thompson, Rhea Thompson and Claire Thompson Raaum. The Thompsons resided at 4108 North 39th St. (Additional information and identification provided by a reader)

Thompson, L.L.--Homes & haunts; Thompson, L.L.; Thompson, Rhea; Thompson, Gen; Thompson, Claire; Raaum, Claire Thompson; Thompson, L.L.--Family; Paintings;

Richard Wagner (center) won this handsome turkey at the Pharaoh Club's 5th annual Thanksgiving dance held on Thursday November 24, 1949 at the Top of the Ocean. Holding Mr. Wagner's turkey, while Miss Janet McMath tickles its breast feathers, is Gene Nelson. The Pharaoh Club was a young men's social group organized by a small number of students in 1939; by 1949 the groups membership had grown. Since Mr. Wagner did not win his turkey until Thanksgiving evening, we must assume that he kept it as a pet - at least until Christmas. (TNT 11/13/1949 p.D-4; 11/27/1949 p.D-1)

Top of the Ocean (Tacoma); Restaurants--Tacoma--1940-1950; Nightclubs--Tacoma--1940-1950; Pharaoh Club (Tacoma); Turkeys; Nelson, Gene; Wagner, Richard; McMath, Janet; Dance parties--Tacoma--1940-1950; Holidays--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Fircrest Orthopedic Guild members, left to right, Mrs. Jack Hawkins, president; Mrs. E.S. Charles, treasurer; and, Mrs. Helmut Jueling, vice president and project chairman showed-off Washington state's new 1950 license plates in this photograph from December of 1949. The Orthopedic Guilds of Lakewood, Midland and Fircrest were selling automobile license plates as a fund-raising project. A 25-cent service fee added to the cost of each license plate sold went to the guilds. Pierce County residents who did not want to pay the extra 25-cent fee could purchase their plates at the county courthouse. (TNT, 12/15/1949, C-3). TPL-8478

Vehicles; License plates--Washington (State)--1940-1950; Fund raising--Tacoma--1940-1950; Charitable organizations; Tacoma Orthopedic Association, Fircrest Guild (Fircrest); Women--Social life--1940-1950;

Banquet for 25 Year Club and Pensioners at Towers, E.I. DuPont de Nemours & Co., Mr. George Collins. DuPont Works Annual Dinner, Pensioners and 25 Year Men. The Grasselli division of E.I. DuPont de Nemours & Company began manufacturing lead and calcium arsenates for fruit, cotton and ground crops in May 1944. They also warehoused millions of pounds of agricultural chemicals manufactured by its eastern plant. The company had another plant for the manufacture of high explosives in Dupont, Washington. Names were listed in the newspaper November 18, 1949. (TNT, 2/17/1949, p.6-A; 11/18/1949, p.B-9; T.Times, 1/30/1946)

Banquets--Tacoma--1940-1950; Business people--Tacoma--1940-1950; E.I. du Pont de Nemours & Co. (Dupont)--People; Towers Restaurant (Tacoma);

Interior and exterior for submitting to Liquor Board, Valley Cafe, Sumner, Frank Guisti. Swivel stools with back rests line the counter. Booths line the opposite wall and open sided booths create a center seating area.

Cafes--Sumner--1940-1950; Valley Cafe (Sumner);

Plate of food for menu, Kelly Clarke Co., Mr. Selig. A table is set with plates full of buns heaped with sloppy-joes, potato chips, pickles and olives. A box of Nalley's potato chips and a bottle of Nalley's dill pickles sit at the back of the table together with a can of Oscar Mayer shredded pork and shredded beef and a large can of Lindsay olives.

Food--Tacoma--1940-1950; Canned foods; Meat; Potato chips; Nalley's, Inc. (Tacoma)--Products; Food industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Merchandise displays--Tacoma--1940-1950; Advertising--Tacoma--1940-1950;

The Tacoma Chapter of Junior Musicians of America presented a concert December 16, 1949, at Stewart Junior High School auditorium under the direction of Bronislau Stempezynski, seen on the extreme right. The orchestra members, ranging in age from 5 1/2 to 16 years of age, played a program of classical and popular numbers. Names are listed in the newspaper. (TNT, 12/25/1949, p.25) Format 4" x 10".

Junior Musicians of America (Tacoma); Stempezynski, Bronislau; Stewart Junior High School (Tacoma); Children playing musical instruments--Tacoma--1940-1950; Youth orchestras--Tacoma--1940-1950; Stages (Platforms); Auditoriums--Tacoma;

New bowling alley at White Center, Jack Vasso. A view of the interior of the newly completed White Center Bowl showing ten lanes, the scoring stations, player and visitor seating, and ball returns. The barrel ceiling is lit along the beams for a stripped effect.

White Center Bowl (Seattle); Bowling alleys--Seattle--1940-1950; Barrel ceilings--Seattle; Lighting--Seattle; Bowling balls;

A shiny, new 1950 Chevrolet De Luxe 2 door sedan was on display in the showroom window at South Tacoma Motor Company in January of 1950. The transom above the large picture window was decorated with a banner, "Now on Display - New Chevrolet for '50". Peter Wallerich founded the South Tacoma Motor Company after he acquired a combined livery business and service store in 1919. He opened his new Chevrolet dealership at 5602 So. Tacoma Way in 1924. During the post-war boom of the 1950's, the South Tacoma Motor Company was selling 200 cars and trucks a year. (South on the Sound, Murray and Rosa Morgan) TPL-8566

Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1950-1960; Chevrolet automobile; South Tacoma Motor Co. (Tacoma);