ca. 1959. Davids & Royston Bulb Co., ordered by Rilco Laminated Products Co.

Davids & Royston Bulb Co.;

ca. 1959. Steve's Gay Nineties restaurant. This is believed to be the entrance to the restaurant conglomerate. The intricately carved wooden panel to the right came from the recently demolished County Courthouse. A cardboard cutout of Steve's famous can can dancers sits atop the panel. To the left rear is a piano, that also appears to have percussion equipment located at the bottom. This is believed to be the "Orchestron," originally from the Red Front Saloon, and located in the lobby of Steve's. The hand carved, hardwood instrument could play drums, cymbals, chimes, mandolin, organ and xylophone music. Steve's was divided into five restaurant areas, the Golden Era Cafe, the Cable Car Room, the Opera House (with the floorshow), the Gay Nineties Smorgasbord (with the fringed surrey seating) and the Memory Lane Banquet Room. They were celebrating their 10th year in the restaurant and entertainment business. (TNT 11/26/1959, pg D-2 - D-3)

Steve's Gay '90s (Tacoma); Restaurants--Tacoma--1950-1960;

ca. 1959. Central Refuse Equipment Repair Yard, photograph ordered by Rilco Laminated Products. This site was probably owned by the City of Tacoma and was the location for repairing trash trucks.

ca. 1959. Proposed grandstand for the Tacoma-Pierce County baseball park, later known as Cheney Stadium, as submitted by Ben Cheney. The stadium began operation in April of 1960. The City Council voted 8-1 to award the construction contract for its baseball park to Ben Cheney based on this design, with Mrs. Clara Goering as the lone desenter. Associated with Cheney in his bid were Earley Construction and Concrete Technology. The $647,088 contract called for a prestressed concrete structure. The proposed stadium had convinced the San Francisco Giants to transfer their Phoenix Franchise to Tacoma, marking Tacoma's entrance into the Pacific Coast Baseball League. The opening saga had been the drawn out selection of a site for the baseball park. Ben Cheney proposed a plan under the lease-purchase act where the city would acquire the property he owned at Cheney Field at 1/2 its appraised evaluation. He would then build a $620, 000 stadium which the city would lease over a number of years with the property eventually reverting to the city. The county and city finally agreed jointly on a undeveloped site owned by Metropolitan Parks at Snake Lake, south of Heidelberg Park, that would be gifted to the city. A baseball park that seats 7,000 would be constructed at a cost of $590,000. The city and county would each pay $21,700 a year for 20 years; anticipated revenue from the park was a minimum of $14,000 a year. Ben Cheney made a counter proposal and Snake Lake was still selected as the site. After further discussions and concessions, including offering the majority of the property for free, the stadium site was moved to Cheney Field in order to meet the April completion deadline and possibly to avoid offending Cheney, one of the main contributors to sports in Tacoma. Then it was moved back to the Snake Lake Recreational area, at So. 23rd & Cheyenne, by a 6-2 vote with only Mayor Ben Hanson and Mrs. Clara Goering voting for the Cheney Field site. Objections included the 426 foot strip along So. 38th retained by Cheney and potential traffic problems. The stadium was finally built at the Snake Lake site and named for Cheney, sports greatest friend and benefactor in Tacoma. (TNT 8/15/1959, pg. 1; 8/18/1959, pg 1; 9/11/1959, pg. 1; 9/15/1959, pg.1; 12/22/1959, pg. 1)

Cheney Stadium (Tacoma); Baseball--Tacoma--1960-1970;

The Richards Studio worked even on New Year's Day as they took some aerial photographs of the 108th St. and Bridgeport Way S.W. area. Ellie's Shell Service was located at 10808 Bridgeport Way S.W. It appears to have had six pumps and a garage. Behind Ellie's was a brushy area with a flooded gravel pit. This was a growing area and there were many homes and apartment units scattered along these streets. There appeared to be still more room for expansion.

Aerial photographs; Neighborhoods--Lakewood--1950-1960; Ellie's Shell Service (Lakewood);

ca. 1959. Russ Dunmire Oldsmobile Inc. In 1958, Munson Motors became Russ Dunmire. The company sold and serviced Oldsmobiles. Here uniformed employees are in training about 10:30 in the morning studying slide projections of a late Fifties Olds motor part. President of the company was Russell Dunmire.

Russ Dunmire Oldsmobile, Inc. (Tacoma); Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1950-1960;

ca. 1959. A science class at Pacific Lutheran College. The class sits at two person lab tables, with scales. They intently listen to the professor who stands at the front of the group with a globe. Math inscriptions are chalked on the board. Sinks line the counters on either side. An almost completed addition to the Science Hall greeted the returning students in the fall of 1959. Soon the addition was opened, offering additional laboratory and classroom space as well as a new science library. The laboratory, classrooms, office and library for the physics and math departments occupied the first floor. Biology was on the second and Chemistry on the third. The wing was built of steel, masonry, concrete, wood and glass, designed by Lea, Pearson and Richards. (TNT 4-7-1959, pg. C-9)

Students--Parkland; Educational facilities--Parkland; Education--Parkland; Universities & colleges--Parkland; Pacific Lutheran College (Parkland)--1950-1960;

ca. 1959. Aerial of "Nalley Valley, " circa 1959. Tacoma Municipal Water Works building in the lower left hand corner. All of the buildings in the center of the picture, to the left of the railroad tracks, belong to Marcus Nalley's vast food production empire. Nalley's was founded in Tacoma in 1918 and grew rapidly due to the quality of their products. By 1959, their food production was centered in "Nalley Valley" where they produced potato chips, pickles and salad dressing, just to name a few products.

Nalley Valley (Tacoma); Nalley's, Inc. (Tacoma); Food--Tacoma--1950-1960; Food industry--Tacoma--1950-1960; Aerial photographs;

ca. 1959. Aerial of downtown Tacoma and the almost completed County City Building at 930 Tacoma Ave. South. The CC building lies in the center of the photograph. To the left of the building is the new (1952) Tacoma Public Library at 1102 Tacoma Ave. So. Directly behind the CC building is the old Pierce County Courthouse, at 1012 So G. St., still in use until the CC building is completed but scheduled for demolition. Directly behind the Courthouse is the Washington National Guard Armory, at 715 So. 11th St., which remains at this location. The erection of the County City Building was a long time in coming; from its voter approval in 1952 to the start of construction in 1956 to the dedication of the new building April 10, 1959.

Progress photographs; County-City Building (Tacoma); Building construction--Tacoma--1950-1960; Tacoma Public Library (Tacoma); Pierce County Courthouse (Tacoma); State Armory (Tacoma);

ca. 1959. Cement bags being produced in St. Regis's multi-wall bag plant in Tacoma. The bags are for Dacotah Portland Cement, produced by the South Dakota Cement plant in Rapid City, SD.

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

ca. 1959. Frank Stojack served as Pierce County Sheriff from 1958 to 1962. The Lincoln High School graduate played pro-football for the NFL's Brooklyn Dodgers in 1936 before launching an immensely successful wrestling career. Fans voted him the "King of Wrestling" in 1953. Stojack was elected to the Tacoma City Council the same year, running as the "Champion of Fair Play". He duties after being elected sheriff in 1958 included moving the department into the new County-City Building, seen in the background shortly after its completion in 1959. The Tacoma Boys Clubs received over $300,000 from the estate of Frank Stojack after his death in 1987.

horses

Tacoma Public Library - South Tacoma Branch
Photograph by John Bickel (D166-3)
From back of photo: South Tacoma dedication

South Tacoma Dedication

Tacoma Public Library - McCormick (Wheelock) Branch

ca. 1959. James Cammarano and Robert Cammarano are pictured receiving awards from an unidentified representative of the Clicquot Club Beverage Co. in 1959. The plaques, which were excellence of product awards, were given by Clicquot (pronounced Kleek-O) to the Cammarano Brothers firm in recognition of high quality control standards. Examples of Clicquot Quinine Water and Root Beer are displayed in the background. (Photograph courtesy of the William Cammarano Collection) TPL-10429

Awards; Cammarano, James; Cammarano, Robert; Cammarano Bros. (Tacoma); Clicquot Club Beverage Co.;

Exterior - State Savings & Loan Assn. Curtains are open in the State Savings & Loan Assn. building showing empty modern foyer and lobby area. The Assn.'s offices were now located at 911 Pacific Avenue in the heart of the downtown business and financial district. They were formerly at 913 Pacific before buying and remodeling the adjoining Floral Building. A large sign and clock illuminate the outer darkness; the Richards photographer ventured out at 12:55 a.m. to take this shot. The State Savings & Loan Assn. celebrated the opening of its new home office with an open house for the public from January 5-9, 1959. The association was founded in 1912 and was one of the oldest in the area. It was headed since 1922 by Calvin W. Stewart. State Savings & Loan also had two branches in Puyallup and Gig Harbor at this time. Photograph ordered by Robert Danhauser, State Savings & Loan Assn. (TNT 1-4-59, B-5)

State Savings & Loan Association (Tacoma); Banks--Tacoma; Electric signs--Tacoma--1950-1960; Clocks & watches;

Dick Walker, assistant cashier of National Bank of Washington, puts the final touches on the plywood Christmas figures in front of the N.B.W. billboard at Union and South Tacoma Way. The enormous sign was 56 feet above street level and over 60 feet wide. Even the plywood figures are doubled the size of Mr. Walker. The billboard extends the bank's wishes for a happy new year to all their customers. Photograph ordered by Douglas Fir Plywood Association.

Plywood; Christmas decorations; Electric signs--Tacoma--1950-1960; National Bank of Washington (Tacoma); Signs (Notices); Walker, Dick;

Over thirty students - only one a girl - were crowded into Clare Sherwood's science lab at Wilson High School in December of 1958 for a presentation that centered on what appears to be the wiring harness of a pinball machine. Mr. Sherwood was the head of the science department at Tacoma's newest high school. Woodrow Wilson High School opened its doors in September, 1958, the first new Tacoma high school in four decades. It was designed by architects Lea, Pearson & Richards as a modified campus-type arrangement on a 40-acre site purchased in 1953 by the school board as tax title land. The total cost was approximately $2.84 million with a cost per square foot of $13.96. (Photograph ordered by Citizens Committee for School Support.) (TNT 7-14-57, B-8) TPL-9296

Woodrow Wilson High School (Tacoma); Public schools--Tacoma--1950-1960; Classrooms--Tacoma--1950-1960; Sherwood, Clare; Teachers--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Chemistry students at the brand new Woodrow Wilson High School in Tacoma's west end focus intently on their lab experiments just prior to the Christmas holidays in 1958. The high school, with an enrollment of 1,350 students, had just opened in September of that year. Woodrow Wilson High School was the first new Tacoma high school to be built in forty-four years. About half of the students transferred from Stadium High School, and a few came from the University Place area. Maynard Ponko was Wilson's first principal. Photograph ordered by the Citizens Committee for School Support. (TNT 9-3-58, A-1) TPL-9297

Woodrow Wilson High School (Tacoma); Public schools--Tacoma--1950-1960; Classrooms--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Window display, Rhodes Bros. Department Store, ordered by Rhodes Bros. Just prior to Christmas Day, a window display at the downtown Rhodes Bros. Department Store highlights a fine selection of glassware and delicate evening wear. A small banner suggests thoughtful ideas for the last-minute shopper could be found in the Gift Department, fourth floor. Rhodes had been in business in Tacoma since 1892 and at their 9th & Broadway location since 1903. Their famous slogan was "All Roads Lead to Rhodes." Sixteen years after this photograph was taken, Rhodes closed the downtown store. It was spared the wrecking ball to become the University of Puget Sound Law School and later purchased by the State of Washington for office space. Photograph ordered by Rhodes Bros.

Rhodes Brothers Department Store (Tacoma); Department stores--Tacoma--1950-1960; Window displays--Tacoma--1950-1960; Mannequins;

Two mannequins are delicately posed in the storefront windows of Rhodes Bros. Department Store three days before Christmas, 1958. They are dressed in pink nylon gown sets whose prices apparently ranged from $14.95 to $19.95. To accessorize the gowns, soft slippers, creams, makeup and jewelry are displayed nearby. Christmas lights and gift boxes flank the window and help to illuminate the recessed display. Photograph ordered by Rhodes Bros. Department Store.

Rhodes Brothers Department Store (Tacoma); Department stores--Tacoma--1950-1960; Window displays--Tacoma--1950-1960; Mannequins;

Aerials of the downtown area around Saint Helens, Tacoma Ave. So., and Division were taken by Richards Studio on December 22, 1958, for a sample book. Saint Helens Ave. and Tacoma Ave. So. meet at a "V" at Division. First Presbyterian Church can clearly be seen to the right. The new County-City Bldg. and Central Schools are on Tacoma Ave. on the right side of the photograph. The Medical Arts Bldg. is toward the top center on Saint Helens in a smaller "v". The street to the left of Saint Helens is Broadway. The last street to the left is no longer there; Schuster Parkway has taken its place. Further to the top left corner of the photograph, Puget Sound National Bank and Schoenfeld's furniture store are located. TPL-9298

Aerial photographs; Commercial streets--Tacoma--1950-1960; First Presbyterian Church (Tacoma); County-City Building (Tacoma); Medical Arts Building (Tacoma);

Interior of Rhodes. Christmas time at Rhodes Bros. Department Store meant plenty of festive decorations including trees and fresh garlands to provide a merry atmosphere for its customers. View of interior featuring ladies' fine sweaters, cosmetics and assorted leather handbags taken on December 22, 1958. There was still time for the last-minute shopper to choose from a wide array of gift items. Photograph ordered by Rhodes Bros. Department Store.

Rhodes Brothers Department Store (Tacoma); Department stores--Tacoma--1950-1960; Merchandise displays--Tacoma--1950-1960; Christmas decorations;

Robert Hall, Kenneth Johnson, and C. M. Wienker present gifts on behalf of the Young Men's Business Club to young children at the Tacoma Indian Hospital. The Y.M.B.C. was a civics organization that performed many charitable works including supporting the Jessie Dyslin Boys Ranch. Just prior to Christmas, 1958, they traveled to the Tacoma Indian Hospital with gifts for the young patients. Many of the children came to Tacoma from out-of-state and would not be able to return home for the holidays, including Keith Pocatilla of Fort Hall, Idaho, and Thelma Jones of Poplar, Montana. Photograph ordered by the Young Men's Business Club. (TNT 12-23-58, p. 11)

Young Mens Business Club (Tacoma); Clubs--Tacoma--1950-1960; Community service--Tacoma--1950-1960; Hall, Robert; Johnson, Kenneth; Wienker, C. M.; Pocatilla, Keith; Jones, Thelma;

Aerial photographs of the 111st St. and Bridgeport Way S.W. neighborhood were taken by Richards on December 22, 1958. They were photographing various city neighborhoods by air that day for inclusion in sample books. This area was also known as Lakeview. Belcher Realty's large signage on Bridgeport can be clearly seen from the air; it was owned and operated by Lyle V. Belcher, broker. The realty firm handled homes, farms, acreage and insurance in the Lakes area. Next to Belcher's was Bridgeport Service, a gas station owned by Wesley Baker and James Bohannon. The Bell Fuel Co. had their suburban facility on 111st St. It was a Mobilheat dealer and sold stove and diesel oil. It is possible that across the street from Bell Fuel was the A.A. Meat Co.

Aerial photographs; Neighborhoods--Lakewood--1950-1960; Belcher Realty (Lakewood); Bell Fuel Co. (Lakewood);

It appears that new construction is going up in the vicinity of E. 40th & Portland Ave. in late December, 1958. The smaller unit closer to the intersection is a gas station. The identity of the larger rectangular building is not certain; it may have been a grocery store. The carefully spaced houses across the street from the gas station are part of the Salishan housing project, which was originally built as housing for war workers and military families. The first family moved into Salishan in 1943; the neighborhood consisted of one-story units, single family, duplexes, and four-family units. Aerial photographs were taken on December 22, 1958, by the Richards Studio for a sample book.

Aerial photographs; Neighborhoods--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Aerial photographs of the E. 40th & Portland Avenue neighborhood were taken on December 22, 1958, by the Richards Studio for inclusion in a sample book. A church and Dairy Queen stand side-by-side across the street from the neatly aligned homes of the Salishan housing development. Each unit in Salishan had a fairly large grass yard; clothes can be spotted hanging to dry in the backyards. New construction is taking place in the upper left hand corner as a gas station and another large building, a new Piggly Wiggly supermarket, are being built. The Piggly Wiggly would open on March 18, 1959. (Additional information provided by a reader)

Aerial photographs; Neighborhoods--Tacoma--1950-1960; Building construction--Tacoma--1950-1960;