Steven Motor Company, Chrysler and Plymouth dealers, general view from Broadway. New Chrysler in showroom window, neon signs, used car department. Medical Arts building can be seen behind the Stevens structure. Building was also known as the Griggs building and was built in 1917.

Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1950-1960; Chrysler automobile; Plymouth automobile; Steven Motor Co. (Tacoma);

Two unidentified women sit behind a desk that is covered with chocolate bells in this photograph from January 1955. The bells were created for the Pacific Telephone & Telegraph Company to be given out to their employees as rewards for maintaining a good attendance record. It is not known whether the women in this photograph worked for Pacific Bell or for the company that made the bells.

Pacific Telephone & Telegraph Co. (Tacoma)--Employees--1950-1960;

Studio portrait of C.T. Chandler, vice-president of National Bank of Washington. Chandler was elected Vice president of Transamerica and would be taking up his new duties in San Francisco in February of 1955. He would be heading up a new department set up by Transamerica to consolidate the activities of several branch banking systems. Chandler joined the National Bank of Washington October 1, 1938 as assistant vice president, coming from San Pedro, California. (TNT 1/5/1955, pg. 18)

Banks--Tacoma; Banking--Tacoma--1950-1960; Bankers--Tacoma; National Bank of Washington (Tacoma)--People; Chandler, C.T.;

Pacific Telephone & Telegraph Co. employees holding attendance awards. The small bells were designed and distributed by the company as incentives and rewards.

Pacific Telephone & Telegraph Co. (Tacoma)--Employees--1950-1960;

Traffic "slow" signs made out of different materials being studied by a man with a clipboard, photographed for the DFPA. The signs made out of plywood, plywood overlays, glass fiber, steel and aluminum will undergo rigorous testing for durability. They will be tested against direct blows by heavy objects and gunshots. They will be tested for day and evening visibility. The testing was ordered and monitored by the Douglas Fir Plywood Association, well known for policing its own product. Fir plywood emerged the victor in the tests. TPL-8260

Traffic signs & signals--Tacoma--1950-1960; Signs (Notices); Testing; Product Inspection;

Southgate housing subdivision for Sherman L. Rowland, contractor. Sherman Rowland was a member of the Tacoma Master Builders Association. He was developing one of the newest suburban parks, a huge track west of Highway 99 and opposite Max Frolic's cafe. The track of land, formerly a large private estate, was being developed into 300 plus private homes adorned with mature trees in a park like setting. Development began in mid 1954; and by 1955, 70 Rowland built homes were complete and no two were alike. Future plans included an elementary school and easy access to the Lakes district. TPL-8314

Housing developments--Lakewood--1950-1960;

Road signs, for the DFPA. These "Slow" road signs made of different materials will undergo rigorous testing over the next couple of months. The signs are constructed of plywood, overlaid plywood, steel, aluminum and fiberglass. They will be rigorously tested for their ability to stand up to direct hits, gunshots and wear and tear. They will be tested for legibility in the daylight as well as at nighttime. The testing was ordered and recorded by the Douglas Fir Plywood Association.

Plywood; Traffic signs & signals--Tacoma--1950-1960; Signs (Notices); Testing; Product inspection;

On January 12, 1955, a photographer, believed to be Bob Richards, balanced gingerly on the top step of a ladder placed between railroad tracks as he prepared to photograph a set of traffic signs made from various materials for the Douglas Fir Plywood Association. The "Slow" signs are individually labeled as to the materials used in their manufacture- steel, alum(inum), fiber glass, no overlay, no overlay painted, no overlay unpainted, and plywood. The plywood industry sought to convince municipalities that sturdy, durable, plywood was the best material for traffic signs. Photograph ordered by the Douglas Fir Plywood Association.

Photographers--Tacoma--1950-1960; Traffic signs & signals--Tacoma--1950-1960; Ladders;

In January of 1955, four year old Daisy Mae Dean, covered by a plastic smock from head to toe and with the open mouth of deep concentration, painted an abstract picture with water colors and brush under the watchful eye of schoolmate Johnny Welch. This photograph of the ringleted lass was ordered by the March of Dimes. Both children attended the Crippled Childrens' School, located at 5030 E. Roosevelt Ave., and both were stricken by polio in 1952. The March of Dimes raised funds for the National Foundation for Infantile Paralysis, which funded research into polio and assistance for its victims. Daisy Mae, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Henry Dean, wore leg braces and received physical therapy. Johnny, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Elroy Welch, had his right arm and leg affected by polio and also received therapy. The Jonas Salk vaccine was not yet mass administered, but funding was being raised for mass inoculation should it prove effective. (TNT 1/23/1955, pg. D-11)

National Foundation for Infantile Paralysis (Tacoma); March of Dimes (Tacoma); Dean, Daisy Mae; Children drawing & painting--Tacoma; Welch, John; Crippled Childrens School (Tacoma);

On January 7, 1955, the Richards Studios were requested to photograph two models and the abundant use of plywood for the Condon Advertising Agency of Tacoma. The cameraman to the right is believed to be Bob Richards. The models are sitting on striped cushions placed on a partially completed floor made of plywood. They have paused in their chess game to listen to an unidentified man assisting in the scene. Behind them is a wall made of vertical wood strips. Photograph ordered by the Condon Advertising Agency, one of the oldest advertising agencies in the Pacific Northwest, and St. Paul & Tacoma Lumber Co.

Plywood; Advertising--Tacoma--1950-1960; Advertising agencies--Tacoma; Photographers--Tacoma--1950-1960; Condon Co., Inc. (Tacoma);

Reno Odlin, President of Puget Sound National Bank, and Mrs. Horace Fogg, Tacoma artist, gaze up at his portrait on its presentation to the Lakewood branch of the bank. The life size oil portrait of Odlin's head and shoulders was painted by Mrs. Fogg to be displayed in the lounge of the bank. It is one of a series of portraits of well known Tacomans painted by the artist. Mrs. Fogg studied art in Florence and other European cities and specialized in portraits. She painted only for her pleasure and that of her friends, preferring not to sell her paintings. (TNT 1/9/1955, pg. D-9)

Bankers--Tacoma; Puget Sound National Bank (Lakewood); Odlin, Reno, 1897-1979; Portraits; Fogg, Horace--Family;

Reno Odlin, president of Puget Sound National Bank, poses in front of his own portrait. This is the formal presentation of the portrait, painted by Tacoma artist Mrs. Horace Fogg, at the Lakewood branch of the bank. The portrait was unveiled January 6, 1955 for bank officials and a few close friends to see for the first time. The unveiling was followed by a buffet supper hosted by Mr. and Mrs. Odlin, with Mrs. Fogg as the guest of honor. The oil painting is one of a number of portraits made by Fogg of well known Tacomans. (TNT 1/9/1955, pg. D-9)

Bankers--Tacoma; Puget Sound National Bank (Lakewood); Odlin, Reno, 1897-1979; Portraits;

Surprise Lake Realty, for Pacific Telegraph and Telco. Located at 65th Ave. N.W., Surprise Lake Realty was selling property on the north side of Surprise Lake. A man and a woman pose with Pactel phone equipment in a rustic room, snow peaks of mountains can be seen outside the right window. There is a Surprise Lake located in Milton. It was a popular resort area.

Surprise Lake Realty (Pierce County); Real estate business--Pierce County;

Copy of a 1900 era photograph of Gustav A. Carlson for the DFPA. On May 7, 1901, Carlson, F.S. Doernbecher and M. L. Holbrook incorporated as the Portland Manufacturing Co. Capital stock was $25,000 with Carlson holding a half interest. In 1902, Peter Autzen, a Grays Harbor logging man, bought out Doernbecher & Holbrook but remained in Hoquiam while Carlson continued to run the company. The company produced baskets and crates for the fruit and berry trade, as well as coffee and spice drums. In 1905, for the Portland World's Fair, Portland Manufacturing was asked to prepare an exhibit featuring something new and unusual. Carlson, with the assistance of a skilled lathe operator named N. J. Bailey, created glued plywood panels. The panels were rough and time consuming to produce, but orders began to come in from door companies. In September of 1906, Carlson was killed suddenly on a duck hunting trip. Peter Autzen, a financial and sales genius, took over sole management of the company and founded a financial dynasty built on the plywood panel.

Carlson, Gustav A.; Portland Manufacturing Co. (Portland); Douglas Fir Plywood Association (Tacoma); Lumber industry--Tacoma--1900-1910; Clothing & dress--Portland--1900-1910;

United Pacific Insurance Co.'s Open House, January 4, 1955, in their new office building. The new building was designed by John Graham Co., Architects, to complement the Medical Arts building. The new building would take almost 2 years to complete and cost close to 1/2 million dollars. The five story building would be used primarily by United Pacific for their home office. The company had 15 branch offices throughout the county, plus a number of claim service offices. It operated in 32 states, plus Alaska and the District of Columbia. The main business of the company was contract bonding, but it also offered auto, fire, marine and hazard insurance on a wholesale basis. In this picture, a group of people study the guest register. (TNT 1/5/1955, pg. 18)

United Pacific Insurance Co. (Tacoma);

Back of Photo:
Perry Smith
Hole-in-One Tournament

Back of Photo:
Perry Smith
Honeywell cleaned house: 02/08/1966

ca. 1955. A woman poses in front of an entertainment center that houses her phonograph and books. The woman is wearing a satin look skirt, a dark tucked in sweater and heavy earrings, choker necklace and a charm bracelet. She is looking at a phonograph record that she is about to place on the phonograph. The record player appears to swing up and into the center, some large controls can be seen to its right and speakers to the right of that. Books line the shelves.

High-fidelity sound systems--Tacoma--1950-1960; Phonographs; Bookcases --Tacoma--1950-1960;

ca. 1955. A model poses in front of a custom entertainment center. This unit has been designed specifically to fit this corner; it has three faces rather than a straight line in order to use the space more efficiently. The closed cabinet above the model hides the black and white T.V. set. A radio lies to the right of the speakers and a phonograph turntable which pulls down when needed is to the left of the speakers.

High-fidelity sound systems--Tacoma--1950-1960; Phonographs; Bookcases --Tacoma--1950-1960; Televisions--1950-1960;

ca. 1955. Framed here in a darkened arch, the combination chapel/music/speech building was the religious and cultural center of the Pacific Lutheran College in Parkland. The groundbreaking for the $750,000 structure was in 1949 and the building was dedicated in May of 1952. Dr. S.C. Eastvold was President of the College. The three story building was built of concrete faced with brick, designed by Lea, Pearson and Richards to harmonize with the new library, science and Student Union buildings. It lay to the west of Old Main, forming a quadrangle with the Science Hall, library and Old Main. It held a large chapel/auditorium that seated 1200 with a oversize stage of 36 x 72 ft., a smaller devotional chapel directly under the 150 ft. spire that held 75, radio and speech studios, 17 piano and 2 organ practice rooms, several music studios, a music library and a small stage. In 1967, it was renamed Eastvold Chapel in honor of the retiring President who oversaw much of the growth of PLC. TPL-8607

Universities & colleges--Parkland; Pacific Lutheran College (Parkland)--Buildings; Pacific Lutheran College (Parkland)--1950-1960;

ca. 1955. Pacific Lutheran College's "Old Main," renamed Harstad Hall in honor of school founder Rev. Bjug Harstad in 1960. PLC was founded in 1890 by Rev. Harstad. Construction on Old Main began in 1891 and the building was opened for use in 1894. At that time, tuition was $1.00 a week and the six story building on the Parkland prairie 40 minutes from Tacoma (by street car or railroad) was the whole school. It housed dormitories, classrooms, library, chapel, offices and the dining hall and kitchen. Over the years, the building has undergone changes. Its famous ivy was removed in 1950 because it was damaging the building. The cafeteria was moved in 1955 to the Student Union and the offices and classrooms moved in 1960 to the new administration building. The entire building was converted to men's dormitory rooms.

Universities & colleges--Parkland; Pacific Lutheran College (Parkland)--Buildings; Pacific Lutheran College (Parkland)--1950-1960;

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);

ca. 1955. Interiors of Ben Cheney's home. The living room of Cheney's home in Browns Point has exposed beams, knotty wood panelling and a large fieldstone fireplace. In front of the fireplace is a sunken conversation pit with pillows. The furniture is simple and comfortable. Although Cheney was a millionaire, his home is very simply decorated and comfortable.

Cheney, Ben B., 1905-1971--Homes & haunts; Living rooms--Tacoma--1950-1960;

ca. 1955. Pacific Oerlikon Co. An employee works on a precision grinder. Pacific Oerlikon manufactured electrical components, including huge breakers used in the power grid. It occupied the site of the former Henry Mill and Timber Co. Pacific Oerlikon was a subsidiary of Oerlikon Engineering Co. and was entirely Swiss owned.

Pacific Oerlikon Co. (Tacoma); Electrical apparatus; Electrical apparatus industry--Tacoma--1950-1960; Electronic industry--Tacoma--1950-1960; Machinery; Equipment;

ca. 1955. Three members of the nursing staff pose in front of the Laboure Nursing Home at 901 Tule Lake Rd. The Laboure Home was owned and operated by Grace M. Hoffman and Florence B. Moore. It was a rest home for the aged and convalescent. It had a licensed nursing staff and a house physician. It was a member of WALNH (Washington Association of Licensed Nursing Homes.)

Laboure Nursing Home (Parkland); Houses--Parkland--1950-1960;

ca. 1955. Copy of customer print. A man is perched on a worktable with his eyes focused on his rod and reel in a photograph possibly taken in the mid-1950's. A tall white cabinet is open; it has space for flies and a net on the interior of the door. There are hooks to hang outdoor clothing and plenty of room for hats, wading boots, tackle box and additional reels. The storage unit appears to be made of plywood. Photograph ordered by Douglas Fir Plywood Association. Actual date of print is unknown; copy was made for a 35 mm slide on May 24, 1957.

Cabinets (Case furniture); Fishing & hunting gear; Fishing lures; Douglas Fir Plywood Association (Tacoma);

ca. 1955. H.D. Baker Co. Inc., business machines. The family owned company was celebrating its 50th anniversary at this new location. The company's neon sign advertises typewriters, desks, safes, office machines and cash registers. Signs in the window promote Smith-Corona typewriters. Founded in 1905 by H.D. Baker, the company sold office machines, furniture and equipment. They were proud of their new central location, with free and abundant parking; part of their expansion program. With the increased size of their new location, they now had a new department. They offered office plans combining equipment, furniture, floor coverings and interior decoration. The company had 17 employees, including 5 mechanics for service and maintenance. It was under the direction of Joe H. Baker, son of the founder and general manager. (TNT 3/20/1955, pg. A-10)

H.D. Baker Co., Inc. (Tacoma); Office equipment & supplies;

ca. 1955. The "Kiddie Korner," copy of a customer's print for the DFPA. These young boys collect armfuls of free wood to make the perfect gift for Mom or Dad. In the loving, if not always skilled, hands of these young men the wood will become bird feeders, bird houses, footstools and just plain knick knacks. Shining smiles, fresh faces and creative plans have not changed much since the fifties.

Boys--Tacoma--1950-1960; Plywood; Woodworking;