Condon Co. was an advertising company, Roscoe A. Smith is the President and Victor Kaufman is the Vice-President. The Condon Co. was working on an advertising campaign for Mobilgas. Mobilgas sign on Washington Building, view of downtown Tacoma buildings, Rust building on left side with the Medical Arts Building (now Tacoma Municipal Building) in the left background.

Electric signs--Tacoma--1940-1950; Cityscapes; Office buildings--Tacoma--1940-1950; Condon Co., Inc. (Tacoma); Washington Building (Tacoma); Rust Building (Tacoma); Medical Arts Building (Tacoma); Petroleum industry; Advertisements;

ca. 1943. A large pig looks at a sign held by two men and a woman :"You will help--won't you?" The pig was slated for the War Chest. Photograph was taken circa 1943.

Signs (Notices); Swine;

Bisig's Market was owned by Emil Bisig, it was located at 1918 East Main Street in Sumner. Exterior view of Bisig's Market in Sumner, Washington; two unidentified store clerks, possibly the owners, are standing by the store entrance. The window display indicates the store offers a wide selection of fruits, vegetables, groceries, meats, dairy products, "Fulmer" ice cream, "Coca-Cola" and "Alt Heidelberg" beer. TPL-9312

Signs (Notices); Grocery stores--Sumner; Supermarkets; Window displays; Bisig's Market (Sumner);

Exterior view of Mountain Road Inn coffee shop and restaurant, located in Chehalis, Washington. Chehalis is located on the Chehalis River at the junction of the Newaukum River in west central Lewis County. Chehalis is an Indian name, altered from Chi-ke-lis, which mean shifting sands, and refers to the sands at the mouth of the Chehalis River (TPL Washington Place Names).

Electric signs--Chehalis; Cities & towns; Business enterprises--Chehalis; Restaurants--Chehalis; Automobiles--Chehalis--1940-1950; Mountain Road Inn (Chehalis);

Nighttime view of Olympia "It's in the Water" beer electric sign at the Ingleside Cafe located on 12914 Pacific Highway Southwest in Lakewood, Washington. Photo ordered by EPCON, which was the shortened name of the Electrical Products Consolidated Company; they advertised in the 1949 City Directory as sign painters and manufacturers instead of neon signs, L.M. Moore was the district manager for the company.

Electric signs--Lakewood; Night--Lakewood; Diners (Restaurants)--Lakewood; Automobiles--Lakewood--1940-1950; Ingleside Cafe (Lakewood); Electrical Products Consolidated (Tacoma);

Night exposure Heidelberg Brewery. The highway along Pacific Avenue near 30th St. appears surreal as it was photographed at night on August 26, 1954. Highlighted billboards extolling the virtues of Burgermeister Beer, Best Foods Mayo, Chevron oil changes, Connie's Cafe and CH Sugar dot the landscape. Wavy, seemingly-neon stripes decorate the roadway. The Heidelberg Brewing Co.'s buildings, off in the distance, stand out like lighthouses in the night. Photograph ordered by Heidelberg Brewing Co.

Billboards--Tacoma--1950-1960; Heidelberg Brewing Co. (Tacoma); Signs (Notices);

Heidelberg Brewery sign at Puyallup Ave. & So. J St., ordered by Electrical Products Consolidated. This billboard is probably above 1002 Puyallup Ave. that housed the R.W. Williams Trucking Co. The billboard features the familiar student prince logo of Heidelberg Brewing and a bottle of Heidelberg beer. It invites all who pass to visit the Brewery and "enjoy that velvet tang."

Signs (Notices); Billboards--Tacoma; Advertisements--Tacoma--1950-1960; Publicity; Brewing industry--Tacoma--1950-1960; Heidelberg Brewing Co. (Tacoma)--1950-1960;

Daylight creates a less glamorous atmosphere around the casinos lining this street in Las Vegas, Nevada, in October, 1952. The two- and three-story buildings carry neon and incadescent electric signs advertising the "Westerner," "Buckley's," and the "49'er Club." The figure of a cowboy is taller than the building housing the "Pioneer Club;" the landmark neon "Vegas Vic" is 40 feet high. Automobiles have parked in every available parking space and there are but a few pedestrians. Photograph ordered by Cheney Lumber Co.

Casinos--Las Vegas--1950-1960; Electric signs--Las Vegas--1950-1960;

The casinos lining this street in Las Vegas, Nevada, in October, 1952, are lit with neon and incandescent electric signs that are taller than the buildings to which they are attached. The "Golden Nugget Gambling Hall" electric sign appears to dwarf the neon signs of other establishments; this sign is no longer in usage in 2002 as it has been replaced by more elegant gold lighting. The "Hotel Apache" sign includes a neon outline of an Indian brave's head. The outline of cowboy "Vegas Vic" invites gamblers to the "Pioneer Club". A Shell gasoline station is situated at the intersection in the foreground. Photograph ordered by Cheney Lumber Co.

Casinos--Las Vegas--1950-1960; Electric signs--Las Vegas--1950-1960;

New directional plywood sign for the DFPA. The 30 foot sign entreats visitors to come to Tacoma for the boating, fishing, golfing and beaches. These signs were to be erected on state highways to publicize Tacoma's recreational advantages and to help Tacoma get a share of the estimated $134 million generated in the state by tourism. Each sign was to have a different design in the circle, for example, Mt. Rainier, the Narrows bridge, Pt. Defiance, Fort Nisqually or the Washington State Historical Society. The number of signs was to be determined by the number of sponsors. The sign was possibly sponsored by the Brewery since the bottom half invites guests to visit the Heidelberg Brewery weekdays from 10 to 4. (TNT 7/5/1953, pg. A-4) TPL-9486

Signs (Notices); Billboards--Tacoma; Advertisements--Tacoma--1950-1960; Publicity; Brewing industry--Tacoma--1950-1960; Columbia Breweries, Inc. (Tacoma)--1950-1960; Heidelberg Brewing Co. (Tacoma)--1950-1960;

Weyerhaeuser advertising. A model in graduate's cap and horn rimmed glasses perched low on her nose points with a ruler to a cartoon drawing touting the merits of Weyerhaeuser's drier, lighter products. There is a wooden toy freight car by her side.

Signs (Notices); Measuring; Eyeglasses; Advertising; Toys; Weyerhaeuser Timber Co. (Tacoma);

This two-story building would be put up for public auction by the William C. Johnston Realtor firm on March 28, 1960. Richards Studio notes indicate that this is the former Pierce County Health Department location at 24th & Pacific. Built originally for the Sears, Roebuck & Co. in 1928, the building was bought in 1943 by Pierce County first as use for the welfare department. The structure, made of reinforced concrete, had 42,000 square feet of floor space. No bids were made in the public auction on March 28th which left the Pierce County Commissioners pondering what to do next. The building had an insurable value of $250,000. Finally in May, 1960, it was decided to sell the building to Leo Gallagher per his bid of $100,000. Photograph ordered by William C. Johnston Realtor. (TNT 3-28-60, p. 20, 5-4-60, A-18)

Signs (Notices); Pierce County Health Department--Tacoma;

Workmen are putting the finishing touches on the new National Bank of Washington sign at Union and South Tacoma Way on November 11, 1955. The neon signage would be visible many blocks away. The giant billboard was as tall as a four story building; it was 56 feet above street level and over 60 feet wide. It was made of steel, Wilkeson stone and roman brick. A large painting of Mount Rainier is positioned above the bank logo; the same painting has been used on N.B.W. checks for 40 years. The National Bank of Washington had been serving customers since 1885; their customers could be assured that their money was safe as the bank was a member of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation. A reminder to join the Christmas Club was noted on the changeable message board placed against the stone facing. Photograph ordered by Epcon Neon Sign Co. (TNT 11-13-55, A-18)

Electric signs--Tacoma--1950-1960; Epcon Neon Sign Co. (Tacoma); National Bank of Washington (Tacoma);

Night exterior of IGA Foodtown with neon signage.

View from the top of the Tacoma Drug Co. building looking down onto Pacific Avenue. Eagle Loan Company, Pessemier Brother's Shoes, The Anchor Tavern, J. & M. Cafe, the Rust Building and the Fisher Company building and Old City Hall in background. A pedestrian is crossing the intersection on Pacific Avenue, on what appears to be a rather calm day in downtown Tacoma, photo ordered by Electrical Products Consolidated, a sign manufacturer.

Electric signs--Tacoma--1940-1950; Business districts--Tacoma; Commercial streets--Tacoma--1940-1950; Electrical Products Consolidated (Tacoma); Tacoma Drug Co. (Tacoma);

Electrical Products Consolidated manufactured signs. They also manufactured street lights in the downtown Tacoma area. View of Mobilgas sign above the Washington Building, lights through building windows.

Electric signs--Tacoma--1940-1950; Electric lighting--Tacoma; Electrical Products Consolidated (Tacoma); Mobilgas;

Several shots of illuminated neon signs. Batsford, Constantine & Gerdner, Mr. Haverly. This neon sign spells out, "Olympia, It's the Water." Olympia Brewing Co. was located in Tumwater, Washington, just south of Olympia. Located at the southernmost tip of Puget Sound, by the waterfall on the Deschutes River, the brewery was proud of their good water. Tumwater is an Indian name that means "strong water," or "falling water." The brewery was built by Leopold F. Schmidt. The battle of the beers between Olympia and Rainier beer began early and lasted through the advertising schemes where wild Rainiers took on the Artesians during the 1980s. TPL-9327

Electric signs--Tacoma--1940-1950; Olympia Brewing Co. (Olympia); Brewing industry--Olympia--1940-1950;

Puget Sound Auto Electric Company was hosting a "Delco" batteries and automotive parts sales convention. "Delco" battery signs are advertising the many uses and advantages for choosing "Delco". "Delco" products are ideal for tractors, cars, buses, trucks and diesel operated vehicles. View of "Delco" Battery sales representatives at New Yorker Cafe, photo ordered by Puget Sound Auto Electric Company.

Signs (Notices); Electric batteries; Automobile equipment & supplies; Automobile equipment & supplies stores--Tacoma; Puget Sound Auto Electric Co. (Tacoma); New Yorker Cafe (Tacoma);

In this photograph from 1949, a recently erected neon Olympia "It's the Water" beer sign towers over the Ingleside Cafe located on 12914 Pacific Highway Southwest in Lakewood, Washington. Other electric signs are also visible, including: the restaurant name sign, "EAT", "Fish and Chips", and a portion of the drugstore sign in foreground. The Ingleside Cafe was built on the site of the Ingleside Sunken Gardens which was destroyed by fire in 1936. The Ingleside Cafe closed in 1960. Photo ordered by Electrical Products Consolidated. TPL-2469

Electric signs--Lakewood; Diners (Restaurants)--Lakewood; Automobiles--Lakewood--1940-1950; Hogan's Rexall Drugs (Lakewood); Ingleside Cafe (Lakewood); Electrical Products Consolidated (Tacoma);

View of recently erected Olympia "It's in the Water" beer electric sign at the Ingleside Cafe located on 12914 Pacific Highway Southwest in Lakewood, Washington; Hogan's Rexall Drugs is on left side foreground. The beer sign was manufactured by Electrical Products Consolidated, they also manufactured street lights in the downtown Tacoma area. TPL-2455

Electric signs--Lakewood; Diners (Restaurants)--Lakewood; Automobiles--Lakewood--1940-1950; Hogan's Rexall Drugs (Lakewood); Ingleside Cafe (Lakewood); Electrical Products Consolidated (Tacoma);

May 2, 1949 exterior view of house built by the Welch Construction Company; sign indicates a "Sandberg Heating" system was installed by the Stoker-Lad Company, heaters and furnace dealers located in Tacoma. This house was constructed with Douglas Fir plywood panels. Photo ordered by Harold Dixon, Publicity Director of Douglas Fir Plywood Association.

Signs (Notices); Houses--Tacoma--1940-1950; Plywood; Construction industry--Tacoma; Building construction--Tacoma--1940-1950; Welch Construction Co. (Tacoma); Stoker-Lad Co. (Tacoma); Douglas Fir Plywood Association (Tacoma);

A banner at the end of the well lit portion of casino-lined Fremont Street in Las Vegas, Nevada, reminded locals to "Be Sure to Vote" in October, 1952, while the tall cowboy welcomed everyone to the Pioneer Club. The 40 feet tall "Vegas Vic" remains a downtown Vegas landmark; efforts are underway to refurbish the aging structure constructed in 1951. Bingo was available across the street at the Las Vegas Club. There may not be any room to park along the street but there is no traffic moving. An arched steel canopy now covers the entire four blocks of Fremont Street where an animated electric light show is presented nightly; traffic has been diverted to side streets and pedestrians can roam freely. Photograph ordered by Cheney Lumber Co.

Casinos--Las Vegas--1950-1960; Electric signs--Las Vegas--1950-1960;

A worker appears to be peering into a woman's head on a Foster & Kleiser billboard in January, 1953. The giant cutout focuses the passerby's attention on the virtues of saving at the National Bank of Washington. The billboard was placed at the corner of Puyallup and Winthrop Streets. Photograph ordered by Merchandising Factors, Inc., San Francisco.

Billboards--Tacoma--1950-1960; Advertisements--Tacoma; Signs (Notices); Foster & Kleiser Co. (Tacoma); National Bank of Washington (Tacoma); Merchandising Factors, Inc. (San Francisco);

New outside bulletin board at University Place School as pictured on February 12, 1940. Large group of adults and children gather around walk-through sign board for posted school events. Board reads: "Built by co-operation." School building in background. The University Place Improvement Club was responsible for the handsome new board. Donated materials included sheet metal provided by the Carl Anderson Sheet Metal works, lumber from the Hampton Lumber Co. and lettering from the Cliff Sign Co. (T.Times 2-12-1940, p. 5-article & other photograph)

Signs (Notices); University Place School (University Place);

A large wooden sign announces to the public that natural gas is piped into all stores in the new Villa Plaza Shopping Center. Newly opened in the spring of 1957, Villa Plaza would serve the growing population of suburban Lakewood with many of the same stores found in Tacoma. View overlooking the shopping center's massive 4,000 car parking lot; Rhodes, Leed's and Lerner Shops exteriors visible. Photograph ordered by Washington Natural Gas Co.

Signs (Notices); Parking lots--Lakewood; Shopping centers--Lakewood--1950-1960; Villa Plaza Shopping Center (Lakewood);

ca. 1962. Stock footage. A man is standing behind a large sign promoting the city of Tacoma. The 1962 photograph indicates that Tacoma is a growing city, perhaps trying to lure people from the Seattle area. It states that Tacoma is 30 miles south (of Seattle) and has America's lowest power rates. An illustration of the new downtown moving sidewalks, called "escalades" in the local newspaper, may have been there to dispell any notions that Tacoma was behind the times in technology. The Tacoma totem pole, Narrows Bridge, Mount Rainier and boats sought to identify the city as a viable, vibrant location in which to live.

Signs (Notices); Publicity photographs;

ca. 1963. The giant red neon Bank of California sign on top of the Washington Building could be seen from five miles away in April of 1963. It used more than half a mile of high-intensity 60 milli-amp hot tubing and a newly designed pressure pump. The sign was created by the Heath Sign Company which had been established in 1948. The Bank of California National Association was adjacent to the taller Washington Building on Pacific Avenue. The neon sign was scheduled to be formally lit up on Saturday, April 27, 1963. (TNT 4-24-63, A-22)

Electric signs--Tacoma--1960-1970; Washington Building (Tacoma); Bank of California National Association--Associated objects;

Before pictures of sewer project. This suburban area of homes on the Kent-Des Moines Road @ 16th Place would soon have a new sewer project. A small sign dated November 1, 1968, leans against a split rail wood fence. It is possible that the sewer lines will run through the lot enclosed by the fence. Photograph ordered by Wilson Construction.

Signs (Notices); Houses--1960-1970; Sewers;

Columbian Optical occupied the colonial-styled brick building at 2701 Main Ave. E. in Puyallup. A large sign at the parking lot's entry also indicated that the Puyallup Elks were located further down the road. According to the 1974 Puyallup City Directory, Lloyd Sass was the firm's owner. Photograph ordered by Columbian Optical.

Signs (Notices); Columbian Optical Co. (Puyallup); Opticians' shops--Puyallup;

A giant electric arrow points to a Fife shopping center featuring the IGA Topper supermarket, Dean's UDS (United Drug Stores) and Herron's, on April 3, 1969. A Goodwill deposit box is located under the freestanding sign. Photograph ordered by Riconosciuto Advertising.

Electric signs--Fife--1960-1970; Drugstores--Fife; Dean's UDS (Fife);