This is how Owen Beach at Point Defiance looked from the air on July 1, 1969. The beach fronting Commencement Bay was named after Floyd E. Owen, a Metro Parks employee for 47 years. There is a marker, a bronze tablet placed on a stone upright near the entrance to the picnic area of the beach. There was plenty of room for more people to bask on the sands of Owen Beach as it appeared relatively uncrowded on this summer day. The parking lot, however, seemed almost full.

Beaches--Tacoma; Owen Beach (Tacoma); Point Defiance Park (Tacoma);

ca. 1969. 1969 Richards stock footage. Aerial photograph of boathouse and assorted buildings at Point Defiance Park, located on the northeast side of the 702-acre park. Boats and motors could be rented for a day's cruise on the calm waters of Commencement Bay or for fishing and crabbing. The boathouse shown above burned down in a 1984 fire and was rebuilt several years later. TPL-9306

Point Defiance Park (Tacoma); Boathouses--Tacoma;

ca. 1969. 1969 Richards stock footage. Aerial view of boathouse and vicinity at Point Defiance Park in 1969. The above boathouse, built in 1944, was a replacement for the original boathouse pavilion of the early 1900's. It would burn down in 1984 and a new Boathouse Marina constructed a few years later. The Asian-styled building in the right corner was originally the street car station; is now better known as the Point Defiance Pagoda, scene of many weddings. (www.metroparkstacoma.org)

Point Defiance Park (Tacoma); Boathouses--Tacoma;

Owen Beach. Owen Beach, located in Point Defiance Park, was as popular in 1969 as it is today in 2006. Local residents could stroll on the beach, dip their toes in icy waters, or simply bask in the sun. A favorite pastime may have been watching sailboats in the bay. The park is named after longtime Metro Parks employee Floyd E. Owen. Photograph ordered by Geoduck Publishing Co.

Beaches--Tacoma; Owen Beach (Tacoma); Point Defiance Park (Tacoma); Aerial views;

Numerous flags snap briskly in the wind as visitors stroll past them to attend the 1958 Memorial Day service at Mountain View Memorial Park in Lakewood. Speeches and wreaths to honor the men and women who fought for our country's freedom were part of the day's ceremonies. The keynote speaker at the memorial ceremony was Senator Henry M. "Scoop" Jackson. Mountain View, located at 4100 Steilacoom Blvd. S.W., was a complete memorial park, offering a complete selection of interment in a peaceful setting. Photograph ordered by Mountain View Memorial Park.

Cemeteries--Lakewood; Mountain View Memorial Park (Lakewood); Memorial Day; Commemoration--Lakewood; Memorial rites & ceremonies--Lakewood; Flags--United States;

Exterior view of mausoleum. In the mid-50's, the Mountain View Memorial Park added a Garden Mausoleum. With the addition of the mausoleum, their facilities were complete for all kinds of interment; a customer could now choose between earth or crypt burial and cremation. The one-story Garden Mausoleum appeared to be built of stone and brick with a flat, overhanging roof. Photograph ordered by Clark Richardson Advertising.

Mountain View Memorial Park (Lakewood); Cemeteries--Lakewood; Tombs & sepulchral monuments--Lakewood;

Close-up view of mausoleum as seen in March of 1957. The Garden Mausoleum was the Mountain View Memorial Park's latest addition. Mountain View Memorial's claim was "Everything in one place"; it combined a funeral home, cemetery, crematory, mausoleum, chapel and columbarium into one facility. The overhanging flat roof of the mausoleum provided shelter from harsh Northwest elements. Stone benches were available for mourners. Small metal vases were provided where flowers could be left to honor the deceased. Photograph ordered by Clark Richardson Advertising.

Mountain View Memorial Park (Lakewood); Cemeteries--Lakewood; Tombs & sepulchral monuments--Lakewood;

Mountain View Memorial Park was one of the largest funeral facilities in the area. They were able to offer complete services in one convenient location--combining the cemetery, funeral home, chapel, mausoleum, and crematorium on large acreage in Lakewood. View of office building located on the grounds of Mountain View Memorial Park; it resembles a luxurious brick home rather than a mortuary. Photograph ordered by Clark Richardson Advertising Agency.

Mountain View Memorial Park (Lakewood); Cemeteries--Lakewood;

Panoramic view from home; ordered by Mrs. Ed Geddes. The 1956 City Directory lists Edward & Allie Geddes as residing at 3404 No. Union Ave. Mr. Geddes worked for Weyerhauser. In the photograph, Mt. Rainier can be seen over the top of a hill covered with larger homes.

Rainier, Mount (Wash.);

ca. 1956. Mountain View Memorial Park in Lakewood. An aerial view of the cemetary. This is the right hand side of a large print from a single negative. For the left hand side see A98409 image 1A. The war memorial can be seen left, just below center. Steilacoom Blvd is the large street to the right of the grounds. Structures at the Park include the funeral home, crematory, mausoleum, chapel and columbarium.

Cemeteries--Lakewood; Mountain View Memorial Park (Lakewood);

ca. 1956. Mountain View Memorial Park in Lakewood. An aerial view of the cemetary. This is the left hand side of a large print of a single negative. For the right hand side see A98409 image 1b. Curved roads wind through the grounds providing access to the many grave sites. The war memorial can be seen right, just below center. Other structures located in the park include the funeral home, crematory, mausoleum, chapel and columbarium.

Cemeteries--Lakewood; Mountain View Memorial Park (Lakewood); Aerial views; Aerial photographs;

Memorial Day Service at the Veterans Memorial at Mountain View Memorial Park in Lakewood. A row of chairs have been set in front of the servicemen's memorial for the service. Flags flap in the breeze, mounted all around the drive. More than 80 veterans organizations participated in this observation. Supreme Court Judge Hugh Rosellini and Senator Warren Magnuson were the featured speakers. (TNT 5/30/1956, pg. 1)

Cemeteries--Lakewood; Mountain View Memorial Park (Lakewood); Monuments & memorials--Lakewood; Memorial Day; Commemoration--Lakewood; Memorial rites & ceremonies--Lakewood;

Sailors, officers and a man in a suit pose prior to Memorial Day services at Mountain View Memorial Park. More than eighty veterans organizations were scheduled to join in this memorial observation at Mountain View. Supreme Court Judge Hugh Rosellini and Senator Warren Magnuson were scheduled to speak. (TNT 5/30/1956, pg. 1)

Cemeteries--Lakewood; Mountain View Memorial Park (Lakewood); Monuments & memorials--Lakewood; Memorial Day; Commemoration--Lakewood; Memorial rites & ceremonies--Lakewood;

1956 Richards Studio stock footage. A man in a cowboy hat leans against a split rail fence dwarfed by the awesome bulk of Mt. Rainier in the background. The snow covered mountain looms over the pastureland, forming the perfect backdrop for this picture.

Rainier, Mount (Wash.); Fences;

Exterior of Western Monumental Works building and grounds. The marble works business was located at 1114-16 Center St. and was the authorized dealer of Rock of Ages memorials. Samples of the company's products are scattered on the lawn and also under cover on the long porch. Howard A. Wilham was listed as the owner in the 1955 City Directory. Photograph ordered by Western Monumental Works.

Monuments & memorials--Tacoma; Monument builders--Tacoma; Western Monumental Works (Tacoma);

A striking memorial to the men and women who served in our nation's armed forces was located at the Mountain View Memorial Park in Lakewood. The stone memorial had an engraving representing the four branches of military service, marching in step behind the waving flag. A cross is anchored on top of the monument. Photograph ordered by Clark Richardson Advertising Agency.

Cemeteries--Lakewood; Mountain View Memorial Park (Lakewood); Monuments & memorials--Lakewood;

Stone benches flank the war memorial at Mountain View Memorial Park in a December 12, 1955, photograph. There is a plot of freshly trimmed lawn before the memorial which is framed behind the stone perimeters. The war memorial commemorates the sacrifices of the men and women who served in our nation's armed forces. Mountain View Memorial Park was located on Steilacoom Blvd. in Lakewood and contained a funeral home, cemetery, mausoleum, columbarium, crematory, and chapel. Photograph ordered by Clark Richardson Advertising Agency.

Cemeteries--Lakewood; Mountain View Memorial Park (Lakewood); Monuments & memorials--Lakewood;

Snow plows have cleared one of the roads at Mount Rainier National Park, banking it higher than the roof of the Richards paneled station wagon at the side of the road. The surrounding trees appear to be dead, possibly from the Kautz Creek flood.

Mount Rainier National Park (Wash.); Snow; Roads;

1956 Stock footage, Richards Studio, scenic views. Majestic Mount Rainier towers over the fertile valleys surrounding it. The valley is patchworked with fences separating the livestock and dotted with barns. Tall evergreens line the hills on both sides of the valley.

Rainier, Mount (Wash.); Valleys--Washington; Livestock; Agriculture;

On Monday May 30, 1955, Mrs. Gundrun Paetz, president of the Gold Star Mothers, placed a wreath at the base of a memorial to servicemen at the Mountain View Memorial Park as part of a special Memorial Day service. Observing the wreath laying ceremony are Superior Court Judge Frank Hale (left), serving as master of ceremonies, and State Senator Albert D. Rosellini, speaker for the event. Several veterans organizations participated in the Memorial Day rites held at 2 p.m. on Memorial Day at Mountain View. The 534th Air Force Band provided accompaniment. (TNT 5/31/1955, pg. 1 & 5/29/1955, pg. 1)

Cemeteries--Lakewood; Mountain View Memorial Park (Lakewood); Monuments & memorials--Lakewood; Memorial Day; Commemoration--Lakewood; Memorial rites & ceremonies--Lakewood; Paetz, Gundrun; Hale, Frank; Rosellini, Albert D.;

Masonic memorial at Mountain View Memorial Park. Masonic symbols adorn the memorial and it is inscribed with the virtues of brotherly love, relief, truth, fortitude and prudence. This is possibly a portion of the cemetary set aside for members of Masonic organizations to be buried.

Cemeteries--Lakewood; Mountain View Memorial Park (Lakewood); Monuments & memorials--Lakewood;

In August of 1955, two unidentified young girls were photographed as they gazed up at Northern Pacific Engine No. 1364 at Point Defiance Park. The 4-6-0 type engine was built by the Baldwin Locomotive Works in 1902, and for the first 25 years of its service it was used to assist the North Coast Limited over the Cascades. It was retired in 1953 and donated by the Northern Pacific Railroad to the Metropolitan Park Board. It was on display on a specially installed section of track just south of Funland at Point Defiance from 1954 to the mid-1970s. The Yakima Valley Rail and Steam Association is refurbishing the antique engine in Toppenish. (TNT 1/27/1954, pg. 11 & Toppenish Review 8/8/2001)

Point Defiance Park (Tacoma); Railroad locomotives;

Cyclone fence surrounding Engine # 1364 on display at Point Defiance Park. In 1868, the US government claimed Point Defiance as a military reservation. The land laid unused for 20 years until 1888, when Congress allowed the land to be turned into a park. In 1905, Tacoma gained full control of the park with the military only reserving the right to repossess in a national emergency. From the beginning, the park was developed in a manner that would preserve its natural state while accommodating the public. The park saw an influx of federal funds and work force through the projects of the 30's. Point Defiance received this 1902 series locomotive from the Northern Pacific Railroad.

Point Defiance Park (Tacoma); Railroad locomotives;

Exterior of mausoleum at Mountain View Memorial Park. J.C. Milne, contractor. With the construction of the new Garden Mausoleum at Mountain View, the burial park now offered all types of interment- including earth, crypt burial and cremation. It was a one stop funeral place with a funeral home, cemetary, crematory, mausoleum and chapel.

Cemeteries--Lakewood; Mountain View Memorial Park (Lakewood); Monuments & memorials--Lakewood;

Cyclone fencing around the lions' grotto at Point Defiance Zoo. The money for modern zoo habitats was raised by the citizens of Tacoma during public fund raisers to replace antiquated housing. When it was suggested that Tacoma's poorly cared for and ailing lions be moved to Seattle's Woodland Park Zoo, a "Save Our Lions" fund drive commenced. The citizens of Tacoma donated $12,000, including change from school children and funds from civic and social clubs. The $104,000 Pt. Defiance Animal House opened in November of 1953, helped along by a special levy. A plaque read "This zoo made possible by the goodwill of the citizens of Tacoma." Point Defiance Zoo had three lions. The best known was Norma, a 300 pound good natured cat best remembered for riding in an open convertible with former Mayor John Anderson during a parade. The other two were Norma's mother Alice and Sammy, a male recently purchased from the Clyde Beatty circus. (TNT 8/14/1955, Pacific Parade magazine, TNT 11/22/1953)

Point Defiance Zoo (Tacoma); Point Defiance Park (Tacoma); Lions; Cages--Tacoma; Zoos--Tacoma--1950-1960; Zoo animals;

Raising the flag of the United States at the Living War Memorial at the foot of the Narrows Bridge for Memorial Day, 1954 were seven representatives of Tacoma's young people: (l to r) Dan Mackle, Sea Scout; Larry Huff, Boy Scout; William Hickok, Cub Scout; Karen Sell, Girl Scout; Valerie Wozniak, Camp Fire Girl; Linda Leith, Brownie Girl Scout and Marlys Farrington, Bluebird Camp Fire Girl. The flag of the United States flew at half mast throughout the nation in memory of those who gave their lives for our freedom. The Living War Memorial, on the south side of the east end of the Narrows Bridge, was dedicated on Armistice Day, 1952. It was moved due to the construction of the New Narrows Bridge, and a new memorial park was recently completed. (TNT 5/30/1954 p. D-1)

Parks--Tacoma--1950-1960; Memorial Park (Tacoma); Tacoma Narrows Bridge (Tacoma); Flag salutes--Tacoma; Flagpoles--Tacoma; Boy Scouts (Tacoma)--1950-1960; Girl Scouts (Tacoma); Sea Scouts (Tacoma); Camp Fire Girls (Tacoma);

Point Defiance PTA Carnival. Four committee members gathered around a wooden AV cart and examine 16mm film in preparation for the November 12, 1954 Point Defiance School carnival's entertainment. From left were: Mrs. Arnold Wentlandt, co-chairperson; William Skillings, PTA member; Mrs. Ned Krilich, co-chairperson; and Mrs. Charles Gray, PTA member. "Carnival Time" was the theme of the carnival to be held at Point Defiance School located at North 45th & Visscher. (TNT 11-8-1954, p. 6-alt. photograph)

Point Defiance School (Tacoma); Parent-Teacher Association (Tacoma); Wentlandt, Arnold--Family; Skillings, William; Krilich, Ned--Family; Gray, Charles--Family; Projectors;

A lighted star guides visitors to the Nativity scene of Mary with baby Jesus in her arms at the Calvary Catholic Cemetery. A simple statement of "Let Us Adore Him" rests among the holly before the figures. The plywood cutouts are flanked by two tall pillars of light in this December 31, 1954, photograph. Photograph ordered by Douglas Fir Plywood Association.

Cemeteries--Tacoma; Calvary Catholic Cemetery (Tacoma); Creches (Nativity scenes)--Tacoma; Plywood; Christmas decorations; Signs (Notices); Douglas Fir Plywood Association (Tacoma);

Christ's crucifixion in stone or marble appears to be on permanent display at the Calvary Catholic Cemetery. Two angels kneel in prayer on either side of the monument which is decorated in native greenery. Women are portrayed collapsed in grief while others stand and pray. The juxtaposition of plywood angels and stone sculpture apparently works; it is a pleasing blend of materials. The Calvary Catholic Cemetery was one of Tacoma's oldest, purchased in 1905 to be used as burial grounds for the area's Catholic community, and spanned 35 acres. Photograph ordered by Douglas Fir Plywood Association.

Cemeteries--Tacoma; Calvary Catholic Cemetery (Tacoma); Monuments & memorials--Tacoma; Sculpture; Douglas Fir Plywood Association (Tacoma);

Another view of a Nativity scene at Calvary Catholic Cemetery was taken on December 31, 1954. This was photographed during daylight hours but still shows the plywood cutouts of Mary and baby Jesus in great detail. The creche is located before a brick house, perhaps the sexton's office or lounge, on part of the cemetery's 35 acres. The wooden materials blend with the attending fir trees to become a part of the natural landscaping. Photograph ordered by Douglas Fir Plywood Association. TPL-8112

Cemeteries--Tacoma; Calvary Catholic Cemetery (Tacoma); Creches (Nativity scenes)--Tacoma; Plywood; Christmas decorations; Signs (Notices); Douglas Fir Plywood Association (Tacoma);