Nighttime view of Block's Furniture Mart. Block's was owned by Michael Block. The Grand Opening of the store was February 26, 1954. Customers could purchase a five piece chrome dinette set for $47.00- $87.77. A ten piece living room group could be bought for $189.50, with $20 down and $11 per month. Mattresses and box springs, in full or twin, could be obtained as low as $69.95 for the set.

Block's Furniture Mart (Lakewood); Furniture stores--Lakewood--1950-1960;

Modernistic furniture and design are present in the newly remodeled Pierce County Savings & Loan Association. The savings and loan had an open house for the public in March, 1954. The building was initially built in 1888 by Col. J. M. Dougan and housed a variety of businesses. It was purchased by the Pierce County Savings & Loan in 1950. Walter C. Steel was listed as president in the 1954 City Directory. First organized in Auburn in 1925, assets now total over five million dollars. Photograph taken for the TNT. (TNT 3-22-54, p. 6,7)

Pierce County Savings & Loan Association (Tacoma); Financial facilities--Tacoma;

Weisfield's Jewelers on Broadway was not only a well-known watch and diamond firm but also carried a wide range of housewares, including electric appliances, radios, refrigerators, televisions and bedding. One of their windows had Bates bedding on display; Bates was touted as "the most popular bedspread in the world." The showcase window had a tall poster composed of women's silhouettes all talking about Bates. In addition, there was a covered bed, drapes, and samples of various bedspreads with prices clearly marked. Weisfield's was previously known as Weisfield & Goldberg Inc.

Weisfield's, Inc. (Tacoma); Merchandise displays--Tacoma--1950-1960; Window displays; Bedspreads; Signs (Notices); Jewelry stores--Tacoma--1950-1960; Department stores--Tacoma--1950-1960;

A row of Bank of California employees is hard at work on March 10, 1954. Each employee is sitting at a wide metallic desk equipped with seven drawers. This may be the bookkeeping section of the bank; several desks have adding machines on them. Large windows give plenty of natural light; each desk also has a narrow lamp. The man on the far left of the picture may be Frank Busch, as the nameplate on the lamp indicates. Photograph ordered by Tacoma Office Supply.

Bank of California National Association (Tacoma); Calculators; Office equipment & supplies; Lamps; Tacoma Office Supply Co. (Tacoma);

National Auto Parts had several locations in Pierce County in the 1950's; their Pacific Avenue location apparently was the headquarters. They claimed to have parts for all makes of cars and offered the largest stock of genuine parts in Tacoma. According to the 1954 City Directory, William C. Johnston was the president & manager. View of National Auto Parts store at 4001 Pacific Avenue; photograph was taken at night on April 7, 1954. The name of the store is on large raised letters on the stucco exterior. Large plate glass windows are covered with advertisements promoting Moraine bearings and trade discounts on General Motor parts. The store was open seven days a week, including evening hours until 9, except for Sundays.

National Auto Parts, Inc. (Tacoma); Automobile equipment & supplies stores--Tacoma--1950-1960; Storefronts--Tacoma--1950-1960; Signs (Notices);

Night exposure of the Lakewood Country Store's pet, patio and garden shop. The shop opened in the former temporary quarters of the Lakewood Puget Sound Bank, across the parking lot from the main store. The store billed itself as an old fashioned country store and the Northwest's most unusual department store. It carried a broad mix of merchandise, a forerunner to today's bargain superstores. To the left of the photo is the pet and patio section, to the right is the garden section. The barn doors are open to the garden section and a rolling cart of plants has been tucked inside. Gardening tools can be seen hanging from the walls through the center windows. The Manager of the new store was Kenneth Wade, a graduate agronomist from the University of Idaho with 10 years of experience with the U.S. Department of Agriculture. (TNT 3/4/1954, pg. A-12)

Lakewood Country Store (Lakewood); Department stores--Lakewood--1950-1960;

A long, sweeping semi-circle with matching curves in the terrazzo floor provides a sleek design to the newly remodeled Pierce County Savings & Loan Association. Tellers await customers behind connected rich walnut counters; a multi-panel mural of Mount Rainier graces the wall. Marshall Perrow was the architect of the remodeling project; Kirkebo & Sons, the contractors. The savings and loan held an open house for the public in late March, 1954. Photograph taken for the TNT. (TNT 3-22-54, p. 6, 7)

Pierce County Savings & Loan Association (Tacoma); Financial facilities--Tacoma; Murals--Tacoma;

Modern office furniture and boldly geometric flooring provides a distinct contrast to the chandeliers and Italian Renaissance style of the Bank of California building in March, 1954. Two employees are pictured working on a balcony within the building; one is examining the contents of a filing cabinet while the other sits at a wide, metallic desk operating the telephone system. An adding machine and telephone are also visible. Photograph ordered by Tacoma Office Supply Co.

Bank of California National Association (Tacoma); Banks--Tacoma; Office equipment & supplies; Chandeliers; Telephones; Tacoma Office Supply Co. (Tacoma);

The Kit Kat Tavern was celebrating its third anniversary in April, 1954. Overhead view of tavern's interior; all seats seem to be occupied with happy customers. People could enjoy a drink while playing what appears to be a form of bingo. Budweiser, Lucky Lager, and Rainier beers were some of the beers available for purchase. The Kit Kat Tavern was located at 746 Pacific Avenue and owned by Elmer Gardner and Patricia White.

Bars--Tacoma--1950-1960; Kit Kat Tavern (Tacoma);

A large multi-panel photo mural of Mount Rainier greets customers as they enter the new Pierce County Savings and Loan building in March, 1954. Bank staff are clearly visible; there are no walls to make individual offices in this portion of the bank. The building was originally built in 1888 by Col. J. M. Dougan; the Pierce County Savings and Loan Association bought the site in 1950. Marshall Perrow is the architect of the remodeled building with Kirkebo & Sons as contractors. Remodeling began in November, 1953. Photograph taken for the TNT. (TNT 3-22-54, p. 6,7)

Pierce County Savings & Loan Association (Tacoma); Financial facilities--Tacoma; Murals--Tacoma;

There are apparently four gas pumps at this Shell Service Station, selling both regular and premium. A driver could not only fill up with gas, but also purchase tires and cans of oil, and have repairs made on his vehicle as well. Shell Oil had numerous stations in the Tacoma area; the station pictured here in March, 1954, might have been newly constructed near Thompson's Corner Cabins on South 84th Street.

Shell Oil Co., Inc. (Tacoma); Automobile service stations--Tacoma--1950-1960; Gasoline pumps;

A packed house at the Temple Theatre awaited Monk Watson's magic show on April 14, 1954. The evening's entertainment was sponsored by Miracle Power, an engine performance lubricant. Here Monk Watson gleefully holds a hand of playing cards while four others, possibly associated with National Auto Parts, display posters advertising Miracle Power's potency. A box full of Miracle Power cans is to the foreground along with the magician's props. Photograph ordered by National Auto Parts.

Automobile equipment & supplies; Posters; Watson, Monk; National Auto Parts, Inc. (Tacoma);

Four barbers employed by the Lyons Barber Shop stand next to their chairs in a 1954 photograph. The barbershop looks well equipped with a long line of chairs, sinks, mirrors, and appropriate tools. Tall ash cans were provided as a convenience for smoking customers. Lyons Barber Shop was located on Fort Lewis. Because of the fort's size and number of personnel, there may have been more than one Lyons barbering facility on base.

Barbershops--Fort Lewis; Barbers--Fort Lewis; Lyons Barber Shop (Fort Lewis);

The Holroyd Company was a well-known local manufacturer of concrete products and other building materials. Their materials were not only used in building houses, bridges, industrial facilities and businesses but often were subject to strict quality control. Here a chimney built with Holroyd materials is being tested to make sure of its durability and air flow in a May, 1954, photograph.

Holroyd Co. (Tacoma); Building materials; Chimneys; Testing; Product inspection;

Construction worker in hard hat has one foot on the concrete forms while balancing the other on a plywood deck in an April, 1954, photograph. The forms are placed over plywood in the construction of the new United Pacific Insurance Company office building on Saint Helens Avenue. The building would take nearly two years to complete and cost an estimated $500,000. Photograph ordered by Bethlehem Pacific Coast Steel Corporation.

United Pacific Insurance Co. (Tacoma); Building construction--Tacoma--1950-1960; Building materials; Bethlehem Pacific Coast Steel Corp. (Seattle);

Construction of the new United Pacific Insurance Company office building on Saint Helens took nearly two years and cost an estimated $500,000. The insurance company already owned the Medical Arts building next door; this five story addition would include several floors for United Pacific and a couple for rent to other companies. John Graham Company of Seattle was the architect; James J. Barnes Construction Company, also of Seattle, the general contractors. View of partially completed building taken on April 15, 1954; apparently workers have already reached and are busy on the fourth floor. Photograph ordered by James J. Barnes Construction.

United Pacific Insurance Co. (Tacoma); Building construction--Tacoma--1950-1960; Progress photographs;

Construction continues on the new United Pacific Insurance Company's office building, an addition to the Medical Arts building. Building costs would total a half-million dollars and add 30,000 square feet of office space. Work would continue throughout 1954 and the building would open in January, 1955. View of partially completed building with concrete forms being hoisted and large sign informing passersby that this would be the future home office of the United Pacific Insurance Company. Photograph was taken on April 15, 1954.

United Pacific Insurance Co. (Tacoma); Building construction--Tacoma--1950-1960; Progress photographs; Signs (Notices);

The newest and largest supermarket in the Puyallup Valley celebrated its grand opening on May 19, 1954. The Piggly-Wiggly, located at 10th & East Main in Puyallup, was the first Piggly-Wiggly built in the past 22 years in the Pacific Northwest. Owned and operated by veteran groceryman, C.A. ("Chic") Hogan, the 10,600 square foot store was made of Roman brick with huge glass front windows. It was built by Strom Construction. Hundreds of gifts ranging from TV sets, bikes, corn poppers to three lively cocker spaniel puppies would be awarded. The new Piggly-Wiggly was one of 800 stores in the chain operating in 38 states, Alaska and Hawaii. It was noted that food cost savings would be achieved due to the supermarket's vast purchasing power. (TNT 5-18-54, B-1) TPL-9808

Piggy-Wiggly (Puyallup); Supermarkets; Grocery stores--Puyallup--1950-1960;

The A A Insulation & Roofing Co. packed their small 1954 Tacoma Home Show exhibit booth with a variety of roofing, siding and foundation materials. Asphalt roofing manufactured by the U.S. Gypsum Co. in a number of colors plus asbestos cement siding samples and examples of weather stripping could all be viewed by home show customers. A rotting foundation could be easily replaced with cement blocks by A A Insulation. The company had two locations in this area, one was at 1502 South Tacoma Way and the other on Milwaukee Avenue in Puyallup. Their ad in the 1954 City Directory stated they provided "Always reliable and dependable service."

A A Insulation & Roofing Co. (Tacoma); Building materials; Roofing tiles; Exhibit booths--Tacoma; Greater Tacoma Home Show (Tacoma);

Interior of Bank of California building. Built in 1928 of Wilkeson sandstone and granite, the Bank of California building was designed in the Italian Renaissance style with interiors of walnut and Travertine masonry. This elevated view of the bank's lobby highlights the enormous skylight, arched windows, chandeliers and tiled flooring. John Graham was the architect involved in the Bank of California building and J.E. Bonnell & Son, contractors. TPL-8452

Bank of California National Association (Tacoma); Banks--Tacoma; Chandeliers;

Art's Glass & Upholstery were auto glass experts located at 816 Tacoma Avenue South. Their exhibit booth in the 1954 Tacoma Home Show indicated that they also provided hand tailored seat covers; customers ordering at the home show would be able to purchase these at the special price of $47.50. Large signs indicated that convenient bank terms would be available and that new blue-green tinted glass was now ready for all cars.

Art's Glass & Upholstery Shop (Tacoma); Exhibit booths--Tacoma; Signs (Notices); Greater Tacoma Home Show (Tacoma);

Six Sears, Roebuck employees appear to be happily gazing at a check or benefit statement from their employer in this March, 1953, photograph. D.A. Anderson, manager of Sears Tacoma, presents Connie Vaughn, newest member to the profit sharing plan, her annual statement. Sears offered profit sharing as one of their many employer-paid benefits to all regular employees after a year's employment. A poster on the wall behind the employees shows some of the benefits covered by the company; besides profit sharing, these included paid vacation and holidays, group life insurance, group hospitalization and employee discounts. A second poster displays a map locating Sears retail and factory stores nationwide and indicates the possibility for unlimited advancement. (TNT 3-7-53, p. 7)

Sears, Roebuck & Co. (Tacoma)--Employees--1950-1960; Employee fringe benefits; Posters; Anderson, D.A.; Vaughn, Connie;

B & B Glass and Paint Co. offered convenient drive-in service and glass installation at their 748 Market Street location. The company was owned by Benjamin E. Bassett and LeRoy O. Bertheau. They offered glass for every purpose, including plate, crystal, sheet, glass blocks, mirrors, re-silvering and residence glazing. They also sold Pabco paints. View of side of B & B Glass building with large advertising, including painting of two men holding a large plate glass, and parking lot full of cars. There is also a Rainier Beer billboard attached to the side of the building. Photograph ordered by Mrs. Ben Bassett.

B & B Glass & Paint Co. (Tacoma); Glass industry--Tacoma; Signs (Notices); Electric signs--Tacoma--1950-1960; Billboards--Tacoma;

A Lincoln Electric salesman, possibly Lincoln Electric co-owner, Tony Ricono, shows an interested customer a large Bendix television console. The television is encased in a fine wood cabinet with doors. The firm featured Bendix and Hoffman brands with a wide assortment of 1953 choices. Lincoln Electric had recently moved into a new building on South 38th and Park Avenue; besides selling and servicing appliances, they had also expanded into the furniture and juvenile market. TPL-2290

Lincoln Electric (Tacoma); Televisions--1950-1960; Shopping--Tacoma--1950-1960;

A large fleet of delivery trucks and vans is parked outside of Sepic Electric's South "K" Street (now known as Martin Luther King Jr. Way) store in February, 1953. Sepic's was well known as an appliance store; they also sold furniture and floor coverings. They maintained their own repair department so they could offer their customers repair and installation services. Sepic Electric was owned by brothers Fred and Stan Sepic. Photograph ordered by Stan Sepic.

Sepic Electric Co. (Tacoma); Appliance stores--Tacoma--1950-1960; Furniture stores--Tacoma--1950-1960; Trucks--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Sepic Electric was started as a repair shop by two brothers, Fred and Stan Sepic, in the early 1940's. It gradually expanded to include appliances, furniture, and floor coverings for sale. They continued to offer repair services, including washing machines and electric motors. Their South "K" Street (now known as Martin Luther King Jr. Way) store had been remodeled by February, 1950. In May, 1951, the Sepics opened a second furniture and appliance store at South 72nd and Pacific. Photograph ordered by Stan Sepic. TPL-3788

Sepic Electric Co. (Tacoma); Furniture stores--Tacoma--1950-1960; Appliance stores--Tacoma--1950-1960; Storefronts--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Mannequins appear to be peering through the shop windows of Lyon's Apparel in this March 1953 photograph. In September of 1952, Lyon's Ladies Apparel at 1151 Broadway was completely destroyed by fire. Six months later, on March 5, 1953, Mr. & Mrs. Herman Lehrer welcomed Tacoma to their newly rebuilt, redecorated Lyon's at the same address. Lyon's carried nationally advertised labels in ladies' sportwear and ready-to-wear apparel. They specialized in extra large and extra small sizes. "Joan Marie" sweaters were on sale for $3.95 (Slip-ons) and $5.95 (Cardigans) in the sweater bar section of the store. Photograph ordered by Fairchild Publications. (TNT 3-4-53, B-2)

Clothing stores--Tacoma--1950-1960; Lyon's Apparel (Tacoma); Mannequins; Sweaters--Tacoma;

Munson-Smith Motors, located on South Tacoma Way, sold both new and used Dodge and Plymouth vehicles. They offered a wide variety of models in their large parking lot; cars were parked neatly in rows with plenty of room for customers to walk around them for inspection. Munson-Smith was open in the evenings for those who could not stop by in the daytime; visibility was not a problem with the many bright lights dotting the facility. Photograph ordered by Ed Munson.

Munson-Smith Motors (Tacoma); Automobile dealerships--Tacoma; Dodge automobile; Dodge trucks;

Munson-Smith Motors was a Dodge and Plymouth dealership located on South Tacoma Way. Owned and operated by the Munson family, Ed, Alberta and Donald, they sold Dodge and Plymouth passenger cars and Dodge job-rated trucks, both new and used. Munson-Smith had its grand opening in July, 1946. View of Munson-Smith Motors taken at night on March 18, 1953; rows of vehicles in brightly lit parking lot. Photograph ordered by Ed Munson.

Munson-Smith Motors (Tacoma); Dodge automobile; Dodge trucks; Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1950-1960;

When Lincoln Electric moved into their new building at South 38th and Park Avenue, they expanded into the furniture and juvenile market. The furniture department was managed by Roy Grayson; he had twenty years experience in the home decorating and furnishings field. Lincoln Electric carried many name brand furniture including Broyhill, Thomasville, Rose City Upholstery, and Chromecraft. View of five-piece chrome dining sets with small appliances on them; washers, dryers and kitchen appliances in background. (TNT 12-10-52, p. B-7)

Lincoln Electric (Tacoma); Dining tables;