Night exposure of building front. Motor Parts and Equipment, Inc., celebrated their move into their new facilities at 1745 Jefferson Avenue. The name of the wholesale automotive and industrial parts and equipment store is spelled out in large letters above the windows. Lighting behind the letters allows the name to be read at night. Large quantities of inventory are seen through the windows. The new building is a two-story structure with more than 20,000 square feet of floor space. (TNT, 7/27/1949, p.12)

Motor Parts & Equipment, Inc. (Tacoma); Automobile equipment & supplies stores--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Resaw, I.W. Johnson, Chuck Rowland. Another view of the resaw showing the framework. A small electric motor sits to the right of center, possibly to drive one phase of the machine's operation.

I.W. Johnson Engineering Co. (Tacoma); Machinery industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Engineering--Tacoma--1940-1950; Lumber industry--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Motor Parts & Equipment, Inc. The distributing firm, owned by Park H. Trotter and R.W. McMahon, recently moved into their modern new building at 1745 Jefferson Ave. This view of the interior of the wholesale parts store shows the machine shop with large, electrical tools set up in two lines, said to have specialized quipment for every automotive machine shop operation. (TNT, 7/27/1949, p.12)

Motor Parts & Equipment, Inc. (Tacoma); Automobile equipment & supplies stores--Tacoma--1940-1950; Machine shops--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Several views of new floor furnace, Heatlox Furnaces, Inc. Harry V. Smith served as president of Heatlox Furnaces, D.H. Powers was vice-president and E.J. Watson was Chairman of the Board in 1949. A view inside the plant shows a row of the new design of furnace manufactured by the company. The company manufactured several types of heating systems and offered "Minneapolis-Honeywell" controls.

Heatlox Furnaces, Inc. (Tacoma); Furnaces--Tacoma--1940-1950; Heating & ventilation industry--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Exterior of store, Burrough's Adding Machine Company. Burrough's had two sales representatives at their Tacoma location, R.F. Spiegle and J.L. Gockel. This exterior view of their commercial outlet shows the facility at night with interior lighting highlighting the most modern in office machines. Pyramids of adding machine tap decorate the windows.

Burrough's Adding Machine Co. (Tacoma); Facades--Tacoma--1940-1950; Store fronts--1940-1950; Stores & shops--Tacoma--1940-1950; Calculators; Office equipment & supplies; Window displays--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Resaw, I.W. Johnson, Chuck Rowland. I.W. Johnson were considered specialists in designing and manufacturing machines needed in the sawmills and lumber industry of the Pacific Northwest. This resaw has large wheels at both the top and the bottom to operate a continuous blade to cut lumber similar to a band saw.

I.W. Johnson Engineering Co. (Tacoma); Machinery industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Engineering--Tacoma--1940-1950; Lumber industry--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Progress shots of Washington Hardware Building under construction. Signs at the construction site announce Strom Construction Company as the general contractor, Lance McGuire & Mure as architects. Walls are going up as the reinforced concrete forms are in place, supported by sticks of lumber. A portion of the wall on the far side has been poured and forms taken away. A workman's shack is seen in the foreground. (TNT, 7/3/1949, p.A-11)

Washington Hardware Co. (Tacoma); Reinforced concrete construction--Tacoma--1940-1950; Progress photographs; Strom Construction Co. (Tacoma);

Removing plywood forms on new Washington Hardware Building, DFPA, McCallum. Workmen are loading the plywood forms onto a truck. Washington Hardware was expanding by adding a wholesale and industrial users' warehouse on Puyallup Avenue. The retail and sports' shop that had been in operation 65 years remained at 918-24 Pacific. The new warehouse would have 50,000 square feet one one floor. (TNT, 7/3/1949, p.A-11)

Washington Hardware Co. (Tacoma); Douglas Fir Plywood Association (Tacoma); Building construction--Tacoma--1940-1950; Reinforced concrete construction--Tacoma--1940-1950; Plywood; Trucks--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Blocks used for sidewalks on Consumer's Central Heating System at Pierce County Court House, Holroyd Company, Jim Holroyd. A workman is laying concrete blocks on either side of the pipe that provided steam throughout much of downtown Tacoma using an underground distribution system. The central generating plant used hogged fuel (mill refuse) from local sawmills. (TDL, 5/26/1931)

Holroyd Co. (Tacoma); Consumer's Central Heating Co. (Tacoma); Building materials--Tacoma; Concrete products industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Heating & ventilation industry--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Blocks used for sidewalks on Consumer's Central Heating System at Pierce County Court House, Holroyd Company, Jim Holroyd. A workman is backfilling the trench for the Consumer's Central Heating Company pipe that had been lined with concrete blocks to provide easy access to the pipe. The area where the pipe ran is covered with a sturdy material.

Holroyd Co. (Tacoma); Consumer's Central Heating Co. (Tacoma); Building materials--Tacoma; Concrete products industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Heating & ventilation industry--Tacoma--1940-1950;

New home at North 14th and Washington Streets, Holroyd Company, Jim Holroyd. A one-story, single family residence is near completion. It has a cedar shake roof, large picture windows and a two-car garage. A brick planter has been built near the front door under one of the windows.

Holroyd Co. (Tacoma); Houses--Tacoma--1940-1950; Concrete products industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Building construction--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Concrete blocks for protection around new water meter at 7th & Commerce, Holroyd Company, Jim Holroyd. A barricade has been build around an underground water meter with concrete blocks at the corner of one of the sidewalks in downtown Tacoma. The sidewalk has been torn out to expose the water line.

Holroyd Co. (Tacoma); Water supply--Tacoma; Water use--Tacoma; Concrete products industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Building materials;

Several homes under construction, Briggs Construction Co., Mr. Spillman. H.A. Briggs was president of Briggs Construction Company, Jack N. Briggs was vice president and Mrs. Ruth D. Briggs was secretary-treasurer. Their offices were at 1107 A Street. This view shows a new neighborhood of one-story, single family homes built to meet the expanding housing market. Briggs Construction Company was considered on the the Northwest's most progressive firms. They held open an open house for prospective buyers on August 7, 1949, at recently completed units in the Parkland and Fairmount Additions in Tacoma. (TNT, 8/7/1949, p.A-12)

Briggs Construction Co. (Tacoma); Houses--Tacoma--1940-1950; Building construction--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Several homes under construction, Briggs Construction Co., Mr. Spillman. A residential street with a row of newly constructed one-story, single family homes is shown. The front yards have new lawns started but few other plants. Two girls are having fun skating on the smooth sidewalk. The Briggs Construction Company had completed 64 homes in the Fairmount Park Addition and 38 in the Parkland Addition. These homes provided every convenience and were conventionally built with concrete foundations, 2'x8" Douglas Fir flooring joists, oak flooring, pitched roofs with 210 pound thick butt asphalt shingles. (TNT, 8/7/1949, p.A-13)

Briggs Construction Co. (Tacoma); Houses--Tacoma--1940-1950; Building construction--Tacoma--1940-1950; Roller skating--Tacoma--1940-1950; Children playing outdoors--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Several homes under construction, Briggs Construction Co., Mr. Spillman. A man works spreading top soil for a yard at the newly completed one-story, single family home. A baby stroller is sitting on the front step. The walkway curves from the sidewalk. An older house is seen on the right. Briggs-built homes were available in several price brackets as low as $6,300 for a complete two-bedroom home with $300 down and $35.78 per month to $7,250 for a three-bedroom home. (TNT, 8/7/1949, p.A-12)

Briggs Construction Co. (Tacoma); Houses--Tacoma--1940-1950; Building construction--Tacoma--1940-1950;

ca. 1950. This photograph of the offices of W. H. Opie Realtors was taken around 1950. The office was located at the intersection of 10th and Pacific Ave., 1001-05 Pacific. The clock in the window upstairs gives the "Knapp College Time" of 2:40. The modernistic structure was built in 1941 and was named the "Anderson Building" after builder Mrs. R.E. Anderson. It is constructed of concrete and crystal glass. Knapp College had occupied the 2nd floor since 1941.

W.H. Opie & Co. (Tacoma); Real estate business--Tacoma; Knapp College (Tacoma);

Exterior view of Washington Hardware Company. Washington Hardware added a 50,000 square foot Wholesale Division at 1247 Puyallup Avenue in 1950. It carried hardware, building materials, tools, shop supplies and sporting goods for sale.

Washington Hardware Co. (Tacoma); Hardware stores--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Two identical appearing young ladies stand by the Kingan meats display at the Park-N-Shop grocery store in August, 1950. Joy and Joyce both wear ribbons identifying themselves as Kingan queens. Kingan's, out of Seattle, was a meat packing company with an extensive line of hams, wieners, bacon and sausage. Park-N-Shop, located in Parkland, had a self-service meat department where fresh and smoked meats were pre-packaged for shoppers' convenience.

Kingan & Co. (Seattle); Park-N-Shop, Inc. (Parkland); Meat; Showcases; Grocery stores--Parkland--1950-1960;

ca. 1950. Interior view of Washington Hardware, Wholesale Division, taken in 1950. Double glass doors are framed with glass blocks. Main portion of the room has picture windows providing lots of natural illumination. Washington Hardware had such varied items as door knobs, ventilators, door canopies for sale. The newly constructed building contained 50,000 square feet and was designed by the architectural firm of Lance, McGuire & Muri.

Washington Hardware Co. (Tacoma); Hardware stores--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Craig Furniture, Inc., was one of the many Tacoma furniture stores holding open houses in September, 1950, to celebrate the national Home Fashion Time week. Located at 1136 Broadway, Craig Furniture ran a nearly full page ad in the News Tribune on September 24, inviting the public to attend an evening open house. The event helped to attract many browsers who sampled the comforts of national brand furniture and took the time to inspect new freezers and rugs as well. Photograph commissioned by Art Jensen, president of Craig Furniture. (TNT 9-24-50, p. B-7)

Craig Furniture, Inc. (Tacoma); Furniture stores--Tacoma--1950-1960; Chairs; Couches; Freezers;

Construction forms are being placed as work continues on the new Tacoma Transit building at 1235 South Sprague Avenue in September, 1950. One wooden form is being hauled up as a man on the roof supervises and other workers assist. Warter Construction is in charge. Tacoma Transit is replacing both administrative offices located at S. 13th and A Streets and a garage that was heavily damaged by fire. Buildings are being built on 8.6 acres owned by the company. Total approximate costs are $195,000. (TNT 7-20-50, p. 33; TNT 8-13-50, p. A-9) TPL-8266

Tacoma Transit Co. (Tacoma); Progress photographs; Building construction--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Workmen are busy with construction forms as the new Tacoma Transit building goes up at 1235 South Sprague Avenue. Man on the ladder and three workers on the ground assist in the placement of wooden forms over the reinforced concrete. Window frames appear to be in place although no glass has been inserted. Tacoma Transit is building both an administrative building to replace offices at S. 13th and A Streets and an expansive garage. Total approximate cost is expected to run about $195,000. (TNT 7-20-50, p. 33; TNT 8-13-50, p. A-9) TPL-8265

Tacoma Transit Co. (Tacoma); Progress photographs; Building construction--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Rhodes Brothers showing new sign above doorway. Coast Neon Displays, Carl Eckstein. Rhodes Brothers Department Store was built at the corner of 11th and Broadway in 1903. Over the years the front has been remodeled several times. Here is a view of the front as it appeared in June of 1950. Coast Neon Displays of Tacoma had just installed a new neon sign above the front entrance. Note that there is a parking meter next to the right front fender of the Cadillac convertible.

Rhodes Brothers Department Store (Tacoma); Clothing stores--Tacoma--1950-1960; Electric signs--Tacoma--1950-1960; Coast Neon Displays (Tacoma); Cadillac automobile;

Employees and guests of the Pacific Telephone & Telegraph Company enjoy a retirement dinner at the Top of the Ocean on August 8, 1950. Pacific Telephone & Telegraph was located at 757 Fawcett Avenue.

Pacific Telephone & Telegraph Co. (Tacoma)--Employees; Top of the Ocean (Tacoma); Telephone companies--Tacoma; Celebrations--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Eilert Meader, District Traffic Supt., and Martin J. Gallwas, Supt., were honored at a banquet at Crawford's Sea Grill on August 9, 1950. Both men were employed by Pacific Telephone & Telegraph Company. The banquet was a farewell to Meader who would assume new duties as Division Traffic Supt. and a welcome to Gallwas as his successor. Toll operators presented Meader with a portable charcoal barbecue complete with utensils and supplies. (TNT 8-10-50, p. 35)

Pacific Telephone & Telegraph Co. (Tacoma)--Employees; Meader, Eilert; Gallwas, Martin J.; Crawford's Sea Grill (Tacoma);

Washington Gas & Electric Building as pictured on May 25, 1950. The mission-style building was located at 101-11 So. 10th St. near the Tacoma Hotel Annex. It formerly was a Military Store before being purchased by the gas company in 1937. It has since been demolished. (scan from original negative, no print on file)

Washington Gas & Electric Co. (Tacoma); Public utility companies--Tacoma; Facades--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Washington Gas & Electric Building. The two-story warehouse was built in 1920 for the Danard Auto Machine Works. Washington Gas & Electric Co. bought it in 1939. A truck is seen through the open garage door on the left and a workman is looking out of the upper, right window. Ordered by F.C. Hawks.

Washington Gas & Electric Co. (Tacoma); Public utility companies--Tacoma; Warehouses--Tacoma;

Capital Coil & Equipment Company's refrigerator case, model DL - 9U, open dairy case with mirror; 109 1/2 " long, 52" high, 32" deep; 28 cubic foot storage capacity, 30 cubic foot display capacity. Ordered by Capital Coil & Equipment.

Capital Coil & Equipment Co. (Tacoma); Refrigerator industry--Tacoma;

Capital Coil & Equipment Company's refrigerator case, model NVG - 9U, with fluorescent lights and solid stainless steel bottom, 109 1/2" x 52" x 32". The company manufactured store fixtures.

Capital Coil & Equipment Co. (Tacoma); Refrigerator industry--Tacoma;

Capital Coil & Equipment Company's refrigerator case, model D5 - K5 - W2, 129" long, 26 1/4" deep, and 41" high; exterior 18-8 stainless steel. This model has two pressurized spigots for serving beverages. Ordered by Capital Coil & Equipment.

Capital Coil & Equipment Co. (Tacoma); Refrigerator industry--Tacoma;