Interior of shop with man standing next to large piece of machinery. An employee of Pacific Oerlikon Co. is pictured next to a piece of equipment used in the Oerlikon plant. Pacific Oerlikon was located at 3001 No. Starr Street and was a manufacturer of electric equipment. This interior view of the plant showed various types of machinery imported from Europe by Pacific Oerlikon.

Pacific Oerlikon Co. (Tacoma); Machinery; Equipment;

Northwest Radio, Inc. celebrated the grand opening of its second Tacoma store at 3009 Sixth Avenue on November 1, 1951. According to the two full page ads in the News Tribune on November 1, Northwest Radio was offering such specials as the brand new 1952 Philco 17 inch TV combination for $412.45 and a 20 inch Motorola TV for $314.95. Orchids would be given to the first 500 women visiting the store and special gifts were promised to all children attending with their parents. View of night exterior of well-lighted store flanked by giant searchlight and two billboards, Heidelberg Beer and Krispy Crackers. (TNT 11-1-51, B-6, B-7, TPL-5551)

Northwest Radio, Inc. (Tacoma); Televisions--1950-1960; Searchlights--Tacoma; Billboards--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Interior exposure of worker with equipment. An employee of Pacific Oerlikon Co. stands with one hand extended to touch an extremely tall piece of machinery which is transported on a wheeled dolly. He is standing between two similar pieces of machinery which are both loaded onto dollies. The Pacific Oerlikon plant was located at 3001 No. Starr St. and manufactured power system equipment. Photograph ordered by Pacific Oerlikon Co.

Pacific Oerlikon Co. (Tacoma); Machinery; Equipment;

Outdoor exposure of Pacific Oerlikon plant. The Pacific Oerlikon Co., located at 3001 No. Starr, manufactured electric equipment. Lloyd Morgan was listed as manager according to the 1951 and 1953 City Directories. View of three story wooden building with large Oerlikon sign on top close to additional Oerlikon structure and next to railroad tracks. The Oerlikon plant was built on the site of the former Henry Mill Co. and Tacoma Lumber Fabricating Co. They changed their name to United Power Control in 1956 and then changed to United Products Company upon merging with Meridian Corp. of Chicago in 1958. Photograph ordered by Pacific Oerlikon Co.

Pacific Oerlikon Co. (Tacoma); Railroad tracks--Tacoma--1950-1960;

The Pacific Oerlikon Co. were electric equipment manufacturers. According to the 1951 City Directory, they were located at 3001 No. Starr and Lloyd Morgan was listed as manager. View of machinery manufactured by Pacific Oerlikon in photograph taken on September 18, 1951. It possibly could be a type of drill. Photograph ordered by Pacific Oerlikon.

Pacific Oerlikon Co. (Tacoma); Machinery;

View of Stanley Park development. The Miller Construction Company built many homes, including several hundred in housing developments, in Tacoma during the 1940's and 1950's. Much of their construction was in the city's north end. By early 1952, however, they had built a million dollar housing development, consisting of 110 homes, near the central part of town at South 16th and Hosmer Streets. This development, called Stanley Park, seemed to consist of small ranch style homes on small lots. Many of the homes had attached one-car garages; however, some models were built with detached two car units. View of residence with large picture window and two-car garage; photograph was taken on March 15, 1952.

Miller Construction Co., Inc. (Tacoma); Houses--Tacoma--1950-1960; Housing developments--Tacoma; Construction industry--Tacoma; Garages--Tacoma;

Night exposure of the Rose Millinery. This evening photograph was taken after closing hours on October 2, 1951. The hat shop is brightly lit and shows many styles of hats on walls, shelves and freestanding racks. Two-sided tables with mirrors were provided so that customers could try on hats. Rose Millinery was owned by Rose and Arthur Hertz, originally from Holland, who opened for business in 1947. By 1950, the shop occupied the entire corner of the Rialto apartment building on both 9th and Market Streets. (TNT 2-26-50, D-12)

Millinery; Hats--1950-1960; Rose Millinery (Tacoma);

Mayberry Motor Parts located at 1934 Market Street. Oxygen sales and service. Two men in shop testing and weighing tanks. Both Oxygen Sales & Service and Mayberry Motor Parts were located in the same building on Market St. and owned by the Mayberry family. October 7-13, 1951 was Fire Prevention Week in Tacoma and this photograph, along with A61242, image 4, was used in a full page ad promoting the goods and services of Oxygen Sales & Service Co. and advising the public on keeping safe from fires. (TNT 10-9-1951, p. 11)

Mayberry Motor Parts, Inc. (Tacoma); Automobile equipment & supplies stores--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Jensen Fuel Company, located at 6238 South Tacoma Way, were dealers in wood, oil and coal. The company was owned by Everett R. Jensen. Attached to the main building was a 24 hour self-service unit where a customer could pay for sacks of prest-o-logs or sacks of coal. View of man retrieving sacks of each fuel item; he has his hand on the coin box. A small sign above the prest-o-log dispenser indicates that seven prest-o-logs could be bought for 60 cents; another sign states a sack of egg coal would cost 65 cents. Photograph ordered by F.D. Dickinson.

Jensen Fuel Co. (Tacoma); Fuel supply; Signs (Notices);

The Jensen Fuel Company was housed in a concrete block structure with glass block curved windows in addition to a large plate glass window. The business had its name in large neon letters on a ledge above the doorway. A hanging sign inside the store indicated that Quaker heaters, oil burners and furnace stokers could be purchased there. A 24 hour self-service unit was attached to the main building; a customer could stop by when the business was closed and still buy sacks of coal and prest-o-logs. Owned by Everett R. Jensen, Jensen Fuel was located at 6238 South Tacoma Way. Photograph ordered by F.D. Dickinson.

Jensen Fuel Co. (Tacoma); Fuel supply; Signs (Notices); Electric signs--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Adding to the expansion of the Lakewood Community Center in November, 1951, was the new branch location of Fraser's. Originally a small speciality shop, Fraser's offered a wide variety of goods and services including perfumes, fine china and crystal, travel items and lingerie. Donald J. Browne was the merchandise manager for Fraser's and the manager of the 3500 square foot Lakewood branch. View of interior of Fraser's; wall cases and individual tables display variety of fine goods including handbags, blouses, costume jewelry, table decorations. Photograph ordered by Al Graham, News Tribune. (TNT 11-14-51, C-8)

Fraser's (Lakewood); Gift shops--Lakewood--1950-1960;

Fraser's Gift Store at Lakewood Center. Exterior, front side of shop with window displays.

Fraser's (Lakewood); Gift shops--Lakewood--1950-1960;

Fraser's Gift Store at Lakewood Center. Exterior, front side of shop with window displays.

Fraser's (Lakewood); Gift shops--Lakewood--1950-1960;

Fraser's Gift Store at Lakewood Center. View of interior of store, taken on October 29, 1951.

Fraser's (Lakewood); Gift shops--Lakewood--1950-1960;

View of bins at Washington Hardware. Washington Hardware had several locations in the downtown Tacoma business district, including 924 Pacific Ave., 923 Commerce, and a sales warehouse at 1247 Puyallup Ave. They sold a variety of products, building materials, tools, machinery, shop supplies and even sporting goods. View of Washington Hardware employee reaching into a wooden bin so that he can fill an order. Some bins have metal handles and are labeled individually with item sizes. Photograph taken on October 11, 1951; ordered by Douglas Fir Plywood Association.

Washington Hardware Co. (Tacoma); Hardware stores--Tacoma--1950-1960; Containers; Drawers (Furniture components); Douglas Fir Plywood Association (Tacoma);

View of merchandise on display at Washington Hardware. Special plywood shelving was constructed to make an attractive display of various sample products ranging from door knobs to grates on sale at a Washington Hardware location. Washington Hardware had three facilities in downtown Tacoma, including 924 Pacific Avenue, 923 Commerce, and a sales warehouse at 1247 Puyallup Avenue. Photograph taken on October 11, 1951; ordered by Douglas Fir Plywood Association.

Washington Hardware Co. (Tacoma); Hardware stores--Tacoma--1950-1960; Door knobs; Merchandise displays--Tacoma--1950-1960; Douglas Fir Plywood Association (Tacoma);

The Donna Foss, a Foss Launch & Tug Co. tugboat, steadily tows the much larger ex-military transport, the "Republic" vessel on a cloudy spring day in 1952. The Agnes Foss is at the "Republic's'' stern. The Wedell Foss, not seen, is also aiding in the tow. All boats will be eventually passing under the Tacoma Narrows Bridge. The Donna and Agnes Foss tugboats will be towing the "Republic" to the Panama Canal where it will then be towed to the East Coast for scrapping. Foss Launch & Tug had its beginnings as a rowboat rental business started by Thea and Andrew Foss in the late 1890's. They later expanded to include motorized launches and tugboats and in 1920, changed the company name to Foss Launch & Tug Co. Even after the deaths of its founders, the company continued to expand its business to include Alaska and California. In 1986, a further name change occurred and Foss Launch became Foss Maritime Co. to better reflect the diversified nature of its maritime services. Photograph ordered by Foss Launch & Tug Co. (History of Pierce County, Vol. 1, p. 422, TNT 3-20-52, A-11)

Foss Launch & Tug Co. (Tacoma); Tugboats--Tacoma--1950-1960; Towing--Tacoma;

On March 18, 1952, the "Republic," an ex-German military transport, was photographed as it passed directly under the Tacoma Narrows Bridge. It was being towed by a Foss Launch & Tug Co. tugboat, the Donna Foss. To the transport's stern were additional Foss tugboats, the Agnes Foss and the Wedell Foss. The "Republic" was at the start of a long voyage; from its storage in Olympia, it was being towed to the Panama Canal by tugboat and then onto the East Coast where it was scrapped. The trip was expected to take 40 days. The 20,000 ton "Republic" was built in Belfast, Ireland, in 1907 and used as a German transport in WWI. Captured by the Allied Forces, it then also served in WWII. Photograph ordered by Foss Launch & Tug Co. (History of Pierce County, Vol. 1, p. 422, TNT 3-20-52, A-11)

Foss Launch & Tug Co. (Tacoma); Tugboats--Tacoma--1950-1960; Towing--Tacoma; Government vessels; Tacoma Narrows Bridge (Tacoma); Suspension bridges--Tacoma;

Ship being towed under the Tacoma Narrows Bridge by tugboat from Foss Launch and Tug Company. View from above looking toward Point Fosdick as ship is towed north and approaches bridge. The "Donna Foss" is towing the much larger ship, the "Republic," on March 18, 1952. Assisting her is the "Agnes Foss" at the "Republic's" stern. On the other side of the ex-military transport but not seen is another tug, the "Wedell Foss."

Foss Launch & Tug Co. (Tacoma); Tugboats--Tacoma--1950-1960; Towing--Tacoma;

The Donna Foss tugboat from Foss Launch & Tug Co. has just towed a much larger ship, the ex-German military transport vessel, the "Republic", under the Tacoma Narrows Bridge in a photograph taken on March 18, 1952. Fellow tugboats, the Agnes Foss and the Wedell Foss, are aiding in the tow. The "Republic" has a long voyage scheduled; it is on its way to the Panama Canal and then onto the East Coast where it will be scrapped. Tugboats are powerful boats designed to guide and pull vessels many times their weight. Foss Launch & Tug is a long-time Tacoma firm, established in the late 1890's by Thea and Andrew Foss. Photograph ordered by Foss Launch & Tug Co. (TNT 3-20-52, A-11)

Foss Launch & Tug Co. (Tacoma); Tugboats--Tacoma--1950-1960; Towing--Tacoma; Government vessels; Tacoma Narrows Bridge (Tacoma); Suspension bridges--Tacoma;

The 590 foot ex-military transport vessel, the "Republic", is being pulled along under the Tacoma Narrows Bridge by a Foss Launch & Tug Co. tugboat, the Donna Foss, in March, 1952. The Donna Foss is being aided by two fellow tugs, the Wedell Foss and the Agnes Foss. The tugboats, although dwarfed in size by the much bigger vessel they tow, are designed to guide and pull boats despite the disparity in sizes. More powerful diesel engines, added in the early 1950's, allowed tugboats to maneuver in deep ocean waters. Photograph ordered by Foss Launch & Tug Co. (TPL-2158, TNT 3-20-52, A-11)

Foss Launch & Tug Co. (Tacoma); Tugboats--Tacoma--1950-1960; Towing--Tacoma; Government vessels; Tacoma Narrows Bridge (Tacoma); Suspension bridges--Tacoma;

Sears, Roebuck and Company Department Store, Powertool Department, as photographed on September 5, 1951. Tablesaws, jointer on left with drill presses. Next row has smaller power drills and accessories.

Sears, Roebuck & Co. (Tacoma); Department stores--Tacoma--1950-1960; Equipment; Saws; Merchandise displays--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Sears Roebuck and Company Department Store, Appliance Department. Three rows of electric ranges are photographed on September 5, 1951. This was the Tacoma location of Sears, 1148 Broadway.

Sears, Roebuck & Co. (Tacoma); Department stores--Tacoma--1950-1960; Stoves--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Selden's Home Furnishings. Behind-the-scenes look at Selden's, longtime Tacoma business, taken in September of 1951. Three rooms with people working. One man sewing carpet, three at work table, and one cutting flooring. Large hanging signage warning employees not to walk on carpet.

Selden's, Inc. (Tacoma); Selden's, Inc. (Tacoma)--Employees; Home furnishings stores--Tacoma--1950-1960; Floor coverings; Signs (Notices);

Selden's Home Furnishings. Series of behind-the-scenes operations at Selden's, prominent home furnishings store, taken in September of 1951. One woman at long table in rear cutting fabric, four at long tables pressing fabric, and three at machines sewing.

Selden's, Inc. (Tacoma); Selden's, Inc. (Tacoma)--Employees; Home furnishings stores--Tacoma--1950-1960; Sewing machines; Sewing--Tacoma; Irons (Pressing);

Sears, Roebuck and Co. Department Store, Second Floor. Hardware, hoses in stack, cabinet hardware, tools on back wall. Sears promoted their "easy payment plan."

Sears, Roebuck & Co. (Tacoma); Department stores--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Sears Roebuck and Co. Department Store, Kitchen Display. Refrigerator on left with cabinets in L- shape. Sink with window above, stove on right, small counter with rounded shelves on end. Photograph taken on September 5, 1951.

Sears, Roebuck & Co. (Tacoma); Department stores--Tacoma--1950-1960; Merchandise displays--Tacoma--1950-1960; Refrigerators; Stoves--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Even in the alley entrance to the Sears, Roebuck parking lot, a customer could not escape displays of Sears automotive supplies for sale. Boxes of car blankets, rows of Allstate motor oil, Hide A Keys, and Allstate Cross Country tool kits could be seen through large, unadorned windows while a huge banner urging savvy customers to buy and save money on tires and tubes is pasted above. This is possibly the entrance to the Tacoma Sears, Roebuck parking lot on Court C which was built in spring of 1951. Photograph ordered by Mr. Abolofia of Sears, Roebuck, Seattle.

Sears, Roebuck & Co. (Tacoma); Merchandise displays; Signs (Notices); Automobile equipment & supplies;

Elevated view of the Sears, Roebuck & Co.'s parking lot taken on July 23, 1951. Photograph was apparently taken from across the street and shows that the lot is full; apparently many Tacomans were taking advantage of the free parking that Sears provided. The multi-tiered parking lot would help to alleviate the problems of insufficient parking that downtown Tacoma was already starting to experience.

Sears, Roebuck & Co. (Tacoma); Parking garages--Tacoma; Parking lots--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Sears Roebuck and Company Department Store, Automotive Department. This elevated view of the automotive department, taken on September 5, 1951, shows tires on right, four tables with oil, seat covers, auto accessories, batteries and mufflers on right back wall. The automotive section seemed to be set next to appliances, including stoves.

Sears, Roebuck & Co. (Tacoma); Department stores--Tacoma--1950-1960; Automobile equipment & supplies; Stoves--Tacoma--1950-1960;