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);

The Peoples Department Store at 1101-07 Pacific Avenue formally opened their new first floor mezzanine on Saturday, August 12, 1950. The new addition held men's clothing, boys' ready-to-wear and both the men's and boys' shoe departments. The newly remodeled men's furnishings and ladies' shoe departments were located on the first floor, with new modern fixtures, carpets and tiles throughout the area. A wide, carpeted stairway with streamlined aluminum guard rails was built to lead to the new mezzanine floor from the main center aisle. 3400 square feet of retail sales space had been added. Peoples, which had opened at 11th and Pacific in 1895, closed in 1983 - the last large department store to leave downtown Tacoma. (TNT 8-11-50, p. 6)

Peoples (Tacoma); Mezzanines--Tacoma; Stairways--Tacoma; Department stores--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Manning's, Inc.--coffee, cafeterias, cafes, markets, bakeries--it was a household name in the 1950s from Canada to Mexico, from Denver to Hawaii. The multi-million dollar food chain started in Seattle in 1908 as a small coffee store. Manning's Market opened in Tacoma at 11th and Commerce in 1920, remained at that location, and eventually became a microcosm of Manning's food empire. Its coffee cafe remained a Tacoma stalwart until urban renewal claimed the building in 1972. TPL-6560

Cafes--Tacoma; Manning's Coffee Cafe (Tacoma); Mannings Inc. (Tacoma);

Exposures of several after remodeling pictures of Manning's Market. Manning's underwent extensive remodeling in 1950. This photograph, taken on July 31, 1950, shows a multitude of small tables and booths in the cafe section of the store. Recessed lighting, painted murals, and new linoleum flooring enhance the dining atmosphere.

Manning's Market (Tacoma); Manning's Inc. (Tacoma); Cafes--Tacoma;

View of Shell station #982. This photograph of Shell Oil station #982 in Auburn was taken on August 2, 1950. According to the White River Historical Society, Louie's Shell Service was located at 103 Auburn Avenue, at the corner of Auburn Avenue and 1st Street N.E. Drivers in the small town could choose to gas up at either the Mobil, Louie's, or the Richfield stations on Auburn Avenue, as they were all in a row. The flat roofed building next to the large tree towards the rear of the Louie's Shell was the Auburn General Hospital.

Shell Oil Co. (Auburn); Automobile service stations--Auburn; Louie's Shell Service (Auburn);

This photograph from August of 1950 shows the west side of Tacoma Avenue South looking north from South 10th Street. Bill Leedom's Shell Service station was located on the corner, at 922 Tacoma Avenue South. In November of 1952 the voters approved the construction of a new County-City Building on this block. All the buildings on the west side of Tacoma Avenue South from South 9th to South 11th were demolished and South 10th Street was closed to traffic. The Tacoma School District's Central School can be seen further up the road at 601 South 8th Street.

Shell Oil Co., Inc. (Tacoma); Automobile service stations--Tacoma; Central School (Tacoma); Commercial streets--Tacoma--1950-1960; Streets--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Shell Oil station at Sixth & Sprague. This photograph of Wolford & Brazeau's Shell station was taken on August 2, 1950. The gas station, located at 1720 Sixth Avenue, was owned by A.H. Wolford and E.F. Brazeau. It competed for business with Les Knutsen's Associated Service located across the street. TPL-9907

Shell Oil Co., Inc. (Tacoma); Automobile service stations--Tacoma;

Shell Oil station at 37th & Pacific. Fred's Shell Service station, owned by Fred Styf, was located at 3640 Pacific Avenue. Mr. Styf also owned another Shell station at 2523 Pacific Avenue. Pierce County Hospital (later Puget Sound General Hospital) is shown a block away.

Shell Oil Co., Inc. (Tacoma); Fred's Shell Service (Tacoma); Styf, Fred; Automobile service stations--Tacoma;

Two gentlemen who were present at the Chicago-Milwaukee Railroads board of directors luncheon on July 13, 1950, at the Hotel Winthrop, gaze at an enlarged photograph of the newly completed Tacoma Narrows Bridge. The first Tacoma Narrows Bridge collapsed during high winds on November 7, 1940. The man seated at left is C.H. Buford, president of the Milwaukee Road.

Hotel Winthrop (Tacoma); Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul & Pacific Railroad Co. (Tacoma); Railroad companies--Tacoma--1950-1960; Buford, C.H.; Tacoma Narrows Bridge (Tacoma);

Broiled steak dinner set up at Winthrop. The Hotel Winthrop was well known for their delicious meals. This photograph shows an elegant place setting with a New York cut sirloin steak with french fried potatoes, garden salad and toasted garlic rolls on display. Additional items on the table include a small pitcher of cream, bowl of sugar, salt and pepper shakers, and gravy boat. This particular dinner special cost a hungry diner $3.50 in 1950.

Hotel Winthrop (Tacoma); Table settings & decorations; Silverware; Meat;

Two gentlemen who were present at the Chicago-Milwaukee Railroads board of directors luncheon on July 13, 1950, at the Hotel Winthrop, gaze at an enlarged photograph of the newly completed Tacoma Narrows Bridge. The first Tacoma Narrows Bridge collapsed during high winds on November 7, 1940. The man seated is C.H. Buford, president of Milwaukee Road.

Hotel Winthrop (Tacoma); Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul & Pacific Railroad Co. (Tacoma); Railroad companies--Tacoma--1950-1960; Buford, C.H.; Tacoma Narrows Bridge (Tacoma);

The Hotel Winthrop on Broadway is the location for a luncheon honoring the board of directors of the Chicago-Milwaukee Railroads on July 13, 1950. The nine men are posed under the Rotary Club's banner. Seated second to the left is C.H. Buford, president of the Milwaukee Road. According to the Northwest Room's clipping files, this railroad was the first with improvements in transportation: owning and operating its own sleeping and dining cars, installing electric lighting and radio-phones in passenger trains, and being the only road to operate its own through tracks on its own tracks from Chicago to Puget Sound.

Hotel Winthrop (Tacoma); Luncheons--Tacoma; Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul & Pacific Railroad Co. (Tacoma); Railroad companies--Tacoma--1950-1960; Buford, C.H.;

Copy of customer's retouched print, Mueller-Harkins used car building, Condon Co., a/c Mueller-Harkins.

Mueller-Harkins Motor Co. (Tacoma); Automobile dealerships--Tacoma;

A school bus for Bethel School District No. 403 is parked outside Tacoma White Truck Company. The White Trucking neon sign is seen over the bus. Ordered by Mrs. Frank Buchanan. The bus in the photograph is a 1950 model Gillig bus built by the Gillig Brothers bus manufacturing company in Hayward, California.

Tacoma White Trucks, Inc. (Tacoma); School buses--Tacoma; Truck industry--Tacoma; Electric signs--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Lee's Shell Oil station at Division and North Yakima. A Shell Oil Company service station had been at this location since 1929. Ed Lee opened his Shell Service across from Wright Park April 1, 1950. He celebrated his opening with free gardenias for the ladies and free balloons for the kiddies and he was open until 11 pm. Apartments buildings, the Rutland at 115 No. Yakima and the Casablanca at 117 No. Yakima, can be seen on the right and single-family residences behind the service station on the left. Ordered by Shell Oil Company, Ivar Holms. (TNT, 4/3/1950, p.8)

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

Service area of Steven Motor Company, Chrysler and Plymouth dealers showing maple floor treated with Lastincote sealer. Several late 1940s Chrysler Corporation automobiles are shown parked in the background. Banners overhead advertise available services. The floor coating was installed by West Disinfecting Company of Seattle.

Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1950-1960; Chrysler automobile; Plymouth automobile; Steven Motor Co. (Tacoma); West Disinfecting Co. (Seattle); Floors--Tacoma;

The exterior of the Bank of California building. The Bank of California opened their Tacoma offices in 1928 in this building of Italian Renaissance style with four Ionic columns. It was built of Wilkeson sandstone and granite with an interior of walnut and Travertine masonry. John Graham was the architect. Ornaments have been added on either side of the engraved name of the bank and at the cornice. TPL-8449

Bank of California National Association (Tacoma); Banks--Tacoma; Columns--Tacoma; Architectural decorations & ornaments--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;

Fifteen men line two tables in a class taught in one of the conference rooms at Mueller-Harkins Motor Company. They are working with small parts. Two men who are teaching the class stand at the back of the room with a flip chart open to diagrams of an automobile engine's working parts. Ordered by Mr. Mueller.

Automobile dealerships--Tacoma; Vocational education--Tacoma--1950-1960; Mueller-Harkins Motor Co. (Tacoma)--Employees; Automobile equipment & supplies;

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;

The exterior of the Bank of California building. The Bank of California was formally established in 1864 in San Francisco. As early as that same year the bank had out-of-state activities in Nevada opening the Virginia City agency. The bank expanded by organizing the Mission Bank of San Francisco in 1903 and purchasing the London and San Francisco Bank in 1905. The London and San Franciso Bank had established a Portland branch in 1882, a Tacoma branch in 1889, and a branch in Seattle in 1901. In 1910 the Bank of California was granted a national charter and its oficial name became the Bank of California, National Association. Prior to that time it had operated as a state bank under California banking laws. Thus, at the time of its admittance as a national bank, the Bank of California was already operating in four states: California, Oregon, Washington, and Nevada. For many years it was the only national bank to operate in more than two states, until banking laws were changed in the 1980's. (Partners in Progress 1865-1950, James J. Hunter)

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

Capital Coil & Equipment Company's refrigerator case, model 2DG - 50 U, 50 cubic feet capacity, 78" high, 83" wide, 31" deep; all stainless exterior, triple glass vented doors. Ordered by Capital Coil & Equipment.

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

The exterior of Gambles Western Auto Supply Company for advertisement. Western Auto Supply Company had four outlets in Tacoma in 1951: 917 Commerce Street, 5234 and 8104 South Tacoma Way, and 809 South 38th Street. Signs in the windows of this location advertise their Grand Opening. Appliances can be seen in the display windows as well as automobile supplies and accessories. Ordered by Mr. Plaine.

Gambles Western Auto Supply Co. (Tacoma); Automobile equipment & supplies stores--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Interior of Lincoln Electric to show new lighting. Lincoln Electric carried the complete line of Hotpoint ranges, refrigerators, O.A. Smith water heaters, washers, dishwashers, disposalls and home freezers. They also carried kitchen cabinets and would install and service all appliances and wire your house for the new appliances. Lincoln Electric, owned by Tony Ricono, celebrated the opening of their new store at 38th and Yakima May 5, 1950. The company had two other locations. Ordered by Mitchell Manufacturing Company, Clarence Moon. Clarence Moon worked for Graybar Electric. (TNT, 5/5/1950, p.A-11)

Lincoln Electric (Tacoma); Appliance stores--Tacoma; Appliances; Refrigerators; Stoves--Tacoma; Lighting--Tacoma;

The Tacoma Chamber of Commerce entertained the armed forces Friday night of Armed Forces Week at the Top of the Ocean in May of 1950. A Military Ball was to complete the week's festivities on Saturday night and was held at the Elks Ballroom. Ordered by the Tribune, Barbara Dana. (TNT, 5/24/1950, p.11)

Top of the Ocean (Tacoma); Balls (Parties)--Tacoma--1950-1960; Military uniforms; Ball dresses;

The Tacoma Chamber of Commerce entertained the armed forces at the Top of the Ocean on Friday night of Armed Forces Week in Tacoma. Henry O. and Agnes Foss are seen on the left. C. Val and Linda M. Fawcett are on the right. Other entertainment for visiting armed forces personnel included theater tickets and the facilities of the Council of Churches Youth Center, the Armed Service Recreation Center and the Christian Service Man'c Center. The crew from the Canadian destroyer "Athabaskan" and the USN fleet oiler "Platt" were in Tacoma for the week. Ordered by the Tribune, Barbara Dana. (TNT, 5/14/1950, p.D-9; 5/24/1950, p.11)

Top of the Ocean (Tacoma); Balls (Parties)--Tacoma--1950-1960; Military uniforms; Ball dresses; Foss, Henry O., 1891-1986; Foss, Agnes S.; Fawcett, Clarence Valdo, 1900-1965--Family; Fawcett, Linda;

Governor Arthur B. Langlie was the guest of honor at the 14th annual dinner meeting of the Tacoma Council of Churches at the New Yorker. Govenor Langlie's message was that government without God is bound to fail. Governor Langlie and Loyal H. Vickers, executive secretary of the Tacoma Council, are seen seated fourth and third from the right, respectively. Names are listed in the newspaper. (TNT, 5/18/1950, p.B-13)

New Yorker Cafe (Tacoma); Meetings--Tacoma--1950-1960; Vickers, Loyal H.; Clergy--Tacoma--1940-1950; Tacoma Council of Churches (Tacoma); Langlie, Arthur B., 1900-1966; Governors;