Overall exterior of new Washington Hardware Wholesale Building, Puyallup Avenue, Raleigh Hardware Co. Washington Hardware's new wholesale building is nearly complete. The one story building provided 50,000 square feet of storage area. A tall, brick covered sign post stands near one of the two front doors. Large glass windows face Puyallup Avenue. The retail and sports' shop that had been in operation 65 years remained at 918-24 Pacific.

Washington Hardware Co. (Tacoma); Warehouses--Tacoma;

Group of approximately 30 at Winthrop Hotel, Pacific Northwest District of Kiwanis, R. Ralstad. It was reported earlier in the month that Edward A. Lane had been elected president of the North-West Tacoma Kiwanis Club for 1950. (TNT, 11/10/1949, p.C-11)

Hotel Winthrop (Tacoma); Kiwanis Club (Tacoma); Business people--Tacoma--1940-1950;

New safe deposit vault at Pacific First Federal, Condon Co., Roscoe Smith. Pacific First Federal Savings and Loan was proud of their new safe deposit vault on the ground floor of its building at Pacific Avenue and South 11th Street. The new vault was one the of largest and most modern in the Pacific Northwest, and employed the latest safety devices. Tacoma's first escalator provided convenience to patrons which connected the vault lobby with the savings and loan lobby on the second floor. (TNT,11/30/1949, p.9)

Pacific First Federal Savings & Loan Association (Tacoma); Vaults (Strong rooms)--Tacoma; Banks--Tacoma; Waiting rooms--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Dinner party at the Towers, Jordan Baking Company. A large group of men have assembled at the Towers Restaurant. They are possibly sales representatives from the Jordan Baking Company. A display board at the back of the room shows different art work for a new product, "Fruit Bread".

Restaurants--Tacoma; Towers--Tacoma; Towers Restaurant (Tacoma); Bakeries--Tacoma; Jordan Baking Co. (Tacoma);

Painted window, Tacoma Auto Sales, Buck Gardner. The 1950 Pontiacs went on display at Tacoma Auto Sales the last week of November 1949. The Chieftain and Streamliner lines were continued with standard and de luxe styling, six- or eight-cylinder engines (up to 108 h.p.) and Hydra-matic or Synchro-Mesh transmissions. This General Motors make was named after the intelligent and formidable leader of the Ottawa Tribe, Chief Pontiac, who united four tribes to fight against the British army during the French and Indian War in 1763.

Automobile dealerships--Tacoma; Tacoma Auto Sales Co. (Tacoma); Window displays--Tacoma--1940-1950; Advertising--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Dinner awards being presented to employees, Shell Oil Co., Tideflats, Larry Hausen. Shell Oil had celebrated the opening of their new bulk petroleum terminal on the Tacoma tideflats next to the city waterway earlier in November 1949. They consolidated their two smaller plants into one housing their storage, truck fill-stand and garage with their district office, smaller storage and warehouse.

Shell Oil Co., Inc. (Tacoma); Petroleum industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Fuel trade--Tacoma--1940-1950; Banquets--Tacoma--1940-1950; Awards; Business people--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Group shot of personnel, W.H. Opie & Co. A group of 25 people who worked for the W.H. Opie real estate company pose in one of their five offices on December 5, 1949. W. H. Opie and Company was established in 1888 and dealt with insurance and real estate business. The company processed FHA and GI home loans, other real estate loans, property management, rentals and sold insurance. The company officers were: Orville W. Hunter, President, Warren S. Lagerquist, Vice-President, and Gertrude R. Cherrington, Assistant Secretary-Treasurer.

W.H. Opie & Co. (Tacoma)--Employees; Real estate business--Tacoma; Group portraits; Offices--Tacoma--1940-1950; Office workers--Tacoma--1940-1950; Office equipment & supplies;

A shiny, new 1950 Chevrolet De Luxe 2 door sedan was on display in the showroom window at South Tacoma Motor Company in January of 1950. The transom above the large picture window was decorated with a banner, "Now on Display - New Chevrolet for '50". Peter Wallerich founded the South Tacoma Motor Company after he acquired a combined livery business and service store in 1919. He opened his new Chevrolet dealership at 5602 So. Tacoma Way in 1924. During the post-war boom of the 1950's, the South Tacoma Motor Company was selling 200 cars and trucks a year. (South on the Sound, Murray and Rosa Morgan) TPL-8566

Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1950-1960; Chevrolet automobile; South Tacoma Motor Co. (Tacoma);

South Tacoma Motor Company. A general view of the dealership at night. 1950 Chevrolets are on display in the showroom. A neon sign advertises the dealership at the corner while searchlights on the back of a truck pierce the night sky. South Tacoma Motor Company originated in the late 1800s as Union Street Livery. With the growing popularity of automobiles in the early 1900s, the owners combined the livery business with a service store and garage. Peter Wallerich acquired South Tacoma Motor in 1919. As of 1984 John Wallerich, Peter's grandson, headed the dealership. (South on the Sound, Murray and Rosa Morgan) TPL-6545

Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1950-1960; South Tacoma Motor Co. (Tacoma); Electric signs--Tacoma--1950-1960; Chevrolet automobile; Searchlights--Tacoma--1950-1960;

1950 Chevrolet Sedan Delivery truck, "Nalley's Inc. Advertising Car LA-63" on display in South Tacoma Motor Company's showroom. Slogan "If It's Nalley's It's Good" and product names "Treasure Pickles" and "Beef Stew" are painted on this side.

Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1950-1960; South Tacoma Motor Co. (Tacoma);Food industry--Tacoma; Nalley's, Inc. (Tacoma); Chevrolet trucks;

The Big Bear Stores were celebrating the second anniversary of their Tacoma store with a 1,200 pound anniversary cake. TPL-6594

Big Bear Stores (Tacoma); Grocery stores--Tacoma--1950-1960; Cakes--Tacoma--1950-1960; Anniversaries--Tacoma--1950-1960; Merchandise displays--Tacoma;

1,200 pound anniversary cake, Big Bear Store, Mr. Taylor. The Big Bear Stores were celebrating the second anniversary of their Tacoma store. The store at this location was opened January 1948. This enormous five-layer cake is shown in front of a display of Biskit Mix and Fisher's enriched flour. A banner hanging over the flour display says the cake was made with Fisher's Blend Flour, Medosweet milk, and C & H Pure Cane Sugar.

Big Bear Stores (Tacoma); Grocery stores--Tacoma--1950-1960; Cakes--Tacoma--1950-1960; Anniversaries--Tacoma--1950-1960; Merchandise displays--Tacoma;

A new Chevrolet panel truck for Nalley's, Inc. was on display at South Tacoma Motor Company. This advertising car for Nalley's, Inc. carries the company logo, "If It's Nalley's, It's Good," on both sides and the rear door. This view shows advertising for Lumber Jack Syrup and Tang.

Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1950-1960; South Tacoma Motor Co. (Tacoma);Food industry--Tacoma; Nalley's, Inc. (Tacoma); Chevrolet trucks; Advertising--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Picture of three men at Cole's Supermarket, 5512 Pacific Ave., taken for advertising copy for grand opening ads. The store featured all new self service and Pictsweet frozen foods. The supermarket was open weekdays 9am-9pm and Sundays from 10am-9pm. New refrigerator cases were installed by Paul's Refrigeration. (TNT 3/3/1950 pg. 12)

Grocery stores--Tacoma--1950-1960; Merchants--Tacoma--1950-1960; Cole's Supermarket (Tacoma); Refrigerators;

A major snow storm hit Tacoma January 13,1950. Tacoma received almost nine inches of snow, and the wind which reached over 25 miles per hour created drifts up to five feet high. It was the worst storm in years and caused major damage throughout the area. 20 foot waves washed away part of Ruston Way, and ten boats were sunk in the yacht club basin. This view of the front of the Olympus Hotel, 815 -17 Pacific Avenue, from January 14th, shows the snow heaped along the sidewalks where it was left by the plows trying to clear Pacific Avenue. TPL-5466;

Olympus Hotel (Tacoma); Hotels--Tacoma--1940-1950;Snow--Tacoma--1950-1960; Commercial streets--Tacoma--1950-1960;

An International truck equiped as a cement truck for Pioneer Sand and Gravel has backed into a construction site to pour a basement or foundation on a snowy day in January 1950. Pioneer Sand & Gravel advertised their "Blue Trucks" for cement delivery. The names "Pioneer Sand & Gravel" and "Tru-Mix" have been painted on the cover for the rotating drum and cab door. Ordered by Pioneer Sand & Gravel, Seattle, Vance Tjossem.

Pioneer Sand & Gravel Co. (Steilacoom); Concrete mixers--Tacoma; Concrete--Tacoma; Building construction--Tacoma--1950-1960; International trucks;

Fire damage at Tacoma Transit. A fire destroyed four Tacomna Transit Company buses, several private automobiles and gutted the firm's repair shops and maintenance depot February 15, 1950. Losses were estimated at $267,000. The buses, in the process of repair, were probably totally ruined by the gasoline-fed flames. Ordered by United Pacific Insurance Company, Mr. Littlemore. (TNT, 2/16/1950, p.1)

Tacoma Transit Co. (Tacoma); Fires--Tacoma--1950-1960; Buses--Tacoma--1950-1960; Bus terminals--Tacoma;

Fire damage at Tacoma Transit. The fire at the Tacoma Transit Company terminals destroyed four buses, several private automobiles and gutted the firm's repair shops and maintenance depot. Bricks, placed more than 50 years earlier in the two-story building, withstood the heat and flames. The framed interior of the building was a total loss, however. During streetcar days, in the section of the building damaged, were housed the old power house and the giant 12 and 15-foot diameter wheels which furnished power for the fleet of Tacoma cable cars. Ordered by United Pacific Insurance Company, Mr. Littlemore. (TNT, 2/16/1950, p.1)

Tacoma Transit Co. (Tacoma); Fires--Tacoma--1950-1960; Buses--Tacoma--1950-1960; Bus terminals--Tacoma;

Four Tacoma Transit buses were totally destroyed on February 15, 1950 when a gasoline-fed fire swept through the Transit Company's repair shop at 1301 A Street. The repair shop was located in the historic Tacoma Railway & Motor Company Power House which was built in 1889; it was originally built as the main powerhouse for Tacoma's streetcars. Although the brick walls withstood the heat and flames, the frame interior of the building and the buses inside were a total loss. Today the site of the old Transit building is occupied by the Columbia Bank Center which was built in 2001. Pictured above removing a "school bus" sign from one of the destroyed buses is Herbert "Herb" Emerick. His primary bus route was "Old Tacoma," which was also the area he lived in with his wife, Ida Strubstad Emerick. "Herb" Emerick would retire from Tacoma Transit and pass away in 1955. (Ordered by United Pacific Insurance Company, Mr. Littlemore.) (TNT, 2/16/1950, p.1. Additional information provided by a reader.)

Tacoma Transit Co. (Tacoma); Fires--Tacoma--1950-1960; Buses--Tacoma--1950-1960; Bus terminals--Tacoma; Emerick, Herbert;

On Friday the 13th of January, 1950, the worst blizzard in years hit Tacoma. The gale brought five foot snow drifts, twenty degree chills, several hours of 40-60 mph winds and an estimated million dollars worth of storm damage in Tacoma. As pictured, the bulkhead near the "bow" of the Top of the Ocean, the Tacoma Athletic Commission's Ruston Way nightclub shaped like a ship, collapsed. However, the club itself did not suffer extensive damage. Waves 20 feet high broke over Ruston Way during the storm. The freezing temperatures brought in by the storm stayed until the middle of the following week. In the background is the Henry Mill. Ordered by the Tacoma Athletic Commission. TPL-8836

Top of the Ocean (Tacoma); Restaurants--Tacoma--1940-1950; Waterfronts; Storms--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Interior of C & G Radio Shop. This view shows the business offices for C & G Radio Shop, a wholesaler of radio, television and electronic parts. A wall with large windows separates the offices from the showroom area. Two wooden desks are set close to the windows. Each desk has a rotary dial telephone, a lamp, and organizers for incoming and outgoing items. Another office with windows into the larger office area and a door is seen in the back.

C & G Radio Supply Co. (Tacoma); Radios; Stores & shops--Tacoma; Offices--Tacoma--1950-1960; Office furniture; Office equipment & supplies;

Interior of C & G Radio Shop. A view of the display shelves, sales counters and parts storage areas at the wholesale distributor's showroom for radio, television and electronics parts. TPL-9680

C & G Radio Supply Co. (Tacoma); Radios; Stores & shops--Tacoma; Showrooms--Tacoma--1950-1960; Merchandise displays--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Four new Dodge trucks from the Irwin Jones Motor Company are parked in front of the Diamond F Meat Company. The DeLuxe "Route Van" bodies were designed, developed and built in Tacoma by the Irwin-Jones Motor company in their truck center. Ordered by Walt Dunlop, truck division. This photograph was used in an advertisement in the Tacoma News Tribune, 2/14/1950, p.A-14.

Diamond F Meat Co., Inc. (Tacoma); Irwin-Jones Motor Co. (Tacoma); Trucks--Tacoma--1950-1960; Dodge trucks; Advertising--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Exterior of the new refrigerator case at Cole's Supermarket, modern technology for the preservation of fresh fruits and vegetables installed by Paul's Refrigeration in Tacoma. This photo served as advertising copy for the grand opening of Cole's which featured self service and Pictsweet frozen foods. Free coffee and ice cream for the kids was given at the opening. (TNT 3/3/1950 pg. C-12) TPL-9269

Grocery stores--Tacoma--1950-1960; Refrigerators; Cole's Supermarket (Tacoma); Produce;

A view of the produce department and apple display at the Tacoma Big Bear Store. An unidentified shopper and Produce Manager Steve Turlis stand between the rows of displayed produce. Large amounts of fresh produce are mounded into the display bins. Bananas, rhubarb, lemons, are shown, but apples are the featured fruit. Posters hang on the walls and from banners. Large sacks and cases of apples stand open in the foreground. Ordered by the Washington State Apple Commission, Jack Sharp.

Big Bear Stores (Tacoma); Grocery stores--Tacoma--1950-1960; Fruit; Vegetables--Tacoma; Merchandise displays--Tacoma--1940-1950; Apples--Tacoma; Advertising--Tacoma--1950-1960; Turlis, Steve;

A view of the sales room and inventory arranged carefully on rows of shelving at C & G Radio, ordered by Lloyd Norberg. The wholesale distributing company advertised industrial electronic supplies from General Electric, Everready Batteries, Scotch Recording Tapes, Stromberg-Carlson Sound, Weston Instruments and Sylvania Tubes. (TNT, 2/14/1950, p.A-14)

C & G Radio Supply Co. (Tacoma); Radios; Stores & shops--Tacoma;

In February of 1950 an unidentified stock clerk at C & G Radio Supply Company, 2502 Jefferson Ave., pulled an order for radio and television tubes from the neatly organized shelves of inventory. Before transistors and modern printed circuits, radios and televisions used glass vacuum tubes produced by manufactures such as Jensen, Philco, and Tung Sol. Still in business at the same address, C & G Electronics carries hard to find bulbs and electronic items. (Ordered by Lloyd Norberg)

C & G Radio Supply Co. (Tacoma); Radios; Stores & shops--Tacoma;

Banquet at Poodle Dog Restaurant for employees of Mannings Market. Ordered by Mac Manza. This view of the interior includes the photo mural with images of many Northwest industries. TPL-9689

Diners (Restaurants)--Fife; Poodle Dog (Fife); Banquets--Fife--1950-1960; Mannings Inc. (Tacoma);

Sepic Electric employees are gathered for a group portrait outside the remodeled facilities. The furniture and appliance store was owned by Stan and Fred Sepic. Several of the men wearing coveralls are standing by the company's three delivery trucks. Administrative staff are standing by the show windows. The company advertises Kelvinator and Maytag appliances. Ordered by Stan Sepic. (TNT, 2/14/1950, p.D-14) TPL-8167

Sepic Electric Co. (Tacoma); Furniture stores--Tacoma--1940-1950; Appliance stores--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Flatbed with tractor manufactured by South Tacoma Welding. Two men stand behind the newly completed flatbed trailer with three sets of wheels at the back. It is set onto a tractor with a fifth-wheel hitch. The company specialized in welding and steel fabrication and were manufacturers of Bos-car, low bed and semi trailers, hoists and dump bodies. Ordered by Nick Bosko, Jr. owner of South Tacoma Welding.

South Tacoma Welding & Equipment Co. (Tacoma); Business enterprises--Tacoma--1950-1960; Equipment industry--Tacoma--1950-1960; Trailers--Tacoma--1950-1960; Welding--Tacoma--1950-1960; Trucks--Tacoma--1940-1950;