Rebuilding Ford engine at Titus Motor, Times, Buzz. Two men are shown rebuilding Ford engines at the Titus Manufacturing Company. The plant was one of two in the northwest which Ford Motor Company had authorized to recondition Ford motors. Skilled mechanics put new life in old motors restoring them to factory-new shape. (T.Times, 2/20/1949, p.3)

Titus Manufacturing Co. (Tacoma); Gasoline engines; Vehicle maintenance & repair--Tacoma--1940-1950; Mechanics (Persons)--Tacoma--1940-1950;

S.L. Savidge Company, Dodge and Plymouth Dealers at 9th and Lenora in Seattle. A view of the service area showing automobile lift racks, several late 1940's Dodge automobiles being serviced, overhead hoses, roll-away tool box and other equipment along the wall.

Automobile dealerships--Seattle; Dodge automobile; S.L. Savidge Co. (Seattle); Vehicle maintenance & repair--Seattle;

Winthrop Motor Company, Plymouth and De Soto dealers. View through agency windows, crowd admiring 1949 De Soto as salesman discusses its features. Neon signs in windows, advertising signs and banners and TV-like slide viewer in showroom. The 1949 Plymouths had a longer, 118", wheelbase, and a lower center of gravity. The body and frame were 23% more rigid and easier to park because of less overhang. Fenders flowed into the body but they were separate and detachable. (T.Times, 3/17,1949, p.17) TPL-9282

Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1940-1950; Plymouth automobile; DeSoto automobile; Winthrop Motor Co. (Tacoma); Electric signs--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Machinery at Northwest Door Company, American Marietta Co., Henry Presessor. Large bags of dry, powdered adhesives are placed near a mixer at Northwest Door Company. The bag in the foreground is being moved by an overhead carrier. The glues used in the manufacture of plywood gave it strength and, as non-soluble glues were developed, plywood became weatherproof.

Northwest Door Co., Inc. (Tacoma); Machinery; Lumber industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Plywood; Glue;

Crowd at Selden's Rug Show, Selden's, Mrs. Selden. A crowd of people stand outside at night looking in through Selden's showroom windows at the rug show. The company's neon sign spells the name of Selden's.

Selden's, Inc. (Tacoma); Rugs; Electric signs--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Tacoma Drug Company, interior and exterior of new offices, Tacoma Drug Co., Fred Osmers. The wholesale drug company had completed a new warehouse and offices on the Tacoma tideflats and were now stocking the 60,000 square feet of warehousing. The modern facilities were well lit. On the right can be seen their system for moving goods from the back of the warehouse in large tubs on a counter made of continuous rollers. Empty tubs could be returned to the back of the warehouse using an overhead conveyor.

Tacoma Drug Co. (Tacoma); Medicines; Warehouses--Tacoma--1940-1950; Business enterprises--Tacoma--1940-1950;

The S.H. Kress & Co. store in Tacoma, 934 Broadway, advertised fresh, home-made, butter cream fudge for 30 cents per one-half pound for Valentines Day 1949. In their front window, heart shapes and stripes were made of suckers on a continuous tape. Several large pieces of fudge spelled out the name "Kress," and other candies were made into bouquets at the top and near the edges of the display. S. H. Kress closed their store on Broadway in 1972. (Photo for Martin Candy Inc., Edmonds, Washington)

S.H. Kress & Co. (Tacoma); Window displays--Tacoma--1940-1950; Candy--Tacoma--1940-1950; Valentines; Variety stores--Tacoma;

Tacoma Drug Company, interior and exterior of new offices, Tacoma Drug Co., Fred Osmers. The interior of the offices of the wholesale drug company. A view from the back of the common office area shows the entry to the building on one of the exterior corners. The entry way has been walled with glass-block to let available light into the offices. Conduits in the floor made it possible to install power, telephone, or inter-communication outlets at 30 inch intervals. (TNT, 2/15/1949, p.A-14)

Tacoma Drug Co. (Tacoma); Business enterprises--Tacoma--1940-1950; Offices--Tacoma--1940-1950; Office furniture; Office equipment & supplies;

This photograph of the Tacoma Drug Company warehouse at 1815 East D Street on Tacoma's tideflats was taken in February of 1949 shortly after the warehouse was completed; the vast area is crowded with a multitude of tables and boxes, including Bayer and Bromo Seltzer products. The Tacoma Drug Company was founded in 1925 by Chis F. Osmers. By 1949 the company had become one of the largest distributors of pharmaceutical products on the Pacific Coast. Their warehouse incorporated the latest technology so that orders could be filled quickly and efficiently. In 1951, under the corporate leadership of Fred C. Osmers, Tacoma Drug became part of the Northwest Drug Company; in 1984 the company was sold to Pay n' Save.

Tacoma Drug Co. (Tacoma); Medicines; Warehouses--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Tacoma Drug Company, interior and exterior of new offices, Tacoma Drug Co., Fred Osmers. The interior of the warehouse at the wholesale drug company showing the open shelving used to store the products handled by the company. The company carried 21,000 items from 1,260 manufacturers. (TNT, 2/15/1949, p.A-14)

Tacoma Drug Co. (Tacoma); Medicines; Warehouses--Tacoma--1940-1950; Business enterprises--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Tacoma Drug Company, interior and exterior of new offices, Tacoma Drug Co., Fred Osmers. The wholesale drug company had completed a new warehouse and offices on the Tacoma tideflats. This view shows the counter with continuous rollers that runs from the back of the warehouse to the front where shipping an order was handled.

Tacoma Drug Co. (Tacoma); Medicines; Warehouses--Tacoma--1940-1950; Business enterprises--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Tacoma Drug Company, interior and exterior of new offices, Tacoma Drug Co., Fred Osmers. The wholesale drug company had completed a new warehouse and offices on the Tacoma tideflats.The interior of one of the individual offices at the new facility. A bank of windows lines the outside wall and the windows are wired for an alarm system. A sign on the desk reminds everyone to "Think". The desk has stacked in and out bins. A copy of the current City Directory sits on the work table together with other books, a lamp and a calculator.

Tacoma Drug Co. (Tacoma); Medicines; Business enterprises--Tacoma--1940-1950; Offices--Tacoma--1940-1950; Office furniture; Office equipment & supplies;

Tacoma Drug Company, interior and exterior of new offices, Tacoma Drug Co., Fred Osmers. A night-time view of the wholesale drug company warehouse and offices on the Tacoma tideflats. Glass-block was used as walls for the entry to the offices at Tacoma Drug. Large windows run in both directions from the corner entry. The alarm system wiring on the windows creates an interesting pattern.

Tacoma Drug Co. (Tacoma); Medicines; Warehouses--Tacoma--1940-1950; Business enterprises--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Studio set-up of model, Peoples Store, Mrs. Ehrlich. A model is seen from the back wearing a street-length coat with a yoke and full sleeves with broad cuffs. She is holding a purse and gloves. She is also wearing nylon stockings with seams in the back and sling-back pumps. Coats similar to this one were on sale at Peoples for $22.00 during February 1949.

Peoples (Tacoma); Coats; Fashion models--Tacoma--1940-1950; Clothing & dress--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Tacoma Drug Company, interior and exterior of new offices, Tacoma Drug Co., Fred Osmers. The interior of the offices of the wholesale drug company showing their modern inventory and invoicing equipment housed in a sound-proofed room. The company used a punch card tabulating system for perpetual inventory control and preprinting invoices. This was the latest in equipment of its type and Tacoma Drug was the first drug firm in the northwest to employ this system. (TNT, 2/15/1949, p.A-14)

Tacoma Drug Co. (Tacoma); Medicines; Business enterprises--Tacoma--1940-1950; Offices--Tacoma--1940-1950; Office furniture; Office equipment & supplies;

Tacoma Drug Company, interior and exterior of new offices, Tacoma Drug Co., Fred Osmers. The wholesale drug company had completed a new warehouse and offices on the Tacoma tideflats. This view of the interior of the offices shows two rows of desks running to the back of the large room. Individual offices with windows into the common area are on the left. The desks had space for telephone order taking, buyers and clerks. (TNT, 2/15/1949, P.A-14)

Tacoma Drug Co. (Tacoma); Medicines; Business enterprises--Tacoma--1940-1950; Offices--Tacoma--1940-1950; Office furniture; Office equipment & supplies;

Big Six Service was owned by M. A. Martin, they were located at 3826 Sixth Avenue. Big Six offered their customers a full service gas station with a repair shop, fuel oil, battery and tire service, radios and electrical appliances. Exterior view of Big Six Service station, photo ordered by West Marquis Incorporated, an advertising agency based out of Seattle. The man in the hat is reported to be Malvin Andreas Martin. TPL-9267

Automobile service stations--Tacoma; Vehicle maintenance & repair--Tacoma; Gasoline--Tacoma--1940-1950; Signs (Notices); Big Six Service (Tacoma); West Marquis, Inc. (Seattle);

Harold's Service Station, 1202 So. 12th St., was owned by Harold W. Conger. Harold's offered their customers Mobilgas products, tires, batteries, recapping, vulcanizing and many automobile accessories. View of Harold Conger filling up an automobile with gas at his service station, photo ordered by West Marquis Incorporated, an advertising agency based out of Seattle.

Automobile service stations--Tacoma; Vehicle maintenance & repair--Tacoma; Gasoline--Tacoma--1940-1950; Signs (Notices); Harold's Service Station (Tacoma); West Marquis, Inc. (Seattle); Conger, Harold W.;

Pacific Telephone and Telegraph Company was completing a company wide expansion and building program in 1949. The expansion would allow the company to serve their customers better. Exterior view of Mobilgas service station in Milton where a sign indicates a public telephone booth is available next to the gas station. Photograph ordered by Pacific Telephone and Telegraph Company.

Automobile service stations--Milton; Telephone booths--Milton; Telephone companies--Tacoma; Telephone industry--Tacoma; Roads--Milton; Automobiles--Milton; Signs (Notices); Pacific Telephone & Telegraph Co. (Tacoma);

Following an action making the rhododendron Washington's official state flower, Verna V. Weiler, Director of the Capitol District of Garden Clubs, and Alice S. Franklin, President of the Garden Club of Tacoma, immediately planned Tacoma's first Rhododendron Show; the flowers will be displayed in the lobby of the Bank of California. View of Alice S. Franklin (left) and Verna V. Weiler admiring azaleas on March 2, 1949 (T. Times, 3/3/49, p. 3).

Banks--Tacoma; Women--Clothing & dress--Tacoma--1940-1950; Azaleas--Tacoma; Rhododendrons; Flower shows--Tacoma; Bank of California National Association (Tacoma); Franklin, Alice S.; Weiler, Verna V.;

Metropolitan Chain Stores were a department store located in Tacoma's downtown shopping district. Metropolitan offered their customers a wide variety of services, including key making and a luncheonette cafeteria with daily specials; Metropolitan's store manager was Walter M. Arnold. View of window display featuring "Advance" dress patterns and 15 cent underwear sale.

Department stores--Tacoma; Fabric shops--Tacoma; Merchandise displays--Tacoma; Window displays; Sewing equipment & supplies; Sewing--Tacoma; Patterns (Design elements); Metropolitan Chain Stores (Tacoma);

Park Hotel was built in 1908 and in 1949, it was owned by William L. and Nelle M. Edwards. The three-story, 50 room hotel was located in downtown Tacoma at South 8th Street and A Street, across from Fireman's Park. In 1977 it was bought by Tacoma Savings and Loan Association; they demolished the hotel and turned the site into additional parking. View of Park Hotel's front desk area, unidentified employees are working with the telephone switchboard.

Hotels--Tacoma; Hotel employees--Tacoma; Telephone operators--Tacoma; Telephone switchboards--Tacoma; Park Hotel (Tacoma);

The students of Arlington Elementary School were invited to the Music Box Theatre to watch Walt Disney's "So Dear to My Heart" in technicolor on March 2, 1949. The movie poster reads "A Dilly-Dilly Delight;" Burl Ives, Beulah Bondi, Harry Carey, Bobby Driscoll and Luana Patten star in the movie. Exterior view of the Music Box Theatre, Arlington's 2nd and 3rd grade students are standing with their teacher, holding a sign that lists their names.

Motion picture theaters--Tacoma--1940-1950; Motion pictures; Motion picture posters; School children--Tacoma--1940-1950; Teachers--Tacoma--1940-1950; Motion picture audiences--Tacoma; Arlington School (Tacoma); Music Box Theatre (Tacoma);

Tacoma's Temple Theatre advertised they had the "widest proscenium arch of any theater or hall on Pacific Coast". Throughout the years the Temple Theatre had a number of movie stars making special appearances, including Tallulah Bankhead and Lucille Ball. The Temple Theatre was later renamed the Saint Helens Convention Center in 1992 and the Landmark Convention Center in 1995. View of two unidentified men working with equipment and machinery at the Temple Theatre; possibly movie projectors.

Motion picture theaters--Tacoma; People associated with entertainment & sports; Motion picture devices; Projectors; Temple Theatre (Tacoma);

An unidentified waitress offers a fireman something to eat, outside a badly damaged diner, in this photograph from April of 1949. On April 13, 1949, at 11:55 a.m. a 7.1 magnitude earthquake rocked the Puget Sound basin. The quake was felt over 150,000 square miles, and killed eight people. This unidentified restaurant is believed to be in Puyallup, one of the hardest hit towns in the south sound. Photo ordered by Life magazine in New York (Life, 4/25/49, p. 34-35 & T.N.T., 4/13/49, P. 1, 12 & 4/14/49, p. 1-2). TPL-5461

Restaurants--Puyallup; Waitresses--Puyallup; Fire fighters--Puyallup; Rescue work--Puyallup; Earthquakes--Puyallup; Disasters--Puyallup; Life (New York, N.Y.);

Mueller-Harkins had been an authorized Buick dealership in tacoma since 1916; they had recently opened their one-stop automotive center at 455 Saint Helens Avenue in Tacoma's business district. View of progress on the "Buick" sign at Mueller-Harkins Motor Company, the dealership had their open house for their new and modern facilities in December 1948. Photo ordered by Comfort, Davis and Blangy, a real estate and insurance business in Tacoma.

Automobile dealerships--Tacoma; Signs (Notices); Progress photographs; Mueller-Harkins Motor Co. (Tacoma); Comfort, Davis & Blangy (Tacoma);

Puget Sound Furniture Company was celebrating the grand re-opening of their furniture store in March of 1949. Ben Slotnick, owner, had planned a $100,000 remodeling and expansion project; the business had been at this location for 25 years. Interior view of the newly remodeled Puget Sound Furniture Company; showroom is fully stocked with everything customers may need for their homes (T. Times, 3/31/49, p. 4, 5).

Furniture stores--Tacoma--1940-1950; Showrooms--Tacoma--1940-1950; Merchandise displays--Tacoma--1940-1950; Home furnishings stores--Tacoma--1940-1950; Remodeling--Tacoma--1940-1950; Furniture; Appliances; Puget Sound Furniture Co. (Tacoma);

MGM's "Command Decision" featuring Clark Gable, Walter Pidgeon, Van Johnson, Brian Donlevy, Charles Bickford, John Hodiak and Edward Arnold was playing at Tacoma's Music Box Theatre. A "Technicolor" cartoon, "The Cat Who Hated People" was the movie extra being featured. View of window display of jewelry and movie poster at The Diamond Shop on Broadway promoting the movie for the Music Box.

Jewelry stores--Tacoma; Motion picture posters; Motion pictures; Publicity; Advertisements--Tacoma; Merchandise displays--Tacoma; Diamond Shop (Tacoma); Music Box Theatre (Tacoma);

Exterior view of the American Building Maintenance Company; it was the largest janitorial contractors, janitor service, window cleaning, floor waxing and wall cleaning business. Scaffolding is set up on exterior of building, possibly for remodeling, the business is located next to Puget Sound Auto Electric Company; both businesses were located on South 7th Street and Pacific Avenue. Photo ordered by Universal Scaffold and Contractors Supply Company.

Scaffolding--Tacoma; Building construction--Tacoma; Signs (Notices); Street lights--Tacoma; Universal Scaffold & Contractors Supply (Tacoma); American Building Maintenance Co. (Tacoma);

Puget Sound Furniture has added a large store sign, invested more than $12,000 in plate glass and an elevator will be installed soon. The buildings additions were designed by architect Silas E. Nelson and built by the Ben Rome Company. The first 500 women to attend the grand re-opening celebration will receive gardenias. Exterior view of the newly remodeled Puget Sound Furniture Company, view of display windows (T. Times, 3/31/49, p. 4, 5).

Furniture stores--Tacoma; Electric signs--Tacoma--1940-1950; Remodeling--Tacoma; Window displays--Tacoma--1940-1950; Home furnishings stores--Tacoma; Furniture; Appliances; Puget Sound Furniture Co. (Tacoma); Silas E. Nelsen Architects (Tacoma);