Washington Cleaners and Launderers, photographs for advertising campaign. The clothing cleaning company was owned by Edward Lane. The full service cleaners offered pick up and delivery, fur and wool cleaning and storage, garment dying and 24 hour service. Here the three women employees fill out orders for the clothing and attach identifying markers. The clothes are then thrown into the hamper with wheels to go out for cleaning. (TNT 5/13/1956, pg. A-15)

Washington Cleaners and Launderers (Tacoma); Cleaning establishments--Tacoma;

Washington Cleaners and Launderers. Washington was a full service cleaner with a main dry cleaning and laundry plant in Tacoma plus seven branches to serve military personnel at Fort Lewis. The four women in the picture are giving these clothes that smart crease with a commercial pressing machine. The clothing item is laid out on the bottom form; the top is pulled down, pressing and steaming the item between the two forms. Washington Cleaners termed their cleaning technique "Fabri-Sheen." (TNT 5/13/1956, pg A-15)

Washington Cleaners and Launderers (Tacoma); Cleaning establishments--Tacoma;

Washington Cleaners and Launderers. Washington was a full service modern cleaning plant, having undergone progressive modernization over the last 20 years. The company was owned by Ed Lane. Its main plant was located in Tacoma, with seven branches at Fort Lewis. The employees were apparently mostly women, as out of this picture of 50, only 3 are men. The women are a wide variety of ages. Most are wearing bright spring print dresses or skirts. (TNT 5/13/1956, pg. A-15)

Washington Cleaners and Launderers (Tacoma)--People; Cleaning establishments--Tacoma;

Washington Cleaners and Launderers. The two men are applying solutions to the clothes using a tubing device topped by a nozzle. They have several glass bottles of solution beside them. The solutions are possibly used for spot removal or dry cleaning. Washington Cleaners termed its dry cleaning service "Fabri-Sheen." (TNT 5/13/1956, pg. A-15)

Washington Cleaners and Launderers (Tacoma)--People; Cleaning establishments--Tacoma;

Wellman Catering Service, new building. The successful catering service was owned and operated by Russell Wellman with his son and partner Robert. The completion date for the building was scheduled for June 1st at a cost of approximately $100,000 with seating for 500 persons. The building occupied two levels for a total square footage of 9,000 sq. ft. It had a banquet room, reception room and wedding chapel. The company began operation 8 years prior in a Quonset hut serving luncheons to employees in industrial plants on the Tideflats. The new facility would be available for banquets, receptions, conventions and religious and school activities. In addition, they offered rental service of silver and dishes, preparation of invitations, car rental and travel arrangements for bridal parties and off site catering for groups as large as 5,000. It would be open to the public on Sundays, when it would sponsor the largest Sunday buffet in Tacoma with over 100 different foods. (TNT 6-17-1956, pg. A-15 & D-11)

Wellman Catering Co. (Tacoma);

The patio of the Anderson residence, built by H.A. Briggs. The floor to ceiling glass area of the house looks out onto and opens on this patio. The patio is partially covered by a lattice work ceiling. A card table and lounge chair sit empty.

Briggs Construction Co. (Tacoma); Patios;

B & B Glass & Paint Co.- interiors of shop, showing glass top on counters and sliding doors. B& B sold glass for all purposes, including auto and mirror glass, plexiglas plastics and Pabco paints. They were owned by Benjamin E. Bassett and LeRoy O. Bertheau and had a Lakewood store at 11104 Gravelly Lake Drive. In the photograph, there is a counter to the left with a cash register, and shelves underneath with sliding plexiglas doors. A large desk occupies the space behind the counter, topped with a typewriter and a phone. A large adding machine sits on a stand nearby. Plexiglas sheets do duty as room dividers.

B & B Glass & Paint Co. (Tacoma); Glass industry--Tacoma;

Capital Finance Co. interiors. This loan company was managed by Clarence E. Cubbage. A single office area is occupied by four loan officers and two female secretaries or accountants. The women's desks sport an adding machine and typewriter. A counter with open spaces for customer interaction stands at the front.

Capital Finance Co. (Tacoma);

Exteriors of the Bell Fuel Co. in Lakewood and the oil loading rack. Bell Fuel was owned by William H. and Edgar A. Bell. They had two branch offices. The Tacoma office was located at 1210 Sprague Ave. The new office in this picture was located in Lakewood at 111th and Bridgeport Way and opened for business on August 15, 1956. It had its own storage tanks and business office. The Lakewood branch served the Lakes district and was managed by Robert W. Bell and Frank Radnick, both 15 year veterans with the company. The new branch had been in the planning stages for over a year as a part of a long range expansion and modernization program. Bell Fuel offered "Mobilheat" fuel and the famous flying horse logo can be seen at their filling area. They also sold Pres-to-logs by automatic dispenser. Four delivery trucks can be seen at the filling area; two are oil carriers, one is a flat bed truck and one appears to be a station wagon. Their slogan was "Ring us for oil." (TNT 8/14/1956, pg. 9)

Bell Fuel Co. (Lakewood); Fuel trade--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Bert's Mens Wear at 938 Broadway was closing to make way for Leeds Shoe Store in June of 1956. The large signs in the front windows read "Lease expires! We must vacate!" and "Closing out entire stock! Fixtures for sale!" Bert's sold men's clothing, such as Lancer shirts and Jarman shoes. Wilbur Meier was the manager.

Clothing stores--Tacoma--1950-1960; Berts Mens Wear (Tacoma); Signs (Notices);

I.B.M. offices, ordered by the Douglas Fir Plywood Association highlighting Reeds Fixtures. International Business Machines Corp was located in Tacoma at 12 Tacoma Ave. No. At 11:15, the office is empty. Almost each desk and the area over the rear door is emblazoned with a placard admonishing one to "THINK." Framed portraits, possibly of company founders, hang on the left wall. Fluorescent lighting boxes hang down from the ceiling. The free standing fixture at the front left contains printed information about IBM products and a write up from the Wall Street Journal. Dark tile squares cover the floor.

International Business Machines (Tacoma); Signs (Notices); Logos; Offices--Tacoma--1950-1960; Office equipment & supplies;

B & B Glass & Paint Co.- interiors of shop, showing glass top on counters and sliding doors. B& B sold glass for all purposes, including auto and mirror glass, plexiglas plastics and Pabco paints. They were owned by Benjamin E. Bassett and LeRoy O. Bertheau and had a Lakewood store at 11104 Gravelly Lake Drive. In the photograph, there is a counter to the left with a cash register, and shelves underneath with sliding plexiglas doors. A large desk occupies the space behind the counter, topped with a typewriter and a phone. A large adding machine sits on a stand nearby. Plexiglas sheets do duty as room dividers.

B & B Glass & Paint Co. (Tacoma); Glass industry--Tacoma;

Exteriors of the Bell Fuel Co. in Lakewood and the oil loading rack. Bell Fuel was owned by William H. and Edgar A. Bell. They had two branch offices. The Tacoma office was located at 1210 Sprague Ave. The new office in this picture was located in Lakewood at 111th and Bridgeport Way and opened for business on August 15, 1956. It had its own storage tanks and business office. The Lakewood branch served the Lakes district and was managed by Robert W. Bell and Frank Radnick, both 15 year veterans with the company. The new branch had been in the planning stages for over a year as a part of a long range expansion and modernization program. Bell Fuel offered "Mobilheat" fuel and the famous flying horse logo can be seen at their filling area. They also sold Pres-to-logs by automatic dispenser. Four delivery trucks can be seen at the filling area; two are oil carriers, one is a flat bed truck and one appears to be a station wagon. Their slogan was "Ring us for oil." (TNT 8/14/1956, pg. 9)

Bell Fuel Co. (Lakewood); Fuel trade--Tacoma--1950-1960;

This photograph from August, 1956 shows the Kegel's Furniture store at 105-11 South 11th Street shortly before the building was taken over by Selden's carpet and floor covering store. Kegel's, owned by Otto Kegel, had opened in 1938. Built in 1902, this building was demolished in November of 1975, and a parking garage was built on the lot in 1987.

Kegel's Inc. (Tacoma); Furniture stores--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Capital Finance Co. interiors. This loan company was managed by Clarence E. Cubbage. A single office area is occupied by four loan officers and two female secretaries or accountants. The women's desks sport an adding machine and typewriter. A counter with open spaces for customer interaction stands at the front.

Capital Finance Co. (Tacoma);

Bert's Mens Wear at 938 Broadway was closing to make way for Leeds Shoe Store in June of 1956. The large signs in the front windows read "Lease expires! We must vacate!" and "Closing out entire stock! Fixtures for sale!" Bert's sold men's clothing, such as Lancer shirts and Jarman shoes. Wilbur Meier was the manager.

Clothing stores--Tacoma--1950-1960; Berts Mens Wear (Tacoma); Signs (Notices);

I.B.M. offices, ordered by the Douglas Fir Plywood Association highlighting Reeds Fixtures. International Business Machines Corp was located in Tacoma at 12 Tacoma Ave. No. At 11:15, the office is empty. Almost each desk and the area over the rear door is emblazoned with a placard admonishing one to "THINK." Framed portraits, possibly of company founders, hang on the left wall. Fluorescent lighting boxes hang down from the ceiling. The free standing fixture at the front left contains printed information about IBM products and a write up from the Wall Street Journal. Dark tile squares cover the floor.

International Business Machines (Tacoma); Signs (Notices); Logos; Offices--Tacoma--1950-1960; Office equipment & supplies;

This photograph from August, 1956 shows the Kegel's Furniture store at 105-11 South 11th Street shortly before the building was taken over by Selden's carpet and floor covering store. Kegel's, owned by Otto Kegel, had opened in 1938. Built in 1902, this building was demolished in November of 1975, and a parking garage was built on the lot in 1987.

Kegel's Inc. (Tacoma); Furniture stores--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Studio setup of Acrilan yarn and display for advertising purposes; ordered by Seattle Woolen Co. The first board displays acrilan fiber, made from gas and air. The board proclaims it to be light, warm and resilient; soft and never itchy or scratchy. The second board shows fabric made from acrilan; it is luxurious to the touch, keeps its shape and resists wrinkles and tears. The final board displays acrilan yarn; it's strong, yet pliable and resists moths and mildew. The fabric was being promoted for clothing manufacture, since it was washable, quick drying and would not shrink, stretch or sag. Synthetics would gradually replace or supplement natural fabric materials in clothing.

Seattle Woolen Co. (Seattle); Textiles; Textile industry; Fibers; Yarn;

Studio setup of Acrilan yarn and display for advertising purposes; ordered by Seattle Woolen Co. The first board displays acrilan fiber, made from gas and air. The board proclaims it to be light, warm and resilient; soft and never itchy or scratchy. The second board shows fabric made from acrilan; it is luxurious to the touch, keeps its shape and resists wrinkles and tears. The final board displays acrilan yarn; it's strong, yet pliable and resists moths and mildew. The fabric was being promoted for clothing manufacture, since it was washable, quick drying and would not shrink, stretch or sag. Synthetics would gradually replace or supplement natural fabric materials in clothing.

Seattle Woolen Co. (Seattle); Textiles; Textile industry; Fibers; Yarn;

Meyer Linoleum in Lakewood. Meyer Linoleum was owned by Ray E. Carlson and Robert Stumpf. The store sold tile, linoleum and carpet. To the right is the Village Drapery Shop with custom draperies and broadloom carpets. Far right is 8202 South Tacoma Way which is listed as a residential structure. It appears to have a business downstairs and possibly apartments above.

Meyer Linoleum (Lakewood); Home furnishings stores--Lakewood--1950-1960; Floor coverings;

A smiling woman sits on a stool in a model kitchen. Photograph ordered by Meyer Linoleum, at 8220 South Tacoma Way in Lakewood. The kitchen has a patterned linoleum with matching counter tops and backsplash. Meyer Linoleum was owned by Ray E. Carlson and Robert Stumpf.

Meyer Linoleum (Lakewood); Home furnishings stores--Lakewood--1950-1960; Floor coverings; Kitchens--Lakewood--1950-1960;

Consolidated Freightways was a moving and shipping company. It was conveniently located next to the railroad tracks, where materials were unloaded and packed into trucks for further distribution. Employees cars are parked beside the loading area. A bridge crossing the railroad tracks can be seen in the background.

Consolidated Freightways, Inc. (Tacoma); Shipping--Tacoma--1950-1960; Loading docks--Tacoma; Trucks--1950-1960;

Consolidated Freightways was a moving and shipping company. It was conveniently located next to the railroad tracks, where materials were unloaded and packed into trucks for further distribution.

Consolidated Freightways, Inc. (Tacoma); Shipping--Tacoma--1950-1960; Loading docks--Tacoma; Trucks--1950-1960;

Consolidated Freightways was a moving and shipping company. It was conveniently located next to the railroad tracks, where materials were unloaded and packed into trucks for further distribution.

Consolidated Freightways, Inc. (Tacoma); Shipping--Tacoma--1950-1960; Loading docks--Tacoma; Trucks--1950-1960;

Consolidated Freightways was a moving and shipping company. It was conveniently located next to the railroad tracks, where materials were unloaded and packed into trucks for further distribution. Employees cars are parked beside the loading area. A bridge crossing the railroad tracks can be seen in the background.

Consolidated Freightways, Inc. (Tacoma); Shipping--Tacoma--1950-1960; Loading docks--Tacoma; Trucks--1950-1960;

The Morrow Fuel Company located at the intersection of 38th and McKinley Ave. The company was owned by Gerald F. (Jerry) Morrow, a former partner in Radiant Fuel Co. Morrow had been in the fuel business 14 years when he opened his own company on the east side. They sold stove and diesel oils and offered 24 hour delivery. A Chevrolet delivery tank truck is shown in front of the offices. Located on the east side of Tacoma in the McKinley Hill area, this building is now divided into residential apartments. (TNT 10/28/1956, pg. B-13)

Morrow Fuel Co. (Tacoma); Fuel trade--Tacoma--1950-1960; Chevrolet trucks;

Peerless Laundry and Drycleaning. Peerless was owned by Edward V. Hudson and offered complete laundry service, dry cleaning and linen supply. Two women in matching white uniforms with handkerchiefs in pockets and white pumps prepare two coats for cleaning. One woman brushes the sleeve of a coat and the other stuffs the sleeves open on another coat. The coats sit on two pieces of machinery with frames that fit inside the coats, filling them out.

Peerless Laundry (Tacoma)--Employees; Cleaning establishments--Tacoma;

Peerless Laundry and Drycleaning. Peerless was owned by Edward V. Hudson and offered complete laundry service, dry cleaning and linen supply. Their service was speedy; items in by 9 were completed by 5. Exterior of the building with service vehicles and employees. The business was founded in 1937. This building was demolished in 1974 after a massive fire and a new building was erected in its place. Peerless is still operating at this same area in 2002, despite another large fire in 1988.

Peerless Laundry (Tacoma); Cleaning establishments--Tacoma;

Peerless Laundry and Drycleaning. Peerless was owned by Edward V. Hudson and offered complete laundry service, dry cleaning and linen supply. Exterior view of the cleaning plant with company delivery fleet parked in front and staff in foreground of picture, some in uniforms. The business was founded in 1937 and still operates in this same area in 2002, despite two large fires and building replacements. TPL-9661

Peerless Laundry (Tacoma)--Employees; Cleaning establishments--Tacoma;