Circa 1907.

Circa 1905.

In March of 1922, the building at 821-23 Pacific Avenue that previously housed the "American Players" and the Hippodrome movie palace was being remodeled into market space. The $15,000 remodel would convert the first floor into a modern public market, the second into a dance hall and the third into lodge rooms. It would be ready for occupancy by the middle of April. The structure was originally constructed around 1905 by the Sullivan and Considine vaudeville circuit and opened as the "Grand Theater," one of the most luxurious vaudeville houses in the country. By 1921, the theater was being utilized by the Wiethoff & Carlson "American Stock Co." as a legitimate playhouse. In 1922, it became the movie palace "The Hippodrome." Planned alterations to the building included the cutting of windows on the 9th Street side and the building of a staircase entrance to the upper floor from that street. (address also includes 115 So. 9th St.) (TDL 2/26/1922, pg. 1) Boland B5614, BU-11122

Hippodrome Building (Tacoma);

Social dancing was just one of the many activities offered at the Tacoma Council of Churches Youth Center, 821-23 Pacific Avenue, in November of 1948. Founded in July of 1946, by 1948 the center had become a popular spot for young people in Tacoma to socialize. It was especially popular with the young servicemen who were brought to Tacoma from all over the United States by the peacetime draft. Reverend Irvin N. Morris took over as supervisor and chaplain for the center in September of 1948. The center was open seven days a week and offered billiards, ping pong, bowling, a snack bar, and a music room with a dance floor.

Dance parties--Tacoma--1940-1950; Young adults--Tacoma; Dance--Tacoma; Sports & recreation facilities--Tacoma; Couples--Tacoma; Military uniforms; Military personnel--Tacoma; Tacoma Council of Churches (Tacoma);

Hippodrome (Hippodrone) Building. A sign on the Pacific Avenue side of the building says, "The Fern Dancing! Entrance on 9th Street". On the upper corner is another sign indicating, "Tacoma Hotel" with an arrow pointing down 9th Street. Address also known as 115 So. 9th St.

Dance halls--Tacoma--1940-1950; Hippodrome Building (Tacoma);

Hippodrome (Hippodrone) Building. The interior of the Fern Dancing Hall. The room shows much damage from the elements. The ceiling has fallen in many areas and the walls show water stains. Supports are in place to hold the ceiling beams. Address also known as 115 So. 9th St.

Dance halls--Tacoma--1940-1950; Hippodrome Building (Tacoma);

Hippodrome (Hippodrone) Building. Interior showing much damage from the elements. The band's stage is seen on the back wall. A sign over the stage reads, "Fern Orchestra". Address also known as 115 So. 9th St.

Dance halls--Tacoma--1940-1950; Hippodrome Building (Tacoma);

Hippodrome (Hippodrone) Building. Interior showing deterioration. Supports are in place to hold the ceiling beams. The band stage is shown on the rear, right with a sign overhead, "Fern Orchestra". Address also known as 115 So. 9th St.

Dance halls--Tacoma--1940-1950; Hippodrome Building (Tacoma);

A volunteer offers advice during the servicemen's game of checkers at the United Churches Service Center at 9th and Pacific, sponsored by the Tacoma Council of Churches. The center, under the direction of Rev. Loyal H. Vickers, was in its seventh year of operation and provided recreation for about 12,000 persons a month. In addition to recreation, the center also offered religious instruction for the young people of Tacoma. (TNT 4/16/1950, pg. A-4)

Soldiers--Tacoma--1950-1960; Military uniforms--United States; Clothing & dress--Tacoma--1950-1960; Checkers; Board games;

Activities at the United Churches Service Center at 9th and Pacific. High school seniors and college girls volunteered at the center that offered recreational activities for servicemen and religious instruction for young Tacomans. A group of young people play billiards in this photo. The center was open seven days a week and offered information to servicemen on local church services, but also had facilities for television viewing, a library, ping pong, billiards, snack bar, a wide variety of table games, a music room, and bowling. (TNT 4/16/1950, pg. A-4)

Soldiers--Tacoma--1950-1960; Military uniforms--United States; Billiards--Tacoma; United Churches Service Center (Tacoma);

A volunteer hands out pool cues and billiard balls to servicemen at the United Churches Service Center, sponsored by the Tacoma Council of Churches, at 9th and Pacific. The center, under the direction of the Rev. Loyal H. Vickers, provided religious instruction for young Tacomans and recreational facilities for the area's 30,000 servicemen. The Council allotted $12,000 from its budget to support the center. In addition to providing recreation, the center arranged banquets, skating parties, cruises and provided weekday Bible study for Tacoma young people. (TNT 4/16/1950, pg. A-4)

Soldiers--Tacoma--1950-1960; Military uniforms--United States; Clothing & dress--Tacoma--1950-1960; Billiards--Tacoma--1950-1960; Billiard balls; United Churches Service Center (Tacoma);

John Lyman, Fort Lewis soldier from Chicago, plays tunes while servicemen and teenage volunteers gather around the piano to sing popular songs at the United Churches Service Center at 9th and Pacific. In its seventh year, the center was providing recreation for 12,000 people a month. It was open from 10 a.m. to midnight every day, and all night on Saturday to provide overnight housing for servicemen. A waffle party at 9:30a.m. Sunday morning was provided for the servicemen along with transportation to the church of their choice. (TNT 4/16/1950, pg. A-4) TPL-10386

Soldiers--Tacoma--1950-1960; Military uniforms--United States; Pianos; Clothing & dress--Tacoma--1950-1960; United Churches Service Center (Tacoma); Lyman, John;

Mary Jackson and Nadine Kensler serve a group of servicemen and young ladies sodas, malts and soup at the lunch counter in the United Churches Service Center at 9th and Pacific Ave. As many as 3,000 young people visited the center over Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. The center was open seven days a week and had facilities for bowling, billiards, ping pong, a library, a music room and overnight accommodations for servicemen on Saturdays. (TNT 4/16/1950, pg. A-4)

Soldiers--Tacoma--1950-1960; Military uniforms--United States; Clothing & dress--Tacoma--1950-1960; Counters--Tacoma--1950-1960; United Churches Service Center (Tacoma); Jackson, Mary; Kensler, Nadine;