The Last Round Cafe was located at 1516 Broadway in Tacoma's downtown district; this building was built in 1889. The restaurant was owned and operated by William M. Hamilton. Exterior view of the Last Round Cafe; restaurant signs and "Open Day & Nite" signs on windows. Photo ordered by the Washington State Liquor Board for the tavern's liquor license.

Restaurants--Tacoma; Business enterprises--Tacoma; Parking meters--Tacoma--1940-1950; Taverns (Inns)--Tacoma; Signs (Notices); Last Round Cafe (Tacoma);

The Olympus hotel had just finished a two year remodeling project, initiated by the hotel manager, Virgil West. The new Mirror Room would offer dinner and dancing, and would feature the popular organist, Edith Stern with Ray Edwards. Interior view of the Mirror Room restaurant and night club, located in the recently remodeled Olympus Hotel (T.N.T., 8/29/49, p. 4-5).

Restaurants--Tacoma--1940-1950; Dining rooms--Tacoma; Remodeling--Tacoma--1940-1950; Dance floors--Tacoma; Table settings & decorations; Hotels--Tacoma; Mirror Room (Tacoma); Olympus Hotel (Tacoma);

Cocktail bar with bartenders, Murphy's cocktail lounge, Mrs. Lund. A crowd has arrived at Murphy's newly remodeled cocktail lounge. Floral draperies line the walls and several small tables are set around the floor. A large jukebox is seen behind a woman on the right. One of the bartenders, wearing a white service jacket, is bringing a tray of drinks for some of the customers.

Murphy's (Tacoma); Bars--Tacoma--1940-1950; Lounges--Tacoma--1940-1950; Eating & drinking--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Olympus Hotel was owned by Paul Sceva and managed by Virgil West. West had initiated the remodeling project just after he became manager, two years ago. The Frontier Room was accessible through the back entrance and through the main lobby; it was decorated like a 19th century inn, with amber glass and darkened wood rafters, historic murals of Washington State and could accommodate 100 people. Interior view of the Frontier Room, located in the Olympus Hotel; view of bar and restaurant area (T.N.T., 8/29/49, p. 4-5).

Restaurants--Tacoma--1940-1950; Bars (Furniture)--Tacoma; Bars--Tacoma--1940-1950; Table settings & decorations; Tablecloths; Hotels--Tacoma; Frontier Room (Tacoma); Olympus Hotel (Tacoma);

Cocktail bar with bartenders, Murphy's cocktail lounge, Mrs. Lund. The bartenders are lined up behind the bar at Murphy's. Several service men and other men have taken most of the stools at the bar. One of the machines where customers could make their selections from the jukebox is seen next to the sailor in the center of the photograph. Mirrors line the wall behind the bar.

Murphy's (Tacoma); Bars--Tacoma--1940-1950; Lounges--Tacoma--1940-1950; Eating & drinking--Tacoma--1940-1950; Sailors--Tacoma--1940-1950; Soldiers--Tacoma--1940-1950; Bartenders--Tacoma--1940-1950; Jukeboxes;

Olympus Hotel was owned by Paul Sceva and managed by Virgil West. West had initiated the remodeling project just after he became manager, two years ago. The Frontier Room was accessible through the back entrance and through the main lobby; it was decorated like a 19th century inn, with amber glass and darkened wood rafters, historic murals of Washington State and could accommodate 100 people. Interior view of the Frontier Room, located in the Olympus Hotel; view of bar and restaurant area (TNT 8/29/49, p. 4-5). TPL-3264

Restaurants--Tacoma--1940-1950; Bars (Furniture)--Tacoma; Bars--Tacoma--1940-1950; Table settings & decorations; Tablecloths; Hotels--Tacoma; Frontier Room (Tacoma); Olympus Hotel (Tacoma);

Bill and Ted's Tavern was owned by William J. Harris and Alfred G. Perella who also owned Bill and Ted's Restaurant, which was located next door. Interior view of Bill and Ted's Tavern in August of 1949; men are sitting along the long bar. Cigarettes, cigars and combs are located behind the bar, and a jukebox is in the background. Photo ordered by Mr. Pickering of the State Liquor Board.

Bars--Tacoma--1940-1950; City & town life--Tacoma--1940-1950; Taverns (Inns)--Tacoma--1940-1950; Beer halls--Tacoma--1940-1950; Restaurants--Tacoma--1940-1950; Bill & Ted's Tavern (Tacoma);

Murphy's was located at 938 Pacific Avenue in downtown Tacoma; the beer parlor was owned by Leland C. Lund, who also owned the Drift Inn Tavern. Interior view of Murphy's tavern; pin ball machines with signs indicating "No Minors" on right side; men and women are sitting at long eating counter, a waitress and cook are behind the counter.

Bars--Tacoma--1940-1950; City & town life--Tacoma--1940-1950; Taverns (Inns)--Tacoma--1940-1950; Beer halls--Tacoma--1940-1950; Restaurants--Tacoma--1940-1950; Murphy's (Tacoma);

Tacoma's Rudder Club was located at 735 Commerce Street in Tacoma's business district; the club manager was Walter Geehan. Throughout the year the Rudder Club hosted and sponsored many events, including dinners, luncheons and style shows for members and their family and guests. Interior view of the Rudder Club's dining room; a tropical frescoe with sailboats and palm trees, has recently been painted in the dining room.

Dining rooms--Tacoma; Table settings & decorations; Murals--Tacoma; Restaurants--Tacoma; Clubs--Tacoma--1940-1950; Organizations' facilities--Tacoma; Rudder Club, Inc. (Tacoma);

The Spar, located in the Antone Davis Building in Tacoma's Old Town neighborhood. The Spar was originally owned by George and James Radonich; the Radonich brothers also owned The Towers restaurant. The restaurant was first known as the Spar Restaurant and Spar Lunch Room, the name was changed to the Spar Tavern in the late 1930's or early 1940's. Interior view of The Spar restaurant and beer parlor; view of kitchen and lunch counter on left side, and beer bar, cigarettes, cigars and bartenders on right side. TPL-10303

Bars--Tacoma; Taverns (Inns)--Tacoma; Restaurants--Tacoma; Beer halls--Tacoma; Bars (Furniture)--Tacoma; Restaurant workers--Tacoma; Spar (Tacoma);

In 1948, George A. Sample, Jr. took over management of the restaurant in the Rust Building. He changed the name to The Rathskeller, and over the next year, working with the Andrew's Fixture Company, completely remodeled the service area. This photograph from September 1949 shows five unidentified employees standing behind the newly installed counter. The Rathskeller was only in business until 1954, when it was replaced by Lindy's operated by G. Howard Lindholm.

Cafeterias--Tacoma; Restaurant workers--Tacoma--1940-1950; Counters--Tacoma; Building materials; Rathskeller (Tacoma); Rust Building (Tacoma); Andrew's Fixture Co. (Tacoma);

The exterior of the newly remodeled Olympus Cafe featuring the Mirror Room at the Hotel Olympus. TPL-6423

Restaurants--Tacoma--1940-1950; Remodeling--Tacoma--1940-1950; Hotels--Tacoma; Mirror Room (Tacoma); Olympus Hotel (Tacoma);

Women attending the Northwest Florist Convention were treated to a hat show at the Top of the Ocean. Nearly 50 women pose outside the Top of the Ocean wearing hats decorated with flowers. All appear to be having a wonderful time on this sunny September day in 1949. The Top of the Ocean was destroyed by an arson fire April 3,1977.

Top of the Ocean (Tacoma); Hats--1940-1950; Women--Tacoma--1940-1950; Fashion shows--Tacoma--1940-1950; Northwest Florist Convention (Tacoma);

The exterior of Bill and Ted's Cafe for the liquor board, Mr. Pickering. The tavern stands on the corner of Puyallup Avenue and D Street East. The neon sign is set at an angle to be seen along both streets. "No Minors Allowed" is painted in the window. There are two more stories above the tavern and they appear to be apartments. A fire hydrant and light post can be seen on the left. TPL-6533

Bill & Ted's Cafe (Tacoma); Bars--Tacoma--1940-1950; Electric signs--Tacoma--1940-1950; Fire hydrants; Street lights--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Murphy's was located at 938 Pacific Avenue in downtown Tacoma; the beer parlor was owned by Leland C. Lund, who also owned the Drift Inn Tavern. Exterior view of Murphy's tavern; the electric signs advertise the restaurant, cigars, and cocktails; a jewelry store is located next door.

Bars--Tacoma--1940-1950; City & town life--Tacoma--1940-1950; Taverns (Inns)--Tacoma--1940-1950; Electric signs--Tacoma--1940-1950; Beer halls--Tacoma--1940-1950; Restaurants--Tacoma--1940-1950; Murphy's (Tacoma);

Interior of Murphy's "Cocktail Lounge" showing drapery and mirror, Lutor-Craft Co., Ralph S. Gale. Draperies with a bold print line the windows behind the backs of seating in the new lounge. A mirror rises from the back of the seating to the ceiling on one of the walls reflecting the pattern of the draperies.

Murphy's (Tacoma); Bars--Tacoma--1940-1950; Lounges--Tacoma--1940-1950; Draperies; Mirrors;

Interior of new barroom at Mondau's Tug Boat, Andrew's Fixture Company, Andrew Richards. Mondau's, owned by Louie J. Mondau, held a grand opening of the "Wheelhouse Room," an ultra modern cocktail lounge recently completed. Mondau's, having been in business for 25 years, advertised, "A place to bring the Family," with dinners of all kinds, Italian spaghetti, ravioli, famous pizza pie and their new Wheelhouse Room, "the coziest place in town." The remodeled bar has been decorated with a nautical theme. (TNT, 7/20/1949, p.11)

Mondau's Tug Boat Restaurant & Tavern (Tacoma); Bars--Tacoma--1940-1950; Remodeling--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Shuffleboard and electric scoreboard at Central Tavern, Champion Sales Distributing Company, Mr. Vern Westby. Two men are trying out the shuffleboard at the Central Tavern. The electric scoring machine is hung on the wall over booths running along one side of the tavern. An edge of the bar and a stool can be seen in the foreground.

Central Tavern (Tacoma); Shuffleboard; Bars--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Crawford's Sea Grill, located at 505 Broadway, opened its new Star Room Terrace in August of 1950. Owned by Jack Meaker, Crawford's was built on the site of the Nelson Bennett Mansion in 1946. It was a very popular restaurant with Tacoma residents and visitors alike who enjoyed the unique Terrace which was completely enclosed in glass to take advantage of the view of Commencement Bay. The Town & Country Shop and the Wild West Veterans Club (Post #91) shared space at the same location. Crawford's closed in the early 1950s. (TNT, 8/30/1950) TPL-9848

Crawford's Sea Grill (Tacoma); Restaurants--Tacoma--1950-1960; Town & Country Shop (Tacoma); Wild West Veterans Club (Tacoma);

Exterior of Dandy Cafe. Located at 917 Tacoma Avenue South, the Dandy Cafe shared a building with the Dandy Barber Shop in 1950. Owned and operated by Fred and Louise Fries, the Dandy Cafe was a small eating establishment. As the signs on the building advertised, they offered Coca-Cola and Flett's Ice Cream as part of the menu.

Dandy Cafe (Tacoma); Cafes--Tacoma--1950-1960; Signs (Notices); Fries, Fred; Fries, Louise;

The Dandy Cafe was located at 917 Tacoma Avenue South; it was owned and operated by Fred and Louise Fries. Photographs for license purposes were commissioned by Mrs. Fries of both the exterior and interior of the cafe in September, 1950. The Dandy Cafe had a long counter with stools for quick and casual dining and a back area with upholstered seats and tables for more private occasions. A large jukebox was placed against the wall near a coat/hat rack.

Dandy Cafe (Tacoma); Cafes--Tacoma--1950-1960; Jukeboxes; Fries, Fred; Fries, Louise;

In September of 1950, the clock on the wall of the Dandy Cafe indicated it was just past 7 AM. Customers at the counter were enjoying early morning breakfasts. A waitress was reaching for a pot of coffee while the cook was busy at his grill. The Dandy Cafe was located at 917 Tacoma Avenue South and owned and operated by Fred and Louise Fries. Although the cafe had a more private eating area in the rear, the five customers this morning seemed to prefer eating at the long counter.

Dandy Cafe (Tacoma); Cafes--Tacoma--1950-1960; Fries, Fred; Fries, Louise;

Several exposures of after remodeling of Manning's Market. This angled view of the serving area of Manning's Market's cafe section shows a large container of crushed ice where cold salads and other foods could be displayed and several units for holding hot dishes. Looking through the long horizontal windows, a customer could easily see and then order his selection for the day. The breakfast menu on the wall shows that cereal, fruit or juice, toast and coffee could be purchased for 50 cents and an egg, potatoes, toast and coffee meal would only cost 45 cents. TPL-9506

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

Several exposures of after remodeling of Manning's Market. The coffee counter in the remodeled Manning's was situated between the Jackson Brothers Meat Market and the Bakery. There were an abundance of stools for weary customers to refresh themselves with cups of Manning's coffee or tea. TPL-9508

Manning's Market (Tacoma); Manning's Inc. (Tacoma); Jackson Brothers Meat Market (Tacoma); Stools;

Several exposures of after remodeling of Manning's Market. Manning's Market, at the corner of 11th and Commerce, was part of Manning's Inc., a multi-million dollar food chain. Manning's in Tacoma contained a coffee store, cafe, bakery, meat market as well as a beauty salon and gardening supplies. This photograph, taken on July 31, 1950, highlights the coffee and bakery sections of the store. The gleaming showcases contain a selection of tea selling from 33 cents per quarter pound to 65 cents per half pound and a variety of coffees starting from 74 cents a pound. There is a lone two layer, heavily frosted, cake along side the coffee and tea. And, if a customer had a craving for peanuts, Manning's also supplied freshly roasted bags of peanuts for year round enjoyment. TPL-9507

Manning's Market (Tacoma); Manning's Inc. (Tacoma); Showcases; Coffee--Tacoma; Tea--Tacoma; Merchandise displays--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Several exposures of after remodeling at Manning's Market. Facing directly ahead, this photograph taken on July 31, 1950, shows a comprehensive view of Manning's Market. To the left are the coffee and bakery displays; the deli is in the center and Jackson Brothers Meat Market is on the right. Manning's could be construed as a one-stop shopping center where fresh meat, breads, and beverages could be obtained. The Jackson Brothers Meat Market were long-time occupants of Manning's; they specialized in quality meat and sold Swift Co., Carsten's and Rath's meat products over the years. The Jackson Brothers Meat Market remained in the Manning's location at 11th and Commerce until the building was razed in 1972. TPL-8118

Manning's Market (Tacoma); Manning's Inc. (Tacoma); Showcases; Delicatessens--Tacoma; Jackson Brothers Meat Market (Tacoma); Merchandise displays--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;

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;