Kelley's Motel, built in 1936, along the Seattle-Tacoma Highway (Highway 99). The motel's units have been built in an L-shape next to a residence along the highway.

Kelley's Motel (Fife); Motels--Fife;

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;

Exterior view of downtown Tacoma. In a photograph taken on September 24, 1951, looking southwest from 9th and A Streets, are a number of prominent Tacoma buildings. The multi-story "new" Tacoma Hotel and corresponding Duncan's Tacoma Hotel Garage are sandwiched between financial institutions, the Tacoma Savings & Loan and the Bank of California. After a fire destroyed the main Tacoma Hotel, its annex was remodeled in 1936 in the Savage-Scofield Building. The Bowes Building, also designed by architects Heath & Twitchell, was built in 1908 and housed the Tacoma Savings & Loan; it was later added to the National Register. Also visible are the large Puget Sound National Bank building, General Paint, Washington Building, and the Rust Building.

Hotels--Tacoma--1950-1960; Tacoma Hotel (Tacoma); Banking--Tacoma--1950-1960; Banks--Tacoma; Heath & Twitchell (Tacoma);

Six employees of the Winthrop Hotel's Sabre Room pose for a group picture on November 12, 1958. The waitresses are dressed in Old English costume as the restaurant featured Elizabethan dishes, focusing on beef. Heavy wooden beams and panels and plain furniture accentuated the Old World atmosphere. The women stand before an Oak Room sign; this may have been a separate dining room contained within the Sabre Room. The Winthrop Hotel was now part of the Western Hotels, Inc., chain. This, and other photographs taken that day, were scheduled to be published in a magazine. Photograph ordered by the Winthrop Hotel.

Dining rooms--Tacoma--1950-1960; Waitresses--Tacoma; Hotel Winthrop (Tacoma);

Sherwood Inn. The Sherwood Inn, located at So. 84th & Hosmer, celebrated its grand opening on August 18, 1965. The 121-unit inn reportedly contained the second largest banquet facilities in the Northwest; entitled the "Guild Hall," it had a seating capacity of 450. The Sherwood Inn contained three dining rooms, an all-electric kitchen and bakery, 24-hour coffee shop, heated swimming pool and electrically heated sauna. Designed by architects Nelsen, Krona & Ziegler, and built by the Merit Co., the Sherwood Inn offered plenty of free parking and easy access to the freeway. It was located about 1.5 miles south of the Tacoma Mall. The above photograph was taken on May 25, 1970. (TNT ad 8-15-65, B-6; TNT 8-17-65, p. 8-9 article)

Sherwood Inn (Tacoma); Hotels--Tacoma--1970-1980;

Dining room of the Doric Tacoma Motor Hotel. Upholstered in gold leather and midnight blue, the semi-circular seating provides comfort and some privacy in the dining room of the new Doric Hotel. Walls were constructed of cedar panels and paintings highlighted of Native Americans. The patrons look pleased to be dining at this new facility, the "Tahoma." Chef John Espinoza offered a menu of many speciality dishes, including sauerbraten and wiener schnitzel. The hotel had opened in August, 1960, at 242 Saint Helens Avenue. It was conveniently located to downtown businesses and shopping with ample free parking. (TNT ad, 1-31-61, A-7) TPL-9886

Doric Tacoma Motor Hotel (Tacoma); Hotels--Tacoma--1960-1970; Dining rooms--Tacoma--1960-1970;

ca. 1973. 1973 Richards stock footage. The former Winthrop Hotel gets a good scrubbing by Allied Mobile Powerwash in 1973 as powerful streams of water remove dirt and grime from its exterior. This view is of the Winthrop's back. A glimpse of the Pantages Theater is on the extreme left edge. The Winthrop ceased operations as a hotel in August of 1971 and was converted into senior/elderly housing in 1973.

Hotel Winthrop (Tacoma); Cleaning--Tacoma--1970-1980;

In early March of 1926, Albert C.C. Gamer was being loaded down with Tacoma tourist information as he prepared to depart for Paris for the International Hotelmen's Convention. Mr. Gamer, the manager of the Olympus Hotel at 815 Pacific, was approached by area civic organizations as the proper person to carry Tacoma's invitation to Europe. Surrounding Mr. Gamer, left to right, are Joseph Erpelding, carrying Mr. Gamer's bag; Gladys Mase of the City Light Department, giving him facts and pictures of the Cushman power project; Mrs. R.N. Bergen of the Hotel Winthrop; Ruth Edwards (standing) representing the Rainier National Park Co. and Agnes Hansen, representing the Civic Development Bureau of the Tacoma News Tribune. The International Hotelmen met once every three years and the meeting was attending by hosts from all around the world. (TNT 3/11/1926, pg. 1) TPL-6331; Bowen #26141

ca. 1934. Two men share a table in the "Ben Johnson Coffee Shoppe" in the Tacoma Hotel circa 1934. On the wall next to them is the saying "Here's Wishing Us All More Friends And Less Need Of Them." The Tacoma Hotel, built on the bluff overlooking Commencement Bay, received much acclaim befitting its elegant structure. It was destroyed by fire on October 17, 1935.

Winthrop Hotel. The 2 million dollar+ Winthrop Hotel was nearing completion by the end of March, 1925. Exterior work was finished in January of 1925 and hotel furnishings under way. It would have its much anticipated grand opening celebration in May.

Hotel Winthrop (Tacoma); Hotels--Tacoma--1920-1930;

This aerial view of Tacoma is what the photographer Marvin Boland saw from the top of the 11th Street (Murray Morgan) Bridge in May of 1924. The elegant Tacoma Hotel at 913 A Street is positioned right-center. A covered walkway winds its way down the bluff that separates the Tacoma Hotel from the waterfront. To the left side is the Hotel Lawrence at 1011 1/2 A Street and the Washington Hardware Company warehouse. The Tacoma Municipal Dock is in the foreground. BU-11,931

Tacoma Hotel (Tacoma); Hotel Lawrence (Tacoma); Warehouses--Tacoma--1920-1930; Tacoma Municipal Dock (Tacoma); Aerial views; Aerial photographs;

Construction of the Winthrop Hotel. This photograph has been labeled "seat of col. #27." By May of 1924, the hotel's foundation had been poured and other exterior work begun. The hotel would be dedicated in May of 1925.

Hotel Winthrop (Tacoma)--Construction; Hotels--Tacoma--1920-1930; Building construction--Tacoma--1920-1930;

Progress photograph of the construction of the Hotel Winthrop. Work continues on the building of the eleven story hotel by Pratt & Watson contractors in July of 1924. It appears that construction has reached the fourth floor. A notice has already been posted that the stores in the hotel will be under the management of the W.H. Opie & Co. (photograph has been stained)

Hotel Winthrop (Tacoma)--Construction; Building construction--Tacoma--1920-1930; Signs (Notices); Progress photographs;

This group of 16 men shown dining at the Tacoma Hotel on January 15, 1928, is believed to have been associated with the Lidgerwood Pacific Company. The firm, with general offices and works in the Tideflats, manufactured steam, gas and electric logging, hoisting and dredging machinery. G31.1-002

Tacoma Hotel (Tacoma); Hotels--Tacoma--1920-1930; Eating & drinking--Tacoma--1920-1930;

The Tacoma Hotel was the site of a hardware convention in late January of 1932. Participants, all male, posed for a group portrait on the hotel's steps. The Pacific Northwest Hardware & Implement Association met in Tacoma for the first time in its 37 years of existence. The three-day meeting was to discuss hardware trade problems. A.E. Vaughn of Aberdeen was president of the association. G30.1-088 (TNT1-27-32, p. 11-article)

Tacoma Hotel (Tacoma); Meetings--Tacoma--1930-1940; Pacific Northwest Hardware & Implement Association;

ca. 1885. Five men are standing in front of the Halstead House in this photograph by U. P. Hadley that dates between 1879 and 1885. Located at 707 Pacific Avenue, the Halstead House was one of the nicer hotels in Tacoma at that time; it even had a covered walkway leading to the "water closet" out back. Built in 1879 by Jacob Halstead, in 1885 the proprietors were Freeman S. Crosby and Hugh Kenealy. The building to the south of the hotel, with the large Standard Steilacoom Beer sign was the Steilacoom Beer Hall, 711 Pacific Avenue, owned by Fred Seger.

Hotels--Tacoma--1880-1890; Halstead House (Tacoma); Business districts--Tacoma--1880-1890; Commercial streets--Tacoma--1880-1890;

Standard room at the Doric Tacoma Motor Hotel. According to the 1972 City Directory, all of the 105 rooms in the Doric Tacoma Motor Hotel (formerly America West Tacoma Motor Hotel) were listed as "delux." Catering to the business traveler, the hotel provided comfortable double beds, extra tables for writing and laying out luggage, and bright lighting. Rooms had wall-to-wall carpeting. This particular room was decorated in warm colors of gold and bronze. Color photograph ordered by the Doric Tacoma Motor Hotel.

Doric Tacoma Motor Hotel (Tacoma); Hotels--Tacoma--1970-1980;

Lobby of the Doric Tacoma Motor Hotel. Several guests are pictured in the spacious lobby of the Doric Tacoma Motor Hotel on July 28, 1972. Four of them are descending the wide staircase which is carpeted in blush tones. Wearing green is Carol Benton (now Mazzuca). Rich and Linda Johnson are the couple in the middle. Coming up the stairs is Marge Steffan while restaurant manager Bob Adam (in blue suit) speaks on the telephone. The Doric Tacoma Motor Hotel had opened in August of 1960. Its location on Saint Helens Ave. was handy for business travelers as it was close to downtown. A few years later the hotel underwent a name change to "America West Tacoma Motor Hotel," only to seemingly revert back to its original name sometime in 1972. The 1973 City Directory indicates that the hotel was now a member of Prestige Inns. Photograph ordered by Doric Tacoma Motor Hotel. (Additional information provided by a reader)

Doric Tacoma Motor Hotel (Tacoma); Hotels--Tacoma--1970-1980; Lobbies--Tacoma--1970-1980;

On November 13, 1935, Mr. and Mrs. G. A. King posed with a 50 year old painting, an heirloom, which they were able to save from their room during the fast moving fire at the Golden Hotel on Pacific Ave. in Bremerton. Most of their other belongings were lost to the fire. The fire started in the kitchen of the ground floor Golden Cafe and quickly spread to the living quarters above. For Bremerton Sun. (Bremerton Sun 11/14/1935, pg. 1- picture; 11/13/1935, pg. 1-story)

Golden Hotel (Bremerton); Fire fighters--Bremerton--1930-1940; Fire fighting--Bremerton--1930-1940; Fires--Bremerton--1930-1940; Paintings; King, G.A.;

Undated photograph of unidentified gardener at the original Tacoma Hotel. Photograph was taken probably in the 1920's or early 1930's; the hotel was destroyed by fire in October of 1935.

Tacoma Hotel (Tacoma); Gardens--Tacoma--1920-1930; Gardening--Tacoma;

This group portrait was taken in August of 1925 of the annual National Bank of Tacoma picnic at DeKoven Inn in Lakewood. DeKoven Inn was located on the east side of Lake Steilacoom, about 30 minutes from Tacoma. The photograph is of a large group of people seated at three picnic tables placed among fir trees, with a house, tent, outbuilding, and water tower in background. The Inn itself, which was formerly a boys' school, burned down on August 2, 1925. The dance and banquet hall was saved and became the new center of operation, catering primarily to day parties. Much of the land previously occupied by the Inn was subdivided and sold as lots for summer homes. (WSHS) (TNT 8/13/1925, pg. 23)

DeKoven Inn (Lakewood); Picnics--Lakewood--1920-1930; National Bank of Tacoma--People;

ca. 1926. Winthrop Hotel, circa 1926, same sitting room as in A1301 image 1, the sitting room of the Presidential Suite. Writing desk that folds up into cabinet against wall right. The suite was finished in mahogany with paneled plastered walls.(filed with Argentum)

Hotel Winthrop (Tacoma); Hotels--Tacoma--1920-1930;

Over 300 telephones scheduled to be installed at the new Hotel Winthrop posed around the two person switchboard. A desk telephone will stand on a table in each guest room. The Winthrop is the first hotel in Tacoma to have this type of instrument furnished throughout. The installation will require over 71 miles of lines, running through a 2 ft x 4 ft shaft extending perpendicularly from the basement to the private branch switchboard on the roof garden floor. These phones will bring the total number of phones in Tacoma to over 23,000. TPL-460 (TNT 5/16/1925, pg 3) print filed under A 1003

Hotel Winthrop (Tacoma); Telephones--1920-1930; Telephone switchboards;

ca. 1926. Exterior view of the Winthrop Hotel from the southwest, circa 1926. Building designed by W.E. Stoddard and Roland Borhek, Associated Architects, in 1924. On the right is the Pantages Theater and on the left is the Bostwick Building. (filed under Argentum)

Hotels--Tacoma--1920-1930; Pantages Theater (Tacoma); Hotel Winthrop (Tacoma);

Ladies Travelers Society at Tacoma Hotel. Sixteen women pose for the camera; most of them wearing wide brimmed hats that shield their faces. (WSHS)

Hotels--Tacoma; Tacoma Hotel (Tacoma); Ladies Travelers Society (Tacoma);

Some 75 Grunow refrigerator dealers and salesmen from Tacoma and Southwest Washington were invited to attend a dinner at the Tacoma Hotel on February 18, 1937 hosted by the F.B. Connelly Co. The 1937 Grunow model was on display , and "Miss Grunow," an attractive woman wearing a short dress and banner, danced on top of the tables for the delighted group. A banner in the background advertises: "There's a new Grunow refrigerator. Come see it today." (TNT 2/18 & 19/ 1937)

Tacoma Hotel (Tacoma); Grunow Co.; Advertising; Banquets--Tacoma--1930-1940;

Lumbermen's Banquet. Tacoma Hotel. "New" Tacoma Hotel Dining Room with seventeen men seated and standing behind dining table. (filed with Argentum)

Tacoma Hotel (Tacoma); Hotels--Tacoma--1930-1940; Banquets--Tacoma--1930-1940; Lumber industry--Tacoma--1930-1940;

ca. 1936. Opening of the new Tacoma Hotel Annex. Man in tuxedo believed to be Mr. George Calvert, manager of the front office.

Tacoma Hotel (Tacoma); Hotels--Tacoma--1930-1940;

The view down Pacific Ave from the intersection of around 17th Street, where the streetcar tracks intersect on the road. Most prominent are the Hotel Lewis, on the left, at 1522 Pacific Ave and Hotel Croft, on the right, at 1519 Pacific Ave. The Hotel Croft was owned by Lee Croft who would later become Pierce County Sheriff. Also on the right hand side can be seen Schoenfelds on Pacific at 15th and the Puget Sound Bank building at 1119 Pacific Ave. The photograph was taken to record the Schenley's Red Label billboard for Sunset Advertising in Seattle.

Hotel Lewis (Tacoma); Hotel Croft (Tacoma); Commercial streets--Tacoma--1930-1940;

ca. 1925. The Hotel Winthrop, viewed from Pacific Ave. looking west. The construction in front of the Hotel is the Motoramp Garage. It was constructed at 745 Commerce on the site of the Hotel Donnelly. The Hotel Winthrop opened in May of 1925 and the Motoramp opened in August of 1925. (WSHS) BU-12083

Construction--Tacoma--1920-1930; Motoramp Garage (Tacoma); Parking garages--Tacoma; Hotel Winthrop (Tacoma); Hotels--Tacoma--1920-1930;