Tacoma Hotel. An arched entryway welcomed guests to the Tacoma Hotel in 1928. 300 rooms were available, some with splendid views of Commencement Bay, and all at reasonable rates. The hotel advertised itself as being famous worldwide for its good food and restful surroundings. Built in 1884, the historic hotel was destroyed by fire in October of 1935. G30.1-112; BU-11,942

Tacoma Hotel (Tacoma); Hotels--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. 1933. Photograph of the Olympus Hotel, circa 1933. The Olympus Hotel was built in 1909 by Dan Gamer and Leopold Schmidt. It was designed by architects Darmer & Cutting. The hotel closed in 1974 and was remodeled in 1978 into apartments.

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.

ca. 1934. A team of Budweiser Clydesdales delivers cases of beer to Tacoma Hotel in this circa 1934 photograph. The Clydesdales, in harness, have paused outside the entrance to the elegant hotel, one of Tacoma's most famous landmarks. Back then the Budweiser Clydesdales were a new sight, introduced to the public in April of 1933 to celebrate the repeal of Prohibition. The Clydesdale horses were used for promotions by the Anheuser-Busch Brewing Co. They were hitched to red, white and gold beer wagons. Each horse was selected with certain characteristics and temperaments and each had to be a gelding. The Budweiser Clydesdales are still being used for commercials and promotions nearly eighty years after this photograph was taken. (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Budweiser_Clydesdales -article)

ca. 1935. Exterior view of Winthrop Hotel from the southwest. Building by W.E. Stoddard and Roland Borhek, Associated Architects, 1924. (filed with Argentum)

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

ca. 1935. Photograph taken of the destroyed Tacoma Hotel after the disastrous fire on October 17, 1935. Ivy was still clinging to the lower walls despite the intense heat and in the right foreground was the Tacoma Totem Pole. The Tudor Hotel was built in 1884 from a design by Stanford White's architectural firm of McKim, Mead and White. The Tacoma landmark was widely recognized as one of the finest hotels on the Pacific Coast. It was not rebuilt after the fire and although its annex continued as the new Tacoma Hotel, it never achieved the same prominence as the original. (photograph courtesy of the Tom Stenger collection)

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

ca. 1935. Photograph taken of the ruined Tacoma Hotel after the disastrous fire on October 17, 1935. The hotel was totally destroyed by a fire that started out in the north end of the basement in the early morning hours. (photograph courtesy of the Tom Stenger collection)

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

On October 17, 1935, one of the most spectacular fires in Tacoma's history completely destroyed The Tacoma Hotel. The hotel, which covered a square block from So. 8th to So. 9th and A St. to what is now I-705, opened in August, 1884. Designed by the architectural firm headed by Stanford White, it was the show place of Tacoma, and, many said, the most beautiful hotel north of San Francisco. BU-12,609, TPL-6564

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

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.;

On November 13, 1935, fire broke out in the kitchen of the Golden Cafe in Bremerton, quickly spreading to the remainder of the building, including the Golden Hotel. This photograph was taken from the east side, showing the damage to the Golden Cafe, Hotel and the neighboring Crows Nest Cafe. More than 30 guests escaped being trapped by the fast moving fire. The building was already scheduled to be torn down and replaced. In addition to the Golden Cafe and Hotel, the building was also home to the Pacific Drug Co. and the Gate Confectionery. For Bremerton Sun. (filed with Argentum) (Bremerton Sun 11/14/1935, pg. 1- picture; 11/13/35, pg. 1- story)

Golden Hotel (Bremerton); Fire fighters--Bremerton--1930-1940; Fire fighting--Bremerton--1930-1940; Fires--Bremerton--1930-1940; Crows Nest Cafe (Bremerton);

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;

Grand Opening of new Tacoma Hotel Annex in the Savage-Scofield Building. A man in a tuxedo, believed to be office manager George Calvert, is talking to two women sitting at table.

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

Monarch Club banquet at the Winthrop Hotel, Presidential Suite. The Presidential Suite was the most elaborate of the 24 "parlor" suites in the Winthrop. The living room was finished in Philippine Mahogany with paneled plastered walls and special lighting fixtures. (WSHS)

Hotel Winthrop (Tacoma); Hotels--Tacoma--1930-1940; Monarch Club (Tacoma); Banquets--Tacoma--1930-1940;

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;

"Miss Grunow" provided a little cheesecake as the company introduced their new refrigerator at the Southwest Washington Grunow Dealers banquet at the new Tacoma Hotel, formerly known as the Tacoma Hotel Annex, on February 18, 1937. The "Pur-Aire" refrigerator featured the "econo-phase vacuum unit" for fast freezing and low cost, a Grunow aerator to keep food fresher and safer and a super size evaporator. (See D5216 image 1 for another picture of the same event.) (TNT 2/18 & 19/ 1937) (filed with Argentum)

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

Southwest Washington Grunow Dealers banquet at the new Tacoma Hotel, formerly known as the Tacoma Hotel Annex. The annex served as the Tacoma Hotel after the main historic building at 913 A St. was destroyed by fire in October of 1935. The annex opened as the Tacoma Hotel in January of 1936, after extensive remodeling. Grunow manufactured appliances and this banquet was intended to introduce their new refrigerator. (see D5216 image 1 for another picture of the same event.) (TNT 2/18 & 19/ 1937)

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

On March 2, 1937, the Tacoma Times Spring Fashion section hit the newstands, featuring two couples modeling the latest in suits and coats from Klopfenstein's, Inc. Gathered around the piano at the Winthrop Hotel were Nancy Hawks in a classic Rothmoor coat, Don Baker in a Hart-Schaffner suit and Irene Tollefson, also in Rothmoor. The pianist was unidentified and to the right was Vic Vine. (filed with Argentum) (T. Times 3/2/1937, pg. 17)

Klopfensteins (Tacoma); Clothing & dress--1930-1940; Hotel Winthrop (Tacoma); Tollefson, Irene; Baker, Don; Vine, Vic; Hawks, Nancy;

On March 2, 1937, the Tacoma Times ran their Spring Fashion section, featuring two couples modeling the newest styles of suits and coats from Klopfenstein's Inc. Pictured left to right at the Winthrop Hotel were Nancy Hawks, of Dallas Texas, in a classic Rothmoor coat, Don Baker in a Hart-Schaffner suit, Irene Tollefson in Rothmoor and Vic Vine in Hart Schaffner. The group repeated their modelling turn at the Bachelor Club Style Show on March 3rd. (WSHS) (T.Times 3/2/1937, pg. 17)

Klopfensteins (Tacoma); Clothing & dress--1930-1940; Hotel Winthrop (Tacoma); Tollefson, Irene; Baker, Don; Vine, Vic; Hawks, Nancy;

Jewelers Convention held at the Winthrop Hotel.

Clothing & dress--1930-1940; Hotel Winthrop (Tacoma);

Jewelers Convention held at the Winthrop Hotel. (filed with Argentum)

Clothing & dress--1930-1940; Hotel Winthrop (Tacoma);

Texaco sales meeting at the (new) Tacoma Hotel. (filed with Argentum)

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

ca. 1938. Presidential Suite at Winthrop Hotel with dining set for 8 in center and sofa, several chairs, and stools for sitting. Building by W.E. Stoddard and Roland Bohrek, Associated Architects, 1924.

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

Convention of Mayors banquet at Crystal Ballroom of the Hotel Winthrop. View of officals on rostrum.

Hotel Winthrop (Tacoma); Hotels--Tacoma--1930-1940; Banquets--Tacoma--1930-1940; Mayors--1930-1940; Meetings--Tacoma--1930-1940;

Convention of Mayors banquet at Crystal Ballroom of the Hotel Winthrop. General view of room with people seated at tables.

Hotel Winthrop (Tacoma); Hotels--Tacoma--1930-1940; Banquets--Tacoma--1930-1940; Mayors--1930-1940; Meetings--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. 1939. The view down Pacific Ave from the intersection of around 17th Street, after the streetcar tracks were removed and street was repaved. This is almost the same exact same view as A7875 image 1 after the paving was complete. 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. (original photograph was unnumbered, number was assigned for cataloging purposes)

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

ca. 1939. Elevated view of the Hotel Winthrop, circa 1939. By this time, the Winthrop had been open for 14 years, celebrating its grand opening on May 16, 1925. The eleven story hotel was named after explorer and writer Theodore Winthrop whose book "The Canoe and the Saddle" helped popularize the Northwest.

Hotel Winthrop (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;

The view down Pacific Ave. from the intersection of around 17th Street, where the streetcar tracks intersect on the road. In the foreground left is the Depot Service Station at 1548 Pacific Ave. Further down Pacific is the Hotel Lewis, 1522 Pacific Ave. The photograph was taken to record the Schenley's Red Label billboard for Sunset Advertising in Seattle. (filed with Argentum) For additional photographs of this stretch of road, see D8807 image 3.

Hotel Lewis (Tacoma); Commercial streets--Tacoma--1930-1940; Depot Service Station (Tacoma);