A number of Tacoma landmarks are on view in this image of Saint Helens Avenue from September of 1954. The historic Bostwick Building at right foreground then housed the Brant Hotel with Reed's Hats below. Built about 1890, it stands out because of its unusually wedge shape design. To the left of the photograph in the 700 block of Saint Helens is the Caswell Optical Co., a longtime occupant, with a large billboard for Heidelberg beer positioned on its rooftop. The 17-story Medical Arts Building (now the Tacoma Municipal Building) next door stands much taller than its neighbors.

Brant Hotel (Tacoma); Reeds Hats (Tacoma); Caswell Optical Co. (Tacoma); Medical Arts Building (Tacoma); Commercial streets--Tacoma--1950-1960; Billboards--Tacoma--1950-1960;

ca. 1926. A group of guests practices their putting on the miniature golf link of the Tacoma Hotel. The nine hole course was part of a $150,000 renovation completed in 1925. It was located on the east side of the hostelry on the lawn overlooking the bay. The Tudor hotel was renowned all up and down the Pacific Coast for its beauty. It was built in 1884 and was designed by Stanford White. It was destroyed by fire on October 17, 1935. (TNT 5/13/1925, pg. 4; TDL 4/12/1927, supplement pg. 6) (WSHS- negative A843- 0)

Hotels--Tacoma; Tacoma Hotel (Tacoma); Putting (Golf); Golf--Tacoma--1920-1930; Golfers;

ca. 1925. In May of 1925, the Tacoma Hotel at 913 A Street was nearing the completion of a $150,000 remodel and renovation. One of the additions to the venerable hotel was what the News Tribune at the time described as a nine hole golf course on the east lawn overlooking the bay. There was not room enough for a true nine hole course; the hotel's course appears to be a large putting green. In the background, the glass enclosed dining room can be seen. The Tudor style hotel, originally built in 1884, was destroyed by fire on October 17, 1935. (TNT 5/13/1925, pg. 4; TDL 4/12/1927, supplement pg. 6) (WSHS- negative A842-0)

Hotels--Tacoma; Tacoma Hotel (Tacoma); Putting (Golf); Golf--Tacoma--1920-1930; Golfers;

Exterior view of the Winthrop Hotel, ca. 1939, from Commerce St. (filed with Argentum)

Hotels--Tacoma; Business districts--Tacoma; Commercial streets--Tacoma--1930-1940; Hotel Winthrop (Tacoma);

Exterior view of the Winthrop Hotel, ca. 1939. The tower of the old City Hall building can be seen in the background left. (filed with Argentum)

Hotels--Tacoma; Business districts--Tacoma; Commercial streets--Tacoma--1930-1940; Hotel Winthrop (Tacoma);

Exterior view of the Winthrop Hotel, ca. 1939. Neon sign for the Roxy (Pantages) on right. Tower of the old City Hall building in background left. (filed with Argentum)

Hotels--Tacoma; Business districts--Tacoma; Commercial streets--Tacoma--1930-1940; Hotel Winthrop (Tacoma);

Winthrop Hotel, new sample furniture on display in rooms 505, 522 & 525. The room has been decorated for the discriminating traveler with a patterned embossed carpet, floral drapes, full bed with chenille bedspread, dresser, a desk/vanity and a variety of tables and chairs with numerous lamps. A bench has been placed at the end of the bed to hold an open suitcase or for sitting. A long coffee table, however, has been placed blocking a door.

Hotels--Tacoma--1950-1960; Hotel Winthrop (Tacoma); Furniture;

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;

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);

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;

Card rack at Winthrop Hotel, Rust Craft Publications. Since Christmas trees, fir boughs and pine cones decorate the back wall over the many rows of Christmas cards and the photograph is dated in July, this must have been an advertising set up, possibly for a catalog.

Hotels--Tacoma--1950-1960; Greeting cards; Hotel Winthrop (Tacoma);

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;

Exterior of the Olympus Hotel. The hotel was built in 1909 at a cost of $65,000. It was designed by Darmer & Cutting, Architects. In 1951, it was considered one of the Northwest's best hotels. It was the home of the supper club The Mirror Room and the cafe Frontier Room. The hotel closed its doors in 1974. It was remodeled and opened as apartments in 1978.

Olympus Hotel (Tacoma); Hotels--Tacoma--1950-1960;

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;

W.L. Stoddard designed the Winthrop Hotel and it was built in 1924 and dedicated May 15, 1925. It was named for explorer and writer Theodore Winthrop, author of "The Canoe and the Saddle" which helped popularize the Northwest. The hotel was to be a civic center.

Hotels--Tacoma--1950-1960; Hotel Winthrop (Tacoma);

The Daffodil Room at the Winthrop Hotel provides a less formal luncheon and dining area. Semi-circular booths line the left side of the room while a long bench with seats on both sides runs through the center of the room with tables and chairs on either side of it. A counter with swivel seats can be seen in the right-hand corner. Tables are provided in the rear of the room. The draperies and the carpet have a daffodil pattern to match the theme of the room. Chandeliers provide lighting.

Hotels--Tacoma--1950-1960; Restaurants--Tacoma--1950-1960; Hotel Winthrop (Tacoma);

Banquet tables have been prepared in the Cystal Ballroom at the Winthrop Hotel. Tables that would seat ten have been covered with white table cloths and set with table ware, cups and saucers and napkins. The room is lit with daylight coming in through the tall windows, chandeliers and sconces. The head table has been set on a dais along the right side with flags behind it. An American flag hangs at the far end of the room.

Hotels--Tacoma; Ballrooms--Tacoma--1950-1960; Hotel Winthrop (Tacoma);

The wide lobby and lounge at the Winthrop Hotel has been decorated in a grand style. The windows have been draped with light-colored fabric, pulled back with braid and tassels to allow plenty of daylight into the room. Several large sofas have been placed below each window and in the center of the room. Desks have been placed near columns on the left and a few side chairs have been spaced around the edges of the room to allow plenty of open space for people to congregate. Chandeliers hang from the ceiling and a figured carpet covers the floor.

Lobbies--Tacoma; Hotels--Tacoma; Hotel Winthrop (Tacoma);

The "Corral Room" at the Olympus Hotel. Wood siding, a rough beam ceiling and pastoral paintings give this banquet room a rustic feel. The impression of being in a barn is assisted by the painting of a horse peeking out a stall door. The table, chairs and flooring are very simple. The Corral Room was also used as a coffee shop and served cocktails.

Olympus Hotel (Tacoma); Restaurants--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);

View of "New" Tacoma Hotel from the southeast, main facade and south side wall. Duncan's Tacoma Hotel Garage to the south of hotel, Tacoma Savings and Loan (Bowes) Building to the North. Hotel (1908) and Bowes (1909) by Heath and Twichell, Architects.

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

The "New" Tacoma Hotel in the Savage-Scovell Building on "A" Street. Building by Heath and Twichell, Architects, 1908. For Mr. Bryer Little.

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

Candy Nook in the Winthrop Hotel, featuring greeting card stands on the right and rear sides with glass candy cabinets on left wall behind cabinets.

Hotels--Tacoma; Hotel Winthrop (Tacoma);

Mirror Room in the basement of the Olympus Hotel. Dining room with dance floor and stage with band equipment, surrounded by tables. Ordered by Mr. Turril. Original building by Carl August Darmer and Otis Cuttting, Architects, 1909.

Hotels--Tacoma; Olympus Hotel (Tacoma); Dance floors--Tacoma--1950-1960;

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 "before" photograph used to show the modernization at the Olympus Hotel. Former double rooms were rebuilt into one with private baths and showers. Massive beamed ceilings were covered with a modern, fireproof layer (three quarters of an inch thick) of sheetrock. Wiring was changed completely and new lighting fixtures were added. New and larger windows were provided in most rooms. Work was completed in 1951. Ordered by Paul Sceva. (TNT 5/23/1951, p.23)

Hotels--Tacoma--1950-1960; Olympus Hotel (Tacoma); Then & now comparisons;

An open house was held at the Olympus Hotel in May 1951 to celebrate the completion of modernization that had been underway for four years. The hotel had been built in 1908. Paul Sceva purchased the hotel in 1944. This "after" photograph shows a twin bed guest room. Former double rooms were rebuilt into one with private baths and showers. New furniture, new beds, new bathroom fixtures and new plumbing as well as new harmonizing carpeting and door locks were all provided. Ordered by Paul Sceva, owner of the hotel. (TNT 5/23/1951, p.23)

Hotels--Tacoma--1950-1960; Olympus Hotel (Tacoma); Then & now comparisons;

Group of approximately 30 at Winthrop Hotel, Pacific Northwest District of Kiwanis, R. Ralstad. It was reported earlier in the month that Edward A. Lane had been elected president of the North-West Tacoma Kiwanis Club for 1950. (TNT, 11/10/1949, p.C-11)

Hotel Winthrop (Tacoma); Kiwanis Club (Tacoma); Business people--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Hotel Winthrop was inviting all of Tacoma to join them in the grand opening celebration for the new Trader Vic's Sabre Room. Trader Vic is an internationally known restaurateur, and he has now brought his world famous menu items to Tacoma. The interior of the Sabre Room is modeled after an authentic old English tap room, with figured red carpet, copper bowl lamps, the walls give the impression of aged plaster in a driftwood color. Trader Vic and his wife will host the grand opening celebration.

Restaurants--Tacoma; Dining rooms--Tacoma; Dining tables; Hotels--Tacoma; Hotel Winthrop (Tacoma); Sabre Room (Tacoma);

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);