Cliff Sign Co. hoists the new Tacoma Hotel sign to the top of the building. The ground floor is occupied by the National Cash Register Co., Budget Finance Plan, the Western Air Lines ticket office and at the far right, with the sign 1/4 visible, the Servicemen's Center at 115 So. 9th. This was the location of the bowling alley.

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

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);

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);

ca. 1979. An ornate arched doorway at the Samson Hotel, 1152-56 Fawcett Ave. The Hotel converted into apartments was demolished in 1989 after several fires, despite its city, state and national registry.

Samson Hotel (Tacoma); Apartment houses--Tacoma;

ca. 1979. The ornate outline of the Samson Hotel, 1152-56 Fawcett Ave., shows clearly against a more modern office building in this Cysewski picture from 1979. The hotel is viewed from the intersection of Tacoma Ave. South and 13th Street. The Hotel was built in 1889 from a design by F.A. Sexton and was converted to apartments in 1928. After several fires, the building was demolished in 1989. The site, in 2007, is a vacant lot.

Samson Hotel (Tacoma); Apartment houses--Tacoma;

ca. 1979. Carlton Hotel, circa 1979. The Carlton was built in 1909 by Anton Huth, from a design by architect C.A. Darmer.

Carlton Hotel (Tacoma); Hotels--Tacoma;

ca. 1979. Architectural detail on the Carlton Hotel, circa 1979. The Carlton was built in 1909 by Anton Huth, from a design by architect C.A. Darmer.

Carlton Hotel (Tacoma); Hotels--Tacoma;

ca. 1979. The skyline in 1979 was adorned with the ornate turrets of the Samson Hotel, 1152-56 Fawcett Ave. It was built in 1889 and designed by F.A. Sexton, architect. The Hotel was converted to apartments in 1928. After several fires, the building was demolished in 1989. The site, in 2007, is a vacant lot.

Samson Hotel (Tacoma); Apartment houses--Tacoma;

ca. 1979. The large building on the right is the Winthrop Hotel, 773 Broadway. This is the Commerce St. side of the building. The hotel sold in 1970 and was converted to apartments. The white building past the Winthrop is the back of the Pantages. The photograph is taken on Commerce facing south toward the Commerce St. pedestrian bridge.

Hotel Winthrop (Tacoma); Apartment houses--Tacoma--1970-1980;

ca. 1979. Views in 1979 of the 2400 Block of Pacific Ave. On the left is 2401-05 Pacific, home in 1979 to the 24th St. Tavern. The building was constructed in 1927 as a store, designed by Heath, Gove & Bell, architects. On the right is the Hotel Merkle, 2407-09 Pacific. The building was built in 1913 and designed by Darmer & Cutting.

Hotel Merkle (Tacoma); 24th St. Tavern (Tacoma); Business districts--Tacoma--1970-1980; Business districts--Tacoma--1970-1980;

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);

ca. 1885. Photograph of "The Tacoma" (Hotel) shortly after it was built - before any of the later additions were added. The massive hotel, focus of much civic pride, opened on August 8, 1884. It had cost more than $250,000 to build, an enormous sum at the time, and was the design of architect Stanford White in 1881 who, according to Murray Morgan's South on the Sound, had been commissioned by the Northern Pacific Railroad and Tacoma Land Co. In subsequent years, several additions and renovations were made to further extend the hotel's reputation as "the finest west of the Mississippi and north of San Francisco." The Tacoma Hotel even boasted of having for a time a tame bear named Jack who spent time in the hotel lobby and was a drinker of beer. The elegant hostelry attracted many prominent visitors who enjoyed breathtaking views and luxurious furnishings. It was destroyed by fire on October 17, 1935 and never rebuilt.

Tacoma Hotel (Tacoma); Hotels--Tacoma--1880-1890;

ca. 1884. The Tacoma Hotel, 913 A street, with its commanding view of the Tacoma tideflats, was one of the best hotels north of San Francisco. Designed by the famous architect Stanford White, it had its official opening in August of 1884. The scaffolding at the north end of the building suggests that it was still under construction when this photograph was taken. Note the Northern Pacific Railroad tracks crossing the almost completely barren tideflats; mills and manufacturing structures had yet to be fully built. The body of water at the left is the Puyallup River as it flows unfettered into Commencement Bay. The massive Tacoma Hotel was destroyed by fire on October 17, 1935, and was never rebuilt; its annex would be remodeled and called the "new" Tacoma Hotel in January, 1936.

Tacoma Hotel (Tacoma);

ca. 1890. The Arlington Hotel was an impressive sight on Pacific Avenue for forty years before its demolition in 1930. Built by Jim Dorsey with architectural plans by C. Langlois in 1889, the hotel was first listed as 2023 Pacific Avenue before its address was later changed to 1955 Pacific Avenue. The 3+ story structure was built primarily of wood and contained multiple windows. A sample room was installed for the benefit of traveling salesmen to show their wares. Imported and domestic wines, liquors and cigars were available for purchase. Some of the hotel's staff, including the bartender in long apron, and the hotel watchdog, posed at the front entrance in this circa 1890 photograph. (copy of original) Bi-Centennial Project # 75346-2; BU-11870

Arlington Hotel (Tacoma); Hotels--Tacoma--1890-1900;

ca. 1870. Beginnings of Tacoma City circa 1870. Photo taken by Anthony Carr, who was Old Tacoma's first photographer. Cabin nearest the two trees on the left is Job Carr's cabin and his farm is in the foreground. The Steele Hotel, Tacoma's first hotel, is the "large" L-shaped building at left of center. (Photo donated by Ron Karabaich) (Caroline Gallacci & Tacoma Historical Society: Old Tacoma, p. 11)

Steele Hotel (Tacoma); Hotels--Tacoma--1870-1880; Carr, Job--Homes & haunts;

ca. 1927. This handtinted photograph of the Tacoma Hotel was taken circa 1927. Built in 1884, and considered by many Tacoma's showcase, the elegant hotel had welcomed many distinguished guests over the decades including Presidents of the United States, actors and sports idols. Magnificent views of The Mountain, Commencement Bay and the City Waterway greeted these visitors. The massive modified Tudor structure occupied an entire block in downtown Tacoma. It was destroyed by fire on October 17, 1935 and not rebuilt. The Tacoma Hotel Annex at 904-06 A St. was remodeled after the fire to serve as the new Tacoma Hotel but never reached the acclaim of the original.

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. 1890. View of Tacoma from Commencement Bay, circa 1890. The Tacoma Hotel dominates the skyline. The pilings in the foreground are probably the supports for the old Northern Pacific tracks that crossed the tideflats into Tacoma. Photo from "Northern Pacific Railroad Scenery" with photos by F. Jay Haynes (F. Jay Haynes Collection)

Commencement Bay (Wash.); Tacoma Hotel (Tacoma); Hotels--Tacoma--1890-1900; Pilings (Civil engineering)--Tacoma;

ca. 1890. The Tacoma Hotel as it looked circa 1890, before any of the numberous additions had been added to the structure of the building. Tacoma was justly proud of this elegant structure with its beautiful views of Commencement Bay. It had opened in August of 1884. Photo from "Northern Pacific Railroad Scenery" with photos by F. Jay Haynes (F. Jay Haynes Collection)

Tacoma Hotel (Tacoma); Hotels--Tacoma--1890-1900;

On a hot summer evening in August of 1919, a visitor to Tacoma could stand at the intersection of Pacific Avenue and 9th, looking north, and see the names of two of the city's hotels and a theater light up the sky in electric signs suspended over the street. On the left is the Hotel Donnelly, 742-50 Pacific Ave. The hotel was built in 1887 and leased to John Donnelly, who gave it his name, ten years later. It was demolished in 1925 to make way for the Motoramp Garage. On the right is the Hippodrome Theater at 821-23 Pacific Ave., an office building at 819 Pacific and the Olympus Hotel at 815-17 Pacific. In 1978, the Olympus was converted to apartments. Pedestrians who became weary from walking could hire a taxi at the corner stand or catch a ride the Pacific Avenue streetcar. TPL-4446, BU-13429, Boland-B2166

Hotel Donnelly (Tacoma); Hotels--Tacoma--1910-1920; Street railroads--Tacoma--1910-1920; Streets--Tacoma--1910-1920; City & town life--Tacoma--1910-1920; Hippodrome Building (Tacoma); Olympus Hotel (Tacoma);

ca. 1918. The Puget Hotel was constructed in 1907 by the Puget Mill Co. in their company owned and run town Port Gamble. It was designed by Seattle's most prominent architecture firm, Bebb & Mendel. It was a luxury hotel for visitors and company officials, later furnished with massive antique pieces of furniture made in Dresden, Germany and brought to the Puget Sound by sailing ship for the home of Cyrus Walker, first manager of the Puget Mill. Although part of the town, it was run as a concession. So although the town was dry, drinking and gambling were available at the hotel. It also housed the town's only restaurant. The hotel was damaged in the 1962 Columbus Day wind storm and was closed on December 22, 1962, a victim of that damage and declining use. It was later demolished. (Seattle Times 12/23/1962) Boland #10

Puget Hotel (Port Gamble); Lumber industry--Port Gamble; Puget Mill Co. (Port Gamble);

Candy shop at the Donnelly Hotel. Customers browsing in the candy shop at the Donnelly Hotel in 1919 had their choice of good chocolates, reading material, and a place to rest weary feet. Small tables with "ice cream parlor" chairs were placed close to racks of magazines such as "Sunset," "Photoplay," "Collier's" and "Modern Priscilla." A fine candy selection of Oriole, Mars, Imperial's and Sweet's could be purchased. John Donnelly had leased the Fife Hotel and transformed it into the Donnelly Hotel in 1898. The hotel would be demolished 27 years later to make way for the Motoramp Garage. G56.1-046

Hotel Donnelly (Tacoma); Hotels--Tacoma--1910-1920; Confectioneries--Tacoma--1910-1920;

A visitor to Tacoma in 1919 could stand downtown on Pacific Avenue near 8th St., looking south and view this bustling scene. Pedestrians present a blurred image through the camera as they hustle across Pacific, pictured with its streetcar tracks running down the center of the street. Some automobiles maneuver down the street, while others wait parked for their drivers to return. On the left, front to back, are the Hotel Olympus (815-17 Pacific Ave.), an office building at 819 containing the offices of the Tacoma Times and the Hippodrome (821-23.) On the right, front to back, are the Havana Inn storefront and its delivery vehicle in front, Hotel Waldorf (a rooming house at 728 Pacific), Bowie and Love (electric supplies at 732), Hotel Revere (rooms to let above 732), Moose Candy & Confectionary and the Hotel Donnelly and Donnelly Cafe. G61.1-024, TPL-5769

Hotel Donnelly (Tacoma); Hotels--Tacoma--1910-1920; City & town life--Tacoma--1910-1920; Hippodrome Building (Tacoma); Olympus Hotel (Tacoma); Business districts--Tacoma--1910-1920; Commercial streets--Tacoma--1910-1920;

Although photographer Marvin Boland's notes stated that this was the United States "Marine" Band posed on the lawn of the Hotel Tacoma on July 24, 1919, it is believed that this was actually the United States Navy Recruiting Band or The Great Lakes Band. They were there to play for the Tacoma Rotary Club for a luncheon held at the ivy-covered south end of the porch. The United States Navy Recruiting Band would perform later that evening in the Stadium Bowl along with Metropolitan Opera's prima donna Marie Rappold. G71.1-034 (TDL 7-24-19, p. 3 (ad); TNT 7-24-19, p. 1-articles on concert)

Tacoma Hotel (Tacoma); Military bands--United States;

View of Market Blvd. in Chehalis, Washington, in September of 1919 which features the elegant Hotel St. Helens in the foreground. The four-story brick hotel was designed and/or built by Charles E. Troutman. Numerous cars are parked outside the hotel and adjacent businesses. G72.1-056

Hotel St. Helens (Chehalis); Hotels--Chehalis; Commercial streets--Chehalis; Business districts--Chehalis;