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
George and Mary Demich opened this "mom and pop" neighborhood grocery store in 1914 at the corner of North 45th and Orchard Street. The North 45th Street Grocery & Meat Market was ideally located on a streetcar line. Advertisements for Medosweet Ice Cream and Ghirardelli's Chocolate are prominently displayed in this 1934 photograph of the Demichs. The neighborhood market closed after George's death in 1958 and was demolished a few years later.
This photograph of the front entrance of the Rialto Theatre, showing the marquee and a North Coast Limited sign, was taken for the Northern Pacific Railroad in April of 1931. There was a special double bill playing at the Rialto beginning on April 12th. Along with the feature "Dishonored," starring Marlene Dietrich and Victor McLaglen, they were showing a special feature titled "No.1." The first transcontinental trip to be filmed in sound, "No.1" took viewers from Chicago to Tacoma, with scenes of the Rockies and Cascades. Produced by the Northern Pacific, the film contained some splendid advertising for Tacoma. According to the NP ticket agent, it was scheduled to play in every major city in the United States. Bowen # 310-163
The RKO Orpheum Theater, 901 Broadway, was decorated with bunting and banners on August 3, 1931, when Frank Capra's newest movie "Dirigible" starring Jack Holt and Fay Wray opened in Tacoma. But the decorations were not for the movie. They were to welcome the U.S. Navy. July 31 to August 7,1931, was "Fleet Week" in Tacoma. Four battleships, two destroyers, and a hospital ship were at anchor in Commencement Bay. (TDL July 31, 1931 p.1) Bowen # 310-274
Hundreds of children lined up outside the Rialto Theater to see Bette Davis and Douglas Fairbanks in "Parachute Jumper" and Will Rogers and Marian Nixon in "Dr. Bull." They were waiting for admission into the free Tacoma Times-Rialto Theater double feature, part of a party sponsored by the pair for Tacoma's youngsters. The year 1934 also saw the beginning of the film industry enforcing the Hays Production Code, in an effort to eliminate sex and violence from the movies. Under these guidelines, Hollywood began to turn out more family fare. TPL-161; BU-11239 (T. Times 5/21/1934, pg. 12)
Gig Harbor grocery store at 3409 Harborview Dr., Gig Harbor, as photographed in November of 1936. The Stanich Grocery, a Red & White Store, is on the right side of the two-lane road. Martin and Katherine (Kathie) Stanich were early Yugoslav settlers in Gig Harbor. Mr. Stanich was a retired fisherman who had sailed the northwest waters for 52 years. The Stanichs were natives of Austria who had lived in Gig Harbor since 1909. Martin Stanich would pass away at age 90 in September of 1950 and his wife, Katherine, in January of 1964 at age 86. TPL-682, BU-13762
ca. 1931. Built in 1901 by J.E. Bonnell for the Sunset Telephone Co., this building was later occupied by Pacific Telephone & Telegraph Co. It is on the list of City and National Registry sites. This photograph was taken about 1931.
ca. 1931. The Half Way House in Des Moines, Washington. The Half Way House was on old Hwy 99 between Tacoma and Seattle. The completion of Pacific Highway South (Hwy 99) in the 1930s attracted businesses that catered to drivers: service stations, motels, shops and restaurants. The Half Way House was a modestly priced steak and oyster restaurant and may have been in business until the late 1950s. (historylink.org)
ca. 1932. View of the Roxy Theatre, ca. 1932. "The Thirteenth Guest " was the feature film showing at the Roxy at the time of this photograph. The film was released in 1932 and starred Ginger Rogers and Lyle Talbot. Movie marquee advertised that there was "Always a better show at your Roxy." Apparently cost of a ticket was 20 cents after 5 p.m. The former RKO Orpheum theater reopened as the Roxy in 1932; it is now known as the Pantages.
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. 1942. Effelberg Service Station, circa 1942, a Maxwell station located on Portland Avenue at 56th Street, Tacoma. The station was owned by George and Minnie Effelberg from around 1931- 1960. Mr. Effelberg came to Tacoma in 1930 and built the service station, which later operated as a grocery store also, shortly after his arrival. This building has since been demolished. He also built the Portland Lanes, a bowling alley down the street at 5606 Portland Ave., in 1941 and operated the business for 27 years, closing in 1967. He worked for Penwalt from 1931-1941 and later operated Christmas tree farms. He passed away in March of 1977 at the age of 92. His sons Robert, who opened Bob's Tavern at 5604 Portland around 1949, and Vernon also owned homes and businesses in the area. (TNT 3/15/1977 obit and information supplied by a family member)
ca. 1942. Tacoma Super Service. Mobilgas. Maxwell station. South Tacoma Way at 66th Street, Tacoma. The service station offered complete automotive service and sold tires and batteries as well as gas.
Old St. Louis Tavern, 1110 Commerce St., Tacoma. Interior showing four men standing behind bar on December 15, 1946. Large mural of three horses on grassy land above bar. See TPL, image 6924 for view of bar without bartenders. For Bruno Lavorini.
Built in 1902, and originally the home of the Stilson-Kellogg Shoe Company, this building at 108-16 East 26th St. became the new home of the Brown & Haley Candy Company in June, 1919. Harry L. Brown & Jonathan Clifford Haley formally organized the Brown & Haley Candy Co. in 1914 with Haley as president and chief salesman, and Brown as general manager and chief candy formulator. Harry Brown created the company's unique "English Toffee," later given the brand name "Almond Roca," in 1923. This photograph dates from 1948.
Candy product display by Harry Brown Confections. A gift box of assorted Brown delicacies, including chocolates, pecan caramel, Parisian Cream and Almond Omega. In 1944, the Haley family bought out the Brown family's interest in Brown & Haley. Harry Brown then formed his own company, working with his son Alvin and his brother Charles, his partner for over 30 years. He opened a plant at 1932 Pacific Ave.
Rasmus P. Rasmussen and his West End Fuel Co. served Tacoma's West End and Day Island areas from 1913 to 1935. In the 1920s, Rasmussen advertised "dependable delivery" of fuelwood on the side of this Mack truck which is equiped with chain-driven spoke wheels.
Undated photograph by Chapin Bowen of Mobilgas station, seller of Norwalk Tires, located on Meridian Avenue South at Fourth Street, S. E., Puyallup. Mohr's Sausage truck is parked at the three pumps.
Tacoma's grand opera house, the Tacoma Theater was built at 902 Broadway in 1889. It was converted into a motion picture theater in 1927 and renamed the Broadway Theater (or Theatre, as on its marquee). Workmen are seen preparing the new marquee in January of 1927. Over 20,000 people attended the grand opening on Feb. 4, 1927. Renamed the Music Box Theater in 1933, the building was destroyed in a spectacular fire on April 30, 1963.
ca. 1921. Brown and Haley delivery trucks picking up a shipment behind the factory around 1921. At this time, the company was still manufacturing its candy under the name "Oriole Chocolates." The trucks have both the name Oriole, and the company's logo of an oriole bird, as well as Brown and Haley on the sides. One truck has printing proclaiming that Oriole Honor chocolates are the "Best in the West." In the center of the picture is one of the famous "All roads lead to Rhodes" street signs. TPL-4408
The Spot Delicatessen, 2530 Jefferson Ave., as it appeared in June of 1931. The caption reads "A real place to eat." According to the sign left, the specialty of the house was "chicken on toast." Photograph ordered by Mr. Sanwick. Bowen 310-242
