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)

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.

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

The Pine, 7052 Pacific Ave, as it appeared in June of 1931. The photograph of the diner was shot at night in heavy rain. Neon sign and sign on roof both proclaim "Dine at the Pine." Bowen # 310-245

A stunning, 1937 Mill Studio model jukebox made by Mills Novelty Co., Chicago, is installed in front of star-studded drapery at Kipper's Korner, on U.S. Highway 99, seven miles south of Tacoma. Cafe patrons can "Dance to the world's best music". Sound adjustment dials and High Fidelity Color Expressors provide the highest quality "big band" sound for dancing. Each of the 12 - 78 rpm records inside the wood-grain cabinet is affixed to its own turntable by a ferris wheel mechanism which is activated by the push-button selection dial.

Little Harlem Rondivoo, Ray Simpson/Al Trustee Group of people, mostly African-american, inside a tavern. A man at the far left is sitting at an upright piano.

In this photograph dated December 15, 1946 the interior of the Old St. Louis Tavern at 1110 Commerce Street shows stools in front of the long bar on the left and booths along the right. The walls over the bar and the booths have been painted with scenes of cowboys and cowgirls riding on the plains. (1110 Commerce was located in the Williams & Rowland Building, common address 1109 Broadway) For Bruno Lavorini and John Lenc.

John A. "Jack" Bolton operated Jack's Lunch, "Home of the World's Largest Hot Dog" in Tacoma's Proctor District. Judging from the crowd, it was a popular local gathering place. Jack and his wife Ethel lived in an upstairs apartment. In 1938, he opened Jack's Tavern next door at 2622 No. Proctor. Soon after, it became known as the North End Tavern under new owners. Subsequent owners operated the Steak House restaurant at the 2624 Proctor location for many years.