ca. 1907. Copy of photograph of Rhodes Department Store, circa 1907. View of three story building by Ambrose J. Russell and Frederick Heath, Architects, 1903. Photograph was taken after repairs to building. Richards Studio copy made on 11-31-1937. (filed with Argentum)

Commercial buildings--Tacoma--1900-1910; Department stores--Tacoma--1900-1910; Rhodes Brothers Department Store (Tacoma);

ca. 1925. Window display at Rhodes Department Store for Weaver Studios. Living room "set" with fireplace, mannequins, motion picture cameras and studio lights. The H.C. Weaver Productions, Inc. Studio produced motion pictures in Tacoma during this period. In 1925, Weaver filmed "Hearts and Fists" in and around Tacoma. The film was set in the lumber camps.

Motion picture studios--Tacoma; Window displays--Tacoma--1920-1930; Rhodes Brothers Department Store (Tacoma); Mannequins; H.C. Weaver Productions, Inc. (Tacoma);

On July 23, 1932 Shriners from throughout the Pacific Northwest, wearing their colorful and distinctive uniforms, marched in formation up Broadway and through the business district of Tacoma. Bands from the Afifi Shriners of Tacoma and the Gizeh Shriners of Victoria, B.C. took part. After a full day of activities in Tacoma, including a band concert in the Stadium Bowl, a large contingent boarded a chartered train at Union Station. They left at 12:30 in the morning on Sunday July 24th for the imperial council to be held in San Francisco the following week. (The tall, twelve story building at the top, center of the photograph is the Fidelity Building, 949-55 Broadway; it was torn down to build the Woolworth Building). TPL-3687

Fraternal organizations--Tacoma; Ancient Arabic Order of Nobles of the Mystic Shrine (Tacoma);

Afifi Shrine Temple; display advertising third oriental pilgrimage at Rhodes Brothers. Mannequin dressed in Afifi fez beside luggage and photographs of highlights of trip. (filed with Argentum)

Fraternal organizations--Tacoma--1930-1940; Ancient Arabic Order of Nobles of the Mystic Shrine (Tacoma); Window displays--Tacoma--1930-1940; Mannequins; Rhodes Brothers Department Store (Tacoma);

Mrs. Don Gordon, formerly Bernita Royse, had been a sales clerk in the stationery department at Rhodes Department Store for 5 years when she was featured in the "Around the Clock" column of the Tacoma Times in January 1936. The bride of two months likened her job as a clerk to sitting in a Parisian cafe watching the world pass by, because sooner or later everyone came to Rhodes. When asked about the changing habits of Tacomans she noted the increasing sales of smoking equipment, such as ash trays, lighters and holders, formerly scandalous items, and the shift away from formalism. The newly wed couple resided at 3502 1/2 McKinley Ave, apartment #2. (T. Times 1/9/1936, pg. 8)

Gordon, Bernita; Rhodes Brothers Department Store (Tacoma)--Employees; Sales personnel--Tacoma--1930-1940;

ca. 1937. Rhodes Department Store, showing elaborate linoleum work around elevators. Shoe Repair and Shine station to right, vacuum cleaner in far right foreground. Dress displayed on mannequin and man working behind column at left.

Rhodes Brothers Department Store (Tacoma); Mannequins; Department stores--Tacoma--1930-1940; Shoe shining--Tacoma--1930-1940;

Window display at Rhodes Department Store for Boys Department featuring items relating to archery champion Sonny Johns. Sonny Johns was the 1938 Washington State Jr. Archery champion and the Northwest Junior Champion. He won the Northwest title at Portland, Oregon, when he shot three "perfects," a feat never performed before in any world competition. In the display are bow and arrows, photographs and awards. Ordered by father Harry C. Johns, 4911 No. 27th. (filed with Argentum)

Window displays--Tacoma--1930-1940; Rhodes Brothers Department Store (Tacoma); Johns, Sonny--Associated objects;

ca. 1938. Rhodes Department Store window display. Two adult and four child mannequins dressed in white rain coats. Signs read, "Wear White Rain Coats For Safety" and " White May Save Your Child's Life!" White raincoats were recommended by the Traffic Authority to help pedestrians shine through the gloom.

Window displays--Tacoma--1930-1940; Rhodes Brothers Department Store (Tacoma); Mannequins; Clothing stores--Tacoma--1930-1940; Clothing & dress--Tacoma--1930-1940; Raincoats;

This group of second grade students from Whitman school were literally put on display for National Education Week during November of 1939. Their library class was held in a display window of the Rhodes department store at 950 Broadway. The students being watched by proud parents and curious shoppers are (l to r): George Mills; Dorothy Powell; Dolores Duncan, writing her name on the blackboard; Ann Truitt, with her back to the camera; Richard McCulloch; and Allyn Hultman with back to camera. (T. Times, 11-10-1939, p.18)

School children--Tacoma--1930-1940; Children reading & writing--Tacoma; Duncan, Dolores; Mills, George; Powell, Dorothy; McCulloch, Richard; Truitt, Ann; Hultman, Allyn;

National Education Week. Whitman School, 2B, holding library class in display window of Rhodes Department Store on November 9, 1939. The proud parents of these seven-year-olds peek from the outside. Glady J. Christie was the classroom instructor. Students were : Dolores Duncan writing her name on the blackboard, (seated) George Mills, Dorothy Powell, Richard McCulloch, and Ann Truitt and Allyn Hultman with backs to camera. (T. Times, 11-10-1939, p.18)

School children--Tacoma--1930-1940; Children reading & writing--Tacoma; Duncan, Dolores; Mills, George; Powell, Dorothy; McCulloch, Richard; Truitt, Ann; Hultman, Allyn;

National Education Week. Whitman School, 2B, holding library class in display window of Rhodes Department Store on November 9, 1939. Dorothy Powell sits reading at the table, looking over her shoulders are Ann Truitt, Allyn Hultman, Richard McCulloch and George Mills. Delores Duncan sits with her back to the camera. Watching through the windows are many pairs of admiring eyes, probably belonging to family members. (T. Times, 11-10-1939, p.18)

School children--Tacoma--1930-1940; Children reading & writing--Tacoma; Duncan, Dolores; Mills, George; Powell, Dorothy; McCulloch, Richard; Truitt, Ann; Hultman, Allyn;

Four Stewart Junior High School students "published" the school newspaper "The Evening Star" in a display window of Rhodes Department Store on November 10, 1939 during National Education Week. Mayor J.J. Kaufman watched as (l to r) Clair Cook, Elmore Brolin, Helen Cox and Joan Weber used a mimeograph machine to copy off the pages of the student written paper. Ordinarily, "The Evening Star" was published on Tuesdays and Thursdays during the school year. The papers staff was composed of 8th and 9th graders who circulated 1,300 copies free to the student body. The newspaper was first published in 1925. (T. Times, 11-10-39, p. 18) ALBUM 11. TPL-5120.

Mayors--Tacoma--1930-1940; Kaufman, Joseph J.; Newspapers--Tacoma; Journalism--Tacoma; Students--Tacoma--1930-1940; Cook, Clair; Brolin, Elmore; Cox, Helen; Weber, Joan; Copying machines;

ca. 1939. Rhodes Department Store, advertising for three day sale. Two young women carrying packages are receiving assistance from two sales clerks in the knit (sweater) department of the store.

Sales personnel--Tacoma; Rhodes Brothers Department Store (Tacoma);

View of Rhodes Department Store Building, Fredrick Heath and A.J. Russell, Architects, 1903. View from across street, pedestrians and traffic in foreground. Publicity for three day sale.

Business Enterprises - Department Stores - Tacoma - Rhodes Brothers

Table setting display at Rhodes Department Store, for Sunset Magazine. (filed with Argentum)

Rhodes Brothers Department Store (Tacoma); Department stores--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Olympic Peninsula Playground display in window of Rhodes Department Store. American flag, maps and photographs, two mannequins in summer dresses and hats. Photograph taken prior to 1940's 4th of July.

Rhodes Brothers Department Store (Tacoma); Department stores--Tacoma--1940-1950; Window displays--Tacoma--1940-1950; Mannequins; Flags--United States; Maps;

Marjorie (Mrs. Harry) Cain, wife of the mayor of Tacoma, was photographed on September 16, 1941, holding an enlarged facsimile of the entry blank for the "Mrs. Typical Customer" contest. The contest was being held in connection with "Retailers for Defense" week, September 15-20, 1941. The local winner would get a $25 defense bond donated by area merchants and the right to compete for the national title. The winning entry would be selected from essays entered on "What the Retail Stores of Tacoma Can Do to Aid the Consumer in This Period of National Emergency." Merchants had vowed to conserve materials and labor vital to national defense. (T. Times 9/18/1941, pg. 3-alternate photograph; T.Times 9-15-41, p. 5-full page ad on Retailers for Defense demonstration)

Cain, Marjorie Dils, 1908-1994; World War, 1939-1945--Economic aspects of war--Tacoma; Contests--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Publicity for Rhodes Department Store extension sale. Jerry Hurley and Everett T. Smith looking at a map of Pierce County. Smith was the store's General Manager. Hurley (circa 1908-1970) and later Sales Promotion Manager for Rhodes.

Business Enterprises - Department Stores - Tacoma - Rhodes Brothers

An unidentified fashion model from Rhodes Department Store stands by a curved glass brick wall in Rhodes Crystal Room. The photograph appeared in the News Tribune Spring Fashion edition. The outfit follows the war industry's plea to conserve and not waste. The hip length jacket is shown over a dress with a box pleated skirt. The dress can be worn alone or with the jacket for two different looks. The hat is of pettipoint straw of tobacco brown and the shoes and bag are of alligator calf. (TNT 3/4/1942, PG. 32)

Clothing and dress--Tacoma--1940-1950; Rhodes Brothers Department Store (Tacoma);

Rhodes Bros., Tacoma's premiere department store, offered quality merchandise and a plethora of services. One of those services was the 6th floor podiatrist's office of Dr. August C. Mirenta where downtown shopper's aching feet received attention. In this publicity photograph, Dr. Mirenta is describing his trade-marked shoe insert to an unidentified woman patient. Dr. Mirenta was born in Italy and came to Tacoma with his family in 1896. The enterprising podiatrist manufactured foot remedies and deodorants as the A. Mirenta & Co. and the In-No-Scent Corp., served as president of several organizations, and raised peaches at Peach Acres, his property near Chambers Creek where the Charles Wright Academy is located today.

Department Stores--Tacoma; Rhodes Brothers Department Store (Tacoma); Medical offices--Tacoma; Health care; Mirenta, August C.,1888-1951;

In September of 1942, Dr. August C. Mirenta, a Tacoma chiropodist, demonstrated the unique features of his newly designed arch support to an unidentified young women in his office in the Rhodes Department Store, 950 Broadway. Trade-marked under the name "Arch-Releef", the adjustable foot support was manufactured and distributed by the American Foot Appliance Company of Tacoma. According to Dr. Mirenta, his new arch support was the result of many years of experimentation, and is the only support that is fully adjustable by the wearer. (T.Times 9/16/1942 p. 16)

Mirenta, August C., 1888-1954; Physicians--Tacoma--1940-1950; Medical offices--Tacoma--1940-1950; Rhodes Brothers Department Store (Tacoma); Inventions; Feet;

When a committee of interested citizens decided to play Santa to the men in the Armed Forces in 1942, they went to old St. Nick himself for a few pointers. Santa received them at the Rhodes Bro. Department store, where he was making his naughty and nice list. Tacomans were being asked to buy small inexpensive gifts to be handed out Christmas morning to soldiers in the Puget Sound area. Gift depots were set up all over town for them to leave the packages for distribution. Kneeling at Santa's feet are Mayor Harry P. Cain, left, and Col. Olivia Merrill. Standing, left to right, E.R. Fetterolf, Mrs. C. A. Davidson, Mrs. L. Chall, G.O. Rolstad, Mrs. Will J. Connor, Mrs. Anna M. Neilson, Wilma Zimmerman and Mrs. Wilfred E. Burrows. (T. Times 12/1/1952, pg. 9)

Santa Claus--Tacoma; Holidays--Tacoma--1940-1950; Christmas presents; Mayors--Tacoma--1940-1950; Cain, Harry P., 1906-1979;

A committee of interested citizens volunteered in 1942 to act as Santa's elves in bringing a little cheer to the members of the Armed Forces in Puget Sound, who were celebrating the holidays far from their homes and families. They are photographed grouped in front of the old guy himself at the Rhodes Bro. Department store. Tacoma Mayor Harry P. Cain is seated on the floor second from the right. Tacomans were being asked to buy small inexpensive presents to hand out on Christmas morning to soldiers. Gift depots had been set up all over town, in stores, schools and USO centers, for people to deposit these gifts. (T. Times 12/1/1942, pg. 9)

Santa Claus--Tacoma; Holidays--Tacoma--1940-1950; Christmas presents; Mayors--Tacoma--1940-1950; Cain, Harry P., 1906-1979;

At the end of December of 1942, Rhodes Brothers Department store devoted its windows to the sale of war bonds and stamps. The Tacoma Parent Teacher Association staffed the Victory Window, selling stamps and bonds from 11-4 each day.

Department stores--Tacoma; Rhodes Brothers Department Store (Tacoma); War bonds & funds--Tacoma--1940-1950; World War, 1939-1945--Economic aspects of war--Tacoma;

On December 26, 1942, young patriot John Flood perched on a table in the Rhodes Brothers Victory window and purchased enough war stamps to fill out his book and turn it in for a war bond. The department store's windows were devoted to the sale of war bonds and stamps and a huge sign called attention to the "Victory Window" as a center for sales. It was staffed by members of the Tacoma Council of Parent-Teacher Associations from 11-4 each day. Pictured left to right are Mrs. Edward T. Bowman, Mrs. Mary Gehri, Mrs. A. M. Ray, young Master Flood and Mrs. William H. Flood. (TNT 12/28/1942, pg. 8)

Department stores--Tacoma; Rhodes Brothers Department Store (Tacoma); Flood, John; War bonds & funds--Tacoma--1940-1950; World War, 1939-1945--Economic aspects of war--Tacoma;

Mrs. Roy Kneeland (left), chairman of the PTA war bond campaign, looks on as John Carradine carefully types a bond application form for Sgt. Norma Oaks (right). The bond campaign sales office was set up in the "Victory Window" at the Rhodes Brothers Department Store. Mr. Carradine had brought his own theater troupe, The Shakespeare Players, to Tacoma for a series of live performances at the Temple Theater. On Wednesday November 24, 1943, they presented "Merchant of Venice" with Carradine as Shylock. On Thanksgiving, the 25th, they performed "Hamlet" as a matinee and "Othello" in the evening, again with John Carradine as the lead. There were so many curtain calls for "Othello" that the curtain operator was physically exhausted by the cranking. (TNT 11-25-43, p.20, TNT 11-26-43, p. 6 ) ALBUM 5.

Carradine, John; Actors--Tacoma--1940-1950; War bonds & funds; Typewriters; Oaks, Norma;

Actor John Carradine, in Tacoma for performances of his Shakespeare Players at the Temple Theater, during a War Bonds rally at Rhodes Department Store. Mr. Carradine is in the front row, extreme right, next to Sgt. Norma Oaks, a U.S. Marine. Mrs. Roy Kneeland, chairman of the PTA War Bonds sales, is next to Sgt. Oaks. Carradine's company presented "The Merchant of Venice," "Hamlet" and "Othello" during their short stay in Tacoma. ALBUM 5. (TNT 11-25-43, p. 20)

Carradine, John; Actors--Tacoma--1940-1950; War bonds & funds; Marines (Military personnel); Oaks, Norma;

Rhodes windows. William Haley of the U. S. Secret Service and Detective C. O. Rolfson of the local police force set up this display of counterfeit and real money. Crowds of people have seen this window display at Rhodes Brothers Department Store (T. Times, 4/11/44, p. 7).

Window displays; Counterfeiting; Rhodes Brothers Department Store (Tacoma);

Trikskirts window display. Rhodes Brothers Department store first opened up on "C" Street in Tacoma, then within a few years had expanded into Seattle and a few other states as well. View of Trikskirts window display, showing a variety of colors and prices.

Department stores--Tacoma; Skirts; Window displays; Merchandise displays--Tacoma; Rhodes Brothers Department Store (Tacoma);

Rhodes window "Lilli Ann" suits. Rhodes Bros. has been in business in Tacoma since 1892. They were located in the Tacoma business district among other fine stores. View of display window number nine at Rhodes featuring part of the fall collection by top California designer, "Lilli Ann".

Clothing & dress--Tacoma--1940-1950; Window displays; Mannequins; Fashion designers; Rhodes Brothers Department Store (Tacoma);