ca. 1893. The table is set at The Chilberg, 1011-13 Pacific Ave., circa 1893; it is laid with a fine white tablecloth, set with damask napkins and heavy silver. Proprietor Isaac Chilberg awaits off camera for the arrival of his guests. The successful restaurateur had started with a chop house at 1003 Pacific Ave. and made his reputation on good food, a spotless dining room and kitchen and personalized service. In May of 1892, he moved his restaurant into the refurbished and more elegantly appointed space at 1011-13 Pacific Ave., formerly the home of the New York Kitchen. The Chilberg soon became known as the "Delmonico of the West," the finest restaurant west of New York City. (Photograph damaged)
ca. 1893. The kitchen at The Chilberg, 1011-13 Pacific Ave., circa 1893. The Chilberg had recently moved into the spacious new quarters formerly occupied by the New York Kitchen. The kitchen was spotless. Five visible cooks prepared food (left) over a range, while two more prepared the ingredients (center.) The man and the two young boys to the right appear to be dishwashers. A long table was set left for the staff to take their meals. According to the newspapers of the time, the restaurant was open 24 hours a day. Known for their extensive menu, elegant appointments and attentive service; the restaurant was called "the Delmonico of the West." (Photograph damaged upper left corner and near lower right corner.)
ca. 1893. Dining room of The Chilberg, 1011-13 Pacific Ave., circa 1893. The Chilberg, Tacoma's finest restaurant, had moved in 1892 from its previous location at 1003 Pacific Ave. to these more spacious and elegant surroundings. The restaurant offered both open tables and rows of intimate dining boxes on the left and, seen from the back, on the right. These miniature dining rooms were for the use of ladies dining without male companionship or for those needing a quieter or more private dining experience. Large windows in the back and also "light wells" in the ceiling provided natural lighting. Tacoma architect C.A. Darmer redesigned the space specifically for proprietor Isaac Chilberg's restaurant and hotel. The restaurant was famous for its fare, but also for its orderly cleanliness and attentive service. Isaac Chilberg spent over 35 years in the restaurant business, running some of the finest restaurants in Tacoma. He died in 1923 at his home in Orting.
ca. 1893. The main entrance at The Chilberg, 1011-13 Pacific Ave., circa 1893. Natural light floods the room from the many windows at the entrance. A table, right, holds a selection of fruit and pastries, while the bar behind displays an array of wines and glasses. The Chilberg had previously been located down the block at 1003 Pacific Ave. This space was redesigned by Tacoma architect C.A. Darmer for proprietor Isaac Chilberg. The restaurant was located on the first floor, with hotel rooms located above. The restaurant was endorsed as the most elegant restaurant west of New York City.
ca. 1893. Lunchtime at The Chilberg, 1011-13 Pacific Ave., circa 1893. The Chilberg was designed by architect C.A. Darmer to provide both mass dining, center, and a more intimate experience in one of the many private dining boxes, left or (seen from the back) right. During lunch, most of the large tables were occupied by businessmen and tradesmen, their hats hung on hooks surrounding the support pillars. Dark jacketed waiters in white aprons waited at the ends of each table, supplying the Chilberg's legendary attentive service. French Collection G45.1-054A
ca. 1893. Ladies' entrance and private dining booths at the Chilberg, 1011-13 Pacific Ave., circa 1893. In the Gay Nineties, women did not dine without male companionship in public and the separate entrance and private dining made dining out possible for them. These booths also served as discreet, private dining rooms for those desiring a more intimate or quiet dining experience. In fact, a private dining booth at Chilberg's was the location of a triple murder in 1898 as a jealous ex-lover shot both his paramour and her new lover and was in turn shot by the woman. The proprietor of the restaurant was Isaac Chilberg. He had opened his first "chop house" in Tacoma around 1887 at 1111 Pacific. He moved to 1003 Pacific in 1888, remaining there until the size of clientele outgrew the establishment. His new restaurant at 1011-13 Pacific was designed by architect C.A. Darmer, and his business was relocated to this site in 1892. The building was three stories high, with the restaurant occupying the first floor and with lodging on the two stories above. By the early 1900's, the restaurant had closed and the structure was demolished in 1924 to make way for the Bank of California building. (TDL 1/1/1893, pg. 15; 6/16/1898, pg. 2-murder)
ca. 1904. A window display of wedding dresses at the Rhodes Brothers Department Store, circa 1904. When Henry A. Rhodes opened his three story grand emporium at 950 Broadway in November of 1903, it quickly became famous for its lavish decorations and extensive window displays. Huge plate glass windows presented the most current fashions by seasons. The store employed a full time window trimmer and decorator, Herbert A. Foster, who had an office and studio on the third floor of the store. (Photograph donated by the Rhodes Reunion Committee) (TDL 11/8/1903, pg. 17)
Rhodes Brothers Department Store (Tacoma); Department stores--Tacoma; Wedding clothing & dress--1900-1910; Window displays--1900-1910;
ca. 1904. Rhodes Brothers store, circa 1904; window display of china. Rhodes Brothers Department Store opened at this location in 1903. Part of the appeal of the structure at 950 Broadway was its many merchandise display windows. This display was of china and small figurines. (Photograph donated by the Rhodes Reunion Committee)
Rhodes Brothers Department Store (Tacoma); Department stores--Tacoma; Tableware; Porcelain;
ca. 1904. Rhodes Brothers store, circa 1904; window display of linens and tea service. Rhodes Brothers Department Store opened their grand mercantile building at 950 Broadway in 1903. Signs posted along the major roads advised travelers that "All Roads Lead to Rhodes," and offered a measurement of the mileage to the store. As Tacoma grew, so did the Rhodes establishment, adding three more stories in 1911 and eventually two annexes. Photograph damaged upper right corner and bottom left corner. (Photograph donated by the Rhodes Reunion Committee)
Rhodes Brothers Department Store (Tacoma); Department stores--Tacoma;
ca. 1904. Rhodes Brothers Store, circa 1904; Ladies' parasols and intimate apparel. The Rhodes Brothers Department Store was opened at 950 Broadway by Henry A. Rhodes in 1903. It was the grand establishment of his dreams, patterned after Wanamakers and Marshall Fields. From the beginning, they employed Herbert A. Foster as the window trimmer and decorator. This view of the store was festooned with parasols, studded with palms and draped with garlands. The lighting fixtures hanging from the ceiling were gas lights. The shelves were covered with boxes of different sizes, possibly containing accessories or women's intimate apparel. (photograph donated by the Rhodes Reunion Committee)
Department stores--Tacoma; Merchandise displays--Tacoma; Rhodes Brothers Department Store (Tacoma);
ca. 1904. Rhodes Brothers store, circa 1904; appears to be the Ladies' toiletries department. Henry A. Rhodes, with brothers Will and Albert, opened the Rhodes Brothers Department Store at 950 Broadway in 1903. The store was famous for its window displays and seasonal decorations- here parasols, palms, ivy strings and streamers. This appears to be the ladies' toiletries department since pictures behind the counter show a woman applying potions to her face. The sign to the left invites shoppers to visit the Coffee Section where they can "eat, drink and be merry." The plain cable that can barely be seen center, running from behind the counter to the mezzanine, was possibly the pulley that in the early days carried merchandise and payment to a track and onward to the office and its money till. There, articles were wrapped and change made and returned to the customer by the same route. (photograph donated by the Rhodes Reunion Committee)
Department stores--Tacoma; Merchandise displays--Tacoma; Rhodes Brothers Department Store (Tacoma);
ca. 1904. Rhodes Brothers store, circa 1904; this appears to be the Crystal and Glass Department. Henry A. Rhodes opened his grand department store at 950 Broadway in 1903. This appears to be the glass department on the first floor, with a clear view of the mezzanine, center. The mezzanine held the ladies' lounge and the office, complete with wrapping paper for purchases and a money till. (photograph donated by the Rhodes Reunion Committee)
Department stores--Tacoma; Merchandise displays--Tacoma; Rhodes Brothers Department Store (Tacoma);
ca. 1904. Rhodes Brothers store, circa 1904; Parasol and streamer decorations and unidentified merchandise in boxes. Rhodes Brothers Department Store opened at 950 Broadway in 1903. Each department was not equipped with bags or a cash register, so merchandise was lifted by pulley up to a track and then sent to the office on the mezzanine where it was wrapped and change was made. The cables and tracks in this photograph are believed to have been used for that purpose. Photograph damaged upper left corner. (photograph donated by the Rhodes Reunion Committee)
Department stores--Tacoma; Merchandise displays--Tacoma; Rhodes Brothers Department Store (Tacoma);
ca. 1904. Rhodes Brothers store, circa 1904; Parasol and streamer decorations with lace collars, purses and accessories. This photograph showed the Rhodes Brothers Department Store not long after opening. The mezzanine with its railing can be seen in the back. The department appears to be ladies' accessories. Photograph damaged lower left corner. (photograph donated by the Rhodes Reunion Committee)
Department stores--Tacoma; Merchandise displays--Tacoma; Rhodes Brothers Department Store (Tacoma);
ca. 1904. Rhodes Brothers store, circa 1904; Stairway to Mezzanine balcony from first floor. The Rhodes Brothers Department Store opened at 950 Broadway toward the end of 1903. It was, for the time, a modern emporium based on the model of Wanamaker's and Marshall Field's. The store carried a wide variety of merchandise on its three floors. This photograph shows the stairway leading to the mezzanine, where the ladies' lounge and the business office were located. (photograph donated by the Rhodes Reunion Committee)
Department stores--Tacoma; Rhodes Brothers Department Store (Tacoma);
ca. 1904. Rhodes Brothers store, circa 1904; Mezzanine with piano overlooking first floor. The mezzanine was located on a balcony between the first and second floors. The ladies' lounge was located here with comfortable chairs where shoppers could rest or visit. The restroom was also located in this area. Entertainers playing the piano here would be heard throughout the first floor. (photograph donated by the Rhodes Reunion Committee)
Department stores--Tacoma; Rhodes Brothers Department Store (Tacoma);
ca. 1904. Rhodes Brothers store, circa 1904; Millinery department. The Rhodes Brothers Department Store opened in a three story building at 950 Broadway at the end of 1903. The structure was one of the first big building projects in Tacoma after the "Panic" in the 1890's. As most women wore hats whenever they went out in the early 1900's, the store included its own millinery department. At that time, buyers for the store travelled back east once or twice a year to buy "model" hats in the latest fashion. The "models" were quite expensive and were used by local hat makers to make copies for sale to the public. (photograph donated by the Rhodes Reunion Committee)
Department stores--Tacoma; Rhodes Brothers Department Store (Tacoma);
ca. 1904. Rhodes Brothers Store, circa 1904; Shoe and Boot department. Henry A. Rhodes opened his dream emporium in a three story building at 950 Broadway at the end of 1903. The Rhodes Brothers Department Store offered a wide variety of fine merchandise. In the womens' shoe and boot department, chairs were provided for shoppers to sit and try on the shoes. The shelves are lined with boxes of shoes. Shoe models are attached to the pillar right. Decorations- parasols, ivy and palms- are evident in many places. (photograph donated by the Rhodes Reunion Committee)
Rhodes Brothers Department Store (Tacoma); Department stores--Tacoma;
ca. 1904. Rhodes Brothers Store, circa 1904; Art department, with framed and matted art work. Henry A. Rhodes grand mercantile establishment carried a little of everything. This department, believed to be on the first floor, shows art work matted on the left and framed on the right. The staircase to the mezzanine can be seen between the two rows of pictures on the right. Photo torn lower left corner. (photograph donated by the Rhodes Reunion Committee)
Rhodes Brothers Department Store (Tacoma); Department stores--Tacoma;
ca. 1904. Rhodes Brothers Store, circa 1904; Art and rug departments. The Rhodes Department Store in the early 1900's, although considered well stocked by the standards of the time, appears cramped, crowded and dark by today's standards. In the back right are rugs, or rolls of fabric, on tables, as well as folded on shelves behind the tables. On the left are tables of matted art and on the right are tables piled with framed art. Larger framed landscapes hang from the walls. (photograph donated by the Rhodes Reunion Committee)
Rhodes Brothers Department Store (Tacoma); Department stores--Tacoma;
ca. 1904. Rhodes Brothers Store, circa 1904; Women's apparel, dresses and suits. The Rhodes Brothers Department Store opened at 950 Broadway near the end of the year in 1903. The womens' ready-to-wear department was an important department in the store. Mannequins model the latest fashions, brought back from the fashion capitals back east to Tacoma. (photograph donated by the Rhodes Reunion Committee)
Rhodes Brothers Department Store (Tacoma); Department stores--Tacoma; Clothing & dress--1900-1910;
ca. 1904. Rhodes Brothers Store, circa 1904; Corsets and "white wear." In the early 1900's, the silhouette was important to fashion and the silhouette was formed by the garments underneath the outfit, primarily the corset. The Rhodes Department Store had a sign for Kabo corsets, one of the major brands. The back shelves contain boxes with various styles of corsets. In the same department was "white wear," lingerie for use with the corset, namely corset covers, chemises, pantaloons and petticoats. Also on the pillar is a sign, "We give buyers green stamps." Speery & Hutchinson (S& H) introduced green stamps in 1896. They were given to reward loyalty to a merchant and were redeemable for merchandise. Photo damaged lower center. (photograph donated by the Rhodes Reunion Committee)
Rhodes Brothers Department Store (Tacoma); Department stores--Tacoma; Clothing & dress--1900-1910;
ca. 1904. Rhodes Brothers Store, circa 1904; Fine china department. The Rhodes Brothers Department Store opened at 950 Broadway toward the end of 1903. At a time period when each middle to upper class home had a set of "good" china, this department was very important to the store. In the background, you can see the stairs to the mezzanine. Clearly visible is the track and pulley that carried merchandise and payment to the mezzanine business office. A sales girl stands to the left. The clerks were well screened and trained in efficiency and courtesy. She is wearing the "uniform" of spring and summer, a dark skirt paired with a white blouse. The store opened with over 100 clerks in its employ. (photograph donated by the Rhodes Reunion Committee)
Rhodes Brothers Department Store (Tacoma); Department stores--Tacoma; Tableware; Porcelain;
ca. 1904. Rhodes Brothers Store, circa 1904; Fine china department. The Rhodes Brothers Department store had table after table stacked high with fine china- Cups & saucers, plates, serving pieces and beer steins. Although it seems crowded today, shoppers at the time were thrilled with the variety. (Photograph donated by the Rhodes Reunion Committee)
Rhodes Brothers Department Store (Tacoma); Department stores--Tacoma; Tableware; Porcelain;
ca. 1904. Rhodes Brothers Store, circa 1904; China and glassware. What appear to be mirror topped tables and mirror backed shelves reflect the china and glassware in this photograph of the Rhodes Department Store around 1904. Rhodes was an institution in Tacoma at 950 Broadway from 1903 until it closed in 1974. (photograph donated by the Rhodes Reunion Committee)
Rhodes Brothers Department Store (Tacoma); Department stores--Tacoma; Tableware; Porcelain;
ca. 1904. Rhodes Brothers Store, circa 1904. Copper tea and coffee pots, cooking pots, crockery, pottery, what appear to be birdcages and miscellaneous. Henry A. Rhodes opened his department store at 950 Broadway toward the end of 1903. He had started with a tea and coffee shop in 1892 and gradually moved into larger stores until he expanded into this three story space. Most of the stores, like this one, sold crockery and glassware. Tables are shown piled high with tea services, pots, pans and crockery. Hanging from the ceiling are contraptions with wheels, possibly serving carts. Photograph damaged right edge. (photograph donated by the Rhodes Reunion Committee)
Rhodes Brothers Department Store (Tacoma); Department stores--Tacoma;
ca. 1911. Rhodes Brothers Store, circa 1911; Textiles and dry goods department. By 1911, the store was beginning to look less cluttered, with wider aisles. A counter littered with bolts of fabric supplied a place for shoppers to sit and clerks to cut the fabric. The displayed fabric on top of cabinet was priced at 39 cents per yard. Note on back of photo; image used in 1911 booklet. By 1911, Rhodes Brothers had outgrown the three floors at this location and was adding three more. (photograph donated by the Rhodes Reunion Committee)
Rhodes Brothers Department Store (Tacoma); Department stores--Tacoma;
ca. 1917. Rhodes Brothers Store, circa 1917; Fabric department. Several tables loaded with bolts of fabric dot the room. It appears that the track and pulley system is still in operation, indicating that each department does not have its own cash register. (photograph donated by the Rhodes Reunion Committee)
Rhodes Brothers Department Store (Tacoma); Department stores--Tacoma;
ca. 1904. Rhodes Brothers Store, circa 1904; Pillows and housewares. This department is believed to be located on the first floor of the store. It is crowded with pillows, mats, lace scarves or napkins (displayed on a grid.) The fine china can be seen up one floor. Tassels hang down from the ceiling. (photograph donated by the Rhodes Reunion Committee)
Rhodes Brothers Department Store (Tacoma); Department stores--Tacoma;
ca. 1904. Rhodes Brothers Store, circa 1904; Coffee, bottled and canned goods. In this photograph taken inside the Rhodes store, clerks prepare for the Saturday crowds. The coffee department served complimentary hot drinks for Saturday customers. Henry Rhodes started his business in 1892 with a tea and coffee store at 932 C (now Broadway) Street. He moved to progressively larger establishments, offering a wider variety of goods, until he opened this department store at 950 Broadway in 1903. Photo torn at corners and sides. (photograph donated by the Rhodes Reunion Committee)
Rhodes Brothers Department Store (Tacoma); Department stores--Tacoma;
