Ted Grunden, Tacoma's singing barber, locks the door of his barber shop in the Olympus Hotel with the tools of his trade held under his arm. After working 19 years at the same spot he relocated to the Riviera Barber Shop down the street at 908 Pacific Avenue. The Olympus Hotel was expanding their present tavern into a cocktail lounge. Ted Gunden had been the unofficial barber for the Tacoma Times employees for many of those 19 years. Taken for Prescott, Tacoma Times. (T.Times, 2/27/1949, p.36) TLP-6386

Olympus Hotel (Tacoma); Hotels--Tacoma--1940-1950; Gunden, Ted; Barbers--Tacoma; Barbershops--Tacoma;

A major snow storm hit Tacoma January 13,1950. Tacoma received almost nine inches of snow, and the wind which reached over 25 miles per hour created drifts up to five feet high. It was the worst storm in years and caused major damage throughout the area. 20 foot waves washed away part of Ruston Way, and ten boats were sunk in the yacht club basin. This view of the front of the Olympus Hotel, 815 -17 Pacific Avenue, from January 14th, shows the snow heaped along the sidewalks where it was left by the plows trying to clear Pacific Avenue. TPL-5466;

Olympus Hotel (Tacoma); Hotels--Tacoma--1940-1950;Snow--Tacoma--1950-1960; Commercial streets--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Annual photograph of the Last Man Club. The 21st reunion of the American Legion Edward B. Rhodes Post No. 2's Last Man Club occurred in the Peter Puget room of the Olympus Hotel on November 10, 1958. Each year the club met at varying locations in Tacoma for a reunion banquet. View of members posing with flags; flags draped over empty seats signify respect for deceased commanders. There would be one more flag-draped chair in memory of A. Walter Olson who died earlier in 1958. (TNT 11-9-58, A-19)

American Legion Edward B. Rhodes Post No. 2 (Tacoma); American Legion Club (Tacoma); Patriotic societies--Tacoma--1950-1960; Flags--United States; Last Man Club (Tacoma);

In August of 1951, the "Hac" Hanna Trio played in the Mirror Room at the Olympus Hotel, 815-17 Pacific Avenue. At that time both Mr. Hanna and his drummer, Gerald R. Frank, were soldiers stationed at Fort Lewis. The bass player in his group is unidentified. The Mirror Room opened in August of 1944, and many talented musicians played there through the 1950s. Sepia photograph commissioned by Gerald R. Frank, Fort Lewis.

Hac Hanna Trio; Musicians--Tacoma--1950-1960; African American musicians--Tacoma--1950-1960; Drums; Pianos; Stringed instruments;

An open house was held at the Olympus Hotel in May 1951 to celebrate the completion of modernization that had been underway for four years. The hotel had been built in 1908. Paul Sceva purchased the hotel in 1944. This "after" photograph shows a twin bed guest room. Former double rooms were rebuilt into one with private baths and showers. New furniture, new beds, new bathroom fixtures and new plumbing as well as new harmonizing carpeting and door locks were all provided. Ordered by Paul Sceva, owner of the hotel. (TNT 5/23/1951, p.23)

Hotels--Tacoma--1950-1960; Olympus Hotel (Tacoma); Then & now comparisons;

A "before" photograph used to show the modernization at the Olympus Hotel. Former double rooms were rebuilt into one with private baths and showers. Massive beamed ceilings were covered with a modern, fireproof layer (three quarters of an inch thick) of sheetrock. Wiring was changed completely and new lighting fixtures were added. New and larger windows were provided in most rooms. Work was completed in 1951. Ordered by Paul Sceva. (TNT 5/23/1951, p.23)

Hotels--Tacoma--1950-1960; Olympus Hotel (Tacoma); Then & now comparisons;

Group boarding bus at the Olympus Hotel, photograph ordered by the Young Calvinist. Members of the group appear to be of many different ages. Based on the ordering newspaper, the group must be followers of Calvinism. According to the Webster's Dictionary, the theological system of John Calvin and his followers is marked by a strong emphasis on the sovereignty of God, the depravity of mankind and the doctrine of predestination.

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

The Olympus Hotel at 815-17 Pacific Ave. was originally built in 1909. In May of 1951 it re-opened after much needed modernization that included new wiring, new funiture, new plumbing and new lighting.This photograph of Becky Barker in a cowgirl outfit, lasso in hand, was taken to help advertise the hotel's dinning rooms. The Corral Room and Frontier Room had a western theme that offered a "Bit of the Old West" to Tacomans and hotel guests.

Olympus Hotel (Tacoma); Restaurants--Tacoma--1950-1960; Cowgirls--Tacoma--1950-1960; Barker, Becky;

The "Corral Room" at the Olympus Hotel. Wood siding, a rough beam ceiling and pastoral paintings give this banquet room a rustic feel. The impression of being in a barn is assisted by the painting of a horse peeking out a stall door. The table, chairs and flooring are very simple. The Corral Room was also used as a coffee shop and served cocktails.

Olympus Hotel (Tacoma); Restaurants--Tacoma--1950-1960;

On June 28, 1968, Secretary of State A. Ludlow "Lud" Kramer, at the piano, was invited to speak to the Young Men's Business Club at their meeting held at the Olympus Hotel. As the sign on the piano indicates, Mr. Kramer was running for re-election on the Republican ticket. At age 32, Mr. Kramer became the youngest Secretary of State in Washington State history. He would go on to win the 1968 election and serve a total of three terms. Lud Kramer would pass away on April 9, 2004, after a bout of lung cancer. He was 71 years old. Photograph ordered by the Young Men's Business Club. (www.secstate.wa.gov/office)

Kramer, A. Ludlow; Pianos; Young Mens Business Club (Tacoma); Signs (Notices); Political elections--Washington; Political campaigns;

Exterior of the Olympus Hotel. The hotel was built in 1909 at a cost of $65,000. It was designed by Darmer & Cutting, Architects. In 1951, it was considered one of the Northwest's best hotels. It was the home of the supper club The Mirror Room and the cafe Frontier Room. The hotel closed its doors in 1974. It was remodeled and opened as apartments in 1978.

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

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.