Washington Association for Retarded Children held their annual 3-day state convention beginning on September 26, 1969, at the Tacoma Motor Hotel. The three unidentified young guests pictured above on September 27th were probably high school and/or college students who attended a planning meeting there to form a state youth organization. Photograph ordered by the Washington Association for Retarded Children. (TNT 9-24-69, C-5)

Meetings--Tacoma--1960-1970; Washington Association for Retarded Children; Charitable organizations--Tacoma--1960-1970;

Dining room of the Doric Tacoma Motor Hotel. Upholstered in gold leather and midnight blue, the semi-circular seating provides comfort and some privacy in the dining room of the new Doric Hotel. Walls were constructed of cedar panels and paintings highlighted of Native Americans. The patrons look pleased to be dining at this new facility, the "Tahoma." Chef John Espinoza offered a menu of many speciality dishes, including sauerbraten and wiener schnitzel. The hotel had opened in August, 1960, at 242 Saint Helens Avenue. It was conveniently located to downtown businesses and shopping with ample free parking. (TNT ad, 1-31-61, A-7) TPL-9886

Doric Tacoma Motor Hotel (Tacoma); Hotels--Tacoma--1960-1970; Dining rooms--Tacoma--1960-1970;

Standard room at the Doric Tacoma Motor Hotel. According to the 1972 City Directory, all of the 105 rooms in the Doric Tacoma Motor Hotel (formerly America West Tacoma Motor Hotel) were listed as "delux." Catering to the business traveler, the hotel provided comfortable double beds, extra tables for writing and laying out luggage, and bright lighting. Rooms had wall-to-wall carpeting. This particular room was decorated in warm colors of gold and bronze. Color photograph ordered by the Doric Tacoma Motor Hotel.

Doric Tacoma Motor Hotel (Tacoma); Hotels--Tacoma--1970-1980;

Lobby of the Doric Tacoma Motor Hotel. Several guests are pictured in the spacious lobby of the Doric Tacoma Motor Hotel on July 28, 1972. Four of them are descending the wide staircase which is carpeted in blush tones. Wearing green is Carol Benton (now Mazzuca). Rich and Linda Johnson are the couple in the middle. Coming up the stairs is Marge Steffan while restaurant manager Bob Adam (in blue suit) speaks on the telephone. The Doric Tacoma Motor Hotel had opened in August of 1960. Its location on Saint Helens Ave. was handy for business travelers as it was close to downtown. A few years later the hotel underwent a name change to "America West Tacoma Motor Hotel," only to seemingly revert back to its original name sometime in 1972. The 1973 City Directory indicates that the hotel was now a member of Prestige Inns. Photograph ordered by Doric Tacoma Motor Hotel. (Additional information provided by a reader)

Doric Tacoma Motor Hotel (Tacoma); Hotels--Tacoma--1970-1980; Lobbies--Tacoma--1970-1980;

Former mayor John H. Anderson attended the November 7, 1962, festivities at the Doric Hotel where newly minted Western Airlines stewardesses received their silver wings. Back in 1952, then mayor Anderson was the first civic official in the city's history to be named an honorary airline hostess. Mr. Anderson was one of twelve prominent businessmen who sponsored the stewardesses; others included Ben Cheney and Elbert Baker. Standing next to Mr. Anderson is Betty McCoy of Salt Lake City, regional manager of stewardess service. Mrs. Maud Witzke of Sumner, Betty McCoy's mother, is believed to be the woman standing by her side. Western Airlines was noted as only employing stewardesses, not stewards. Photograph ordered by Western Airlines. (TNT 11-8-62, B-2)

Flight attendants--Tacoma--1960-1970; Anderson, John H.; McCoy, Betty; Doric Tacoma Motor Hotel (Tacoma);

Doric Hotel. A quiet study in blue is this Doric Hotel room dressed in shades of robin egg's blue, baby blue, and sky blue. The calming combination of the various blues with the blending of white lamps and window shades would provide a restful atmosphere for visitors to the Doric in 1964.

Doric Tacoma Motor Hotel (Tacoma);

Night exposure exterior new Doric Hotel. A new convertible is parked under the large Doric Hotel drive-way roof as its occupants prepare to remove luggage and water skis. This July 21, 1960, photograph may have been used as advertising as the motel itself did not open officially until several weeks later. The totally electric 123-unit facility was built at a cost of $1,425,000 including fixtures and furniture. The Doric was part of a Seattle-based chain of motor hotels stretching from British Columbia to Southern California. (TNT 8-12-60, p. 8) TPL-9887

Doric Tacoma Motor Hotel (Tacoma); Hotels--Tacoma--1960-1970;

Exterior of new Doric Hotel, taken pre-grand opening on July 22, 1960. A large overhang would provide protection for motorists unloading luggage and passengers at the new Doric Tacoma Motel Hotel. Parking for 184 cars was conveniently located for the four-story hotel. The Doric was a concrete structure with frame partitions and block ends. The 123-unit, $1,425,000 hotel was built by Merritt Construction and designed by architects Kroma, Wilson & Zigler. The Doric would open on August 13, 1960, at 242 Saint Helens Ave. (TNT 8-12-60, p. 8, 9)

Doric Tacoma Motor Hotel (Tacoma); Hotels--Tacoma--1960-1970; Signs (Notices);

Doric Hotel. View of room on April 13, 1964, at the Doric Tacoma Motor Hotel with two double beds, two arm chairs, writing desk and television. Shades are left open on the large window to display beautiful view of Tacoma's waterways. The Doric had opened its doors in August, 1960.

Doric Tacoma Motor Hotel (Tacoma); Hotels--Tacoma--1960-1970;

Color view of large Doric Hotel suite on April 13, 1964. Soft lighting liberally dispersed by the many lamps in this elegant hotel suite. Two pairs of arm chairs and couches along with double bed and modified lounge on the wall-to-wall carpet.

Doric Tacoma Motor Hotel (Tacoma); Hotels--Tacoma--1960-1970; Suites--Tacoma;

Over 50 members of Alpha Kappa Alpha attended the luncheon held in the Capri Room of the Americana Motor Hotel at 242 Saint Helens Avenue on September 4, 1965. They were in Tacoma to attend the 36th Far Western Regional Conference of the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority held on September 3 & 4, 1965. Sorority members from Arizona, California, Nevada, Oregon and Washington attended the two day event. Mrs. Frank Russell, past president of the local Zeta Omega Omega Chapter was mistress of ceremonies. The Rev. Dr. John Adams, pastor at Seattle's First African Methodist Episcopal Church spoke on the theme "Advancement through Knowledge and Action". Founded in 1908 by women of Howard University, this national sorority endeavored to uplift the African-American community through leadership, service and scholarship. (TNT 9/1/1965 p.B-8) TPL-9152

Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority (Tacoma); Fraternities & sororities--Tacoma--1960-1970; Group portraits;

Twelve new stewardesses were awarded their silver wings in a candlelit ceremony at the Doric Hotel on November 7, 1962. The young ladies were identically dressed in new navy blue uniforms, small red pillbox hats, and carried black tote bags. Each was presented with a beautiful orchid corsage. Prominent local sponsors of the new stewardesses were also on hand to witness the ceremony. This was the first stewardess graduation ceremony held by Western Airlines in Tacoma. The twelve women, names listed in the newspaper, are mostly from California. Photograph ordered by Western Airlines. (TNT 11-8-62, B-2)

Stewards; Flight attendants--Tacoma--1960-1970; Doric Tacoma Motor Hotel (Tacoma);

Interior of Doric Hotel. Deluxe accommodations included double bed, lounge, table with two chairs and two small coffee tables. In addition, televisions with remote control, clock radios, dial phones, glass-enclosed showers, and heat lamps and ceramic tiles in the bathrooms were provided. Each room had wall-to-wall carpeting and electric blankets. The Doric advertised itself as having "the most comfortable beds in the Northwest." Each of the 123 units in the hotel was soundproof. Closed curtains cover large windows which spanned completely across the room's outer walls. The Doric Tacoma Motor Hotel opened in August, 1960, and was managed by Thomas L. Hill. (TNT 8-12-60, p. 8, TNT Ad 1-31-61, A-7) TPL-9888

Doric Tacoma Motor Hotel (Tacoma); Hotels--Tacoma--1960-1970;

The four-story Doric Tacoma Motel, at 242 Saint Helens Avenue, opened on August 13, 1960. The motor hotel, which was located within blocks of Tacoma's downtown business district, was equipped with a banquet room, restaurant, barber shop and jewelry store. It offered a heated swimming pool and ample free parking for 184 cars. In 2000 it became Cascade Park Vista, a health care facility. (TNT 8-12-60, p. 8) TPL-9838

Doric Tacoma Motor Hotel (Tacoma); Hotels--Tacoma--1960-1970; Signs (Notices);