Employees of the Pacific Telephone & Telegraph Co. crowd onto the small boat, "Lathea," on August 4, 1924, while others in back wait aboard the "Fossberg." G50.1-063

Pacific Telephone & Telegraph Co. (Tacoma)--Employees; Boats--Tacoma--1920-1930; Piers & wharves--Tacoma--1920-1930;

Inexperienced safecrackers failed to blow open the massive safe at Bye Thompson Motor Sales, 3320 South G Street, on early Friday morning, December 5, 1924. The thieves abandoned their efforts when the explosives they used broke the windows in front of the safe and threw the office into disarray, but only succeeded in blowing off the combination dial on the safe's door, not in releasing the bars holding the door in place. This was the second time in less than a year that Bye Thompson Motors had been robbed; on December 18, 1923, thieves somehow carried away the company's 1000 pound safe and blew it open several blocks away. That robbery netted the thieves $362. This photograph was taken at the scene of the crime on December 5, 1924. G24.1-056 (TNT 12-5-24, p. 1)

Safes; Robberies--Tacoma; Bye Thompson Motor Sales Co. (Tacoma);

Photographer Marvin Boland's notes indicate that this was the bank vault at the Scandinavian American Bank in December of 1920. At that time the bank was building a 16-story structure at 1019 Pacific Avenue. While the new building was being constructed, the bank conducted business at a temporary location at South 13th and Pacific. The bank failed in January of 1921 and construction stopped. The building remained unfinished until 1925 and is now known as the Washington Building. G34.1-019

Scandinavian-American Bank (Tacoma); Banks--Tacoma; Vaults (Strong rooms)--Tacoma;

Haering's opened a new brick one-story grocery store in the Hillsdale neighborhood on the east side of town in July of 1921. It was the first of several new buildings to house the rapidly growing firm; more would be built in different parts of the city. The store was designed and built by P.C. Walesby for about $4500. Employees of the company are pictured above enjoying a celebratory banquet inside the store. Haering's Grocetorium promoted the "self-service" form of shopping as a means to keep prices low. As the signs inside the store indicated, smart shoppers could purchase five cans of Del Monte corn for $1.00, flour for $2.20, ginger snaps and citrus for 25 cents. "Help Yourself" seemed to be the store's byword. (TDL 6-12-21, B-5-article); TDL 7-11-21, p. 7-article)

Grocery stores--Tacoma--1920-1930; Haering's Grocetorium (Tacoma);

A truckload of coal is being delivered to the Lucerne Block, 901 Tacoma Avenue South, by Economy Fuel in August of 1921. The fuel company's driver pauses his shifting of the coal to gaze at the camera. The coal is being deposited in the building's coal bin through a coal hole in the sidewalk. The buildings across the street would be demolished in the early 1950s so the County-City Building with jail could be built on the site. In the far background is Central School now used by the Tacoma School District as its Administrative Building.

Economy Fuel Co. (Tacoma); Fuel trade--Tacoma--1920-1930; Coalholes--Tacoma; Trucks--Tacoma--1920-1930; Central School (Tacoma);

Crown Drug Co. The Crown Drug Co. was a longtime tenant in the Pacific Savings & Loan Association building located at 1102-04 Pacific Avenue. The building was formerly known as the Equitable Building and the lower portion modernized in 1931. BU-11001

Crown Drugs (Tacoma); Drugstores--Tacoma--1930-1940; Pacific Savings & Loan Association (Tacoma); Banks--Tacoma; Equitable Building (Tacoma);

Crowds, described in a Daily Ledger ad as being the "greatest in the history of Tacoma's home owned and operated popular department store," lined up outside the big McCormack Bros. department store, 1148 Broadway, on February 7, 1932. The store had just reopened two days before, refinanced and reorganized. The new name was McCormack's, Inc., but it was still run by James McCormack and his family. Creditors had settled for 20 cents on the dollar and there were new goods added to every department. Men's suits were as low as $9.75, electric toasters for only 98 cents, spring dresses at $4.79 and even a Limonges dinnerware set for $5.95. In 1936, this building would be remodeled for the Sears, Roebuck & Co. store. (TDL 2-4-32, p. 3-article; TDL Ad, 2-7-32, A-5)

McCormack Bros. Department Store (Tacoma); Department stores--Tacoma--1930-1940; Shopping--Tacoma--1930-1940;

This is S.A. Andrews' Seattle store featuring women's apparel as viewed on February 26, 1935. Mr. Andrews had a Tacoma store at 9th & Broadway at the same time. Both locations had similar facades with uncluttered windows of hats, suits and coats. G56.1-090

Andrews Women's Apparel (Seattle); Clothing stores--Seattle; Facades--Seattle; Window displays--Seattle;

Mr. S.A. Andrews is seated at the rear of his Seattle Women's Apparel store on February 26, 1935. Both his Tacoma store, located for years at 9th & Broadway, and his Seattle location had very similar exteriors as well as interior layouts. This extended interior view notes the muted wall-to-wall carpet and air of spaciousness with the high ceilings and open floor plan. Chairs are handily placed for waiting customers and hats and clothing are side-by-side. G56.1-089

Andrews Women's Apparel (Seattle); Clothing stores--Seattle; Merchandise displays--Seattle--1930-1940; Hats--1930-1940; Andrews, Samuel A.;

ca. 1890. View of Tacoma from Commencement Bay, circa 1890. The Tacoma Hotel dominates the skyline. The pilings in the foreground are probably the supports for the old Northern Pacific tracks that crossed the tideflats into Tacoma. Photo from "Northern Pacific Railroad Scenery" with photos by F. Jay Haynes (F. Jay Haynes Collection)

Commencement Bay (Wash.); Tacoma Hotel (Tacoma); Hotels--Tacoma--1890-1900; Pilings (Civil engineering)--Tacoma;

ca. 1890. The Tacoma Hotel as it looked circa 1890, before any of the numberous additions had been added to the structure of the building. Tacoma was justly proud of this elegant structure with its beautiful views of Commencement Bay. It had opened in August of 1884. Photo from "Northern Pacific Railroad Scenery" with photos by F. Jay Haynes (F. Jay Haynes Collection)

Tacoma Hotel (Tacoma); Hotels--Tacoma--1890-1900;

On a hot summer evening in August of 1919, a visitor to Tacoma could stand at the intersection of Pacific Avenue and 9th, looking north, and see the names of two of the city's hotels and a theater light up the sky in electric signs suspended over the street. On the left is the Hotel Donnelly, 742-50 Pacific Ave. The hotel was built in 1887 and leased to John Donnelly, who gave it his name, ten years later. It was demolished in 1925 to make way for the Motoramp Garage. On the right is the Hippodrome Theater at 821-23 Pacific Ave., an office building at 819 Pacific and the Olympus Hotel at 815-17 Pacific. In 1978, the Olympus was converted to apartments. Pedestrians who became weary from walking could hire a taxi at the corner stand or catch a ride the Pacific Avenue streetcar. TPL-4446, BU-13429, Boland-B2166

Hotel Donnelly (Tacoma); Hotels--Tacoma--1910-1920; Street railroads--Tacoma--1910-1920; Streets--Tacoma--1910-1920; City & town life--Tacoma--1910-1920; Hippodrome Building (Tacoma); Olympus Hotel (Tacoma);

In July of 1919, the Ideal Tea Co. at 927-29 Tacoma Ave. So. made its deliveries with a horse drawn wagon. Milton H. Hoch, who had moved to Tacoma from Omaha around 1915, was manager of the tea and coffee shop. These buildings on Tacoma Avenue South were later demolished to make way for modern office buildings across from the County City Building. BU 12,939; Boland # B1998

Ideal Tea Co. (Tacoma);

ca. 1918. The Puget Hotel was constructed in 1907 by the Puget Mill Co. in their company owned and run town Port Gamble. It was designed by Seattle's most prominent architecture firm, Bebb & Mendel. It was a luxury hotel for visitors and company officials, later furnished with massive antique pieces of furniture made in Dresden, Germany and brought to the Puget Sound by sailing ship for the home of Cyrus Walker, first manager of the Puget Mill. Although part of the town, it was run as a concession. So although the town was dry, drinking and gambling were available at the hotel. It also housed the town's only restaurant. The hotel was damaged in the 1962 Columbus Day wind storm and was closed on December 22, 1962, a victim of that damage and declining use. It was later demolished. (Seattle Times 12/23/1962) Boland #10

Puget Hotel (Port Gamble); Lumber industry--Port Gamble; Puget Mill Co. (Port Gamble);

Candy shop at the Donnelly Hotel. Customers browsing in the candy shop at the Donnelly Hotel in 1919 had their choice of good chocolates, reading material, and a place to rest weary feet. Small tables with "ice cream parlor" chairs were placed close to racks of magazines such as "Sunset," "Photoplay," "Collier's" and "Modern Priscilla." A fine candy selection of Oriole, Mars, Imperial's and Sweet's could be purchased. John Donnelly had leased the Fife Hotel and transformed it into the Donnelly Hotel in 1898. The hotel would be demolished 27 years later to make way for the Motoramp Garage. G56.1-046

Hotel Donnelly (Tacoma); Hotels--Tacoma--1910-1920; Confectioneries--Tacoma--1910-1920;

A visitor to Tacoma in 1919 could stand downtown on Pacific Avenue near 8th St., looking south and view this bustling scene. Pedestrians present a blurred image through the camera as they hustle across Pacific, pictured with its streetcar tracks running down the center of the street. Some automobiles maneuver down the street, while others wait parked for their drivers to return. On the left, front to back, are the Hotel Olympus (815-17 Pacific Ave.), an office building at 819 containing the offices of the Tacoma Times and the Hippodrome (821-23.) On the right, front to back, are the Havana Inn storefront and its delivery vehicle in front, Hotel Waldorf (a rooming house at 728 Pacific), Bowie and Love (electric supplies at 732), Hotel Revere (rooms to let above 732), Moose Candy & Confectionary and the Hotel Donnelly and Donnelly Cafe. G61.1-024, TPL-5769

Hotel Donnelly (Tacoma); Hotels--Tacoma--1910-1920; City & town life--Tacoma--1910-1920; Hippodrome Building (Tacoma); Olympus Hotel (Tacoma); Business districts--Tacoma--1910-1920; Commercial streets--Tacoma--1910-1920;

Although photographer Marvin Boland's notes stated that this was the United States "Marine" Band posed on the lawn of the Hotel Tacoma on July 24, 1919, it is believed that this was actually the United States Navy Recruiting Band or The Great Lakes Band. They were there to play for the Tacoma Rotary Club for a luncheon held at the ivy-covered south end of the porch. The United States Navy Recruiting Band would perform later that evening in the Stadium Bowl along with Metropolitan Opera's prima donna Marie Rappold. G71.1-034 (TDL 7-24-19, p. 3 (ad); TNT 7-24-19, p. 1-articles on concert)

Tacoma Hotel (Tacoma); Military bands--United States;

View of Market Blvd. in Chehalis, Washington, in September of 1919 which features the elegant Hotel St. Helens in the foreground. The four-story brick hotel was designed and/or built by Charles E. Troutman. Numerous cars are parked outside the hotel and adjacent businesses. G72.1-056

Hotel St. Helens (Chehalis); Hotels--Chehalis; Commercial streets--Chehalis; Business districts--Chehalis;

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; 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; 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; 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; 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- wooden barrels in the china department stockroom, circa 1904. (Photograph donated by the Rhodes Reunion Committee)

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

ca. 1904. Rhodes Brothers staff, circa 1904. The Rhodes Brothers Department Store opened at 950 Broadway late in 1903 with a staff of 100 clerks. The clerks were well screened and trained in efficiency and courtesy. The female clerks wore dark dresses with white collars and cuffs in the winter and fall and dark skirts with white blouses in spring and summer. The men dressed in suits. Photograph damaged at corners. (Photograph donated by the Rhodes Reunion Committee)

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

ca. 1938. An unidentified Cammarano Brothers employee is preparing to deliver a barrel of what may be beer to the Tabby Cat restaurant, 1318 South Tacoma Way, circa 1938. There are soft drinks and beer on the same Dodge truck. (Photograph courtesy of the William Cammarano Collection) BU-13366 TPL-10418

Dodge trucks; Cammarano Bros. (Tacoma); Tabby Cat (Tacoma); Restaurants--Tacoma--1930-1940; Beer--Tacoma;