Sabre Room - Winthrop Hotel. The Sabre Room underwent a colorful remodel in 1963 with the addition of maroon chairs and banquet seats, red floor coverings and splashes of red on walls and accessories. It had previously been remodeled in 1955. Musical acts were featured nightly in the Sabre Room. Color photograph ordered by the Winthrop Hotel. BU-12177

Sabre Room (Tacoma); Restaurants--Tacoma--1960-1970; Hotel Winthrop (Tacoma);

Luxurious bedroom suite at the Winthrop Hotel. Several rooms, #619, 801and 825, were photographed on August 7, 1963. This particular bedroom featured a circular bed, thick new wall-to-wall carpeting, portable television and comfortably padded armchairs. Lighting was provided by several table lamps and dropped lighting over the bed. New management in 1963 planned extensive remodeling of the venerable hotel. BU-12179

Beds; Bedrooms--Tacoma--1960-1970; Hotel Winthrop (Tacoma);

Winthrop Hotel. Large bedroom suite at the Winthrop Hotel. By 1963, the Winthrop was 38 years old and new management undertook the renovation of the downtown hotel. This room, along with other refurbished rooms, was photographed on August 7, 1963. It contained two double beds, a pair of comfortable arm chairs, large mirror and writing desk. Modern lighting helped to brighten the room. Photograph ordered by the Winthrop Hotel. BU-12178

Hotels--Tacoma--1960-1970; Beds; Mirrors; Hotel Winthrop (Tacoma);

Elegant remodeled lobby of Winthrop Hotel featuring entrances to the hotel coffee bar and newly-renamed Three Keys main dining room. This September 5, 1963, color photograph displays the rich tones of gold and wine that decorate the lobby. Three oversized brass gate keys hang at the entrance to the main dining room. A gold tufted elongated bench provides a comfortable place to rest in the lobby; behind it are three Italian colored glass panels, each 15 feet tall, which separate the main dining area from the lobby entrance. The theme colors of gold and wine continue into the coffee shop where a solid red-wine carpet provides contrast to the gold-toned seats. A unique feature of the Winthrop coffee bar is the placement of individual toasters on the counters so that customers could brown their bread to their own taste. (TNT 5-1-63, A-6)

Lobbies--Tacoma--1960-1970; Hotel Winthrop (Tacoma);

Despite the early 7:30 a.m. hour, the large accounting staff of Pacific Northwest Bell Telephone Co. look pleased to attend the company's Christmas party on December 24, 1963. An elaborate chandelier, lit sconces, and towering Christmas tree form the decor at the Winthrop Hotel. Photograph ordered by Pacific Northwest Bell Telephone.

Pacific Northwest Bell Telephone Co. (Tacoma); Telephone companies--Tacoma; Christmas trees--Tacoma; Hotel Winthrop (Tacoma);

Winthrop Hotel executive William R. Conant, Sr., and Sonia Fowler (now Sonia Gray) watch as their kimono-clad waitress in the Kokura Restaurant pours a small cup of tea on July 13, 1964. The Kokura was the Winthrop Hotel's latest major improvement, an authentic Japanese restaurant located on the Broadway level. Named after Tacoma's sister-city in Japan, the Kokura served only Japanese food. To add to the atmosphere, the chef and waitresses were of Japanese descent. Customers entered the Kokura through a torii, an orange-red gate, and were directed to small private dining rooms separated by shoji screens. Tables were low and customers sat on padded cushions resting on tatami mats, much as they would in Japan. Bamboo-covered walls and hanging paper-like lighting fixtures added to the dining experience. The Kokura closed in 1971. (Photograph ordered by the Winthrop Hotel.) (TNT 5-10-64, B-10, TNT ad 10-14-64, A-8) TPL-9851

Kokura Restaurant (Tacoma); Restaurants--Tacoma--1960-1970; Dining rooms--Tacoma--1960-1970; Waitresses--Tacoma; Kimonos; Hotel Winthrop (Tacoma); Conant, William R.; Fowler, Sonia;

Interior of Kokura restaurant. The next major improvement to the Winthrop Hotel would be the Kokura restaurant in the summer of 1964. Named after Tacoma's sister-city, Kokura, Japan, it would serve only authentic Japanese food prepared and served by Japanese. Located on the Broadway level of the Winthrop, there was seating for 40. Shoji screens would divide the dining areas, providing both privacy and atmosphere. As a glimpse into a dining room shows, customers would sit on thick padded cushions placed on tatami mats. Stone lanterns and simplistic naturalistic decor would add to the serene environment. Photograph ordered by the Winthrop Hotel. (TNT 5-10-64, B-10)

Kokura Restaurant (Tacoma); Restaurants--Tacoma--1960-1970; Dining rooms--Tacoma--1960-1970; Hotel Winthrop (Tacoma);

Exterior of the Kokura Restaurant. Located on the Broadway level of the Winthrop Hotel, the Kokura restaurant opened in the summer of 1964. It featured the finest Japanese cuisine which was prepared and served by those of Japanese descent. The restaurant was named after Tacoma's city-sister, Kokura, Japan. The Winthrop would later be sold in 1970 and rooms converted to senior housing. TPL-5021

Kokura Restaurant (Tacoma); Restaurants--Tacoma--1960-1970; Hotel Winthrop (Tacoma);

This is what the exterior of the Kokura Restaurant looked like in October of 1964. It had opened during the past summer in the Winthrop Hotel with its entrance on Broadway. The restaurant specialized in fine Japanese cuisine served in an atmosphere reflecting its origins. Kokura was named in honor of Tacoma's city-sister in Japan. It would remain open until about 1970 when the hotel was sold.

Kokura Restaurant (Tacoma); Restaurants--Tacoma--1960-1970; Hotel Winthrop (Tacoma);

Five of Tacoma's business and civic leaders clasped hands in a show of camaraderie at the Winthrop Hotel on December 10, 1964. Henry Foss (far left), Joshua Green, the 95-year-old Peoples National Bank Chairman of the Board (second from left) and Reno Odlin (second from right) were among those pictured. 240 leading bankers and businessmen from as far away as San Francisco met to honor Reno Odlin, the newly-elected president of the American Bankers Association. Mr. Odlin, Chairman of the Board of Puget Sound National Bank, was the first banker from the Pacific Northwest elected to serve in this position. Photograph ordered by Cole & Weber Advertising. (TNT 12-6-64, B-20, TNT 12-11-64, p. 1)

Foss, Henry O., 1891-1986; Odlin, Reno, 1897-1979; Green, Joshua; Bankers--Tacoma;

ca. 1964. Hardy stalks of bamboo are examined by three unidentified men outside the new Kokura restaurant located on the Broadway level of the Winthrop Hotel. The Kokura, named after Tacoma's sister-city on the island Kyushu, Japan, opened in the summer of 1964. The bamboo plant was probably destined for the restaurant's interior whose furnishings were either directly from Japan or associated with that culture. TPL-5022

Kokura Restaurant (Tacoma); Restaurants--Tacoma--1960-1970; Bamboo--Tacoma;

The Jim Oglesby combo performed at the Winthrop Hotel in the spring of 1966. The group consisted of a drummer, two guitarists and a keyboardist. They are shown in the hotel's Crystal Ballroom. Photograph ordered by Jim Oglesby.

Musicians--Tacoma; Drums; Guitars; Keyboard instruments;

The Jim Oglesby combo looks up in a May 4, 1966, photograph taken at the Winthrop Hotel where the group was performing. The clean-cut group was dressed in suits with narrow lapels and skinny ties, a look popularized by the Beatles' first appearance in America. They pose with their drums, keyboard and two guitars in the Winthrop's Crystal Ballroom. Photograph ordered by Jim Oglesby.

Musicians--Tacoma; Drums; Guitars; Keyboard instruments; Men--Clothing & dress--Tacoma--1960-1970;

The Ardeta Junior Women's Club was happy to receive the 1967 Richfield Conservation Award and $200 check from the Atlantic Richfield Co. on May 5, 1967, at the Washington Federation of Women Clubs' banquet held at the Winthrop Hotel. Photograph ordered by Atlantic Richfield Co., Los Angeles.

Awards; Ardeta Junior Women's Club;

The second annual Red Rose Cotillion, sponsored by the Unique Social & Community Club, was held in the Crystal Ballroom of the Winthrop Hotel on December 22, 1967. The debutantes being introduced to society were all graduates of Stadium High School and all were attending college. In attendance were : (standing at top, left to right) Brenda Jackson, Gloria Austin; (standing on floor left to right) Donna Dorsey, Rose Underwood; (seated left to right) Roberta Morris, Audrey Capers; (standing on floor at right) Gwendolyn Lang, Marcia McDaniel. Following the girls' promenade and first waltz with their fathers, a stately minuet was performed by the debutantes and their escorts. Their fathers presented them with red rose bouquets and a champagne toast was offered by their mothers. (TNT 9-17-67, D-6, TNT 12-27-67, A-6) (Additional identification provided by a reader)

Balls (Parties)--Tacoma--1960-1970; Unique Social & Community Club (Tacoma); Evening gowns--Tacoma--1960-1970; Debutantes--Tacoma--1960-1970; African Americans--Social life--1960-1970;

These ladies are members of the Women's Traffic & Transportation Club who were attending the 20th annual West Coast conference held at the Winthrop Hotel, February 23-25, 1968. The Tacoma chapter was hosting the three-day convention. The function of the club is to study and discuss traffic and transport matters. The Hooper Memorial Scholarship Fund was established in 1959 to further the education of women in the field of traffic and transportation; the 1966-67 scholarship winner would be presented at the conference. Photograph ordered by the Women's Traffic & Transportation Club of Tacoma. (TNT 2-18-68, D-1, D-11)

Meetings--Tacoma--1960-1970; Women's Traffic & Transportation Club;

Entertainment at the Women's Traffic & Transportation Club convention. These dancers show off the latest dance steps at the 20th annual West Coast convention of the Women's Traffic & Transportation Club held at the Winthrop Hotel February 23-25, 1968. 130 delegates from 13 clubs were expected to be in attendance. Photograph ordered by the Women's Traffic & Transportation Club of Tacoma.

Meetings--Tacoma--1960-1970; Entertainers--Tacoma--1960-1970;

What's a convention without some skits? These intrepid women participated in a costumed skit during the Women's Traffic & Transportation Club's 20th annual West Coast convention held at the Winthrop Hotel in late February, 1968. The Tacoma branch of the national club served as hosts for the convention. Mrs. Terrance Lazzari was general chairman of the event. Photograph ordered by Women's Traffic & Transportation Club of Tacoma.

Meetings--Tacoma--1960-1970; Theatrical productions--Tacoma--1960-1970; Costumes;

These participants at the 20th annual West Coast conference of the Women's Traffic & Transportation Club appear to be having fun during their three-day February convention at the Winthrop Hotel. All attention seems to be focused on the beribboned walking box with "antennae" and shimmering legs. Tacoma Mayor A.L. Rasmussen welcomed conferees to the evening's banquet. Photograph ordered by the Women's Traffic & Transportation Club of Tacoma. (TNT 2-18-68, D-1, D-11)

Meetings--Tacoma--1960-1970; Costumes;

Thirty young Tacoma/Pierce County college-age debutantes were introduced to society at the third annual Red Rose Cotillion in December of 1968. The formal ball was held at the Winthrop Hotel under the auspices of the Unique Social & Community Club. Dressed in white evening gowns and holding bouquets of American Beauty red roses, they smiled before the large gathering of proud family and friends. Names of the 30 young collegians were listed in the News Tribune article dated December 22, 1968. Betty Brown, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Willie J. Brown, was chosen queen of the ball. Photograph ordered by the Unique Social & Community Club. (TNT 12-22-68, D-4)

Balls (Parties)--Tacoma--1960-1970; Unique Social & Community Club (Tacoma); Debutantes--Tacoma--1960-1970; Evening gowns--Tacoma--1960-1970; African Americans--Social life--1960-1970; Roses--Tacoma; Hotel Winthrop (Tacoma);

Red Rose Cotillion. 30 young debutantes pose under the elaborate chandelier in the Winthrop Hotel's Crystal Ballroom on December 20, 1968. They were being introduced to society under the auspices of the Unique Social & Community Club. Dressed in white evening gowns and holding bouquets of American Beauty red roses, they smile before the large gathering of proud family and friends. Names of the 30 young collegians were listed in the News Tribune article dated December 22, 1968. Betty Brown, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Willie J. Brown, was chosen queen of the ball. Photograph ordered by the Unique Social & Community Club. (TNT 12-22-68, D-4)

Balls (Parties)--Tacoma--1960-1970; Unique Social & Community Club (Tacoma); Debutantes--Tacoma--1960-1970; Evening gowns--Tacoma--1960-1970; African Americans--Social life--1960-1970; Roses--Tacoma; Hotel Winthrop (Tacoma);

These elegantly dressed young men with their spotless white gloves were escorts for the 30 women making their debut into society at the Red Rose Cotillion on December 20, 1968. The beautifully decorated room was the Crystal Ballroom in the Winthrop Hotel, 773 Broadway, scene of many formal balls and events. The Unique Social & Community Club held this Christmas-time cotillion, dubbed the "Red Rose" since the debutantes all carried bouquets of long stem American Beauty red roses, to formally introduce the young women to society. Names of the escorts were listed in the News Tribune article dated December 22, 1968. Color photograph ordered by the Unique Social & Community Club. (TNT 12-22-68, D-4)

Balls (Parties)--Tacoma--1960-1970; Unique Social & Community Club (Tacoma); African Americans--Social life--1960-1970; Hotel Winthrop (Tacoma);

Six unidentified peppy cheerleaders flashed big smiles as they prepared to lead cheers in early February, 1969, at the Weyerhaeuser Co. festivities held at the Winthrop Hotel. The girls are believed to be from the University of Washington. Weyerhaeuser's Big "W" homecoming ran several days at both the Winthrop and at the University of Puget Sound. Nearly 100 sales managers from the wood products group met to discuss sales and marketing strategies and recap a very profitable 1968 year of business for Weyerhaeuser. Photograph ordered by Weyerhaeuser Co. (TNT 2-2-69, B-8)

Cheerleading--Tacoma--1960-1970; Weyerhaeuser Timber Co. (Tacoma);

Actor Steve Brodie carefully drapes the sash proclaiming Dona Wenger to be the 1969 Miss Home Show around the seated blonde bank teller on March 6, 1969. One of Miss Wenger's first duties as queen of the annual Home Show was this photo session with Mr. Brodie at the Winthrop Hotel. She is a former speech and drama student at the University of Washington and collects dolls, charms and postcards. While a senior at Curtis High School, she reigned as the queen of the senior ball. (TNT 3-7-69, p. 3; TNT 3-24-69, p. 27)

Wenger, Dona; Beauty contestants--Tacoma--1960-1970; Greater Tacoma Home Show (Tacoma); Brodie, Steve; Actors--Tacoma--1960-1970;

In March of 1969, Patrick O'Toole contemplated the appearance of a spritely bearded leprechaun perched on a full-sized Irish harp at the Winthrop Hotel. Mr. O'Toole, who scheduled his annual visit to Tacoma in March to coincide with St. Patrick's Day, was the president of National Home Shows, Inc. The Tacoma Home Show, coordinated by Mr. O'Toole and the local Homebuilders Assn. of Greater Tacoma, treated Tacomans to the newest innovations in home building, furniture, landscaping and appliances. Photograph ordered by National Home Shows, Inc. (TNT 3-16-69, B-10)

O'Toole, Patrick; Greater Tacoma Home Show (Tacoma); Harps;

National Home Shows, Inc., president and promoter Patrick O'Toole appeared a little perplexed at the sight of a recalcitrant leprechaun trapped in the strings of a full-sized Irish harp in March of 1969. Mr. O'Toole was in town for the upcoming Tacoma Home Show, an event that he had been involved with for the past 23 years. He usually made sure that his yearly trip to Tacoma coincided with St. Patrick's Day. The home show, opening on March 25th, was expected to be the "biggest ever in Tacoma," according to Mr. O'Toole. Thousands of discount tickets were available to those eager to see the latest innovations in home and yard decor. Photograph ordered by National Home Shows, Inc. (TNT 3-16-69, B-10)

O'Toole, Patrick; Greater Tacoma Home Show (Tacoma); Harps;

Ribbon cutting. Snipping a ribbon believed to be decorated with stamps was a gentleman dressed in turn-of-the-century clothing in celebration of Tacoma's centennial week. Assisting him is a woman in that era's full length skirts, long shawl and bonnet. The Tacoma Stamp Club was meeting at the Winthrop Hotel on Memorial Day weekend; a banquet would be held there the following evening. Photograph ordered by the Tacoma Stamp Club.

Tacoma Stamp Club (Tacoma); Dedications--Tacoma--1960-1970;

The Tacoma Stamp Club met for a banquet in the Winthrop Hotel's Bayview room on May 31, 1969. A scroll was displayed, believed to be signed by charter members of the club, as well as a book entitled " A History of Stamp Taxes and a Catalogue of Revenue Stamps of the Phillipines" by Arnold Warren. Photograph ordered by the Tacoma Stamp Club.

Tacoma Stamp Club (Tacoma); Scrolls (Visual works); Books;