Ruins loom where the once majestic Tacoma Hotel stood after an October 17, 1935 fire ripped through the building leaving only charred remains. The modified Tudor structure built by the architectural firm headed up by Stanford White was a Tacoma landmark since its construction in 1884. Northwestern Dock Co. can be see through the gaping hole in the hotel's wall backed by the industrial waterfront. Businesses on the waterfront include City Lumber Co., Coast Sash & Door Co. and Western Fibre Furniture Co.
Fires--Tacoma--1930-1940; Hotels--Tacoma; Tacoma Hotel (Tacoma);
Debris litters the site of the once magnificent Tacoma Hotel after an October 17, 1935 fire totally destroyed the building. The famous landmark where presidents and other notables were hosted was gutted and never rebuilt. It had opened in August of 1884 and was believed by many to be the most beautiful hotel north of San Francisco. The fire began in the north end of the basement at 6:19 a.m. and rapidly spread throughout the north wing of the building and finally engulfed the entire structure. Line after line of hose was run along A St., 9th St. and 10th St. so that thousands of tons of water could be blasted against the raging fire. Nearly every fireman in the city was called upon in this emergency. Despite the ferocity of the fire, there were no fatalities reported among the 128 guests, hotel staff and countless firemen. Initial estimates of damage ran about $300,000 and 135 hotel workers were, for the most part, jobless. (T.Times 10-17-35, p. 1; p. 17; Talbot & Decker:100 Years of Firefighting in the City of Destiny Tacoma, Washington, p. 87+)
Fires--Tacoma--1930-1940; Hotels--Tacoma--1930-1940; Tacoma Hotel (Tacoma);
