The National Checker Association holds its second annual title tournament at the Winthrop Hotel, with play beginning on August 29, 1939. A group of 13 women and three men pose at the hotel with checker boards in front of the group. There would be an overall competition, followed by a separate womens' contest. The winner of the womens' set would receive a wristwatch. (T. Times 8/29/1939, pg. 1)

National Checker Association (Tacoma); Checkers;

National Checker Association holds their second annual title tournament at the Winthrop Hotel. Portrait of a large group of men and women with checker boards displayed in front of group. The tournament would have the largest turn out of any in national history, as well as the largest prize- an automobile. The final match would be on September 9th and feature Walter Wallman of Gary, Ind. vs. William J. Ryan of New York. The first 6 games of the pair ended in a draw. (T. Times 8/29/1939, pg. 1; 9/9/1939, pg. 7)

National Checker Association (Tacoma); Checkers;

Clinton S. Reynolds (left), new president of Tacoma Chamber of Commerce, presents outgoing president Charles M. Fogg (center) with a framed check for $1.00, his salary for his tenure as 1954 Chamber President. Looking on at the right is Tom Collins, Kansas City banker and humorist and featured speaker for the event. The presentation was the highlight of the 70th annual Chamber dinner in the Crystal Ballroom of the Winthrop Hotel. A standing room only crowd of 435 attended the event. (TNT 1/20/1955, pg. 1 & A-5)

Tacoma Chamber of Commerce (Tacoma); Fogg, Charles M.; Checks; Collins, Tom; Reynolds, Clinton S.;

The Daughters of America Drill Team poses on the roof of the Winthrop Hotel. They are dressed in white skirts and blouses, with wrist length capes folded back to reveal a bright satin lining. Their caps, reminiscent of those of veteran's groups, are perched at an angle on their heads. They also wear a ribbon on the left side of their blouse.

Daughters of America (Tacoma); Hotel Winthrop (Tacoma);

Tuxedoed men and ladies dressed in evening gowns posed for this October, 1954, group portrait. The group, including Mr. and Mrs. T.G. Calbreath, Mr. and Mrs. L. Evert Landon and Judge and Mrs. Bertil E. Johnson who were surrounding the wicker table, were members of the Comus Club attending the "Moonlight Magic" dance on October 16, 1954. The glittering crescent moon on the backdrop is framed by several potted trees. The dance was held in the Wedgwood Room of the Winthrop Hotel.

Group portraits; Comus Club (Tacoma); Calbreath, T.G.; Landon, L. Evert; Johnson, Bertil E.; Hotel Winthrop (Tacoma);

Real estate developer Norton Clapp towers over County Superintendent of Schools Mrs. Louise S. Taylor as the two shake hands and show off their Jubilee Hats in July of 1939. Both are members of the Gyro Club which declared the wearin' of hats to be the best way to boost the city's Golden Jubilee celebration, July 16-23, 1939. 20,000 hats of all styles, shapes and colors would flood the city so that everybody had a chance to buy one, for as low as 60 cents. The club had announced plans to put old-fashioned police wagons on the streets on July 18th to spot anyone not wearing a hat and suitable "punishment" would ensue. The local Gyro Club had many prominent members including C. Val Fawcett, Harry P. Cain, W.P. Bonney and Sheriff John Bjorklund. (T.Times 7-7-39, p. 1-article; TNT 7-13-39, p. 3-article; TNT 7-16-39, p. 1-article)

Washington State Golden Jubilee, 1939--Tacoma; Taylor, Louise S.; Hats; Clapp, Norton, 1906-1995; Gyro Club (Tacoma);

Gyro Club with Jubilee Hats on Winthrop roof on July 5, 1939. Front row: Public Utilities Commissioner Ira Davisson (first on L), Ferry Museum director W.P. Bonney, Norton Clapp, Chamber of Commerce president, Mrs. Louise S. Taylor, county superintendent of schools, Mayor J.J. Kaufman, County Assessor Fred Smith (on chair), Harry P. Cain, Jubilee Chairman, and Sheriff John Bjorklund. Back row: County Commissioner A.A. Rankin, T.A. Stevenson, mgr. of Tacoma Chamber of Commerce, County Commissioner John Schlarb, Public Safety Commissioner Holmes Eastwood, City Controller Tom Swayze, Public Works Commissioner Abner R. Bergersen, and C. Val Fawcett, Finance Commissioner (last on R). To celebrate Washington state's Golden Jubilee, the Gyro Club decided to promote the wearing of hats during the July 16-23, 1939, activities. Club members, numbering among them some of Tacoma's most notable personalities, are shown modeling a variety of shapes, styles and questionable fashioned headgear. ALBUM 11. (T. Times, 7-7-39, p. 1)

Washington State Golden Jubilee, 1939--Tacoma; Mayors--Tacoma; Kaufman, Joseph J.; Cain, Harry P., 1906-1979; Clapp, Norton, 1906-1995; Davisson, Ira; Fawcett, Clarence Valdo, 1900-1965; Eastwood, Holmes; Bjorklund, John; Taylor, Louise S.; Hats;

Gyro Club with Jubilee Hats on Winthrop Hotel roof on July 5, 1939. Provident Building, (Second) Tacoma Hotel, 11th Street Bridge and Tideflats in background. Group includes Mayor J. J. Kaufman, Harry P. Cain, C. Val Fawcett, Ira Davisson, Holmes Eastwood and Norton Clapp. The Gyro Club was promoting the wearing of hats during the celebration honoring Washington's 50 years of statehood. Club members are shown wearing a variety of styles including top hats, 10-gallon hats, low crown derbies. Many prominent city, county and civic leaders were included in the group. Clapp was the Tacoma Chamber of Commerce president, Fawcett, Eastwood and Davisson were City Commissioners, and Cain (soon to be elected the next mayor) was the Jubilee Chairman. The sole woman in the group was Mrs. Louise S. Taylor, county superintendent of schools. (T. Times, 7-7-39, p. 1) ALBUM 11.

Washington State Golden Jubilee, 1939--Tacoma; Mayors--Tacoma; Kaufman, Joseph J.; Cain, Harry P., 1906-1979; Clapp, Norton, 1906-1995; Fawcett, Clarence Valdo, 1900-1965; Taylor, Louise S.;

Gyro Club with Jubilee Hats on Winthrop roof on July 5, 1939. Front row: Ira Davisson (first on L), W.P. Bonney, Norton Clapp (3rd from L), Mrs. Louise S. Taylor, Mayor J.J. Kaufman (5th from L), Fred Smith, Harry P. Cain, (2nd from R and Sheriff John Bjorklund. Back row: A.A. Rankin, T.A. Stevenson, John Schlarb, Holmes Eastwood, City Controller Tom Swayze, Public Works Commissioner Abner R. Bergersen and C. Val Fawcett. These prominent members of the Gyro Club were promoting the wearing of hats of all shapes, sizes and styles, during Washington State's Golden Jubilee celebration July 16-23, 1939. Low crown derbies, top hats, skimmers, 10-gallon hats and bonnets would all be adorning the heads of Tacomans, strictly for amusement purposes. ALBUM 11. (T. Times, 7-7-39, p. 1)

Washington State Golden Jubilee, 1939--Tacoma; Mayors--Tacoma; Kaufman, Joseph J.; Cain, Harry P., 1906-1979; Clapp, Norton, 1906-1995; Davisson, Ira; Fawcett, Clarence Valdo, 1900-1965; Bonney, William P.; Hats--1930-1940; Bjorklund, John;

On July 5, 1939, some Gyro Club members pose on the roof of the Winthrop Hotel modeling their diverse styles of Jubilee Hats. They are promoting the wearing of humorous hats to boost the Golden Jubilee celebration, July 16-23. The hats will be available in all colors, shapes and sizes in styles popular 50 years ago to add a little levity to the celebration. The prominent Pierce County residents are, left to right, Tacoma Chamber of Commerce manager T. A. Stevenson, County Commissioner John Schlarb, County Superintendent of Schools Mrs. Louise S. Taylor, Sheriff John Bjorklund and County Commissioner A.A. Rankin.

Washington State Golden Jubilee, 1939--Tacoma; Bjorklund, John; Taylor, Louise S.; Hats; Schlarb, John; Rankin, A.A.; Stevenson, T.A.;

Gyro Club with Jubilee Hats on Winthrop Hotel roof, July 5, 1939. Prominent members of Tacoma's Gyro Club doff their hats in a salute to the Golden Jubilee celebration of Washington's statehood. Front row: T. A. Stevenson, Ira Davisson (2nd from L), W.P. Bonney, Norton Clapp (4th from L), Mrs. Louise S. Taylor, Mayor J. J. Kaufman, Fred Smith, Harry P. Cain (Jubilee Chairman and future mayor) and Sheriff John Bjorklund. Back row: A.A. Rankin, John Schlarb, Holmes Eastwood, Tom Swayze, Abner R. Bergersen and C. Val Fawcett (Finance Commissioner and future mayor). The wearing of hats was proposed by the Gyro Club to inject levity into the celebration. Hats were available for sale in all colors, shapes and sizes in Tacoma's shops at nominal prices. Residents were asked to don their hats and "chase dignity out of town." (T.Times, 7-7-39, p. 1)

Washington State Golden Jubilee, 1939--Tacoma; Mayors--Tacoma; Kaufman, Joseph J.; Cain, Harry P., 1906-1979; Clapp, Norton, 1906-1995; Davisson, Ira; Fawcett, Clarence Valdo, 1900-1965; Eastwood, Holmes;

Gyro Club members pose on the roof of the Winthrop Hotel after their luncheon on July 5, 1939, showing off their various styles of Jubilee Hats. They are, left to right, Tacoma Chamber of Commerce manager T. A. Stevenson, Sheriff John Bjorklund, County Superintendent of Schools Mrs. Louise S. Taylor, County Commissioner John Schlarb,and County Commissioner A.A. Rankin. The Club promoted the wearing of hats as a show of support during the Golden Jubilee activities July 16-23, 1939. Some of the county's most prominent citizens model the various styles of headgear.

Washington State Golden Jubilee, 1939--Tacoma; Bjorklund, John; Taylor, Louise S.; Hats; Schlarb, John; Rankin, A.A.; Stevenson, T.A.;

The Jubilee Princesses smile brightly at the Winthrop Hotel after the preliminary round of selection for the Jubilee Queen, held on June 26, 1939. The resulting six finalists, pictured here, were selected from a field of 26. The winner will be declared Jubilee Hostess Queen and the runner up Miss Pierce County. The remaining four princesses will reign over the four principal features of the celebration: the pageant, air show, water carnival and Mardi Gras festival, also called the "Village of Nations." The girls are, left to right, Elizabeth Johnson, Lucille Courtney, Amy Lou Murray (elected Queen), Kathleen Hurley, Margaret Franich (elected Miss Pierce County) and Venette Maybin. (T. Times 6/27/1939, pg. 1)

Washington State Golden Jubilee, 1939--Tacoma; Franich, Margaret; Murray, Amy Lou; Johnson, Elizabeth; Courtney, Lucille; Hurley, Kathleen; Maybin, Venette;

Elevated view of Tacoma's downtown and industrial area. Photographs taken on September 2, 1954, from Room 716 of the Winthrop Hotel show a cluster of downtown Tacoma businesses, the 11th Street Bridge, and a portion of the industrial area in the distance. Tacoma Savings & Loan, the Tacoma Hotel, Lincolnshire Hotel and Security Building (formerly Provident Building) can be clearly seen. Smokestacks billow as Tacoma's lumber and chemical mills operate with full staff. Large billboards, placed on the rooftop of the Lincolnshire Hotel, provide advertising information for consumers interested in liquor, fruit and electrical equipment.

Billboards--Tacoma--1950-1960; Security Building (Tacoma); Lincolnshire Hotel (Tacoma); Tacoma Savings & Loan Association (Tacoma); Tacoma Hotel (Tacoma); Bridges--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Elevated view of Tacoma's downtown and industrial area. Smoke from various lumber and chemical companies in Tacoma's industrial area blends into the sky. Busy plants meant employment for thousands of local residents. The Tacoma Hotel and Tacoma Savings & Loan can also be spotted on the left of this September 2, 1954, photograph, taken from the seventh floor of the Winthrop Hotel.

Industrial facilities--Tacoma--1950-1960; Tacoma Savings & Loan Association (Tacoma); Tacoma Hotel (Tacoma);

On August 13, 1954, Tacoma Mayor Harold Tollefson (second from left) presented Air Force General T. Alan Bennett and his wife with a special proclamation declaring them "Tacoma Citizens in Absentia." The Bennett family was being transferred to Fairbanks and Tacoma would sorely miss them. Because the Bennetts were the sort of "neighborly, friendly type of people" Tacoma wanted as residents, the proclamation urged their speedy return. This photograph was taken at the Tacoma Chamber of Commerce offices in the Winthrop Hotel.

Tollefson, Harold M., 1908-1985; Mayors--Tacoma--1950-1960; Bennett, T. Alan; Bennett, T. Alan--Family; Generals--United States; Proclamations;

Aquinas Academy dance held at Winthrop Hotel. Young man and woman on dance floor request their favorite song from band leader Louie Grenier.

Aquinas Academy (Tacoma); Louie Grenier's Orchestra (Tacoma); Balls (Parties)--Tacoma--1930-1940; Hotel Winthrop (Tacoma);

The chief at the Hotel Winthrop presented the fish course, planked salmon, to Norwegian Crown Prince Olav (later Olav V) during the banquet held in his honor on May 23, 1939. Mayor Joseph J. Kaufman (far left) and 400-500 local residents attended the informal civic banquet in the Crystal ballroom attended by both the Prince and his wife, Princess Martha. (The man to the right has not been identified.) Brief speeches were presented by the Crown Prince and local dignitaries. More than 3,000 Tacomans were in attendance later at the State Armory for a public reception presented under the auspices of the Norwegian societies of Tacoma in the form of a Norwegian festival. Heir to the throne of Norway, the Crown Prince spoke graciously in flawless English. This may not have been a surprise; he had finished his education at Oxford and was the great-grandson of Queen Victoria. (TNT 5-22-39, p. 6, TNT 5-24-39, p. 2) ALBUM 3.

Olav V, 1903-1991; Rulers--Norway; Visits of state--Tacoma; Mayors--Tacoma--1930-1940; Kaufman, Joseph J., Banquets--Tacoma--1930-1940;

Dignitaries table at banquet honoring Norwegian Crown Prince Olav and Crown Princess Martha at the Hotel Winthrop on May 23, 1939. Photographed speaking to the Crown Prince (later Olav V) was Tacoma Mayor, J.J. Kaufman: the Prince is the second man to the right. 400-500 local residents attended the informal civic banquet in the Crystal ballroom. Axel Oxholm was the toastmaster, introducing the head table. Mayor Kaufman welcomed the royal visitors to Tacoma; Leonard S. Langlow, Tacoma Times editor, also spoke briefly. (TNT 5-24-39, p. 2)

Olav V, 1903-1991; Rulers--Norway; Visits of state--Tacoma--1930-1940; Mayors--Tacoma--1930-1940; Kaufman, Joseph J., Banquets--Tacoma--1930-1940;

ca. 1939. Elevated view of the Hotel Winthrop, circa 1939. By this time, the Winthrop had been open for 14 years, celebrating its grand opening on May 16, 1925. The eleven story hotel was named after explorer and writer Theodore Winthrop whose book "The Canoe and the Saddle" helped popularize the Northwest.

Hotel Winthrop (Tacoma); Hotels--Tacoma--1930-1940;

Dance hosted by the Spinster Club at the Winthrop Hotel. Margaret Franich poses with her date on the right in this photograph dated May 30, 1939.

Spinster Club (Tacoma); Franich, Margaret; Couples--Tacoma--1930-1940;

Dr. R. Franklin Thompson, president of the College of Puget Sound, was the featured speaker at the annual banquet of the Pacific Northwest Conference Savings & Loan Associations on May 24, 1954. His speech was entitled "Prelude to a New Age." At the head table in the Winthrop Hotel's Crystal Ballroom with Dr. Thompson were Mr. and Mrs. Ben Perham, Mr. and Mrs. Gerrit VanderEnde, and Mr. and Mrs. J. Alston Adams. More than 150 delegates and wives attended the two day savings & loan conference. (TNT 5-23-54, C-16, TNT 5-25-54, p. 11)

Meetings--Tacoma--1950-1960; Public speaking--Tacoma--1950-1960; Thompson, R. Franklin, 1908-1999; Perham, Ben; VanderEnde, Gerrit; Adams, J. Alston;

Ben Perham smilingly shows off the watch he was given at the annual banquet of the Pacific Northwest Conference of Savings & Loans Associations held on May 24, 1954. Mr. Perham was the former chairman of the Board of Directors of the Federal Home Loan Bank of San Francisco; the watch was presented to him by Gerrit VanderEnde for his sixteen years of service to the federal institution. Mr. Perham now is the president of a food distributing company in Yakima. View of Ben Perham on left and Gerrit VanderEnde on right, Mr. VanderEnde is the president of Pacific First Federal Savings & Loan in Tacoma. (TNT 5-23-54, C-16, TNT 5-25-54, p. 11)

Awards; Clocks & watches; Perham, Ben; VanderEnde, Gerrit;

Chamber of Commerce Gridiron Dinner at the Winthrop Hotel. (T.Times).

Banquets--Tacoma--1930-1940; Washington State Golden Jubilee, 1939--Tacoma; Chamber of Commerce (Tacoma); Hotel Winthrop (Tacoma);

Chamber of Commerce Gridiron Dinner at the Winthrop Hotel. Four men with false handlebar moustaches standing together and singing. (T.Times) (Also dated 04-30-1939)

Banquets--Tacoma--1930-1940; Washington State Golden Jubilee, 1939--Tacoma; Chamber of Commerce (Tacoma); Hotel Winthrop (Tacoma);

Chamber of Commerce Gridiron Dinner at the Winthrop Hotel. Head table with sign above "1889 - Golden Jubilee Membership Campaign - 1939". (T.Times) (Also Dated 4-30-1939)

Banquets--Tacoma--1930-1940; Washington State Golden Jubilee, 1939--Tacoma; Chamber of Commerce (Tacoma); Hotel Winthrop (Tacoma);

Wauna Club dance on Roof Garden at Hotel Winthrop. The elegantly dressed Jessie and Walter J. Frankland and Dr. and Mrs. James Gourley practice a step or two before leaving the lounge for the dance floor on April 22, 1939. Mr. Frankland was listed in the 1939 City Directory as a department manager for Rainier National Park Co. (T. Times, 4/29/1939, p. 6).

Wauna Club (Tacoma); Clubs--Tacoma--1930-1940; Couples--Tacoma--1930-1940; Frankland, Walter J.; Gourley, James;

Wauna Club dance in the Roof Garden at Hotel Winthrop. Mr. and Mrs. Walter J. Frankland and Dr. and Mrs. James Gourley engage in pleasant conversation in the lounge on April 22, 1939. The formal affair called for tuxedos and gowns. (T. Times, 4-29-39, p. 7).

Wauna Club (Tacoma); Clubs--Tacoma--1930-1940; Couples--Tacoma--1930-1940; Frankland, Walter J.; Gourley, James;

April, 1939, Wauna Club dance on Roof Garden at Hotel Winthrop. Two couples converse in the lounge near a large console radio. Frank R. Griffiths offers Archie Kimball a Camel cigarette. Wives Tim Kimball and Norma Griffiths look on. Mr. Griffiths was listed in the 1939 City Directory as the secretary/treasurer of the Rainier National Park Co. (T. Times, 4/29/1939, p. 7).

Wauna Club (Tacoma); Clubs--Tacoma--1930-1940; Griffiths, Frank R.; Griffiths, Norma; Kimball, Archie; Kimball, Tim; Cigarettes;

Wauna Club dance on Roof Garden at Hotel Winthrop; event was held on April 22, 1939. Four women are holding gifts, pottery water pitchers. L-R are Mrs. Allan M. Hudson, Mrs. F.R. Griffiths, Mrs. Tim Kimball, Mr. and Mrs. James Healy, Mrs. Carroll C. Carlson and Elmer G. Hagen. (T. Times, 4-29-39, p. 7).

Wauna Club (Tacoma); Clubs--Tacoma--1930-1940;