An estimated 500 automobile dealers and their wives were assembling on June 1, 1951 for the annual convention of the Washington State Auto Dealers Association at the Winthrop Hotel. The convention began on Thursday with a golf tournament and an evening dinner and entertainment. During Friday's session M.R. Darlington, Jr., from the Inter-Industry Highway Safety committee spoke on "The Dealer's Stake in Highway Transportation", followed by a forum on state laws and regulations. Dealers were supplying driver training cars to 5,700 high schools, 125 of them in Washington state. The session concluded on Sunday. (TNT, 6/1/1951, p.C-7)

Washington State Auto Dealers Assoc. (Tacoma); Meetings--Tacoma--1950-1960; Hotel Winthrop (Tacoma);

Candy Nook in the Winthrop Hotel, featuring greeting card stands on the right and rear sides with glass candy cabinets on left wall behind cabinets.

Hotels--Tacoma; Hotel Winthrop (Tacoma);

The wide lobby and lounge at the Winthrop Hotel has been decorated in a grand style. The windows have been draped with light-colored fabric, pulled back with braid and tassels to allow plenty of daylight into the room. Several large sofas have been placed below each window and in the center of the room. Desks have been placed near columns on the left and a few side chairs have been spaced around the edges of the room to allow plenty of open space for people to congregate. Chandeliers hang from the ceiling and a figured carpet covers the floor.

Lobbies--Tacoma; Hotels--Tacoma; Hotel Winthrop (Tacoma);

Banquet tables have been prepared in the Cystal Ballroom at the Winthrop Hotel. Tables that would seat ten have been covered with white table cloths and set with table ware, cups and saucers and napkins. The room is lit with daylight coming in through the tall windows, chandeliers and sconces. The head table has been set on a dais along the right side with flags behind it. An American flag hangs at the far end of the room.

Hotels--Tacoma; Ballrooms--Tacoma--1950-1960; Hotel Winthrop (Tacoma);

The Daffodil Room at the Winthrop Hotel provides a less formal luncheon and dining area. Semi-circular booths line the left side of the room while a long bench with seats on both sides runs through the center of the room with tables and chairs on either side of it. A counter with swivel seats can be seen in the right-hand corner. Tables are provided in the rear of the room. The draperies and the carpet have a daffodil pattern to match the theme of the room. Chandeliers provide lighting.

Hotels--Tacoma--1950-1960; Restaurants--Tacoma--1950-1960; Hotel Winthrop (Tacoma);

W.L. Stoddard designed the Winthrop Hotel and it was built in 1924 and dedicated May 15, 1925. It was named for explorer and writer Theodore Winthrop, author of "The Canoe and the Saddle" which helped popularize the Northwest. The hotel was to be a civic center.

Hotels--Tacoma--1950-1960; Hotel Winthrop (Tacoma);

ca. 1938. Presidential Suite at Winthrop Hotel with dining set for 8 in center and sofa, several chairs, and stools for sitting. Building by W.E. Stoddard and Roland Bohrek, Associated Architects, 1924.

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

Card rack at Winthrop Hotel, Rust Craft Publications. Since Christmas trees, fir boughs and pine cones decorate the back wall over the many rows of Christmas cards and the photograph is dated in July, this must have been an advertising set up, possibly for a catalog.

Hotels--Tacoma--1950-1960; Greeting cards; Hotel Winthrop (Tacoma);

Winthrop Hotel, new sample furniture on display in rooms 505, 522 & 525. The room has been decorated for the discriminating traveler with a patterned embossed carpet, floral drapes, full bed with chenille bedspread, dresser, a desk/vanity and a variety of tables and chairs with numerous lamps. A bench has been placed at the end of the bed to hold an open suitcase or for sitting. A long coffee table, however, has been placed blocking a door.

Hotels--Tacoma--1950-1960; Hotel Winthrop (Tacoma); Furniture;

Tacoma Times newsboy banquet held in the Crystal Ballroom of the Winthrop Hotel on April 4, 1939. More than 100 carriers attended the event. (T Times 4/5/1939, pg. 18) (filed with Argentum)

Tacoma Times Publishing Co. (Tacoma); Newspaper carriers--Tacoma--1930-1940; Banquets--Tacoma--1930-1940;

Exterior view of the Winthrop Hotel, ca. 1939. Neon sign for the Roxy (Pantages) on right. Tower of the old City Hall building in background left. (filed with Argentum)

Hotels--Tacoma; Business districts--Tacoma; Commercial streets--Tacoma--1930-1940; Hotel Winthrop (Tacoma);

Exterior view of the Winthrop Hotel, ca. 1939. The tower of the old City Hall building can be seen in the background left. (filed with Argentum)

Hotels--Tacoma; Business districts--Tacoma; Commercial streets--Tacoma--1930-1940; Hotel Winthrop (Tacoma);

Exterior view of the Winthrop Hotel, ca. 1939, from Commerce St. (filed with Argentum)

Hotels--Tacoma; Business districts--Tacoma; Commercial streets--Tacoma--1930-1940; Hotel Winthrop (Tacoma);

Group of 35 businessmen planning United Tacoma Day sales at the Winthrop Hotel - ordered by Mr. Fetteroff of Chamber of Commerce. Photograph was taken in October of 1939. (filed with Argentum)

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

By March 1st, 1924, Tacoma's old Chamber of Commerce Building at 773 Broadway had been demolished and work had begun on the foundation of the future Hotel Winthrop. The eleven story hotel, built by the Citizen's Hotel Corporation, was dedicated in May of 1925. With the chamber building gone, and the new hotel not yet built, this photograph provides an excellent view of the Bostwick Block, 755-71 Saint Helens, as it looked in March of 1924. At that time it was undergoing extensive remodeling; in July the exterior was covered with Duralite.

Hotel Winthrop (Tacoma)--Construction; Hotels--Tacoma--1920-1930;

Construction of the Winthrop Hotel. This photograph has been labeled "seat of col. #27." By May of 1924, the hotel's foundation had been poured and other exterior work begun. The hotel would be dedicated in May of 1925.

Hotel Winthrop (Tacoma)--Construction; Hotels--Tacoma--1920-1930; Building construction--Tacoma--1920-1930;

This column has been labeled #38 to be used in the construction of the Winthrop Hotel, Tacoma's new showcase. Built on the site of the old Chamber of Commerce Building, the eleven story hotel had been funded by 2300 citizens, making it truly the "citizen's hotel." It would open in May of 1925.

Hotel Winthrop (Tacoma)--Construction; Hotels--Tacoma--1920-1930; Building construction--Tacoma--1920-1930;

Progress photograph of the construction of the Hotel Winthrop. Work continues on the building of the eleven story hotel by Pratt & Watson contractors in July of 1924. It appears that construction has reached the fourth floor. A notice has already been posted that the stores in the hotel will be under the management of the W.H. Opie & Co. (photograph has been stained)

Hotel Winthrop (Tacoma)--Construction; Building construction--Tacoma--1920-1930; Signs (Notices); Progress photographs;

Construction - Winthrop Hotel. This steel column has been labeled #5 and would be used in the building of the Winthrop Hotel at 9th & Broadway in 1924. The column is believed to have been manufactured by the Star Iron & Steel Co. of Tacoma.

Hotel Winthrop (Tacoma)--Construction; Building construction--Tacoma--1920-1930;

Winthrop Hotel. The 2 million dollar+ Winthrop Hotel was nearing completion by the end of March, 1925. Exterior work was finished in January of 1925 and hotel furnishings under way. It would have its much anticipated grand opening celebration in May.

Hotel Winthrop (Tacoma); Hotels--Tacoma--1920-1930;

Group picture from the annual joint convention of the Washington State Hospital Association, Washington State Association of Nurse Anasthetists and Washington State Association of Record Librarians, held April 25-28, 1941 at the Hotel Winthrop. Photograph appears to be taken on the roof of the hotel. (T. Times 4/25/1941, pg. 1)

Hotel Winthrop (Tacoma);

Dining at the Winthrop Hotel. Four diners are enjoying a beautifully served meal at the Winthrop Hotel in April of 1963. Two waiters attend their table; one is preparing to pour from a bottle of wine while the other carefully displays a platter of onions, mushrooms and beef. The Winthrop had several banquet rooms, the Sabre Room, a coffee shop, and the remodeled and renamed Three Keys main dining room. Photograph ordered by the Winthrop Hotel.

Hotels--Tacoma--1960-1970; Restaurants--Tacoma--1960-1970; Waiters--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);

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);

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;

ca. 1973. 1973 Richards stock footage. The former Winthrop Hotel gets a good scrubbing by Allied Mobile Powerwash in 1973 as powerful streams of water remove dirt and grime from its exterior. This view is of the Winthrop's back. A glimpse of the Pantages Theater is on the extreme left edge. The Winthrop ceased operations as a hotel in August of 1971 and was converted into senior/elderly housing in 1973.

Hotel Winthrop (Tacoma); Cleaning--Tacoma--1970-1980;

ca. 1973. 1973 Richards stock footage. An Allied Mobile Powerwash truck is parked outside the Winthrop in 1973 as it prepares to clean the exterior of the former landmark hotel. The Winthrop, built in 1925, had closed its doors in early August of 1971. It was converted into senior/elderly apartments to be opened in August of 1973.

Hotel Winthrop (Tacoma); Cleaning--Tacoma--1970-1980;