Football star and motion picture actor Harold "Red" Grange posed with Helen Nelsen (left) and Corinne Martin on a rainy day atop the Winthrop Hotel in late January, 1926. The ladies are holding a sign "Ice" in front of Mr. Grange; it was his nickname when he was a leading rusher at Wheaton (Illinois) High School. He had worked as an ice hauler while in school which accounted for his nickname ("Ice Man" or "Wheaton Ice Man") and developed his strong physique. Now better known as "The Galloping Ghost" for his blinding speed and elusive running style, Mr. Grange, a three-time all-American at the University of Illinois, had paid a very short visit to Tacoma a couple of days before his Chicago Bears pro team faced the Washington All-Stars in Seattle. He would run for two touchdowns and pass for a third en route to a 34-0 shellacking of the local team. (TDL 1-29-26, p. 1-article & alternate photograph; TDL 2-1-26, p. 8-article on game; www.britannica.com)

Grange, Harold; Football players; Nelsen, Helen; Martin, Corinne;

Ruth DuCharme and Orville Fuller posed in January of 1926 surrounded by Bill Winder (extreme left) and his Hotel Winthrop Orchestra. The pair was taking part in the Southwest Washington Championship Ho-down Ballroom Charleston competition which kicked off on January 23, 1926. The contest was sponsored by the Rialto Theater and the Hotel Winthrop and took place over 4 weeks. It featured dancers from Tacoma, Aberdeen, Chehalis, Centralia and Olympia. Winners were decided by popular applause. When all the shouting was over, Mrs. DuCharme and Mr. Fuller were the Tacoma champions. This was the first big ballroom Charleston contest to be held locally. (TNT 1/22/1926, pg. 8) TPL-466

Contract bridge expert Ely Culbertson visited the Tacoma Bridge Club on May 1, 1936, at the Winthrop Hotel. Mr. Culbertson is standing directly in front of the hanging framed picture. He was nearly 45 at the time and had been a key figure in the international popularization of contract bridge in the 1920s and 1930s. Photographer Chapin Bowen was present during this visit; he is standing far left. TPL-6687

Students at the Knapp Business College formed their own musical ensemble, the "Knapp Business College Orchestra," in the mid-1920's. The six-piece group had a small horn section, banjo, drums and piano. They were photographed in May of 1927 at the KMO radio station studio then located in the Winthrop Hotel. Knapp was the first institution in Pierce County to be organized exclusively for business education. It was started in 1921 with emphasis on accounting and secretarial fields. G40.1-036

Knapp Business College Orchestra (Tacoma); Musicians--Tacoma--1920-1930; Pianos; Drums--Tacoma; Saxophones; Students--Tacoma--1920-1930;

Small, one-room house on exhibit on the Winthrop Hotel's rooftop. This building was constructed of grade "C" and "D" hemlock bevel siding with a minimum of waste. The cozy home even contained French doors leading to a nicely landscaped "yard." The "bungolowette" was built by the St. Paul & Tacoma Lumber Co. for the February, 1927, Western Retail Lumbermen's conference. By using lower grades of lumber efficiently, it was hoped that new markets would open up for sale of these lesser-used woods. Photograph ordered by the St. Paul & Tacoma Lumber Co. G36.1-148 (TDL 2-24-27, p. 2 - photograph shown without landscaping)

Architectural models; Hotel Winthrop (Tacoma);

Room 319 of the Winthrop Hotel was stuffed with Kroehler davenports and living room furniture in July of 1928. It was a special sale and demonstration of the Kroehler brand of merchandise. A sign on the back wall indicated that all pieces exhibited had already been sold to the Grunbaum Bros. Furniture Co. of Seattle. G35.1-033

Exhibitions--Tacoma--1920-1930; Hotel Winthrop (Tacoma); Sofas; Furniture; Merchandise displays--Tacoma--1920-1930;

Springtime in Tacoma meant an abundance of flowers and a chance to put them on display. The Tacoma Garden Club sponsored an exhibition of flowers, plants, and garden accessories showcased in the Winthrop Hotel's Crystal Ballroom on May 25, 1929. G26.1-098

Flower shows--Tacoma--1920-1930; Exhibitions--Tacoma--1920-1930; Hotel Winthrop (Tacoma);

Part of an elegant display of blooms and garden fixtures held at the Winthrop Hotel on May 25, 1929. This fifth annual flower show was sponsored by the Tacoma Garden Club. G26.1-099

Flower shows--Tacoma--1920-1930; Exhibitions--Tacoma--1920-1930; Hotel Winthop (Tacoma);

Miss Tacoma, Dorothy Rothermel, smiles graciously at hundreds gathered outside the new Hotel Winthrop on August 26, 1926. She was making her last local appearance before leaving by train for Atlantic City and the "Miss America" pageant. Miss Rothermel was honored at a dance held at the Winthrop and those in attendance were able to see her pageant wardrobe on display as well as the beautiful float of snow capped Mount Tacoma, unveiled for the first time. Miss Rothermel, dressed in green and silver, stood on the float which would be used for the famous boardwalk parade. She threw real snowballs at the crowd, a stunt which was scheduled to be repeated in Atlantic City. Mayor Melvin G. Tennent, in tuxedo on the right, introduced Miss Rothermel. She was a Stadium High School graduate and a dancer. (T.Times, 8-26-26, p. 1, TDL 8-27-26, p. 3) G42.1-138; TPL-1484

Rothermel, Dorothy; Beauty contestants--Tacoma--1920-1930; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1920-1930; Tennent, Melvin Green; Mayors--Tacoma--1920-1930;