ca. 1939. Rhodes Department Store, advertising for three day sale. Two young women carrying packages are receiving assistance from two sales clerks in the knit (sweater) department of the store.

Sales personnel--Tacoma; Rhodes Brothers Department Store (Tacoma);

View of Rhodes Department Store Building, Fredrick Heath and A.J. Russell, Architects, 1903. View from across street, pedestrians and traffic in foreground. Publicity for three day sale.

Business Enterprises - Department Stores - Tacoma - Rhodes Brothers

Table setting display at Rhodes Department Store, for Sunset Magazine. (filed with Argentum)

Rhodes Brothers Department Store (Tacoma); Department stores--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Olympic Peninsula Playground display in window of Rhodes Department Store. American flag, maps and photographs, two mannequins in summer dresses and hats. Photograph taken prior to 1940's 4th of July.

Rhodes Brothers Department Store (Tacoma); Department stores--Tacoma--1940-1950; Window displays--Tacoma--1940-1950; Mannequins; Flags--United States; Maps;

Marjorie (Mrs. Harry) Cain, wife of the mayor of Tacoma, was photographed on September 16, 1941, holding an enlarged facsimile of the entry blank for the "Mrs. Typical Customer" contest. The contest was being held in connection with "Retailers for Defense" week, September 15-20, 1941. The local winner would get a $25 defense bond donated by area merchants and the right to compete for the national title. The winning entry would be selected from essays entered on "What the Retail Stores of Tacoma Can Do to Aid the Consumer in This Period of National Emergency." Merchants had vowed to conserve materials and labor vital to national defense. (T. Times 9/18/1941, pg. 3-alternate photograph; T.Times 9-15-41, p. 5-full page ad on Retailers for Defense demonstration)

Cain, Marjorie Dils, 1908-1994; World War, 1939-1945--Economic aspects of war--Tacoma; Contests--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Publicity for Rhodes Department Store extension sale. Jerry Hurley and Everett T. Smith looking at a map of Pierce County. Smith was the store's General Manager. Hurley (circa 1908-1970) and later Sales Promotion Manager for Rhodes.

Business Enterprises - Department Stores - Tacoma - Rhodes Brothers

An unidentified fashion model from Rhodes Department Store stands by a curved glass brick wall in Rhodes Crystal Room. The photograph appeared in the News Tribune Spring Fashion edition. The outfit follows the war industry's plea to conserve and not waste. The hip length jacket is shown over a dress with a box pleated skirt. The dress can be worn alone or with the jacket for two different looks. The hat is of pettipoint straw of tobacco brown and the shoes and bag are of alligator calf. (TNT 3/4/1942, PG. 32)

Clothing and dress--Tacoma--1940-1950; Rhodes Brothers Department Store (Tacoma);

Rhodes Bros., Tacoma's premiere department store, offered quality merchandise and a plethora of services. One of those services was the 6th floor podiatrist's office of Dr. August C. Mirenta where downtown shopper's aching feet received attention. In this publicity photograph, Dr. Mirenta is describing his trade-marked shoe insert to an unidentified woman patient. Dr. Mirenta was born in Italy and came to Tacoma with his family in 1896. The enterprising podiatrist manufactured foot remedies and deodorants as the A. Mirenta & Co. and the In-No-Scent Corp., served as president of several organizations, and raised peaches at Peach Acres, his property near Chambers Creek where the Charles Wright Academy is located today.

Department Stores--Tacoma; Rhodes Brothers Department Store (Tacoma); Medical offices--Tacoma; Health care; Mirenta, August C.,1888-1951;

In September of 1942, Dr. August C. Mirenta, a Tacoma chiropodist, demonstrated the unique features of his newly designed arch support to an unidentified young women in his office in the Rhodes Department Store, 950 Broadway. Trade-marked under the name "Arch-Releef", the adjustable foot support was manufactured and distributed by the American Foot Appliance Company of Tacoma. According to Dr. Mirenta, his new arch support was the result of many years of experimentation, and is the only support that is fully adjustable by the wearer. (T.Times 9/16/1942 p. 16)

Mirenta, August C., 1888-1954; Physicians--Tacoma--1940-1950; Medical offices--Tacoma--1940-1950; Rhodes Brothers Department Store (Tacoma); Inventions; Feet;

When a committee of interested citizens decided to play Santa to the men in the Armed Forces in 1942, they went to old St. Nick himself for a few pointers. Santa received them at the Rhodes Bro. Department store, where he was making his naughty and nice list. Tacomans were being asked to buy small inexpensive gifts to be handed out Christmas morning to soldiers in the Puget Sound area. Gift depots were set up all over town for them to leave the packages for distribution. Kneeling at Santa's feet are Mayor Harry P. Cain, left, and Col. Olivia Merrill. Standing, left to right, E.R. Fetterolf, Mrs. C. A. Davidson, Mrs. L. Chall, G.O. Rolstad, Mrs. Will J. Connor, Mrs. Anna M. Neilson, Wilma Zimmerman and Mrs. Wilfred E. Burrows. (T. Times 12/1/1952, pg. 9)

Santa Claus--Tacoma; Holidays--Tacoma--1940-1950; Christmas presents; Mayors--Tacoma--1940-1950; Cain, Harry P., 1906-1979;

A committee of interested citizens volunteered in 1942 to act as Santa's elves in bringing a little cheer to the members of the Armed Forces in Puget Sound, who were celebrating the holidays far from their homes and families. They are photographed grouped in front of the old guy himself at the Rhodes Bro. Department store. Tacoma Mayor Harry P. Cain is seated on the floor second from the right. Tacomans were being asked to buy small inexpensive presents to hand out on Christmas morning to soldiers. Gift depots had been set up all over town, in stores, schools and USO centers, for people to deposit these gifts. (T. Times 12/1/1942, pg. 9)

Santa Claus--Tacoma; Holidays--Tacoma--1940-1950; Christmas presents; Mayors--Tacoma--1940-1950; Cain, Harry P., 1906-1979;

At the end of December of 1942, Rhodes Brothers Department store devoted its windows to the sale of war bonds and stamps. The Tacoma Parent Teacher Association staffed the Victory Window, selling stamps and bonds from 11-4 each day.

Department stores--Tacoma; Rhodes Brothers Department Store (Tacoma); War bonds & funds--Tacoma--1940-1950; World War, 1939-1945--Economic aspects of war--Tacoma;

On December 26, 1942, young patriot John Flood perched on a table in the Rhodes Brothers Victory window and purchased enough war stamps to fill out his book and turn it in for a war bond. The department store's windows were devoted to the sale of war bonds and stamps and a huge sign called attention to the "Victory Window" as a center for sales. It was staffed by members of the Tacoma Council of Parent-Teacher Associations from 11-4 each day. Pictured left to right are Mrs. Edward T. Bowman, Mrs. Mary Gehri, Mrs. A. M. Ray, young Master Flood and Mrs. William H. Flood. (TNT 12/28/1942, pg. 8)

Department stores--Tacoma; Rhodes Brothers Department Store (Tacoma); Flood, John; War bonds & funds--Tacoma--1940-1950; World War, 1939-1945--Economic aspects of war--Tacoma;

Mrs. Roy Kneeland (left), chairman of the PTA war bond campaign, looks on as John Carradine carefully types a bond application form for Sgt. Norma Oaks (right). The bond campaign sales office was set up in the "Victory Window" at the Rhodes Brothers Department Store. Mr. Carradine had brought his own theater troupe, The Shakespeare Players, to Tacoma for a series of live performances at the Temple Theater. On Wednesday November 24, 1943, they presented "Merchant of Venice" with Carradine as Shylock. On Thanksgiving, the 25th, they performed "Hamlet" as a matinee and "Othello" in the evening, again with John Carradine as the lead. There were so many curtain calls for "Othello" that the curtain operator was physically exhausted by the cranking. (TNT 11-25-43, p.20, TNT 11-26-43, p. 6 ) ALBUM 5.

Carradine, John; Actors--Tacoma--1940-1950; War bonds & funds; Typewriters; Oaks, Norma;

Actor John Carradine, in Tacoma for performances of his Shakespeare Players at the Temple Theater, during a War Bonds rally at Rhodes Department Store. Mr. Carradine is in the front row, extreme right, next to Sgt. Norma Oaks, a U.S. Marine. Mrs. Roy Kneeland, chairman of the PTA War Bonds sales, is next to Sgt. Oaks. Carradine's company presented "The Merchant of Venice," "Hamlet" and "Othello" during their short stay in Tacoma. ALBUM 5. (TNT 11-25-43, p. 20)

Carradine, John; Actors--Tacoma--1940-1950; War bonds & funds; Marines (Military personnel); Oaks, Norma;

Rhodes windows. William Haley of the U. S. Secret Service and Detective C. O. Rolfson of the local police force set up this display of counterfeit and real money. Crowds of people have seen this window display at Rhodes Brothers Department Store (T. Times, 4/11/44, p. 7).

Window displays; Counterfeiting; Rhodes Brothers Department Store (Tacoma);

Trikskirts window display. Rhodes Brothers Department store first opened up on "C" Street in Tacoma, then within a few years had expanded into Seattle and a few other states as well. View of Trikskirts window display, showing a variety of colors and prices.

Department stores--Tacoma; Skirts; Window displays; Merchandise displays--Tacoma; Rhodes Brothers Department Store (Tacoma);

Rhodes window "Lilli Ann" suits. Rhodes Bros. has been in business in Tacoma since 1892. They were located in the Tacoma business district among other fine stores. View of display window number nine at Rhodes featuring part of the fall collection by top California designer, "Lilli Ann".

Clothing & dress--Tacoma--1940-1950; Window displays; Mannequins; Fashion designers; Rhodes Brothers Department Store (Tacoma);

Rhodes Bros. department store was featuring "Harriet Hubbard Ayer" cosmetics on the first floor in March of 1945. Here a saleswoman offers a sample to a smiling customer. She may also be in the market for the "True Red" lipstick by "Harriet Hubbard Ayer" which sold for $1.00 or rouge for an additional 65 cents. Both could be worn with the season's bright prints or soft pastels. Harriet Hubbard Ayer was one of America's earliest cosmetic entrepreneurs who made a fortune manufacturing and selling facial creams. She later lost control of her company and became a writer of beauty columns. Her signature was trademarked in 1907 and cosmetics continue to be created under her distinctive name by Ayer Cosmetics International.

Cosmetics; Merchandise displays--Tacoma--1940-1950; Sales personnel--Tacoma--1940-1950; Rhodes Brothers Department Store (Tacoma)--Employees; Rhodes Brothers Department Store (Tacoma); Department stores--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Exterior of Rhodes Store, Olympic Ice. A five-story brick department store. Window displays of women's clothing are shown. Signs advertise War Bonds being sold at Rhodes. Miller's Furs and the Olympic Ice Cream stores are seen up the street on 11th. Pedestrian's images are blurred because they are walking and the camera's lens is open for a long time to get a good image of the building. Corner of 11th and Market.

Commercial buildings--Tacoma--1940-1950;Department stores--Tacoma--1940-1950; Rhodes Brothers Department Store (Tacoma); Miller's Furs (Tacoma); Olympic Ice Cream Co. (Tacoma);

Exterior of Rhodes Store, Olympic Ice Cream. A five-story brick department store. Window displays of women's clothing are shown. Miller's Furs and Olympic Ice Cream stores are up one block. Corner of 11th and Market.

Commercial buildings--Tacoma--1940-1950; Rhodes Brothers Department Store (Tacoma); Department stores--Tacoma--1940-1950;

In June of 1945 three unidentified women prepared to send Father's Day messages to servicemen from the special Post Yarns mailing center in Tacoma's Rhodes Department Store; an unidentified clerk working in the booth took their addressed messages. Rhodes joined with the Saturday Evening Post magazine in a special wartime Father's Day offer. The Saturday Evening Post made copies of Post Yarns, a pocket size version of their magazine, available at the department store; Rhodes provided free delivery for the miniature magazine - with a personal note from the sender.

World War, 1939-1945--Social aspects--Tacoma; Women--Tacoma--1940-1950; Rhodes Brothers Department Store (Tacoma); Fathers & children;

Rhodes Department Store display windows featuring Servicemen's Canteen. Items displayed include tooth brushes, socks, key cases, pocket dictionaries and chocolates.

Window displays; Rhodes Brothers Department Store (Tacoma);

Rhodes Department Store window #2 featuring a Mademoiselle line. Two mannequins are shown near a large copy of a page from Mademoiselle.

Window displays; Rhodes Brothers Department Store (Tacoma);

Rhodes Department Store window display featuring an exclusive line of Corliss Archer originals by Junior Miss of California, advertised for $12.95. Three outfits are shown. The mannequin is addressing a CBS microphone and a poster of a radio tower is in the background.

Window displays--Tacoma--1940-1950; Rhodes Brothers Department Store (Tacoma); Mannequins; Clothing stores--Tacoma; Radio broadcasting; Clothing & dress--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Maurice P. Gribbon, in charge of the shoe department at Rhodes Department Store, fitted T/3 Gertrude E. Totten with a new pair of sling pumps in October of 1945. T/3 Totten had been chosen to receive a complete new civilian outfit from Rhodes Department Store because she was the high point WAC aboard the USS General William Mitchell which had just returned from New Guinea. The only thing Rhodes could not provide was a pair of nylon stockings. As luck would have it, Miss Totten still had one pair that she had saved through the war while she served in the Pacific. (T.Times, 10/31/1945, p.6)

Rhodes Brothers Department Store (Tacoma); World War, 1939-1945--Peace--Tacoma; Womens Army Corps; Totten, Gertrude E.; Awards;

Rhodes Department Store window display #4, Sun Rose Slack Suits. A backdrop is made from a grass mat with a painting of a dragon on it and a woven mat is also used as a carpet.

Window displays--Tacoma--1940-1950; Rhodes Brothers Department Store (Tacoma); Mannequins; Clothing stores--Tacoma; Clothing & dress--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Rhodes Brothers Department Store's window display featuring "Palm Beach Story by Sacony" fashions, exclusively available at Rhodes' ladies fashion department. Mannequins are wearing chic two piece suits, part of the Palm Beach collection, palm tree in background surrounded by sand; fashions are ideal for the modern women of the 1940's.

Mannequins; Window displays; Merchandise displays--Tacoma; Women--Clothing & dress--Tacoma--1940-1950; Rhodes Brothers Department Store (Tacoma);