Exterior view of downtown Tacoma. In a photograph taken on September 24, 1951, looking southwest from 9th and A Streets, are a number of prominent Tacoma buildings. The multi-story "new" Tacoma Hotel and corresponding Duncan's Tacoma Hotel Garage are sandwiched between financial institutions, the Tacoma Savings & Loan and the Bank of California. After a fire destroyed the main Tacoma Hotel, its annex was remodeled in 1936 in the Savage-Scofield Building. The Bowes Building, also designed by architects Heath & Twitchell, was built in 1908 and housed the Tacoma Savings & Loan; it was later added to the National Register. Also visible are the large Puget Sound National Bank building, General Paint, Washington Building, and the Rust Building.
Hotels--Tacoma--1950-1960; Tacoma Hotel (Tacoma); Banking--Tacoma--1950-1960; Banks--Tacoma; Heath & Twitchell (Tacoma);
View of "New" Tacoma Hotel from the southeast, main facade and south side wall. Duncan's Tacoma Hotel Garage to the south of hotel, Tacoma Savings and Loan (Bowes) Building to the North. Hotel (1908) and Bowes (1909) by Heath and Twichell, Architects.
Hotels--Tacoma--1950-1960; Tacoma Hotel (Tacoma); Tacoma Savings & Loan Association (Tacoma); Banking--Tacoma--1950-1960; Banks--Tacoma; Heath & Twitchell (Tacoma);
Mirror Room in the basement of the Olympus Hotel. Dining room with dance floor and stage with band equipment, surrounded by tables. Ordered by Mr. Turril. Original building by Carl August Darmer and Otis Cuttting, Architects, 1909.
Hotels--Tacoma; Olympus Hotel (Tacoma); Dance floors--Tacoma--1950-1960;
Kelley's Motel, built in 1936, along the Seattle-Tacoma Highway (Highway 99). The motel's units have been built in an L-shape next to a residence along the highway.
An open house was held at the Olympus Hotel in May 1951 to celebrate the completion of modernization that had been underway for four years. The hotel had been built in 1908. Paul Sceva purchased the hotel in 1944. This "after" photograph shows a twin bed guest room. Former double rooms were rebuilt into one with private baths and showers. New furniture, new beds, new bathroom fixtures and new plumbing as well as new harmonizing carpeting and door locks were all provided. Ordered by Paul Sceva, owner of the hotel. (TNT 5/23/1951, p.23)
Hotels--Tacoma--1950-1960; Olympus Hotel (Tacoma); Then & now comparisons;
A "before" photograph used to show the modernization at the Olympus Hotel. Former double rooms were rebuilt into one with private baths and showers. Massive beamed ceilings were covered with a modern, fireproof layer (three quarters of an inch thick) of sheetrock. Wiring was changed completely and new lighting fixtures were added. New and larger windows were provided in most rooms. Work was completed in 1951. Ordered by Paul Sceva. (TNT 5/23/1951, p.23)
Hotels--Tacoma--1950-1960; Olympus Hotel (Tacoma); Then & now comparisons;
The Ladies' Musical Club sponsored a concert by Hildegarde, a New York supper club singer who was on a concert tour across the continent, at Temple Theater. She would perform a 2 1/2 hour concert with her 12-piece orchestra. Her program included not the classics but favorites such as, "The Last Time I Saw Paris". She traveled with 35 evening costumes packed in specially built 6-foot trunks but would only be wearing two for her Tacoma appearance. She is seen here looking from the window of her room at the Hotel Winthrop. Tacoma's City Hall can be seen through the window. (TNT, 4/18/1951, p.12)
A group of fifty-two men and women have gathered for a Christmas party at the Mirror Room in the Olympus Hotel. Many of them hold packages, possibly presents from the company. Ordered by Mrs. Brown.
Hotels--Tacoma; Mirror Room (Tacoma); Olympus Hotel (Tacoma); Parties--Tacoma--1950-1960;
Two men were inducted into the Quarter Century club of Standard Brands, Inc., at the annual dinner for the Northwest area at Winthrop Hotel. They were Walter A. Logan, a machinist in the maintenance deparment of the Sumner Fleischmann's yeast plant, and Clarence H. Romnes, who worked in the vinegar department. Acme News, Ronald Schaad. (TNT, 11/15/1950, p.27)
Hotel Winthrop (Tacoma); Standard Brands, Inc. (Tacoma);
Broiled steak dinner set up at Winthrop. The Hotel Winthrop was well known for their delicious meals. This photograph shows an elegant place setting with a New York cut sirloin steak with french fried potatoes, garden salad and toasted garlic rolls on display. Additional items on the table include a small pitcher of cream, bowl of sugar, salt and pepper shakers, and gravy boat. This particular dinner special cost a hungry diner $3.50 in 1950.
Hotel Winthrop (Tacoma); Table settings & decorations; Silverware; Meat;
Two gentlemen who were present at the Chicago-Milwaukee Railroads board of directors luncheon on July 13, 1950, at the Hotel Winthrop, gaze at an enlarged photograph of the newly completed Tacoma Narrows Bridge. The first Tacoma Narrows Bridge collapsed during high winds on November 7, 1940. The man seated at left is C.H. Buford, president of the Milwaukee Road.
Hotel Winthrop (Tacoma); Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul & Pacific Railroad Co. (Tacoma); Railroad companies--Tacoma--1950-1960; Buford, C.H.; Tacoma Narrows Bridge (Tacoma);
Two gentlemen who were present at the Chicago-Milwaukee Railroads board of directors luncheon on July 13, 1950, at the Hotel Winthrop, gaze at an enlarged photograph of the newly completed Tacoma Narrows Bridge. The first Tacoma Narrows Bridge collapsed during high winds on November 7, 1940. The man seated is C.H. Buford, president of Milwaukee Road.
Hotel Winthrop (Tacoma); Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul & Pacific Railroad Co. (Tacoma); Railroad companies--Tacoma--1950-1960; Buford, C.H.; Tacoma Narrows Bridge (Tacoma);
The Hotel Winthrop on Broadway is the location for a luncheon honoring the board of directors of the Chicago-Milwaukee Railroads on July 13, 1950. The nine men are posed under the Rotary Club's banner. Seated second to the left is C.H. Buford, president of the Milwaukee Road. According to the Northwest Room's clipping files, this railroad was the first with improvements in transportation: owning and operating its own sleeping and dining cars, installing electric lighting and radio-phones in passenger trains, and being the only road to operate its own through tracks on its own tracks from Chicago to Puget Sound.
Hotel Winthrop (Tacoma); Luncheons--Tacoma; Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul & Pacific Railroad Co. (Tacoma); Railroad companies--Tacoma--1950-1960; Buford, C.H.;
A major snow storm hit Tacoma January 13,1950. Tacoma received almost nine inches of snow, and the wind which reached over 25 miles per hour created drifts up to five feet high. It was the worst storm in years and caused major damage throughout the area. 20 foot waves washed away part of Ruston Way, and ten boats were sunk in the yacht club basin. This view of the front of the Olympus Hotel, 815 -17 Pacific Avenue, from January 14th, shows the snow heaped along the sidewalks where it was left by the plows trying to clear Pacific Avenue. TPL-5466;
Olympus Hotel (Tacoma); Hotels--Tacoma--1940-1950;Snow--Tacoma--1950-1960; Commercial streets--Tacoma--1950-1960;
This photograph from December 1949 of the Sabre Room in the Winthrop Hotel shows the popular Tacoma restaurant three months after its official opening in September. Created by Trader Vic to look like an authentic old-English tap room, the Sabre room was decorated in authentic English style and featured open hearth food service where you could see expert chefs prepare the food. The menu included roast beef cooked in rock salt, barbecued ribs, and steak and kidney pie - desert included trifle. The room could seat 110 persons, including the ladies' cocktail lounge. (TNT, 9/24/1950, p.6)
Hotel Winthrop (Tacoma); Lounges--Tacoma; Buffets (Cookery)--Tacoma; Cooks; Waitresses--Tacoma; Bartenders--Tacoma; Bars--Tacoma;
The Sabre Room, Winthrop Hotel, Mr. Boyd. A well-dressed gentleman sits at a desk talking on the telephone. He is looking at a card pulled from a small, metal card file. The desk has a day calendar open at the back edge and a lamp with a carved head base is lit. Another lamp is lit in the background. The man's cuff-link shines in the light. The Sabre Room opened in September 1950. Trader Vic, who specialized in designing unusual spots, had a personal hand in creating the new addition to the Hotel Winthrop. (TNT, 9/24/1950, p.6)
Hotel Winthrop (Tacoma); Telephones; Calendars; Cuff links--Tacoma; Desks; Lamps;
Group of approximately 30 at Winthrop Hotel, Pacific Northwest District of Kiwanis, R. Ralstad. It was reported earlier in the month that Edward A. Lane had been elected president of the North-West Tacoma Kiwanis Club for 1950. (TNT, 11/10/1949, p.C-11)
Hotel Winthrop (Tacoma); Kiwanis Club (Tacoma); Business people--Tacoma--1940-1950;
Trader Vic and his wife would be hosting the grand opening celebration at the new Sabre Room in the Winthrop Hotel. View of Mayor C. Val Fawcett (second from left) with Trader Vic (second from right) and two unidentified men standing below the sign for the new restaurant, the Sabre room, located in the Winthrop Hotel (T.N.T., 9/21/49, p. 2).
Hotels--Tacoma; Restaurants--Tacoma; Signs (Notices); Events--Tacoma--1940-1950; Hotel Winthrop (Tacoma); Sabre Room (Tacoma); Fawcett, Clarence Valdo, 1900-1965; Bergeron, Victor J.;
Internationally known restaurateur, Trader Vic, had brought his world famous menu items to Tacoma. The Winthrop Hotel and Trader Vic enterprises have remodeled the restaurant site, at an estimated cost of $45,000, and opened up the Sabre Room. View of Mayor C. Val Fawcett (center) with Trader Vic (left) and an unidentified man at the grand opening celebration of the new Trader Vic's Sabre Room, located in the Winthrop Hotel (T.N.T., 9/21/49, p. 2).
Hotels--Tacoma; Restaurants--Tacoma; Events--Tacoma--1940-1950; Hotel Winthrop (Tacoma); Sabre Room (Tacoma); Fawcett, Clarence Valdo, 1900-1965; Bergeron, Victor J.;
Hotel Winthrop was inviting all of Tacoma to join them in the grand opening celebration for the new Trader Vic's Sabre Room. Trader Vic is an internationally known restaurateur, and he has now brought his world famous menu items to Tacoma. The interior of the Sabre Room is modeled after an authentic old English tap room, with figured red carpet, copper bowl lamps, the walls give the impression of aged plaster in a driftwood color. Trader Vic and his wife will host the grand opening celebration.
Olympus Hotel was owned by Paul Sceva and managed by Virgil West. West had initiated the remodeling project just after he became manager, two years ago. The Frontier Room was accessible through the back entrance and through the main lobby; it was decorated like a 19th century inn, with amber glass and darkened wood rafters, historic murals of Washington State and could accommodate 100 people. Interior view of the Frontier Room, located in the Olympus Hotel; view of bar and restaurant area (TNT 8/29/49, p. 4-5). TPL-3264
The Olympus hotel had just finished a two year remodeling project, initiated by the hotel manager, Virgil West. The new Mirror Room would offer dinner and dancing, and would feature the popular organist, Edith Stern with Ray Edwards. Interior view of the Mirror Room restaurant and night club, located in the recently remodeled Olympus Hotel (T.N.T., 8/29/49, p. 4-5).
Olympus Hotel was owned by Paul Sceva and managed by Virgil West. West had initiated the remodeling project just after he became manager, two years ago. The Frontier Room was accessible through the back entrance and through the main lobby; it was decorated like a 19th century inn, with amber glass and darkened wood rafters, historic murals of Washington State and could accommodate 100 people. Interior view of the Frontier Room, located in the Olympus Hotel; view of bar and restaurant area (T.N.T., 8/29/49, p. 4-5).
Photographs from A Street side, also from back side and interior of Garden Room, Tacoma Hotel, Armand Marion. The Savage-Scofield Building, designed by Heath and Twichell architects in 1908, houses the Tacoma Hotel. The hotel's main building at 913 A Street was destroyed by a fire in 1935. The Tacoma Savings and Loan Building stands to the right of the hotel at 100 South 9th Street.
Tacoma Hotel (Tacoma); Savage-Scofield Building (Tacoma); Hotels--Tacoma--1940-1950; Business districts--Tacoma; Tacoma Savings & Loan Association (Tacoma); Banks--Tacoma;
Photographs from A Street side, also from back side and interior of Garden Room, Tacoma Hotel, Armand Marion. The six story, brick Savage-Scofield Building, houses the Tacoma Hotel. The hotel's garage is seen to the left of the hotel. The Tacoma Savings and Loan Building stands to the right. Armand Marion was the owner and manager of the hotel during the late 1940's.
Tacoma Hotel (Tacoma); Savage-Scofield Building (Tacoma); Hotels--Tacoma--1940-1950; Business districts--Tacoma; Tacoma Savings & Loan Association (Tacoma); Banks--Tacoma;
Interior of Garden Room, Tacoma Hotel, Armand Marion. A view of the interior of the dining room at the Garden Room at the Tacoma Hotel. Several small tables are set around the room while benches along the walls and rattan chairs provide seating. The room is decorated with floral draperies and plants. The open doorway shows the bar on the other side of translucent glass.
Tacoma Hotel (Tacoma); Savage-Scofield Building (Tacoma); Garden Room (Tacoma); Cafes--Tacoma--1940-1950; Bars--Tacoma--1940-1950; Lounges--Tacoma--1940-1950;
Interior of Garden Room, Tacoma Hotel, Armand Marion. A view of the exterior of the Garden Room at the Tacoma Hotel. The Garden Room had a separate entrance from the hotel with a stylised neon sign over the doorway. They advertised the "finest of beverages", and "Tacoma's Finest Food and Cocktails".
Tacoma Hotel (Tacoma); Savage-Scofield Building (Tacoma); Garden Room (Tacoma); Electric signs--Tacoma--1940-1950; Restaurants--Tacoma--1940-1950; Bars--Tacoma--1940-1950; Lounges--Tacoma--1940-1950;
Banquet in Army-Navy Room for Buick Motor Company Distributors, Mueller-Harkins, Rudy Mueller. Buick dealers and salesmen of Southwest Washington previewed the new Buick Special at the Mueller-Harkins Motor Company. Afterwards the group met for a luncheon meeting where they were addressed by Buick factory officials. (TNT, 8/5/1949, p.18)
Hotel Winthrop (Tacoma); Group portraits; Banquets--Tacoma--1940-1950; Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1940-1950; Mueller-Harkins Motor Co. (Tacoma);
