Exterior of downtown Rhodes Bros. Department Store. This is the 11th & Broadway corner of the venerable Rhodes department store. The photograph was taken in late March of 1974, nine months before the flagship downtown store was to close. Liberty House/Rhodes was building a large, two-story store at the west end of the Tacoma Mall which was scheduled to open in the fall of 1974. Rhodes, which had opened in November of 1903, was well-known for its slogan, "All roads lead to Rhodes." The building staved off demolition for several years and eventually became the new location of the University of Puget Sound Law School in 1980. August 13, 1999 was the last day of the law school in Tacoma as it officially moved to Seattle. Three years before the move, the State of Washington purchased the building to house several state offices but needed to wait until the law school actually vacated the space before remodeling. The Tacoma Rhodes Center was later put up for sale by the state in February of 2007. Color photograph ordered by Liberty House/Rhodes, Oakland, CA.

Rhodes Brothers Department Store (Tacoma); Department stores--Tacoma--1970-1980;

Another elevated view of the downtown Rhodes department store as photographed on March 27, 1974, for Liberty House/Rhodes, Oakland, CA. A skybridge connects the upper level of the store to a massive 2000+ car parking garage. Other customers apparently have chosen this day to park on the street outside of Rhodes even though the street has metered parking. Rhodes had already begun construction of a new two-story store in the west end addition of the Tacoma Mall. Once it was completed, it would announce closure of the downtown flagship store.

Rhodes Brothers Department Store (Tacoma); Department stores--Tacoma--1970-1980;

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;

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;

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);

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;

Book Department at Rhodes. Rhodes department store offered their customers just about everything they could want or need. View of six unidentified sales people at Rhodes book department. They are standing around a display featuring books about the home. On right side we can see Betty MacDonald's "The Egg and I" book display.

Bookstores--Tacoma; Books; Bookcases--Tacoma; Sales personnel--Tacoma; Rhodes Brothers Department Store (Tacoma);

Rhodes Department Store had everything a customer could want or need for their home. Rhodes had recently finished a remodeling and modernization of their departments. View of unidentified woman looking at a refrigerator in the appliances department. A stove and an automatic washing machine are in foreground, Bendix home laundry advertisements in background.

Refrigerators; Washing machines; Stoves--Tacoma; Department stores--Tacoma; Rhodes Brothers Department Store (Tacoma);

An unidentified boy read one of the "Mary Poppins" books to (l to r) Clark Rowland, Virginia Alvord and Penny Long in April of 1947. The book was one in a collection of titles by P.L. Travers on display in the book department of the Rhodes Brothers Department Store at 950 Broadway. The Junior League of Tacoma was sponsoring a childrens theater production based on the "Mary Poppins" books to be performed by the "Seattle Repetoiry Players" at the Temple Theater on May 17th. (T.Times 5/10/1947 p.12) TPL-9065

Private libraries--Tacoma; Children reading & writing--Tacoma; Bookstores--Tacoma; Books; Rhodes Brothers Lending Library (Tacoma);

Rhodes Brothers Department stores had been remodeling and modernizing their facilities for many years, since World War II had ended. Rhodes was one of the nicest stores in Tacoma, located on Broadway in the downtown district. View of building and remodeling progress on Rhodes Brothers Department Store, laborers are applying plywood panels to ceiling of building; photo ordered by Douglas Fir Plywood Association.

Building construction--Tacoma; Department stores--Tacoma; Plywood; Construction workers--Tacoma; Rhodes Brothers Department Store (Tacoma); Douglas Fir Plywood Association (Tacoma);

Rhodes Brothers Department Store offered Tacoma one of the largest and most complete shopping selections available. Rhodes had remodeled and enlarged many of their departments over the past few years. View of building and remodeling progress at Rhodes Brothers Department Store during December of 1948 where laborers are applying glue and sealant to the plywood panels.

Building construction--Tacoma--1940-1950; Department stores--Tacoma--1940-1950; Remodeling--Tacoma--1940-1950; Plywood; Construction workers--Tacoma; Rhodes Brothers Department Store (Tacoma); Douglas Fir Plywood Association (Tacoma);

Mary Elizabeth Morton, an attorney with the Tacoma firm of Dorsey, Ruff and Morton, was photographed trying on straw hats at the Rhodes Brothers Department Store, 950 Broadway, for the Spring Fashions section of the March 6, 1949 Tacoma Times. Miss Morton was a graduate of the College (University) of Puget Sound and the University of Washington School of Law. In June of 1950 she married Donald H. Wollett. (T.Times, 3/6/1949, p.22)

Rhodes Brothers Department Store (Tacoma); Morton, Mary Elizabeth; Hats--1940-1950; Lawyers--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Exterior of Rhodes Department Store, Tribune, E. Inveen. Rhodes Brothers department store undergoes modernization in 1949 with a new, stark, uncluttered facade. The new facade covers the windows in the second story of the building. A view of daytime traffic can be seen with a bus running up South 11th Street and cars stopped along Broadway. Fisher's Department Store is seen on the far side of South 11th.

Rhodes Brothers Department Store (Tacoma); Clothing stores--Tacoma--1940-1950; Remodeling--Tacoma--1940-1950; City & town life--Tacoma--1940-1950; Business districts--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Miss Dorothy Molund and Stanley Tiedeman try on engagement rings at Rhodes Department Store. No date had yet been set for their wedding but the world would now know their engagement was official. Ordered by the Tribune for brides' layout, Harry Lynch. (TNT, 5/3/1950, p.38)

Rhodes Brothers Department Store (Tacoma); Courtship; Rings; Molund, Dorothy; Tiedeman, Stanley; Diamonds--Tacoma; Couples--Tacoma--1950-1960; Journalism--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Window display at Rhodes Brothers Department Store. The entire window display is filled with Soap Box Derby memorabilia in a photograph taken in July, 1950. A small mannequin is dressed in racing attire and stands in front of a "Soap Box Derby Tacoma, Wash." banner. In front of the #135 Tacoma News Tribune racer is a trophy and photograph of the 1949 winner, Duane Swanson. There is a 26 piece Stanley tool board on display which is to be awarded for the best constructed racer, donated by Shell Oil Co. The 1950 Soap Box Derby is to be held on Sunday, July 23, on South 38th St. Boys 11-15 are eligible to enter and Rhodes Brothers will award each contestant a pair of "Buck-o-Brand" jeans as shown in the window.

Coaster cars--Tacoma; Rhodes Brothers Department Store (Tacoma); Shell Oil Co., Inc. (Tacoma); Mannequins;

Tacoma News Tribune's 1951 "Christmas Gifts" layout. Nelson Davis' daughters, Diana, 10, and Jill, 8, looking at vases and figurines at Rhodes Department Store's Gift Department to get ideas for the Christmas season. The girls, with braids, are dressed in matching coats and hats.

Davis, Diana; Davis, Jill; Davis, Nelson--Family; Shopping--Tacoma--1950-1960; Gifts; Children--Clothing & dress--Tacoma--1950-1960; Rhodes Brothers Department Store (Tacoma); Department stores--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Mrs. Don Gordon, formerly Bernita Royse, had been a sales clerk in the stationery department at Rhodes Department Store for 5 years when she was featured in the "Around the Clock" column of the Tacoma Times in January 1936. The bride of two months likened her job as a clerk to sitting in a Parisian cafe watching the world pass by, because sooner or later everyone came to Rhodes. When asked about the changing habits of Tacomans she noted the increasing sales of smoking equipment, such as ash trays, lighters and holders, formerly scandalous items, and the shift away from formalism. The newly wed couple resided at 3502 1/2 McKinley Ave, apartment #2. (T. Times 1/9/1936, pg. 8)

Gordon, Bernita; Rhodes Brothers Department Store (Tacoma)--Employees; Sales personnel--Tacoma--1930-1940;

A small group of children eye the stuffed Santa standing outside the toy department of Rhodes Brothers Department Store in late November, 1952. Behind them, a large sign with a cutout of a smiling monkey proclaims the store to have the city's biggest toyland. Rhodes also offered miniature train rides for the little tykes. Left to right are Jimmy Newkirk being held by Lawrence Walker, Santa, Kathy Hall, Brenda Newkirk, and Santa's helper, Donna Walker. The Independent Order of Foresters would be holding a Christmas party at Normanna Hall on December 20th; Santa is expected to attend. Photograph ordered by Independent Order of Foresters. (TNT 12-12-52, C-5) TPL-8109

Christmas--Tacoma; Children--Tacoma--1950-1960; Rhodes Brothers Department Store (Tacoma); Signs (Notices); Independent Order of Foresters 327 (Tacoma); Newkirk, Jimmy; Newkirk, Brenda; Hall, Kathy; Walker, Donna; Walker, Lawrence;

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

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);

This group of second grade students from Whitman school were literally put on display for National Education Week during November of 1939. Their library class was held in a display window of the Rhodes department store at 950 Broadway. The students being watched by proud parents and curious shoppers are (l to r): George Mills; Dorothy Powell; Dolores Duncan, writing her name on the blackboard; Ann Truitt, with her back to the camera; Richard McCulloch; and Allyn Hultman with back to camera. (T. Times, 11-10-1939, p.18)

School children--Tacoma--1930-1940; Children reading & writing--Tacoma; Duncan, Dolores; Mills, George; Powell, Dorothy; McCulloch, Richard; Truitt, Ann; Hultman, Allyn;

National Education Week. Whitman School, 2B, holding library class in display window of Rhodes Department Store on November 9, 1939. The proud parents of these seven-year-olds peek from the outside. Glady J. Christie was the classroom instructor. Students were : Dolores Duncan writing her name on the blackboard, (seated) George Mills, Dorothy Powell, Richard McCulloch, and Ann Truitt and Allyn Hultman with backs to camera. (T. Times, 11-10-1939, p.18)

School children--Tacoma--1930-1940; Children reading & writing--Tacoma; Duncan, Dolores; Mills, George; Powell, Dorothy; McCulloch, Richard; Truitt, Ann; Hultman, Allyn;

National Education Week. Whitman School, 2B, holding library class in display window of Rhodes Department Store on November 9, 1939. Dorothy Powell sits reading at the table, looking over her shoulders are Ann Truitt, Allyn Hultman, Richard McCulloch and George Mills. Delores Duncan sits with her back to the camera. Watching through the windows are many pairs of admiring eyes, probably belonging to family members. (T. Times, 11-10-1939, p.18)

School children--Tacoma--1930-1940; Children reading & writing--Tacoma; Duncan, Dolores; Mills, George; Powell, Dorothy; McCulloch, Richard; Truitt, Ann; Hultman, Allyn;

Four Stewart Junior High School students "published" the school newspaper "The Evening Star" in a display window of Rhodes Department Store on November 10, 1939 during National Education Week. Mayor J.J. Kaufman watched as (l to r) Clair Cook, Elmore Brolin, Helen Cox and Joan Weber used a mimeograph machine to copy off the pages of the student written paper. Ordinarily, "The Evening Star" was published on Tuesdays and Thursdays during the school year. The papers staff was composed of 8th and 9th graders who circulated 1,300 copies free to the student body. The newspaper was first published in 1925. (T. Times, 11-10-39, p. 18) ALBUM 11. TPL-5120.

Mayors--Tacoma--1930-1940; Kaufman, Joseph J.; Newspapers--Tacoma; Journalism--Tacoma; Students--Tacoma--1930-1940; Cook, Clair; Brolin, Elmore; Cox, Helen; Weber, Joan; Copying machines;

ca. 1904. A window display of wedding dresses at the Rhodes Brothers Department Store, circa 1904. When Henry A. Rhodes opened his three story grand emporium at 950 Broadway in November of 1903, it quickly became famous for its lavish decorations and extensive window displays. Huge plate glass windows presented the most current fashions by seasons. The store employed a full time window trimmer and decorator, Herbert A. Foster, who had an office and studio on the third floor of the store. (Photograph donated by the Rhodes Reunion Committee) (TDL 11/8/1903, pg. 17)

Rhodes Brothers Department Store (Tacoma); Department stores--Tacoma; Wedding clothing & dress--1900-1910; Window displays--1900-1910;

ca. 1904. Rhodes Brothers store, circa 1904; window display of china. Rhodes Brothers Department Store opened at this location in 1903. Part of the appeal of the structure at 950 Broadway was its many merchandise display windows. This display was of china and small figurines. (Photograph donated by the Rhodes Reunion Committee)

Rhodes Brothers Department Store (Tacoma); Department stores--Tacoma; Tableware; Porcelain;

ca. 1904. Rhodes Brothers store, circa 1904; window display of linens and tea service. Rhodes Brothers Department Store opened their grand mercantile building at 950 Broadway in 1903. Signs posted along the major roads advised travelers that "All Roads Lead to Rhodes," and offered a measurement of the mileage to the store. As Tacoma grew, so did the Rhodes establishment, adding three more stories in 1911 and eventually two annexes. Photograph damaged upper right corner and bottom left corner. (Photograph donated by the Rhodes Reunion Committee)

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

ca. 1904. Rhodes Brothers Store, circa 1904; Ladies' parasols and intimate apparel. The Rhodes Brothers Department Store was opened at 950 Broadway by Henry A. Rhodes in 1903. It was the grand establishment of his dreams, patterned after Wanamakers and Marshall Fields. From the beginning, they employed Herbert A. Foster as the window trimmer and decorator. This view of the store was festooned with parasols, studded with palms and draped with garlands. The lighting fixtures hanging from the ceiling were gas lights. The shelves were covered with boxes of different sizes, possibly containing accessories or women's intimate apparel. (photograph donated by the Rhodes Reunion Committee)

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

ca. 1904. Rhodes Brothers store, circa 1904; appears to be the Ladies' toiletries department. Henry A. Rhodes, with brothers Will and Albert, opened the Rhodes Brothers Department Store at 950 Broadway in 1903. The store was famous for its window displays and seasonal decorations- here parasols, palms, ivy strings and streamers. This appears to be the ladies' toiletries department since pictures behind the counter show a woman applying potions to her face. The sign to the left invites shoppers to visit the Coffee Section where they can "eat, drink and be merry." The plain cable that can barely be seen center, running from behind the counter to the mezzanine, was possibly the pulley that in the early days carried merchandise and payment to a track and onward to the office and its money till. There, articles were wrapped and change made and returned to the customer by the same route. (photograph donated by the Rhodes Reunion Committee)

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

ca. 1904. Rhodes Brothers store, circa 1904; this appears to be the Crystal and Glass Department. Henry A. Rhodes opened his grand department store at 950 Broadway in 1903. This appears to be the glass department on the first floor, with a clear view of the mezzanine, center. The mezzanine held the ladies' lounge and the office, complete with wrapping paper for purchases and a money till. (photograph donated by the Rhodes Reunion Committee)

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