In March of 1945, Reverend George J. G. Grieve, as guest of honor at a program held at the Winthrop Hotel, spoke on the subject "The Britain of the Future". The program was sponsored by the International Services committee and the British Service Club. The entertainment for the day included a variety show presented by this enthusiastic group of young Tacomans. The third girl in from the right in the second row, with a sailors hat, is Dolores Horr. On her left (the second girl in that row) is Gale Gustafson. TPL-8572

Children performing in theatrical productions--Tacoma; Costumes; British Service Club (Tacoma); Tap dancing--Tacoma--1940-1950; Dancers--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Scottish Rite Ball. Guys and gals dance to the music of Bob Dickinson's Orchestra at the Crystal Ball Room in the Hotel Winthrop. Some of the men are in uniform. The women wear floor-length gowns and corsages. Part of the stage and the orchestra can be seen in the background.

Hotel Winthrop (Tacoma); Group portraits--1940-1950; Balls (Parties)--Tacoma--1940-1950; Scottish Rite (Tacoma);

Fred C. Hoffstetter drapes a mink fur around the shoulders of two unidentified "War Stamp Minute Maids." The first big event in connection with the Seventh War Loan campaign was held on May 4, 1945 in the Crystal Ballroom of the Hotel Winthrop. The program, to raise money for the continuing war, included a fashion show, music, and an auction of over 120 articles donated by Tacoma merchants. Mr. Hoffstetter, owner of the Tacoma Avenue Auction House at 923 So. Tacoma Ave., was the auctioneer for the evening. Admission was by purchase of a $50 bond for $37.50. (TNT, 4/29/1945, p.B-3)

War bonds & funds--Tacoma--1940-1950; World War, 1939-1945--Social aspects--Tacoma; Women--Clothing & dress--Tacoma--1940-1950; Fur garments; Hoffstetter, Fred C.;

Three young women are ready for the fashion show and auction of items donated for the seventh war loan drive. The young women on either side are "War Stamp Minute Maids" and carry war bonds and stamps to sell. They wear "V" for victory halo hats. The band is seated behind them. Admission to the auction was through the purchase of a $50 war bond. The fashion show and auction is being held at the Crystal Ballroom at Hotel Winthrop. (TNT, 4/29/1945, p.B-3) TPL-9091

War bonds & funds--Tacoma--1940-1950; World War, 1939-1945--Social aspects--Tacoma; Fashion shows--Tacoma--1940-1950; Hotel Winthrop (Tacoma);

Tacoma boxer Freddie Steele, former middleweight champion, shakes hands with an unidentified man at the Winthrop Hotel during a October 2, 1945, visit to promote the film "The Story of GI Joe" in which he played a shell-shocked Army sergeant. A boxing prodigy by age 15, Freddie Steele would have a long career with only five losses in 133 bouts. He retired from the ring in 1938 after a titanic battle with Seattle's Al Hostak which saw him lose his crown by knockout. Mr. Steele would appear in several films including "Gentleman Jim Corbett" and "Hail the Conquering Hero" after making a brief, unsuccessful boxing comeback in 1941. ALBUM 9.

Steele, Freddie, 1912-1984; Boxers (Sports)--Tacoma--1930-1940; Shaking hands--Tacoma; Actors--Tacoma--1940-1950;

October, 1945, portrait of Tacoma boxer Freddie Steele, former United States and National Boxing Association middleweight champion. In a professional career that started when he was 15 in 1927, Freddie Steele only lost 5 of 133 bouts. He lost his title to Seattle's Al Hostak at that city's Civic Stadium on July 26th, 1938, and later became an actor in films. At the time of this October 2, 1945, photograph taken at the Winthrop Hotel, Freddie Steele was on the last leg of a nationwide tour to promote "The Story of G.I.Joe," a motion picture based on the experiences of war correspondent Ernie Pyle. Steele's role of a tough army sergeant had garnered praise from many critics. A group of old-time friends joined the former boxer at a luncheon arranged by John Hamrick theaters' manager, Will Conner. ALBUM 9. (T.Times 10-3-45, p. 11, TNT 10-3-45, p. 14)

Steele, Freddie, 1912-1984; Boxers (Sports)--Tacoma--1930-1940; Actors--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Tacoma boxer Freddie Steele, former middleweight champion 1936-1938, and Lt.Col. Roy Murray at the Winthrop Hotel on October 2, 1945, during a visit to promote the film "The Story of GI Joe." Col. Murray was technical advisor on the film and also played an army chaplain. He bumped into Mr. Steele after filming as he, Col. Murray, was doing recruiting in the Pacific Northwest. Mr. Steele had won critical praise for his role as Sgt. Steve Warnicki, a veteran affected deeply by the trauma of war. Many longtime friends of Mr. Steele including boxing managers Joe Waterman and Jack Connor, were in attendance at the special luncheon held at the Winthrop. ALBUM 9. (T.Times 10-3-45, p. 11, TNT 10-3-45, p. 14)

Steele, Freddie, 1912-1984; Boxers (Sports)--Tacoma--1930-1940; Actors--Tacoma--1940-1950; Murray, Roy;

Tacoma boxer Freddie Steele, former middleweight champion 1936-38, shakes hands with an unidentified man at the Winthrop Hotel during an October, 1945, visit to promote the film "The Story of GI Joe" in which he played a shell-shocked Army sergeant. About twenty longtime friends of Mr. Steele joined him in a special luncheon at the Winthrop which had been arranged by theater manager Will Conner. Tacoma was the last leg of a nationwide tour in which Mr. Steele had been making personal appearances on stage to promote the war-themed film. Arrangements to show the movie in Tacoma were in the works and it was hoped that the former boxer would be able to attend. ALBUM 9. (T.Times 10-3-45, p. 11, TNT 10-3-45, p. 14)

Steele, Freddie, 1912-1984; Boxers (Sports)--Tacoma--1930-1940; Actors--Tacoma--1940-1950; Shaking hands--Tacoma;

Dr. Hinton D. Jonez (back row, 2nd from left) holds the bottle of cognac that will go to the last survivor of the Past Commanders' Last Man Club of the Edward B. Rhodes Post No.2, American Legion. Each year the post membership feted the post commanders at a banquet. The banquet for November 1945 was held in the Army and Navy Room at the Hotel Winthrop. The six flag draped chairs represent the six past commanders who had died before 1945. Names listed. (T.Times, 11/28/1945, p.7)

American Legion Club (Tacoma); Patriotic societies--Tacoma--1940-1950; Clubs--Tacoma--1940-1950; Flags--United States; Jonez, Hinton D.; Last Man Club (Tacoma);

Exterior of the Hotel Winthrop for North Pacific Bank note. The building is ten stories on the front facing Broadway, made of stone on the lower floors and brick above. At the top is a separate roof line, perhaps a penthouse. The busy street below shows automobiles, pedestrians and a bus. The first floor houses a shoe store, men's apparel. Heading down 9th Street is the entrance to the Coffee Shop and the Fountain Lunch counter.

Hotels--Tacoma--1940-1950; Hotel Winthrop (Tacoma);

Douglas Fir group of dealers. The Douglas Fir Plywood Association honored E. E. Westman, who is retiring after more than 25 year of service in the plywood industry. Westman was presented with a set of matching luggage. Left to right view of Dennis M. Slenning, E. E. Westman, E. W. Daniels and J. H. Smith (T. Times, 4/18/46, p. 5).

Luggage; Douglas Fir Plywood Association (Tacoma); Retirements--Tacoma; Westman, E. E.--Commemoration;

Signe Sutherland, President of the Tacoma Retail Credit Association, was the general Chairman for the four day Pacific Northwest Credit Conference, at the Hotel Winthrop. They were celebrating their 25th anniversary in April of 1946. View of conference participants.

Sutherland, Signe; Business people--Tacoma--1940-1950; Women--Clothing & dress--Tacoma--1940-1950; Hats--1940-1950; Conference rooms--Tacoma; Meetings--Tacoma--1940-1950; Tacoma Retail Credit Association (Tacoma); Hotel Winthrop (Tacoma);

Ex-mayor Harry P. Cain, candidate for US Senator, listens to Carroll Reece, Republican National Chariman, during the Pierce County Republican Convention at the Crystal Ballroom, Winthrop Hotel. Reece, the ex-congressman from Tennessee delivered the major address on August 6, 1946. Harry P. Cain would go on to wage a successful campaign and win election in November of that year. (T. Times, 8-6-46, p. 2, T.Times, 8-7-46, p.1) ALBUM 13.

Cain, Harry P., 1906-1979; Mayors--Tacoma--1940-1950; Reece, Carroll; Political campaigns; Public speaking--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Prosecutor Thor Tollefson, Candidate for House of Representatives, Carroll Reece, Republican National Chariman and ex-Mayor Harry P. Cain, candidate for Senator, confer during the August, 1946, Pierce County Republican Convention at the Crystal Ballroom, Winthrop Hotel. Reece was the former longtime Tennessee congressman before his election as Republican National Chairman. (T. Times, 8-6-46, p. 2, T.Times, 8-7-46, p. 1) Album # 12

Cain, Harry P., 1906-1979; Mayors--Tacoma--1940-1950; Reece, Carroll; Political campaigns; Tollefson, Thor C., 1901-1982;

Morris Jaffe-Edith Brodsky held their wedding and wedding reception at the Crystal Ballroom of the Hotel Winthrop on November 3, 1946. Eleven waitresses, a chef and kitchen manager stand behind the heavily laden banquet serving table. The bride was the daughter of Phillip and Anne Brodsky. The groom was the son of Mr. and Mrs. Benjamin Jaffe of Seattle. The bride's cake, not shown, was surrounded by 100 gardenias and a sprinkling of silver sequins. (T.Times, 11/6/1946, p.8)

Banquets--Tacoma--1940-1950; Weddings--Tacoma--1940-1950; Women--Tacoma--1940-1950; Waitresses--Tacoma--1940-1950; Restaurant workers--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Mrs. Louis A. Ellis, studio portrait. Mrs. Ellis was co-chair of the 16th annual Christmas ball of the Club of Hearts. The ball took place the evening of December 25, 1946, at the Crystal and Junior ballrooms at the Hotel Winthrop. It was an elaborate affair. Decorations featured holly wreaths tied with scarlet bows, silver Christmas trees, and a large red drop with "Merry Christmas" written in silver behind the orchestra. (T.Times, 12/21/1946, p.10)

Women--Tacoma--1940-1950; Clubwomen--Tacoma--1940-1950;

The Wauna Club's November 11, 1946, ball was hosted with a county fair theme. The ball was held at the Crystal Ballroom at the Hotel Winthrop. L-R, Dale Kiehl, Mada Rieflin, Chick Kiehl (chair for the dance committee), and Bill Rieflin (president of the Wauna Club) stand beneath a sign, "Welcome Wauna County Fair". (T.Times, 11/2/1946, p.16)

Clubs--Tacoma--1940-1950; Wauna Club (Tacoma); Hotel Winthrop (Tacoma); Clubwomen--Tacoma--1940-1950; Couples--Tacoma--1940-1950; Dance parties--Tacoma--1940-1950; Kiehl, Dale; Kiehl, Chick; Rieflin, William; Rieflin, Mada;

300 delegates from the dairy industry met for three days starting November 13, 1946, in Tacoma at the Hotel Winthrop. This was the 7th annual joint convention of the Washington State Milk Dealers Association, the Washington State Ice Cream Manufacturers Association, and the Washington Creamery Operators' Association. Delegates were expected from Washington, California, Oregon, Idaho, and Canada. Although there were many serious presentations on current dairy problems, at least one speaker attempted to entertain as well as educate his audience. Larry Livingston, from the duPont Chemical C., demonstrated some of the newest products from the wonder world of plastics. Among the wonders that he showed were crystal clear slippers made from lucite, and nylon dishes that "won't breat when you throw them at your wife." (T.Times, 11/14/1946, p.14)

Washington State Milk Dealers Association (Tacoma); Hotel Winthrop (Tacoma); Meetings--Tacoma--1940-1950; Food industry--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Last Man Club, American Legion, November 30, 1946. Eighteen men stand behind six empty chairs draped with American flags during their annual meeting held at the Hotel Winthrop. The Last Man Club was formed by World War I veterans who were also past Commanders of the Edward B. Rhodes Post of the American Legion in December of 1938. A bottle of 1917 cognac was reserved for the sole survivor to drink a toast to his fallen fellow members.

American Legion Club (Tacoma); Patriotic societies--Tacoma--1940-1950; Clubs--Tacoma--1940-1950; Flags--United States; Last Man Club (Tacoma);

Club of Hearts 11th annual Christmas dance was held in the Crystal and Junior ballroom at the Winthrop Hotel. The elaborate decorations included a huge red banner with "Merry Christmas" written in silver, hung behind the orchestra. Seated left to right are: Don Brown, Clara Bowe, Ben Fawcett, Joan Thrasher, Margaret Hansen and Jack Christensen, a bottle of "Clicquot Club" champagne in foreground (T. Times, 12/21/46, p. 10).

Balls (Parties)--Tacoma--1940-1950; Ballroom dancing--Tacoma--1940-1950; Ball dresses; Evening gowns--Tacoma; Tuxedoes; Couples--Tacoma; Hotel Winthrop (Tacoma);

The Winthrop Hotel was designed by W. L. Stoddard and Roland E. Borhek; it was built by F. A. Pratt and A. I. Watson. It first opened in May 1925 and was named after Theodore Winthrop, explorer and writer. In 1940 they began offering residential apartments on the top floors of the hotel. Exterior view of the Winthrop Hotel; photo ordered by Pioneer Incorporated, a printing, lithography and stationary business.

Hotels--Tacoma; Business districts--Tacoma; Signal lights--Tacoma; Pedestrians--Tacoma; Commercial streets--Tacoma--1940-1950; Hotel Winthrop (Tacoma); Pioneer, Inc. (Tacoma);

The Portland and Tacoma staff of the Tide and Bay Company were to attend a dinner and dance party. Over 200 people were expected at the festivities taking place at the Hotel Winthrop on Saturday. View of Tide and Bay Co. employee's banquet in the Crystal Ballroom at the Hotel Winthrop.

Banquets--Tacoma; Banquet halls--Tacoma; Tide & Bay Co. (Tacoma)--Employees; Hotel Winthrop (Tacoma);

The Monday Civic Club was hosting a Mexican luncheon, "Below the Border". Waldo Davila from Bolivia and Rafael Maas from Chile would be the guest speakers. The event was held at the Crystal Ballroom in the Hotel Winthrop. View of club members wearing traditional costumes from Latin America and holding the 58th Annual Pan American poster, seated left to right are: Sutton, Hamm, Goddard and McReynold. Standing left to right are: Fahey, Fuller, Rybin and Oursler (T. Times, 4/1/47, p. 6).

Costumes; Posters; Women--Clubs--Tacoma; Monday Civic Club (Tacoma); Hotel Winthrop (Tacoma);

The Tacoma Chapter of the Society for the Preservation and Encouragement of Barber Shop Quartets was having their annual meeting at the Hotel Winthrop. The Tacoma Chapter is part of a national organization which includes President Harry Truman among its distinguished members. View of Barbershop members who attended the annual meeting, 40 men were expected to attend (T. Times, 4/10/47, p. 10).

Hotel Winthrop (Tacoma); Men--Clothing & dress--Tacoma; Barbershop quartets; Singing--Tacoma; Meetings--Tacoma; Society for the Preservation & Encouragement of Barber Shop Quartets (Tacoma);

Exterior of the back side of the Hotel Winthrop, a multi-storied brick building. The hotel was the site of many community events at the Crystal Ballroom and the Roof Garden. The hotel also had suites available for permanent residents.

Hotel Winthrop (Tacoma); Hotels--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Milton E. Gaetz (right) has been appointed President of the new Tacoma Charter of Optimist International, he is being presented with a diamond studded Optimist emblem. The new Charter members are being awarded the Optimist International creed and emblem for their new Charter. The Seattle Optimist Club is sponsoring Tacoma's new civic organization (T. Times, 11/13/47, p. 17).

Charters--Tacoma; Clubs--Tacoma; Organizations--Tacoma; Optimist International (Tacoma); Civic leaders--Tacoma; Gaetz, Milton E.;

An unidentified bellman receives a room key from one of the employees working behind the front desk of the Hotel Winthrop in fall of 1947. In October of that year the hotel entered into a long term lease with Western Hotels Inc. The president of the Winthrop Hotel Company, E. J. Calloway, announced that Edward E. Carlson, Vice-President of Western Hotels and a native Tacoma, was to become the new general manager of the hotel, effective immediately. The Hotel Winthrop opened in May of 1925; it was converted into apartments for senior housing in 1973. (Photo ordered by Botsford, Constantine and Gardner, an advertising agency based out of Seattle.) TPL-9493

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

Winthrop Hotel would have new and improved facilities to offer to their clients. Western also planned to remodel the guests rooms after the public facilities were completed. Western Hotels Inc. President S. W. Thurston stated "A good hotel is more than just a business in the city, it is the center of civic activity." View of the dining room, the hostess and restaurant staff are ready to serve, photo ordered by Botsford, Constantine and Gardner, an advertising agency based out of Seattle.

Hotel employees--Tacoma; Hotels--Tacoma; Uniforms; Waitresses--Tacoma; Cash registers; Hotel Winthrop (Tacoma);

Western Hotels Inc. had allocated money to modernize and improve the Winthrop facilities. They were planning to redecorate and refurbish many of the public facilities, including the lobby, dining room, Crystal and Junior ballrooms, private dining rooms and the presidential suite. View of hotel laundry room, laundry and housekeeping workers are ready to make everyone's stay more enjoyable, photo ordered by Botsford, Constantine and Gardner, an advertising agency based out of Seattle.

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

Magazine subscription sales booths were set up at the Winthrop Hotel, giving hotel guests easy access for placing their orders. A magazine subscription was the perfect gift for those hard to shop for people on your christmas list. View of two women, not identified, in charge of the magazine order table, a young man appears to have chosen the magazine he would like to order.

Periodicals; Mail-order businesses--Tacoma; Pamphlets; Shopping--Tacoma; Hotel Winthrop (Tacoma); Sales personnel--Tacoma; Selling--Tacoma;