George McCartney was photographed in September of 1920 working at a bench making repairs on a flat iron in the service department of the Blue Bird Electrical Shop. A silver coffee percolator waits for repair on the workbench. The year old company was located in the Chamber of Commerce building at 773 Broadway. It was the only plant of its kind in Western Washington and had one of the most complete electrical manufacturing departments in the Northwest. The manufacturing department was established at a cost of $10,000 and could make custom electrical equipment, a job formerly only performed back East. They were also involved in the electrical design and installation in new construction, had their own service department and maintained a staff of consulting electrical engineers. (TDL 9/19/1920, pg. B-7)

McCartney, George; Blue Bird Electrical Shop (Tacoma); Electric household appliances industry--Tacoma--1920-1930;

By March 1st, 1924, Tacoma's old Chamber of Commerce Building at 773 Broadway had been demolished and work had begun on the foundation of the future Hotel Winthrop. The eleven story hotel, built by the Citizen's Hotel Corporation, was dedicated in May of 1925. With the chamber building gone, and the new hotel not yet built, this photograph provides an excellent view of the Bostwick Block, 755-71 Saint Helens, as it looked in March of 1924. At that time it was undergoing extensive remodeling; in July the exterior was covered with Duralite.

Hotel Winthrop (Tacoma)--Construction; Hotels--Tacoma--1920-1930;

Construction of the Winthrop Hotel. This photograph has been labeled "seat of col. #27." By May of 1924, the hotel's foundation had been poured and other exterior work begun. The hotel would be dedicated in May of 1925.

Hotel Winthrop (Tacoma)--Construction; Hotels--Tacoma--1920-1930; Building construction--Tacoma--1920-1930;

This column has been labeled #38 to be used in the construction of the Winthrop Hotel, Tacoma's new showcase. Built on the site of the old Chamber of Commerce Building, the eleven story hotel had been funded by 2300 citizens, making it truly the "citizen's hotel." It would open in May of 1925.

Hotel Winthrop (Tacoma)--Construction; Hotels--Tacoma--1920-1930; Building construction--Tacoma--1920-1930;

Progress photograph of the construction of the Hotel Winthrop. Work continues on the building of the eleven story hotel by Pratt & Watson contractors in July of 1924. It appears that construction has reached the fourth floor. A notice has already been posted that the stores in the hotel will be under the management of the W.H. Opie & Co. (photograph has been stained)

Hotel Winthrop (Tacoma)--Construction; Building construction--Tacoma--1920-1930; Signs (Notices); Progress photographs;

Construction - Winthrop Hotel. This steel column has been labeled #5 and would be used in the building of the Winthrop Hotel at 9th & Broadway in 1924. The column is believed to have been manufactured by the Star Iron & Steel Co. of Tacoma.

Hotel Winthrop (Tacoma)--Construction; Building construction--Tacoma--1920-1930;

Winthrop Hotel. The 2 million dollar+ Winthrop Hotel was nearing completion by the end of March, 1925. Exterior work was finished in January of 1925 and hotel furnishings under way. It would have its much anticipated grand opening celebration in May.

Hotel Winthrop (Tacoma); Hotels--Tacoma--1920-1930;

Herbert Hoover, then Secretary of Commerce, signed the Indian "Pledge to the Mountain" to honor Mt. Rainier on the rooftop of the Hotel Winthrop on August 21, 1926. An unidentified Indian maiden helps to unroll the scroll. Mr. Hoover, who would later become the 31st President of the United States, was given the name Chief Coolee-Chuck ("Running Water"). The pledge was administered entirely in the Chinook language. In it, Mr. Hoover swore and promised by the Great Spirit of the Mountain to journey whenever possible to the "Mountain that was God" in order to breathe in the pure air, drink the sparkling waters, and gaze upon its wondrous beauties. He promised to acquaint himself with the lore of the red men and learn about the legends of the mountain's origins and sacredness. Should he violate this solemn obligation, he could foresee his wickiup burning, racehorses dying and coyotes devouring all his rabbits. Secretary Hoover was in Tacoma as a guest of the Tacoma Chamber of Commerce and addressed a large group of about 300 businessmen at the Hotel Winthrop on the "Future of Foreign Trade." This photograph was modified by the photographer: a clearer view of Mount Rainier was added, and the Brotherhood Bank's signage reversed and building itself extended upward. TPL-5447; G68.1-028 (TNT 8-21-26, p. 1)

Hoover, Herbert; Indians of North America--Tacoma--1920-1930; Document signings--Tacoma; Hotel Winthrop (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;

Rex McCargar and his Orchestra at the Hotel Winthrop. The tuxedoed musicians have their instruments on display in this January 20, 1927, photograph. The singers and entertainers, advertised as the "most popular orchestra in the city," went on to appear at the Hotel Tacoma the following week. The Hotel Tacoma provided dancing every Friday night with a 50 cent cover charge. (TNT 1-31-27, p. 8-ad) G40.1-034

McCargar, Rex; Musicians--Tacoma--1920-1930; Hotel Winthrop (Tacoma);

Star Coal exhibit. This exhibit of Star and Burnsright Coal was one of several displayed at the Western Retail Lumbermen's convention held at the Winthrop Hotel, February 24-26, 1927. G31.1-099

Exhibits--Tacoma--1920-1930; Meetings--Tacoma--1920-1930; Hotel Winthrop (Tacoma);

This small sample house was one of two built on the rooftop of the Winthrop Hotel overlooking the downtown business district in late February of 1927. In the background, near left, are visible parts of the Washington Building, Peoples Store and Puget Sound National Bank. The Pythian Temple and Rhodes Brothers Department Store are near right rear. This is believed to be the model building constructed by the St. Paul & Tacoma Lumber Co. to show how structures can be built using grades of local Washington woods not now in great demand. The other house, not pictured, was built by the West Coast Trade Extension Bureau to show that short lengths of lumber can be used for high-class construction work. Both houses were built for the annual three-day convention of the Western Retail Lumbermen's Association, opening Thursday, February 24, 1927, at the Winthrop Hotel. 600 retail lumbermen were expected to attend. G36.1-102 (TNT 2-23-27, p. 1, p. 7)

Model houses--Tacoma--1920-1930; Cityscapes; Business districts--Tacoma--1920-1930; Hotel Winthrop (Tacoma); Meetings--Tacoma--1920-1930;

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);

Tulip display. The second annual tulip show of the Pierce County Horticultural Society was opened to the public on May 5, 1928. The event was held at the Winthrop Hotel's Crystal Ballroom and admission was free. Thousands of blooms were displayed by amateur and professional growers from all parts of Washington and Oregon. Even homeowners with small gardens were invited to participate. One colorful exhibit was from George Lawler, pioneer bulb grower, who had expanded his bulb business with the purchase in 1926 of 383 acres near Roy. G26.1-119 (TDL 5-5-28, p. 1-article)

Tulips--Tacoma; Flower shows--Tacoma--1920-1930; Exhibitions--Tacoma--1920-1930; 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;

Flowers and ferns on display, courtesy of the Tacoma Garden Club, at the Winthrop Hotel, on May 25, 1929. This was the fifth annual spring flower show sponsored by the group. G26.1-118

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

A series of photographs were taken of the Tacoma Garden Club's exhibition of flowers held at the Winthrop Hotel on May 25, 1929. A variety of blossoms, along with potted plants and garden accessories, were on display in the hotel's Crystal Ballroom. G26.1-097

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

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);

The third annual 'mum show held at the Hotel Winthrop on November 12, 1929, showcased fall flowers from many Tacoma firms including the above lovely display of chrysanthemums from Tschunko, "House of Flowers." Tschunko's, located at 5001 Pacific Avenue, had been in business there since 1906. G26.1-117 (TNT 11-9-29, p. 3-article; TNT 11-12-29, p. 14-article)

Chrysanthemums--Tacoma; Flower shows--Tacoma--1920-1930; Hotel Winthrop (Tacoma); Tschunko's House of Flowers (Tacoma); Florist shops--Tacoma--1920-1930;

Floral display at the Winthrop Hotel. A beautiful selection of 'mums was on display under the brilliant light of a crystal chandelier on November 12, 1929. The flowers were courtesy of Hinz Florists, 618 South "K" (now Martin Luther King Jr. Way). Displays of chrysanthemums, roses and fall flowers filled the Crystal Ballroom at the third annual 'mum show held under the auspices of the Pierce County Horticultural Society. G31.1-104 (TNT 11-9-29, p. 3-article; TNT 11-12-29, p. 14-article)

Chrysanthemums--Tacoma; Hotel Winthrop (Tacoma); Chandeliers; Flower shows--Tacoma--1920-1930; Florist shops--Tacoma--1920-1930; Hinz Florists (Tacoma);