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);

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;

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);

Governor Arthur B. Langlie and wife Evelyn in pleasant conversation with an unidentified man during the Butcher's Convention at the Hotel Winthrop. Governor Langlie delivered an address at the gathering on June 8, 1943.

Governors; Langlie, Arthur B., 1900-1966; Langlie, Evelyn;

Governor Arthur B. Langlie and his wife Evelyn with an unidentified man during the Butcher's Convention at the Hotel Winthrop. ALBUM 10.

Governors; Langlie, Arthur B., 1900-1966; Langlie, Evelyn;

Butchers Convention at Hotel Winthrop. Governor and Mrs. Arthur B. Langlie pose with conference attendees on June 8, 1943. The Winthrop was the site of many conventions during its existence due to its spacious facilities and prime location downtown.

Governors; Langlie, Arthur B., 1900-1966; Langlie, Evelyn; Meetings--Tacoma--1940-1950;

William Harrison "Jack" Dempsey was born on June 24, 1895, and celebrated his 49th birthday while visiting Tacoma in support of the 5th War Bond drive. The guest of honor at a dinner held at the Hotel Winthrop, Jack Dempsey was surprised by the appearance of a cake since he had not mentioned it was his birthday. He blew out all 49 candles with one breath. On June 24 and 25, 1944, the former heavyweight champ made several appearances in Tacoma including a stop at the Todd Pacific Shipbuilding yard on the Tideflats and a visit to Point Defiance. He had last appeared in Tacoma about 1932 in an exhibition on behalf of the Tacoma Junior League Milk Fund. Dempsey was a Lt. Commander in the U.S. Coast Guard at the time of his 1944 visit. (TNT 6-25-44, A-12, 6-26-44, p. 1, T.Times, 6-26-44, p. 1) TPL-167 ALBUM 9.

Dempsey, Jack, 1895-1983; Boxers (Sports); Celebrities; Birthdays--Tacoma--1950-1960; Candles; Cakes--Tacoma--1950-1960;

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);

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;

On June 5, 1944, the War Stamp Minute Maids made an unannounced appearance at the Young Mens' Business Club luncheon to sell war bonds and stamps. They made a pleasing sight with their "V" for Victory halo hats and red, white and blue stamp boxes. The pictured men stepped forward to buy a $100 War Bond each. Pictured, left to right, purchasing their bond are George Neumeyer, Gil Gunderson, Leonard Peck, Jim Lasher and Gese Nist. Heading up the sale for the Maids are, left to right, Jean Hallen, Shirley Abel, Merrille Longstreth, Marilyn McCormack and Patty Doe. The maids were raising funds for the 5th War Loan Campaign. (T. Times, 7/5/44, p. 8).

War bonds & funds; Sales personnel--Tacoma; World War, 1939-1945--Economic aspects of war--Tacoma; Costumes;

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);

Patricia Clarke modeled a yellow and black formal with an over skirt for the Fisher's Department Store style show held in the recently opened Wedgewood Room at the Hotel Winthrop in February of 1948. Beginning in March, Fisher's started a series of monthly fashion shows held on the first Thursday of each month. Starting at 1 p.m. the fashion shows were held in connection with a "musical" luncheon with music provided by Bob Dickinson and his orchestra; there was no charge other then the cost of the luncheon. (T.Times, 2/20/1948, p.11)

Hotel Winthrop (Tacoma); Hotels--Tacoma--1940-1950; Fisher's Department Store (Tacoma); Fashion shows--Tacoma--1940-1950; Fashion models--Tacoma; Clarke, P.; Evening gowns--Tacoma--1940-1950; Restaurants--Tacoma--1940-1950; Women--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Tacoma's Kiwanis Club held their club meeting at Winthrop Hotel, the club's main order of business was the installation of new officers and directors. A. B. Comfort (Kim) is the club's new President, Herbert Sturtridge, Vice-President, Wilbur Raleigh, Treasurer and Herbert Scisinger, Secretary. John A. Thomson, Lieutenant-Governor of Division 3 of Kiwanis International, will be the installing officer. View of A. B. Comfort, left, being handed the gavel over by John Reine, retiring President (T. Times, 12/26/47, p. 14).

Podiums--Tacoma; Shaking hands--Tacoma; Presidential inaugurations--Tacoma; Comfort, Arthur B.--Inauguration; Kiwanis Club (Tacoma); Hotel Winthrop (Tacoma);

The Tacoma Times was about to begin publishing a Sunday edition of the Times, it would begin on December 5, 1948. The Tacoma Sunday Times would be the first newspaper on the Pacific Coast to present its readers with the world famous "Parade" magazine. Left to right view of George R. Skaugset, Business Manager of the Tacoma Times Publications, Paul Busselle, Editor of the Tacoma Times daily and Sunday editions, and Frank W. Power, Publisher and President of the Tacoma Times Publishing Company (T. Times, 12/2/48, p. 19).

Reading--Tacoma; Business people--Tacoma--1940-1950; Newspapers--Tacoma; Men--Clothing & dress--Tacoma--1940-1950; Newspaper industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Journalism--Tacoma; Tacoma Times Publishing Co. (Tacoma);

The Tacoma Orthopedic Association's Tahoma Guild was having their third consecutive annual Wishing Candle fundraiser. The money raised would go towards the building of the future children's hospital; eight candles were placed in popular Tacoma restaurants. View of Winthrop Hotel employees: restaurant waitresses, hotel clerks and restaurant hostesses, lighting a Wishing Candle from the Tacoma Orthopedic Association's Tahoma Guild (T.N.T., 12/3/48, p. 10).

Restaurant workers--Tacoma; Hotel employees--Tacoma; Hotels--Tacoma; Lighting--Tacoma; Candles; Fund raising--Tacoma--1940-1950; Tacoma Orthopedic Association (Tacoma); Hotel Winthrop (Tacoma);

The Daughters of Pioneers of Washington were holding their convention at the Winthrop Hotel in May of 1948. Margaret Smith (left) and Mrs. T. A. Lund were the hostesses. Margaret is wearing a wedding gown worn by her mother and later worn for her own wedding. The gown is made of white wool challis with lace inserts. Mrs. Lund is wearing a gay nineties black lace and velvet over two chiffon petticoats gown. View of Margaret Smith (left) and Mrs. T. A. Lund wearing pioneer costumes at the Winthrop Hotel, portrait of George Washington in background (T. Times, 5/13/48, p. 11).

Meetings--Tacoma; Smith, Margaret E.; Lund, T. A.--Family; Costumes; Wedding clothing & dress; Hotel Winthrop (Tacoma); Daughters of Pioneers of Washington (Tacoma);

In May of 1948, the Fife High School held their annual Junior and Senior Dinner Dance at the Winthrop Hotel's Wedgewood Room. View of Viletta Steele, in her beautiful spring formal, dancing with Harold Watrin. Students admiring the dancing couple are, left to right, Stanton Schack, Eugene Rowan, Jim Saugan, Clinton Nell, Arnold Riveness and Gene Matson (T.N.T., 5/13/48, p. 21).

Public schools--Fife; Students--Fife; Balls (Parties)--Tacoma--1940-1950; Ballroom dancing--Tacoma--1940-1950; Ball dresses; Fife High School (Fife); Hotel Winthrop (Tacoma);

Construction of signs was one of the "1,000 uses of plywood" being promoted at the annual meeting of the Douglas Fir Plywood Association held in the Winthrop Hotel from June 8-9, 1948. Many signs produced by the Cole & Redmayne Company, the makers of "Vivid Tone" products, were on display. "For Sale" signs, "Carstens" wieners and ham, school zone signs with a little girl and "Susie Q," a policeman and many other plywood cutouts were featured in their sign display area. To the far right, a 2-D version of US Senator and former Tacoma Mayor Harry P. Cain gave his approval. (TNT 6-10-48, p. 30-article; TNT 6-9-48, p. 1-article) TPL-10179

Plywood; Molded plywood; Signs (Notices); Cutouts; Lumber industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Merchandise displays--Tacoma--1940-1950; Douglas Fir Plywood Association (Tacoma); Hotel Winthrop (Tacoma);

Boat show at Hotel Winthrop, Hotel Winthrop, Mr. Boyd. A boat show, sponsored by the Tacoma Yacht Club, was held in the lobby of the Hotel Winthrop August 17 - 22, 1948. Mayor C. Val Fawcett is seen to the right of the helm with several other men at the boat show. (T.Times, 8/9/1948, p.2)

Hotel Winthrop (Tacoma); Boats--Tacoma--1940-1950; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Fawcett, Clarence Valdo, 1900-1965; Mayors--Tacoma--1940-1950;

24 men at Ohmer Sales Meeting, Club Room 5, Hotel Winthrop, Mr. R.E. Barrett, Ohmer Corp., Dayton, Ohio. Ohmer Corporation were makers of the cash register displayed here among a group of business people who came to learn more about the machine.

Hotel Winthrop (Tacoma); Hotels--Tacoma--1940-1950; Ohmer Corp. (Tacoma); Meetings--Tacoma--1940-1950; Business people--Tacoma--1940-1950; Sales personnel--Tacoma--1940-1950; Cash registers;

California Governor Earl Warren, Republican Vice-Presidential candidate and future Supreme Court Chief Justice, Mrs. Warren, and the Warren children Dorothy, Virginia, Nina Elizabeth, and Bobby, during a campaign appearence in Tacoma. Four of the Warren children accompanied their parents on a whirlwind tour of the Pacific Northwest. Hundreds of women had lined up as much as an hour before to meet the Warrens at a Republican reception. The reception was held in the Hotel Winthrop prior to Governor Warren's address at the State Armory. (TNT 10-15-48, p 1) ALBUM 2.

Political elections--Tacoma--1940-1950; Warren, Earl, 1891-1974; Governors; Warren, Earl--Family; Warren, Nina; Warren, Dorothy; Warren, Virginia; Warren, Nina Elizabeth; Warren, Robert;

Exterior view of the Winthrop Hotel, ca. 1939. The tower of the old City Hall building can be seen in the background left. (filed with Argentum)

Hotels--Tacoma; Business districts--Tacoma; Commercial streets--Tacoma--1930-1940; Hotel Winthrop (Tacoma);

Tacoma Times newsboy banquet held in the Crystal Ballroom of the Winthrop Hotel on April 4, 1939. More than 100 carriers attended the event. (T Times 4/5/1939, pg. 18) (filed with Argentum)

Tacoma Times Publishing Co. (Tacoma); Newspaper carriers--Tacoma--1930-1940; Banquets--Tacoma--1930-1940;

Helen Jepson at the Winthrop Hotel. Woman turning the dial of a radio as she stands before a large mirror. She is wearing a fashionable knit hat with decorative comb woven through the side, green dress and red/white plaid jacket. Metropolitan Opera star Helen Jepson was making her first appearance in Tacoma in concert at the First Baptist Church on February 2, 1940. The Tacoma Times seemed impressed that the opera singer was not a temperamental diva but was easy to talk to and even came to Tacoma "just like ordinary folks"--early and by bus rather than train. Tacoma was one of the some 50 concerts a year scheduled by Miss Jepson (Mrs. George Possell). She stated that she liked to work with Lawrence Tibbett as he was one of her favorite singers and also enjoyed swing music. (T. Times 2-2-1940 p.1)

Jepson, Helen; Hotel Winthrop (Tacoma); Radios; Hats--1940-1950; Mirrors; Singers;

Club of Hearts annual yuletide dance, December 26, 1938. Couples converse at event, left to right: Norman Runions, Maurita Shank (later Runions), Thomas G. Taylor, Mrs. Bill Wingard, Eleanor Davies, Thornton Babbitt, Bill Wingard, Mary Adelaide Raybould. (T. Times, 12/3l/38, p. 4)

Runions, Norman; Shank, Maurita; Taylor, Thomas; Wingard, Bill; Davies, Eleanor; Babbitt, Thornton; Raybould, Mary Adelaide; Club of Hearts (Tacoma); Clubs--Tacoma--1930-1940; Holidays--Tacoma--1930-1940;

On March 11, 1939, the Bachelor Club of Tacoma hosted a large ball and style show at the Crystal Ballroom of the Winthrop Hotel. Shannon Smith, center, modeled a wedding gown. (T.Times 3/18/1939, pg. 9)

Smith, Shannon; Hotel Winthrop (Tacoma); Bachelor Club (Tacoma); Fashion shows--Tacoma--1930-1940; Women--Clothing & dress--Tacoma--1930-1940;

Marquis Dance at the Winthrop Hotel. Group portrait of seventeen people in hotel dining room. Photograph was taken on April 16, 1938.

Teenagers--1930-1940; Hotel Winthrop (Tacoma); Dance parties--Tacoma--1930-1940;

Dance hosted by the Spinster Club at the Winthrop Hotel. Margaret Franich poses with her date on the right in this photograph dated May 30, 1939.

Spinster Club (Tacoma); Franich, Margaret; Couples--Tacoma--1930-1940;