Tacoma hosted the state lodge and temple convention of the Knights of Pythias fraternal organization which opened on Sunday, October 5, 1969, at the Winthrop Hotel. Eight unidentified lodge members posed on October 6th on the rooftop of the Winthrop. Three of the men are wearing special ornate medallions. The Tacoma Knights of Pythias, Commencement Lodge #7, joined members of the Washington Temple and Tacoma Temple, Pythian Sisters at the convention. National Chancellor Commander Otto R. Shuman was the honored guest of the Commencement Lodge. Photograph ordered by the Knights of Pythias, Commencement Lodge #7. (TNT 10-3-69, A-14- article)

Knights of Pythias, Commencement Lodge #7 (Tacoma); Fraternal organizations--Tacoma--1960-1970; Meetings--Tacoma--1960-1970;

Posed on the rooftop of the Winthrop Hotel with the towering Medical Arts Building prominently in the background are officers of the Department of Washington and Alaska, of the Daughters of the Union Veterans of the Civil War, 1861-65. They were holding their 57th annual convention at the Winthrop from June 7-10, 1970. Believed to be in attendance was Mrs. Fayette Bell of Los Angeles, the organization's national president. Also believed to be pictured above was Mrs. John McDougall of Seattle, department president who presided over the convention's meetings. Among activities held during the convention was a memory banquet where a scholarship would be awarded to a college student who was a descendant of a Civil War veteran. Photograph ordered by the Daughters of the Union Veterans of the Civil War,1861-65. (TNT 5-24-70, E-6 article)

Daughters of the Union Veterans of the Civil War, 1861-65; Meetings--Tacoma--1970-1980; Medical Arts Building (Tacoma);

On June 5, 1937, as a function of the Shrine spring reunion in Tacoma, the Afifi Temple held a Ball and banquet at the Winthrop Hotel. Shriners and their wives were the guests. Here the photographer was setting up camera to take photographs of people in the receiving line.

Fraternal organizations--Tacoma; Ancient Arabic Order of Nobles of the Mystic Shrine (Tacoma); Hotel Winthrop (Tacoma);

On July 22, 1940, W.J. Cameron, associate of Henry Ford and commentator for the Ford Sunday Evening Hour, spoke to a capacity crowd in the Crystal Ballroom of the Winthrop Hotel on the role of industry in the preservation of democracy in this country. Pictured left to right are Leon Titus, Governor Clarence D. Martin, W.J. Cameron, Tommy Mallon, Nelson Bowe (assistant manager Ford Motor Co., Seattle branch) and W.B. Patterson, Ford's Northwest manager. Tacoma was not on Mr. Cameron's original lecture circuit, but with the combined efforts of Tacoma's Ford dealers Mallon and Titus, Mr. Cameron was entreated to fit Tacoma in between Seattle and Portland. (T. Times 7/23/1940, pg. 5) (note: photograph is misnumbered but filed under D889 image 1)

Governors; Martin, Clarence D., 1887-1955; Banquets--Tacoma--1940-1950; Titus, Leon E.; Mallon, Thomas; Bowe, Nelson; Patterson, W.B.; Cameron, W.J.; Ford Motor Co.;

This group of young people are dancing Thanksgiving Night away at this holiday dance at the Hotel Winthrop sponsored by the Nite Owls Club. The Club was organized at Stadium High School and is marking its anniversary with its 11th annual dance. Left to right: Barbara Bonnell, Phillip Carstens, Bernard Chambers (chairman of the dance), skier Gretchen Kunigk (later Fraser) and Edwin Chambers Jr. TPL-5196 (T. Times 11/28/1936, pg. 9)

Fraser, Gretchen Kunigk, 1919-1994; Bonnell, Barbara; Carstens, Phillip; Chambers, Bernard; Chambers, Edwin; Nite Owls (Tacoma); Dance; Hotel Winthrop (Tacoma);

ca. 1926. Winthrop Hotel, circa 1926, same sitting room as in A1301 image 1, the sitting room of the Presidential Suite. Writing desk that folds up into cabinet against wall right. The suite was finished in mahogany with paneled plastered walls.(filed with Argentum)

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

Over 300 telephones scheduled to be installed at the new Hotel Winthrop posed around the two person switchboard. A desk telephone will stand on a table in each guest room. The Winthrop is the first hotel in Tacoma to have this type of instrument furnished throughout. The installation will require over 71 miles of lines, running through a 2 ft x 4 ft shaft extending perpendicularly from the basement to the private branch switchboard on the roof garden floor. These phones will bring the total number of phones in Tacoma to over 23,000. TPL-460 (TNT 5/16/1925, pg 3) print filed under A 1003

Hotel Winthrop (Tacoma); Telephones--1920-1930; Telephone switchboards;

ca. 1926. Exterior view of the Winthrop Hotel from the southwest, circa 1926. Building designed by W.E. Stoddard and Roland Borhek, Associated Architects, in 1924. On the right is the Pantages Theater and on the left is the Bostwick Building. (filed under Argentum)

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

ca. 1937. Youth hostels bicycle pilgrimage. A group of young people with bicycles and backpacks gathered outside the Winthrop Hotel. (T. Times).

Cycling--Tacoma--1930-1940; Cyclists; Hotel Winthrop (Tacoma);

Governor Clarence D. Martin admires a bright eyed puppy at a banquet given on November 28, 1939 in the honor of Mrs. Frances M. Haskell, national president of the Ladies G.A.R., as Gilbert Waite looks on. Mr. Waite, president of the Young Mens Business Club, had earlier in the evening presented Mrs. Haskell with a bouquet of flowers, out of the middle of which popped the puppy. The wire haired terrier is a gift to Mrs. Haskell who recently lost her dog. ALBUM 10. (T. Times 11/29/1939, pg. 10)

Governors; Martin, Clarence D., 1887-1955; Dogs--Tacoma--1930-1940; Waite, Gilbert; Haskell, Frances M.;

Wauna Club dance at Winthrop Hotel. Enjoying the "Hia-Wauna" party on January 27, 1940 were Mr. and Mrs. Harold Johnson and Mr. and Mrs. Herman Brandes. The couples are dressed in formal attire for this special evening. (T.Times 2-3-1940, p. 4)

Wauna Club (Tacoma); Clubs--Tacoma--1940-1950; Men--Clothing & dress--Tacoma--1940-1950; Women--Clothing & dress--Tacoma--1940-1950; Hotel Winthrop (Tacoma); Johnson, Harold; Johnson, Harold--Family; Brandes, Herman; Brandes, Herman--Family;

Men looking at American Type Founders Printing Press at the Winthrop Hotel. Another view of the men and the printing press is at D9536, image 1. (Argentum)

Printing presses--1940-1950; Hotel Winthrop (Tacoma);

On December 4th, 1940, white haired veteran Tacoma Times columnist E.T. Short enjoyed a cup of coffee with popular young baritone Donald Dickson, right, and his concert accompanist William Hughes. Mr. Dickson and Mr. Hughes were in their pajamas and dressing gowns enjoying a 9 a.m. breakfast in their rooms at the Winthrop Hotel, after a late night arrival by train from Los Angeles. Mr. Dickson was scheduled to open an "All Star" concert series at the Temple Theater later that evening. Mr. Dickson had achieved his popularity by performing on the radio. His concert included both opera and popular pieces, by his choice sung primarily in English. The concert was a huge success, garnering six curtain calls for the pair. (T. Times 12/4/1940, pg. 13)

Dickson, Donald; Hughes, William; Short, Edgar T.; Singers; Opera singers; Musicians--1940-1950; Hotel Winthrop (Tacoma);

Mayor's reception for "Tugboat Annie Sails Again" premiere on October 18, 1940, at the Winthrop. Hollywood stars Alan Hale, Sr., Marjorie Rambeau, Ronald Reagan, Mayor Harry P. Cain and columnist Hedda Hopper beam for the camera; Donald Crisp glances downward instead. The film premiered simultaneously at three Tacoma theaters that evening. ALBUM 6.

Motion picture premieres--Tacoma--1940-1950; Actors--Tacoma--1940-1950; Reagan, Ronald Wilson, 1911-; Mayors--Tacoma--1940-1950; Cain, Harry P., 1906-1979; Hale, Alan; Rambeau, Marjorie; Crisp, Donald; Hopper, Hedda; Banquets--Tacoma--1940-1950;

On March 22, 1941, Lew Floystead, left, Grand Royal Chief of the Tacoma Chapter of Royal Birds, received a stuffed bird from Al Frederick, charter member of the Portland Cage #1, during the organization's first annual banquet and initiation at the Hotel Winthrop. The bird was the emblem of the national laundry operators association, the Royal Birds. The Royal Birds were founded in 1921. The organization was national in scope and membership was limited to laundry operators whose plants had reached a high standard of quality and service. (T. Times 3/24/1941, pg. 12)

Royal Birds (Tacoma); Banquets--Tacoma--1940-1950; Floystead, Lew; Hotel Winthrop (Tacoma);

National Checker Association holds their second annual title tournament at the Winthrop Hotel. Portrait of a large group of men and women with checker boards displayed in front of group. The tournament would have the largest turn out of any in national history, as well as the largest prize- an automobile. The final match would be on September 9th and feature Walter Wallman of Gary, Ind. vs. William J. Ryan of New York. The first 6 games of the pair ended in a draw. (T. Times 8/29/1939, pg. 1; 9/9/1939, pg. 7)

National Checker Association (Tacoma); Checkers;

Dignitaries table at banquet honoring Norwegian Crown Prince Olav and Crown Princess Martha at the Hotel Winthrop on May 23, 1939. Photographed speaking to the Crown Prince (later Olav V) was Tacoma Mayor, J.J. Kaufman: the Prince is the second man to the right. 400-500 local residents attended the informal civic banquet in the Crystal ballroom. Axel Oxholm was the toastmaster, introducing the head table. Mayor Kaufman welcomed the royal visitors to Tacoma; Leonard S. Langlow, Tacoma Times editor, also spoke briefly. (TNT 5-24-39, p. 2)

Olav V, 1903-1991; Rulers--Norway; Visits of state--Tacoma--1930-1940; Mayors--Tacoma--1930-1940; Kaufman, Joseph J., Banquets--Tacoma--1930-1940;

The chief at the Hotel Winthrop presented the fish course, planked salmon, to Norwegian Crown Prince Olav (later Olav V) during the banquet held in his honor on May 23, 1939. Mayor Joseph J. Kaufman (far left) and 400-500 local residents attended the informal civic banquet in the Crystal ballroom attended by both the Prince and his wife, Princess Martha. (The man to the right has not been identified.) Brief speeches were presented by the Crown Prince and local dignitaries. More than 3,000 Tacomans were in attendance later at the State Armory for a public reception presented under the auspices of the Norwegian societies of Tacoma in the form of a Norwegian festival. Heir to the throne of Norway, the Crown Prince spoke graciously in flawless English. This may not have been a surprise; he had finished his education at Oxford and was the great-grandson of Queen Victoria. (TNT 5-22-39, p. 6, TNT 5-24-39, p. 2) ALBUM 3.

Olav V, 1903-1991; Rulers--Norway; Visits of state--Tacoma; Mayors--Tacoma--1930-1940; Kaufman, Joseph J., Banquets--Tacoma--1930-1940;

Gyro Club with Jubilee Hats on Winthrop Hotel roof on July 5, 1939. Provident Building, (Second) Tacoma Hotel, 11th Street Bridge and Tideflats in background. Group includes Mayor J. J. Kaufman, Harry P. Cain, C. Val Fawcett, Ira Davisson, Holmes Eastwood and Norton Clapp. The Gyro Club was promoting the wearing of hats during the celebration honoring Washington's 50 years of statehood. Club members are shown wearing a variety of styles including top hats, 10-gallon hats, low crown derbies. Many prominent city, county and civic leaders were included in the group. Clapp was the Tacoma Chamber of Commerce president, Fawcett, Eastwood and Davisson were City Commissioners, and Cain (soon to be elected the next mayor) was the Jubilee Chairman. The sole woman in the group was Mrs. Louise S. Taylor, county superintendent of schools. (T. Times, 7-7-39, p. 1) ALBUM 11.

Washington State Golden Jubilee, 1939--Tacoma; Mayors--Tacoma; Kaufman, Joseph J.; Cain, Harry P., 1906-1979; Clapp, Norton, 1906-1995; Fawcett, Clarence Valdo, 1900-1965; Taylor, Louise S.;

Real estate developer Norton Clapp towers over County Superintendent of Schools Mrs. Louise S. Taylor as the two shake hands and show off their Jubilee Hats in July of 1939. Both are members of the Gyro Club which declared the wearin' of hats to be the best way to boost the city's Golden Jubilee celebration, July 16-23, 1939. 20,000 hats of all styles, shapes and colors would flood the city so that everybody had a chance to buy one, for as low as 60 cents. The club had announced plans to put old-fashioned police wagons on the streets on July 18th to spot anyone not wearing a hat and suitable "punishment" would ensue. The local Gyro Club had many prominent members including C. Val Fawcett, Harry P. Cain, W.P. Bonney and Sheriff John Bjorklund. (T.Times 7-7-39, p. 1-article; TNT 7-13-39, p. 3-article; TNT 7-16-39, p. 1-article)

Washington State Golden Jubilee, 1939--Tacoma; Taylor, Louise S.; Hats; Clapp, Norton, 1906-1995; Gyro Club (Tacoma);

Wauna Club dance on Roof Garden at Hotel Winthrop; event was held on April 22, 1939. Four women are holding gifts, pottery water pitchers. L-R are Mrs. Allan M. Hudson, Mrs. F.R. Griffiths, Mrs. Tim Kimball, Mr. and Mrs. James Healy, Mrs. Carroll C. Carlson and Elmer G. Hagen. (T. Times, 4-29-39, p. 7).

Wauna Club (Tacoma); Clubs--Tacoma--1930-1940;

Ethel (Mrs. Ben) Cheney is being measured for a uniform at an informational meeting at the Winthrop Hotel, organizing Tacoma's unit of the National Service League for Women. Col. Harriet Virginia, right, National Commander of the National Service League Motor Corps for Women, jots down the measurements. Over 150 women turned out for the meeting. The group offered instruction to women in motor mechanics and driving, first aid, short wave radio, semaphoring (flag signalling) and Morse Code. They trained the women to offer aid in a national or local emergency, becoming part of the Home Defense movement. Pictured left to right are Mrs. Aileen Schoonover, Mrs. Melville Grange (measuring), Mrs. Cheney and Col. Virginia. In February of 1941, the National Service League was declared a hoax by Walter West of the Better Business Bureau. "Colonel" Virginia and her husband James Fulton were using the bogus organization to sell substandard uniforms at inflated prices. "Colonel" Virginia was charged in Tacoma with Grand Larceny. The Tacoma Chapter split with the national organization and with its 40 surviving members continued on its own as the Women's Emergency Motor Corps, part of the Tacoma Home Defense Movement. ( T. Times 11/4/1940, pg.5; Hoax: T. Times 2/17/1941, pg. 1 plus succeeding days)

Cheney, Ethel; Virginia, Harriet; Schoonover, Aileen; Measuring; World War, 1939-1945--Women--Tacoma; World War, 1939-1945--Civil defense--Tacoma; Women's Emergency Motor Corps (Tacoma);

The members of Tacoma's "Mickey Mouse Band" were photographed in the Crystal Ballroom of the Hotel Winthrop in December of 1936. The band, in reality a youth orchestra, was made up of young musicians aged 10 - 17 years old. The Mickey Mouse Band was originally sponsored by the John Hamrick Theatres. It was organized in 1932 by Bill Conner, Assistant Hamrick Manager, who also directed. In 1935, Louis Wersen took over as director, assisted by Doug Tilton and Frank Anarde. They developed the group into a fine young orchestra. The Tacoma Times took over sponsorship in January of 1938. On January 18 the newspaper declared that the organizations name would be changed because Mickey Mouse was deemed "not appropriate for the organization as it exists today." (T. Times 1/6/1938, pg. 1)

Mickey Mouse Band (Tacoma); Youth orchestras--Tacoma--1930-1940; Children playing musical instruments; Musicians--Tacoma--1930-1940; Hotel Winthrop (Tacoma); Chandeliers;

International-style Military Ball, held February 18, 1939 at the Hotel Winthrop's Crystal Ballroom. Sue Devlin, of Tacoma, and Elsie Lough, of Vancouver, entertain surrounding officers from their perches on chairs. Admirers, left to right, are Robert Sconce of Tacoma, Capt. Graeme Gibson of the 72nd Seaforth Highlanders, Col. A.W. McMorris of Tacoma and Lt. Fowles of Olympia, liaison officer for the 248th Coast Artillery. (T. Times, 2/20/1939, p. 1)

Balls (Parties)--Tacoma--1930-1940; Clothing & dress--Tacoma--1930-1940; Ball dresses; Military uniforms; Scotland--Clothing & dress; Hotel Winthrop (Tacoma); Devlin, Sue; Gibson, Graeme; Lough, Elsie; McMorris, A.W.; Sconce, Robert E.;

Chamber of Commerce Gridiron Dinner at the Winthrop Hotel. (T.Times).

Banquets--Tacoma--1930-1940; Washington State Golden Jubilee, 1939--Tacoma; Chamber of Commerce (Tacoma); Hotel Winthrop (Tacoma);

Two couples at the Co-Ed Club dance. Fritz Haines, Roberta Cohoon, and Mr. and Mrs. Harry Miller pose in formal wear at the April 21, 1939, Co-Ed Club dance. Behind them is a large emblem hung by wires. The event was held in the Crystal Ballroom of the Hotel Winthrop. (T.Times, 4-29-39, p. 7)

Co-Ed Club (Tacoma); Balls (Parties)--Tacoma--1930-1940; Haines, Fritz; Cohoon, Roberta; Miller, Harry;

ca. 1925. The Hotel Winthrop, viewed from Pacific Ave. looking west. The construction in front of the Hotel is the Motoramp Garage. It was constructed at 745 Commerce on the site of the Hotel Donnelly. The Hotel Winthrop opened in May of 1925 and the Motoramp opened in August of 1925. (WSHS) BU-12083

Construction--Tacoma--1920-1930; Motoramp Garage (Tacoma); Parking garages--Tacoma; Hotel Winthrop (Tacoma); Hotels--Tacoma--1920-1930;

On Saturday March 11, 1939, the Bachelor Club hosted a large ball and style show in the Crystal Ballroom of the Winthrop Hotel. The backdrop for the show as an elegant cityscape with outlines of skyscrapers, a large bridge and a late model sedan. (filed with Argentum) (T.Times 3/18/1939, pg. 9)

Hotel Winthrop (Tacoma); Bachelor Club (Tacoma); Fashion shows;

Convention of Mayors banquet at Crystal Ballroom of the Hotel Winthrop. View of officals on rostrum.

Hotel Winthrop (Tacoma); Hotels--Tacoma--1930-1940; Banquets--Tacoma--1930-1940; Mayors--1930-1940; Meetings--Tacoma--1930-1940;

Convention of Mayors banquet at Crystal Ballroom of the Hotel Winthrop. General view of room with people seated at tables.

Hotel Winthrop (Tacoma); Hotels--Tacoma--1930-1940; Banquets--Tacoma--1930-1940; Mayors--1930-1940; Meetings--Tacoma--1930-1940;