Comus Club dance at Winthrop Hotel, circus theme, Tribune, Mrs. Hosmer. The Comus Club held their February dance, the "Comus Circus," at the Hotel Winthrop February 19, 1949. A thoroughly amused group stands below a circus rider, L-R, Edgar J. and Mary E. Murnen, Mr. and Mrs. E.D. Thompson, and Arleyne I. and Russell W. Ross. (TNT, 2/27/1949, p.D-1)

Hotel Winthrop (Tacoma); Comus Club (Tacoma); Dance parties--Tacoma--1940-1950; Women--Clothing & dress--Tacoma--1940-1950; Murnen, Edgar J.; Murnen, Mary E.; Thompson, E.D.--Family; Ross, Russell W.; Ross, Arleyne I.;

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);

Fisher's style show. Two models show new dresses for the bride and bridesmaid. The bride's dress, modeled by Gail Haberling, is floor length with long sleeves and a sweetheart neck-line. The fabric has a low sheen which looks especially lovely with the calla lilies she is carrying. The veil is finger-tip length with a crescent shaped headdress. The bridesmaid wears a floor length dress with off-the-shoulder triple-ruffle neckline with a net insert to the neck, elbow-length gloves and a no-brim headdress. (T.Times, 3/5/1948, p.13)

Hotel Winthrop (Tacoma); Hotels--Tacoma--1940-1950; Fisher's Department Store (Tacoma); Fashion shows--Tacoma--1940-1950; Fashion models--Tacoma; Wedding costume--1940-1950; Gloves; Veils--Tacoma--1940-1950; Headdresses;

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);

This photograph from December 1949 of the Sabre Room in the Winthrop Hotel shows the popular Tacoma restaurant three months after its official opening in September. Created by Trader Vic to look like an authentic old-English tap room, the Sabre room was decorated in authentic English style and featured open hearth food service where you could see expert chefs prepare the food. The menu included roast beef cooked in rock salt, barbecued ribs, and steak and kidney pie - desert included trifle. The room could seat 110 persons, including the ladies' cocktail lounge. (TNT, 9/24/1950, p.6)

Hotel Winthrop (Tacoma); Lounges--Tacoma; Buffets (Cookery)--Tacoma; Cooks; Waitresses--Tacoma; Bartenders--Tacoma; Bars--Tacoma;

Group of approximately 30 at Winthrop Hotel, Pacific Northwest District of Kiwanis, R. Ralstad. It was reported earlier in the month that Edward A. Lane had been elected president of the North-West Tacoma Kiwanis Club for 1950. (TNT, 11/10/1949, p.C-11)

Hotel Winthrop (Tacoma); Kiwanis Club (Tacoma); Business people--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Broiled steak dinner set up at Winthrop. The Hotel Winthrop was well known for their delicious meals. This photograph shows an elegant place setting with a New York cut sirloin steak with french fried potatoes, garden salad and toasted garlic rolls on display. Additional items on the table include a small pitcher of cream, bowl of sugar, salt and pepper shakers, and gravy boat. This particular dinner special cost a hungry diner $3.50 in 1950.

Hotel Winthrop (Tacoma); Table settings & decorations; Silverware; Meat;

New telephone booths in lobby of Hotel Winthrop, Pacific Telephone & Telegraph, Sales Dept., Morris Hickey. Three telephone booths are seen on the right side and three more are on the left. An open telephone book is provided at the opening at the back. The lower portion of the stand is decorated with nail studs through a leather-like material.

Hotel Winthrop (Tacoma); Pacific Telephone & Telegraph Co. (Tacoma); Telephone booths--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Interior of Sabre Room, Winthrop Hotel. The Sabre Room had been extensively remodeled in 1955 but kept its Old World atmosphere. It featured a predominately Old English menu with plenty of roast prime rib. Flaming shish kebab and English pastries were new dishes added. View of the Sabre Room shows a heavily wooded decor with sturdy beams and an open cooking area. Two crossed swords and a breastplate of armor hang on the wall. Customers could dance to the tunes of the Mary Van Trio on Fridays and Saturdays without worry about feeding the meter; the restaurant allowed two hours of free parking. Dinners ranged from $2.10 upward. This, and other photographs taken that day, were scheduled to be printed in an unidentified magazine. Photograph ordered by the Winthrop Hotel. (TNT 10-14-58, p. 22- Ad)

Dining rooms--Tacoma--1950-1960; Daggers & swords; Hotel Winthrop (Tacoma);

Winthrop Hotel. Large bedroom suite at the Winthrop Hotel. By 1963, the Winthrop was 38 years old and new management undertook the renovation of the downtown hotel. This room, along with other refurbished rooms, was photographed on August 7, 1963. It contained two double beds, a pair of comfortable arm chairs, large mirror and writing desk. Modern lighting helped to brighten the room. Photograph ordered by the Winthrop Hotel. BU-12178

Hotels--Tacoma--1960-1970; Beds; Mirrors; Hotel Winthrop (Tacoma);

ca. 1925. Five men with floor sanders prepare the floor of the main lobby of the Winthrop Hotel prior to its Grand Opening May 16, 1925. The five men walk in a line, sanding down the new floors in the building. The Winthrop was designed by W.L. Stoddard with Roland Borhek serving as associate architect. The Citizens Hotel Corp. was founded in April of 1922 to come up with a plan for a grand hotel for the growing city of Tacoma. It was named for explorer and writer Theodore Winthrop. (WSHS) BU-12153

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

ca. 1926. Winthrop Hotel, circa 1926, general view of interior, main dining area flowing off from lobby. When the hotel opened in May, 1925, the main dining room and lobby/lounge were seamlessly blended into a space 40 feet wide and 120 feet long. The hotel was managed by D.M. Linnard, Inc. and recognized for its quality of accommodations and service. (filed with Argentum)

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

Genevieve Brophy (left) and Anna Fuchs, employees of the main central office of the Pacific Telephone & Telegraph Co., sit at the new Hotel Winthrop switchboard surrounded by 300 desk telephones. After the telephones and switchboard were installed, the Hotel Winthrop became the first Tacoma hotel to have a telephone in every room. The switchboard was located on the roof garden floor of the hotel in a private room set apart from public view. It was staffed by four young women and chief operator Mrs. Johanna Hicks, who maintained the hotel's service 24 hours a day, seven days a week. (TNT 5/16/1925, pg 3) negative A1001-0, TPL-9971

Hotel Winthrop (Tacoma); Telephones--1920-1930; Telephone switchboards; Brophy, Genevieve; Fuchs, Anna;

ca. 1935. Exterior view of Winthrop Hotel from the southwest. Building by W.E. Stoddard and Roland Borhek, Associated Architects, 1924. (filed with Argentum)

Hotel Winthrop (Tacoma); Hotels--Tacoma--1930-1940;

Monarch Club banquet at the Winthrop Hotel, Presidential Suite. The Presidential Suite was the most elaborate of the 24 "parlor" suites in the Winthrop. The living room was finished in Philippine Mahogany with paneled plastered walls and special lighting fixtures. (WSHS)

Hotel Winthrop (Tacoma); Hotels--Tacoma--1930-1940; Monarch Club (Tacoma); Banquets--Tacoma--1930-1940;

ca. 1939. Elevated view of the Hotel Winthrop, circa 1939. By this time, the Winthrop had been open for 14 years, celebrating its grand opening on May 16, 1925. The eleven story hotel was named after explorer and writer Theodore Winthrop whose book "The Canoe and the Saddle" helped popularize the Northwest.

Hotel Winthrop (Tacoma); Hotels--Tacoma--1930-1940;

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;

ca. 1926. Winthrop Hotel, circa 1926, sitting room of the Presidential Suite. Building design by W.L. Stoddard with Roland Borhek as associated architect, 1925. In 1922, a group of concerned citizens got together to raise funds and make plans for a grand hotel for Tacoma. The Winthrop was built at a cost of over two million dollars and had its Grand Opening on May 16, 1925. The Presidential Suite, with the pictured 18 x30 foot living, or sitting, room was the most elaborate accommodation at the hotel. (filed with Argentum)

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

Washington State Associated Master Barbers of America banquet held January 1927 at the Hotel Winthrop. (WSHS)

Hotel Winthrop (Tacoma); Washington State Associated Master Barbers of America (Tacoma); Banquets--1920-1930;

ca. 1925. Artist's rendering of design that would later become the Winthrop Hotel, 773 Broadway, designed by architect W.L. Stoddard and associate architect Roland E. Borhek. The hotel opened in May of 1925. The image appears to be reversed, since "New Tacoma Hotel" is printed backwards near the bottom of the drawing. (filed with Argentum)

Hotel Winthrop (Tacoma);

Jewelers Convention held at the Winthrop Hotel.

Clothing & dress--1930-1940; Hotel Winthrop (Tacoma);

On March 2, 1937, the Tacoma Times Spring Fashion section hit the newstands, featuring two couples modeling the latest in suits and coats from Klopfenstein's, Inc. Gathered around the piano at the Winthrop Hotel were Nancy Hawks in a classic Rothmoor coat, Don Baker in a Hart-Schaffner suit and Irene Tollefson, also in Rothmoor. The pianist was unidentified and to the right was Vic Vine. (filed with Argentum) (T. Times 3/2/1937, pg. 17)

Klopfensteins (Tacoma); Clothing & dress--1930-1940; Hotel Winthrop (Tacoma); Tollefson, Irene; Baker, Don; Vine, Vic; Hawks, Nancy;

On March 2, 1937, the Tacoma Times ran their Spring Fashion section, featuring two couples modeling the newest styles of suits and coats from Klopfenstein's Inc. Pictured left to right at the Winthrop Hotel were Nancy Hawks, of Dallas Texas, in a classic Rothmoor coat, Don Baker in a Hart-Schaffner suit, Irene Tollefson in Rothmoor and Vic Vine in Hart Schaffner. The group repeated their modelling turn at the Bachelor Club Style Show on March 3rd. (WSHS) (T.Times 3/2/1937, pg. 17)

Klopfensteins (Tacoma); Clothing & dress--1930-1940; Hotel Winthrop (Tacoma); Tollefson, Irene; Baker, Don; Vine, Vic; Hawks, Nancy;

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);

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;

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;

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;

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);

Trader Vic and his wife would be hosting the grand opening celebration at the new Sabre Room in the Winthrop Hotel. View of Mayor C. Val Fawcett (second from left) with Trader Vic (second from right) and two unidentified men standing below the sign for the new restaurant, the Sabre room, located in the Winthrop Hotel (T.N.T., 9/21/49, p. 2).

Hotels--Tacoma; Restaurants--Tacoma; Signs (Notices); Events--Tacoma--1940-1950; Hotel Winthrop (Tacoma); Sabre Room (Tacoma); Fawcett, Clarence Valdo, 1900-1965; Bergeron, Victor J.;