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;

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);

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.;

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);

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. 1955. The Winthrop Hotel, circa 1955. The hotel, designed by W.L. Stoddard, architect, and Roland Borhek, associate architect, had its grand opening on 5/16/1925. The hotel was named in a Tacoma Ledger newspaper contest. The winning name was submitted by George L. Dickson. It was named after explorer and writer Theodore Winthrop, author of "The Canoe and the Saddle," which helped popularize the Northwest. The building was eleven stories and 110 feet high. In 1973, it was converted into apartments. In 1955, it was home to the Sabre Room and the Daffodil Room.

Hotels--Tacoma--1950-1960; Hotel Winthrop (Tacoma);

American Institute of Architects, Southwest Washington Chapter, in the Wedgewood Room at the Winthrop Hotel. Most Tacoma and Seattle architects are pictured here, some with spouses. In the foreground of the picture, left to right, are Si Nelson, Percy Ball, Rod O'Hiser, Marshall Perrow, James Wilson and future mayor Gordon Johnston. Seated on the right side of the room, directly under the palm tree wall decoration are Hubert and Betty Bisson. Mr. Bisson was an architect, and later associate, for the well-known Tacoma firm of Lea, Pearson & Richards. Mr. Bisson worked for them for over 20 years until his death in 1971. He designed many of Tacoma's banks and schools for the firm. (for more detailed name information, please see name chart accompanying picture in Richards files) (Additional information provided by a reader)

American Institute of Architects, Southwest Washington Chapter (Tacoma); Architects; Hotel Winthrop (Tacoma); Bisson, Hubert; Bisson, Betty; Johnston, Gordon N.; Nelson, Silas E.; Ball, Percy G.; O'Hiser, Rod; Perrow, Marshall; Wilson, James;

Seven Up Bottling Co. A breakfast for twenty featuring the bubbling soda. 7UP's slogan at this time was "You like it, it likes you." The breakfast was part of the meetings scheduled around the 37th annual convention of the Washington Bottlers of Carbonated Beverages held in Tacoma at the Winthrop Hotel. The three day run of meetings had its kickoff on Sunday, 2/7/1954, with a reception and smorgasbord at the hotel. Over 250 bottlers and their families were expected to attend. (TNT 2/7/1954)

Washington Bottlers of Carbonated Beverages (Wa.); Meetings--Tacoma--1950-1960; Carbonated beverages;

The Presidential Suite at the Winthrop Hotel was used for a sales meeting for Marchant Calculators employees on November 13, 1958. Each table has at least one calculator on it. Employees are shown busily reconciling figures and assorted paperwork. Marchant Calculators was located at 2330 E. 11th St. and managed by Seymour L. Johnson, Jr. Photograph requested by Marchant Calculators.

Marchant Calculators (Tacoma); Calculators;

Five unidentified members of the Pacific Coast Division of the American Pulp & Paper Mill Superintendents Association performed a "space age" skit involving a hodgepodge of space visitors and robots at their annual conference held at the Hotel Winthrop, 773 Broadway, in December of 1955. Following panel and group discussions on sulphate pulping, sulphite pulping, and papermaking, the delegates ended their annual meeting with an informal banquet in the Crystal Ballroom and a dance in the Wedgewood Room. (Photograph ordered by American Pulp & Paper Mill Superintendents Association.) (TNT 12-4-55, B-11)

Theatrical productions--Tacoma--1950-1960; Costumes; Robots; Signs (Notices); American Pulp & Paper Mill Superintendents Association (Tacoma);

Pacific Telephone and Telegraph, a group of 13 men sit around a table at the Winthrop Hotel with bound notebooks in front of them. Back row, third from left, is Reno Odlin, President of Puget Sound Bank. Odlin was a member of the eight man Regional Advisory Board of business leaders mapping out new projects for the company. They proposed a $400,000 construction project for Tacoma. The project included new equipment for the Market and Proctor offices, an expansion program for the Waverly office and alteration of the downtown long distance facilities. Similar projects were proposed for Seattle, Bremerton, Sumner and Shelton. Seated in the center at the head of the table is Mark Sullivan, president of PT&T and standing at the far right is George M. Dean, vice president and general manager of the Washington-Idaho district of PT &T.(TNT 3/22/1956, pg. A-10)

Telephone companies--Tacoma; Pacific Telephone & Telegraph Co. (Tacoma); Odlin, Reno, 1897-1979;

The splendid chandeliers and sconces of the Winthrop Hotel provided an elegant setting for the Capital District, Washington Federation of Garden Clubs' show on December 6, 1954. A Christmas motif was evident; the majority of arrangements on display were small tabletop decorations. A few tall firs were added to complete the tableau. This may have been an annual event sponsored by the federation.

Washington State Federation of Garden Clubs (Tacoma); Flower shows--Tacoma--1950-1960; Hotel Winthrop (Tacoma);

Forty-three young ladies, all dressed in billowing evening gowns, pose under the chandelier in the Winthrop Hotel's Crystal Ballroom on December 27, 1961. The Holiday Cotillion was held under the auspices of the Tacoma Lawn Tennis Club for college-age daughters of prominent Tacoma families. A 12-piece orchestra performed at the event. As the nation's newest cotillion, it was scheduled to appear on a nationally televised documentary narrated by Cornelia Otis Skinner. Photograph ordered by Tacoma Lawn Tennis Club. (TNT 11-23-61, C-17, names in TNT 12-31-61, D-3)

Evening gowns--Tacoma--1960-1970; Tacoma Lawn Tennis Club (Tacoma); Balls (Parties)--Tacoma--1960-1970; Chandeliers; Hotel Winthrop (Tacoma);

On July 2, 1962, guest lecturer Peter Gowland of California gestured as he demonstrated photographic techniques with an unidentified barefoot model dressed in a two-piece swimsuit during the Professional Photographers of Washington convention. The three-day meeting was held at the Winthrop Hotel and this particular session before about 100 lensmen was held in the hotel's Crystal Ballroom. The woman with microphone at the left is believed to be Alice Gowland, Peter's wife and herself a photographer. Even in 1962 Mr. Gowland was acclaimed as a famous glamour photographer who would go on to create 25 books, develop several large-format camera designs, photograph some of Hollywood's biggest stars and the interiors of many beautiful Los Angeles homes. (www.doubleexposure.com/CoverStory_Gowland.shtml)

Gowland, Peter; Photographers--Tacoma--1960-1970; Meetings--Tacoma--1960-1970; Fashion models--Tacoma--1960-1970; Hotel Winthrop (Tacoma); Chandeliers;

Famed commercial photographer Victor Keppler posed with Miss Tacoma at the Professional Photographers of Washington convention held at the Winthrop Hotel in early July of 1962. The duo are being photographed by a pair of girls in Scotch plaid who worked for Morley Studios in Tacoma. Mr. Keppler of New York had been invited to speak and demonstrate his photographic and lighting techniques at the convention along with famous glamour photographer Peter Gowland of California. (TNT 7-2-62, p. 11-article)

Meetings--Tacoma--1960-1970; Photographers--Tacoma--1960-1970; Keppler, Victor; Beauty contestants--Tacoma--1960-1970; Cameras;

An unidentified photographer is shown adjusting lights for a photo shoot demonstration of an unidentified model in evening gown and fur stole, at the Winthrop Hotel on July 2, 1962. He was part of the 1962 three-day convention of the Professional Photographers of Washington where lectures and demonstrations were of interest to members. Photograph ordered by Professional Photographers of Washington.

Photographers--Tacoma--1960-1970; Fashion models--Tacoma--1960-1970; Women--Clothing & dress--Tacoma--1960-1970; Hotel Winthrop (Tacoma); Meetings--Tacoma--1960-1970; Lighting--Tacoma;

Dining at the Winthrop Hotel. Four diners are enjoying a beautifully served meal at the Winthrop Hotel in April of 1963. Two waiters attend their table; one is preparing to pour from a bottle of wine while the other carefully displays a platter of onions, mushrooms and beef. The Winthrop had several banquet rooms, the Sabre Room, a coffee shop, and the remodeled and renamed Three Keys main dining room. Photograph ordered by the Winthrop Hotel.

Hotels--Tacoma--1960-1970; Restaurants--Tacoma--1960-1970; Waiters--Tacoma--1960-1970; Hotel Winthrop (Tacoma);

Elegant remodeled lobby of Winthrop Hotel featuring entrances to the hotel coffee bar and newly-renamed Three Keys main dining room. This September 5, 1963, color photograph displays the rich tones of gold and wine that decorate the lobby. Three oversized brass gate keys hang at the entrance to the main dining room. A gold tufted elongated bench provides a comfortable place to rest in the lobby; behind it are three Italian colored glass panels, each 15 feet tall, which separate the main dining area from the lobby entrance. The theme colors of gold and wine continue into the coffee shop where a solid red-wine carpet provides contrast to the gold-toned seats. A unique feature of the Winthrop coffee bar is the placement of individual toasters on the counters so that customers could brown their bread to their own taste. (TNT 5-1-63, A-6)

Lobbies--Tacoma--1960-1970; Hotel Winthrop (Tacoma);

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);

Winthrop Hotel executive William R. Conant, Sr., and Sonia Fowler (now Sonia Gray) watch as their kimono-clad waitress in the Kokura Restaurant pours a small cup of tea on July 13, 1964. The Kokura was the Winthrop Hotel's latest major improvement, an authentic Japanese restaurant located on the Broadway level. Named after Tacoma's sister-city in Japan, the Kokura served only Japanese food. To add to the atmosphere, the chef and waitresses were of Japanese descent. Customers entered the Kokura through a torii, an orange-red gate, and were directed to small private dining rooms separated by shoji screens. Tables were low and customers sat on padded cushions resting on tatami mats, much as they would in Japan. Bamboo-covered walls and hanging paper-like lighting fixtures added to the dining experience. The Kokura closed in 1971. (Photograph ordered by the Winthrop Hotel.) (TNT 5-10-64, B-10, TNT ad 10-14-64, A-8) TPL-9851

Kokura Restaurant (Tacoma); Restaurants--Tacoma--1960-1970; Dining rooms--Tacoma--1960-1970; Waitresses--Tacoma; Kimonos; Hotel Winthrop (Tacoma); Conant, William R.; Fowler, Sonia;

Exterior of the Kokura Restaurant. Located on the Broadway level of the Winthrop Hotel, the Kokura restaurant opened in the summer of 1964. It featured the finest Japanese cuisine which was prepared and served by those of Japanese descent. The restaurant was named after Tacoma's city-sister, Kokura, Japan. The Winthrop would later be sold in 1970 and rooms converted to senior housing. TPL-5021

Kokura Restaurant (Tacoma); Restaurants--Tacoma--1960-1970; Hotel Winthrop (Tacoma);

Five of Tacoma's business and civic leaders clasped hands in a show of camaraderie at the Winthrop Hotel on December 10, 1964. Henry Foss (far left), Joshua Green, the 95-year-old Peoples National Bank Chairman of the Board (second from left) and Reno Odlin (second from right) were among those pictured. 240 leading bankers and businessmen from as far away as San Francisco met to honor Reno Odlin, the newly-elected president of the American Bankers Association. Mr. Odlin, Chairman of the Board of Puget Sound National Bank, was the first banker from the Pacific Northwest elected to serve in this position. Photograph ordered by Cole & Weber Advertising. (TNT 12-6-64, B-20, TNT 12-11-64, p. 1)

Foss, Henry O., 1891-1986; Odlin, Reno, 1897-1979; Green, Joshua; Bankers--Tacoma;

The Jim Oglesby combo performed at the Winthrop Hotel in the spring of 1966. The group consisted of a drummer, two guitarists and a keyboardist. They are shown in the hotel's Crystal Ballroom. Photograph ordered by Jim Oglesby.

Musicians--Tacoma; Drums; Guitars; Keyboard instruments;

Red Rose Cotillion. 30 young debutantes pose under the elaborate chandelier in the Winthrop Hotel's Crystal Ballroom on December 20, 1968. They were being introduced to society under the auspices of the Unique Social & Community Club. Dressed in white evening gowns and holding bouquets of American Beauty red roses, they smile before the large gathering of proud family and friends. Names of the 30 young collegians were listed in the News Tribune article dated December 22, 1968. Betty Brown, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Willie J. Brown, was chosen queen of the ball. Photograph ordered by the Unique Social & Community Club. (TNT 12-22-68, D-4)

Balls (Parties)--Tacoma--1960-1970; Unique Social & Community Club (Tacoma); Debutantes--Tacoma--1960-1970; Evening gowns--Tacoma--1960-1970; African Americans--Social life--1960-1970; Roses--Tacoma; Hotel Winthrop (Tacoma);

These ladies are members of the Women's Traffic & Transportation Club who were attending the 20th annual West Coast conference held at the Winthrop Hotel, February 23-25, 1968. The Tacoma chapter was hosting the three-day convention. The function of the club is to study and discuss traffic and transport matters. The Hooper Memorial Scholarship Fund was established in 1959 to further the education of women in the field of traffic and transportation; the 1966-67 scholarship winner would be presented at the conference. Photograph ordered by the Women's Traffic & Transportation Club of Tacoma. (TNT 2-18-68, D-1, D-11)

Meetings--Tacoma--1960-1970; Women's Traffic & Transportation Club;

1969 Richards stock footage. A beaming Harold Moss, at the podium, seems to have the head table in stitches at a testimonial dinner honoring City Manager David Rowlands on November 17, 1969. Next to Mr. Rowlands is his wife, Sally, and two sons David Rowlands, Jr. and John. Mr. Moss' wife, Bil, is also seated at the head table next to an unidentified man. Guests seated at round banquet tables in the Winthrop's Crystal Ballroom appear to be enjoying Mr. Moss' remarks. November 17th was Mr. Rowlands' last day as City Manager; he had resigned after 13 1/2 years on the job, the last two marked with tumultuous council meetings. Proceeds from the dinner attended by more than 250 people would go toward launching a David Rowlands Scholarship Fund to help low-income students. The dinner honoring Mr. Rowlands and his family was a joint project of the Tacoma Chamber of Commerce, Tacoma Area Urban Coalition, and Tacoma Urban League. Earlier that day a reception was held at the University of Puget Sound coordinated by the Rowland family's neighbors in which more than 500 people attended to thank Mr. Rowlands for his years of service. (TNT 11-13-69, D-13; TNT 11-18-69, p. 1)

Rowlands, David; Rowlands, David--Family; Rowlands, Sally; Moss, Harold; Moss, Bil; Banquets--Tacoma--1960-1970;