J & M Cafe, interior view from behind counter. Coolers, soda fountain equipment, many flowers, bar, and stools. This photograph, taken on October 22, 1936, may have been for the grand opening of the small cafe.

Restaurants--Tacoma--1930-1940; J&M Cafe (Tacoma);

J & M Cafe, interior view. Counter and stools, coolers, soda fountain equipment, many flowers, bar, and stools. This is most probably the grand opening of the cafe.

Restaurants--Tacoma; J&M Cafe (Tacoma);

Farrell's Ice Cream Parlor celebrated its grand opening on May 21, 1974, with dignitaries enjoying a bite of red licorice instead of the traditional red ribbon snipping. Located in the west end portion of the Tacoma Mall, Farrell's offered delicious hamburgers and other delicacies as well as mountains of ice creams in many flavors. It was an old fashioned ice cream parlor, believed to be the 84th in a large chain. Food was not served sedately but with much horn blowing and drum beating, especially for soon-to-be popular birthday parties. Color photograph ordered by Gerber Advertising, Portland. (TNT 5-22-74, B-12 -article)

Farrells Ice Cream Parlor (Tacoma); Restaurants--Tacoma--1970-1980; Dedications--Tacoma--1970-1980;

This photograph of Murphy's at 938 Pacific Avenue was taken on December 6, 1946. Nine months earlier, on March 28th, Murphy's was one of seven tavens in Tacoma subjected to a surprise gambling raid by appoximately forty Tacoma policemen. The raids, which happened without orders from the chief of police, resulted in 54 people being arrested for illegal gambling. (TNT 3-30-1946 p.1)

Bars--Tacoma--1940-1950; Taverns (Inns)--Tacoma--1940-1950; Restaurants--Tacoma--1940-1950; Beer halls--Tacoma--1940-1950; Murphy's (Tacoma); Electric signs--Tacoma--1940-1950; City & town life--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Bill Slater was the head chef in charge of the Top of the Ocean galley crew. Slater was a world famous chef who had been featured in "Ripley's Believe It or Not". View of stainless steel finished kitchen, stoves and oven are below "Top of the Ocean" sign. Photo ordered by Dohrmann Hotel Supply.

Kitchens--Tacoma--1940-1950; Stoves--Tacoma; Appliances; Restaurants--Tacoma; Top of the Ocean (Tacoma);

Visit of Hawaiian Group to Tacoma Athletic Club, Ed Honeywell. Twenty-two Hawaiian business people visited Tacoma August 8, 9 and 10, 1947, on a good will tour of the Northwest. The Chamber of Commerce hosed the guests at a stag reception and dinner at the Tacoma Athletic Club at the Top of the Ocean. One of the business men actually caught a fish at the Top of the Ocean. (T.Times, 8/9/1947, p.1) TPL-3845

Top of the Ocean (Tacoma); Nightclubs--Tacoma--1940-1950; Fishing; Business people--Tacoma--1940-1950; Guests;

Tacoma Athletic Commission Dinner for Gretchen Fraser. Gretchen Fraser, winner of the 1948 Olympic Gold Medal for the special slalom, was the first American skier to win an Olympic event. Here she is seen presenting the Tacoma Athletic Commission perpetual trophy for the Women's Daffodil Cup race to Janette Burr, winner and holder of the National Women's downhill title. The perpetual trophy was to be known as the Gretchen Kunigk Fraser Trophy. (TNT, 4/6/1948, p.14)

Top of the Ocean (Tacoma); Restaurants--Tacoma--1940-1950; Fraser, Gretchen Kunigk, 1919-1994; Skiers--Tacoma--1940-1950; Medals; Celebrations--Tacoma--1940-1950; Tacoma Athletic Commission (Tacoma); Burr, Janette;

Tribune, Panhellinic Luncheon, Top of the Ocean, Mrs. Hosmer.The Panhellenic Conference held a luncheon at the Top of the Ocean followed by bridge. The conference was attended by 300 guests. Three women are seen leaving the Top of the Ocean. (T.Times, 2/16/1949, p.6)

Top of the Ocean (Tacoma); Restaurants--Tacoma--1940-1950; Tacoma Panhellenic Conference (Tacoma); Fraternities & sororities--Tacoma--1940-1950; Clubwomen--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Tacoma's Rudder Club offered their members many social activities throughout the year; many of these functions were held at the club's facilities. Interior view of the Rudder Club's barroom; a bartender, wearing a uniform, is mixing a cocktail for one of the club members; a ship's steering wheel decorates the bar area.

Bartenders--Tacoma--1940-1950; Barrooms--Tacoma; Bars--Tacoma; Restaurant workers--Tacoma--1940-1950; Organizations' facilities--Tacoma; Clubs--Tacoma; Rudder Club, Inc. (Tacoma);

Informal square dancing at Tacoma Athletic Commission, Metcalf. Several couples are enjoying being on the dance floor learning square dancing steps. Several others are lined up in the back for refreshments.

Top of the Ocean (Tacoma); Tacoma Athletic Commission (Tacoma); Square dancing--Tacoma--1940-1950; Couples--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Tacoma Athletic Commission, Square dancing and style show, Elliott Metcalf. Four couples, wearing skirts and shirts of matching fabric, are demonstrating one of the forms of dancing to members of the Tacoma Athletic Commission at the Top of the Ocean as part of the square dance revue. Square dancing fever was catching at this time. (TNT, 12/22/1949, p.20)

Top of the Ocean (Tacoma); Tacoma Athletic Commission (Tacoma); Square dancing--Tacoma--1940-1950; Couples--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Square dancing fever was spreading through Tacoma in December of 1949. Members of the Tacoma Athletic Commission put on a dance demonstration at the Top of the Ocean, 2217 Ruston Way, in appropriate dress. They announced that they were sponsoring a city-wide square dance festival to be held in February in the College of Puget Sound (UPS) fieldhouse. Dressed in contrasting blouses topping skirts in a rick-rack pattern - all worn over pantalettes - are: (l to r) Mrs. John Richards, Allyne (Mrs. Kenneth) Hopper, Gail (Mrs. Melvin) McKenney and Mary L. (Mrs. David) Collier. (TNT, 12/22/1949, p.20)

Top of the Ocean (Tacoma); Tacoma Athletic Commission (Tacoma); Square dancing--Tacoma--1940-1950; Hopper, Allyne; Collier, Mary L.; McKenney, Gail; Costumes--Tacoma; Bloomers;

A group portrait of the 1950 Industrial Bureau of the Tacoma Chamber of Commerce taken at their luncheon at the New Yorker. Thirty seven men have attended the luncheon January 20, 1950. Howard D. Norris served as chairman for the year 1950. Names of those attending are printed along the bottom of the photograph. TPL-8767

Tacoma Chamber of Commerce (Tacoma); New Yorker Cafe (Tacoma); Restaurants--Tacoma--1950-1960; Group portraits;

The exterior of the newly remodeled Olympus Cafe featuring the Mirror Room at the Hotel Olympus. TPL-6423

Restaurants--Tacoma--1940-1950; Remodeling--Tacoma--1940-1950; Hotels--Tacoma; Mirror Room (Tacoma); Olympus Hotel (Tacoma);

Tacoma's Rudder Club was located at 735 Commerce Street in Tacoma's business district; the club manager was Walter Geehan. Throughout the year the Rudder Club hosted and sponsored many events, including dinners, luncheons and style shows for members and their family and guests. Interior view of the Rudder Club's dining room; a tropical frescoe with sailboats and palm trees, has recently been painted in the dining room.

Dining rooms--Tacoma; Table settings & decorations; Murals--Tacoma; Restaurants--Tacoma; Clubs--Tacoma--1940-1950; Organizations' facilities--Tacoma; Rudder Club, Inc. (Tacoma);

In December of 1948, The Shuffleboard at 3805 So G Street was Tacoma's newest family restaurant. Its food and activities promised a fun filled outing for everyone. They had a birch wood snack bar featuring refreshments, soft drinks, ice creams, and other confections. Shuffleboard instructors were on hand, and prizes were awarded every night. They advertised "Leagues Now Being Formed --- No Intoxicating Beverages Sold." The Shuffleboard opened on December 10, 1948. It was built by Marvin Hawley and operated by Jack Treskes. Interior view of Shuffleboard cafe, shuffleboard machines are on the left side, soda fountain advertising "Arden" ice cream in background (T. Times, 12/17/48, p. 15).

Restaurants--Tacoma; Soda fountains--Tacoma; Ice cream & ices; Tile flooring--Tacoma; Shuffleboard; Recreation--Tacoma; Shuffleboard (Tacoma);

The Shuffleboard is the newest family restaurant in Tacoma; it is located at 3805 South G Street, and is owned and operated by Marvin Halley. The Shuffleboard has 8 new shuffleboards, a soda fountain with full snack bar and ice creams, tables and chairs, music, great lighting and air conditioning. This is the first place to offer shuffleboard to the general public in the Northwest. Exterior view of new restaurant people are inside at the grand opening event; electric sign in shape of shuffleboard machine and "Arden" ice cream signs in window. (TNT, 12/10/1948, p. 15).

Soda fountains--Tacoma; Restaurants--Tacoma--1940-1950; Shuffleboard (Tacoma); Windows--Tacoma; Recreation--Tacoma; Events--Tacoma; Electric signs--Tacoma--1940-1950;

The Poodle Dog restaurant was opened in 1933 by E. J. "Jimmy" Zarelli and Rocco "Mac" Manza", then rebuilt in 1949 and 1967. The restaurant held a grand opening in early November 1949. Interior view of the Poodle Dog restaurant in Fife; view of the Coffee Shop from the east, showing sloped front windows, kitchen area and double horseshoe-shaped counters. Photo ordered by Capital Coil and Equipment Company (CAPCO). (TNT, 11/09/1949, p.8) TPL-9688

Equipment; Business enterprises--Fife; Kitchens--Fife; Cooks; Waitresses--Fife; Restaurant workers--Fife; Dining tables; Diners (Restaurants)--Fife; Poodle Dog (Fife); Capital Coil & Equipment Co. (Tacoma);

The famous Poodle Dog restaurant has been demolished, rebuilt and reopened three times, all at the same location in Fife. The restaurant was first opened in 1933 by E.J. "Jimmy" Zarelli and Rocco "Mac" Manza", added on in 1939, then rebuilt in 1949 and 1967. View of Poodle Dog's cooks, waitresses and customers; interior view of the newly remodeled and rebuilt restaurant. TPL-9685

Soda fountains--Fife; Equipment; Business enterprises--Fife; Kitchens--Fife; Restaurant workers--Fife; Cooks; Waitresses--Fife; Diners (Restaurants)--Fife; Poodle Dog (Fife);

The interior of the Silver Dollar Tavern is being remodeled. The tavern was located at 1554-56 Jefferson Avenue in the Carlton Hotel. A tile floor with set-in designs and a border is shown. A large arched doorway leads to the exterior of the building. A counter with beer taps is standing on the floor in the right, center. Light fixtures hang from the tall ceiling. Ordered by Dorothy Harradine, owner of the new tavern and cafe.

Silver Dollar Cafe (Tacoma); Remodeling--Tacoma--1950-1960; Carlton Hotel (Tacoma);

Five men stand around a new model Packard Bell television at the Top of the Ocean exhibit. A portrait of founder H.A. Bell smiles down from the wall. The festivities were hosted by Packard Bell to celebrate their 25th year in business. In attendance from the Los Angeles home office were Vice President Joe E. Spain, General Sales Manager Kenneth R. Johnson and Glen C. Tillack, chief field engineer. N. Earl Davisson, PB distributer, was host. The highlight of the evening was the preview of Packard Bell's 1951 "Masterpiece Founders Series." (TNT 2/8/1951, pg. B-6)

Top of the Ocean (Tacoma); Televisions--1950-1960; Packard Bell Co. (Tacoma);

The Dixie Ball was the Spinster Club's annual spring event, this year with a "Gone with the Wind" theme. The Ball was held at the New Yorker Cafe's Rainbow Room. A spotlight focused on life-sized mammy and pappy dolls and miniature mammy dolls decorated the tables. Patrons and patronesses were Mr. and Mrs. G.R. Waiss, Mrs. Anna Ryan and Michael Harris. Two couples smile from across one of the tables. A brown paper bag is seen on the table along with bowls of ice, glasses and ash trays. Ordered by Tribune, Barbara Dana. (TNT, 4/24/1950, p.5; 4/30/1950, p.D-6)

New Yorker Cafe (Tacoma); Parties--Tacoma; Single women; Women--Clubs--Tacoma--1940-1950; Spinster Club (Tacoma);

The Tacoma Chamber of Commerce entertained the armed forces at the Top of the Ocean on Friday night of Armed Forces Week in Tacoma. Henry O. and Agnes Foss are seen on the left. C. Val and Linda M. Fawcett are on the right. Other entertainment for visiting armed forces personnel included theater tickets and the facilities of the Council of Churches Youth Center, the Armed Service Recreation Center and the Christian Service Man'c Center. The crew from the Canadian destroyer "Athabaskan" and the USN fleet oiler "Platt" were in Tacoma for the week. Ordered by the Tribune, Barbara Dana. (TNT, 5/14/1950, p.D-9; 5/24/1950, p.11)

Top of the Ocean (Tacoma); Balls (Parties)--Tacoma--1950-1960; Military uniforms; Ball dresses; Foss, Henry O., 1891-1986; Foss, Agnes S.; Fawcett, Clarence Valdo, 1900-1965--Family; Fawcett, Linda;

Front entrance of the Turf Restaurant. The Turf Restaurant was located at 911 Commerce Street. The same building also contained the Turf Smoke Shop and Turf Bar. View of daytime exposure of front entrance to the Turf Restaurant; large neon signs decorate the building, including two with hats and riding sticks on the restaurant's windows. The Turf restaurant celebrated its grand reopening in November, 1951, with full page ads in the News Tribune. It would be open 24 hours a day. (TNT 11-7-51, p. 26) TPL-8119

Turf Restaurant (Tacoma); Restaurants--Tacoma--1950-1960; Electric signs--Tacoma--1950-1960;

The Coney Island room of the newly remodeled New Yorker cafe and nightclub is packed with dancers enjoying the sweet swing sounds of the Art Mineo Orchestra in a November, 1951, photograph. The showroom had hardwood dance floors and a clever two stages-in-one concept. Nightly dancing and big time entertainment were staples of the New Yorker, owned by Mike and Pat DeVoto. (TNT 11-15-51, C-10, 11)

New Yorker Cafe (Tacoma); Art Mineo Orchestra (Tacoma); Mineo, Art; Cafes--Tacoma--1950-1960; Musicians--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Legendary jazz pianist Oscar Peterson "jams" with Art Mineo on bass, Dick Morehead on drums, Joe "Flip" Phillips on tenor saxophone and Bill Harris on trombone on November 12, 1951, the opening night of the newly remodeled New Yorker Cafe. Peterson, Phillips and Harris were performing in Seattle with the Jazz at the Philharmonic road show when they called Mineo to sit in at the opening. The jazz greats jammed until closing, creating an unforgettable night of music in Tacoma. Peterson had joined Jazz at the Philharmonic in 1950 as a relative unknown and was rapidly gaining recognition in the jazz world. (information supplied by Art Mineo)

New Yorker Cafe (Tacoma); Art Mineo Orchestra (Tacoma); Mineo, Art; Musicians--Tacoma--1950-1960; Cafes--Tacoma--1950-1960; Peterson, Oscar; Phillips, Joe "Flip"; Harris, Bill; Morehead, Dick;

Jazz greats, left to right, Art Mineo on bass, Joe "Flip" Phillips on tenor saxophone, Oscar Peterson on piano and Bill Harris on trombone deliver sweet sounds for the opening of the newly remodeled New Yorker Cafe in November of 1951. Mineo and his 10-piece orchestra had been hired to play the opening night when Mineo received a call from Peterson, Phillips and Harris asking to sit in. The trio were playing in Seattle with the Jazz at the Philharmonic road show. The result was Tacoma history, as the group jammed into the small hours of the morning, closing the club and sending the lucky audience dancing into the dawn. Art Mineo passed away at age 91 on July 27, 2010. (from information previously supplied by Art Mineo)

New Yorker Cafe (Tacoma); Cafes--Tacoma--1950-1960; Art Mineo Orchestra (Tacoma); Mineo, Art; Musicians--Tacoma--1950-1960; Phillips, Joe; Peterson, Oscar; Harris, Bill;

The Dandy Cafe was located at 917 Tacoma Avenue South; it was owned and operated by Fred and Louise Fries. Photographs for license purposes were commissioned by Mrs. Fries of both the exterior and interior of the cafe in September, 1950. The Dandy Cafe had a long counter with stools for quick and casual dining and a back area with upholstered seats and tables for more private occasions. A large jukebox was placed against the wall near a coat/hat rack.

Dandy Cafe (Tacoma); Cafes--Tacoma--1950-1960; Jukeboxes; Fries, Fred; Fries, Louise;

The Viking Smorgasbord held their grand opening April 14, 1951, in their recently completed building. The restaurant featured American and Scandinavian foods with a la carte dinners as well as smorgasbord service offered in an atmosphere of old Sweden. A separate entrance has been provided for those attending functions in the banquet room.(TNT, 4/14/1951, p.C-5)

Viking Smorgasbord (Tacoma); Restaurants--Tacoma;

The buffet table at the Viking Smorgasbord boasted one of the finest and largest Swedish smorgasbords in the Northwest with more than 50 Scandinavian and American delicacies displayed on the table which covered an area of 80 square feet. The waitresses wore attractive Swedish Peasant costumes lending authenticity to the Swedish environment. (TNT, 4/14/1951, p.C-5)

Viking Smorgasbord (Tacoma); Restaurants--Tacoma;