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;

The Sabre Room, Winthrop Hotel, Mr. Boyd. A well-dressed gentleman sits at a desk talking on the telephone. He is looking at a card pulled from a small, metal card file. The desk has a day calendar open at the back edge and a lamp with a carved head base is lit. Another lamp is lit in the background. The man's cuff-link shines in the light. The Sabre Room opened in September 1950. Trader Vic, who specialized in designing unusual spots, had a personal hand in creating the new addition to the Hotel Winthrop. (TNT, 9/24/1950, p.6)

Hotel Winthrop (Tacoma); Telephones; Calendars; Cuff links--Tacoma; Desks; Lamps;

Firefighters from eight companies labored nearly four hours on the evening of November 9, 1949, combating the stubborn 2-11 fire which gutted the one-story brick facilities of the Avenue Tire Shop, located at 2311 Pacific Avenue. Loss to the tire shop, principally in ruined tires and damaged machinery, was estimated at $35,000. Adjacent properties, including Willner Clothing Company, also suffered damage. No injuries were reported. (TNT,11/10/1949, p.1-alt. photograph) TPL-9144

Avenue Tire Shop (Tacoma); Fires--Tacoma--1940-1950; Fire fighting--Tacoma--1940-1950; Fire engines & equipment--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Showing of new homes at 15th & No. Huson, Briggs Construction Co., Mr. Spillman. Briggs Construction Company held an open house of model homes for sale. Several families are shown coming and going from the several homes at this corner. One family has just parked their automobile at the curb. TPL-9768

Briggs Construction Co. (Tacoma); Houses--Tacoma--1940-1950; Building construction--Tacoma--1940-1950; Automobiles--Tacoma--1940-1950;

The Tacoma Auto Sales Co., at 723 Broadway, sold new and used Cadillacs and Pontiacs. On December 26, 1949 they took out a full page advertisement in the New Tribune. The ad included this photograph of the mechanics from their service department. The service and parts department was at 722 Commerce, around the corner from the showroom. Between 1951 and 1953 the dealership changed hands, and became Mulligan Pontiac Cadillac Co. (TNT, 12/26/1949, p.10)

Automobile dealerships--Tacoma; Automobile equipment & supplies; Vehicle maintenance & repair--Tacoma--1940-1950; Tacoma Auto Sales Co. (Tacoma)--Employees;

Group for Christmas ad in newspaper, Tacoma Auto Sales, Llewellyn Advertising Agency, Mr. Van Meter. A group portrait of 22 of the administrative and sales personnel from Tacoma Auto Sales. The men all wear business suits and the women wear either suits, or a sweater and skirt or blouse and skirt. This photograph was used in a Tacoma News Tribune ad December 26, 1949. (TNT, 12/26/1949, p.10)

Automobile dealerships--Tacoma; Tacoma Auto Sales Co. (Tacoma)--Employees; Sales personnel--Tacoma--1940-1950; Office workers--Tacoma--1940-1950;

This view of the main floor of the National Bank of Washington at 1123 Pacific Avenue was taken in December, 1949 from the bank's mezzanine. The Italian Renaissance style building, with its gracefully arched ceiling, was designed by Sutton, Whitney & Dugan, architects. Construction started in 1920, and the bank, known then as the National Bank of Tacoma, opened in June, 1921. The tellers cages were spaced around the exterior of the large open floor separated from the public by a horse-shoe shaped partial wall that echoed the shape of the tall windows which provided light to the large interior. Desks and card catalogs were kept behind the partition. The name of the bank was changed to the National Bank of Washington in 1937. The Tacoma Art Museum took over the building in 1971. In 2007 it became home to Sound Inpatient Physicians, which provides "hospitalist" physicians to hospitals. TPL-9259

Banks--Tacoma; Banking--Tacoma--1940-1950; National Bank of Washington (Tacoma); Lobbies--Tacoma--1940-1950;

The Last Round Cafe was located at 1516 Broadway in Tacoma's downtown district. The restaurant was owned and operated by William M. Hamilton. Interior view of the Last Round Cafe; stools and bar area on left side, doorway leading into the kitchen on left corner area; eating booths and jukebox on right side of restaurant. Photo ordered by the Washington State Liquor Board for the tavern's liquor license.

Restaurants--Tacoma; Taverns (Inns)--Tacoma; Kitchens--Tacoma--1940-1950; Seating furniture--Tacoma; Bars (Furniture)--Tacoma; Jukeboxes; Last Round Cafe (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 K Street Club at 1111 So. K Street in Tacoma's Hilltop neighborhood, was owned and operated by John J. Hafsos and Lawrence J. Corvari. This exterior view of the front of the building clearly shows their business signs, including a neon Olympia beer sign and a sign that says "Booths for Ladies". The photograph was ordered by the Washington State Liquor Board in October of 1949, probably for a renewal of their liquor license. TPL-5882

Taverns (Inns)--Tacoma; Bars--Tacoma; Barrooms--Tacoma; Signs (Notices); K Street Club (Tacoma);

The Poodle Dog had just rebuilt their restaurant at the same site; this work was completed in 1949. Interior view of the Poodle Dog in Fife, from the west inside new building showing double horseshoe counters, kitchen and waitress area, murals by Richards Commercial Photo Service on walls; structure was replaced by the current building in 1967. Photo ordered by Tacoma Fixture Company, Incorporated. TPL-9683

Soda fountains--Fife; Equipment; Restaurant workers--Fife; Waitresses--Fife; Diners (Restaurants)--Fife; Poodle Dog (Fife); Tacoma Fixture Co., Inc. (Tacoma);

K Street Club was owned and operated by John J. Hafsos and Lawrence J. Corvari. K Street Club was located at 1111 South K Street, in Tacoma's Hilltop neighborhood. Interior view of K Street Club, a shuffleboard table is set up in the center, jukebox behind the game table, booths on left side, bar and lunch counter on right side; a cash register behind the bar. Photo was ordered by the Washington State Liquor Board, likely for a renewal of their liquor license.

Taverns (Inns)--Tacoma; Bars--Tacoma; Barrooms--Tacoma; Bars (Furniture)--Tacoma; Shuffleboard; K Street Club (Tacoma);

National Bank of Washington was previously known as the National Bank of Tacoma until 1937, when they changed their name. In 1949 the bank President was Arthur H. Brouse; Charles T. Chandler, Ward Estey, Guy T. Pierce, W. L. Brown, Blake G. Crary, and Harold J. Dille were the Vice-Presidents; Orville T. Olsen, Charles R. Buchanan, J. Kaye Ewart, and Edward T. Ness were the Assistant Vice Presidents. View of employees of the National Bank of Washington reviewing customer accounts.

Banks--Tacoma; Banking--Tacoma--1940-1950; Bankers--Tacoma; National Bank of Washington (Tacoma)--People;

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);

Hotel Winthrop was inviting all of Tacoma to join them in the grand opening celebration for the new Trader Vic's Sabre Room. Trader Vic is an internationally known restaurateur, and he has now brought his world famous menu items to Tacoma. The interior of the Sabre Room is modeled after an authentic old English tap room, with figured red carpet, copper bowl lamps, the walls give the impression of aged plaster in a driftwood color. Trader Vic and his wife will host the grand opening celebration.

Restaurants--Tacoma; Dining rooms--Tacoma; Dining tables; Hotels--Tacoma; Hotel Winthrop (Tacoma); Sabre Room (Tacoma);

National Bank of Washington was located at the heart of downtown Tacoma, at 1123 Pacific Avenue; this building is now used to house the Tacoma Art Museum. The National Bank of Washington Cashier in 1949 was James Byers; the Assistant Cashiers were: Arthur W. James, P. C. Hultman, Blandford W. Marley, Lester W. Nelsen, Harold T. Paulsen, Wilbur F. Rieck, Jerry M. Sandal, Albert L. Taylor, and Sparks O. Washburn; the Pro-Assistant Cashier was Harold R. Carlson. Interior view of bank, two customers are being helped; view of customer files and filing cabinets.

Banks--Tacoma; Customer relations; Banking--Tacoma--1940-1950; Bankers--Tacoma; National Bank of Washington (Tacoma)--People;

Horluck's was having their grand opening and would offer free ice cream and coffee to their customers. Horluck's was located in the Pacific First Federal Building at South 11th Street and Pacific Avenue. Horluck's was owned by Aldrich Fox and Lloyd Knutsen, well known dairy and fountain men; Jack Fox would be the restaurant's manager. Interior view of Horluck's Danish Ice Cream Shop (T.N.T., 9/23/49, p. C-2,3).

Bars (Furniture)--Tacoma; Soda fountains--Tacoma; Restaurants--Tacoma; Equipment; Horluck's Danish Ice Cream Shop (Tacoma); Pacific First Federal Building (Tacoma);

National Bank of Washington offered their customers full banking services. In 1949 Ashley M. Gould was an Assistant Vice President and Trust Officer; Harry Anderson was an Assistant Trust Officer; and S. Pritchard Miller was an Assistant Cashier and Assistant Trust Officer. Interior view of the National Bank of Washington, a customer is at the transaction window and another customer is standing on the left side.

Banks--Tacoma; Customer relations; Banking--Tacoma--1940-1950; Bankers--Tacoma; National Bank of Washington (Tacoma)--People;

Fife's Poodle Dog restaurant was opened in 1933, added on and renovated in 1939, demolished and rebuilt in 1949 at the same location. The famous restaurant would be rebuilt once more in 1967. Richard's Commercial Photography would be displaying a photo mural at the restaurant. Interior view of the Poodle Dog restaurant in Fife; view of the Dining Room, showing photographs by Richard's Studio and domed jukebox. TPL-9686

Photographs; Photography--Tacoma; Dining tables; Dining rooms--Fife; Jukeboxes; Murals--Fife; Interior decoration; Restaurants--Fife; Poodle Dog (Fife);

The Last Round Cafe was located at 1516 Broadway in Tacoma's downtown district; this building was built in 1889. The restaurant was owned and operated by William M. Hamilton. Exterior view of the Last Round Cafe; restaurant signs and "Open Day & Nite" signs on windows. Photo ordered by the Washington State Liquor Board for the tavern's liquor license.

Restaurants--Tacoma; Business enterprises--Tacoma; Parking meters--Tacoma--1940-1950; Taverns (Inns)--Tacoma; Signs (Notices); Last Round Cafe (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.;

Internationally known restaurateur, Trader Vic, had brought his world famous menu items to Tacoma. The Winthrop Hotel and Trader Vic enterprises have remodeled the restaurant site, at an estimated cost of $45,000, and opened up the Sabre Room. View of Mayor C. Val Fawcett (center) with Trader Vic (left) and an unidentified man at the grand opening celebration of the new Trader Vic's Sabre Room, located in the Winthrop Hotel (T.N.T., 9/21/49, p. 2).

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

The beautiful Miss Washington and Miss Wisconsin were visiting Tacoma's Big Bear Stores, they were promoting apples and cheese week. Everyone was invited to participate in the fun, free samples would be available. View of Miss Washington, Libby Aldrich of Kelso, Washington and Miss Wisconsin, Marveen Fischer; the women are leaning against a convertible Buick (T.N.T., 10/14/49, p. B-3).

Grocery stores--Tacoma--1940-1950; Beauty contestants--Tacoma--1940-1950; Events--Tacoma--1940-1950; Buick automobile; Big Bear Stores (Tacoma); Fischer, Marveen; Aldrich, Libby;

View of Miss Wisconsin, Marveen Fischer, standing with two unidentified men at Tacoma's Big Bear Stores. Miss Wisconsin is representing the dairy and cheese state, and Armour & Company; a huge 2,000 pound mammoth cheddar cheese is on display, free samples of the cheese would be available for Tacoma customers. Big Bear Stores was offering their customers "Miss Universe Real Mild Cheese" for 49 cents per pound; "Miss Wisconsin Medium-Sharp Cheese" for 59 cents per pound; and "Miss Wisconsin Famous Sharp Cheese" for 79 cents per pound (T.N.T., 10/14/49, p. B-3).

Grocery stores--Tacoma--1940-1950; Beauty contestants--Tacoma--1940-1950; Events--Tacoma--1940-1950; Cheese; Big Bear Stores (Tacoma); Fischer, Marveen; Armour & Co. (Wis.)--Products;

Tacoma was celebrating apples and cheese week at the Big Bear Stores. Miss Washington was representing Washington State's Centennial flour and the apple industry. View of Miss Washington, Libby Aldrich, standing with Don Taylor, left, and Fred Huey from Big Bear Stores; she is holding a sack of Centennial flour. Centennial Flouring Mills display in background (T.N.T., 10/14/49, p. B-3). TPL-9919

Grocery stores--Tacoma--1940-1950; Beauty contestants--Tacoma--1940-1950; Events--Tacoma--1940-1950; Merchandise displays--Tacoma; Big Bear Stores (Tacoma); Aldrich, Libby; Centennial Flouring Mills Co. (Tacoma)--Products; Taylor, Don; Huey, Fred;

Firestone Auto Supply is providing a free brake inspection to automobile owners. A wrecked car with two large signs above is used to advertise the special. A police car used for accident investigation is parked next to the wreck where five men are looking at one of the front wheels where the brakes may have been the cause of the crash. TPL-9367

Firestone Store (Tacoma); Automobiles--Tacoma--1940-1950; Automobile equipment & supplies stores--Tacoma; Wrecks; Police--Tacoma--1940-1950; Investigation--Tacoma;

Titus handled many special orders and custom built trucks to accommodate all types of business needs. Interior view of Ford truck built for Hunt and Mottet Company, a wholesale sporting goods and hardware company. This new truck would allow for them to efficiently deliver to hardware stores throughout Western Washington. The truck has many compartments which help keep the company organized.

Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1940-1950; Ford trucks; Trucks--Tacoma--1940-1950; Hardware; Fishing & hunting gear; Sporting goods; Sporting goods industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Titus Motor Co. (Tacoma); Hunt & Mottet Co. (Tacoma);

Hunt and Mottet Company, a wholesale sporting goods and hardware company, had just purchased a new Ford truck from Titus Motor Company. This new truck would allow for them to efficiently deliver to hardware stores throughout Western Washington. Interior view of truck; fishing gear and other sporting goods are organized in the many compartments.

Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1940-1950; Ford trucks; Trucks--Tacoma--1940-1950; Hardware; Fishing & hunting gear; Sporting goods; Sporting goods industry--Tacoma; Titus Motor Co. (Tacoma); Hunt & Mottet Co. (Tacoma);

Titus Motor Company was an authorized Ford cars and trucks dealership, in Tacoma for many years. Titus handled many special orders and custom built trucks to accommodate all types of business needs. Interior view of Ford truck built for Hunt and Mottet Company, a wholesale sporting goods and hardware company. This new truck would allow for them to efficiently deliver to hardware stores throughout Western Washington. TPL-5531

Automobile dealerships--Tacoma; Ford trucks; Trucks--Tacoma--1940-1950; Hardware; Fishing & hunting gear; Sporting goods; Sporting goods industry--Tacoma; Titus Motor Co. (Tacoma); Hunt & Mottet Co. (Tacoma);

The Olympus hotel had just finished a two year remodeling project, initiated by the hotel manager, Virgil West. The new Mirror Room would offer dinner and dancing, and would feature the popular organist, Edith Stern with Ray Edwards. Interior view of the Mirror Room restaurant and night club, located in the recently remodeled Olympus Hotel (T.N.T., 8/29/49, p. 4-5).

Restaurants--Tacoma--1940-1950; Dining rooms--Tacoma; Remodeling--Tacoma--1940-1950; Dance floors--Tacoma; Table settings & decorations; Hotels--Tacoma; Mirror Room (Tacoma); Olympus Hotel (Tacoma);