Museum of History & Industry
Sophie Frye Bass Library
2700 24th Avenue East
Seattle, WA 98112
Phone: 206-324-1126
URL: http://www.seattlehistory.org



Guide to the Ben Paris Photographs and Other Material, 1909-1943


1991.64





Finding aid prepared by Julie Kerssen

Finding aid encoded by, 2006
Funding for encoding this finding aid was provided through a grant awarded by the National Endowment for the Humanities.


Overview of the Collection

 
Repository Name:
 

Museum of History & Industry
Sophie Frye Bass Library

2700 24th Avenue East
Seattle, WA 98112
Phone: 206-324-1126
URL: http://www.seattlehistory.org

 
Collection Number:
 

1991.64

 
Creator:
 

Paris, Ben

 
Title:
 

Ben Paris photographs and other material

 
Dates:
 

1909-1943 (inclusive)

 
Quantity:
 

2 boxes
1 linear foot

 
Languages:
 

Collection materials are in English. 

 
Summary:
 

Photographs and other materials documenting the business and personal interests of Ben Paris and his family. Paris owned a well-known sporting goods store and restaurant in downtown Seattle.

 
Location of Collection:
 

3a.4.1
3a.4.4

 

Biographical Note

Ben Paris was a well-known Seattleite whose namesake store was a destination for area sportsmen. He married Florence Alma Conner in 1916, and worked as an ironworker until he was injured on a job in St. Louis. After returning to Seattle, he served as the first representative for Local 302 of the National Union of Steam Engineers of America. He then borrowed $500 from his brother Jack to open a pool hall on Admiral Way, which was soon followed by another in Auburn. He eventually opened a business that became a downtown Seattle landmark, a combination of restaurant, bar, sporting goods store, and pool hall. The store (along with the Seattle Star newspaper) also sponsored the area's first fishing derby beginning in 1931, reportedly motivated by Paris's desire to sell more fishing rods.

Content Description

This collection mainly documents the business and personal interests of Ben Paris, including his store, the fishing derbies he started, and the baseball team he sponsored. The contents are predominantly photographs, but also include news clippings, correspondence, and ephemera. There are also a few items related to Paris's wife Florence and daughter Paulla.

Administrative Information

Acquisition Information 

The collection was donated by Paulla Paris Upjohn in 1991.

Use of the Collection

Restrictions on Access 

The collection is open to the public by appointment.

Restrictions on Use 

The Museum of History & Industry is the owner of the materials in the Sophie Frye Bass Library and makes available reproductions for research, publication, and other uses. Written permission must be obtained from MOHAI before any reproduction use. The museum does not necessarily hold copyright to all of the materials in the collections. In some cases, permission for use may require seeking additional authorization from the copyright owners.

Preferred Citation 

Ben Paris Photographs and Other Materials, Museum of History & Industry, Seattle

Subjects

Ben Paris Sporting Goods and Recreation (Seattle, Wash.)
Seattle (Wash.)
Photographic prints
Sporting goods industry -- Washington (State) -- Seattle
Stores, retail -- Washington (State) -- Seattle
Tournament fishing -- Washington (State) -- Seattle

Detailed Description of the Collection

 
Container(s)
Description
 
box
1


1991.64.1:  Photo: Coliseum Theatre during Big Snow of 1916
 
 


1991.64.2:  Photo: Ben Paris and two men at fountain, Ben Paris Sporting Goods and Recreation
 
 


1991.64.3:  Photo: Ben Paris and three men behind lunch and cigar counters of Ben Paris Sporting Goods and Recreation
 
 


1991.64.4:  Photo: Two men seated and boy standing
 
 


1991.64.5:  Photo: Sailboat and large yacht with about sixty people standing on deck
 
 


1991.64.6:  Photo: Man talking to girl at gathering
 
 


1991.64.7:  Photo: Ganders Club
 
 


1991.64.8:  Postcard: Paris Bros. Billiard and Lunch Room, Auburn, Wash.
 
 


1991.64.9:  Photo: 1940 Fishing Derby -- men in rowboats, West Seattle in background
 
 


1991.64.10:  Photo: 1940 Fishing Derby -- men in rowboats, people on dock at West Seattle Boat House
 
 


1991.64.11:  Photo: 1940 Fishing Derby contestants and spectators
 
 


1991.64.12:  Photo: Two men and two women on automobile near big tree
 
 


1991.64.13:  Photo: Emil Sick, D.K. McDonald, Ben Paris, and three unidentified men
 
 


1991.64.14:  Photo: Unidentified man
 
 


1991.64.15:  Photo: Six West Seattle baseball players and manager
 
 


1991.64.16:  Photo: Flowers inside entrance to Ben Paris Sporting Goods and Recreation
 
 


1991.64.17:  Photo: Ben Paris and five men putting money in large cup held by woman
 
 


1991.64.18:  Photo: Ben Paris in yachting cap at radio microphone on dock at West Seattle Boat House during 1940 Fishing Derby
 
 


1991.64.19:  Photo: Interior of Ben Paris Billiard and Lunch Room, Auburn, Wash.
 
 


1991.64.20:  Outdoor Sports Reporter and Washington Sportsman clippings
 
 


1991.64.21:  Newspaper clipping re: Ganders Club
 
 


1991.64.22:  War ration book issued to Paulla M. Paris
 
 


1991.64.23:  Ben Paris correspondence
 
 


1991.64.24:  Newspaper clipping re: Ben Paris-Seattle Star Salt Water Derby
 
 


1991.64.25:  Newspaper clipping: Paulla Paris and other women in costumes posed on old cable car
 
 


1991.64.26:  Newspaper clipping: Ed Bender, winner of fishing derby, with Ben Paris and winning fish
 
 


1991.64.30:  Photo: West Seattle Baseball Club (Paris brothers, managers)
 
 


1991.64.31:  Photo: Elliott Bay showing fishing derby boats with battleships in background
 
 


1991.64.32-42:  Photos: Snapshots of fishing derby scenes in Elliott Bay
 
 
2

1991.64.27:  Scrapbook: Newspaper clippings re: Ben Paris business and other activities
 
 


1991.64.28:  Scrapbook: Photos and newspaper clippings re: Florence Alma Conner
 
 


1991.64.29:  Florence Alma Conner's diploma from Lincoln High School
 
 
oversize
unboxed


1991.64.43:  Hand-colored photo of Mount Rainier