History

Clinton’s Music House was established in 1898 By Frank T. Clinton. Initially Frank would load several pianos aboard a horse-drawn wagon and sell them door-to-door, traveling as far south as Chehalis. Clinton’s Music House was first incorporated in 1910 in Tacoma, Washington. By 1916 Frank's son Myron B. Clinton joined the family business. Myron's businesslike approach led Frank to forgo the wagon, and in 1920 Myron purchased the store for $1.00 from Frank. Myron elevated the business, but he still had to do some wheeling and dealing to survive difficult times, often trading pianos for goods and services. After World War II, Myron Clinton died from a heart attack and Franklin M. (Hank) Clinton inherited the business. In 1964 Hank bought the property at South 23rd Street and Tacoma Avenue South, where Clinton's Music House currently resides. This property is most famous for the big red grand piano that sits atop its roof. This somewhat eccentric business move began with Myron who had an oversized brown piano on the roof of the original location, and was developed further into the neon red piano withHank's property. Hank said, "There are people who don't know us or our name or thebusiness. But they know the sign."

Twenty years later he added the Olympia store. At various times Hank attempted to diversify their selection by including color TVs, guitars, amps and other affordable instruments such as harmonicas, but eventually abandoned this for pianos only. Although Hank's children Kip and Curt eventually inherited the business, Hank continued to come to work until his death on May 27^th. 2004.