ca. 1934. Orchestra at the Oakes. View of musicians with grand piano and female singer ordered by Mr. White. The Oakes Pavilion had opened in the summer of 1923 and was available for ballroom dancing. By 1934, renovation was underway to turn the Pavilion into a nightspot called the Towers. In 1938, Norton Clapp converted it to the Lakewood Ice Arena. The Arena was demolished in 1982 to make room for lakefront condominiums. (T. Times) (WSHS)

Oakes Pavilion (Lakewood); Ballrooms--Lakewood; Orchestras--1930-1940;

By August of 1924, only one year after it opened to the public, "The Oakes" on Lake Steilacoom was attracting "regular Sunday crowds" that numbered in the hundreds. "The Oakes" offered boating, bathing, and picnic grounds; there was dancing in the Pavilion on Sunday afternoons and both Sunday and Wednesday evenings. Row boats and canoes were available for rental and aquatic equipment included a high, long slide and a platform diving tower. The water stadium was used for competitive swimming events including the Olympic trials for 1924. By 1934, renovation was underway to turn the Pavilion into a night spot called the Towers. In 1938, Norton Clapp converted it to the Lakewood Ice Arena. The Arena was demolished in 1982 to make room for lake front condominiums. (TNT 8/14/1924, pg. B1) BU 13522, Boland # A5430

Oakes Pavilion (Lakewood); Ballrooms--Lakewood; Swimming; Swimmers; Rowboats;

These young men and women, posed in front of the platform diving tower at "The Oakes" on Lake Steilacoom in May of 1924, were participating in the trials for the 1924 Olympic Games that were to be held in Paris. Those in suits and hats are presumed to be judges and/or coaches. Merle "Blackie" Fadden, representing Crystal Pool, Seattle, won the diving trials. Katheryne Brown of Tacoma and Coral Moran, representing the YWCA of Spokane, won their swimming events. All three qualified to enter the final Olympic tryouts in Indianapolis in early June. G54.1-146 (TNT 5-26-24, p. 12-article; TDL 5-26-24, p. 9-article) TPL-10098

Swimmers--1920-1930;

The Oakes water stadium. A good sized crowd has gathered at "The Oakes" water stadium on Lake Steilacoom in early September of 1925. The water stadium had celebrated its official opening on June 21st. It had a capacity of 3000 people and was built on piling 10 feet apart. The water stadium was enclosed on three sides facing the body of water 200-feet by 200-feet. The Oakes Pavilion is in the background with windows and walkways facing the water stadium. Many of the crowd are in bathing suits while others are content to bask in the sun in street clothes. "The Oakes" itself had opened in 1923 and was a popular spot for picnicking, boating, swimming and rowing. Dancing was offered in the Pavilion two days a week. TPL-529; G54.1-148; BU13,437 (TNT 6-18-24, p. 21, 23-articles on water stadium)

Oakes Pavilion (Lakewood); Spectators--Lakewood; Crowds--Lakewood;

Interiors of the Lakewood Ice Arena. An instructor ties his skates surrounded by smiling young students. Although the home of several competitive skaters, the rink also offered affordable lessons to children and adults at all skating levels from beginners on up. Public free skating time was also available and if you didn't own your own skates, they could be rented. ("History of Figure Skating in Pierce County, Lakewood Arena")

Ice skating--Tacoma--1950-1960; Lakewood Ice Arena (Lakewood); Lakewood Figure Skating Club (Lakewood); Ice skating rinks--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Exteriors of the Lakewood Ice Arena. Perched on the shores of Steilacoom Lake, the facility had once been the ballroom for the Oakes Pavilion, which also offered a water stadium for competitive swimming where the tryouts for the American Olympic team were held in the mid twenties. After a brief stint as the Towers, a nightclub, the frame building was purchased by developer Norton Clapp in 1936. In 1938, at the urging of his wife who was a fan of ice skating, the building was remodeled into the Lakewood Ice Arena. The lake area around the club was still available for summer swimming and the Figure Skating Club even kept a dock and float available for members. The Arena was demolished in 1982 and replaced by lakeshore condominiums. ("History of Figure Skating in Pierce County, Lakewood Arena") TPL-5672

Ice skating--Tacoma--1950-1960; Lakewood Ice Arena (Lakewood); Lakewood Figure Skating Club (Lakewood); Ice skating rinks--Tacoma--1950-1960; Lake Steilacoom (Wash.);

Interiors Lakewood Ice Arena. Several young skaters and what appear to be instructors watch while a more experienced skater makes a graceful curve on a thin blade of steel. The building formerly known as the Oakes Ballroom and briefly as the Towers was purchased by developer Norton Clapp, future Weyerhaeuser chairman, in 1936 and converted into the Ice Arena in 1938. The building was remodeled to resemble a Swiss chalet with murals on the walls and a draped ceiling approximating clouds. The Lakewood Figure Skating Club at the Ice Arena produced many champions through the years. The building itself however went through some trying times. In 1948, the roof collapsed and the building had to be restored. There was a major remodel in 1959 and in 1974 a temporary closure by the fire marshalls. In October of 1982, the roof caved in once more, forcing the demolition of the historic building. ("History of Figure Skating in Pierce County, Lakewood Arena")

Ice skating--Tacoma--1950-1960; Lakewood Ice Arena (Lakewood); Lakewood Figure Skating Club (Lakewood); Ice skating rinks--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Exterior of the Lakewood Ice Arena. Lakewood industrialist Norton Clapp purchased the old Oakes dance pavilion on the shores of Steilacoom Lake in 1936, largely due to his wife's interest in ice skating. After two years as a private party place, it was remodeled to resemble a Swiss mountain chalet and opened to the public in 1938. It had parking space for 500, an attractive glass enclosed "Wirtschaft" (snack bar) and spectator seating for 600. The opening crowds were so large that the opening went on for 2 days. Over the years, the Lakewood Ice Arena became known as the "Home of Champions" due to the large number of world class figure skaters that its club produced. In 1974, the building was closed temporarily as a fire hazard. On Oct 1, 1982, the roof and the west wall collapsed; a few months later the building was demolished. ("History of Figure Skating in Pierce County, Lakewood Arena") TPL-9322

Ice skating--Tacoma--1950-1960; Lakewood Ice Arena (Lakewood); Lakewood Figure Skating Club (Lakewood); Ice skating rinks--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Hair flying and arms extended, Joan Schenke is captured leaping into the air on the ice at Lakewood Ice Arena. The young figure skater from Clover Park High School is wearing a short skating dress with rows of white buttons and white skates. Figure skating was very popular in the 1940's and 1950's, with many local champions taking honors at nationals and appearing in traveling ice shows. Joan was the daughter of Fred Schenke and resided with her parents at 612 South "I". She was a member of the Lakewood Winter Club and won the U.S. Junior Ladies Figure Skating championship in March, 1956. Photograph ordered by Fred Schenke. (TNT 1-6-57, B-8)

Schenke, Joan; Ice skating--Lakewood--1950-1960; Lakewood Ice Arena (Lakewood);

John "Sandy" Swanson does a turn on the ice as the young figure skater is photographed at the Lakewood Ice Arena on November 29, 1956. He placed 4th in the Pacific Coast Junior Men's competition in 1954 and in 1956, was 2nd in the Northwest Junior Men's. He is neatly dressed with pullover sweater and tie and wears his hair in a modified crew cut. "Sandy" was a member of the Lakewood Winter Club. Photograph ordered by Walter Swanson.

Swanson, John; Ice skating--Lakewood--1950-1960; Lakewood Ice Arena (Lakewood);

Judy Reed appears to be carefully watching her figure eights while she is on the ice at the Lakewood Ice Arena in this photograph dated November 29, 1956. Hair pulled back in an attractive ponytail, Judy is wearing a short black jumper and white blouse with three-quarter length sleeves. Sepia photograph ordered by Carl Reed.

Reed, Judy; Ice skating--Lakewood--1950-1960; Lakewood Ice Arena (Lakewood);

Marianne Beeler may have been in the process of completing a jump at the Lakewood Ice Arena on November 29, 1956. She has her arms extended, along with one leg, while the other leg is bent. Her attention is focused off to the side. Marianne is dressed in a button-up sweater over a black skating dress. Photograph ordered by Al Beeler.

Beeler, Marianne; Ice skating--Lakewood--1950-1960; Lakewood Ice Arena (Lakewood);

Tacoma Ice Hockey players at Lakewood Ice Arena. This goalie, representing the Medosweet Dairies team, is ready at net in this November of 1940 photograph. Maskless, he is wearing enormous pads and thick gloves and clutching his stick. No helmets were worn in this era so the goalie needed to be alert and agile to avoid incoming pucks. [Also dated 11-15-1940.]

Lakewood Ice Arena (Lakewood); Ice hockey--Lakewood--1940-1950; Ice hockey players--Lakewood;

These four figure skaters were all smiles in March of 1958 when photographed on the ice of the Lakewood Ice Arena at 7310 Steilacoom Blvd. S.W. They were all bound for the National Figure Skating Championships to be held in Minneapolis on March 26-29, 1958. From left to right are: Linda Galbraith (Novice Ladies), Kathleen Seabeck (Junior Ladies), and Judy and Jerry Fotheringill (Junior Pairs). The skaters had earned their tickets to the national championships by placing among the top three at the Pacific Coast competitions held in Seattle in February. All four were members of the Lakewood Winter Club; the Winter Club had established residency at the Lakewood Ice Arena in 1938. One year later, in 1959, Judianne and Jerry Fotheringill won the national junior pairs crown at the figure skating championships when they were held in Rochester. Photograph ordered by the Lakewood Winter Club. (TNT 3-18-58, p. 20)

Ice skating--Tacoma--1950-1960; Skaters; Seabeck, Kathleen; Galbraith, Linda; Fotheringill, Judy; Fotheringill, Jerry;

George and Leah Mueller pose for an October, 1942, publicity photograph inside the Lakewood Ice Arena, with its pseudo Bavarian decor. The German couple were well known in skating and replaced John Johnsen when he left for war duty in 1942. Prior to coming to Lakewood, the couple had taught in Boston, Toronto, St. Louis, Philadelphia and Long Beach, California. Initially booked only for the 1942-43 season, they stayed six years, enjoying the Northwest and the arena's talented group of young skaters. In a nod to World War II anti-German sentiment, the couple was introduced to Tacoma as the "Millers." ("A History of Figure Skating in Pierce County;" T. Times 10-19-1942, p.2)

Lakewood Ice Arena (Lakewood); Ice skating--Tacoma--1940-1950; Ice skating rinks--Tacoma--1940-1950; Mueller, George; Mueller, Leah;

Paul Spruell in action on May 11, 1965, at the Lakewood Ice Arena. He competed in the Novice men category in 1965. Paul was practicing for the "Ice Capers of 1965" presented by the Lakewood Winter Club later in the month. In January, 1966, Paul, 16, would compete in the U.S. Ice Skating Championships in Berkeley, California. It would be his first time at nationals. Photograph ordered by Lakewood Winter Club. (TNT 5-16-65, D-1, TNT 1-23-66, B-12)

Ice skating--Lakewood--1960-1970; Skaters; Spruell, Paul;

Figure ice skaters from Tacoma joined ice skaters from the Lakewood Ice Club for a special event held in support of young ice skaters throughout the State. These skaters have returned with trophies galore and would perform between 10:00 A.M. and 12:00 P.M. for spectators at the Lakewood Ice Arena. View of Nancy Roberts, 13 year old champion ice skater from Tacoma. Nancy performed at the Lakewood Ice Arena in the solos program (T. Times, 1/16/49, p. 14 & 1/20/49, p. 16).

Ice skating--Tacoma; Ice skating rinks--Lakewood; Winter sports--Tacoma; Athletes--Tacoma; Skaters; Lakewood Ice Arena (Lakewood); Roberts, Nancy;

Western Washington ice skaters were gathering together at the Lakewood Ice Arena in January of 1949 to raise money to support young skaters working towards National, Coast and Northwest events. View of hand-colored black and white photograph of Diane Jacobsen, student at Lincoln High School and a champion ice skater. Diane performed in the Lakewood Ice Club ice skating fundraiser (T. Times, 1/16/49, p. 14 & 1/20/49, p. 16). ALBUM 15.

Ice skating--Tacoma; Ice skating rinks--Lakewood; Winter sports--Tacoma; Athletes--Tacoma; Skaters; Lakewood Ice Arena (Lakewood); Jacobsen, Diane;