Captain's Quarters at the Tacoma Athletic Commission's Club located on the upper level of the Top of the Ocean. Top of the Ocean housed Tacoma Athletic Commission, but its main dining room was also open to the public. They advertised smorgasbord dinners for $1.00 and dinners from their menu for $1.75 to $3.50. Interior view of a smaller dining room with dance floor, a fully stocked bar with mirrors in background, photo ordered by Condon Advertising (T. Times, 11/28/47, p. 5).

Dance floors--Tacoma--1940-1950; Bars (Furniture)--Tacoma; Restaurants--Tacoma--1940-1950; Interior decoration; Top of the Ocean (Tacoma); Tacoma Athletic Commission (Tacoma); Condon Co., Inc. (Tacoma);

Five Point Inn Restaurant was owned and operated by Eugene Comer. The Five Point Inn appears in the Tacoma 1945 and 1947 City Directories, in the 1949 City Directory this location is listed as Supreme Fur Storage, prior to the Five Point Inn, this location was Kress Drive Inn and Kress Malted Milk. This building was built in 1938 by Lee Kress, Russell, Lance and Muri were the architects and Warter and Johnson were the contractors. Exterior view of the restaurant, photo ordered by Llewellyn Advertising Agency.

Restaurants--Tacoma; Taverns (Inns)--Tacoma; Chimneys--Tacoma; Five Point Inn (Tacoma); Llewellyn Advertising Agency (Tacoma);

Top of the Ocean was one of the most luxurious and beautiful dine and dance liners in the Pacific Northwest. The restaurant was open to the public throughout the week, they had a regular orchestra that played on Fridays and Saturdays. Bill Slater, was the head chef at the restaurant, Slater was known as a "World Famous Chef". Top of the Ocean offered their clients the very best. This image appeared in an advertisement in the Tacoma Times (T. Times, 11/28/47, p. 5). TPL-2523

Restaurants--Tacoma; Nightclubs--Tacoma; Tacoma Athletic Commission (Tacoma); Top of the Ocean (Tacoma);

Top of the Ocean was one of the most popular restaurants in Tacoma. They opened for business on December 15, 1946, and quickly became a top choice for many clubs, associations and organizations to hold their activities. The Tacoma Athletic Commission had private facilities within the restaurant. Located on the waterfront near the foot of McCarver St. on Ruston Way, the Top of the Ocean was destroyed by an arson fire on April 3, 1977. David Willard Levage was convicted for starting the fire. This photo appeared in a Tacoma Times advertisement. (T. Times, 11/28/47, p. 5). TPL-2130

Restaurants--Tacoma; Nightclubs--Tacoma; Tacoma Athletic Commission (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;

Ingleside Cafe, Ponders Station, Ft. Lewis Highway. A large billboard for Olympia Beer shows over the roof of the cafe. Automobiles are parked outside the cafe which has a large awning over the windows on the parking lot side. The neon sign near the front door advertises fountain service. Additional neon signs placed over the roof dormers spell, "E-A-T". The Ingleside Cafe opened at this location in 1940. TPL-2535

Restaurants--Lakewood; Cafes--Lakewood; Ingleside Cafe (Lakewood); Billboards--Lakewood; Olympia Beer; Electric signs--Lakewood;

Twelve men at New Yorker Cafe, R.W. Russell. Ten men join together in a toast. The man in the middle holds a frame with individual photographs of many young men.

New Yorker Cafe (Tacoma); Men--Tacoma--1940-1950; Toasting--Tacoma--1940-1950; Group portraits--1940-1950;

Eastern Star Convention at the New Yorker, Margaret Kearney. Mrs. Arthur W. Slayer, third from the left in the front row, Grand Matron of the Grand Chapter of Washington State, Order of Eastern Star for 1947, presided over the 3-day state session. Mrs. Charles W. Douglass of Wenatchee, and Eugene C. Simmons of Centralia, (fourth and fifth from the left in the front row) were elevated to the offices of Worthy Grand Matron and Worthy Grand Patron during the session. (T.Times, 6/20/1947, p.1)

New Yorker Cafe (Tacoma); Order of Eastern Star (Tacoma); Fraternal organizations--Tacoma--1940-1950; Women--Tacoma--1940-1950;

On the afternoon of June 30, 1947, a bevy of women fromTacoma's social set turned out for a reception at the Tacoma Athletic Club's Clubhouse, located at the Top of the Ocean, 2217 Ruston Way. The reception was to honor the "Queen for a Day" that had been chosen on the 10 a.m. broadcast from the Ice Palace the same morning. Unfortunately, neither of Tacoma's daily papers listed the name of the lucky winner. The Henry Mill and Timber Co. burner can be seen in the background.

Top of the Ocean (Tacoma); Clubwomen--Tacoma--1940-1950; Restaurants--Tacoma--1940-1950; Waterfronts;

The Top of the Ocean had a private suite for the Tacoma Athletic Commission on their top deck. An advertisement stated they have the "most beautiful dance floors in the Northwest"and would be featuring Hal Gullett and his orchestra nightly. View of Micky McDougall on left, and Hal Gullett on right side (T. Times, 1/13/47, p. 7).

Restaurants--Tacoma; Music ensembles--Tacoma; Musicians--Tacoma; Top of the Ocean (Tacoma); Gullett, Hal; McDougall, Micky;

The Top of the Ocean restaurant had their grand opening in December 1946. They were one of the most beautiful and luxurious dine and dance liners in the Northwest. View of Hal Gullett and his orchestra playing at the Top of the Ocean restaurant. Hal Gullett is playing the saxophone and Micky McDougall is singing (T. Times, 1/13/47, p. 7).

Restaurants--Tacoma; Music ensembles--Tacoma; Musicians--Tacoma; Top of the Ocean (Tacoma); Gullett, Hal;

The Towers' kitchen measured 33 feet by 66 feet. It had all electric appliances and was finished in stainless steel. Bruce Parkers was the head chef, he was very well known throughout the Pacific Northwest. Interior view of the Towers' kitchen and dinner china, photo ordered by Dohrmann Hotel Supply.

Kitchens--Tacoma--1940-1950; Tableware; Cooking utensils; Nightclubs--Tacoma; Restaurants--Tacoma; Towers Restaurant (Tacoma);

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);

Tacoma Athletic Commission celebrated the formal opening of the organization's new headquarters, now located at the Top of the Ocean. The Tacoma Athletic Club had arranged for a permanent private suite on the upper level of the Top of the Ocean. Over 1,500 members and associate members attended the celebration. Interior view of dining room. The Tacoma Athletic Commission purchased the restaurant building, site and equipment of the Top of the Ocean in October 1948. (T. Times, 12/31/46, p. 12; TNT, 10/21/1948, p.1).

Banquet halls--Tacoma; Restaurants--Tacoma; Table settings & decorations; Top of the Ocean (Tacoma); Tacoma Athletic Commission (Tacoma);

New Yorker Cafe for Dohrman Hotel Supply.The double grill in the kitchen provides a large cooking area. The large stock pot on the left has a spout with a turn off valve at the bottom of the pot and a water line is provided with a faucet above the pot. The exit flues for the venting hoods over the grills bend towards each other before exiting through the ceiling forming an almost decorative look.

New Yorker Cafe (Tacoma); Restaurants--Tacoma--1940-1950; Kitchens--Tacoma--1940-1950; Stoves--Tacoma--1940-1950; Fans (Machinery); Pots & pans;

New Yorker Cafe for Dohrman Hotel Supply. A view of the sparking, new kitchen with stainless steel cabinets, coffee makers and overhead hoods.

New Yorker Cafe (Tacoma); Restaurants--Tacoma--1940-1950; Kitchens--Tacoma--1940-1950; Stoves--Tacoma--1940-1950; Cupboards--Tacoma--1940-1950;

New Yorker Cafe for Dohrman Hotel Supply. A view of the dining room showing the tables set for dinner. A column has been surrounded with a circular brick base, glass block with neon lighting and mirrors above. Sconces and torcheres provide light around perimeter of the room. TPL-9278

New Yorker Cafe (Tacoma); Restaurants--Tacoma--1940-1950; Dining rooms--Tacoma--1940-1950; Tables; Chairs;

New Yorker Cafe for Dohrman Hotel Supply. A lunch counter and booths. A jukebox and a game machine are at the far end of the cafe. The lunch counter has fountain service.

New Yorker Cafe (Tacoma); Cafes--Tacoma--1940-1950; Soda fountains--Tacoma--1940-1950; Jukeboxes; Coin operated machines--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Exterior view of the "Top of the Ocean". Automobiles are parked outside and banners are hung from the upper deck and over the top of the new restaurant and night club. The Top of the Ocean provided an invitation to all to dine and participate in an informal opening December 7th, 1946, at 5 p.m. It was called, the "most beautiful luxury dine and dance liner". She was not, however, a ship but was constructed on pilings at a cost of $262,000 by her owners Allen Rau and Bert Sundgren. Paul and Mendle Riggs were in charge of the boat facilities which provided docking sites for visiting yachts. There were four dining rooms on the main deck and a private suite for the Tacoma Athletic Club upstairs. Prices on complete dinners began at $1.50. The Top of the Ocean was destroyed by fire on April 3, 1977. (TNT, 3/21/1946; T.Times, 12/5/1946, p.11) TPL-423, TPL-2395

Top of the Ocean (Tacoma); Restaurants--Tacoma--1940-1950; Nightclubs--Tacoma--1940-1950; Waterfronts--Tacoma--1940-1950; Automobiles--Tacoma--1940-1950;

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;

Exterior of Murphy's Cigars, Cafe and Tavern. The sign over the entrance has neon lights and the front of the cafe is made of glass blocks; electric jewelry sign in background. Photograph was taken on December 6, 1946. TPL-7949

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

Ray Gamble banquet at Rau's Chicken Dinner Inn located at the corner of Pacific Avenue and John's Orchard Hill (the Mountain Highway). Ray Gamble was born in Lexington, Nebraska, and arrived in Tacoma in a boxcar in 1892. His was a rags-to-riches story. He started in business opening a fish market in 1913 and developed the world's largest wood flour business which furnished stabilizing materials for the explosives manufacturers. He owned several pieces of real estate including the exclusive Casa Blanca Apartments. He was also well known for his hobbies of collecting elephant statues and performing magic. Rau's Club was opened March 2, 1939. In August 1946 the name was changed to the "Country House Restaurant". (TNT 7/27/1941, p. A2; Genii, March, 1939)

Restaurants--Graham; Banquets--Graham--1940-1950; Group portraits; Gamble, Ray, 1886-1972; Rau's Club (Graham);

The Steak House interior of dining room. TPL-9326

Restaurant workers--Tacoma; Restaurants--Tacoma; Waitresses--Tacoma; Uniforms; Steak House (Tacoma);

The staff of The Steak House posed for this photogragh on March 24, 1945 shortly after it expanded by taking over an adjoining building. The Steak House was located at 2622-24 No. Proctor, across the street from the Proctor (now Blue Mouse) Theater. At the time this picture was taken, it was owned by Ted Clark. It closed in the mid-50s.

Restaurant workers--Tacoma; Restaurants--Tacoma; Waitresses--Tacoma; Cooks; Uniforms; Steak House (Tacoma);

The Steak House and No. End Tavern, exterior.

Diners (Restaurants)--Tacoma; Steak House (Tacoma); Restaurants--Tacoma;

The newly opened "Olympus Cafe" and Supper Club, located in the Olympus Hotel, is celebrating their grand opening. Lettering on the column at the back of the room reads, "Activian Room". Draperies are open showing another room beyond. TPL-6422

Restaurants--Tacoma--1940-1950; Olympus Cafe (Tacoma); Olympus Hotel (Tacoma);

The entrance to the Olympus Cafe at the Olympus Hotel showing the stairway down from Pacific Avenue and the lobby. The newly opened "Olympus Cafe" and Supper Club, located in the Olympus Hotel, is celebrating their grand opening. Bert Sundegren, owner, stated it is "Tacoma's newest and Washington's finest" restaurant. The location had large columns, a tile floor and ornate chandeliers. TPL-6421

Restaurants--Tacoma--1940-1950; Olympus Cafe (Tacoma); Olympus Hotel (Tacoma);

Pianist Bert Kool (far right) led the distinctive quartet of musicians who provided dance music at the grand opening of the Olympus Cafe and Supper Club in August of 1944. The new club opened on August 12, 1944, and was located directly below the Olympus Hotel, 815 Pacific Avenue, in what was then the heart of Tacoma's civic center. Bert Sundgren, the new owner, stated it was "Tacoma's newest and Washington's finest" restaurant and pledged dance music nightly with no cover charge. The saxophone player has been identified as Gus DeBock, a lifetime member of the Musicians Union. The last dance he played was with his band, Gus DeBock and the Fabulous 4, on August 9, 1991, two months before his death. (T. Times, 8/11/44, p. 11-article; T.Times, 8-12-44, p. 3-photograph used in ad). (Additional identification and information provided by a reader) TPL-10200

Restaurants--Tacoma--1940-1950; Olympus Cafe (Tacoma); Kool, Bert; DeBock, Gus; Musicians--Tacoma--1940-1950;

ca. 1943. Rudder Club, Mr. Avge. Photograph of the interior of the Club, showing the restaurant counter with the kitchen seen through the doorway at the rear. Floral wallpaper, a figured carpet and gleaming linoleum are also shown. Coffee pots are at the ready and the cash register is, too. The Club facilities included a restaurant, bar and club room and lounge. (TNT 8/26/1943, pg. 19)

Restaurants--Tacoma--1940-1950; Rudder Club, Inc. (Tacoma);

ca. 1943. Rudder Club, Mr. Avge. Interior of dining room with tables and chairs, doorways leading into additional seating. Floral wallpaper, a figured carpet draperies and lighting add to the ambiance.

Restaurants--Tacoma--1940-1950; Clubs--Tacoma--1940-1950; Rudder Club, Inc. (Tacoma);