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;

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;