In June of 1946, to raise money for the Tacoma Jubilee, the Young Men's Business Club brought Bob Hope to Tacoma for a special show in the Stadium Bowl. Over 7,500 Tacomans came to see Mr. Hope, a collection of local performers, a small group of Hollywood starlets, and the "Skinnay" Ennis Band. Although the Y.M.B.C. did not make much beyond expenses, a fun evening was had by all who attended. The musical troupe had arrived at Boeing Field earlier on June 7, 1946, in two chartered planes. An avid golfer, Mr. Hope had played golf with good friend Bing Crosby in Spokane the day before and had beaten him by two strokes. He managed to squeeze in a PGA sanctioned event the day of the show but lost to "two Chucks." The man sitting next to Bob Hope is Walter Geehan. At the time this photograph was taken he was the manager of The Rudder Club. (TNT 6-7-46, p. 1, TNT 6-8-46, p. 1) ALBUM 5.

Hope, Bob; Actors--Tacoma--1940-1950; Entertainers--Tacoma--1940-1950; Geehan, Walter;

Stadium High School marching band and the Tigerannas, the girls marching club, perform during half-time at the annual football game between Stadium and Lincoln High Schools. They have formed into the shape of a clock.

Football--Tacoma--1940-1950; Stadium High School (Tacoma); Public schools--Tacoma--1940-1950; Stadiums--Tacoma--1940-1950; Marching bands; Marching percussion--Tacoma--1940-1950; Drum majorettes--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Over 16,000 rabid football fans left their turkey dinners on November 28, 1946 to attend the 25th Annual Stadium-Lincoln Thanksgiving Day game. The Stadium Tigers won 21 - 6, giving the Tigers an undefeated season, and winning for them both the Cross-State and City League Championships. (T.Times, 11/29/46, p.1; 11/30/1946, p.2)

Football; Stadium High School (Tacoma); Public schools--Tacoma--1940-1950; Sports spectators--Tacoma--1940-1950; Stadiums--Tacoma--1940-1950;

A Control Line Model Airplane Meet took place at Tacoma Stadium Bowl. Private First Class William Compton from Fort Lewis, won Senior Stunt Class Race in the model airplane meet. Pfc. Compton is holding his trophy, his winning model airplane is in front of him and an Army recruiting vehicle is behind him. The event was sponsored by the Tacoma Young Men's Business Club (T. Times, 1/27/47, p. 47).

Model airplanes; Military uniforms; Military personnel--Tacoma; Awards; Recruiting & enlistment--Tacoma; Military organizations; Compton, William--Associated objects;

The Drum Majorettes always accompanied the band and the Tigerannas. The head majorette for this school year was Alice Edwards. The Yell Team introduced their new theme this year, which also became Stadium's fight song, "Fight, Stadium Tigers!" View of Stadium High School's Drum Majorettes and the Yell Team at a Stadium football game. Photo taken for the Tahoma, Stadium's yearbook.

Cheerleading--Tacoma; Drum majorettes--Tacoma; Athletic fields--Tacoma; Football--Tacoma--1940-1950; Stadium High School (Tacoma);

View of the awards and trophies the Tacoma Division winners received for their participation in the Plymouth Aero League contest. The trophies were given for, "High Point Winner", "1st A-Speed Sr.", "1st Stunt Sr.", "1st Stunt Jr.", "1st Speed Jr." and runner up trophies were also distributed to third place winners (T. Times, 7/10 & 12/48, p. 1).

Contests--Tacoma; Competition entries--Tacoma; Victories--Tacoma; Awards; Hobbyists--Tacoma; Model airplanes; Airplane racing--Tacoma; Plymouth Aero League (Tacoma);

Stadium vs. Lincoln Thanksgiving Day football game in Stadium Bowl, November 25, 1937. Stadium High School marching band and drill team form what appears to be the letters "IN" on the football field. The goal post, Commencement Bay, and Browns Point are visible in the background. (T. Times 11/26/1937, pg. 1)

Football--Tacoma; Athletic fields--Tacoma; Students--Tacoma; Events--Tacoma; Stadium High School (Tacoma); Lincoln High School (Tacoma); Stadium Bowl (Tacoma); Marching bands;

Pre game military show featuring a formation of soldiers and sailors during the November 11, 1935 Armistice Day Navy-Army Football Game at Stadium Bowl. For Bremerton Sun. (filed with Argentum) (see D410 for more images of the same event.)

Football--Tacoma--1930-1940; Stadium Bowl (Tacoma); Holidays--Tacoma--1930-1940; Military personnel--1930-1940;

ca. 1971. This is an aerial view of the Stadium district as photographed circa 1971. Stadium Bowl is in the center with Stadium High School on the right and the Washington State Historical Society Museum on the left. Stadium Bowl, built in 1909, has been renovated circa 1980 and been subjected to several damaging mudslides in 1932, 1949, and 1981. It now has a modern capacity of 15,000, downsized from its original seating capacity of 23,486. Stadium Bowl was originally designed by Tacoma architect Frederick Heath. BU-11652

Aerial photographs; Aerial views; Neighborhoods--Tacoma--1970-1980; Stadium Bowl (Tacoma); Stadium High School (Tacoma); Washington State Historical Building (Tacoma);

Tacoma's Stadium Bowl under construction in December of 1909. The building of Stadium Bowl adjacent to Stadium High School (then called Tacoma High School) continued during the winter months of 1909. It would be dedicated the following June of 1910. Stadium Bowl would suffer from multiple mudslides over the years which forced closure more then once. BU-11586

Stadium Bowl (Tacoma); Construction--Tacoma--1900-1910; Progress photographs;

Stadium High School and Bellarmine High School were getting ready to battle it out for the 1947 City League Title. Both football teams had done exceptionally well during this first part of the season, a tough game was anticipated. The game would be played at Stadium Bowl in Tacoma, view of high school football players getting ready for their big game.

Football--Tacoma; Football players--Tacoma--1940-1950; Athletic fields--Tacoma; Bellarmine High School (Tacoma); Stadium High School (Tacoma); Stadium Bowl (Tacoma);

Dodge rolling stock, Tacoma Police Department, Irwin Jones. The automobiles are parked together in the field at Stadium High School. A man leans against the fender of the one light colored automobile.

Stadium Bowl (Tacoma); Events--Tacoma--1940-1950; Tacoma Police Department (Tacoma); Automobiles--Tacoma--1940-1950; Dodge automobile;

A Control Line Model Airplane Meet took place at Tacoma Stadium Bowl. The rescue helicopter from McCord Field made a special appearance at the event. The helicopter arrived and gracefully landed, impressing the large Tacoma crowd. The event was sponsored by the Tacoma Young Men's Business Club (T. Times, 1/27/47, p. 47).

Helicopters--Tacoma; Search & rescue operations; Stadium Bowl (Tacoma); Military air shows--Tacoma; Spectators--Tacoma;

Bob Hope Show at Stadium Bowl. Mr. Hope is at the microphone. Back row, L to R: unidentified, Ronnie Severson, Laura Corbay, Virginia Doffy, Valmere Barman, Bea Allen, Mavis Murray, Ella and Eileen Nelson, others unidentified. The troupe put on a 2 1/2 hour show under thankfully dry skies on behalf of the Young Men's Business Club. The Y.M.B.C. was raising funds for a Greater Tacoma Jubilee to be held later in June. The 40 entertainers included Skinnay Ennis and his 16-piece orchestra. Many of the performers had gone with Mr. Hope when he entertained GIs during WWII. (TNT 5-28-46, p. 1, TNT 6-8-46, p. 1) ALBUM 5.

Hope, Bob; Actors--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Bob Hope Show benefiting the Young Men's Business Club at Stadium Bowl. Mr. Hope is at the microphone. Back row, left to right: unidentified, Ronnie Severson, Laura Corbay, Virginia Doffy, Valmere Barman, Bea Allen, Mavis Murray, Ella and Eileen Nelson, others unidentified. Mr. Hope and troupe join in a song and dance, just one of the many numbers performed during the 2 1/2 hour show. One of the favorites appeared to be Ronnie Severson, the "human dictaphone," who first became known for his echo act while stationed at Fort Lewis during part of the war. The 7,500 in attendance was lower than expected disappointing promoters who had hoped to have a larger crowd; profits would be used to help put on a Greater Tacoma Jubilee the latter part of June. Mr. Hope did not let the smaller crowd influence his troupe's performance; musical and comedy bits entertained the audience immensely. (TNT 5-28-46, p. 1, TNT 6-7-46, p. 1, TNT 6-8-46, p. 1) ALBUM 5.

Hope, Bob; Actors--Tacoma--1940-1950; Entertainers--Tacoma--1940-1950;

The Stadium High School varsity football team had an undefeated season during the 1946-1947 school year when they wore the Cross-State and City crowns.The varsity football captains were Bruce Andreasen and Wells Anderson. Coach Heinrick was both the football coach and a guidance counselor. View of a Stadium football game, photo taken for the Tahoma, Stadium's yearbook.

Athletic fields--Tacoma; Football--Tacoma--1940-1950; Football players--Tacoma--1940-1950; Stadium High School (Tacoma);

A student, taking part of her final driving test on June 2, 1948, maneuvered her car through an obstacle course set up by Driver's Education instructors Frank P. Jones and Lloyd C. Hague (two men at left) inside the Stadium Bowl next to Stadium H.S.. Driver's education started in September 1947 at Stadium High School and a year and a half earlier at Lincoln High School. A total of 45 students from both school had completed the driver's course by the end of the 1947-48 school year. (T. Times, 6/4/48, p. 2).

Driver education--Tacoma; Automobiles--Tacoma--1940-1950; Teachers--Tacoma; Automobile driving--Tacoma; Examinations--Tacoma; Students--Tacoma; Lincoln High School (Tacoma); Stadium High School (Tacoma);

In July of 1948, Tacoma's Plymouth dealers sponsored the preliminary competition for the Second International Model Plane Contest. Gerald Thomas, shown with the three trophies that he won, was one of the big winners of the Tacoma Plymouth Aero League contest. The finals were held in Detroit in August. (T. Times, 7/10 & 12/48, p. 1).

Contests--Tacoma; Competition entries--Tacoma; Victories--Tacoma; Awards; Hobbyists--Tacoma; Model airplanes; Airplane racing--Tacoma; Plymouth Aero League (Tacoma);

In July of 1948 close to 100 model airplane enthusiasts took part in the Plymouth Aero League competition held in the Stadium Bowl. Sponsored by Tacoma's Plymouth dealers, the Tacoma contest was for "controlled type" planes; the models competed for speed, stunt flying and "scale model". Ray Welch (kneeling, 3rd from left) won 1st place in the junior scale models competition with his biplane. The young man standing behind Ray Welch holding a plane is probably William Lloyd, who placed first in the "D" junior speed contest. R.C. Sommerville, the general sales manager of the Plymouth corporation, made a special trip to Tacoma from Detroit to watch the contest; he personally handed out the trophies and prizes to the winners. (T. Times, 7/10 & 12/48, p. 1). TPL-10468

Contests--Tacoma; Competition entries--Tacoma; Victories--Tacoma; Awards; Hobbyists--Tacoma; Model airplanes; Airplane racing--Tacoma; Stadium High School (Tacoma); Plymouth Aero League (Tacoma);

Lincoln High School and Stadium High School were playing their annual Thanksgiving Day football game at Stadium Bowl in 1948. More than 16,000 fans attended the game and cheered on their favorite school. View of half time performances; the Stadium High School drum majorettes are performing with the marching band, watched by thousands packed into the bleachers. (T. Times, 11/26/48, p. 1).

Football--Tacoma--1940-1950; Athletic fields--Tacoma; Marching percussion--Tacoma; Students--Tacoma--1940-1950; Drum majorettes--Tacoma--1940-1950; Stadium High School (Tacoma); Lincoln High School (Tacoma); Stadium Bowl (Tacoma);

Tacoma's Golden Jubilee celebration of Washington's statehood reached its climax at 8:45 p.m. on July 20, 1939 in the Stadium Bowl with the presentation of the theatrical extravaganza "Saga of the West." A cast of 2,000 depicted historic events from the previous fifty years of Washington's history. At 10:15 p.m. with search lights from the U.S Navy's Pacific fleet lighting up the sky, Queen Amy Lou Murray was carried in on her throne by a group of young men painted glistening gold and placed at the center of the field. The finale cast included princesses representing all of Washington's 39 counties, 100 beautiful women in long evening gowns and an honor guard of men in military uniforms. (T. Times 7/20/1939, pg. 1)

Washington State Golden Jubilee, 1939--Tacoma; Stadium Bowl (Tacoma); Historical pageants--Tacoma; Searchlights--Tacoma;

The concrete bleachers at Stadium Bowl are empty of people but untidy with scattered litter, probably programs or newspapers, after the annual Thanksgiving Day football game between Stadium and Lincoln High School in 1939. The State Historical Museum building is in the background.

Stadium Bowl (Tacoma); Bleachers--Tacoma; Refuse--Tacoma; Football--Tacoma--1930-1940; Washington State Historical Building (Tacoma);

1940's Fourth of July show at Stadium. Good, rare view of west side of Stadium showing bleachers, steep lawn, and houses opposite Stadium. (T. Times)

Stadium Bowl (Tacoma); Celebrations--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Cast members of the historical pageant "Saga of the West" pose in front of Stadium Bowl seating. The seats are only sparsely occupied for this preview performance, mostly by cast members; the opening night audience would number over 15,000. The pageant was performed July 20-22, 1939 as part of the celebration of Washington's 50th anniversary of statehood. The pageant was directed by William Marlatt of the John B. Rogers pageant company, was fully costumed and had a cast of 2,000. It also had horses, stage coaches, covered wagons, automobiles and a fire engine.

Washington State Golden Jubilee, 1939--Tacoma; Stadium Bowl (Tacoma); Historical pageants--Tacoma;

Searchlights from the Pacific Fleet light up the night sky over the Stadium Bowl during the historical pageant "Saga of the West." The pageant was performed July 20-22, 1939 as part of the celebration of Washington's 50th anniversary of statehood. Also in port for the Jubilee were six US battleships and 8,000 sailors and officers. Search light drills would be performed nightly at 10:15p.m.

Washington State Golden Jubilee, 1939--Tacoma; Stadium Bowl (Tacoma); Historical pageants--Tacoma; Searchlights--Tacoma;

ca. 1940. Veterans of Foreign Wars E.J. Messinger Post Marching Band at Stadium Bowl.

Veterans of Foreign Wars, E.J. Messinger Post No. 1428 (Tacoma); Patriotic societies--Tacoma--1940-1950; Drum majorettes--Tacoma; Marching bands--Tacoma; Stadium Bowl (Tacoma);

These cast members appear to depict British officers and sailors in the historical drama "Saga of the West." The pageant was performed July 20-22, 1939 as part of the celebration of Washington's 50th anniversary of statehood. They are possibly part of the depiction of Capt. George Vancouver's exploration of the Puget Sound area in 1792. The Saga would cover Washington's history from the earliest times to 1939, with 14 special events highlighted in scenes.

Washington State Golden Jubilee, 1939--Tacoma; Stadium Bowl (Tacoma); Historical pageants--Tacoma;

During a July 19, 1939 rehearsal, a team of dogs pulled a sled and rider past the massive sets used for the historical pageant "Saga of the West" staged in the Stadium Bowl. The heavily bearded man "mushing" the dogs was Earl Hammond. Hammond stopped in Tacoma on his way to Alaska to take part in the Saga and parade. He was a professional "Santa Claus," performing in Christmas pageants back east. His dogs were white Siberian huskies and white marked black Siberians. The framework at the rear of the sets can be clearly seen and costumed cast members representing different time periods in Washington's history line up to watch the show. The pageant was performed July 20-22, 1939 as part of the celebration of Washington's 50th anniversary of statehood. (T. Times 7/20/1937, pg. 2)

Washington State Golden Jubilee, 1939--Tacoma; Stadium Bowl (Tacoma); Historical pageants--Tacoma;

As the West was settled, cities were formed. This scene is typical of that lifestyle. A woman reaches down to cluck the toddler in the wicker stroller under the chin while the proud parents look on. The pair of young men on the left appear to be planning some mischief. It was all taking place during the preview performance of "Saga of the West." The pageant was performed July 20-22, 1939 as part of the celebration of Washington's 50th anniversary of statehood. Three cast members wait for their cues in the stands with bored expressions on their faces. The young man in the checks is tentatively identified as Donald MacDonald and the woman pushing the pram as Barbara Bonnell. The extravaganza, with its cast of 2,000, was made up of 14 scenes. This appears to be from the Gay Nineties street scene.

Washington State Golden Jubilee, 1939--Tacoma; Stadium Bowl (Tacoma); Historical pageants--Tacoma;

Redskins in full body makeup represent the importance of the Native Americans in the West. These cast members took part in the recreation of an early Indian village in the historical drama "Saga of the West." The show opened with the area's earliest native settlers, known as the "Squallys." The pageant was performed July 20-22, 1939 as part of the celebration of Washington's 50th anniversary of statehood.

Washington State Golden Jubilee, 1939--Tacoma; Stadium Bowl (Tacoma); Historical pageants--Tacoma;