Stadium Bowl's stands are packed with students and adults in this circa 1920 photograph. Lines of young boys and girls occupy the field while the school band plays on the outdoor stage. This is believed to be "Stadium Day," held each year in May. The "Castle," the massive turreted brick structure otherwise known as Stadium High School, overlooks the Bowl. G55.1-093

Stadium Bowl (Tacoma); Stadium High School (Tacoma); Celebrations--Tacoma--1920-1930; Crowds--Tacoma--1920-1930;

4th of July celebration at Stadium Bowl. 35,000 jammed into Stadium Bowl in 1924 to celebrate Independence Day with pageants and fireworks. Mounted horsemen from Troop F, 11th U.S. Calvary, bands, sailors and school children stood in the center of the vast bowl with the imposing Stadium High School to the left. The American Legion sponsored the festivities. G55.1-036; BU-11,612 (TNT 7-5-24, p. 1-article)

Stadium Bowl (Tacoma); Stadium High School (Tacoma); Crowds--Tacoma--1920-1930; Spectators--Tacoma--1920-1930; Celebrations--Tacoma--1920-1930;

4th of July 1924. These rows of fireworks lined up against a fence will soon be exploding into Tacoma skies at the 4th of July celebration held at Stadium Bowl in 1924. An estimated 35,000 people crammed into Stadium Bowl to watch the pyrotechnic display. G20.1-013

Celebrations--Tacoma--1920-1930; Fireworks--Tacoma--1920-1930; Stadium Bowl (Tacoma);

This display of fireworks at the 1924 4th of July celebration held in Tacoma's Stadium Bowl fully expressed what the people of Tacoma thought the correct name should be for our mountain. Tacomans waged an ultimately fruitless battle against the name "Mount Rainier" for Pierce County's majestic mountain. Residents insisted that the original Native American name, "Tacoma," be reinstated and references in local newspapers always referred to "Mt. Tacoma." TPL-308; G20.1-032

Fireworks--Tacoma--1920-1930; Celebrations--Tacoma--1920-1930;

Tacoma's Stadium Bowl was under construction in April of 1909. Designed by local architect Frederick Heath and built by Western Engineering Co., the bowl had an original seating capacity of 23,486. It was dedicated on June 10, 1910. Stadium Bowl has been damaged several times over the years by mudslides and was forced to close in 1949. It did not reopen until about 1960. After renovation and rededication in 1980, it suffered further mudslide damage in 1981. BU-11552

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

Armistice Day Navy-Army Football Game at Stadium Bowl. Over 8,000 people packed the stands on November 11, 1935 for a charity Army vs. Navy Armistice Day football game held at the Stadium Bowl. The Navy arrived from Bremerton on the ferry Kalakala and stayed to defeat the Army 6 to 2 on a field that resembled a sea of mud. For Bremerton Sun. (filed with Argentum) (see D410 for more pictures of the same event)

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

Go West young man seems to be the catch phrase for this group of cast members from the historical pageant "Saga of the West." They are all attired as frontiersmen and pose in front of a covered wagon. The pageant was performed July 20-22, 1939 as part of the celebration of Washington's 50th anniversary of statehood. The extravaganza boasted a cast of 2,000, as well as horses, stage coaches, covered wagons, Indians, cowboys, soldiers and sailors. The actors pantomimed, with all voices portrayed by seven narrators over microphones. Musical accompaniment was supplied by an orchestra, 200 voice choir and an organ.

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

Tacoma Junior Chamber of Commerce, publicity for Stadium July Fourth Show. Two men wearing suits, ties, fedoras, posing with fireworks sign above Stadium Bowl. Stadium and Washington State Historical Society Museum in background. The July 4th show ran over two hours and attracted an audience of over 7,000, covering 2/3 of the Bowl.

Fireworks--1930-1940; Holidays--1930-1940; Fourth of July celebrations; Stadium Bowl (Tacoma); Junior Chamber of Commerce (Tacoma);

On March 25, 1937, over 12,000 fans turned out at the Stadium Bowl to watch the annual Stadium vs. Lincoln Thanksgiving Day football game. This was a view of the south side of the Big Bowl as the teams prepared to put the ball into play. Spectators filled the concrete bleachers. The undefeated Stadium Tigers won 34-0, clinching the City Title for them for the 4th straight year, and making them champions of the newly formed Cross-State League. Structures adjacent to the stadium and high school are visible in the background. (T. Times 11/26/1937, pg.1).

Football--Tacoma--1930-1940; Athletic fields--Tacoma; Football players--Tacoma--1930-1940; Students--Tacoma--1930-1940; Events--Tacoma--1930-1940; Stadium High School (Tacoma); Lincoln High School (Tacoma); Stadium Bowl (Tacoma);

On Thanksgiving Day 1937 before a crowd estimated at 12,000 fans, the Stadium High School Tigers beat the Lincoln High School Abes 34 to 0, clinching both the city championship and the Cross-State League title. The final score was the largest registered to that date in the annual competition between the two schools. Carl Opolsky, Stadium's halfback, picked up two touchdowns and two conversions securing first place as individual scoring leader in his league. (TNT 11/26/1937 p.12).

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

Stadium vs. Lincoln Thanksgiving Day football game in Stadium Bowl, November 25, 1937. Stadium High School band led by drum majors performs in front of the field goal at the crest of the stadium. (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;

Stadium vs. Lincoln annual Thanksgiving Day football game, held on November 25, 1937 in the Stadium Bowl. The Lincoln High School marching band stands in "smoker's pipe" formation on the field; in the "bowl of the pipe" are the glee club and a capella choir blowing bubbles. Automobiles line the stadium and an old wooden building is 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;

Stadium vs. Lincoln annual Thanksgiving Day football game in Stadium Bowl, November 25, 1937. The Stadium High School marching band and "Tigeranna" drill team stand in formation on the field. Their formation appears to represent letters. (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;

1935 Armistice Day Navy vs. Army football game at Stadium Bowl. Tacoma Mayor George Smitley (center) with Rear Admiral T. T. Craven and Brig. General C.H. Conrad Jr., commanding officer at Fort Lewis. (Bremerton Sun)

Mayors--Tacoma--1930-1940; Smitley, George A., 1872-1956; Football--Tacoma--1930-1940; Craven, T.T.; Admirals--Tacoma; Conrad, C.H.;

Golden Jubilee Pageant "Saga of the West." Searchlights from the Battleships of the US Pacific Fleet pierce the night sky over scenery in Stadium Bowl. The stage for the extravaganza was over 200 feet in length. The fleet had arrived on July 20, 1939 with six battleships and 8,000 men. In port were the flagship Pennsylvania, as well as the California, New Mexico, Arizona, Idaho and Mississippi. Tours were conducted from 1-4 and searchlight displays each night at 10:15p.m.

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

Two Stadium High School yell leaders and twelve Lincoln High School majorettes pose below the Stadium Bowl's football-shaped scoreboard. Despite being on the losing end of the Thanksgiving Day game between Stadium and Lincoln, the Lincoln students sport brave smiles. The game was held on Thursday, November 23, 1939. A crowd of 12,000 to 15,000 spectators watched as the Stadium Bengals beat the Abes for the sixth year in a row. Stadium would retain the city crown although it did not win the Cross-State League trophy. Standing between the two unidentified Stadium cheerleaders is Josephine Ludwig of Lincoln. The other Lincoln students are, L-R, Myrtle Gordon, Betty Yenne, Ann Scopoli, Bernice Berhartsen, Doris Long, Virginia Griffin, Helen Sandquist, Beverly Steele, Lois Ammon, Dorothy Warter and Evelyn Lannigan. (T. Times 11-24-1939 p.11)

Drum majorettes--Tacoma--1930-1940; Cheerleading--Tacoma--1930-1940; Scoreboards-- Tacoma--1930-1940; Stadium High School (Tacoma); Football--Tacoma--1930-1940

On January 31, 1940, twenty three unidentified officers with the Tacoma Police Department posed with their fleet of vehicles on the grass inside the Stadium Bowl. The fleet included motorcycles with side cars, sedans and patrol vans. Tacoma's Chief of Police in 1940 was Einar Langseth, who was first hired as a temporary "Special Officer" in 1917 and had served on the "Dry Squad" during Prohibition. Photograph ordered by the Tacoma Times. (filed with Argentum)

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

The last city midget football championship game was played at the end of November in 1940. Stadium H.S.'s Bengal lightweights defeated the Lincoln Railsplitters 19-0 at the Lincoln Bowl. This photograph was taken in front of the scoreboard at Stadium H. S., not at Lincoln after the game. This team was the last Midget (132 pounds and under) team that Stadium had. Citywide Midget football was terminated in 1940. Players are: first row, left to right, Dick Uhlman, Gerald Bell, Bryce Curtis, Don Hicks, Dwight Howell, Gordon Bell, Louie Hagberg, V.G. Lowman- Coach. Second row: Bart Wood, Stan Stowe, Bob Foster, Bert Kade, John Brudie, Paul Barber, Wally Anderson, Charles Longstreth, Allan Briggs- manager. Third row: Naoto Okada, Jim Kade, Isamu Kawashima, Wiley Mellish, Pete Petersen, Roy Francis, Steve Manos, Lloyd Albice, George Thamos, Tom Eagling. Fourth row: Dick Crabtree, Gordon Gustafson, Bill Gazecki, Dave Richardson, Bob Dalton, Clifford Johnson, Milton Sneddon, Gene Webster, Fielding Wilson. (T. Times 11/30/1940, pg. 6)

Stadium High School (Tacoma)--1930-1940; Stadium High School (Tacoma)--Sports; Football players--Tacoma--1930-1940; Football--Tacoma--1930-1940;

Bob Hope Show at Stadium Bowl. An estimated 7,500-8,000 fans attended Bob Hope's show. The show featured Skinnay Ennis and his band and a bevy of Hollywood starlets, comedians, and singers. This event was sponsored by the Tacoma Young Men's Business Club to raise funds for the Greater Tacoma Jubilee to be held later in June. Although the crowd was smaller than expected, it did not deter the Hope troupe from putting on a tremendous show. Local singer Mickey McDougall, winner of a pre-program vocal contest, was the beneficiary of an enthusiastic audience. Mr. Hope himself slipped into the audience and sat behind two GIs to listen to the Tacoma songstress. (TNT 6-8-46, p. 1)

Audiences--Tacoma--1940-1950; Spectators--Tacoma; Theatrical productions--Tacoma;

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;