Vaudeville Party at the Top of the Ocean, photograph ordered by the Tacoma Actors Guild.. Man at microphone addressing audience seated at tables around dance floor. Two of the columns in the room have sea shell decorations near top of column. For Tacoma Actors Guild, Frank Murtough.

Top of the Ocean (Tacoma); Tacoma Actors Guild (Tacoma); Parties--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Peeking through the woven bamboo setting are Tacoma Athletic Commission members (kneeling) Salem Nourse and L.B. MacDonald. Standing are Margaret (Mrs. Salem) Nourse and Myra and E.R. Fetterolf. They were part of a large gathering that attended the T.A.C. Hawaiian dinner-dance held at the Top of the Ocean on October 2, 1950. Alfred Apaka, celebrated Hawaiian orchestra leader, and his band entertained. (TNT 10-15-50, p. D-4)

Tacoma Athletic Commission (Tacoma); Events--Tacoma--1950-1960; Top of the Ocean (Tacoma); Nourse, Salem; MacDonald, L.B.; Nourse, Margaret; Fetterolf, Myra J.; Fetterolf, E.R.;

A woman acrobat provided part of the evenings entertainment at the Halloween party sponsored by the Tacoma Athletic Commission on October 30, 1950. In this photograph she is balancing on the platform at the top of a small step-platform with her toes pointed straight up at the ceiling. The acrobate is probably Patsy Jean Smith, who studied acrobatics at the Barclay School in Seattle. Mr. Barclay also taught at the Lewis Harter Studios, 945 1/2 Broadway in Tacoma. The Athletic Commission Halloween party was held at the Top of the Ocean. (T. Times 10-06-1948 p.5) Ordered by Will Maylon.

Tacoma Athletic Commission (Tacoma); Top of the Ocean (Tacoma); Dinner parties--Tacoma--1950-1960; Halloween--Social life; Stunt performers--Tacoma; Entertainers--Tacoma;

The Empire Crafts Corporation sponsored a pep-rally and dinner at the Top of the Ocean on July 10, 1957. Signs of encouragement are posted on the back wall urging support from employees. There is a wide variety of fine dinnerware and silverware plus a radio which may have been incentive prizes. Photograph ordered by Empire Crafts Corporation.

Empire Crafts Corporation (Tacoma); Banquets--Tacoma--1950-1960; Signs (Notices);

All America City Banquet held January 15, 1957 at the Top of the Ocean. Federal Judge George H. Boldt was chosen as the Master of Ceremonies for this event honoring Tacoma as one of 11 All America Cities selected by Look Magazine and the National Municipal League. Since the award was partially based on Tacoma's success in cleaning up its vice problem, the selection of federal judge Boldt was particularly appropriate. Seated to the right of Boldt is Karen Anderson (only partially visible) daughter of Mayor John Anderson, Tacoma Mayor John Anderson and Mrs. Frank Backstrom, wife of Tacoma's first City Manager. (TNT 1/15/1957, pg. 1 & 1/16/1957, pg 1+) G 10.1-054

Awards; Boldt, George H.;

All America City Banquet held January 15, 1957 at the Top of the Ocean. Seattle businessman Myron Law represented the National Municipal League, co-sponsor of the award. During the presentation he noted the effort to bring Tacoma an efficient form of government but warned that "government is no stronger than its citizens demand." He warned against allowing civic muscles to become weak through disuse and neglect. The All-America City Award recognized progress through intelligent civic action. Tacoma was being singled out for their change from a fifty year old form of government by commission to the council-manager form of government. Great strides had also been made to clean Tacoma of vice and prostitution. (TNT 1/15/1957, pg. 1 & 1/16/1957, pg 1+) G 10.1-049

Awards; Law, Myron;

All America City Banquet held January 15, 1957 at the Top of the Ocean. Tacoma was presented with the All America City award by Look Magazine and the National Municipal League in recognition of progress achieved through intelligent city action. Pictured at the VIP table are Back Row, L-R: Jack (J.D.) Powell- President of the Tacoma Municipal League, an unidentified couple, Mr and Mrs. Myron C. Law- Seattle businessman and council member of the National Municipal League, George B. Leonard - western editor of Look Magazine, Mr. and Mrs. Frank Backstrom- Tacoma's first City Manager. Front Row: Mr. and Mrs. Don Webster- University of Washington, Mr. and Mrs. Roe Shaub- celebration chairman, Judge George Boldt- master of ceremonies, Karen Anderson- daughter of the Mayor and Tacoma Mayor John Anderson. (TNT 1/15/1957, pg. 1 & 1/16/1957, pg 1+) G 10.1 ALBUM 14

Awards; Powell, J.D; Law, Myron; Leonard, George; Backstrom, Frank; Webster, Don; Shaub, Roe; Boldt, George H.; Anderson, Karen; Anderson, John H.; Mayors--Tacoma--1950-1960;

The City of Tacoma was proud to accept the 1956 All-America City Award on January 15, 1957. A special banquet was held in celebration at the Top of the Ocean. The award was presented to the City in recognition of progress achieved through intelligent citizen action. J.D. Powell, president of the Tacoma Municipal League, accepts the framed award from George Leonard of Look Magazine and Myron Law, Seattle businessman and council member of the National Municipal League. Tacoma was honored as one of the top eleven cities in the nation in the annual contest sponsored by the National Municipal League and Look Magazine. Tacoma's entry was sponsored by the American Association of University Women, the League of Women Voters and the Tacoma Municipal League. Photograph ordered by the City of Tacoma. (TNT 12-23-56, A-7, TNT 1/15/1957, pg. 1+) G10.1-056

Awards; Powell, J.D.; Leonard, George; Law, Myron;

Seattle businessman Cliff Warling (left) presented Lincoln football players Duane Lowell (center) and Jack Walters the trophy bearing his name at the Lincoln High School football banquet held at the Top of the Ocean on December 8, 1954. The trophy was given each year to the team selected as the best high school football team in the state by a poll of the Associated Press sportswriters in Washington. This was the second time that Lincoln had received this honor in the award's eight years. They also won the Class A trophy in 1948. Norm Mayer was the coach in both 1948 and '54. Lowell played left end and Walters left guard as starters for the Lincoln team. Both players were named to the All-City team in a poll of head coaches; Lowell and Walters were also team co-captains. Photograph ordered by Lincolnian yearbook. (TNT 12-1-54, C-9; TNT 12-5-54, C-18; 1955 Lincolnian yearbook) TPL-9113

Awards; Lincoln High School (Tacoma); Football players--Tacoma--1950-1960; Warling, Cliff; Lowell, Duane; Walters, Jack;

Many Tacoma Master Builders Association members enjoyed the Spike Banquet at the Top of the Ocean on November 16, 1954. Seated are Ed Miller, Gordon Korsmo, and Walter Witte. Standing are Robert Cowden, Leo Nelson, two unidentified women, Don Murphy and Art Manley. Del Belfoy was absent in this sepia photograph. Of interest to the membership is a large banner behind the group promoting the N.A.M.B. convention and exposition in Chicago the following January

Tacoma Master Builders Association (Tacoma); Group portraits;

View of head table at banquet. Governor Albert Rosellini was one of the honored guests at the 1963 Washington State Sports Hall of Fame awards banquet on February 6, 1963. The Sports Hall of Fame had been established by the Tacoma Athletic Commission by one of its founders, Clay Huntington, in 1960. Each year a number of candidates are nominated to be voted upon by top sportswriters and sportscasters from throughout the state. Those elected are recognized for their outstanding sports accomplishments and honor they have brought to themselves and the State of Washington. At the head table above in this 1963 photograph are also local lumberman and philanthropist Ben Cheney (seated second to left) and All-star shortstop, Maury Wills (next to Gov. Rosellini). Five men were elected to the Tacoma-Pierce County Sports Hall of Fame: Don Paul, George Wise, Frank Gillihan, Jack Walters and Jack Connor. Those honorees are believed to be standing in the above picture behind the head table; names not necessarily in order. (TNT 2-7-63, C-7) (www.washingtonsportshalloffame.com/index2.htm)

Tacoma Athletic Commission (Tacoma); Awards; Washington State Sports Hall of Fame (Tacoma); Rosellini, Albert D.; Wills, Maury; Cheney, Ben B., 1905-1971;

These employees of Pacific Northwest Bell were honored with a banquet at the Top of the Ocean on April 12, 1967, for their continued participation in the T.E.R.O. (Telephone Employees Recreational Organization) Galloneer Club. Each man received a certificate denoting the number of units of blood he had contributed. It appears that Cliff Mayfield, seated right, may have been the top donor at 31 units of blood. Other men honored with Leonard Fischer with 24 units, Loyd Wilbur with 17, Joel Stumph with 25, a Mr. Olson, and Jim Newton with 12 units. Gentleman in the center with no certificate was not identified. Photograph ordered by Pacific Northwest Bell.

Awards; Blood donations--Tacoma; Mayfield, Cliff; Fischer, Leonard; Wilbur, Loyd; Stumph, Joel; Newton, Jim;

Washington State Historical Society president Reno Odlin (r) extends a warm handshake of congratulations to noted sculptor James A. Wehn on November 30, 1968, at the presentation of a plaque commemorating Mr. Wehn's selection as a David Douglas Fellow. The plaque was also signed by secretary Bruce LeRoy and given to Mr. Wehn at the Top of the Ocean. The woman in the photograph is Lillian K. Wehn, his wife. Among his many accomplishments, James Wehn created the iconic Chief Seattle statue in 1912. Photograph ordered by Washington State Historical Society.

Awards; Wehn, James A.; Odlin, Reno, 1897-1979; Washington State Historical Society (Tacoma); Wehn, Lillian K.; Shaking hands--Tacoma;

Jubilant United Good Neighbors executives and volunteers celebrated the conclusion of its 1971 fund raising campaign with a luncheon held at the Top of the Ocean restaurant on November 12, 1971. Campaign chairman Robert P. Mallon (l) displays a painting of a ship in full sail. The painting is entitled "The Salesman Ship," and its sails marked with noble attributes - discipline, perseverance, enthusiasm, product knowledge and service, among others. This is believed to be the special award given to Mr. Mallon for his dedicated service and inspired leadership during the campaign. Director Howard Boyle assists in displaying the award. Contributions to the United Good Neighbors Fund totaled $1,351.604 to date which was 70% of the 1971 goal. Even though it had not met the $1,928,000 goal, it still exceeded the previous year's collection mark of $1.250,516. Photograph ordered by United Good Neighbors Fund of Pierce County. (TNT 11-9-71, p. 1- article; TNT 11-12-71, p. 1-article)

United Good Neighbors (Tacoma); Community service--Tacoma--1970-1980; Charitable organizations--Tacoma--1970-1980; Fund raising--Tacoma--1970-1980; Mallon, Robert P.; Boyle, Howard;

Hawaiian musicians prepare to entertain the 500+ employees and their guests of the new Liberty House/Rhodes department store at an employees' luau held at the Top of the Ocean on August 18, 1974. Rufus Kaukani and his Polynesian troupe were part of the evening's show. Liberty House/Rhodes was a division of Amfac Merchandising, a subsidiary of Amfac of Honolulu. Amfac had stores in Hawaii and Northern California and the new Tacoma store, located at the Tacoma Mall's west end addition, would continue the Pacific islands influence. The newest Liberty House would open a week earlier than expected on August 24th. Color photograph ordered by Liberty House/Rhodes.

Liberty House (Tacoma); Department stores--Tacoma--1970-1980; Luaus--Tacoma; Entertainers--Tacoma--1970-1980;

Liberty House/Rhodes sponsored a Hawaiian luau for employees on August 18, 1974, held at the Top of the Ocean. The department store would be opening their first Liberty House in the state of Washington on August 24th in the west end extension of the Tacoma Mall. View of banquet area in Top of the Ocean; mounds of dinner plates are ready for the buffet although no food has yet been served. Color photograph ordered by Liberty House/Rhodes.

Liberty House (Tacoma); Luaus--Tacoma; Banquets--Tacoma--1970-1980; Top of the Ocean (Tacoma); Restaurants--Tacoma--1970-1980;

ca. 1946. Diners enjoy a lavish buffet at the Top of the Ocean, a unique dance-and-dine experience, circa 1946. It was designed to resemble an ocean liner and built for approximately $100,000. The Top of the Ocean, often simply called "The Top" by locals, had its formal opening on December 15, 1946. The Tacoma Athletic Commission would purchase "The Top" nearly two years later and it would be the scene of many banquets and meetings for years. The Top of the Ocean was destroyed by fire on April 3, 1977, and never rebuilt.

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

The Normanna Male Chorus performed at the Top of the Ocean, 2217 Ruston Way, on June 2, 1950 for the first annual "Night of the Northern Lights," featuring a genuine Scandinavian smorgasbord, music and dancing. The evening was arranged by the Tacoma Athletic Commission for its members and guests to honor the Scandinavian peoples in Tacoma. The Normanna Male Chorus was one of the oldest vocal groups in the Northwest. Their 30 members were directed by Gunnar Malmin of the Pacific Lutheran College music faculty. (The names of the men pictured are listed in the News Tribune, May 28, 1950 p.B-2.) Ordered by the Tacoma Athletic Commission, Mr. Metcalf. (TNT, 5/28/1950, p.B-2)

Choirs (Music)--1950-1960; Normanna Male Chorus (Tacoma); Singers; Top of the Ocean (Tacoma);

The Tacoma Chamber of Commerce entertained the armed forces at the Top of the Ocean on Friday night of Armed Forces Week in Tacoma. Henry O. and Agnes Foss are seen on the left. C. Val and Linda M. Fawcett are on the right. Other entertainment for visiting armed forces personnel included theater tickets and the facilities of the Council of Churches Youth Center, the Armed Service Recreation Center and the Christian Service Man'c Center. The crew from the Canadian destroyer "Athabaskan" and the USN fleet oiler "Platt" were in Tacoma for the week. Ordered by the Tribune, Barbara Dana. (TNT, 5/14/1950, p.D-9; 5/24/1950, p.11)

Top of the Ocean (Tacoma); Balls (Parties)--Tacoma--1950-1960; Military uniforms; Ball dresses; Foss, Henry O., 1891-1986; Foss, Agnes S.; Fawcett, Clarence Valdo, 1900-1965--Family; Fawcett, Linda;

Seven well-dressed women pose at the Top of the Ocean on July 15, 1950. This group of ladies belonged to the women's auxiliary of the Order of AHEPA, a fraternal organization which met at the St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church.

Order of AHEPA (Tacoma); Fraternal organizations--Tacoma--1950-1960; Women--Clothing & dress--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Employees and guests of the Pacific Telephone & Telegraph Company enjoy a retirement dinner at the Top of the Ocean on August 8, 1950. Pacific Telephone & Telegraph was located at 757 Fawcett Avenue.

Pacific Telephone & Telegraph Co. (Tacoma)--Employees; Top of the Ocean (Tacoma); Telephone companies--Tacoma; Celebrations--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Popular Hawaiian entertainer Alfred Apaka and his orchestra appeared before a large crowd of Tacoma Athletic Commission members and guests in early October, 1950, at the Top of the Ocean. Dressed in white, Mr. Apaka is holding a ukulele. Standing next to him is Lila Reiplinger, a noted hula dancer.They are flanked by two members of the T.A.C. Alfred Apaka was well-known not only in the Islands but also on the Mainland and recorded many albums of Hawaiian melodies. (TNT 10-8-50, p. D-8)

Apaka, Alfred; Tacoma Athletic Commission (Tacoma); Events--Tacoma--1950-1960; Reiplinger, Lila; Ukuleles; Musical instruments--Tacoma; Top of the Ocean (Tacoma);

The Tacoma Athletic Commission held a Hawaiian dinner-dance on October 2, 1950, at the Top of the Ocean for members and guests. Alfred Apaka, popular Hawaiian orchestra leader, and his band were the featured performers. T.A.C. members (L-R) Mrs. Jack S. Roberts, Mrs. Dillard Howell and Mrs. Howard R. Smith hold up a grass skirt and flower lei for the approval of (standing L-R) Mrs. James J. Mellinger, Mrs. L.R. Ghilarducci, Mrs. Joseph Lehman and Mrs. Frederick A. Haines, Jr. (TNT 10-1-50, p. D-6)

Tacoma Athletic Commission (Tacoma); Events--Tacoma--1950-1960; Costumes;

People who attended the Halloween Party sponsored by the Tacoma Athletic Commission at the Top of the Ocean enjoyed the entertainment as well as the company. Ordered by Will Maylon.

Tacoma Athletic Commission (Tacoma); Top of the Ocean (Tacoma); Dinner parties--Tacoma--1950-1960; Halloween--Social life;

People enjoyed the floorshow at the Halloween Party sponsored by the Tacoma Athletic Commission at the Top of the Ocean. A group are seen here wearing party hats and holding party favors. Ordered by Will Maylon.

Tacoma Athletic Commission (Tacoma); Top of the Ocean (Tacoma); Dinner parties--Tacoma--1950-1960; Halloween--Social life;

Five men stand around a new model Packard Bell television at the Top of the Ocean exhibit. A portrait of founder H.A. Bell smiles down from the wall. The festivities were hosted by Packard Bell to celebrate their 25th year in business. In attendance from the Los Angeles home office were Vice President Joe E. Spain, General Sales Manager Kenneth R. Johnson and Glen C. Tillack, chief field engineer. N. Earl Davisson, PB distributer, was host. The highlight of the evening was the preview of Packard Bell's 1951 "Masterpiece Founders Series." (TNT 2/8/1951, pg. B-6)

Top of the Ocean (Tacoma); Televisions--1950-1960; Packard Bell Co. (Tacoma);