These five young bowlers happily displayed their trophies in May of 1961. They were the Villa Bowl bantam team that won the Western Division Championship of the 16th National Team Mail-O-Graphic tournament held at the Villa Bowl in Lakewood. The boys went on to earn 124th place at nationals. Left to right are Bradley Clevinger, Evan MacKay, Sam Munro, Jerroll Theuer and Jim MacKay who are standing in front of the Villa Bowl, a 24-lane bowling alley, in Lakewood's Villa Plaza Shopping Center. Photograph ordered by Villa Bowl. (TNT 6-11-61, B-14)

Bowlers--Lakewood; Awards; Clevinger, Bradley; MacKay, Evan; Munro, Sam; Theuer, Jerroll; MacKay, Jim; Villa Bowl (Lakewood);

Lawn bowlers compete in Northwest tournament at Wright Park. The ancient Scottish game attracted 85 bowlers, signifying growing popularity in the Northwest. Spectators watch bowler as he stands on lawn pad and rolls the ball. (T.Times, 6/1/38, p. 5).

Bowling--Tacoma; Bowlers--Tacoma; Tournaments--Tacoma; Wright Park (Tacoma); Parks--Tacoma--1940-1950;

On April 20, 1942, the members of the Venetians bowling team posed at the Coliseum Bowling Alley, 407 So. 13th St. Pictured standing, left to right, were Eva Gipple, Gladys Putbres, Hattie Wilkowski and Ann Berry. Seated was Jennie Small. The women, all first year bowlers, were the champions of the Coliseum's Women's Class B League. They defeated their nearest opponents by two points. (TNT 4/26/1942, pg. A-12)

Bowlers--Tacoma--1940-1950; Coliseum Bowling Alley (Tacoma); Gipple, Eva; Putbres, Gladys; Wilkowski, Hattie; Berry, Ann; Small, Jennie;

Brunswick-Balke. This ten-lane bowling alley is empty now. The pins are all lined up and the benches, ball returns and scoring tables stand ready for players to arrive. Ash bins are ready next to the projectors for scores.

Bowling alleys--Tacoma--1940-1950; Brunswick-Balke Co.;

These five women, dressed in matching polka dot dresses, bowled in the Women's A League for the 1306 Tavern in 1946. Owned by Inigo Lucchesi, the tavern was at 1306 Pacific Avenue. Inigo's wife Ann (second from right) was a very good bowler. On November 21, 1946 she had the top three game score for women bowling that night in Tacoma with a combined score of 540.The women on the team have been identified, from the names on their dresses as: (l to r) Dorothy Pollen, Mildred Fleming, Evelyn Stein, Ann Lucchesi, and Josephine Halko. TPL-9491

Bowlers--Tacoma--1940-1950; Bowling alleys--Tacoma--1940-1950; Women--Tacoma--1940-1950;

The Market Bowlers won the "Champions of Champions" tournament at the Elks alleys. Eighty-six teams who had won either first or second half titles competed in the Third Annual Tacoma Bowling Association Tournament. Seen holding the tournament trophy are, L-R, Paul Flani, Nat Flani, Don Bryant, F.M. Durst, Martin Ward, Fred Wilvers and Carl Hoit. Five smaller trophies stand on a table in front of them. (TNT, 4/29/1951, p.C-17)

Bowlers--Tacoma--1950-1960; Awards; Group portraits;Flani, Paul; Flani, Nat; Bryant, Don; Burst, F.M.; Ward, Martin; Wilvers, Fred; Hoit, Carl;

In April of 1943 Dave Davies (far left) was the only member of this North End Industrial League bowling team not named Murphy. His teammates were (l to r) Earl, John, Howard (Pat) and Roy Murphy. Before WWII broke out there were two more Murphys on the team: Roy Murphy, Jr. and Bill Murphy, Howard's son. When the two younger Murphys joined the Navy, Dave Davies took their place. (T. Times 4/22/1943, pg. 14)

Bowlers--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Pacific Telephone & Telegraph bowling team. Three bowling balls are shown in the foreground, a trophy sits in front of the men. War posters, a calendar and advertisements are hung on the wall above the players.

Bowlers--Tacoma--1940-1950; Bowling alleys--Tacoma--1940-1950; War posters;

New bowling alley at White Center, Jack Vasso. A view straight down the ten bowling lanes to the pins, set for the games to begin. The players seating and scoring stations are in the foreground.

White Center Bowl (Seattle); Bowling alleys--Seattle--1940-1950; Barrel ceilings--Seattle; Lighting--Seattle; Bowling balls;

Interior of bowling alley, Brunswick Company, Seattle. A September, 1948, view of the interior of the West Seattle Bowl facilities facing the playing area with fourteen lanes featuring the players' seating, backs of the score screens and the ball returns. The new bowling alley was operated by Jack E. Fasso.

West Seattle Bowl (Seattle); Bowling alleys--Seattle--1940-1950;

Interior of bowling alley, Brunswick Company, Seattle. A view of the interior of the West Seattle Bowl facilities showing the back of the players' areas and the racks of bowling balls stored behind the spectators' seating. The footings for the laminated beams are also clearly shown.

West Seattle Bowl (Seattle); Bowling alleys--Seattle--1940-1950; Interiors--Seattle--1940-1950;

Interior of bowling alley, Brunswick Company, Seattle. A view of the interior of the West Seattle Bowl facilities featuring the lanes, ball returns, scoring tables and over-head scoring screens. The curved ceiling is brightly lit by fixtures seated between each of the beams.

West Seattle Bowl (Seattle); Bowling alleys--Seattle--1940-1950; Lighting--Seattle--1940-1950; Bowling balls;

Interior of new bowling alley, West Seattle Bowl. A view of a lunch counter and stools that curve around the preparation area. An older couple and a younger man and woman stand behind the counter. At least eight bouquets are displayed, sent by people wishing the new enterprise success. Blenders are seen on the left, back counter ready to prepare whipped drinks. Windows line the wall above the back counter. The lunch counter is open to the rest of the interior of the building.

West Seattle Bowl (Seattle); Bowling alleys--Seattle--1940-1950; Snack bars--Seattle; Counters--Seattle; Stools; Cooks;

Many companies sponsored bowling teams in the 1950's as a way to promote unity and goodwill among employees. There were numerous leagues in the Tacoma area, both for men and women. This large group, photographed on April 16, 1957, consisted of employees of the Pacific Telephone & Telegraph Co. These women look ready to bowl, even in long skirts. Photograph ordered by Pacific Telephone & Telegraph Co.

Bowlers--Tacoma--1950-1960; Bowling--Tacoma--1950-1960; Pacific Telephone & Telegraph Co. (Tacoma)--Employees--1950-1960;