This is the mighty right forearm of "Young Jack" Dempsey, rugged fighter out of Puyallup, as pictured on September 14, 1925. His clenched fist, popping veins, and muscular biceps are an indication of the power he unleashes in his bouts, having knocked out his last two foes. Dempsey had been training for an upcoming battle with Everett's Kid Kober in which he would emerge victorious. G53.1-129 (TNT 9-16-25, p. 26)

Dempsey, Jack; Boxers (Sports); Arms (Anatomy);

There was more than one Jack Dempsey in the world of boxing. Although he shared the name of the famous boxer, "Jar 'em Jack" or "Young Jack" Dempsey was from Puyallup and would be facing Kid Kober of Everett in a six-rounder on September 17th of 1925; a bout that the light heavyweight would win by a knockout. This photo of the bare-chested Jack Dempsey with clenched fists and an intent look was taken in September of 1925 at an unidentified gym. G67.1-179 (TDL 9-14-25, p. 6-article; TNT 9-16-25, p. 26)

Dempsey, Jack; Boxers (Sports);

These men and their caddies enjoyed a round of golf at the Fircrest Golf Club in August of 1925. The private golf course had opened in July of 1924 with nine of the 18 holes available. The second nine holes were seeded in the fall of 1924 and would be ready for use by the summer of 1925. The course's rolling grounds would provide challenges for later tournaments. G54.1-023 (TDL 4-8-25, p. 9-brief article on golf course; TNT 9-9-25, p. 6)

Golfers--Fircrest--1920-1930; Golf--Fircrest--1920-1930; Fircrest Golf Club (Fircrest);

Members of the Tacoma Railway & Power Company baseball team and their "mascot" stare stoically at the camera in an April 30, 1925, photograph. L-R back row (last names only given): Bonney, Rice, Kaperick, Pyfer, Hull, Fagon, James, Gordon (Captain). Middle row (L-R): Pryor, Arnold, Kendziora, Hendry, Berry, Billsborrow. Front row (L-R); Mynhier, Williams, Kennedy, "Jargo Jr."-mascot, Purcell, Wharton, Berg. Behind them are the covered stands of Athletic Park, located on Sprague Avenue between 14th & 15th Streets, where fans could watch games in comfort. The TR & P team competed in the 6-team Commercial League in 1925; they were joined by teams from the Rhodes Bros., City Lumber, American Institute of Banking, Harmon & Co. and Washington Coop. Egg. The Commercial League opened their 1925 season at Athletic Park on April 27th, matching up the previous year's champs, the TR & P with the league runner-up, Rhodes Bros. This time Rhodes Bros. came up winners in seven innings with a 5-2 score. (TDL 4-26-25, C-2, 5-2-25, p. 6; TNT 5-19-25, p. 17) G53.1-038 TPL-10076

Baseball players--Tacoma--1920-1930;

M & M Hats bowling team. Team members were photographed at the Imperial Lanes, 9th & Commerce, on April 9, 1925. First row, L-R, team captain Bill Slater, team manager Arthur McGinley, John Radonich. Back row, L-R, George Tripp, Cal Hier, V.E. McClure. Five of the men are wearing bow ties, white shirts, and a "M & M-Hats" pennant. Manager McGinley has his hat on the floor and holds a bowling ball. The team finished fourth in the 1925 City League Bowling standings and also participated in the Bowling Congress at Aberdeen. G53.1-104 (TNT 4-10-25, p. 21)

Bowlers--Tacoma--1920-1930; Bowling balls; M & M Hats (Tacoma);

This was the all-star women's bowling team sponsored by Tschunko's Florist in 1925. They posed with two wooden pins and a bowling ball. The ladies would be competing in the Pacific International Bowling Congress at Aberdeen on April 11th. Back row (L-R): Alice Lindmark, Ann Carlsen, Mrs. H. Young. Front row (L-R): Mrs. B. McCormick, Mrs. C. Bingston. Tschunko's was located at 5001 Pacific Avenue across the street from what is now Stewart Middle School. By 1938, ownership had changed hands and Gibson's Florists & Greenhouses operated at the same location until 1999. G53.1-101 (Tacoma Sunday Ledger, 4-5-25, C-3)

Bowling--Tacoma--1920-1930; Bowlers--Tacoma--1920-1930; Bowling balls; Lindmark, Alice; Carlsen, Ann; Young, H.--Family; McCormick, B.--Family; Bingston, C.--Family; Tschunko's House of Flowers (Tacoma);

In 1925, this group represented the Pacific Savings & Loan Association in Commercial League basketball. They wore uniforms labeled "PS&LA" and their team name appeared to be the "Thrifty's." The team laid claim to the Commercial League title by virtue of a 33-9 win over the DeMolay team. The PS&LA team had been undefeated prior to the league's closing although their schedule had not been completed. A.J. Pease (back row wearing hat) was team manager. Names of the players were listed under an alternate picture in the March 3, 1925, News Tribune. (G53.1-076; TNT 3-3-25, p. 15-article & alternate photograph)

Basketball players--Tacoma--1920-1930; Pease, A.J.;

Although the "first teams" of various sports seemed to get most of the attention, there were other teams worthy of mention as well. Athletes of these teams played just as hard and with as much enthusiasm as their brethren. The group pictured above on November 25, 1924, was the Midget team from Stadium High School. They were practicing within the confines of Stadium Bowl. G46.1-037

Football players--Tacoma--1920-1930; Stadium High School (Tacoma); Stadium Bowl (Tacoma);

Four members of Stadium High School's first team demonstrate football positions on their home field of Stadium Bowl a few days prior to the big November, 1924, inter-city clash with Lincoln High. Harold Pirret did double duty as a tackle and end. Samuel Hansen was selected to lead the Tigers into battle as their captain and played both halfback and on the line. Robert Warnick, according to the Tahoma yearbook, played aggressively and well. Frank Jurich, left end, also won praise from the school yearbook for his quick feet, fine tackling and blocking and secure pass catching. (From L-R Pirret, Hansen, Warnick, Jurich) . The Stadium season would come to an end with a 3-0 loss to Lincoln who took home the Mark L. Davis' trophy. G46.1-033 (1925 Tahoma yearbook, various pages)

Football players--Tacoma--1920-1930; Stadium High School (Tacoma); Stadium Bowl (Tacoma); Pirret, Harold; Hansen, Samuel; Warnick, Robert; Jurich, Frank;

Stadium High School Intermediate football team. Coached by William M. Jolliffe (third from left, back row), the Stadium team lost to Lincoln twice and tied the final scoreless game of the 1924 season. The team, with no players over 150 pounds, still exerted fine effort and perseverance despite playing a better team. G46.1-032 (1925 Tahoma yearbook, p. 91)

Football players--Tacoma--1920-1930; Stadium High School (Tacoma); Stadium Bowl (Tacoma); Jolliffe, William M.;

Stadium Tigers football team in formation at Stadium Bowl on November 20, 1924. This was the school's second-team who would have a season of victory with their 2-1 record over crosstown rival, Lincoln. Howard M. Carr was the team's coach. TPL-9715; G46.1-035 (1925 Tahoma yearbook, p. 90)

Football players--Tacoma--1920-1930; Stadium High School (Tacoma); Stadium Bowl (Tacoma);

On November 19, 1924, three stalwart football players on the Lincoln High School team, (l-r) David Rice, James Mosolf and Richard Johnson, posed for a photograph on what may be school grounds. Rice was a right tackle and field captain for the first game against Stadium. He was also Senior Class president. Mosolf, field captain for the third and final match against Stadium, played left end and then quarterbacked the team the final two games. Johnson was the team punter as well as playing fullback and left end; his drop kick from the 30-yard line proved to be the winning score during the last game of the season. They are in practice gear as the big intercity clash with Stadium High School loomed in the near future. G46.1-040 (1925 Lincolnian, various pages)

Football players--Tacoma--1920-1930; Lincoln High School (Tacoma); Students--Tacoma--1920-1930; Rice, David; Mosolf, James; Johnson, Richard;

A large crowd fills Lincoln Bowl to watch a City League baseball game on May 29, 1924. Lincoln High School looms in the background. The match on early Thursday evening pitted Fern Hill against the Longshoremen. Fern Hill vaulted into the City League lead over the 23rd Streeters with a 5-3 victory. Longshoremen pitcher Claxton only allowed 5 hits but was charged with three wild pitches and a hit batter. (TNT 5-30-24, p. 18-article) This photograph ran in the News Tribune's June 3, 1924, edition (p. 15) but the one of the teams was misidentified. TPL-3200

Baseball--Tacoma--1920-1930; Baseball players--Tacoma--1920-1930; Lincoln High School (Tacoma); Lincoln Bowl (Tacoma); Sports spectators--Tacoma--1920-1930;

Club house for the Fircrest Golf Club. The Golf Club was incorporated in May of 1923 and opened its clubhouse about a year later. It sits on 160 acres in Fircrest and is a private club. TPL-7077

Fircrest Golf Club (Fircrest); Golf--Fircrest--1920-1930;

ca. 1919. Smiling Ralph Mulford, early race car driver, was not smiling in 1911 when many felt that he won the first Indianapolis 500 by a lap instead of credited winner Ray Harroun. Mulford still managed to garner enough points to become the 1911 National Driving Champion, a feat that he repeated seven years later in 1918. In 1919, he won Tacoma Speedway's 40 mile race with a time of 24:02 and 100.2 mph, outracing Frontenac teammate Louis Chevrolet and Cliff Durant. Returning in 1920 for the 225 mile Tacoma Classic, he finished second in his Monroe racing car, numbered "3." Ralph Mulford retired from speed racing after 1922 but continued to compete in hill climbs. At one time, he held the record for climbing both Mount Washington and Pikes Peak. Mulford lived to a ripe old age, a rare feat for the early drivers; born in 1884, he died October 23, 1973. (www.hickoksports.com; TNT 7-3-19, p. 1; 6/29/1920) G52.1-027, Speedway 096, BOLAND-B2010

Tacoma Speedway (Lakewood); Racetracks--Lakewood--1910-1920; Automobile racing--Lakewood--1910-1920; Mulford, Ralph; Racing automobile drivers;

Ray Ritters of Los Angeles poses in his cycle car, #2, a Velie, at the Tacoma Speedway. The Velie autos and trucks were manufactured by Velie Motors Corp. of Moline, Ill., from 1902-1928. In September of 1914, the small race cars and their junior drivers took Tacoma by storm. Each day the newspapers were filled with stories about the boys who, for the most part, designed and built, as well as raced, their own cars. The cars were usually powered by motorcycle engines and could travel at 35-50 mph. Ritters had raced many times in the South, but had never finished in the money. He arrived early in Tacoma and rebuilt his car here, making many changes, including mounting the engine on the side. He never got to show off his improved vehicle in Tacoma, both the Labor Day race and the rescheduled race were called due to rain. (T. Tribune 9/13/1914, pg. 2B, plus preceding dates in Sept. 1914)

Tacoma Speedway (Lakewood); Racetracks--Lakewood--1910-1920; Automobile racing--Lakewood--1910-1920; Ritters, Ray; Racing automobiles--1910-1920;

In September of 1914, racing fever over miniature racers and their junior drivers took Tacoma by storm. The "cycle cars" were in town for Labor Day races scheduled at the Tacoma Speedway. Most of the cars and drivers were from California, although Tacoma boys Joe Rovegno, Clarence Healy, Phil "Babe" Sullivan and "Swift" were scheduled to race. All the boys were feted by Tacomans and felt that the city "sure did treat a fellow fine." Six of the cars and drivers are pictured on A Street. At the left rear is the Park Hotel, at 802 A St. The building at the front left may be the J.F. Hickey Motor Car Co., at 812-14 A St., and a Seattle-Tacoma interurban car provides the background. In the front row are: (l to r) veteran junior driver Mott Haynes in his Mercer and novice driver Walter Gossman in his Red Devil. In the center are Homer Loudenclos, in either the Peugeot or the Hudson he designed, and Al Bruce in his National. In the rear are an unidentified car and Shirley Williams in a Theim. The cars were designed and built, in most cases, by the drivers themselves. They were in some cases backed by the motor companies whose names they carried. It was common for companies to bankroll race cars as advertising.

Tacoma Speedway (Lakewood); Racetracks--Lakewood--1910-1920; Automobile racing--Lakewood--1910-1920; Racing automobiles--1910-1920; Haynes, Mott; Gossman, Walter; Loudenclos, Homer; Bruce, Al;

ca. 1915. Cars in pit area at Tacoma Speedway circa 1915. Grandstands are sparsely filled indicating that the occasion might have been practice time for the racers who had entered in the three races composing part of the Montamara Festo circa 1915. Pit area is still dirt although the track itself was built of split boards consisting of 2 x 4 Washington fir. Filling in the spaces between the planks was 2500 cubic yards of gravel and sand. Over this was poured 500 barrels of hot Richmond road oil after which 400 cubic yards of sand was spread on top of the oil. (information on track construction provided by Standard Oil Bulletin, Vol. 3, ca. 1915)

Tacoma Speedway (Lakewood); Racetracks--Lakewood--1910-1920; Automobile racing--Lakewood--1910-1920; Grandstands--Lakewood;

ca. 1915. Vincent E. "Ventura " McDermott, wearing a heavy sweater emblazoned with a "Ventura Gasoline" emblem, shakes hands with a race driver drinking from a glass bottle in this circa 1915 photograph taken at the Tacoma Speedway. Mr. McDermott had come to Tacoma for the big July auto classics, bypassing stops in Chicago and Omaha. The Ventura brand of gas was popular with racers as cars using it came in first, second and five other places in the June, 1915, Indianapolis 500, accummulating $39,700 in prizes. The two other racers in the photograph were not positively identified although the man in the middle is believed to be Joe Thomas, an eight-year racing veteran from Seattle. His Mercer car failed to start for the 100-mile InterCity Century race at the Tacoma Speedway that year. The man enjoying a drink is believed to be veteran driver Eddie Pullen, Mr. Thomas' Mercer teammate, who went on to win the 200-mile Golden Potlatch race on July 5th. (damaged negative) (TNT 6-27-15, p. 13-alt. photograph & article on Mr. McDermott) TPL-1636; G52.1-102

McDermott, Vincent E.; Tacoma Speedway (Lakewood); Racetracks--Lakewood--1910-1920; Automobile racing--Lakewood--1910-1920; Shaking hands--Lakewood;

ca. 1915. This is Grover E. Ruckstell, newly crowned "Speed King" of the 1915 Montamarathon race at the Tacoma Speedway. His winning time of 2:57 on July 4th barely beat out two-time champ Earl Cooper's 2:58:5 as he collected $2500 in cash and the possession of the Montamarathon trophy for one year. He again drove a big Mercer, this time painted red, and wore a jacket advertising Ventura Gasoline. Mr. Ruckstell kept the lead from the 105th lap to the finish as he ran the last three laps on bad tires without pitting to change them. The average winning speed was 84.4 mph, faster than in 1914 but much slower than expected on the new "lattice" track. Mr. Ruckstell, from California, came in second the year before, losing to defending champ Earl Cooper and his Stutz. Later Grover Ruckstell would head the famous Mercer racing team and develop the Ruckstell axle. (TDN 7-5-15, p. 1; TDL 7-5-15, p. 1-article)

Ruckstell, Grover; Tacoma Speedway (Lakewood); Racetracks--Lakewood--1910-1920; Automobile racing--Lakewood--1910-1920; Racing automobiles--1910-1920; Mercer automobile;

ca. 1914. Joe Thomas behind the wheel of his Mercer automobile at the Tacoma Speedway circa 1914. His "mechanician" is believed to be named Kindic. Mr. Thomas, from Seattle, was entered solely in the InterCity 100-mile race on July 3rd. He did not place in the top 5. In 1915 Mr. Thomas again entered the InterCity race but his Mercer failed to start. Unlike many of his colleagues, he survived his racing career and by 1939, was the head of the Washington State safety inspection station in Tacoma.

Tacoma Speedway (Lakewood); Racetracks--Lakewood--1910-1920; Automobile racing--Lakewood--1910-1920; Racing automobiles--1910-1920; Mercer automobile; Thomas, Joe;

On July 3, 1914, Jim Parsons and his mechanic W. Ogden won the Intercity 100 mile race at the Tacoma Speedway in their Frantz racer, repeating their victory of the previous year. The winning time was 1:21:29 with an average speed of 73.6 mph. The Intercity allowed only car entries from cities in Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana and British Columbia. Parsons was from Seattle. A total of 12 cars were entered in the race. Parsons won the race, but the most publicity went to 2nd place finisher S.F. Brock. On July 2nd, Brock and his mechanic N.E. "Nervy" Green ran down and killed spectator R.C. Pollock who was attempting to cross the track. The Wright race car flipped, injuring the pair, and severely damaging the car. The pair worked into the night getting the car back into racing condition and received a standing ovation when they finished second. In addition to picking up the InterCity honors, Jim Parsons may have also gotten a little something extra from the City of Tacoma: a possible speeding ticket. He was caught traveling 60 mph on South Tacoma Blvd. on Friday, June 26th. According to the June 27th News Tribune, the case was postponed in police court until Monday, June 29th, but no further information was provided. (T. Tribune 7/3/1914, pg.1; 7/2/14, pg. 1)

Tacoma Speedway (Lakewood); Racetracks--Lakewood--1910-1920; Automobile racing--Lakewood--1910-1920; Parsons, Jim; Ogden, W.; Automobile racing drivers;

Race car driver Grover Ruckstell and his mechanic "Quicksell" after the pair came in second at the July 4, 1914 Montamarathon driving the #16 yellow Mercer. Winner and defending champion Earl Cooper picked up $2500 for his efforts while G.E. Ruckstell (often misspelled Ruckstall in the newspapers) received $1500 for second place. New to Tacoma, he was a teammate of Eddie Pullen and a driver of Californian George R. Bentel's Mercer cars. Mr. Ruckstell was also a mechanic and engineer, having earned his masters degree in automotive engineering from Princeton University. He also served as head of the famous Mercer racing team. He is also credited with developing the basic concept of a two speed rear axle into a popular product, the "Ruckstell Axle" marketed for Ford. The handcrafted Mercer was only manufactured for 15 years, but the Mercer Raceabout is considered the model sportscar of the era, the perfect blend of speed and finesse. The Mercer Auto Co. was incorporated in 1909, backed by the funds of millionaire businessmen Ferdinand Roebling and John Kruser. The automotive designs of Finley Robertson Porter and the business acumen of general manager and society playboy Washington Roebling II made the $1950 sports car the choice of wealthy sportsmen. The company reached its glory in 1914 and due to a series of bad turns was gone in a decade. The last Mercer was made in 1925. (T.Tribune 7/5/1914, pg. 1-results; www.chaffinsgarage.com; www.capitalcentury.com)

Tacoma Speedway (Lakewood); Racetracks--Lakewood--1910-1920; Automobile racing--Lakewood--1910-1920; Racing automobiles--1910-1920; Ruckstell, Grover; Mercer automobile; Automobile racing drivers;

The Tacoma Speedway had a special treat in store for its fans on Labor Day 1914, the first "cycle car" race to be held north of California. Cycle cars were built with motorcycle engines and were designed, for the most part, by their junior drivers. Three races would be held, a ten mile dash, a ten mile free for all (featuring the losers in the first race) and a 40 mile free for all, with a top prize of $250. Pictured in a horseshoe are, left to right, an unidentified car, the Mabel Normand's Keystone Theim driven by Shirley Williams, the Red Devil driven by Walter Gossman, the Pantages Bug driven by a Tacoma boy identified only as "Swift," unidentified car #3, unidentified, unidentified, Allan Bruce and his National, Harry Hartz and his #22 Indian and a "baby" Hudson partially built by Homer Loudenclos in Tacoma with Clarence Healy scheduled as pilot. Although the weather stayed dry for the trials, rain made the track unsafe on race day. The races were rescheduled and again rained out. Discouraged, the drivers returned to sunny California.

Tacoma Speedway (Lakewood); Racetracks--Lakewood--1910-1920; Automobile racing--Lakewood--1910-1920; Racing automobiles--1910-1920; Gossman, Walter; Bruce, Al; Hartz, Harry;

ca. 1914. Lumber to be used to build Tacoma's wooden track in stacks at the Speedway. Prior to 1914, the two-mile oval Tacoma Speedway was a dirt track which often provided a jolting, tough ride. When it rained and the track became too soggy for use, races were cancelled. In 1914 a split board track consisting of Washington fir 2 x 4's replaced the dirt. These planks were laid on edge, 5/8th of an inch apart, and nailed down. 2,000,000 feet of lumber, board measure, were used and 72 miles of wire were necessary to make the nails. The spaces between the planks were filled with 2500 cubic yards of gravel and sand. About 500 barrels of Richmond road oil were applied hot to the surface and about 400 cubic yards of sand was spread on top of the oil. This method would hopefully prevent holes from appearing in the track thereby lessening the chance of accidents. Several auto racers, including Earl Cooper, Jim Parsons, Hughie Hughes, Billy Carlson, Wilbur De Alene and G.E. Ruckstell, had previously advised that the Speedway should be paved with creosote wood blocks instead to make it the fastest and safest auto racetrack in the world. The ride would be smoother and it would be easier on the tires and less strain on the driver. (TNT 7-5-14, 5-B-article on creosote blocks) (information on track construction: Standard Oil Bulletin, Vol. 3, ca. 1915)

Tacoma Speedway (Lakewood); Racetracks--Lakewood--1910-1920; Lumber;

ca. 1914. Driver Billy Taylor from California and his unidentified "mechanician" in A.H. Woolacott's big Alco #12 at the 1914 Tacoma Speedway races. Mr. Taylor had driven the car to a second place finish in the Vanderbilt Cup race at Santa Monica the previous winter, outracing several cars who were really faster. This so impressed car owner A.H. Woolacott that he entered the Alco with Mr. Taylor as driver in the July 3 & 4th races at the Tacoma Speedway. The Alco would come in 5th at the closing race of the Montamara Festo which was won by Earl Cooper of California for the second straight year. (TNT 6-21-14, 2-B-article; TNT 7-5-14, p. 1-article on results)

Taylor, Billy; Tacoma Speedway (Lakewood); Racetracks--Lakewood--1910-1920; Automobile racing--Lakewood--1910-1920; Alco automobile;

ca. 1914. This is possibly H. Staley and his unidentified "mechanician" aboard car #21, believed to be a Studebaker, preparing for the Montamara Festo races in early July of 1914. Driver Staley captured 4th place and $150 in the Inter-City Century, a 100-mile race held at the Tacoma Speedway on July 3rd. (TDL 7-4-14, p. 5-list of drivers; Tacoma Sunday Ledger 7-5-14, p. 16-results)

Tacoma Speedway (Lakewood); Racetracks--Lakewood--1910-1920; Automobile racing--Lakewood--1910-1920; Racing automobiles--1910-1920; Automobile racing drivers;

ca. 1914. Unidentified driver in car # 19 at Tacoma Speedway. May be Lou Sorrell in his 120-hp Fiat. The big Fiat was entered by Mack Sennett of Los Angeles in the races held during the Montamara Festo week of July, 1914. There were a total of 26 cars entered in the three sanctioned events spanning July 3 and 4th. Total prizes were $10,500. The Fiat was said to be the largest car entered. Driver Sorrell (also spelled Sorell in the newspapers) was said to be a well known driver back East but unknown in the Northwest. (TDL 6-29-14, p. 2-article; TNT 6-28-14, 2D-article)

Tacoma Speedway (Lakewood); Racetracks--Lakewood--1910-1920; Automobile racing--Lakewood--1910-1920; Racing automobiles--1910-1920; Fiat automobile;

ca. 1914. Car #26, driven by N. Latta, and car #21, believed to be a Studebaker driven by H. Staley, drive past the grandstand of the Tacoma Speedway. This race is believed to be the July 1914 InterCity 100-mile race held at the Tacoma Speedway which featured cars from cities in the Pacific Northwest. Driver Latta, from Seattle, drove the #26 Lozier which came in third place in the race. The News Tribune noted that Latta did not pit or stop on the racetrack before crossing the finish line. Latta won $250 and Staley, the 4th place winner, earned $150 for the race. Jim Parsons, also of Seattle, was the winner among the twelve cars entered. He picked up a prize of $750. (TNT 7-3-14, p. 1-results; Sunday Daily Ledger, 7-5-14, p. 1+, p. 16-articles; TDN 7-3-14, p. 1-results)

Tacoma Speedway (Lakewood); Racetracks--Lakewood--1910-1920; Automobile racing--Lakewood--1910-1920; Grandstands--Lakewood; Sports spectators--Lakewood; Crowds--Lakewood;