Tacoma Athletic Commission Dinner for Gretchen Fraser. Gretchen Fraser, winner of the 1948 Olympic Gold Medal for the special slalom, was the first American skier to win an Olympic event. Here she is seen presenting the Tacoma Athletic Commission perpetual trophy for the Women's Daffodil Cup race to Janette Burr, winner and holder of the National Women's downhill title. The perpetual trophy was to be known as the Gretchen Kunigk Fraser Trophy. (TNT, 4/6/1948, p.14)

Top of the Ocean (Tacoma); Restaurants--Tacoma--1940-1950; Fraser, Gretchen Kunigk, 1919-1994; Skiers--Tacoma--1940-1950; Medals; Celebrations--Tacoma--1940-1950; Tacoma Athletic Commission (Tacoma); Burr, Janette;

Tacoma Athletic Commission reception in April, 1948, in honor of Gretchen Kunigk Fraser's victory in the 1948 Winter Olympics. Husband Don Fraser is to her left in photo, Mayor C. Val Fawcett is in background at far left. Olympic rings are hung over a winter backdrop. Mrs. Fraser captured the gold medal in women's slalom. Howard R. Smith, president of the T.A.C., and Jerry Geehan, chairman of the ski committee, present Mrs. Fraser with a pair of silver candelabras. The woman to the rear of the Frasers is believed to be Mrs. Fraser's mother, Clara (Mrs. W.A.) Kunigk. ALBUM 9. (TNT 4-6-48, p. 1)

Athletes; Skiers; Fraser, Gretchen Kunigk, 1919-1994; Fraser, Don, 1914-1994; Fawcett, Clarence Valdo, 1900-1965; Mayors--Tacoma--1940-1950; Smith, Howard R.; Geehan, Jerry; Candelabras;

Tacoma skier Gretchen Kunigk Fraser displays her 1948 Olympic Gold and Silver medals, the first ever won by a skier from the United States in Alpine skiing, in a photograph taken for the Tacoma Athletic Commission. On April 5, 1948, 475 people attended a special reception for Mrs. Fraser given by TAC at the Top of the Ocean restaurant. Gretchen Fraser was given a lifetime membership in the Tacoma Athletic Commission, the first such honor given to a woman and only the fourth given to that date. The other three recipients were General Dwight D. Eisenhower, General Jonathan Wainwright, and Col. James Stack. (T.Times, 4/6/1948, p.5) ALBUM 9.

Fraser, Gretchen Kunigk, 1919-1994; Skiers--Tacoma--1940-1950; Medals; Celebrations--Tacoma--1940-1950; Tacoma Athletic Commission (Tacoma);

Gretchen Kunigk Fraser accepts flowers from Mayor C. Val Fawcett during a Tacoma Athletic Commission reception in honor of her victory at the 1948 Winter Olympics. Husband Don Fraser is far left in this April 5, 1948, photo. More than 600 people jammed the Top of the Ocean to pay tribute to the hometown gold & silver medalist. Mrs. Fraser won her medals in skiing at the Olympics in St. Moritz, Switzerland. ALBUM 9.

Athletes; Skiers--Tacoma--1940-1950; Fraser, Gretchen Kunigk, 1919-1994; Fraser, Don, 1914-1994; Fawcett, Clarence Valdo, 1900-1965; Mayors--Tacoma--1940-1950; Roses; Celebrations--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Gretchen Fraser points out her name in the decorations during a Tacoma Athletic Commission reception in honor of her victory at the 1948 Winter Olympics. Husband Don Fraser, a former Olympian, is to her right in this April 5, 1948, photo. Gretchen, the daughter of W.A. and Clara Kunigk, was also welcomed back home as she rode in the weekend's Daffodil Parade. She had won both gold and silver medals in Alpine during the Winter Olympics which were held in St. Moritz, Switzerland. ALBUM 9.

Athletes; Skiers--Tacoma--1940-1950; Fraser, Gretchen Kunigk, 1919-1994; Fraser, Don, 1914-1994; Celebrations--Tacoma--1940-1950; Tacoma Athletic Commission (Tacoma); Flower arrangements;

Tacoma Athletic Commission was promoting the second annual baseball excursion. Tacoma baseball fans were invited to take a railroad trip to Yakima to watch a June 20, 1948, double header between the Tacoma Tigers and the Yakima Packers. Both teams are part of the Western International League. View of members of the Tacoma Athletic League holding up publicity signs for the exciting upcoming game (T. Times, 6/4/48, p. 11).

Committees--Tacoma; Athletic clubs--Tacoma; Delegations--Tacoma; Baseball--Tacoma--1940-1950; Top of the Ocean (Tacoma); Announcements--Tacoma; Tacoma Athletic Commission (Tacoma);

Joey Maxim is in Tacoma ready to go against Roy Hawkins in a 10 round bout at the Tacoma Ice Palace. This fight is one of the most important events in the heavy weight titles. Left to right, Al Del Monte, long time friend of Maxim and trainer, Elliot Metcalf, Manager of Tacoma Athletic Commission, and Joey Maxim, Cleveland heavy weight, club sign in background (T. Times, 5/24/48, p. 11).

Athletic clubs--Tacoma; Boxers (Sports)--Tacoma; Boxing--Tacoma; Electric signs--Tacoma--1940-1950; Tacoma Athletic Commission (Tacoma); Maxim, Joey;

Portrait of Howard R. Smith taken on June 15, 1948. Mr. Smith was president for several years of the Tacoma Athletic Commission. The T.A.C. was sponsoring a two-day golf tournament in June at the Tacoma Country & Golf Club. Publicity photograph of Howard R. Smith wearing a suit, tie and french cuff shirt with cuff links; he is smoking a cigarette.

Golf--Tacoma--1940-1950; Tacoma Athletic Commission (Tacoma); Smith, Howard R.; Smoking--Tacoma;

As a special feature of the Tacoma Athletic Commission's baseball excursion to Yakima on Sunday June 20, 1948 Tacoma's manufactures sent boxes of Tacoma made products to Yakima to be given away at the baseball stadium. An estimated 500 fans from Tacoma attended the Sunday double-header between the Tigers and the Packers; Tacoma won both games by scores of 5 to 4 and 6 to 2. Before the baseball train left from Tacoma several T.A.C. officers and excursion committee members posed in front of the Top of the Ocean restaurant with a stack of gift cartons. Left to right are: Al Hunt (kneeling), who "sold" most of the manufacturers on the goodwill venture; Ted Haakinson, excursion chairman; Frank Gillihan, T.A.C. baseball chairman; Steve Pease; Jim Petersen; Jack Sonntag and T.A.C. president Howard R. Smith. (TNT, 6/18/1948, p. 17).

Athletic Clubs--Tacoma; Committees--Tacoma; Signs (Notices); Announcements--Tacoma; Baseball--Tacoma--1940-1950; Delegations--Tacoma; Tacoma Athletic Commission (Tacoma); Top of the Ocean (Tacoma);

Tacoma Athletic Commission moved into their new headquarters in December 1946. The club occupied the upper levels of the Top of the Ocean restaurant, these areas were only accessible to club members. The club did rent their facilities out to community clubs and organizations. Tacoma Athletic Commission sponsored many sporting events, such as baseball, basketball, football games and boxing, throughout Tacoma and its surrounding areas. View of Tacoma Athletic Commission officials posing for publicity photos, at the club.

Publicity; Athletic clubs--Tacoma; Men--Clothing & dress--Tacoma; Tacoma Athletic Commission (Tacoma);

Jacqueline Mayna Schore announced her engagement to Robert W. Anderson Jr. of Olympia. Her close friends and family gathered for a luncheon held at the Top of the Ocean restaurant, hosted by her mother, Laura Schore. Jacqueline graduated from Stadium High School and attended College of Puget Sound. Her fianc�, Robert, attended St. Martin's College and University of Alaska, he also served as Captain in the Air Corps during World War II. View of Jacqueline standing by the water skiing motif table (T. Times, 7/10/48, p. 9).

Banquets--Tacoma; Table settings & decorations; Marriage proposals; Cakes--Tacoma--1940-1950; Women--Clothing & dress--Tacoma; Schore, Jacqueline Mayna; Top of the Ocean (Tacoma);

ca. 1946. Construction on the Top of the Ocean, Tacoma's premier dine and dance spot. The Top of the Ocean was a nightclub and restaurant built to resemble an ocean liner. It opened December 15, 1946. It was built by developers Allen Rau and Bert Sundgren for a cost of $100,000 from a design by architect C.A. Kenworthy. To give it an authentic nautical air Tacoma Boat Mart served as the contractor. All labor and materials came from Tacoma. The all electric building could seat up to 700 and had a floating dock that could accomodate up to 20 yachts, with sea plane taxi service available on Sundays. It was known affectionately as "The Top" to Tacomans. In 1948, it was purchased by the Tacoma Athletic Commission. It was the end of an era when the restaurant burned in 1977. David Williard Levage was convicted of arson in connection with the fire. The remainder of the building was demolished and never rebuilt.

Restaurants--Tacoma; Nightclubs--Tacoma; Tacoma Athletic Commission (Tacoma); Top of the Ocean (Tacoma);

Tacoma Athletic Commission, Bob Sanders. The Tacoma Athletic Commission honored two of Tacoma's sports heroes October 28, 1948. Bob Martin, left, and Marv Rickert, center, are shown with Howard R. Smith, president of the Tacoma Athletic Commission. They each received the newly created Tacoma Athletic Commission award of merit, emblem, and cigarette lighter as well as having their photographs hanging at TAC's Hall of Fame. Martin won a gold medal in the 1948 Olympic games held in London as a member of the U.S. rowing team in the four-oared shell competition. Rickert played outfield in the 1948 World Series for Boston. He went 4 for 19 in the six game series with one home run. (TNT, 10/29/1948, p.26)

Tacoma Athletic Commission (Tacoma); Top of the Ocean (Tacoma); Martin, Bob; Rickert, Marv; Smith, Howard R.; Awards; Baseball--Tacoma--1940-1950; Baseball players--Tacoma--1940-1950; Athletes;

Visit of North Wind to Tacoma and reception at Tacoma Athletic Commission, Tribune & TAC. Several naval officers and their wives were in Tacoma for observance of Navy Week. They were greeted at a reception at the Tacoma Athletic Commission on November 7, 1948, at their facilities at the Top of the Ocean. Several of the navy wives and members of the TAC are shown at the reception, L-R, Mrs. Steven W. Calloway, Ethyl A. (Mrs. Howard) Smith, Mrs. Charles W. Thomas, Mrs. George Fritschmann, Genevieve L. (Mrs. Frank T.) Walters, and Myra J. (Mrs. E.R.) Fetterolf. (T.Times, 11/8/1948)

Tacoma Athletic Commission (Tacoma); Smith, Ethyl A.; Walters, Genevieve L.; Fetterolf, Myra J.; Women--Tacoma--1940-1950; Clothing & dress--Tacoma--1940-1950; Receptions--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Interior view of the Tacoma Athletic Club's second floor lounge, the bar area is festively decorated for the celebration of the New Year, the Tacoma Athletic Club's anniversary, and the Tacoma Athletic Club's purchase of the Top of the Ocean restaurant. The club would be hosting a grand celebration for members and their guests (T. Times, 1/23/49, p. 21).

Restaurants--Tacoma; Athletic clubs--Tacoma; Decorations--Tacoma; Bars--Tacoma; Lounges--Tacoma; Tacoma Athletic Commission (Tacoma); Top of the Ocean (Tacoma);

Tacoma Athletic Commission moved their facilities to the Top of the Ocean facilities since the restaurant opened in December 1946. The club bought the Top of the Ocean restaurant in October 1948. Interior view of lounge located on the second floor, this area was restricted to "TAC Members Only". The mirror behind the main bar was painted with an image of the "Top of the Ocean" during the cold and frosty season; bar glassware and liquor bottles under the counter top (T. Times, 1/23/49, p. 21).

Restaurants--Tacoma; Athletic clubs--Tacoma; Decorations--Tacoma; Bars--Tacoma; Lounges--Tacoma; Murals--Tacoma; Tacoma Athletic Commission (Tacoma); Top of the Ocean (Tacoma);

Tacoma Athletic Commission would be remembering the past year's triumphs, including a $12,500 Tacoma Open-Golf Tournament, the Penn State and Washington State football game, Fourth of July Show at Tacoma Stadium and many other events. Howard R. Smith, 1948's T.A.C. club president, admires a mirror decorated for Christmas; his image appears to have been painted with a list of the major 1948 Tacoma Athletic Club events. (T. Times, 1/23/49, p. 21).

Restaurants--Tacoma--1940-1950; Athletic clubs--Tacoma; Christmas decorations; Bars--Tacoma; Lounges--Tacoma; Mirrors; Tacoma Athletic Commission (Tacoma); Top of the Ocean (Tacoma); Smith, Howard R.;

Tacoma Athletic Commission was celebrating the club's anniversary and the recent purchase of the Top of the Ocean restaurant. The club remembered the past year's exciting events, including the Penn State - Washington State University football game, $12,500 Tacoma Open Golf Tournament and the July 4th show at Tacoma's Stadium. View of Tacoma Athletic Club members standing outside of club facilities (T. Times, 1/23/49, p. 21).

Men--Clothing & dress--Tacoma; Commemoration--Tacoma; Events--Tacoma; Athletic clubs--Tacoma; Top of the Ocean (Tacoma); Tacoma Athletic Commission (Tacoma);

Tribune, Panhellinic Luncheon, Top of the Ocean, Mrs. Hosmer.The Panhellenic Conference held a luncheon at the Top of the Ocean followed by bridge. The conference was attended by 300 guests. Three women are seen leaving the Top of the Ocean. (T.Times, 2/16/1949, p.6)

Top of the Ocean (Tacoma); Restaurants--Tacoma--1940-1950; Tacoma Panhellenic Conference (Tacoma); Fraternities & sororities--Tacoma--1940-1950; Clubwomen--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Tacoma Athletic Commission celebrated Saint Patrick's Day with a "Wearing of the Green" party at their club. The club distributed clay pipes, shamrocks and green hats to the guests. Left to right, Ed Weymouth, Don Heerema, Laurilee Coon, Pat Heerema and Edna Weymouth at the Saint Patrick's Day celebration at the Tacoma Athletic Commission facilities (T. Times, 3/20/49, p. 22).

Athletic clubs--Tacoma; Celebrations--Tacoma; Holidays--Tacoma; Saint Patrick's Day--Tacoma; Tacoma Athletic Commission (Tacoma); Top of the Ocean (Tacoma);

Louie Grenier's Orchestra was about to begin playing at the Top of the ocean club and restaurant. The orchestra and their leader would also be participating in Tacoma's annual Musician's Ball at the Century Ballroom. Tacoma's most popular band leaders and their orchestras would participate in this big event. View of the Louie Grenier Orchestra (T.N.T., 4/29/49, p. 19).

Orchestras--Tacoma--1940-1950; Musicians--Tacoma--1940-1950; Entertainers--Tacoma--1940-1950; Pianos; Microphones; Top of the Ocean (Tacoma); Grenier, Louie;

Tacoma Athletic Commission was hosting the first annual city league dinner and stag party. Frank Gillihan, Tacoma Athletic Commission prexy and evergreen Conference Commissioner of Officials, would be presenting the trophy to the city league baseball champions. Tacoma Athletic Commission officials stated the event was a "strictly stag affair" no women were invited (T.N.T., 8/29/49, p. 8).

Awards; Men--Social life--1940-1950; Baseball--Tacoma--1940-1950; Events--Tacoma--1940-1950; Men--Clothing & dress--Tacoma--1940-1950; Athletic clubs--Tacoma; Tacoma Athletic Commission (Tacoma);

Women attending the Northwest Florist Convention were treated to a hat show at the Top of the Ocean. Nearly 50 women pose outside the Top of the Ocean wearing hats decorated with flowers. All appear to be having a wonderful time on this sunny September day in 1949. The Top of the Ocean was destroyed by an arson fire April 3,1977.

Top of the Ocean (Tacoma); Hats--1940-1950; Women--Tacoma--1940-1950; Fashion shows--Tacoma--1940-1950; Northwest Florist Convention (Tacoma);

Jeanne and Jack Walters were honored by the Tacoma Golf Association at the Top of the Ocean on September 15, 1949, as the city's reigning links champions and as the first husband-wife team to win the city amateur and city women's titles. They had won their championships earlier that summer. Besides their handsome trophies, the Walters were presented with a silver table lighter as a gift from the T.G.A. and a pair of table lamps by the Tacoma Athletic Commission. Jack Walters was only 16 and a student at Stadium High School when he won the first of his 17 Northwest Lefthanders championships. He would go on to win the National Association of Left-Handed Golfers Championships twice, first in 1953 at French Lick, Indiana, and seven years later on the Fircrest Golf Club course. (T.N.T., 9/16/49, p. D-2-article; Gallacci, et. al., Playgrounds to the Pros, p. 281-article).

Awards; Golfers--Tacoma--1940-1950; Walters, Jack J.; Walters, Jeanne; Lamps; Organizations' facilities--Tacoma; Tournaments--Tacoma; Top of the Ocean (Tacoma); Tacoma Golf Association (Tacoma);

Ed "Porky" Oliver, nationally prominent professional golfer, from Seattle's Inglewood Country Club was the guest speaker at the awards presentation banquet being held at the Top of the Ocean by the Tacoma Athletic Commission. View of the golfers that participated in the city amateur and the city women's crown golf tournament (T.N.T., 9/16/49, p. D-2).

Awards; Golfers--Tacoma--1940-1950; Men--Social life--1940-1950; Organizations' facilities--Tacoma; Tournaments--Tacoma; Top of the Ocean (Tacoma); Tacoma Athletic Commission (Tacoma);

Richard Wagner (center) won this handsome turkey at the Pharaoh Club's 5th annual Thanksgiving dance held on Thursday November 24, 1949 at the Top of the Ocean. Holding Mr. Wagner's turkey, while Miss Janet McMath tickles its breast feathers, is Gene Nelson. The Pharaoh Club was a young men's social group organized by a small number of students in 1939; by 1949 the groups membership had grown. Since Mr. Wagner did not win his turkey until Thanksgiving evening, we must assume that he kept it as a pet - at least until Christmas. (TNT 11/13/1949 p.D-4; 11/27/1949 p.D-1)

Top of the Ocean (Tacoma); Restaurants--Tacoma--1940-1950; Nightclubs--Tacoma--1940-1950; Pharaoh Club (Tacoma); Turkeys; Nelson, Gene; Wagner, Richard; McMath, Janet; Dance parties--Tacoma--1940-1950; Holidays--Tacoma--1940-1950;

General Wainwright visiting at Tacoma Athletic Commission. General Jonathan M. Wainwright is seen visiting at the Tacoma Athletic Commission. He had been made an honorary member when he was in Tacoma four years earlier on a bond campaign. General Wainwright was in Tacoma to rededicate the recently enlarged school in Fircrest that had been named for him. (TNT, 11/20/1949, p.1)

Wainwright, Jonathan M.; Heroes--Tacoma--1940-1950; Military personnel--Tacoma--1940-1950; Generals--United States--Tacoma--1940-1950; Clubs--Tacoma; Tacoma Athletic Commission (Tacoma);

Informal square dancing at Tacoma Athletic Commission, Metcalf. Several couples are enjoying being on the dance floor learning square dancing steps. Several others are lined up in the back for refreshments.

Top of the Ocean (Tacoma); Tacoma Athletic Commission (Tacoma); Square dancing--Tacoma--1940-1950; Couples--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Tacoma Athletic Commission, Square dancing and style show, Elliott Metcalf. Four couples, wearing skirts and shirts of matching fabric, are demonstrating one of the forms of dancing to members of the Tacoma Athletic Commission at the Top of the Ocean as part of the square dance revue. Square dancing fever was catching at this time. (TNT, 12/22/1949, p.20)

Top of the Ocean (Tacoma); Tacoma Athletic Commission (Tacoma); Square dancing--Tacoma--1940-1950; Couples--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Tacoma Athletic Commission, Square dancing and style show, Elliott Metcalf. Bob Starkey was the caller for the square dancing revue put on for the members of the Tacoma Athletic Commission at the Top of the Ocean. Couples are dancing with arms around each other and the men have crossed arms in the middle. Several couples watch from the side lines. (TNT, 12/22/1949, p.20)

Top of the Ocean (Tacoma); Tacoma Athletic Commission (Tacoma); Square dancing--Tacoma--1940-1950; Couples--Tacoma--1940-1950;