The Washington State Tavern Association hosted a luncheon for women of the association and members' wives at the Top of the Ocean during the three day convention held in Tacoma. The large group of women are seen in front of and on the covered ramp up to the unique restaurant built in the shape of a ship. A sign advertises: "Smorgasbord Daily". (TNT, 10/21/1952, p.2)

Restaurants--Tacoma; Nightclubs--Tacoma; Top of the Ocean (Tacoma); Washington State Tavern Association (Tacoma); Women--Tacoma--1950-1960;

New and old officers of Marcetta-Ki pose for a group portrait at the Top of the Ocean restaurant on May 21, 1953. The girls belonged to a marching drill team from Lincoln High School. They participated in many events, including marching in the Daffodil parade. Photograph ordered by Mary Clinton.

Marcetta-Ki (Tacoma); Student organizations--Tacoma; Students--Tacoma--1950-1960; Group portraits;

Jack Walters Night at the Tacoma Athletic Commission. Jack and Jeanne Walters pose with an unidentified couple plus a statue and caricature of Jack after his triumph in the National Left-handed golf championships. Jack, a winning southpaw golfer since he was 16, won on his seventh attempt at the championship. The golfer, known for his long drives, competed in his first national in 1937. In the 1940s, he took time out from golf to serve with the infantry as a sergeant during the Philippines campaign. He contracted malaria in the tropics and recuperated before returning to golf. His wife was a former city womens and Champion of Champions titlist. (TNT 7/19/1953, pg. B-9)

Tacoma Athletic Commission (Tacoma); Top of the Ocean (Tacoma); Walters, Jack J.; Walters, Jeanne; Golfers--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Banquet for Gonzaga University Alumnae Association. Gonzaga alumnae from the Tacoma & Olympia areas and parents of current students gathered at the Top of the Ocean on 11/21/1953 to hear the president's report delivered by the Very Rev. Francis E. Corkery, S.J., president of the University. (TNT 11/15/1953, pg. B-5)

Banquets--Tacoma--1950-1960; Alumni & alumnae--Tacoma--1950-1960; Gonzaga University Alumnae Association (Tacoma);

Over forty members of Stadium High School's Class of '46 enjoyed a reunion luncheon at the Top of the Ocean on September 2, 1954. This was the third gathering of former classmates since graduation. Plans for a family picnic and a dinner dance were discussed for future reunions. (TNT 9-1-54, A-9)

Reunions--Tacoma--1950-1960; Public schools--Tacoma--1950-1960; Stadium High School (Tacoma);

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;

Newly elected officers for 1955 of the Tacoma Master Builders Association pose at the Tacoma Athletic Commission's headquarters on December 3, 1954. Art Manley, president, is shown pounding his beribboned gavel, the Master Builders hammer. Smiling broadly with Manley are Bob Good and Walter Witte. Also enjoying the camaraderie are (standing) Ralph Peltier, Howard Wilson, Gordon Korsmo, and Del Belfoy. Sepia photograph ordered by Tacoma Master Builders Association. (TNT 12-8-54, C-5)

Tacoma Master Builders Association (Tacoma);

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;

Coach Norm Mayer of Lincoln High School and Cliff Warling display the Cliff Warling trophy plaque awarded to the Class "A" State Champion football team on December 8, 1954. Previous recipient had been Olympia High School in 1953. In 1954, Lincoln High School of Tacoma was voted #1 in their division by the 29 state sportswriters and broadcasters. They won the award over Aberdeen High School. Photograph ordered by the Lincolnian yearbook. (TNT 12-1-54, C-9)

Awards; Lincoln High School (Tacoma); Mayer, Norm; Warling, Cliff;

1955 American Red Cross annual meeting. A plaque is being presented to Dr. C.G. Trimble by Gordon E. Tatum commemorating Trimble's 30 years of volunteer service with the Tacoma-Pierce County Chapter of the American Red Cross. Pictured, left to right, are Dr. Trimble, Rita Zehnder, president-elect of the Junior Red Cross, Vincent A. Carlstrom, Chapter Chairman and Tatum, member of the Board of Directors. The annual meeting was held at the Top of the Ocean. Aside from awards, the program consisted of the presentation of the annual report and the election of officers. (TNT 2/20/1955, pg C-10)

American Red Cross Pierce County Chapter (Tacoma); Trimble, Charles G.; Zehnder, Rita; Carlstrom, Vincent A.; Tatum, Gordon E.;

1955 American Red Cross annual meeting. Dr. Charles G. Trimble is receiving an award from Gordon E. Tatum commemorating his 30 years of selfless volunteer service with the Tacoma-Pierce County chapter of the American Red Cross. Pictured, left to right, are Dr. Trimble, Vincent A. Carlstrom, Chapter Chairman and Tatum, member of the Board of Directors. Carlstrom was also re-elected this evening as Chairman of the organization. He stated during his acceptance that the Red Cross was not a charity organization, it was a service organization. "When help is needed, the Red Cross is there to help." (TNT 2/20/1955, pg C-10)

American Red Cross Pierce County Chapter (Tacoma); Trimble, Charles G.; Carlstrom, Vincent A.; Tatum, Gordon E.;

1955 American Red Cross annual meeting. The annual meeting, in addition to the presentation of the annual report and the election of officers, included the capping ceremony of the new Gray Ladies to serve at the Veterans Hospital at American Lake. The ceremony was conducted by Olive (Mrs. C.E.) Bryan, Veterans Administration Volunteer Service Representative, seated left, and Mrs. Frank Pulito, Chairman of the American Lake Gray Ladies, seated right. The ladies in the white collared uniforms with the red cross and white nurses caps are the new Gray Ladies. They are, standing left to right, Mrs. Irene Stephens, Mrs. Bertha Elliott, Mrs. Dorthea Kenna and Mrs. Francis Pearson. They will serve with the Red Cross as volunteer workers to aid the veterans hospitalized there. (TNT 2/20/1955, pg. C-10)

Bryan, Olive; Stephens, Irene; Elliott, Bertha; Kenna, Dorthea; Pearson, Francis; American National Red Cross Pierce County Chapter (Tacoma); Charitable organizations--Tacoma; Community service--Tacoma--1950-1960; Uniforms; Women--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Lt. Governor Emmett T. Anderson and family at testimonial dinner on September 7, 1956. Mr. Anderson, third from left, stands with his wife, daughter and son and their spouses at the Top of the Ocean. From L-R are Mr. and Mrs. Maurice Finnegan, Mr. Anderson and wife Lucille, and Mr. and Mrs. Burr Anderson. An overflowing crowd of nearly 540 people attended the Anderson testimonial. It was meant to be a non-political, non-fund raising event with only a large banner of Dwight D. Eisenhower as an indication of any political leanings. The Anderson family were owners of Anderson Printing Co., Inc. Mr. Anderson was very active in civic and fraternal affairs; he was the Past Exalted Ruler of Elks in Tacoma. He won the Republican nomination for Governor in 1956 but lost to Democrat State Senator Albert Rosellini. (TNT 9-8-56, p. 2) ALBUM 4.

Anderson, Emmett T.; Anderson, Emmett T.--Family; Finnegan, Maurice--Family; Anderson, Burritt B.--Family;

Lt. Governor Emmett Anderson, 1956 Republican nominee for Governor, 3rd from right in photo, with family at a testimonial dinner held at the Top of the Ocean. Mr. Anderson served as Lt. Governor from 1953-1957. He won the Republican nomination for Governor in 1956, defeating fellow Republican and State Attorney General Don Eastvold, but was to lose the general elections in November to State Senator Albert Rosellini, Democrat. (TNT 9-8-56, p. 2) ALBUM 4.

Anderson, Emmett T.; Anderson, Emmett T.--Family; Political elections--Tacoma--1950-1960;

ca. 1956. Telephone Pioneers of America. A group composed of employees from the early days of phone service pose in a group picture around a sign stating "It's fun to be a pioneer." The annual banquet of the Telephone Pioneers was scheduled at the Top of the Ocean. Over 275 pioneers from Washington and British Columbia attended. (TNT 6-11-1956, pg. 26)

Telephone Pioneers of America (Tacoma); Banquets--Tacoma--1950-1960;

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;

Tacoma Mayor "Big John" Anderson at the microphone after receiving the official plaque declaring Tacoma an "All-America City" at the event banquet at the Top of the Ocean on Ruston Way in Old Town. Four hundred and thirty eight attendees watched on January 15, 1957, as Tacoma was presented the parchment "in recognition of progress achieved through intelligent city action." Only a few years earlier, Tacoma had received a "bad" rating from the American Social Hygiene Association. It was a "wide open" town where vice reigned. Ft. Lewis was threatening to put the city "off limits" and a legislative committee had aired the city's "dirty laundry" on television to the amusement of the rest of the state. The reaction was to change the city's form of government and to bring in a reformer as Police Chief. Tacoma had operated under the commission form of government for over 50 years, where the 5 commissioners as councilmen made the laws and enforced them. The form was changed to council-manager on June 1, 1953 after a hotly contested election. The new city council hired Frank Backstrom as Tacoma's first City Manager. He, in turn, imported Police Chief Roy Kerr who proceeded to stamp out prostitution and vice. Both individuals noted the contribution of John Anderson to the improvement of Tacoma. Anderson had served as Tacoma's mayor under both forms of government. (TNT 1/16/1957, pg. 1+) G 10.1-044 ALBUM 14

Awards; Mayors--Tacoma--1950-1960; Anderson, John H.;

All America City Banquet held January 15, 1957 at the Top of the Ocean. J.D. (Jack) Powell, president of the Tacoma Municipal League, accepts the award on behalf of the citizens of Tacoma. Tacoma's nomination for the award was made jointly by the American Association of University Women, the League of Women Voters and the Tacoma Municipal League. Standing to the left of Powell are representative of those organizations; Councilwoman Mrs. Clara Goering of the League of Women Voters on the left and Mrs. Lucille Chastek of the Tacoma Municipal League on the right. Mrs. Robert Chamberlin, representing the AAUW, is hidden by Powell. These three women, along with Gerrit VanderEnde, had represented the city at the judging in Memphis Tennessee. Standing to the right of Powell are the representatives of the joint sponsors of the award; George Leonard of Look Magazine on the left and Seattle businessman and council member of the National Municipal League Myron Law on the right. Seated to the right of Powell are Karen Anderson, daughter of the Mayor, Tacoma Mayor John H. Anderson and Mrs. Frank Backstrom, wife of Tacoma's first city manager. (TNT 1/15/1957, pg. 1 & 1/16/1957, pg 1+) G 10.1-047

Awards; Powell, J.D.; Goering, Clara; Chastek, Lucille; Leonard, George; Law, Myron; Anderson, Karen; Anderson, John H.; Mayors--Tacoma--1950-1960; Backstrom, Frank--Family;

All America City Banquet held January 15, 1957 at the Top of the Ocean. Celebration Chairman Roe Shaub kicked off the event by paying tribute to "a city of beautiful homes, fine schools and government, progressive business and industries and wonderful people"- the city of Tacoma. The 438 revelers jammed into the upper deck of the Top of the Ocean agreed with him. He suggested a new city slogan- "I like Tacoma." Tacoma was one of eleven US cities recognized in 1956, and one of only 4 in the west, for their dramatic progress through the action of their citizens. In Tacoma's case, the city had voted in the council-manager form of government and made great strides in ridding Tacoma of vice. (TNT 1/15/1957, pg. 1 & 1/16/1957, pg 1+) G 10.1-045

Awards; Shaub, Roe;

Mayor John H. Anderson (far left) and former Mayor and current Councilman Harold Tollefson hold the framed citation declaring Tacoma an All-American City at the recognition banquet held on January 15, 1957 at the Top of the Ocean, 2217 Ruston Way. Standing between them are: (l to r) City Manager David Rowland and Frank Backstrom, Tacoma's first City Manager. The award, presented to Tacoma by the National Municipal League and Look Magazine, noted the achievement that Tacoma had made, progressing from a 1952 "bad" rating to a model for city action. Effective June 1, 1953, Tacoma voted in a council-manager form of government. The council hired Frank Backstrom from Kansas City to serve as the first City Manager. He reorganized the structure of the city government and hired Police Chief Roy Kerr, from Topeka, to clean up the vice. Tollefson served as the first Mayor appointed by the Council, followed by Anderson. Backstrom had recently left Tacoma and was replaced by David Rowlands. (TNT 1/15-16/1957, pg. 1) G10.1

Awards; Anderson, John H.; Rowlands, David; Backstrom, Frank; Tollefson, Harold M., 1908-1985; Mayors--Tacoma--1950-1960;

All America City Banquet held January 15, 1957 at the Top of the Ocean. Entertainment for the event was provided by vocal soloist Margaret Myles and the Kiwanis Glee Club. Three selections were performed by the Glee Club (pictured.) The soloists in front are Delores Stewart and William Phillips, Glee Club director. Included in the picture are glee club members Bill McCallum, Cliff Myhre, Roy Bertheau, Elmer Hagen, Gene Rickabaugh, Tim Fox, Hal Murtland, Hal Thompson and Dr. Jim Wick, plus several unidentified members. (TNT 1/15/1957, pg. 1 & 1/16/1957, pg 1+, #C-9) G 10.1-046

Awards; Kiwanis Glee Club (Tacoma); Stewart, Delores; Phillips, William;

All America City Banquet held January 15, 1957 at the Top of the Ocean. George B. Leonard, pictured, was representing Look magazine during the presentation of the award. The Award, given jointly by Look magazine and the National Municipal League, honors progress through citizen action. Leonard, the western editor for Look, noted the exceptional progress Tacoma had made since its 1952 "bad" rating by the American Social Hygiene Association. Look magazine had once named Tacoma "one of the worst cities in the United States." Another magazine has termed the city "Seattle's dirty backyard." He felt energetic citizen action had made Tacoma a place to be proud of. Leonard had been an editor with Look for 3 years. One of his articles "What is a Teacher" had received the prestigious School Bell Award for distinguished service. Pictured to his right are Karen Anderson and her father Mayor John H. Anderson. (TNT 1/15/1957, pg. 1 & 1/16/1957, pg 1+, C-9) G 10.1-043

Awards; Leonard, George;

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);

Harry Haruyuki Taniguchi carefully holds his new wife's hand as they cut the elaborate wedding cake at the Top of the Ocean in a July, 1957, sepia photograph. The former Elsie Nobuko Yotsuuye is wearing a Chantilly lace and tule over satin gown with pointed lace sleeves. She has on a bouffant skirt and lace scalloped Sabrina neckline. Her fingertip veil is attached to a small tiara. Her husband has a light colored tuxedo with black bow tie. The nuptials occurred in the Fife Presbyterian Church with the Rev. J. Carey Campbell presiding. The new Mrs. Taniguchi is a senior at the University of Washington; her husband graduated from Washington State College. (TNT 7-21-57, D-6)

Wedding costume--1950-1960; Grooms (Weddings)--1950-1960; Brides--1950-1960; Weddings--1950-1960; Taniguchi, Harry; Yotsuuye, Elsie;

Women mobilize in the fight against polio with the Mothers March of Dimes annual campaign. Ten women pose on the steps of the Tacoma Athletic Commission's headquarters on Ruston Way on January 20, 1958. They each hold large posters with letters on them; together, they spell out "Mother's March." The Pierce County region was very active in collecting funds for the March of Dimes; the area was divided into several sections and campaigns were carefully planned to solicit donations. Those pictured above were invited by Betty (Mrs. Robert) Drost as representative of the 2000 Pierce County women who would join women across the nation on January 30, 1958, for the traditional grand finale of the drive. They would be calling on neighbors for donations for the continued care and rehabilitation of polio patients. Mrs. Drost is holding the letters "M" and "A" at the top right hand corner. Other names are listed in the News Tribune article of January 26, 1958. Sepia photograph ordered by the March of Dimes. (TNT 1-26-58, D-6)

March of Dimes (Tacoma); Fund raising--Tacoma--1950-1960; Drost, Betty;

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;

Ben and Marian Cheney smile broadly as they pose with guest Andy Gilbert (left) at the 1963 Washington State Sports Hall of Fame banquet sponsored by the Tacoma Athletic Commission on February 6, 1963. Also at the top of the stairs on the upper right is Tacoma Athletic Commission president William (Bill) Gazecki. Mr. Cheney was a well known sports fan whose generosity allowed thousands of Tacoma youngsters to participate in organized sports. He was instrumental in bringing the Tacoma Giants Pacific Coast League baseball team to Tacoma to play in Cheney Stadium. Mr. Gilbert was the newly named manager of the Tacoma Giants. His pro career spanned twelve years as he performed at every position other than catcher. In his rookie season in the Ohio State League, Mr. Gilbert broke his neck sliding head-first into second base. Undeterred, he returned to baseball the following year. (TNT 2-4-63, p. 14-article) (Additional identification provided by a reader)

Tacoma Athletic Commission (Tacoma); Awards; Washington State Sports Hall of Fame (Tacoma); Cheney, Ben B., 1905-1971; Cheney, Marian; Gilbert, Andy; Gazecki, William;