On February 6, 1948 the first Tacoma Panhellenic day luncheon was held at the Top of the Ocean. The theme for the day was "Wear Your Pin", and all Tacoma alumnae of national college sororities were invited. A prize was given to the sorority having the largest attendance. At the close of the formal program, the guests were escorted to the Tacoma Athletic Commission rooms for an afternoon of bridge. (T.Times, 2/2/1948, p.11)

Top of the Ocean (Tacoma); Tacoma Panhellenic Conference (Tacoma); Playing cards; Clubwomen--Tacoma--1940-1950; Fraternities & sororities--Tacoma--1940-1950; Smoking--Tacoma--1940-1950; Cigarettes;

Tacoma Panhellenic Conference at Top of the Ocean, TNT, Frank Lockerby. Over 200 alumnae of national college sororities met at the Top of the Ocean for luncheon and bridge playing afterwards on Saturday, February 7th, 1948. "Wear Your Pin" was the theme of the first Tacoma Panhellenic Day. The ladies above were not identified. (T.Times, 2/2/1948, p.11-article; TNT 2-9-48, p. 4-article & various photographs)

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

Tacoma Athletic Club Dinner for Gretchen Fraser. More than 600 people jammed the Top of the Ocean to pay tribute to the Olympic Champion, Gretchen Kunigk Fraser. The Tacoma Ski Team was also honored that evening. Several young men line the outdoor stairway to the top of the Top of the Ocean singing and holding ski poles. (TNT, 4/6/1948, p.1) TPL-2220

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

On April 5, 1948, the Top of the Ocean had out a Welcome banner for Gretchen Kunigk Fraser, the first American skier to win an Olympic event. Mrs. Fraser won a Gold Medal (first place) for the special slalom and a Silver Medal (second place) for the Alpine combined downhill and slalom in the 1948 Winter Olympics. The Tacoma Athletic Commission was hosting a dinner at the Ruston Way restaurant for Mrs. Fraser. More than 600 people, including Tacoma mayor C. Val Fawcett, crammed the restaurant to its ceilings to honor the former Tacoma resident. (T.Times, 4/6/1948, p.5) TPL-2220

Top of the Ocean (Tacoma); Restaurants--Tacoma--1940-1950; Fraser, Gretchen Kunigk, 1919-1994; Skiers--Tacoma--1940-1950; Signs (Notices); Electric signs--Tacoma--1940-1950; Celebrations--Tacoma--1940-1950; Tacoma Athletic Commission (Tacoma);

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 Dinner for Gretchen Kunigk Fraser. Tacoma skier Gretchen Kunigk Fraser, winner of 1948 Olympic Gold and Silver medals for Alpine skiing, in a publicity photo for the Tacoma Athletic Commission on April 5, 1948. Gretchen is seen here with her mother, Clara Kunigk, of Tacoma. The man on the left is not identified. The man on the right is possibly her brother, Bill Kunigk. The Tacoma Athletic Commission honored Gretchen Fraser with a dinner/reception at the Top of the Ocean; over 600 people were in attendance.

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

Grand Opening, Blue Moon Tavern, John Monta. Interior of the tavern showing seating along one wall, a pay phone, electric game board and the juke box. More bouquets sent from well wishers decorate the tables. Large paintings of mountains and the ocean are hung along the walls.

Blue Moon Tavern (Tacoma); Bars--Tacoma--1940-1950; Jukeboxes; Telephones; Pinball machines--Tacoma;

Grand Opening, Blue Moon Tavern, John Monta. The Blue Moon Tavern, 8402 Pacific Ave., was about to open in May of 1948. Stools line the counter where customers can choose their favorites on the jukebox from the lists at the counter. Behind the counter are storage drawers and shelves, a large cooler and decorations made with fishing gear. Liquor bottles are on display under the back counter. Above the mirrors are neon beer signs for Bohemian Club Beer, Schlitz, and Rainier. A large painting of a mountain and a lake is hung on the back wall. The back counter displays many bouquets sent wishing the owners success with their new establishment.

Blue Moon Tavern (Tacoma); Bars--Tacoma--1940-1950; Bars (Furniture)--Tacoma; Stools; Jukeboxes; Beer--Tacoma; Alcoholic beverages;

Grand Opening, Blue Moon Tavern, John Monta. Interior of the tavern with Mr. and Mrs. Charles L. Long (Marcia J. Long) by the bar. The couple look proud of the work they have put into preparing the tavern for their grand opening. The lights over the mirror are turned on, the bouquets from well wishers and the shiny equipment make a welcoming interior. Format 5' x 8'

Blue Moon Tavern (Tacoma); Bars--Tacoma--1940-1950; Long, Charles L.; Long, Marcia J.; Bars (Furniture); Celebrations--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Building on 56th and M showing block construction, Holroyd Company, Mr. Holroyd. The Clipper Restaurant is featured not because of their free coffee or good food but for the two-storied building's construction. It is made of concrete block and the photograph was ordered by the Holroyd Company, manufacturers of concrete building materials. A neon sign over the door advertises the restaurant and another in the window advertises Meadowsweet Ice Cream. Some older automobiles are parked along the street and a public telephone is to be found inside Clipper's. A beauty salon is housed in the opposite end of the building.

Holroyd Co. (Tacoma); Clipper Restaurant (Tacoma); Automobiles--Tacoma--1940-1950; Construction--Tacoma--1940-1950; Restaurants--Tacoma--1940-1950; Electric signs--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Building front, Mondau's Tug Boat Tavern, Louie Mondau. Located in one of the brick buildings along Pacific Avenue, this view of Mondau's Tug Boat Restaurant and Tavern shows the entrance to the restaurant and on the left, the entrance to the James Hotel, above. Neon signs outline the letters and the tug boat that are part of the restaurant's sign, connected to their marquee. Louie Mondau was the owner of the restaurant and tavern. Warwick's Saloon had been at this location from 1893 until 1916.

Mondau's Tug Boat Restaurant & Tavern (Tacoma); Restaurants--Tacoma--1940-1950; Bars--Tacoma--1940-1950; Electric signs--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Banquet at New Yorker in honor of Langlie, John Prins, Republican Central Committee. Arthur B. Langlie appeared before members of the Republican Central Committee in Tacoma. He is standing at the microphone on the far right wall. Arthur B. Langlie ran for governor of the State of Washington in 1940, 1944, and again in 1948. He won in 1940 and 1948. Mon C. Wallgren won in 1944.

New Yorker Cafe (Tacoma); Banquets--Tacoma--1940-1950; Banquet halls--Tacoma; Langlie, Arthur B., 1900-1966; Governors--Washington (State); Political elections--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Publicity for Community Chest at Manning's Bakers, Robert Sconce Advertising, Robert Sconce. Four waitresses stand ready to take an order from a gentleman looking into the case of baked goods with cookies and several cakes to choose from. As of Friday, October 29, 1948 some $308,893 had been collected under the just concluded Tacoma Community Chest campaign drive. Businesses and individuals donated the funds to support many social services agencies in Tacoma. The 1948 goal was $358,000 but several groups had yet to report with their donations. TPL-9504 (TNT 10-30-1948, p. 1-article on Tacoma Community Chest)

Manning's Coffee Cafe (Tacoma); Cafes--Tacoma--1940-1950; Waitresses--Tacoma--1940-1950; Cakes--Tacoma--1940-1950; Cookies; Bakeries--Tacoma--1940-1950; Tacoma Community Chest (Tacoma);

The Rathskeller, located at 950 Pacific Ave. in the ground floor of the Rust Building, was the newly opened restaurant in Tacoma, the Annex was previously located at this site. The facilities have been completely remodeled, George A. Sample Jr. is the manager of The Rathskeller restaurant. Interior view of The Rathskeller's food and booze bar, alcohol bottles are displayed above the cash register, beer taps behind the bar, stools are lined up around the bar (T. Times, 11/18/48, p. 7).

Restaurants--Tacoma; Bars--Tacoma; Barrooms--Tacoma; Alcoholic beverages; Bars (Furniture)--Tacoma; Stools; Rathskeller (Tacoma); Rust Building (Tacoma);

On Thanksgiving Day in 1948 the Snappy Cafe at 1539 Pacific Avenue hosted a special Thanksgiving dinner party for military personnel away from home. The small cafe was crowded with cooks, waitresses and other workers celebrating the holiday with many military men in uniform. Raymond Chuck Crabb has been identified as the Fort Lewis soldier standing at far right. Chuck Crabb, then 19, was a 1947 graduate of Chapin High School in Iowa. He remembered the holiday dinner party as a "special deal." Afer his discharge from the service in February of 1950, he returned to Iowa and sent for and married Joyce Kerr, a student from Tacoma whom he had originally met in a bus line. The Snappy Cafe was a short-lived restaurant owned by June Westre and Edna Laffaw. June Westre was formerly a cook at the Army-Navy Service Club restaurant. (Additional information provided by a reader; Hampton Chronicle, 12-22-10, p. 3) TPL-10292

Restaurants--Tacoma--1940-1950; Military personnel--Tacoma--1940-1950; Holidays--Tacoma; Restaurant workers--Tacoma--1940-1950; Military uniforms; Thanksgiving Day; Snappy Cafe (Tacoma); Crabb, Raymond Chuck;

The Tacoma Orthopedic Association's Tahoma Guild was having their third consecutive annual Wishing Candle fundraiser. The money raised would go towards the building of the future children's hospital; eight candles were placed in popular Tacoma restaurants. View of Winthrop Hotel employees: restaurant waitresses, hotel clerks and restaurant hostesses, lighting a Wishing Candle from the Tacoma Orthopedic Association's Tahoma Guild (T.N.T., 12/3/48, p. 10).

Restaurant workers--Tacoma; Hotel employees--Tacoma; Hotels--Tacoma; Lighting--Tacoma; Candles; Fund raising--Tacoma--1940-1950; Tacoma Orthopedic Association (Tacoma); Hotel Winthrop (Tacoma);

In December of 1948, The Shuffleboard at 3805 So G Street was Tacoma's newest family restaurant. Its food and activities promised a fun filled outing for everyone. They had a birch wood snack bar featuring refreshments, soft drinks, ice creams, and other confections. Shuffleboard instructors were on hand, and prizes were awarded every night. They advertised "Leagues Now Being Formed --- No Intoxicating Beverages Sold." The Shuffleboard opened on December 10, 1948. It was built by Marvin Hawley and operated by Jack Treskes. Interior view of Shuffleboard cafe, shuffleboard machines are on the left side, soda fountain advertising "Arden" ice cream in background (T. Times, 12/17/48, p. 15).

Restaurants--Tacoma; Soda fountains--Tacoma; Ice cream & ices; Tile flooring--Tacoma; Shuffleboard; Recreation--Tacoma; Shuffleboard (Tacoma);

The Shuffleboard is the newest family restaurant in Tacoma; it is located at 3805 South G Street, and is owned and operated by Marvin Halley. The Shuffleboard has 8 new shuffleboards, a soda fountain with full snack bar and ice creams, tables and chairs, music, great lighting and air conditioning. This is the first place to offer shuffleboard to the general public in the Northwest. Exterior view of new restaurant people are inside at the grand opening event; electric sign in shape of shuffleboard machine and "Arden" ice cream signs in window. (TNT, 12/10/1948, p. 15).

Soda fountains--Tacoma; Restaurants--Tacoma--1940-1950; Shuffleboard (Tacoma); Windows--Tacoma; Recreation--Tacoma; Events--Tacoma; Electric signs--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Gus and Mike Peters and family members celebrate the opening of their new restaurant, Peters Golden Gate Oyster House. Gus and Mike immigrated from Greece and have been in Tacoma for more than 30 years. The brothers have 35 years of experience in seafood catering. Interior view of the noon time crowd at Peters Golden Gate Oyster House. (T.N.T., 12/9/1948, p. B9).

Oysters; Restaurants--Tacoma; Restaurant workers--Tacoma; Waitresses--Tacoma; Peters Golden Gate Oyster House (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);

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 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.;

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;

An unidentified waitress offers a fireman something to eat, outside a badly damaged diner, in this photograph from April of 1949. On April 13, 1949, at 11:55 a.m. a 7.1 magnitude earthquake rocked the Puget Sound basin. The quake was felt over 150,000 square miles, and killed eight people. This unidentified restaurant is believed to be in Puyallup, one of the hardest hit towns in the south sound. Photo ordered by Life magazine in New York (Life, 4/25/49, p. 34-35 & T.N.T., 4/13/49, P. 1, 12 & 4/14/49, p. 1-2). TPL-5461

Restaurants--Puyallup; Waitresses--Puyallup; Fire fighters--Puyallup; Rescue work--Puyallup; Earthquakes--Puyallup; Disasters--Puyallup; Life (New York, N.Y.);

The Timberline Drive In was located at 25510 Mountain Highway in Graham, Washington. The restaurant later became known as the Timberline Coffee Shop. Seen here in April 1949, the building was destroyed in an early morning fire on August 28, 1987.

Restaurant workers--Graham; Electric signs--Graham; Cities & towns; Business enterprises--Graham; Diners (Restaurants)--Graham; Timberline Drive In (Graham);

Tacoma's Rudder Club offered their members many social activities throughout the year; many of these functions were held at the club's facilities. Interior view of the Rudder Club's barroom; a bartender, wearing a uniform, is mixing a cocktail for one of the club members; a ship's steering wheel decorates the bar area.

Bartenders--Tacoma--1940-1950; Barrooms--Tacoma; Bars--Tacoma; Restaurant workers--Tacoma--1940-1950; Organizations' facilities--Tacoma; Clubs--Tacoma; Rudder Club, Inc. (Tacoma);

Tacoma's Rudder Club offered their members a number of social activities throughout the year. Hat and style shows, stag and doe parties, children's events, dinner and cocktails at the club's facilities, and many other functions for their members and guests. Interior view of private dining room at the club's facilities, located at 735 Commerce Street; a lovely table is set with five unidentified waitresses ready to serve at the private party.

Table settings & decorations; Dining tables; Waitresses--Tacoma--1940-1950; Dining rooms--Tacoma; Restaurant workers--Tacoma--1940-1950; Organizations' facilities--Tacoma; Clubs--Tacoma; Rudder Club, Inc. (Tacoma);

Interior and exterior of restaurant and tavern, Rainbow Tavern, Mr. Howe. The bar stands along the length of the Rainbow Tavern on the right hand side. Stools are lined up against the bar. Mirrors are hung on the wall at the back. A bartender stands ready to pull a beer from the siphon handles in front of him. A woman and a companion are seated in one of the booths along the other side of the room. A slot machine stands in the middle.

Rainbow Tavern (Tacoma); Bars--Tacoma--1940-1950; Bartenders--Tacoma--1940-1950; Bars (Furniture)--Tacoma; Stools;

Shuffleboard and electric scoreboard at Central Tavern, Champion Sales Distributing Company, Mr. Vern Westby. Two men are trying out the shuffleboard at the Central Tavern. The electric scoring machine is hung on the wall over booths running along one side of the tavern. An edge of the bar and a stool can be seen in the foreground.

Central Tavern (Tacoma); Shuffleboard; Bars--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Cocktail bar with bartenders, Murphy's cocktail lounge, Mrs. Lund. A crowd has arrived at Murphy's newly remodeled cocktail lounge. Floral draperies line the walls and several small tables are set around the floor. A large jukebox is seen behind a woman on the right. One of the bartenders, wearing a white service jacket, is bringing a tray of drinks for some of the customers.

Murphy's (Tacoma); Bars--Tacoma--1940-1950; Lounges--Tacoma--1940-1950; Eating & drinking--Tacoma--1940-1950;