Tacoma's Stadium Bowl was under construction in April of 1909. Designed by local architect Frederick Heath and built by Western Engineering Co., the bowl had an original seating capacity of 23,486. It was dedicated on June 10, 1910. Stadium Bowl has been damaged several times over the years by mudslides and was forced to close in 1949. It did not reopen until about 1960. After renovation and rededication in 1980, it suffered further mudslide damage in 1981. BU-11552

Stadium Bowl (Tacoma); Construction--Tacoma--1900-1910; Progress photographs;

Armistice Day Navy-Army Football Game at Stadium Bowl. Over 8,000 people packed the stands on November 11, 1935 for a charity Army vs. Navy Armistice Day football game held at the Stadium Bowl. The Navy arrived from Bremerton on the ferry Kalakala and stayed to defeat the Army 6 to 2 on a field that resembled a sea of mud. For Bremerton Sun. (filed with Argentum) (see D410 for more pictures of the same event)

Football--Tacoma--1930-1940; Stadium Bowl (Tacoma); Holidays--Tacoma--1930-1940;

Go West young man seems to be the catch phrase for this group of cast members from the historical pageant "Saga of the West." They are all attired as frontiersmen and pose in front of a covered wagon. The pageant was performed July 20-22, 1939 as part of the celebration of Washington's 50th anniversary of statehood. The extravaganza boasted a cast of 2,000, as well as horses, stage coaches, covered wagons, Indians, cowboys, soldiers and sailors. The actors pantomimed, with all voices portrayed by seven narrators over microphones. Musical accompaniment was supplied by an orchestra, 200 voice choir and an organ.

Washington State Golden Jubilee, 1939--Tacoma; Stadium Bowl (Tacoma); Historical pageants--Tacoma;

Tacoma Junior Chamber of Commerce, publicity for Stadium July Fourth Show. Two men wearing suits, ties, fedoras, posing with fireworks sign above Stadium Bowl. Stadium and Washington State Historical Society Museum in background. The July 4th show ran over two hours and attracted an audience of over 7,000, covering 2/3 of the Bowl.

Fireworks--1930-1940; Holidays--1930-1940; Fourth of July celebrations; Stadium Bowl (Tacoma); Junior Chamber of Commerce (Tacoma);

On March 25, 1937, over 12,000 fans turned out at the Stadium Bowl to watch the annual Stadium vs. Lincoln Thanksgiving Day football game. This was a view of the south side of the Big Bowl as the teams prepared to put the ball into play. Spectators filled the concrete bleachers. The undefeated Stadium Tigers won 34-0, clinching the City Title for them for the 4th straight year, and making them champions of the newly formed Cross-State League. Structures adjacent to the stadium and high school are visible in the background. (T. Times 11/26/1937, pg.1).

Football--Tacoma--1930-1940; Athletic fields--Tacoma; Football players--Tacoma--1930-1940; Students--Tacoma--1930-1940; Events--Tacoma--1930-1940; Stadium High School (Tacoma); Lincoln High School (Tacoma); Stadium Bowl (Tacoma);

On Thanksgiving Day 1937 before a crowd estimated at 12,000 fans, the Stadium High School Tigers beat the Lincoln High School Abes 34 to 0, clinching both the city championship and the Cross-State League title. The final score was the largest registered to that date in the annual competition between the two schools. Carl Opolsky, Stadium's halfback, picked up two touchdowns and two conversions securing first place as individual scoring leader in his league. (TNT 11/26/1937 p.12).

Football--Tacoma; Athletic fields--Tacoma; Football players--Tacoma; Students--Tacoma; Events--Tacoma; Stadium High School (Tacoma); Lincoln High School (Tacoma); Stadium Bowl (Tacoma);