Fisher's Department Store along with the Tacoma Yacht Club's Shipmates were putting together a style show at the Top of the Ocean Restaurant. The latest in summer cruising wear would be modeled by the Shipmates. View of Shipmates aboard a motorboat, they are fishing and appear to be getting ready to reel in their catch. Shipmates are wearing Fisher's summer wear (T. Times, 4/19/47, p. 13). TPL-8615

Fashion shows--Tacoma; Fashion models--Tacoma; Fishing; Motorboats--Tacoma; Fishing nets--Tacoma; Fisher's Department Store (Tacoma); Women--Clothing & dress--Tacoma;

Bill Slater was the head chef in charge of the Top of the Ocean galley crew. Slater was a world famous chef who had been featured in "Ripley's Believe It or Not". View of stainless steel finished kitchen, stoves and oven are below "Top of the Ocean" sign. Photo ordered by Dohrmann Hotel Supply.

Kitchens--Tacoma--1940-1950; Stoves--Tacoma; Appliances; Restaurants--Tacoma; Top of the Ocean (Tacoma);

The Top of the Ocean restaurant had their grand opening in December 1946. They were one of the most beautiful and luxurious dine and dance liners in the Northwest. View of Hal Gullett and his orchestra playing at the Top of the Ocean restaurant. Hal Gullett is playing the saxophone and Micky McDougall is singing (T. Times, 1/13/47, p. 7).

Restaurants--Tacoma; Music ensembles--Tacoma; Musicians--Tacoma; Top of the Ocean (Tacoma); Gullett, Hal;

The Top of the Ocean had a private suite for the Tacoma Athletic Commission on their top deck. An advertisement stated they have the "most beautiful dance floors in the Northwest"and would be featuring Hal Gullett and his orchestra nightly. View of Micky McDougall on left, and Hal Gullett on right side (T. Times, 1/13/47, p. 7).

Restaurants--Tacoma; Music ensembles--Tacoma; Musicians--Tacoma; Top of the Ocean (Tacoma); Gullett, Hal; McDougall, Micky;

Tacoma Athletic Commission celebrated the formal opening of the organization's new headquarters, now located at the Top of the Ocean. The Tacoma Athletic Club had arranged for a permanent private suite on the upper level of the Top of the Ocean. Over 1,500 members and associate members attended the celebration. Interior view of dining room. The Tacoma Athletic Commission purchased the restaurant building, site and equipment of the Top of the Ocean in October 1948. (T. Times, 12/31/46, p. 12; TNT, 10/21/1948, p.1).

Banquet halls--Tacoma; Restaurants--Tacoma; Table settings & decorations; Top of the Ocean (Tacoma); Tacoma Athletic Commission (Tacoma);

On December 30, 1946, Mayor Val Fawcett, far right, is pictured congratulating officers of the Tacoma Athletic Commission at the opening of their headquarters at the Top of the Ocean. L to R: Dave Tuell, Bob Sanders, Gerry Waechter. Mr. Waechter was the chairman of the club. Over 1500 members and associate members attended the formal opening. Mayor Fawcett is also a director of the T.A.C. ALBUM 14. (T.Times 12-31-46, p. 12)

Mayors--Tacoma--1940-1950; Fawcett, Clarence Valdo, 1900-1965; Tacoma Athletic Commission (Tacoma); Tuell, Dave; Sanders, Bob; Waechter, Gerry;

Exterior view of the "Top of the Ocean". Automobiles are parked outside and banners are hung from the upper deck and over the top of the new restaurant and night club. The Top of the Ocean provided an invitation to all to dine and participate in an informal opening December 7th, 1946, at 5 p.m. It was called, the "most beautiful luxury dine and dance liner". She was not, however, a ship but was constructed on pilings at a cost of $262,000 by her owners Allen Rau and Bert Sundgren. Paul and Mendle Riggs were in charge of the boat facilities which provided docking sites for visiting yachts. There were four dining rooms on the main deck and a private suite for the Tacoma Athletic Club upstairs. Prices on complete dinners began at $1.50. The Top of the Ocean was destroyed by fire on April 3, 1977. (TNT, 3/21/1946; T.Times, 12/5/1946, p.11) TPL-423, TPL-2395

Top of the Ocean (Tacoma); Restaurants--Tacoma--1940-1950; Nightclubs--Tacoma--1940-1950; Waterfronts--Tacoma--1940-1950; Automobiles--Tacoma--1940-1950;

ca. 1946. Diners enjoy a lavish buffet at the Top of the Ocean, a unique dance-and-dine experience, circa 1946. It was designed to resemble an ocean liner and built for approximately $100,000. The Top of the Ocean, often simply called "The Top" by locals, had its formal opening on December 15, 1946. The Tacoma Athletic Commission would purchase "The Top" nearly two years later and it would be the scene of many banquets and meetings for years. The Top of the Ocean was destroyed by fire on April 3, 1977, and never rebuilt.

Top of the Ocean (Tacoma); Restaurants--Tacoma--1940-1950; Banquets--Tacoma--1940-1950;

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);