Even young hockey players get bumped and bruised and deserve a massage. Here a trainer or coach rubs some liniment onto the boy's back while a teammate looks on in this 1953 photograph. The player is lying on a thin mattress placed on a long table in the team's dressing room; uniforms and equipment are hanging from cubicles. Photograph ordered by Allen Goldfin.

Ice hockey--Tacoma; Ice hockey players--Tacoma; Ice skating rinks--Tacoma; Massage;

A new bowler places her ball, fingers inserted, into the Brunswick Brunsmeter with help from the bowling alley employee. Shelves besides the two are filled with boxes of Hyde bowling shoes and assorted bowling covers. Bowling remained popular throughout the 1950's with many companies sponsoring teams of both men and women. Results of tournaments were steadily reported in local papers. For another view of the bowler and employee, see D112200-145. Photograph ordered by Teleradio Advertisers, Inc., for KTVW television.

Bowlers; Bowling balls;

Swimming area at American Lake, part of the Tacoma Country and Golf Club. The club purchased this property on the eastern shore of American Lake in 1904. Originally, members were issued deeds to 25 foot lots along the lake front where they could set up tents and escape the city's summer heat. As time passed, the tents gave way to homes, greens and the clubhouse. The lake still remained a favorite "Ole Swimmin' Hole" for a quick refreshing dip. A dock reaches out into the lake, topped with a life guard stand. Boats are also tied up to the right of the dock. ("A History of Pierce County, Wa." vol. 1) TPL-8640

Tacoma Country & Golf Club (Tacoma)--1950-1960; Water holes--Tacoma--1950-1960;

The entrance drive to the exclusive members only Tacoma Country and Golf Club, located on the shores of American Lake. The club relocated to this location in 1904. It is the oldest continuously operating Country Club west of the Mississippi.("A History of Pierce County, Wa." vol. 1)

Tacoma Country & Golf Club (Tacoma);

The Tacoma Athletic Commission would be sponsoring the ninth annual Golden Gloves tournament January 18 & 19, 1957. Charles "Charley" Brown, Fort Lewis light-heavyweight, takes a familiar stance. Brown would be one of twelve Tacoma-area entrants. He would eventually meet Johnny White of the Portland Knott Streeters in the finals of the 147# class; White would decision Brown for the victory. The Golden Gloves traditionally attracted many entrants from throughout Washington, as well as Oregon and British Columbia. Military personnel also commonly entered the amateur boxing tournament. Photograph ordered by Tacoma Athletic Commission. (TNT 1-17-57, C-9, TNT 1-21-57, p. 14))

Boxing--Tacoma--1950-1960; Boxers (Sports)--Tacoma--1950-1960; Brown, Charles; Tacoma Athletic Commission (Tacoma);

Exterior bowling alley. Bowling alleys were often located in nondescript buildings. A large neon sign directs customers to this bowling alley's entrance. Metered parking was available for those choosing to park on the street. This has been identified as University Bowl at 1104 E. 45th, Seattle. Bowling continued to be very popular in the 1950's; leagues flourished, often sponsored by employers, and results of tournaments continued to be reported in local newspapers. Photograph ordered by Western Bowling, Inc. (Additional identification provided by a reader)

Bowling alleys--Seattle; University Bowl (Seattle); Electric signs--Seattle--1950-1960;

Copy of customer's print. Ben Cheney, baseball aficionado, with San Francisco Giants catcher, Tom Haller, during 1963 spring training in Tucson, Arizona. Cheney is wearing a San Francisco Giants uniform while Haller sports his catcher's protective gear. Ben Cheney at that time was the owner of the Tacoma Giants, minor league club affiliate of the S.F. Giants. He enjoyed going to the Big League's spring training in Arizona. Tom Haller would play in the Big Leagues for 12 years, be an All-Star, and later return to the San Francisco Giants as a coach and executive. Photograph ordered by Cheney Lumber Co.

Baseball players--Arizona--1960-1970; Haller, Tom, 1937-2004; Cheney, Ben B., 1905-1971; San Francisco Giants (San Francisco);

Pictured under the basketball nets at the University of Puget Sound Fieldhouse on January 15, 1969, is four-year-old Suzy Jo who is being held by Mrs. Marguerite Cousins, director of the Hilltop Day Care Training Center for Mentally Retarded Children. Suzy, a student at the center, and Mrs. Cousins jointly hold a basketball. They are joined by Mel Jackson, associate director of the Hilltop Multi-Service Center (L), and Al Roberts, UPS co-chairman of an upcoming charity match between the University of Puget Sound Loggers and the University of Alaska. Ticket sales for the February 1st game would benefit the "kids on the hill" enrolled in the learning center. A followup story in a January, 1970, News Tribune indicated that proceeds totaling approximately $3000 were raised for the day care center by the 1969 game. Several local firms stepped forward to buy blocks of tickets to distribute to Hilltop youngsters, allowing nearly 1,000 children to view a collegiate basketball game, many for the first time. Photograph ordered by the Tacoma-Pierce County Opportunity & Development, Inc. (TNT 1-26-69, D-14, TNT 1-25-70, B-6)

Basketball--Tacoma--1960-1970; Balls (Sporting goods); Girls--Tacoma--1960-1970; Jackson, Mel; Roberts, Al; Cousins, Marguerite; Fund raising--Tacoma--1960-1970;

A beaming team of 12-year-olds in red numbered jerseys gathered for a group portrait in the Stanley Elementary School playground on October 19, 1968. They may have belonged to the Tacoma Boys Club. Coach of the young team was Joe Clough. Color photograph ordered by Cheney Lumber Co.

Football--Tacoma--1960-1970; Football players--Tacoma--1960-1970; Clough, Joe;

Unidentified golf foursome. Western Washington pro golfers and club presidents gathered on Friday, April 28, 1972, at the Tacoma Country & Golf Club to participate in the Northwest Pro-Presidents golf tournament. This year each of the three branches in the northwest section of the PGA will have its own tournament. The Tacoma Country & Golf Club was the location of the first Northwest Pro-Presidents tournament in 1953. Color photograph ordered by Gerry Mehlert. (TNT 4-27-72, C-11- article; TNT 4-29-72, p. 10 -article)

Golf--Tacoma--1970-1980; Golfers--Tacoma--1970-1980; Tacoma Country & Golf Club (Tacoma)--1970-1980;

Annual installation of new officers of the Tacoma Athletic Commission occurred on January 19, 1973. The six board members posed for a group portrait above; all but one wore their jackets with the commission's emblem. Photograph ordered by the Tacoma Athletic Commission.

Tacoma Athletic Commission (Tacoma);

Close-up of an intense Dale Grant with clenched fists. 18-year-old Dale Grant, the half-brother of Olympic gold medalist Sugar Ray Seales, was also a product of the Tacoma boxing scene. Unlike his brother who was born in the Virgin Islands, Dale Grant was born in Seattle in 1955. Following in the footsteps of his older brother, he won the 1972 National AAU championship but in the 156-lb. division. He would also win the 1973 National Golden Gloves championship in that weight division; Sugar Ray Seales had won the 1972 National Golden Gloves championship in the 139-lb. division. Mr. Grant, a TCC student, would turn pro on October 5, 1973, and make his successful debut in Santa Rosa, California, on October 13th. His manager was Larry Morris, son-in-law of local promoter George Yelton. Photograph ordered by Larry Morris. (www.boxrec.com; TNT 10-5-73, B-3 article)

Boxers (Sports)--Tacoma--1970-1980; Grant, Dale; Families--Tacoma--1970-1980;

Sugar Ray Seales, left, and half-brother Dale Grant, right, come from a Tacoma family of boxers; both have become champions in the boxing arena. In this 1973 photograph, Seales is a 1972 Olympic Gold Medalist and an unbeaten pro welterweight vying for the world championship. Seales would be the sole American gold medalist in boxing. Grant, an 18-year-old righthander, is just entering professional boxing. Grant was named U.S. Amateur Boxer of the Year for 1972 by the AAU and has a championship 290-18 record. He would be training alongside his brother who stated that "Nobody's hit me any harder than Dale in training." (TNT, 10/5/1973, B3). Photograph ordered by Larry Morris.

Boxers (Sports)--Tacoma--1970-1980; Seales, Ray; Grant, Dale; Families--Tacoma--1970-1980;

The South Tacoma baseball club, along with coaches and ball boys, posed for a a team picture on May 1, 1930, prior to their 0-0 tie with the Vince Duckwitz-lead McKinley Ave. ("McKinley Hill") crew. Elwood Anderson would go on to pitch a no-hitter in the six-inning game. The "Chevrolets" were managed by Bill Schott, new to managing a City League team. They are seated in three rows; many are wearing sweaters with the team name over their uniforms. Bottom row, fourth from left, is possibly Art Berg, first baseman and future Tacoma Pierce County Sports Hall of Famer. (TDL 5-2-30, p. 8) TPL-7140; G53.1-010

Baseball players--Tacoma--1930-1940; Lincoln Bowl (Tacoma);

Businesses in the 1920's and 30's often sponsored athletic teams for recreational use by their employees. Baseball was a very popular sport in Tacoma and there were numerous company-sponsored teams in various leagues. The Northern Pacific team posed for a picture on May 7, 1931; they were members of the Industrial League. A banner with the company name and "Yellowstone Park Line" is displayed in front of the group. Northern Pacific would have the honor of being one of the teams participating in Tacoma's first night games on April 25, 1930; they would be defeated by the Firemen, eventual winners of that year's B Division championship. Carl Lewis Dakin, seated third from the right, is the player holding onto the team banner. G53.1-018 (Identification provided by a reader)

Baseball players--Tacoma--1930-1940; Banners; Signs (Notices); Northern Pacific Railway Co. (Tacoma)--Employees; Dakin, Carl Lewis;

Monty's Independents (Garagemen) were an all-black baseball team in the newly formed 9-member "Community" league in 1931. The Community League played a 16-game season. The league was notable for having not only an all-black team, but an all-Italian team headed by Al Greco, an all-Japanese team from Fife, and an all-Slavic team. Other teams in the league were Jack & Jill, the Tacoma Red Men, the 10th Field Artillery, Steilacoom, and McKinley Hill. Monty's opened their season on May 10, 1931, against Steilacoom where they lost 31-3 in a 7-inning game. (TDL 5-10-31, 2-B) TPL-3688; G39.1-173; G53.1-007; G39.1-165;

Baseball players--Tacoma--1930-1940; African American baseball players;

Football team members from the College of Puget Sound are seated in a long row against a lineup of Studebakers from the Allen Motor Co. This September 18, 1931 night view was believed to have been taken at Stadium Bowl which would be the site the following evening of the Loggers' grid season start against Pacific Lutheran College. The maroon-and-white clad Loggers shut out PLC 20-0 before a crowd of more than 4000. Photograph ordered by Allen Motor Co. G67.1-108 (TNT 9-21-31, p. 10-article on game)

Football players--Tacoma--1930-1940; College of Puget Sound (Tacoma)--1930-1940; Students--Tacoma--1930-1940; Studebaker automobile;

Tacoma Speedway pre-1915. The track seems to still be a dirt track which means this unidentified race occurred before 1915, the first year of the new "lattice" board track. At this frozen moment in time, car #4 leads car #3 by several lengths. The grandstands are packed with spectators during probably the Montamara Festo races which occurred during the 4th of July holiday period at the Tacoma Speedway. People on the other side of the track got a very close view of the race along with crewmen for the various drivers. Note the pile of narrow tires that have already been changed or are awaiting changing. The Tacoma Speedway had a short but action packed history from 1912 to 1922. Many world class racers including Barney Oldfield, Teddy Tetzlaff, Grover Ruckstell, Eddie Pullen and Cliff Durant competed for prize money and trophies.

Tacoma Speedway (Lakewood); Racetracks--Lakewood--1910-1920; Automobile racing--Lakewood--1910-1920; Racing automobiles--1910-1920; Sports spectators--Lakewood; Grandstands--Lakewood;

Undated photograph of Canadian-born but American-raised race car driver, Ira Vail. Mr. Vail raced at Indy multiple times but never won. He was a contemporary of famous racers Louis Chevrolet, Ralph Mulford, Barney Oldfield and Ralph DePalma and competed against them in many events. He was most successful on dirt tracks. Mr. Vail drove Hudsons until the company got out of the racing industry in 1917 and used the Leach in at least one Indy. He was mentioned as a potential driver for the 1921 Tacoma Speedway race but Frank Elliott had already been named as the driver of the Leach Special that Mr. Vail would have driven. Later Mr. Vail became a promoter in the New York/New Jersey area where he was held in high regard. Mr. Vail died in 1979, having outlived many of his racing pals. (info from National Sprint Car Hall of Fame & Museum; TNT 6-30-21, p. 1-article on Tacoma race) (Copy of Hughes photograph by Boland Studios)

Vail, Ira; Automobile racing--1910-1920; Racing automobiles;

Undated informal portrait of auto racer Leon Duray. The square-jawed, mustached driver has his goggles resting on his forehead. Born George Stewart and renamed Leon Duray, he raced at Indy eight times between 1922 and 1931, winning the pole position twice. His best finish was sixth in 1925. He later became a car owner whose car finished second at Indy in 1934. (theoldmotor.com)

Duray, Leon; Automobile racing drivers;

Ernie Olson, ace mechanic, smiles broadly in this undated photograph believed to have been taken at the Tacoma Speedway during the short period of time when the racetrack was in existence, from 1912-1922. He is seated in his car dressed in the race style of the day: goggles, cloth or leather headgear and a jacket/uniform opened to show a dark tie and collared shirt. Mechanics in that era rode along with their drivers. TPL-2432 (Identification provided by a reader)

Olson, Ernie; Mechanics (Persons)--Tacoma; Men--Clothing & dress;

Auto racer Ralph Mulford. This undated photograph of Mr. Mulford was believed to have been taken at the Tacoma Speedway either in 1919, 1920 or 1922 when Mr. Mulford entered the races at the two-mile oval board track. Usually pictured with a large toothy grin, Ralph Mulford was a two-time National Driving Champion in 1911 and 1918 and a popular entry in auto racing due to his propensity for very fast cars and skillful driving. Mr. Mulford outlived many of his racing colleagues, dying at the age of 89 in 1973. TPL-3176

Mulford, Ralph; Tacoma Speedway (Lakewood); Automobile racing--Lakewood;

ca. 1914. Frank Verbeck behind the wheel of his Fiat (car # 11) on the track at the Tacoma Speedway for the July 1914 races. His mechanic, who will ride with Mr. Verbeck in the Fiat "70" in the 200-mile and 250-mile races, is the world and Olympic champion hurdler Forrest C. Smithson. Frank Verbeck had come to Tacoma in 1912 to race but not in 1913. His car, the Fiat "70," had been entered in the previous two years and was driven in 1913 by a previous holder of the Montamarathon trophy, "Terrible Teddy" Tetzlaff. In 1914 Mr. Tetzlaff chose to drive a Maxwell so Mr. Verbeck, a former teammate of Mr. Tetzlaff, decided to drive the Fiat. The News Tribune called Frank Verbeck "one of the nerviest and most sensational drivers of the Pacific Coast aggregation." Despite a valiant effort, Mr. Verbeck had continued problems with his car and was excused by the referee in the 13th lap of the final race when the car was in 10th place. (TNT 6-21-14, 2-B-article; TNT 6-28-14, 3-D; TNT 7-5-14, p. 1-2- results)

Verbeck, Frank; Smithson, Forrest C.; Tacoma Speedway (Lakewood); Racetracks--Lakewood--1910-1920; Automobile racing--Lakewood--1910-1920; Fiat automobile;

ca. 1914. Crowds in stands at Tacoma Speedway July 4th - probably 1914. In 1914, over 35,000 spectators packed the grandstand and lined the field fences at the closing race of the Montamara Festo season. They had paid $1.00 for field admission and from $1.50 to $3.00 for the grandstand. The auto racing was possibly the highlight of the abbreviated July 2-4th week which featured fireworks, shows, spectacles and vaudeville. It cost the city about $100,000 to put on the annual event. There were three sanctioned races at the Tacoma Speedway with a total prize of $10,500 which drew entries from the Pacific Northwest, California and even one Englishman (Hughie Hughes). The speed kings were in town and even their practices drew crowds of over 12,000. Winner of the final race and holder of the Montamarathon trophy was Californian Earl Cooper in his #8 Stutz "Ghost." Mr. Cooper was the reigning champ who successfully defended his title. (TNT 7-5-14, p. 1-results)

Tacoma Speedway (Lakewood); Racetracks--Lakewood--1910-1920; Automobile racing--Lakewood--1910-1920; Sports spectators--Lakewood; Crowds--Lakewood; Grandstands--Lakewood;

The Tacoma Speedway had a special treat in store for its fans on Labor Day 1914, the first "cycle car" race to be held north of California. Cycle cars were built with motorcycle engines and were designed, for the most part, by their junior drivers. Three races would be held, a ten mile dash, a ten mile free for all (featuring the losers in the first race) and a 40 mile free for all, with a top prize of $250. Pictured in a horseshoe are, left to right, an unidentified car, the Mabel Normand's Keystone Theim driven by Shirley Williams, the Red Devil driven by Walter Gossman, the Pantages Bug driven by a Tacoma boy identified only as "Swift," unidentified car #3, unidentified, unidentified, Allan Bruce and his National, Harry Hartz and his #22 Indian and a "baby" Hudson partially built by Homer Loudenclos in Tacoma with Clarence Healy scheduled as pilot. Although the weather stayed dry for the trials, rain made the track unsafe on race day. The races were rescheduled and again rained out. Discouraged, the drivers returned to sunny California.

Tacoma Speedway (Lakewood); Racetracks--Lakewood--1910-1920; Automobile racing--Lakewood--1910-1920; Racing automobiles--1910-1920; Gossman, Walter; Bruce, Al; Hartz, Harry;

ca. 1914. Joe Thomas behind the wheel of his Mercer automobile at the Tacoma Speedway circa 1914. His "mechanician" is believed to be named Kindic. Mr. Thomas, from Seattle, was entered solely in the InterCity 100-mile race on July 3rd. He did not place in the top 5. In 1915 Mr. Thomas again entered the InterCity race but his Mercer failed to start. Unlike many of his colleagues, he survived his racing career and by 1939, was the head of the Washington State safety inspection station in Tacoma.

Tacoma Speedway (Lakewood); Racetracks--Lakewood--1910-1920; Automobile racing--Lakewood--1910-1920; Racing automobiles--1910-1920; Mercer automobile; Thomas, Joe;

ca. 1915. Cars in pit area at Tacoma Speedway circa 1915. Grandstands are sparsely filled indicating that the occasion might have been practice time for the racers who had entered in the three races composing part of the Montamara Festo circa 1915. Pit area is still dirt although the track itself was built of split boards consisting of 2 x 4 Washington fir. Filling in the spaces between the planks was 2500 cubic yards of gravel and sand. Over this was poured 500 barrels of hot Richmond road oil after which 400 cubic yards of sand was spread on top of the oil. (information on track construction provided by Standard Oil Bulletin, Vol. 3, ca. 1915)

Tacoma Speedway (Lakewood); Racetracks--Lakewood--1910-1920; Automobile racing--Lakewood--1910-1920; Grandstands--Lakewood;

Ray Ritters of Los Angeles poses in his cycle car, #2, a Velie, at the Tacoma Speedway. The Velie autos and trucks were manufactured by Velie Motors Corp. of Moline, Ill., from 1902-1928. In September of 1914, the small race cars and their junior drivers took Tacoma by storm. Each day the newspapers were filled with stories about the boys who, for the most part, designed and built, as well as raced, their own cars. The cars were usually powered by motorcycle engines and could travel at 35-50 mph. Ritters had raced many times in the South, but had never finished in the money. He arrived early in Tacoma and rebuilt his car here, making many changes, including mounting the engine on the side. He never got to show off his improved vehicle in Tacoma, both the Labor Day race and the rescheduled race were called due to rain. (T. Tribune 9/13/1914, pg. 2B, plus preceding dates in Sept. 1914)

Tacoma Speedway (Lakewood); Racetracks--Lakewood--1910-1920; Automobile racing--Lakewood--1910-1920; Ritters, Ray; Racing automobiles--1910-1920;

ca. 1919. Smiling Ralph Mulford, early race car driver, was not smiling in 1911 when many felt that he won the first Indianapolis 500 by a lap instead of credited winner Ray Harroun. Mulford still managed to garner enough points to become the 1911 National Driving Champion, a feat that he repeated seven years later in 1918. In 1919, he won Tacoma Speedway's 40 mile race with a time of 24:02 and 100.2 mph, outracing Frontenac teammate Louis Chevrolet and Cliff Durant. Returning in 1920 for the 225 mile Tacoma Classic, he finished second in his Monroe racing car, numbered "3." Ralph Mulford retired from speed racing after 1922 but continued to compete in hill climbs. At one time, he held the record for climbing both Mount Washington and Pikes Peak. Mulford lived to a ripe old age, a rare feat for the early drivers; born in 1884, he died October 23, 1973. (www.hickoksports.com; TNT 7-3-19, p. 1; 6/29/1920) G52.1-027, Speedway 096, BOLAND-B2010

Tacoma Speedway (Lakewood); Racetracks--Lakewood--1910-1920; Automobile racing--Lakewood--1910-1920; Mulford, Ralph; Racing automobile drivers;