President Warren G. Harding and his wife visited Tacoma on July 5, 1923. A crowd estimated at 25,000 in the Stadium Bowl braved drizzling rain to give President Warren G. Harding and his wife a very warm welcome. Those in attendance had been asked to bring small American flags to wave upon the President's arrival in the Stadium. Thousands more had stood for hours on Pacific Avenue awaiting the Presidential special at Union Station. The Presidential party, including Cabinet Secretaries Herbert Hoover and Henry C. Wallace, motored to the Tacoma Hotel for a public reception after which President and Mrs. Harding visited the disabled veterans at Cushman Hospital prior to the Stadium appearance. The Hardings left Tacoma via the transport USS Henderson, which circled the bay close to Stadium, so that the crowds could give one last cheer. (TDL 7-5-23, p. 1) B8286; G68.1-074; TPL-901

Harding, Warren G.; Presidents--United States; Stadium Bowl (Tacoma); Guests--Tacoma--1920-1930; Crowds--Tacoma--1920-1930;

Tacoma's first known night baseball games were played in the Stadium Bowl on April 25, 1930. The Tacoma Teamsters Local # 313 team, pictured above with coaches and ball boy, shut out the City Lumber team 6-0 in the second half of a doubleheader. In the first game of the evening, the Firemen defeated Northern Pacific 5-1. These games opened the 1930 Industrial Baseball League season. With 18 teams in the circuit, there were undoubtedly other games played under the gigantic floodlights at the Stadium Bowl later in the season. (TDL 4-25-30, p. 10, 4-26-30, p. 8) TPL-875; G53.1-003

Firsts--Tacoma; Baseball players--Tacoma--1930-1940; Uniforms; Stadium Bowl (Tacoma);

Dr. Hinton D. Jonez (left), prominent Tacoma physician and civic leader, catches a ride aboard a police sidecar during the 1927 4th of July festivities. Dr. Jonez directed the American Legion Stadium program. It was the ninth year that the American Legion put on the 4th of July Stadium celebration. The other civilian passenger was tentatively identified as a Mr. Hayward. Names of the two police officers were not given. A uniformed band is gathered behind the men and motorcycles. G42.1-013 (TNT 7-2-27, p. 1-article)

Jonez, Hinton D.; Motorcycles--Tacoma--1920-1930; Tacoma Police Department (Tacoma); Musicians--Tacoma--1920-1930;

Stadium Bowl's stands are packed with students and adults in this circa 1920 photograph. Lines of young boys and girls occupy the field while the school band plays on the outdoor stage. This is believed to be "Stadium Day," held each year in May. The "Castle," the massive turreted brick structure otherwise known as Stadium High School, overlooks the Bowl. G55.1-093

Stadium Bowl (Tacoma); Stadium High School (Tacoma); Celebrations--Tacoma--1920-1930; Crowds--Tacoma--1920-1930;

Miss Tacoma at Stadium Bowl. "Miss Tacoma's" face is not clear due to this double exposure where a young sailor's image has been blended with her own. She posed standing in a late-model automobile with a number of sailors surrounding her during the 1926 4th of July celebration at Stadium Bowl. Dorothy Rothermel was chosen as 1926's Miss Tacoma. TPL-2054; G42.1-136

Beauty contestants--Tacoma--1920-1930; Rothermel, Dorothy; Celebrations--Tacoma--1920-1930; Sailors--1920-1930; Automobiles--Tacoma--1920-1930;

Every nook-and-cranny in Stadium Bowl is jam-packed for 1926's 4th of July festivities. 40,000 witnessed the celebration of the 150th anniversary of American independence. Participants in the night's celebration included marines from the battleships in Commencement Bay and the guns of battery B, 10th Field Artillery from Camp Lewis. The program was sponsored by the American Legion and was held on Monday, July 5th. Stadium High School overlooks the Bowl on the left. BU11,616 (TDL 7-6-26, p. 1+) TPL-10131

Stadium Bowl (Tacoma); Stadium High School (Tacoma); Crowds--Tacoma--1920-1930; Spectators--Tacoma--1920-1930; Celebrations--Tacoma--1920-1930;