The large neon Sky Lane bowling pin sign also bears a resemblance to a flying rocket as it is positioned next to the bowling alley's ample parking lot on October 22, 1955. Sky Lane had recently opened for business in the Seattle area. The familiar semi-curved roof is visible from the street. Photograph ordered by Sky Lane Bowl.

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

1956 Golden Glove champions. These nine young men are the individual champions in their weight category for the eighth annual Golden Gloves tournament sponsored by the Tacoma Athletic Commission. Although six major cities in the Northwest plus the military were represented in the tournament, the majority of champions came from either Portland or Seattle. Kneeling in front are: Tommy Thomas, Portland, 147 pounds, Johnny White, Portland, 132#, and Tommy Takao, Seattle, 112#. Standing left to right are: Tommy Delvecchio, Vancouver, B.C., 139#, Phil Moyer, Portland, 156# , Willie Richardson, Portland, 178#, Bruce Olson, Eugene, heavyweight, Harvey Burke, Portland, 165# and Bobby Hicks, Seattle, 125#. Takao, representing the Royal Athletic Club of Seattle, was the evening's first crowned champion. Hicks, wearing the colors of the George Chemeres Boxing School of Seattle, was voted "Golden Boy" honors, as the most popular fighter. (TNT 1-23-56, p. 17) TPL-10451;

Boxing--Tacoma--1950-1960; Boxers (Sports)--Tacoma--1950-1960; Group portraits; Tacoma Athletic Commission (Tacoma);

Bobby Hicks, featherweight from the Chemeres Boxing Club of Seattle (in the dark trunks), takes a vicious punch to the head in his bout with Gil Durey on January 20, 1956. He ultimately beat Durey, an Oregon State College student, in the opening bout of the Eighth Annual Golden Gloves held at the College of Puget Sound Fieldhouse by decision. Sponsored by the Tacoma Athletic Commission, the tournament attracted 59 entries from six major Northwest cities plus military representations. Going into the fight, Hicks had a record of thirteen knockouts in 29 fights. (Photograph ordered by Tacoma Athletic Commission.) (TNT 1-20-56, p. 20, TNT 1-22-56, B-11)

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

Famed long-distance swimmer, Bert Thomas, a 275-pound ex-Marine frogman who conquered the Strait of Juan de Fuca, checks the January, 1956, temperature of Puget Sound. Dick Beckman and Betty Jane McGuigan hold a thermometer sign registering 45 degrees. On the night of January 26th, Thomas attempted the first long-distance, cold water, midwinter endurance swim in history and the first 18 nautical mile swim between Seattle and Tacoma. After 1 hour and 20 minutes in the water, Thomas ended his swim due to frigid winds and 42 degree choppy waters. For the Tacoma Athletic Commission. ALBUM 9.

Athletes; Swimmers; Thomas, Bert; Thermometers; McGuigan, Betty Jane; Beckman, Dick;

Feet and fists were flying during the eighth annual Golden Gloves boxing tournament held at the College of Puget Sound Fieldhouse on January 20-21, 1956. Sponsored by the Tacoma Athletic Commission, it attracted 59 amateur boxers representing clubs in six major Northwest cities plus the military. Boxing was very popular in the 1950's in this region; local newspapers continually had articles and results of matches. View of two boxers in action with the referee keeping a close eye on the match. Photograph ordered by Tacoma Athletic Commission. (TNT 1-20-56, p. 20, TNT 1-22-56, B-11)

Boxing--Tacoma--1950-1960; Boxers (Sports)--Tacoma--1950-1960; Referees; Tacoma Athletic Commission (Tacoma);

A boxer bows his head in apparent defeat as he has just been knocked down by the blond boxer to the left. This action occurred during the eighth annual Golden Gloves boxing tournament held at the College of Puget Sound Fieldhouse on January 20-21, 1956. 59 amateur boxers competed in nine weight categories. They came from six major Northwest cities plus the military. Sponsored by the Tacoma Athletic Commission, winners might have been considered for the upcoming Olympics by the U.S. and Canadian national teams. While no one from Tacoma was declared a champion, Seattle and Portland clubs were well-represented in the finals. Photograph ordered by the Tacoma Athletic Commission. (TNT 1-20-56, p. 20, TNT 1-22-56, B-11)

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

Golden Gloves tournament. It appears that the boxer is winding up for a massive punch against his opponent during this semi-final match at the eighth annual Golden Gloves tournament on January 21, 1956. The amateur boxer to the left is believed to be Tommy Delveccio, representing the South Hill Club of Vancouver, B.C. His opponent, hair flying, may be Clifford Sam, Burns, Oregon, who lost to Delveccio in a decision. Delveccio went on to win the 139 pound class in a split decision over Ruggles Larson of the Seattle McPhersons Club. The Tacoma Athletic Club once again hosted the Golden Gloves. (TNT 1-22-56, B-11)

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

Golden Gloves tournament. The Tacoma Athletic Commission sponsored the eighth annual Golden Gloves tournament at the College of Puget Sound Fieldhouse January 20 & 21, 1956. They had expected between 75-80 entries; however, the final count was 59. Boxers from Tacoma, Seattle, Vancouver, B.C., Portland, Olympia and Everett in addition to the military represented their various athletic clubs or cities. Since 1956 was an Olympic year, many boxers hoped to attract the attention of U.S. and Canadian national team officials. View of two boxers in action; one is wearing the trunks of the Oregon A.A.U. The boxer to the right seems to have landed a telling blow to the head of his opponent. Photograph ordered by Tacoma Athletic Commission. (TNT 1-20-56, p. 20, TNT 1-22-56, B-11)

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

1956 Golden Gloves tournament. There was plenty of action for boxing fans at the eighth annual Golden Gloves amateur boxing tournament held at the C.P.S. Fieldhouse January 20-21, 1956. Sponsored by the Tacoma Athletic Commission, the event attracted 59 entrants; somewhat fewer than expected since the Fort Lewis boxers could not attend. Pictured here is believed to be Phil Moyer, representing the Portland Ramblers Club, whose left hook seems to startle his opponent. Moyer went on to win the 156 pound class with a decision over Henry Brown, USS Essex. Photograph ordered by the Tacoma Athletic Commission. (TNT 1-20-56, p. 20, TNT 1-22-56, B-11)

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

1956 Golden Gloves tournament. The College of Puget Sound Fieldhouse was filled with boxing fans during the Tacoma Athletic Commission-sponsored Golden Gloves amateur boxing tournament. 59 boxers participated in the two-day event in January, 1956, coming from as far away as Portland and Vancouver, B.C. There were nine different weight categories; only the bantamweight division was not represented. View of two boxers; man in dark trunks has just landed a shot to the jaw of his opponent while the referee watches intently. Photograph ordered by Tacoma Athletic Commission. (TNT 1-20-56, p. 20, TNT 1-22-56, B-11)

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

1956 Golden Gloves. The Tacoma Athletic Commission-sponsored amateur boxing tournament was held at the College of Puget Sound Fieldhouse on January 20-21, 1956. To pare down the field, preliminary fights were held on the 20th with semi-finals and the finals on the 21st. Nine champions were crowned in their respective weight categories with only the bantamweight division vacant. Here, eventual 165 pound champion Harvey Burke of Portland's Knott A.C. shows his form in pounding his opponent. (TNT 1-22-56, B-11, TNT 1-23-56, p. 17)

Boxing--Tacoma--1950-1960; Boxers (Sports)--Tacoma--1950-1960; Tacoma Athletic Commission (Tacoma); Burke, Harvey;

1956 Golden Gloves tournament. Two boxers exchange simultaneous blows to the head during the eighth annual Golden Gloves amateur boxing tournament finals at the C.P.S. Fieldhouse on January 21, 1956. The blond on the left is believed to be Lindy Lindmoser, representing the South Hill Club of Vancouver, B.C. His opponent is believed to be Willie Richardson of the Portland Ramblers Club. Richardson would be crowned the 178 pound champion. Guest referee Pat McMurtry, former Golden Gloves champion, watches the action. The boxing tournament was once again sponsored by the Tacoma Athletic Commission. (TNT 1-22-56, B-11, TNT 1-23-56, p. 17)

Boxing--Tacoma--1950-1960; Boxers (Sports)--Tacoma--1950-1960; Tacoma Athletic Commission (Tacoma); McMurtry, Pat;

In June of 1955, while a member of the Washington Cheney Studs, Luther Carr demonstrated his bunting technique for the camera. Luther Carr played for Lincoln High School and had aroused the interest of several major colleges and professional teams. He played baseball, football, basketball and competed in track. An all around athlete, Carr in May of 1955 broke the state prep broadjump record that had stood since 1938. His jump was 23 feet, 9 5/8 inches. Carr turned down many professional sports offers after high school, choosing instead a college sports scholarship with the University of Washington Huskies. While a Husky, Luther scored on some of the most dazzling runs ever seen in Husky Stadium. The Studs, an amateur team made up of the most talented baseball players in the Puget Sound area, played 60 games during the summer of 1955 including several against professional players. (TNT 5/1/1955, pg. B-14)

Baseball--Tacoma--1950-1960; Baseball players--Tacoma--1950-1960; Baseballs; African American baseball players; Carr, Luther; Washington Cheney Studs (Tacoma);

A young baseball player with the 1955 Washington Cheney Studs team. The Cheney Studs were an amateur team made up of the most talented high school and college talent in the Seattle-Tacoma area. This is possibly Fred Emerson, outfielder, for the Studs and student at the University of Washington. Emerson was 18 years of age, 5'11", 180 pounds and originally from Kent, Wa. The Studs finished second in 1955 at the nationals of the American Baseball Congress. They were scouted heavily by the professional teams. Those scouts felt that the team was the best behaved, quietest and had the most major league prospects of any team in the playoffs. Ben Cheney emphasized that the young men on his team finish college before turning professional to better prepare them for life.

Baseball players--Tacoma--1950-1960; Baseball--Tacoma--1950-1960; Washington Cheney Studs (Tacoma);

Ron Dodge; baseball player with the 1955 Washington Cheney Studs team. The Cheney Studs were an amateur team made up of the most talented high school and college players in the Seattle-Tacoma area. Ron Dodge was one of the catchers for the 1955 team. He was 19 years of age, 6 feet tall and 170 pounds. During the school year he attended the University of Oregon. He was a native of Olympia, Washington. The 1955 Studs team placed second in the nation at the 1955 nationals of the American Baseball Congress from an initial field of 2,500 teams.

Baseball players--Tacoma--1950-1960; Baseball--Tacoma--1950-1960; Washington Cheney Studs (Tacoma); Dodge, Ron;

Young baseball player with the 1955 Washington Cheney Studs team, possibly Dick Minice. The Cheney Studs were an amateur team made up of the most talented high school and college talent in the Seattle-Tacoma area. The average age of the team in 1955 was 19 years of age. The Studs finished second nationally in the American Baseball Congress from an original field of 2,500 teams across the country. They qualified for the nationals by winning the Cascade League flag with 16 wins and no losses, the state tournament in 4 straight wins and a 5 game sweep at the Northwest series. They lost at nationals to Houston, Texas, who won for the second year in a row.

Baseball players--Tacoma--1950-1960; Washington Cheney Studs (Tacoma); Baseball--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Unidentified young baseball player with the 1955 Washington Cheney Studs team. The Cheney Studs were an amateur team made up of the most talented high school and college talent in the Seattle-Tacoma area. The Studs began the season by playing exhibition games against professional farm teams and also the amateur city league. They ended the season by finishing second in the nation, behind Houston, at the nationals of the American Baseball Congress.

Baseball players--Tacoma--1950-1960; Baseball--Tacoma--1950-1960; Washington Cheney Studs (Tacoma);

George Kritsonis; young baseball player with the 1955 Washington Cheney Studs team. The Cheney Studs were an amateur team made up of the most talented high school and college talent in the Seattle-Tacoma area. George was one of the pitchers for the team and attended Seattle University. He also played outfield for the Studs. He was 18 years old during the season, 6'1" tall and 160 pounds and was a native of Issaquah, Wa. George was voted "Most Valuable Player" of the Northwest series of the American Baseball Congress at Watertown, S.D. The Studs defeated Omaha 12-3 to clinch the Northwest title.

Baseball players--Tacoma--1950-1960; Kritsonis, George; Washington Cheney Studs (Tacoma); Baseball--Tacoma--1950-1960;

A young baseball player with the 1955 Washington Cheney Studs team. The Cheney Studs were an amateur team made up of the most talented high school and college talent in the Seattle-Tacoma area. This is possibly Fred Emerson who played outfield for the Studs. During the school year, Fred attended the University of Washington. He was 18 years of age, 5'11", 180 pounds and a native of Kent, Wa. After a stellar winning season, the Studs finished second at the American Baseball Congress in Battle Creek, Michigan, behind the team from Houston, Texas.

Baseball players--Tacoma--1950-1960; Baseball--Tacoma--1950-1960; Washington Cheney Studs (Tacoma);

The 6th Avenue Colts fielded two baseball teams in the summer of 1954, participating in both the Bantam and the PeeWee divisions. Seventeen beaming boys and their head coach and manager, Si Hovee, posed with banners on a sunny day in June. All the players are dressed in regulation uniforms with the team emblem sewn on. The teams were sponsored in the Tacoma Recreational Baseball League by the Greater 6th Avenue, Inc., a business and civic organization. The 6th Avenue merchants paid $500 out of their own pockets for the boys to participate in the city's united baseball program, as a way to help them keep busy in wholesome activities. The PeeWee Colts ended up being the PeeWee League Champs as they were undefeated in regular play and won the PeeWee Tournament at Peck Field. At the far left in the second row is Brian Cloherty. He went on to play at Bellarmine High, Seattle Univ., and Eastern Washington State (now Eastern Washington University). (TNT 6-30-54, B-7 - Ad, TNT 8-22-54, C-19)) TPL-8619 (Additional identification provided by a reader)

Baseball--Tacoma--1950-1960; Baseball players--Tacoma--1950-1960; Banners--Tacoma; Signs (Notices); Cloherty, Brian; Hovee, Si;

These young baseball players were listed as the runner-up team in the 1954 Midget League. They posed happily on August 12, 1954, at Jefferson Park, along with their bat boy and coaches. "Schwinn" is printed on the baseball jerseys; the boys played under the team name "Bicycles." They lost in the playoffs with the North Tacoma I.O.O.F. team. Both teams had identical 7-1 records in the final second half. The I.O.O.F. team won the final playoff game, 3-2, although losing pitcher Al Hopkins only allowed three hits. (TNT 8-16-54, p. 12, TNT 8-21-54, p.8)

Baseball players--Tacoma--1950-1960; Group portraits;

A young baseball player is shown just completing his throw in an August 29, 1954, photograph. The logo on his cap indicates that he is a member of the Cheney Studs, an amateur team sponsored by local lumberman and philanthropist, Ben Cheney. The young man is in a uniform with "Seattle" on the jersey instead of the customary pinstriped Studs uniform. The Cheney Studs had teams in other cities besides Tacoma, including Medford, Oregon, and perhaps in Seattle as well. Photograph ordered by Cheney Lumber Co.

Baseball players--Tacoma--1950-1960; Baseball--Tacoma--1950-1960;

ca. 1946. Typical race at Tacoma track in the 1940s after WWII. These appear to be midget racers and the location thought to be Athletic Park, South 14th & Ferry. Races were held there every Saturday night starting in late April which drew drivers as far away as California. Prices were kept reasonable at $1.50 general admission, reserved seats $2.00 and kids under 12 a mere 75 cents. (Courtesy of the Cammarano Collection)

Automobile racing--Tacoma--1940-1950; Racing automobiles--Tacoma--1940-1950;

ca. 1946. Sydney Carr was photographed standing next to one of his midget racers circa 1946. Sydney Carr and Robert Ormsby were the owner-operators of the Carr and Ormsby Transportation Co. at 617 East 11th. Mr. Carr, an avid midget-auto racing enthusiast, moved to Tacoma from Pennsylvania in the early 1930s. He owned several midget race cars and served as president of the Midget Racing Association. (Courtesy of the Cammarano Collection)

Carr, Sydney; Racing automobiles--1940-1950;

ca. 1926. Dressed in pinstriped uniforms are the Cammarano Bros. baseball team, circa 1926 or 1927. The Cammarano Bros. were Tacoma bottlers and distributors of carbonated beverages and beer. They sponsored employee baseball teams for many years who competed in local leagues. Names of the above players were not given. (Photograph courtesy of the William Cammarano Collection) TPL-10407

Cammarano Bros. (Tacoma); Baseball players--Tacoma--1920-1930; Uniforms;

ca. 1946. Allen Heath behind the wheel of Tom Carstens' 1946 KurticKraft Ford V860 midget racecar. Heath was the Washington State Champion in 1946 and 1947. He was inducted into the National Midget Auto Racing Hall of Fame in 1991. His career lasted into the '60s, even more remarkably because he drove with a "hook," having lost a hand in a 1953 accident. The Saskatchewan-born Heath also drove sprint cars and was noted as a tough competitor. (National Midget Racing Hall of Fame)

Heath, Allen; Racing automobiles--1940-1950; Automobile racing--1940-1950;

On July 4th, 1919, the Tacoma Speedway was packed with 35,000 racing fanatics for the annual races. The Speedway was one of two "Class A" racing locations in the United States, the other being Indianapolis. It was also a favorite of the drivers because of the abundant recreation opportunities of the area. Three races would be held on this day, 40 miles, 60 miles and 80 miles. By 1919, the track was 2 miles round and 50 feet wide, an adjustment done in 1914, and covered with 2 x 4 Washington fir planks laid end to end with gravel and sand filling the gaps and barrels of Richmond road oil applied hot to the surface. Indianapolis had shut down due to World War I and all the greats came to Tacoma. The five drivers surviving after the trials were Louis Chevrolet, Dario Resta (both in Tacoma for the first time,) Cliff Durant, Eddie Hearne and Ralph Mulford (in his first Tacoma appearance since 1913.) Eddie Rickenbacker, WW I flying ace and former race car driver, would referee the race. (TDL 7/2/1919, pg. 8-9) (Information on track construction: Standard Oil Bulletin, Vol. 3, circa 1915) Boland B2066, Speedway-025

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

The stands look a little empty for the start of the July 3, 1914, InterCity 100-mile race at the Tacoma Speedway. Drivers and their accompanying "mechanicians" are lined up in their race cars two abreast. These included at front: Tacoma driver Jack Croston in car #1, a Chevrolet; #2 -believed to be Barnes in his Romano; #5 -Joe Thomas in his Mercer; #26 - N. Latta of Seattle in his Lozier. This particular race was restricted to cars from Pacific Northwest cities. Total prize money was $1500 with first place winner Jim Parsons getting the lion's share of $750. Mr. Parsons, of Seattle, had won the event for the second straight year. TPL-5697;

Croston, Jack A.; Thomas, Joe; Tacoma Speedway (Lakewood); Racetracks--Lakewood--1910-1920; Automobile racing--Lakewood--1910-1920; Chevrolet automobile; Mercer automobile; Lozier automobile; Romano automobile;

ca. 1914. Jim Parsons' #7 Frantz race car is parked in the pit area of the Tacoma Speedway circa 1914 while a vehicle carrying a load of tires slowly backs in front of it. Other tires have already been unloaded and are piled upright nearby. The grandstands are nearly empty indicating this may have been practice time at the Speedway instead of the actual July races. Jim Parsons, from Seattle, would go on to win the InterCity 100 race three consecutive years, 1913-1915, allowing him to keep the perpetual challenge trophy. TPL-4424

Tacoma Speedway (Lakewood); Racetracks--Lakewood--1910-1920; Automobile racing--Lakewood--1910-1920; Racing automobiles--1910-1920; Frantz automobile; Tires; Grandstands--Lakewood;

ca. 1915. Although photographer Marvin Boland has labeled the driver as "Earl Cooper" in his "Stutz," and the condition of the Tacoma Speedway board track identifies it as being post-1913 (the last year of the dirt track), it is not certain that this was a race during the 1915 Montamara Festo. In 1915 Mr. Cooper came in a close second during the Montamarathon on July 4th, as he attempted to win the big 250-mile race for the third consecutive year. He did run a Stutz in that year but it was the #8, not the #4 shown above. He earned $1500 for second place, sandwiched between the winner, Grover Ruckstell and Mr. Ruckstell's Mercer racing partner, Eddie Pullen, who came in third. TPL-4423

Cooper, Earl; Tacoma Speedway (Lakewood); Racetracks--Lakewood--1910-1920; Automobile racing--Lakewood--1910-1920; Stutz automobile;