The Cammarano baseball team poses for a group picture on May 1, 1930. The Cammarano Bros., sponsors of the team, were bottlers of beer and carbonated beverages. Photographed at the start of the 1930 baseball season, the Cammaranos joined other company or union sponsored teams. Baseball in Tacoma was heavily followed; the local newspapers often gave more coverage to homebased teams than the national big leaguers. Making his managerial debut was third baseman Al Greco, believed to be the third from left in back row. He would face off against former teammate Sammy Cappa, manager of the Kay Street team, in the May 1, 1930, doubleheader at Lincoln Bowl. The Cammarano Bros. would be shut out by the Kay Streeters, 4-0. (TDL 5-2-30, p. 8) TPL-10070; G53.1-008

Cammarano Bros. (Tacoma); Baseball players--Tacoma--1930-1940; Lincoln Bowl (Tacoma);

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);

Group photograph of the Kay Street baseball team taken on May 1, 1930. Presumably sponsored by the busy Kay Street business district, the Kay Streeters look alert as do the numerous small fry in the background. Managed by catcher Sammy Cappa, the Kay Streeters defeated the Cammarano Bros. team 4-0 before 500 fans in opening league play for both teams. Harold Johnson, Sr., has been identified as the player second from left in the bottom row. Sammy Cappa is sitting in the second row from bottom at the far right. (TDL 5-2-30, p. 8) G53.1-015; TPL-446. (Additional identification provided by a reader)

Baseball players--Tacoma--1930-1940; Baseball--Tacoma--1930-1940; Lincoln Bowl (Tacoma); Johnson, Harold; Cappa, Sammy;

The 1930 McKinley Avenue baseball team, apparently also known as "McKinley Hill," played in the five-team City League. The team won their season opener on April 26, 1930, with an 11-inning victory over the 38th Streeters. On May 1st, they battled to a 0-0 tie in their second game against South Tacoma in the Lincoln Bowl. Taking on the role of player-coach was shortstop Vince Duckwitz. (TDL 5-2-30, p. 8-article) TPL-9235; G53.1-004

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

Former world heavyweight boxing champion Jack Dempsey finds himself flanked by prominent Tacomans in this July 25, 1930, photograph taken on the veranda of the Tacoma Hotel. L-R Mike Lavelle, former Pantages manager and current Tacoma Hotel manager Jack Calvert, TNT sports writer Elliott Metcalf, Mr. Dempsey, Mayor Melvin G. Tennent, unidentified, and J. Frank Hickey, president of the elegant Tacoma Hotel. Mr. Dempsey was in town to referee the Tod Morgan - Joey Coffman match at the Greenwich Colliseum that evening. The bout was sponsored by the Kay Street Athletic Club. Mr. Dempsey was clearly the favorite attraction that night with cheers shaking the Colliseum's rafters. A record-breaking crowd was so loud in cheering him that he could not be heard in the ring. (TNT 7-25-30, p. 17-article; TNT 7-26-30, p. 4-article) G67.1-178

Dempsey, Jack, 1895-1983; Boxers (Sports); Hickey, J. Frank; Metcalf, Elliott; Tennent, Melvin Green; Mayors--Tacoma--1930-1940; Lavelle, Mike; Calvert, Jack; Tacoma Hotel (Tacoma);

A large crowd of baseball fans gathered outside the Tribune Publishing Company building to watch the box score of the World Series game between the Philadelphia Athletics and the St. Louis Cardinals on October 5, 1930. The News Tribune had a large scoreboard mounted on the front of their building which allowed fans to follow the game play-by-play. Although Cardinals pitcher Jesse Haines outdueled Lefty Grove 3-1 to tie the Series up at 2 wins apiece, the Athletics would ultimately prevail, winning the World Series 4 games to 2. BU-12852, TPL-2115

ca. 1930s. Rev. Jokatsu Yukawa, pastor of the Tacoma Hongwanji Buddhist Church, has donned protective gear and prepares to engage in kendo, a form of Japanese fencing. Rev. Yukawa is to the right in this sepia 1930's photograph; his masked opponent is not identified. The pair are practicing at the site of the Japanese Language School on Tacoma Avenue South, which had opened in 1921. Rev. Yukawa spent five years as the temple's minister, from 1928-1933. During his tenure, a $40,000 fund drive was initiated which culminated in the construction of the present church and junior members were organized in active Young Buddhist Association groups. He was promoted to serve a larger congregation in California and was replaced by Rev. Sensho Sasaki. (History of Pierce County, Vol. 1, p. 16) TPL-2008.

Firemen's Union #31, victors in the B Division Industrial League Championship in 1930, pose in front of a fire truck in May of 1931. Four trophies are displayed along with crossed baseball bats and a glove, flanked by team mascot Bud Christensen (left) and bat boy Bill Frazier. The Firemen opened up the 1931 baseball season with an exhibition game at Lincoln Bowl on May 9th against Shaffer Box, defending City Champs. Shaffer Box had defeated the Firemen in a bitterly contested game for the city title; this rematch would pit the same teams with the same result, another Shaffer Box victory. Team members of the Firemen were listed in the Daily Ledger as: Back row: Glen Lawson, Hank Hubert, H. Larson, K. Larson, Al St. Pierre, Walt Christensen, Al Pentecost. Middle row: Property man Harry Frazier, coach Bobby Vaughn, George Sharrick, H. Wiengard, Det Ketler, George Dague, Ed Burk, manager Emory Whitaker. Mgr. Whitaker would later become Tacoma's Fire Chief from 1932-1944. (TDL 5-6-31, p. 10, 5-8-31, p. 10, 5-10-31, B-1) TPL-450

Baseball players--Tacoma--1930-1940; Fire fighters--Tacoma--1930-1940; Fire engines & equipment--Tacoma; Awards; Uniforms; Whitaker, Emory; Vaughn, Bobby;

To boost company morale and foster an air of camaraderie, local businesses often sponsored recreational league sports teams. The three "Bs" were popular in the 1930s - bowling, basketball and baseball. Here the Northern Pacific Railway baseball team posed for a group picture on May 7, 1931, which included coaches, ball boy, and a banner with "Yellowstone Park Line" under the Northern Pacific heading. This team participated in the Industrial League. Carl Lewis Dakin has been identified as the player seated third from the right who is holding onto the team banner. See Boland B23725 for a similar photograph of the team. G53.1-019 (Identification provided by a reader)

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

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;

Members of the 1931 Northern Pacific Railway Co.'s baseball team are in uniform on May 10, 1931. The team, composed of N.P. workers, was part of the Industrial League. Northern Pacific sponsored two teams for the 1931 season in Division A and Division B. G53.1-017

Baseball players--Tacoma--1930-1940; Northern Pacific Railway Co. (Tacoma)--Employees; Uniforms;

A group of men and women golfers gathered in front of the clubhouse at the new Highland Golf Course on the course's first day of play, June 20, 1931. The public course, located at North 13th and Pearl Streets, was so named because the land it occupied was some of the highest in the city; the clubhouse presented a commanding view from its verandas. The 18 hole course offered velvety greens and tricky fairways. Its well-equipped, modern clubhouse offered the accommodations of a private club - yet it was open to the public. 18 holes cost $0.50. (TDL 6/19/1931 p.8)

Golf--Tacoma--1930-1940; Highland Golf Course (Tacoma)

A golfer, sleeves rolled up and wearing traditional knickers, tees off on opening day at Tacoma's newest golf course. It was the first day of golf at the Highland Golf Course. A well dressed crowd watches and waits its turn.

Golf--Tacoma--1930-1940; Golfers--Tacoma--1930-1940; Highland Golf Course (Tacoma);

Composite photograph for advertisement for appearance by Jack Dempsey in Tacoma for the Junior League Milk Fund Benefit. The benefit was held at the Tacoma Stadium (Stadium Bowl) on Thursday, September 10, 1931. Although Mr. Dempsey and other boxers on the card were paid for their appearances, ticket proceeds funded the purchase of milk for needy Tacoma Public Schools students. Net proceeds totaled $1042 with Mr. Dempsey contributing $154.50 of his appearance fee. (TNT 8-28-31, p. 1-article; TNT 9-25-31, p. 1-article)

Dempsey, Jack, 1895-1983; Boxers (Sports); Advertisements--Tacoma;

Former heavyweight boxing champion Jack Dempsey (at left) posed with Allen Motor Co. president Harold A. Allen (center) and Mr. Dempsey's manager, Leonard Sacks, on September 10, 1931, at the Union Station, 1717 Pacific Avenue. A new Studebaker President eight brougham, courtesy of Allen Motors, is ready for Mr. Dempsey, per his request. The boxer customarily drove a Studebaker at home and asked to be transported in one while in Tacoma. He was in town for the Junior League Milk Fund Benefit which would earmark proceeds towards the purchase of milk for undernourished children at Tacoma Public Schools. Mr. Dempsey was the star attraction for the September 10th event which was held outdoors at Stadium Bowl. Photograph ordered by Allen Motor Co. TPL-678 (TNT 8-28-31, p. 1-article; T. Times 9-12-31, p. 9)

Dempsey, Jack, 1895-1983; Boxers (Sports); Allen, Harold A.; Studebaker automobile; Sacks, Leonard;

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;

This is how the Allenmore Golf Course clubhouse appeared in September of 1931 with the snow capped peaks of Mount Rainier in the background . The golf course had just opened with 18 holes in August of that year. Allenmore derived its name from the last names of owners Sam Allen and D.W. Dinsmore.

Allenmore Golf Club (Tacoma); Clubhouses--Tacoma--1930-1940; Rainier, Mount (Wash.);

ca. 1931. Copy negative of publicity photograph of Jack Dempsey. Photograph was used for advertising the Junior League milk fund benefit held on September 10, 1931 in Tacoma. Mr. Dempsey arrived via train on September 10, 1931, as the star attraction for the benefit. He fought four opponents in exhibition matches that evening at the Stadium Bowl before a crowd of about 6000. (TNT 8-28-31, p. 1-article; T.Times 9-11-31, p. 13-article)

Dempsey, Jack, 1895-1983; Boxers (Sports)

City league competitive basketball was popular in Tacoma in the early 1930s. The Carstens Packing Company team from 1933 was rated as a strong contender for the Tacoma City Girls' Basketball league championship. The Carstens Vagabonds team members were, seated left to right, Dolly Reese, Freda Weingard, Eleanor Hiller, Grace Thorne and Katherine Rivers. Standing, left to right, Paul Benton (coach), Eleanor Foley, Vera Kemp, Mary Livesley, Dorothy Weingard and Gladys Hult (manager.) There were six women's teams in the 1932 city league sponsored by the Metropolitan Park District including teams representing Hoskins Grill, Pacific Telephone, and Tacoma Poultry and Eggs. (Previously TPL-9000)

Carstens Packing Co. (Tacoma)--People; Basketball--Tacoma--1930-1940; Basketball players--Tacoma--1930-1940; Women--Sports--1930-1940; Benton, Paul; Hult, Gladys;

ca. 1934. Golfer and track star Babe Didrikson ( Zaharias ) swings a golf club as she takes a golf shot in Tacoma. Didrikson won two gold medals at the 1932 Los Angeles Olympics and won the U.S. Women's Open three times.

Athletes - Golfers - Track and Field - Olympic Medalists - (Mildred Ella) Babe Didrikson Zaharias (1914-56)

ca. 1934. Golfer and track star Babe Didrikson ( Zaharias ) with three other women. Didrikson won two gold medals at the 1932 Los Angeles Olympics and won the US Women's Open three times.

Athletes - Golfers - Track and Field - Olympic Medalists - (Mildred Ella) Babe Didrikson Zaharias (1914-56)

This photographic copy of a photograph shows the Tacoma Electrochemical Company's baseball team, 1934 Commercial League Champions, even though some of the players are wearing shirts with other company names such as the player second from the left, front row,and the player behind him with the name "Cammarano" on their shirts. The names of the players have been added to the photograph: L-R, back row, Oscar Larson, Bill Otto, Charles Cooper, Vic Krause, Harold Larson, Kordial Larson, and L. Hodge, Sec-Treas, Commercial League; front row, Otto Larson, Henry Thaut, Orlin Krembill, Dave Williams, president, Commercial League, E.C. Mace, team manager, Vic Hauglund, Jerry Cecchi, and Lisle Zodtner. Tacoma Electrochemical Company became a part of Pennsylvania Salt Manufacturing Company of Washington.

Baseball players--Tacoma--1930-1940; Tacoma Electrochemical Co. (Tacoma);

Tacoma sisters Ellis-Ayr (left) and Ethlynne ("Skit") Smith (later Babson) smile broadly for the camera on April 14, 1935 after winning the first ever Women's Downhill and Slalom national titles. The national championships were held for the first time in the west April 13-14 at Mount Rainier's Paradise Valley. The competition was also part of the trials for the 1936 Olympic team but at that time women did not compete in the Olympics in either event. The sisters, who had only been skiing for a couple of years, had attended Stadium High School, the University of Washington and were members of the Washington Ski Club. (T. Times, TNT, TDL 4/12-15, 1935)

Skiers--Tacoma--1930-1940; Athletes--Tacoma--1930-1940; Skiing--Tournaments--1930-1940; Babson, Ethlynne; Smith, Ethlynne; Smith, Ellis-Ayr; Families--Tacoma--1930-1940;

Tacoma sisters Ellis-Ayr (left) and Ethlynne "Skit" Smith posed for photographers on Mount Rainier on April 14, 1935 after winning the first ever women's National championships in downhill (Ellis-Ayr) and slalom (Skit) on April 13-14. The two day national competition, held at Paradise on Mt. Rainier, attracted skiers from throughout the United States and Canada and from several European countries including Switzerland and the Netherlands. The pair had only been skiing a couple of years but were devoted to the sport. They skied every weekend by hiking up Mount Rainier to the glaciers where there was snow year round. The all around athletes also rode horses, played tennis and golf, and swam. (TNT 4/15/1935, pg. 1) TPL-9424

Skiers--Tacoma--1930-1940; Athletes--Tacoma--1930-1940; Skiing--Tournaments--1930-1940; Babson, Ethelynn; Smith, Ellis-Ayr;

On April 13-14, 1935, Paradise at Mount Rainier was home to the greatest sporting event ever held in the Northwest. It was the location for the national downhill and slalom championships. Also at stake were positions on the 1936 US Olympic ski team. Parking for spectators, and the final stop for mass transit, was located at Narada Falls. 7,000 spectators then hiked to Paradise in 12 - 20 foot deep snow to view the matches. It was about 2 miles one way to the slalom course and 1 mile to the downhill course. By the mid 1930's alpine skiing had exploded in growth as a US leisure sport, boasting almost a million skiers across the country. Radio broadcasters carried reports of the tournament and the ski conditions of the Northwest to ski enthusiasts all across the US. Stock negative.

Skiers--Tacoma--1930-1940; Skiing--Tournaments--1930-1940;

In April of 1935, Paradise at Mount Rainier was home to the national downhill and slalom championships. It was the first time that this contest had ever been held in the west. This photograph, taken during the tournament held April 13-14, showed the Paradise Lodge and the Paradise Inn surrounded by deep snow despite the spring date. Skiers and spectators dot the snow. Stock negative.

Skiers--Tacoma--1930-1940; Skiing--Tournaments--1930-1940;

On April 13-14, 1935, Paradise at Mount Rainier was host to the biggest sporting event ever held in the Northwest. It was the site of the national downhill and slalom championships with positions on the US ski team for the 1936 Olympics also at stake. Skiers and spectators were photographed lined up on either side of a ski run watching tournament skier number 20 maneuver down the slopes. This was most likely a portion of the slalom course that ran down the east side of Alta Vista, a zig zag descent of 1500 feet. Spectators had to hike two miles one way from Narada Falls to the slalom course. Stock negative.

Skiers--Tacoma--1930-1940; Skiing--Tournaments--1930-1940;

Close-up portrait of unidentified teen skier wearing the number 63 during the 1935 National Women's Downhill and Slalom championship held at Paradise, Mount Rainier. This was the first national championship for women in these two events. Varying newspaper sources number the female entrants from 11-14, including the Smith sisters from Tacoma and Grace Carter from Seattle, who placed second in the combined. Stock negative.

Skiers--Tacoma--1930-1940; Athletes--Tacoma--1930-1940; Skiing--Tournaments--1930-1940;

Over 7,000 spectators turned out April 13-14, 1935 to view the national downhill and slalom championships held at Paradise, Mount Rainier. This was the first time this event had been held in the west. Fifty-nine male skiers were registered to race, along with eleven women. The downhill started at Sugar Loaf, 8,500 feet above sea level, and dropped to Panorama Point and then to Edith Creek Basin, a 3,000 foot drop (35%) downward to the finish. On the day of the race, mist and fog shrouded the course in the morning. The top part of the course was icy and the lower part fast and treacherous. As the sun came out, the snow at the bottom of the course began to melt making it soft. Winner Hannes Schroll ran the course at an estimated speed of 75 mph.

Skiers--Tacoma--1930-1940; Skiing--Tournaments--1930-1940;