12 images. Top of the Ocean Allen Rau & Bert Sundgren, builder C.A. Kenworthy, arch. & supt. of construction Tacoma Boat Mart, contr. -designed to resemble an ocean liner -all Tacoma labor and materials used in construction -all electric bldg. -seating capacity of 700 -floating dock could accommodate up to 20 yachts -sea plane taxi service on Sundays -informal opening 12/7/1946 -formal opening 12/15/1946 -destroyed by fire 4/3/1977 -known to Tacomans as "The Top"
TNT 2/15/1946 Restaurant to be built in Old Town
TNT 3/21/1946 p.7 Ship service restaurant (sketch) T.Times 3/21/1946 p.7 $100,000 restaurant, pleasure center due soon (sketch)
TNT 11/5/1946 p.21 TAC quarters to be located on Ruston Way
TNT 12/14/1946 p.2 Christening of "Ocean Top"; opening of unique dance and dine restaurant announced
TNT 1/13/1947 p.6,7 Top O' Ocean will feature Hal Gullet Band (interior il)
TNT 2/5/1947 p.11 Thank you, Tacomans!
TNT 5/18/1947 p.A14 Bandit robs Top of Ocean
TNT 5/19/1947 p.1 Police seek bold bandit
TNT 8/24/1948 p.1 Loot Top of Ocean cafe of $1,000; two bandits bind two employees T.Times 10/20/1948 Tacoma Athletic Commission purchases Top of the Ocean
TNT 10/20/1948 p.1 T.A.C. buys Top of Ocean
TNT 1/16/1950 p.1 Extensive property damage and beauty remain in wake of blizzard (bldg. suffers minor damage) (il)
TNT 3/26/1950 p.A5 TAC plans addition (sketch of proposed addition by Lance, McGuire & Muri, arch.)
TNT 1/3/1951 p.16 Closed through the month of January for redecoration
TNT 1/27/1951 p.3 Will be open Friday Feb. 2
TNT 2/1/1951 p.29 Will open Friday Feb. 9
TNT 2/8/1951 p.C10,C11 ... to open Friday after complete remodeling (interior il)
TNT 5/28/1951 p.1 Club opens upon Kerr after raid (liquor control raid at the Tacoma Athletic Commission)
TNT 6/1/1951 p.14 (ad)
TNT 6/15/1951 p.1 TAC "war" on Kerr ends with $100 fine imposed
TNT 9/19/1951 p.1 Slot machines of TAC come to final end
TNT 11/9/1951 p.7 Peck (Roger W. Peck) buys "Top" bldg.
TNT 3/8/1952 p.4 (alterations by Ketner Bros., contr.)
TNT 12/12/1952 p.A8 Hundreds of Tacoma News Tribune carriers attend banquet ... (interior il)
TNT 10/6/1954 p.D5 News Tribune carriers dine out (interior il)
TNT 10/12/1954 p.20 (ad,il)
TNT 2/3/1956 p.1 TAC will vacate its Old Tacoma quarters (space to become banquet rooms)
TNT 6/28/1956 p.D3 For lease - third deck
TNT 5/1/1962 p.9 Floodlights stolen
TNT 12/16/1964 p.A1 North wind (il)
TNT 2/19/1968 p.11 Fire damages restaurant
TNT 8/28/1970 Restaurant sale told (Ted Verhaaren purchases bldg. from A.E. Betz, Jr.) Marine Digest 2/20/1971 p.33 (ad)
TNT 9/15/1974 (sketch)
TNT 4/4/1977 Destruction of a landmark a tough show to witness (il)
TNT 4/5/1977 "Top" will be rebuilt
TNT 4/6/1977 Suspected of arson
TNT 4/7/1977 Schroeder: City should help burned "Top" to rebuild
TNT 4/12/1977 Trial set
TNT 6/10/1977 p.A7 Levage (David Willard Levage) convicted of torching Top of the Ocean
TNT 6/23/1977 Given 20 year prison term
TNT 11/3/1977 Top of the Ocean goes down (il)
TNT 11/8/1977 p.A1 Top of the Ocean goes to the bottom (il of demolition)
TNT 6/8/1980 No sign of hope for Top revival
TNT 7/11/1981 p.B16 Paul Riggs .. who built the Top of the Ocean Restaurant along with his brother (death of Paul Riggs, former partner in the Tacoma Boat Mart)
TNT 12/16/1991 p.3 "Roadside Attractions"
TNT 12/22/1996 p.A1 Boom town Tacoma (il) T.Daily Index 12/15/1997 p.1 City struck a deal for new park (new McCarver Street Waterfront Park to occupy site)
TNT 12/25/2001 p.B1 Good nature won Tacoma restauranteur Leonard Moline friends Senior Scene Aug. 2006 p.8 Top of the Ocean (il)
TNT 10/29/2007 p.A1,B1 Club's back on top, in a form; the unveiling of a bronze monument to Tacoma's Top of the Ocean club rekindles memories of a time of dancing and drama (il of sculpture by artist Paul R. Michaels) T.Weekly 11/1/2007 p.A1 Inflammable memorial captures good times (il) 358.4 G941G p.21 (ad,il) 363.37 T142O p.160 (account of fire) (il) 796 T119T 1950 (il) 796.0979 G135P p.24 (il) 979.702 G135O p.113 (il)
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);
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;
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);
In November of 1947, Tacoma's Top of the Ocean was in such high demand, that the restaurant had to reduce the general operating hours for the public. Clubs and organizations now had more time options in reserving private dining rooms. Interior view of the main dining room and dance floor. Orchestra area in background, where Hal Gullett's Orchestra appeared on the weekends, photo ordered by Condon Advertising. The Top of the Ocean was also home to the Tacoma Athletic Commission. They maintained their own private club on the upper level with its own private entrance. (T. Times, 11/28/47, p. 5). TPL-8248
Dance floors--Tacoma--1940-1950; Table settings & decorations; Restaurants--Tacoma--1940-1950; Interior decoration; Top of the Ocean (Tacoma); Tacoma Athletic Commission (Tacoma); Condon Co., Inc. (Tacoma);
Captain's Quarters at the Tacoma Athletic Commission's Club located at the Top of the Ocean restaurant. Tacoma's Top of the Ocean was likely the most popular place in town. It was conveniently located in Tacoma's Old Town waterfront. Interior view of a smaller dining room with dance floor and jukebox, bar in foreground, photo ordered by Condon Advertising (T. Times, 11/28/47, p. 5).
Dance floors--Tacoma--1940-1950; Jukeboxes; Restaurants--Tacoma--1940-1950; Interior decoration; Top of the Ocean (Tacoma); Tacoma Athletic Commission (Tacoma); Condon Co., Inc. (Tacoma);
Photograph taken in November of 1947 of the Captain's Quarters at the Tacoma Athletic Commission's Club, located on the upper level of the Top of the Ocean, 2217 Ruston Way. Top of the Ocean housed Tacoma Athletic Commission, which retained its own private Club on the top level. The lower portions of the facility were open to the public. Organizations could also rent the facilities for parties. A cocktail area in the TAC Club is pictured; with a small dance floor, cocktail tables and comfortable chairs, a full bar and slot machines against the back wall. Photo ordered by Condon Advertising. (T. Times, 11/28/47, p. 5).
Dance floors--Tacoma--1940-1950; Restaurants--Tacoma--1940-1950; Top of the Ocean (Tacoma); Tacoma Athletic Commission (Tacoma);
Captain's Quarters at the Tacoma Athletic Commission's Club located on the upper level of the Top of the Ocean. Top of the Ocean housed Tacoma Athletic Commission, but its main dining room was also open to the public. They advertised smorgasbord dinners for $1.00 and dinners from their menu for $1.75 to $3.50. Interior view of a smaller dining room with dance floor, a fully stocked bar with mirrors in background, photo ordered by Condon Advertising (T. Times, 11/28/47, p. 5).
Dance floors--Tacoma--1940-1950; Bars (Furniture)--Tacoma; Restaurants--Tacoma--1940-1950; Interior decoration; Top of the Ocean (Tacoma); Tacoma Athletic Commission (Tacoma); Condon Co., Inc. (Tacoma);
Tacoma Athletic Commission was located on the top levels of the Top of the Ocean restaurant. The club had private facilities and a separate entrance, available to all club members and their guests, many private events were scheduled in this area. View of snack bar at Tacoma Athletic Commission, nine stools surround the leather padded bar, coffee pots, menu board, and flower vases on the back counter; salt, pepper and sugar are located on the lunch counter.
Bars (Furniture)--Tacoma; Snack bars--Tacoma; Athletic clubs--Tacoma; Top of the Ocean (Tacoma); Tacoma Athletic Commission (Tacoma);
Tacoma Athletic Commission was busy planning many summer events, the baseball excursion was coming up and the club's facilities would be used to host a pre-baseball party and a victory celebration after the double header and return trip home. View of snack bar and lounge at Tacoma Athletic Commission, dance floor in center, tables, chairs and loveseats help create a relaxed atmosphere.
Bars (Furniture)--Tacoma; Lounges--Tacoma; Snack bars--Tacoma; Athletic clubs--Tacoma; Top of the Ocean (Tacoma); Tacoma Athletic Commission (Tacoma);
Employees and guests of the Pacific Telephone & Telegraph Company enjoy a retirement dinner at the Top of the Ocean on August 8, 1950. Pacific Telephone & Telegraph was located at 757 Fawcett Avenue.
Pacific Telephone & Telegraph Co. (Tacoma)--Employees; Top of the Ocean (Tacoma); Telephone companies--Tacoma; Celebrations--Tacoma--1950-1960;
In celebration of their 25th anniversary, radio and television manufacturer Packard Bell hosts their dealers at the Top of the Ocean. N. Earl Davisson, Packard Bell distributer, was the host. The phenomenal growth of the television industry was outlined in a speech by company Vice President Joe E. Spain. In prewar 1940, Packard Bell's total volume of business was $1,600,000. The war brought a shift to military communications manufacturing. Post war business volume was $6,000,000 in 1949 and $18,000,000 in 1950. (TNT 2/8/1951, pg. B-6)
Top of the Ocean (Tacoma); Televisions--1950-1960; Packard Bell Co. (Tacoma);
The Washington State Tavern Association hosted a luncheon for women of the association and members' wives at the Top of the Ocean during the three day convention held in Tacoma. The large group of women are seen in front of and on the covered ramp up to the unique restaurant built in the shape of a ship. A sign advertises: "Smorgasbord Daily". (TNT, 10/21/1952, p.2)
Restaurants--Tacoma; Nightclubs--Tacoma; Top of the Ocean (Tacoma); Washington State Tavern Association (Tacoma); Women--Tacoma--1950-1960;
Banquet for Gonzaga University Alumnae Association. Gonzaga alumnae from the Tacoma & Olympia areas and parents of current students gathered at the Top of the Ocean on 11/21/1953 to hear the president's report delivered by the Very Rev. Francis E. Corkery, S.J., president of the University. (TNT 11/15/1953, pg. B-5)
Banquets--Tacoma--1950-1960; Alumni & alumnae--Tacoma--1950-1960; Gonzaga University Alumnae Association (Tacoma);
ca. 1956. Telephone Pioneers of America. A group composed of employees from the early days of phone service pose in a group picture around a sign stating "It's fun to be a pioneer." The annual banquet of the Telephone Pioneers was scheduled at the Top of the Ocean. Over 275 pioneers from Washington and British Columbia attended. (TNT 6-11-1956, pg. 26)
Telephone Pioneers of America (Tacoma); Banquets--Tacoma--1950-1960;
Architect's sketch of design for a Marine Terrace adjacent to the Top of the Ocean restaurant on Ruston Way by Lance, McGuire and Muri, Architects with a cost estimated at $80,000. The plan included a retaining wall surrounding the ship like restaurant that would be 150 feet long extending 70 feet out into Commencement Bay with a 170 foot width. A landing dock would permit sea craft direct access to the club facilities. Within the retaining wall, the space would be filled with dirt and landscaped surrounding a salt water swimming pool. Proposed by the Tacoma Athletic Commission, then owners of the Top of the Ocean, the facility was not built. (TNT 3/26/1950 pg. A-5)
Top of the Ocean (Tacoma); Tacoma Athletic Commission (Tacoma); Architectural drawings;
