ca. 1946. Diners enjoy a lavish buffet at the Top of the Ocean, a unique dance-and-dine experience, circa 1946. It was designed to resemble an ocean liner and built for approximately $100,000. The Top of the Ocean, often simply called "The Top" by locals, had its formal opening on December 15, 1946. The Tacoma Athletic Commission would purchase "The Top" nearly two years later and it would be the scene of many banquets and meetings for years. The Top of the Ocean was destroyed by fire on April 3, 1977, and never rebuilt.

Top of the Ocean (Tacoma); Restaurants--Tacoma--1940-1950; Banquets--Tacoma--1940-1950;

1955 American Red Cross annual meeting. The annual meeting, in addition to the presentation of the annual report and the election of officers, included the capping ceremony of the new Gray Ladies to serve at the Veterans Hospital at American Lake. The ceremony was conducted by Olive (Mrs. C.E.) Bryan, Veterans Administration Volunteer Service Representative, seated left, and Mrs. Frank Pulito, Chairman of the American Lake Gray Ladies, seated right. The ladies in the white collared uniforms with the red cross and white nurses caps are the new Gray Ladies. They are, standing left to right, Mrs. Irene Stephens, Mrs. Bertha Elliott, Mrs. Dorthea Kenna and Mrs. Francis Pearson. They will serve with the Red Cross as volunteer workers to aid the veterans hospitalized there. (TNT 2/20/1955, pg. C-10)

Bryan, Olive; Stephens, Irene; Elliott, Bertha; Kenna, Dorthea; Pearson, Francis; American National Red Cross Pierce County Chapter (Tacoma); Charitable organizations--Tacoma; Community service--Tacoma--1950-1960; Uniforms; Women--Tacoma--1950-1960;

1955 American Red Cross annual meeting. Dr. Charles G. Trimble is receiving an award from Gordon E. Tatum commemorating his 30 years of selfless volunteer service with the Tacoma-Pierce County chapter of the American Red Cross. Pictured, left to right, are Dr. Trimble, Vincent A. Carlstrom, Chapter Chairman and Tatum, member of the Board of Directors. Carlstrom was also re-elected this evening as Chairman of the organization. He stated during his acceptance that the Red Cross was not a charity organization, it was a service organization. "When help is needed, the Red Cross is there to help." (TNT 2/20/1955, pg C-10)

American Red Cross Pierce County Chapter (Tacoma); Trimble, Charles G.; Carlstrom, Vincent A.; Tatum, Gordon E.;

1955 American Red Cross annual meeting. A plaque is being presented to Dr. C.G. Trimble by Gordon E. Tatum commemorating Trimble's 30 years of volunteer service with the Tacoma-Pierce County Chapter of the American Red Cross. Pictured, left to right, are Dr. Trimble, Rita Zehnder, president-elect of the Junior Red Cross, Vincent A. Carlstrom, Chapter Chairman and Tatum, member of the Board of Directors. The annual meeting was held at the Top of the Ocean. Aside from awards, the program consisted of the presentation of the annual report and the election of officers. (TNT 2/20/1955, pg C-10)

American Red Cross Pierce County Chapter (Tacoma); Trimble, Charles G.; Zehnder, Rita; Carlstrom, Vincent A.; Tatum, Gordon E.;

Seattle businessman Cliff Warling (left) presented Lincoln football players Duane Lowell (center) and Jack Walters the trophy bearing his name at the Lincoln High School football banquet held at the Top of the Ocean on December 8, 1954. The trophy was given each year to the team selected as the best high school football team in the state by a poll of the Associated Press sportswriters in Washington. This was the second time that Lincoln had received this honor in the award's eight years. They also won the Class A trophy in 1948. Norm Mayer was the coach in both 1948 and '54. Lowell played left end and Walters left guard as starters for the Lincoln team. Both players were named to the All-City team in a poll of head coaches; Lowell and Walters were also team co-captains. Photograph ordered by Lincolnian yearbook. (TNT 12-1-54, C-9; TNT 12-5-54, C-18; 1955 Lincolnian yearbook) TPL-9113

Awards; Lincoln High School (Tacoma); Football players--Tacoma--1950-1960; Warling, Cliff; Lowell, Duane; Walters, Jack;

Coach Norm Mayer of Lincoln High School and Cliff Warling display the Cliff Warling trophy plaque awarded to the Class "A" State Champion football team on December 8, 1954. Previous recipient had been Olympia High School in 1953. In 1954, Lincoln High School of Tacoma was voted #1 in their division by the 29 state sportswriters and broadcasters. They won the award over Aberdeen High School. Photograph ordered by the Lincolnian yearbook. (TNT 12-1-54, C-9)

Awards; Lincoln High School (Tacoma); Mayer, Norm; Warling, Cliff;

Newly elected officers for 1955 of the Tacoma Master Builders Association pose at the Tacoma Athletic Commission's headquarters on December 3, 1954. Art Manley, president, is shown pounding his beribboned gavel, the Master Builders hammer. Smiling broadly with Manley are Bob Good and Walter Witte. Also enjoying the camaraderie are (standing) Ralph Peltier, Howard Wilson, Gordon Korsmo, and Del Belfoy. Sepia photograph ordered by Tacoma Master Builders Association. (TNT 12-8-54, C-5)

Tacoma Master Builders Association (Tacoma);

Many Tacoma Master Builders Association members enjoyed the Spike Banquet at the Top of the Ocean on November 16, 1954. Seated are Ed Miller, Gordon Korsmo, and Walter Witte. Standing are Robert Cowden, Leo Nelson, two unidentified women, Don Murphy and Art Manley. Del Belfoy was absent in this sepia photograph. Of interest to the membership is a large banner behind the group promoting the N.A.M.B. convention and exposition in Chicago the following January

Tacoma Master Builders Association (Tacoma); Group portraits;

Over forty members of Stadium High School's Class of '46 enjoyed a reunion luncheon at the Top of the Ocean on September 2, 1954. This was the third gathering of former classmates since graduation. Plans for a family picnic and a dinner dance were discussed for future reunions. (TNT 9-1-54, A-9)

Reunions--Tacoma--1950-1960; Public schools--Tacoma--1950-1960; Stadium High School (Tacoma);

Jack Walters Night at the Tacoma Athletic Commission. Jack and Jeanne Walters pose with an unidentified couple plus a statue and caricature of Jack after his triumph in the National Left-handed golf championships. Jack, a winning southpaw golfer since he was 16, won on his seventh attempt at the championship. The golfer, known for his long drives, competed in his first national in 1937. In the 1940s, he took time out from golf to serve with the infantry as a sergeant during the Philippines campaign. He contracted malaria in the tropics and recuperated before returning to golf. His wife was a former city womens and Champion of Champions titlist. (TNT 7/19/1953, pg. B-9)

Tacoma Athletic Commission (Tacoma); Top of the Ocean (Tacoma); Walters, Jack J.; Walters, Jeanne; Golfers--Tacoma--1950-1960;

New and old officers of Marcetta-Ki pose for a group portrait at the Top of the Ocean restaurant on May 21, 1953. The girls belonged to a marching drill team from Lincoln High School. They participated in many events, including marching in the Daffodil parade. Photograph ordered by Mary Clinton.

Marcetta-Ki (Tacoma); Student organizations--Tacoma; Students--Tacoma--1950-1960; Group portraits;

Six men take a break from their duties at the Top of the Ocean. Three of the men wear white uniforms and chef's hats. Magazines and an ash tray are seen on the table in front of them.

Restaurants--Tacoma; Top of the Ocean (Tacoma); Men--Tacoma--1950-1960;

In 1949, Louie Grenier's Orchestra provided dance music at the Top of the Ocean throughout the season,Tuesday through Saturday. Louie Grenier had been a popular band leader in the Tacoma area since the 1930s. His orchestra had the distinction of a continuous Top of the Ocean engagement for the four years previous to 1949. L-R, back row, Don Wallen, trumpet and vocals; Bob Lind, drums; front row, Joe Martin, sax, clarinet and oboe; Morris Kenton, sax, clarinet and flute; Louis Grenier, sax, clarinet, organ and vocals; Bob Columbini, piano, celeste, organ and vocals. The orchestra, which played hit parade melodies and listed over 900 tunes for special requests from dancers, was featured at the restaurant for 27 years. (TNT, 3/1/1952, p.20)

Big bands--Tacoma; Top of the Ocean (Tacoma); Louie Grenier's Orchestra (Tacoma); Wallen, Don; Lind, Bob; Martin, Joe; Kenton, Morris; Grenier, Louie; Columbini, Bob;

The Golden Gloves Committee met at the Top of the Ocean. Amateur boxers from as far away as Vancouver, B.C. and Eugene, Oregon, were expected for the fourth annual Tacoma Golden Gloves tournament that was held at the College of Puget Sound fieldhouse. There were 48 entrants in the 1951 bout and 85 were expected this year. Shown are, L-R, seated: Carter Lee, Ken Purchase, Ples Irwin, George Sheridan, Ray Kelly, Henry Auge, and Charles Funk. Standing: Howie Welsh, John Rockway, Bob Martin, Jim Rondeau, Al Kemp, Vernie Reed, Clay Huntington, and Harry (Scotty) Weinstone. Ordered by Tacoma Athletic Commission. (TNT, 1/25/1952, p.C-9)

Top of the Ocean (Tacoma); Restaurants--Tacoma--1950-1960; Tacoma Athletic Commission (Tacoma); Boxing--Tacoma--1950-1960;

The Tacoma Power Squadron's newly elected officers are shown at the Top of the Ocean. They are, L-R, Neil Armstrong, treasurer; Dr. Robert Sprenger, lieutenant commander; Cecil Powell, commander; Harvey Johnson, secretary. Back row, Ernie Thomson, past commander; Monta Boston, member of executive board; and Warren Rathbun, flag officer. Rufus Parker, new member of the executive board, was not present for the photograph. (TNT, 1/20/1952, p.B-9)

Tacoma Power Squadron (Tacoma); Top of the Ocean (Tacoma); Restaurants--Tacoma--1950-1960; Armstrong, Neil; Sprenger, Robert; Powell, Cecil E.; Johnson, Harvey; Thomson, Ernie; Boston, Monta; Rathbun, Warren;

Exposure of amateur boxing brothers Pat and Mike McMurtry and their family for the Tacoma Athletic Commission boxing awards at the Top of the Ocean. A "no host" dinner was given March 16, 1951 to honor local amateur boxing stars Pat and Mike McMurtry. It was sponsored by TAC which had placed Pat's name on its Hall of Fame plaque in the Club's lounge. Pat won the Northwest Golden Gloves Golden Boy 1951 award as well as the light heavyweight title of that classic in Seattle. He was the winner of the 1951 Tacoma Golden Gloves crown for that division, as well as the Western Canada Diamond Belt Championship in Vancouver, B.C. Mike, the younger brother of Pat, won the Oregon state heavyweight title and the Western Canada Diamond Belt crown. Between them, the brothers scored five title victories during the last Northwest amateur season- a Tacoma record. Burt McMurtrie, newscaster and long time booster of the brothers, was the master of ceremonies. (TNT 3/16/1951, pg. 26)

Tacoma Athletic Commission (Tacoma); Top of the Ocean (Tacoma); McMurtry, Pat; Boxing--Tacoma--1950-1960; Boxers (Sports)--Tacoma--1950-1960; McMurtry, Mike;

Women modelling well coifed tresses for the hair style show staged for the Ladies of Lions Visitation luncheon at the Top of the Ocean. The Visitation was an annual event where the Tacoma Ladies hosted other groups from Seattle and the surrounding area.The 1951 affair had a beauty shop theme with ceramic heads topped with spring flowers in their hair for table favors. This photo was also used in an ad by LLoyds Hair Design Studio. The models were coifed by Mr. John, the hair stylist that "makes the most of your beauty," in the newest spring styles, the "Gothic Line." Mr. John also promised to share his secrets of the wimple and the crisping pin. The models, left to right, are Mrs. Marilyn Andrews, Mrs. Joan Scott, Mrs. Erna Harrison and Mrs. Georgia Glenewinkle. (Ad TNT 3/18/1951, pg D-4, story TNT 3/11/1951, pg D-5)

Hairstyles--Tacoma--1950-1960; Evening gowns--Tacoma--1950-1960; Ladies of the Lions Visitation (Tacoma); Scott, Joan; Harrison, Erna; Glenewinkle, Georgia; Andrews, Marilyn;

Five men stand around a new model Packard Bell television at the Top of the Ocean exhibit. A portrait of founder H.A. Bell smiles down from the wall. The festivities were hosted by Packard Bell to celebrate their 25th year in business. In attendance from the Los Angeles home office were Vice President Joe E. Spain, General Sales Manager Kenneth R. Johnson and Glen C. Tillack, chief field engineer. N. Earl Davisson, PB distributer, was host. The highlight of the evening was the preview of Packard Bell's 1951 "Masterpiece Founders Series." (TNT 2/8/1951, pg. B-6)

Top of the Ocean (Tacoma); Televisions--1950-1960; Packard Bell Co. (Tacoma);

Group of six Master Builders at Top of the Ocean restaurant in pleasant conversation on November 29, 1950. They were part of a thriving membership in the Master Builders Association, all of whom prided themselves in providing excellent workmanship to their clientele.

Tacoma Master Builders Association (Tacoma); Meetings--Tacoma--1950-1960; Top of the Ocean (Tacoma);

A large contingent of Master Builders met at the Top of the Ocean restaurant on November 29, 1950. The group was composed of local contractors and others in the building industry who were proud of their craftsmanship. They had their association headquarters at 1103 1/2 Division Ave.

Tacoma Master Builders Association (Tacoma); Meetings--Tacoma--1950-1960; Top of the Ocean (Tacoma);

Vaudeville Party at Top of the Ocean, photograph ordered by Tacoma Actors Guild. Audience seated at tables around dance floor. Two of the columns in the room have sea shell decorations near top of column. For Tacoma Actors Guild, Frank Murtough.

Top of the Ocean (Tacoma); Tacoma Actors Guild (Tacoma); Parties--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Vaudeville Party at the Top of the Ocean, photograph ordered by the Tacoma Actors Guild.. Man at microphone addressing audience seated at tables around dance floor. Two of the columns in the room have sea shell decorations near top of column. For Tacoma Actors Guild, Frank Murtough.

Top of the Ocean (Tacoma); Tacoma Actors Guild (Tacoma); Parties--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Vaudeville Party at the Top of the Ocean, photograph ordered by Tacoma Actors Guild. Two men and three women, acting as restaurant staff, at bar. For Tacoma Actors Guild, Frank Murtough.

Top of the Ocean (Tacoma); Tacoma Actors Guild (Tacoma); Parties--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Vaudeville Party at the Top of the Ocean, photograph ordered by Tacoma Actors Guild. Group of men and women seated at tables with Bingo cards. For Tacoma Actors Guild, Frank Murtough.

Top of the Ocean (Tacoma); Tacoma Actors Guild (Tacoma); Parties--Tacoma--1950-1960;

People enjoyed the floorshow at the Halloween Party sponsored by the Tacoma Athletic Commission at the Top of the Ocean. A group are seen here wearing party hats and holding party favors. Ordered by Will Maylon.

Tacoma Athletic Commission (Tacoma); Top of the Ocean (Tacoma); Dinner parties--Tacoma--1950-1960; Halloween--Social life;

A woman acrobat provided part of the evenings entertainment at the Halloween party sponsored by the Tacoma Athletic Commission on October 30, 1950. In this photograph she is balancing on the platform at the top of a small step-platform with her toes pointed straight up at the ceiling. The acrobate is probably Patsy Jean Smith, who studied acrobatics at the Barclay School in Seattle. Mr. Barclay also taught at the Lewis Harter Studios, 945 1/2 Broadway in Tacoma. The Athletic Commission Halloween party was held at the Top of the Ocean. (T. Times 10-06-1948 p.5) Ordered by Will Maylon.

Tacoma Athletic Commission (Tacoma); Top of the Ocean (Tacoma); Dinner parties--Tacoma--1950-1960; Halloween--Social life; Stunt performers--Tacoma; Entertainers--Tacoma;

Three men hold ukeleles with heads stuck on top of the necks while they sing in front of a microphone at the Halloween party sponsored by the Tacoma Athletic Commission at the Top of the Ocean. A man in the background is playing a white piano while the crowd looks on. Ordered by Will Maylon.

Tacoma Athletic Commission (Tacoma); Top of the Ocean (Tacoma); Dinner parties--Tacoma--1950-1960; Halloween--Social life; Entertainers--Tacoma; Pianos; Ukeleles;

A woman contortionist performed on the dance floor with her legs elevated on two tables on either side of her body in a split formation . Her body is lower than her feet. Groups of people who are seated at tables around dance floor applaud her performance during the Halloween party sponsored by the Tacoma Athletic Commission at the Top of the Ocean. Ordered by Will Maylon.

Tacoma Athletic Commission (Tacoma); Top of the Ocean (Tacoma); Dinner parties--Tacoma--1950-1960; Halloween--Social life; Stunt performers--Tacoma; Entertainers--Tacoma;