Ben and Marian Cheney smile broadly as they pose with guest Andy Gilbert (left) at the 1963 Washington State Sports Hall of Fame banquet sponsored by the Tacoma Athletic Commission on February 6, 1963. Also at the top of the stairs on the upper right is Tacoma Athletic Commission president William (Bill) Gazecki. Mr. Cheney was a well known sports fan whose generosity allowed thousands of Tacoma youngsters to participate in organized sports. He was instrumental in bringing the Tacoma Giants Pacific Coast League baseball team to Tacoma to play in Cheney Stadium. Mr. Gilbert was the newly named manager of the Tacoma Giants. His pro career spanned twelve years as he performed at every position other than catcher. In his rookie season in the Ohio State League, Mr. Gilbert broke his neck sliding head-first into second base. Undeterred, he returned to baseball the following year. (TNT 2-4-63, p. 14-article) (Additional identification provided by a reader)

Tacoma Athletic Commission (Tacoma); Awards; Washington State Sports Hall of Fame (Tacoma); Cheney, Ben B., 1905-1971; Cheney, Marian; Gilbert, Andy; Gazecki, William;

On December 30, 1946, Mayor Val Fawcett, far right, is pictured congratulating officers of the Tacoma Athletic Commission at the opening of their headquarters at the Top of the Ocean. L to R: Dave Tuell, Bob Sanders, Gerry Waechter. Mr. Waechter was the chairman of the club. Over 1500 members and associate members attended the formal opening. Mayor Fawcett is also a director of the T.A.C. ALBUM 14. (T.Times 12-31-46, p. 12)

Mayors--Tacoma--1940-1950; Fawcett, Clarence Valdo, 1900-1965; Tacoma Athletic Commission (Tacoma); Tuell, Dave; Sanders, Bob; Waechter, Gerry;

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);

Mrs. Dorothy Hopping (far right) and Mrs. Alice Waechter (center), the wife of the President of the Tacoma Athletic Commission, looked on as Janet Saxton modeled a glamorous winter dress at the Athletic Club Fashion Show. Held on September 25, 1947 at the Top of the Ocean restaurant, the style show featured the latest in winter evening apparel and furs for the style-minded women of Tacoma. (T. Times, 9/27/47, p. 9).

Fashion shows--Tacoma--1940-1950; Fashion models--Tacoma--1940-1950; Saxton, Janet; Hopping, Dorothy; Waechter, Alice; Women--Clothing & dress--Tacoma--1940-1950; Hats--1940-1950; Tacoma Athletic Commission (Tacoma); Top of the Ocean (Tacoma);

The Tacoma Athletic Commission fur and fashion show had the latest in the 1947 fall and winter styles. Club members enjoyed a luncheon which was followed by the style show in the Top of the Ocean restaurant. View of fashion model wearing a two piece gabardine suit under her spotted leopard fur coat, the beautiful hat compliments her new winter look (T. Times, 9/24/47, p. 5).

Fashion shows--Tacoma--1940-1950; Fashion models--Tacoma--1940-1950; Women--Clothing & dress--Tacoma--1940-1950; Hats--1940-1950; Fur coats; Tacoma Athletic Commission (Tacoma); Top of the Ocean (Tacoma);

The Tuberculosis League of Pierce County just received a new mobile x-ray unit. The mobile unit was purchased with funds from the sale of Christmas Seals, it was ordered two years ago, but the modern x-ray equipment was not ready until just a few weeks ago. The Tuberculosis League hopes to see a decrease in the mortality rates in Tacoma with this new modern equipment. The League celebrated their new acquisition with a luncheon at the Top of the Ocean restaurant this was followed by an x-ray exam in the new mobile unit. Names appear in newspaper (T. Times, 11/24/47, p. 2).

Radiography; Radiologists; Health care--Tacoma; Mobile health units--Tacoma; Clinics--Tacoma; Community service--Tacoma--1940-1950; Christmas seals; Tuberculosis League of Pierce County (Tacoma);

Top of the Ocean was one of the most luxurious and beautiful dine and dance liners in the Pacific Northwest. The restaurant was open to the public throughout the week, they had a regular orchestra that played on Fridays and Saturdays. Bill Slater, was the head chef at the restaurant, Slater was known as a "World Famous Chef". Top of the Ocean offered their clients the very best. This image appeared in an advertisement in the Tacoma Times (T. Times, 11/28/47, p. 5). TPL-2523

Restaurants--Tacoma; Nightclubs--Tacoma; Tacoma Athletic Commission (Tacoma); Top of the Ocean (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);

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);

Committee group of five at Top of the Ocean, Betty Lou Broz. The committee members planning the Tacoma Panhellenic luncheon and bridge party held February 7, 1948, met at the Top of the Ocean. All alumnae of national sororities were invited to attend the affair that was also held at the Top of the Ocean. L-R, they are, Wilma L. (Mrs. Arthur) Schmitz, Mary L. (Mrs. Edward I.) Broz, Beatrice R. (Mrs. Douglass C.) Welch, Marguerite B. (Mrs. Frederick L.) Clearman, and Mrs. T.G. Sutherland. (T.Times, 2/2/1948, p.11)

Tacoma Panhellenic Committee (Tacoma); Clubs--Tacoma--1940-1950; Top of the Ocean (Tacoma); Clubwomen--Tacoma--1940-1950; Schmitz, Wilma L.; Broz, Mary L.; Welch, Beatrice R.; Clearman, Marguerite B.; Fraternities & sororities--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Tacoma Panhellenic Conference at Top of the Ocean, TNT, Frank Lockerby. Over 200 alumnae of national college sororities met at the Top of the Ocean for luncheon and bridge playing afterwards on Saturday, February 7th, 1948. "Wear Your Pin" was the theme of the first Tacoma Panhellenic Day. The ladies above were not identified. (T.Times, 2/2/1948, p.11-article; TNT 2-9-48, p. 4-article & various photographs)

Top of the Ocean (Tacoma); Tacoma Panhellenic Conference (Tacoma); Playing cards; Clubwomen--Tacoma--1940-1950; Fraternities & sororities--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Mayor C. Val Fawcett escorts Gretchen Kunigk Fraser under crossed ski poles held by a Honor Guard during the April 5, 1948, Tacoma Athletic Commission reception celebrating her victories at the 1948 Winter Olympics. Members of the Tacoma Ski Club smile as they cross poles. Tacoma residents, 600 strong, welcomed back their hometown girl at the T.A.C. reception held at the Top of the Ocean. Also in attendance was Mrs. Fraser's husband, Don, who was a member of the 1936 Winter Olympic team. ALBUM 9. (TNT 4-6-48, p. 1)

Athletes; Skiers--Tacoma--1940-1950; Fraser, Gretchen Kunigk, 1919-1994; Fawcett, Clarence Valdo, 1900-1965; Mayors--Tacoma--1940-1950; Celebrations--Tacoma--1940-1950; Tacoma Athletic Commission (Tacoma); Tacoma Ski Club (Tacoma);

Olympic skier and medalist from Tacoma, Gretchen Kunigk Fraser, was honored with a reception sponsored by the Tacoma Athletic Commission on April 5, 1948. She is shown seated at the daffodil-covered head table with Mayor C. Val Fawcett, T.A.C. ski committee chair Jerry Geehan, and Howard R. Smith, T.A.C. president. A gift of silver candelabras was presented to Mrs. Fraser by Mr. Smith and Mr. Geehan. Mrs. Fraser in the same busy weekend also rode in the 15th annual Daffodil Parade and attended the Tacoma Ski Club's first annual Daffodil races. ALBUM 9.

Athletes; Skiers--Tacoma--1940-1950; Fraser, Gretchen Kunigk, 1919-1994; Fawcett, Clarence Valdo, 1900-1965; Mayors--Tacoma--1940-1950; Smith, Howard R.; Geehan, Jerry; Celebrations--Tacoma--1940-1950; Tacoma Athletic Commission (Tacoma);

Tacoma Athletic Commission reception in April, 1948, in honor of Gretchen Kunigk Fraser's victory in the 1948 Winter Olympics. Husband Don Fraser is to her left in photo, Mayor C. Val Fawcett is in background at far left. Olympic rings are hung over a winter backdrop. Mrs. Fraser captured the gold medal in women's slalom. Howard R. Smith, president of the T.A.C., and Jerry Geehan, chairman of the ski committee, present Mrs. Fraser with a pair of silver candelabras. The woman to the rear of the Frasers is believed to be Mrs. Fraser's mother, Clara (Mrs. W.A.) Kunigk. ALBUM 9. (TNT 4-6-48, p. 1)

Athletes; Skiers; Fraser, Gretchen Kunigk, 1919-1994; Fraser, Don, 1914-1994; Fawcett, Clarence Valdo, 1900-1965; Mayors--Tacoma--1940-1950; Smith, Howard R.; Geehan, Jerry; Candelabras;

The Tacoma Athletic Commission celebrates the victory of Olympic Gold and Silver Medal winner Gretchen Kunigk Fraser by holding a dinner in her honor at the Top of The Ocean restaurant on April 5, 1948. Mayor Val Fawcett escorts Mrs. Fraser under a salute of crossed ski poles held by an Honor Guard representing the Tacoma Ski Team. Tacoma-raised Gretchen Fraser won in the Alpine skiing races at the 1948 Winter Olympics held in St. Moritz, placing first in the Slalom for a Gold Medal and second in the Alpine Combined race for a Silver Medal. TPL-5699, TPL-5049. ALBUM 9.

Athletes; Skiers; Fraser, Gretchen Kunigk, 1919-1994; Mayors--Tacoma--1940-1950; Fawcett, Clarence Valdo, 1900-1965; Tacoma Athletic Commission (Tacoma); Tacoma Ski Club (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;

Interior of bar to show Christmas decorations, Tacoma Athletic Commission, Metcalf. The Tacoma Athletic Commission decorated the back wall of the bar at the Top of the Ocean with a hand-painted sign showing a snowy scene with a comfortable home snuggled up against a woods. The ground slopes down to a bay with ships on the water and a mountainous island in the distance. An artificial showman has taken over the cash register. Artificial icicles hang over the sign and tinsel hangs over the front of the bar.

Restaurants--Tacoma; Athletic clubs--Tacoma; Decorations--Tacoma; Bars--Tacoma; Lounges--Tacoma; Murals--Tacoma; Tacoma Athletic Commission (Tacoma); Top of the Ocean (Tacoma); Christmas decorations;

Attendees at the Saturday, 3/11/1950, Panhellenic luncheon at the Top of the Ocean. The annual affair recognized the friendship among alumnae of all area sorority groups affiliated with the national Panhellenic congress. The program featured a smorgasbord and a musical program. The decorations, as shown in the picture, were replicas of represented sorority's pins displayed on the back curtain. (TNT 3/8/1950 pg. 37, TNT 3/15/1950 pg. 10-picture and names)

Top of the Ocean (Tacoma); Events--Tacoma--1950-1960; Fraternities & Sororities--Tacoma--1950-1960;

A group of thirteen people from the Federation of Garden Clubs met at the Top of the Ocean. Ordered by Mrs. Fred Gordon.

Top of the Ocean (Tacoma); Meetings--Tacoma--1950-1960; Washington State Federation of Garden Clubs (Tacoma);

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;

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;

Bedecked with Hawaiian leis, entertainer Alfred Apaka and members of the Tacoma Athletic Commission enjoy an evening at the Top of the Ocean. Mr. Apaka, shown here in white shirt and cloth lei, was asked to bring his orchestra to Tacoma to perform at the T.A.C. Hawaiian dinner-dance in October, 1950. Smiling for the camera are J.J. Petrich (in background); others seated are Mr. and Mrs. Henry Wannberg, Mr. Apaka, Elsie Pitzen. Standing are Mr. and Mrs. Howard Lichtenwalter. (TNT 10-8-50, p. D-8)

Tacoma Athletic Commission (Tacoma); Events--Tacoma--1950-1960; Apaka, Alfred; Top of the Ocean (Tacoma);

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;

Jeanne and Jack Walters were honored by the Tacoma Golf Association at the Top of the Ocean on September 15, 1949, as the city's reigning links champions and as the first husband-wife team to win the city amateur and city women's titles. They had won their championships earlier that summer. Besides their handsome trophies, the Walters were presented with a silver table lighter as a gift from the T.G.A. and a pair of table lamps by the Tacoma Athletic Commission. Jack Walters was only 16 and a student at Stadium High School when he won the first of his 17 Northwest Lefthanders championships. He would go on to win the National Association of Left-Handed Golfers Championships twice, first in 1953 at French Lick, Indiana, and seven years later on the Fircrest Golf Club course. (T.N.T., 9/16/49, p. D-2-article; Gallacci, et. al., Playgrounds to the Pros, p. 281-article).

Awards; Golfers--Tacoma--1940-1950; Walters, Jack J.; Walters, Jeanne; Lamps; Organizations' facilities--Tacoma; Tournaments--Tacoma; Top of the Ocean (Tacoma); Tacoma Golf Association (Tacoma);

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);

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;

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. 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;

Mayor John H. Anderson (far left) and former Mayor and current Councilman Harold Tollefson hold the framed citation declaring Tacoma an All-American City at the recognition banquet held on January 15, 1957 at the Top of the Ocean, 2217 Ruston Way. Standing between them are: (l to r) City Manager David Rowland and Frank Backstrom, Tacoma's first City Manager. The award, presented to Tacoma by the National Municipal League and Look Magazine, noted the achievement that Tacoma had made, progressing from a 1952 "bad" rating to a model for city action. Effective June 1, 1953, Tacoma voted in a council-manager form of government. The council hired Frank Backstrom from Kansas City to serve as the first City Manager. He reorganized the structure of the city government and hired Police Chief Roy Kerr, from Topeka, to clean up the vice. Tollefson served as the first Mayor appointed by the Council, followed by Anderson. Backstrom had recently left Tacoma and was replaced by David Rowlands. (TNT 1/15-16/1957, pg. 1) G10.1

Awards; Anderson, John H.; Rowlands, David; Backstrom, Frank; Tollefson, Harold M., 1908-1985; Mayors--Tacoma--1950-1960;