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;

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);

The Tacoma Yacht Club Shipmates would be modeling the latest "Sea and Sun" California-designed fashions in April of 1947 . All clothing modeled could be found at Fisher's Department Store's new Fashion Center, located on their third floor. View of four models in outfits perfect for sun bathing on a luxurious yacht or just cruising through the Pacific Northwest. They are standing on a small stage at the Top of the Ocean Restaurant (T. Times, 4/19/47, p. 13).

Fashion shows--Tacoma--1940-1950; Fashion models--Tacoma--1940-1950; Women--Clothing & dress--Tacoma--1940-1950; Children--Clothing & dress--Tacoma--1940-1950; Top of the Ocean (Tacoma); Tacoma Yacht Club (Tacoma);

The Tacoma Yacht Club's Shipmates would be modeling Fisher's Department Store's bright new California designed "Sea and Sun" fashions. The style show would be held at the Top of the Ocean restaurant. View of Shipmates club member wearing a pant suit, she is sporting the new line of cruise wear, and enjoying the fresh air aboard a beautiful luxurious sailboat (T. Times, 4/19/47, p. 13).

Fashion shows--Tacoma; Fashion models--Tacoma; Sailboats--Tacoma; Women--Clothing & dress--Tacoma; Fisher's Department Store (Tacoma);

Eight unidentified Tacoma Yacht Club Shipmates waved to the camera from aboard the "Altamaha" Yacht on April 2, 1947. They were enjoying Tacoma's Spring sunshine and showing off the latest in 1947 summer wear. Fisher's Department Store provided the Shipmates with "Sea and Sun" fashions for their annual fashion show. The show was held at the Top of the Ocean restaurant and was attended by more than seven hundred guests. T. Times, 4/19/47, p. 13).

Fashion shows--Tacoma; Fashion models--Tacoma; Spring--Tacoma; Fisher's Department Store (Tacoma); Bathing suits; Bathing beauties; Yachts--Tacoma;

The Tacoma Athletic Commission had moved into the Top of the Ocean restaurant in December 1946. The restaurant was open to the public, and the club had private facilities in the upper deck areas. The Tacoma Athletic Commission held many events and celebrations for their more than 1500 members and their wives. View of Tacoma Athletic Commission's staff standing outside of the new facilities.

Athletic clubs--Tacoma; Electric signs--Tacoma--1940-1950; Top of the Ocean (Tacoma); Tacoma Athletic Commission (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 Dinner for Gretchen Fraser. Gretchen Fraser, winner of the 1948 Olympic Gold Medal for the special slalom, was the first American skier to win an Olympic event. Here she is seen presenting the Tacoma Athletic Commission perpetual trophy for the Women's Daffodil Cup race to Janette Burr, winner and holder of the National Women's downhill title. The perpetual trophy was to be known as the Gretchen Kunigk Fraser Trophy. (TNT, 4/6/1948, p.14)

Top of the Ocean (Tacoma); Restaurants--Tacoma--1940-1950; Fraser, Gretchen Kunigk, 1919-1994; Skiers--Tacoma--1940-1950; Medals; Celebrations--Tacoma--1940-1950; Tacoma Athletic Commission (Tacoma); Burr, Janette;

As a special feature of the Tacoma Athletic Commission's baseball excursion to Yakima on Sunday June 20, 1948 Tacoma's manufactures sent boxes of Tacoma made products to Yakima to be given away at the baseball stadium. An estimated 500 fans from Tacoma attended the Sunday double-header between the Tigers and the Packers; Tacoma won both games by scores of 5 to 4 and 6 to 2. Before the baseball train left from Tacoma several T.A.C. officers and excursion committee members posed in front of the Top of the Ocean restaurant with a stack of gift cartons. Left to right are: Al Hunt (kneeling), who "sold" most of the manufacturers on the goodwill venture; Ted Haakinson, excursion chairman; Frank Gillihan, T.A.C. baseball chairman; Steve Pease; Jim Petersen; Jack Sonntag and T.A.C. president Howard R. Smith. (TNT, 6/18/1948, p. 17).

Athletic Clubs--Tacoma; Committees--Tacoma; Signs (Notices); Announcements--Tacoma; Baseball--Tacoma--1940-1950; Delegations--Tacoma; Tacoma Athletic Commission (Tacoma); Top of the Ocean (Tacoma);

Tacoma Athletic Commission was promoting the second annual baseball excursion. Tacoma baseball fans were invited to take a railroad trip to Yakima to watch a June 20, 1948, double header between the Tacoma Tigers and the Yakima Packers. Both teams are part of the Western International League. View of members of the Tacoma Athletic League holding up publicity signs for the exciting upcoming game (T. Times, 6/4/48, p. 11).

Committees--Tacoma; Athletic clubs--Tacoma; Delegations--Tacoma; Baseball--Tacoma--1940-1950; Top of the Ocean (Tacoma); Announcements--Tacoma; Tacoma Athletic Commission (Tacoma);

The Tacoma Athletic Commission's fur and fashions by Lou Johnson show featured glamorous winter wear for 1947. The show was held in the restaurant area of the Top of the Ocean Club. View of Janet Saxton wearing a winter white, gabardine, two piece suit, with a three skin Hudson's Bay Sable wrap around her shoulders (T. Times, 9/27/47, p. 9).

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

Left to right view of models lined up on the stairs leading to the T.A.C. Club at the Top of the Ocean are: Janet Saxton wearing a full length natural ranch mink coat; Lillian Lea is wearing a winter white gabardine suit and a three skin Hudson's Bay Sable wrap, Viola Davis has on a unicorn gabardine suit with a four skin Baum Marten and a hat by Sally Victor, Doris Cookingham looks lovely in a sheer crepe gown with tiered bodice and jeweled belt. In the foreground we have Catherine Eckstrom with a stunning off the shoulders chiffon velvet gown with moulded bodice, and Avonne Nelson (right) wearing a black chiffon velvet gown with full skirt and delicate lace bodice. The ladies were appearing in a fashion show sponsored by the Tacoma Athletic Commission on September 23, 1947. (T. Times, 9/27/47, p. 9).

Fashion shows--Tacoma--1940-1950; Fashion models--Tacoma--1940-1950; Women--Clothing & dress--Tacoma--1940-1950; Saxton, Janet; Lea, Lillian; Davis, Viola; Cunningham, Doris; Eckstrom, Catherine; Nelson, Avonne;

Tribune, Panhellinic Luncheon, Top of the Ocean, Mrs. Hosmer.The Panhellenic Conference held a luncheon at the Top of the Ocean followed by bridge. The conference was attended by 300 guests. Three women are seen leaving the Top of the Ocean. (T.Times, 2/16/1949, p.6)

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

Dinner party at Top of the Ocean, Delta Rho Gamma, c/o Lenora Suesace. Forty members of the Delta Rho Gamma sorority have joined together to celebrate the holidays at the Top of the Ocean. The group was organized for college coeds living off-campus.

Delta Rho Gamma (Parkland); Fraternities & sororities--Parkland--1940-1950; Pacific Lutheran College (Parkland)--1940-1950; Universities & colleges--Parkland--1940-1950; Students--Parkland--1940-1950; Group portraits;

Informal square dancing at Tacoma Athletic Commission, Metcalf. Several couples are enjoying being on the dance floor learning square dancing steps. Several others are lined up in the back for refreshments.

Top of the Ocean (Tacoma); Tacoma Athletic Commission (Tacoma); Square dancing--Tacoma--1940-1950; Couples--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Tacoma Athletic Commission, Square dancing and style show, Elliott Metcalf. Four couples, wearing skirts and shirts of matching fabric, are demonstrating one of the forms of dancing to members of the Tacoma Athletic Commission at the Top of the Ocean as part of the square dance revue. Square dancing fever was catching at this time. (TNT, 12/22/1949, p.20)

Top of the Ocean (Tacoma); Tacoma Athletic Commission (Tacoma); Square dancing--Tacoma--1940-1950; Couples--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Square dancing fever was spreading through Tacoma in December of 1949. Members of the Tacoma Athletic Commission put on a dance demonstration at the Top of the Ocean, 2217 Ruston Way, in appropriate dress. They announced that they were sponsoring a city-wide square dance festival to be held in February in the College of Puget Sound (UPS) fieldhouse. Dressed in contrasting blouses topping skirts in a rick-rack pattern - all worn over pantalettes - are: (l to r) Mrs. John Richards, Allyne (Mrs. Kenneth) Hopper, Gail (Mrs. Melvin) McKenney and Mary L. (Mrs. David) Collier. (TNT, 12/22/1949, p.20)

Top of the Ocean (Tacoma); Tacoma Athletic Commission (Tacoma); Square dancing--Tacoma--1940-1950; Hopper, Allyne; Collier, Mary L.; McKenney, Gail; Costumes--Tacoma; Bloomers;

General Wainwright visiting at Tacoma Athletic Commission. General Jonathan M. Wainwright is seen visiting at the Tacoma Athletic Commission. He had been made an honorary member when he was in Tacoma four years earlier on a bond campaign. General Wainwright was in Tacoma to rededicate the recently enlarged school in Fircrest that had been named for him. (TNT, 11/20/1949, p.1)

Wainwright, Jonathan M.; Heroes--Tacoma--1940-1950; Military personnel--Tacoma--1940-1950; Generals--United States--Tacoma--1940-1950; Clubs--Tacoma; Tacoma Athletic Commission (Tacoma);

The Tacoma Athletic Commission's fourth annual Anniversary party on 2-20-1950 was attended by over 400. The event at the Top of the Ocean included a refreshment hour on the top deck, followed by dinner-dancing, birthday cake and the announcement of Tacoma's Man of the Year in Sports on the main deck.The award was given to E.S. Ostberg, the head of Tacoma's Boys Club, by unanimous decision of a committee of nine. Frank Walters, TAC President, presided, Larry Huseby was Master of Ceremonies, and Mr. and Mrs. Howard Smith served as chairmen of party arrangements. (TNT 2-21-1950 pg 14, 2-25-1950 D-1 pictorial)

Events--Tacoma--1950-1960; Top of the Ocean (Tacoma); Tacoma Athletic Commission (Tacoma); Clubs--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Mr. Frank Walters, President of the Tacoma Athletic Commission, and Mrs. Walters posed with a publicity poster for the organization's 4th annual birthday party to be held at the club's headquarters at the Top of the Ocean on February 20, 1950. The party celebrated four years of active promotion of the city's athletic programs. The TAC was unique in the U.S. Organized as the Tacoma War Athletic Commission in 1942, it raised funds for athletic equipment for the thousands of US servicemen stationed in the Pacific Islands. Equipment was sent to fighting forces from Alaska to Australia. Following the end of the war, the group directed its policies to the civic and athletic betterment of Tacoma, particularly in the support of sports activities for youth. (TNT 2-26-1950 D-1, TNT 3/23/1956, pg. 1)

Tacoma Athletic Commission (Tacoma); Events--Tacoma--1950-1960; Clubs--Tacoma--1950-1960; Top of the Ocean (Tacoma); Walters, Frank; Walters, Frank--Family;

Tacoma Athletic Commission's 1950 St. Patrick's Day party at the Top of the Ocean. Patrick Steele is on the left, Mrs. Mary Steele is on the far right. Four hundred members and guests of TAC attended the annual dinner and program on St. Patrick's Day. Diners had a choice of prawns or roast beef, with each plate adorned with two fresh rainbow trout.

Tacoma Athletic Commission (Tacoma); Top of the Ocean (Tacoma); Events--Tacoma--1950-1960; Saint Patrick's Day; Parties--Tacoma--1950-1960; Holidays--Tacoma--1950-1960; Hats--1950-1960; Steele, Patrick; Steele, Mary;

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;

Visit of North Wind to Tacoma and reception at Tacoma Athletic Commission, Tribune & TAC. Several naval officers and their wives were in Tacoma for observance of Navy Week. They were greeted at a reception at the Tacoma Athletic Commission on November 7, 1948, at their facilities at the Top of the Ocean. Several of the navy wives and members of the TAC are shown at the reception, L-R, Mrs. Steven W. Calloway, Ethyl A. (Mrs. Howard) Smith, Mrs. Charles W. Thomas, Mrs. George Fritschmann, Genevieve L. (Mrs. Frank T.) Walters, and Myra J. (Mrs. E.R.) Fetterolf. (T.Times, 11/8/1948)

Tacoma Athletic Commission (Tacoma); Smith, Ethyl A.; Walters, Genevieve L.; Fetterolf, Myra J.; Women--Tacoma--1940-1950; Clothing & dress--Tacoma--1940-1950; Receptions--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Tacoma Athletic Commission, Bob Sanders. The Tacoma Athletic Commission honored two of Tacoma's sports heroes October 28, 1948. Bob Martin, left, and Marv Rickert, center, are shown with Howard R. Smith, president of the Tacoma Athletic Commission. They each received the newly created Tacoma Athletic Commission award of merit, emblem, and cigarette lighter as well as having their photographs hanging at TAC's Hall of Fame. Martin won a gold medal in the 1948 Olympic games held in London as a member of the U.S. rowing team in the four-oared shell competition. Rickert played outfield in the 1948 World Series for Boston. He went 4 for 19 in the six game series with one home run. (TNT, 10/29/1948, p.26)

Tacoma Athletic Commission (Tacoma); Top of the Ocean (Tacoma); Martin, Bob; Rickert, Marv; Smith, Howard R.; Awards; Baseball--Tacoma--1940-1950; Baseball players--Tacoma--1940-1950; Athletes;

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);

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;

The Normanna Male Chorus performed at the Top of the Ocean, 2217 Ruston Way, on June 2, 1950 for the first annual "Night of the Northern Lights," featuring a genuine Scandinavian smorgasbord, music and dancing. The evening was arranged by the Tacoma Athletic Commission for its members and guests to honor the Scandinavian peoples in Tacoma. The Normanna Male Chorus was one of the oldest vocal groups in the Northwest. Their 30 members were directed by Gunnar Malmin of the Pacific Lutheran College music faculty. (The names of the men pictured are listed in the News Tribune, May 28, 1950 p.B-2.) Ordered by the Tacoma Athletic Commission, Mr. Metcalf. (TNT, 5/28/1950, p.B-2)

Choirs (Music)--1950-1960; Normanna Male Chorus (Tacoma); Singers; Top of the Ocean (Tacoma);

The Tacoma Chamber of Commerce entertained the armed forces at the Top of the Ocean on Friday night of Armed Forces Week in Tacoma. Henry O. and Agnes Foss are seen on the left. C. Val and Linda M. Fawcett are on the right. Other entertainment for visiting armed forces personnel included theater tickets and the facilities of the Council of Churches Youth Center, the Armed Service Recreation Center and the Christian Service Man'c Center. The crew from the Canadian destroyer "Athabaskan" and the USN fleet oiler "Platt" were in Tacoma for the week. Ordered by the Tribune, Barbara Dana. (TNT, 5/14/1950, p.D-9; 5/24/1950, p.11)

Top of the Ocean (Tacoma); Balls (Parties)--Tacoma--1950-1960; Military uniforms; Ball dresses; Foss, Henry O., 1891-1986; Foss, Agnes S.; Fawcett, Clarence Valdo, 1900-1965--Family; Fawcett, Linda;

Seven well-dressed women pose at the Top of the Ocean on July 15, 1950. This group of ladies belonged to the women's auxiliary of the Order of AHEPA, a fraternal organization which met at the St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church.

Order of AHEPA (Tacoma); Fraternal organizations--Tacoma--1950-1960; Women--Clothing & dress--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Asbestos Workers Local #50 were hosts to the Western State Conference banquet held at the Top of the Ocean on February 23, 1952. TPL-745

Asbestos Workers' Union Local No. 50 (Tacoma); Banquets--Tacoma--1950-1960; Restaurants--Tacoma--1950-1960; Top of the Ocean (Tacoma);