The Tacoma Ice Palace was scheduled to open in October 1946. View of new Ice Arena under construction at South 38th and Union Avenue. Photo ordered by Holroyd Construction Company.

Building construction--Tacoma; Ice skating rinks--Tacoma; Progress photographs; Tacoma Ice Palace (Tacoma);

New Ice Arena at South 38th and Union Avenue under construction. For Holroyd Construction Company.

Tacoma Ice Palace (Tacoma);

In February of 1947, the Tacoma Ice Palace at 3801 South Union Avenue was being prepared for a boxing bout. Plywood flooring was placed over the Ice Palace's skating rink. A boxing ring and a heating system with 12 large blowers was brought in. The main event, organized by Raleigh Sliger, was between the Canadian welterweight Hal Robbins and Chuck "Kid" Brown from Klamath Falls, Oregon. View of plywood floor being placed over Tacoma Ice Palace's skating rink, photo ordered by Douglas Fir Plywood Association. (T. Times, 2/10/47, p. 10).

Plywood; Douglas Fir Plywood Association (Tacoma); Floors--Tacoma; Ice skating rinks--Tacoma; Tacoma Ice Palace (Tacoma); Boxing--Tacoma;

Tacoma was experiencing three days of miracle healing. View of thousands of people who attended the Branham Healing Campaign at the Tacoma Ice Palace. Co-operating Churches in Tacoma helped make this event possible and were actively participating in the program (T. Times, 5/15/48, p. 3).

Audiences--Tacoma; Religious groups--Tacoma; Evangelists; Healing--Tacoma; Healers--Tacoma; Religious meetings--Tacoma; Tacoma Ice Palace (Tacoma); Branham Healing Campaign;

Branham Healing Campaign was taking place at the Tacoma Ice Palace, a three day campaign was promising incredible results. More than five thousand people from Tacoma attended the first session. Interior view of Ice Palace, sick people on beds and stretchers, musical group on right side and spectators listen and watch attentively (T. Times, 5/15/48, p. 3).

Audiences--Tacoma; Religious groups--Tacoma; Evangelists; Healing--Tacoma; Healers--Tacoma; Religious meetings--Tacoma; Tacoma Ice Palace (Tacoma); Branham Healing Campaign;

Drawing upon the 14th Psalm and the Book of Revelations, Dr. Walter A Maier of the Lutheran Hour radio program addressed a capacity audience in the Tacoma Ice Palace, 3801 South Union Avenue, on May 21, 1948. The main theme of his address was "Christ, Not Communism". Dr. Maier told his audience that Communism was "anti-Christ, anti-Bible, anti-church ... and anti-everything that is God or good" and warned that a Third World War would "give the Reds the rule of the world". (T. Times, 5/22/48, p. 2).

Religious meetings--Tacoma; Evangelists; Public speaking--Tacoma; Audiences--Tacoma; Signs (Notices); Events--Tacoma; Tacoma Ice Palace (Tacoma); Maier, Walter A.; Lutheran Layman's League (Tacoma);

ca. 1971. Aerial view of former Tacoma Sports Arena with artist's rendering of possible architectural changes. Ben's Truck Parts had purchased the Tacoma Sports Arena (known prior as the Tacoma Ice Palace) on September 3, 1971. The company had commissioned the Richards Studio to take several aerial photographs of the Arena and vicinity. This aerial view shows possible architectural changes to the building and site with shimmering pools facing So. 38th St. and a profusion of trees and shrubs added. The exterior of the building would also change with walls apparently extended and a changed roofline. The location was easily accessible by traveling on So. 38th St. (now one of the city's busiest streets due to the close proximity to the Tacoma Mall), South Tacoma Way, and from the north, Union Ave. Color photograph ordered by Ben's Truck Parts.

Aerial views; Renderings; Tacoma Sports Arena (Tacoma); Tacoma Ice Palace (Tacoma);

ca. 1971. Artist's drawing of area north and west of Tacoma Mall including various interchanges. The term "Subject Property" is boxed in yellow with arrow pointing toward land near the Union Ave., 38th St. and Old US 99 (South Tacoma Way). This is approximately the location of the Tacoma Sports Arena, originally known as the Tacoma Ice Palace. The sale of the Tacoma Sports Arena to Ben's Truck Parts was announced in the News Tribune on September 3, 1971. The building would be turned over to its new owners on September 20, 1971. Color photograph ordered by Ben's Truck Parts. (TNT 9-3-71, p. 1-article)

Renderings; Tacoma Sports Arena (Tacoma); Tacoma Ice Palace (Tacoma); Ben's Truck Parts (Tacoma);

View from air of the Tacoma Sports Arena (formerly known as the Tacoma Ice Palace), 3801 South Union Avenue. Ben's Truck Parts had taken possession of the 25-year-old building on September 20, 1971. Originally built as an ice skating facility for $305,000, it was the home of the Pacific Coast League Tacoma Rockets hockey team for several years. Later usage of the Arena expanded to include live boxing events, motorcycle racing, Roller Derby, pro wrestling and dances. It was sold to Ben's Truck Parts for $175,000. Other structures of note in the above photograph include the Post Office's Terminal Annex on Warner St. and the Tacoma Mall Shopping Center at upper left corner. Color photograph ordered by Ben's Truck Parts. (TNT 9-3-71, p. 1 - article)

Aerial views; Tacoma Sports Arena (Tacoma); Tacoma Ice Palace (Tacoma); Ben's Truck Parts (Tacoma); Tacoma Mall Shopping Center (Tacoma);

Aerial view of former Tacoma Sports Arena, recently sold to Ben's Truck Parts. It is the large building in the center of photograph with dark brown roof and reddish walls. Built in 1946, it opened as the Tacoma Ice Palace and had a 14,400 sq.ft. skating area, room enough for 500 skating couples. The Ice Palace was 279 feet long and had spans on the roof of 162-feet, second largest in the Northwest at the time. It had been the home of the (defunct) Tacoma Rockets pro hockey team, ice skating, motorcycle racing and live boxing. More recently, Roller Derby, pro wrestling, dances and flower shows had been held there. Ben's Truck Parts bought the building for $175,000 and would take possession on September 20, 1971. Color view of Tacoma Sports Arena: South Tacoma Way is street running horizontally at bottom of photograph; 38th St. is long street running vertically near left; Post Office Terminal Annex is at 38th & Warner, just above the Arena. Warner turns into Union Ave. after the intersection with 38th St. Photograph ordered by Ben's Truck Parts. (TNT 9-3-71, p. 1- article)

Aerial views; Tacoma Sports Arena (Tacoma); Tacoma Ice Palace (Tacoma); Ben's Truck Parts (Tacoma);

Trusses measuring at 160 feet long were being put up at the new ice arena. The 160 feet long trusses will be the second longest trusses in the Northwest. Boeing Plant in Seattle has 165 feet long trusses. Sam Bergeson is the contractor. View of trusses and building progress of the new ice arena in Tacoma. TPL-8833

Roof trusses--Tacoma; Building construction--Tacoma; Ice skating rinks--Tacoma; Hoisting machinery; Tacoma Ice Palace (Tacoma);

This photograph, taken June 11, 1946, shows workers installing the 160 foot trusses that supported the roof over the Tacoma Ice Arena at 3801 So. Union. At that time, only the Boeing plant in Seattle had a roof with longer trusses. The arena, with its barrel arched roof, had a capacity of 4,000 seats for hockey matches. After it was abandoned as an ice arena, numberous boxing matches were staged there. On March 20, 1986, just short of 40 years after it was installed, part of the roof collapsed when several of the beams failed. TPL-8834

Roof trusses--Tacoma; Building construction--Tacoma; Ice skating rinks--Tacoma; Laborers--Tacoma; Tacoma Ice Palace (Tacoma);

Trusses measuring at 160 feet long were being put up at the new ice arena. The 160 feet long trusses will be the second longest trusses in the Northwest. Boeing Plant in Seattle has 165 feet long trusses. Sam Bergeson is the contractor. View of trusses, crane and laborers at the new ice arena in Tacoma.

Roof trusses--Tacoma; Building construction--Tacoma; Ice skating rinks--Tacoma; Hoisting machinery; Tacoma Ice Palace (Tacoma);

Trusses measuring at 160 feet long were being put up at the new ice arena. The 160 feet long trusses will be the second longest trusses in the Northwest. Boeing Plant in Seattle has 165 feet long trusses. Sam Bergeson is the contractor. View of trusses and building progress of the new ice arena in Tacoma.

Roof trusses--Tacoma; Building construction--Tacoma; Ice skating rinks--Tacoma; Hoisting machinery; Tacoma Ice Palace (Tacoma);

Tacoma Rockets were ready to begin another winning season. They beat Portland and West Minster and were now getting ready to play against the Vancouver Canucks. Team manager, Dave Downie, felt his team would continue their winning streak. The Tacoma Rockets had their home games at the Tacoma Ice Palace. View of hockey player trying to block the other player's aim.

Ice hockey--Tacoma; Sporting goods; Skaters; Skating rinks--Tacoma; Tacoma Rockets (Tacoma); Coast Ice Hockey League (Tacoma); Tacoma Ice Palace (Tacoma);

In this photograph from October, 1947, Rudy Filion of theTacoma Rocket hockey team practices at the Tacoma Ice Palace, 3801 So. Union Ave. The Rockets played their season opener on Tuesday night, Oct. 21st, against the Portland Eagles. The Rockets won 6 to 1 in one of the roughest stick swinging duels ever witnessed at the local rink. (T. Times, 10/20/47, p. 6).

Ice hockey--Tacoma; Sporting goods; Skaters; Skating rinks--Tacoma; Tacoma Rockets (Tacoma); Coast Ice Hockey League (Tacoma); Tacoma Ice Palace (Tacoma); Filion, Rudy

In 1948, Captain Jack Folsom, # 40, (3rd from left, front row) Lincoln's high scoring forward, helped lead the Abe Puckmen through the first year of high school hockey league competition. Four schools fielded teams, Bellarmine, Clover Park, Lincoln, and Stadium. All games were held at the Tacoma Ice Palace at 3801 So. Union Ave. Lincoln came in second for the year behind Clover Park. (Lincolnian 1948 p.70-71) Lincoln Hockey Team at Ice Palace, Times, Metcalf.

Tacoma Ice Palace (Tacoma); Lincoln High School (Tacoma); Public schools--Tacoma--1940-1950; Ice hockey--Tacoma--1940-1950; Ice hockey players--Tacoma--1940-1950; Folsom, Jack; Students--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Three days of miracle healing were taking place in Tacoma, Friday May 14, 1948 through Sunday May 16, 1948. The Tacoma Ice Palace was expected to fill up with people wanting to attend the Branham Healing Campaign. Five thousand people attended the first session of healing. View of spectators and people in stretchers, sick children with their mothers and evangelists on stage; "Cooperating Churches" sign in background (T. Times, 5/15/48, p. 3).

Audiences--Tacoma; Signs (Notices); Religious groups--Tacoma; Healing--Tacoma; Religious meetings--Tacoma; Evangelists; Healers--Tacoma; Branham Healing Campaign--Tacoma; Tacoma Ice Palace (Tacoma);

Branham Healing Campaign was having a three day miracle healing session at the Tacoma Ice Palace. Churches throughout Tacoma were participating in this event. The sessions took place on Friday evening and Saturday and Sunday from 2:30 P.M. to 7:30 P.M. Interior view of Ice Palace, thousands of people attending session, sick people are on beds and stretchers on the platform (T. Times, 5/15/48, p. 3).

Audiences--Tacoma; Religious groups--Tacoma; Healing--Tacoma; Religious meetings--Tacoma; Evangelists; Healers--Tacoma; Branham Healing Campaign--Tacoma; Tacoma Ice Palace (Tacoma);

Tacoma Ice Palace was packed with thousands of people attending the Branham Healing Campaign. People were encouraged to attend one or all three days of the campaign. On Sunday Morning, people were asked to attend their regular church services and Sunday school, then return to the Ice Palace. View of evangelist speaking about healing and christianity (T. Times, 5/15/48, p. 3).

Public speaking--Tacoma; Religious groups--Tacoma; Healing--Tacoma; Religious meetings--Tacoma; Evangelists; Healers--Tacoma; Branham Healing Campaign--Tacoma; Tacoma Ice Palace (Tacoma);

Lutheran Layman's League was sponsoring Dr. Walter A. Maier, famed Lutheran Hour speaker, at a mass rally in Tacoma's Ice Palace. View of Dr. Maier after he delivered a speech about communism. Dr. Maier provided his audience with statistics about the effects of communism throughout the world. He felt communism "...is not only atheistic, anti-God in principle, but hates Christianity" (T. Times, 5/22/48, p. 2).

Religious meetings--Tacoma; Public speaking--Tacoma; Signs (Notices); Events--Tacoma; Tacoma Ice Palace (Tacoma); Lutheran Layman's League (Tacoma); Maier, Walter A.; Evangelists;

View of Dr. Walter A. Maier and his wife, who both spoke in Tacoma in May of 1948 against communism. Dr. Maier preached "Christ not Communism" and urged everyone to speak out against communism. Dr. Maier's visit was sponsored by Tacoma's Lutheran Layman's League (T. Times, 5/22/48, p. 2).

Religious meetings--Tacoma--1940-1950; Public speaking--Tacoma--1940-1950; Signs (Notices); Events--Tacoma; Tacoma Ice Palace (Tacoma); Lutheran Layman's League (Tacoma); Maier, Walter A.; Maier, Walter A.--Family; Evangelists;

The Ice Arena at 38th and Union was owned by Sam Bergesen and Fred Urban and was home to both the Tacoma Rockets and the Tacoma Figure Skating Club. Members of the skating club offered classes for beginning enthusiasts. In this photograph, taken in 1948, Shirley Lander is helping Charles Tibbs, 8, of Rt.11, Box 598, Tacoma. Judy Whitney, 7, of 1104 So. Union is receiving some pointers from Helen Hatcher.

Ice skating--Tacoma; Ice skating rinks--Tacoma; Winter sports--Tacoma; Sporting goods; Children playing--Tacoma--1940-1950; Children exercising; Tacoma Ice Palace (Tacoma); Lander, Shirley; Tibbs, Charles; Whitney, Judy; Hatcher, Helen;

Jerry Fodey, one of two goalies on the 1948-49 Tacoma Rockets, demonstrated his technigue for the cameras in December of 1948. The Rockets were in second place in the Pacific Coast Hockey League, seven points behind the league leading New Westminster Royals. In November they had won five straight games, the longest winning streak in club history. The Rockets played in the Tacoma Ice Palace at 3801 South Union Avenue. (T. Times, 1/2/49, p. 21).

Ice hockey--Tacoma; Athletes--Tacoma; Ice skating--Tacoma; Ice skating rinks--Tacoma; Sports & recreation facilities--Tacoma; Sporting goods; Tacoma Ice Palace (Tacoma); Tacoma Rockets (Tacoma); Coast Ice Hockey League (Tacoma);

Eight players from the four high schools in the Tacoma High School Hockey League and their coaches posed for a News Tribune photographer in January of 1949. The league, which played at the Tacoma Ice Palace, 3801 So. Union Avenue, was just starting its second season. The players were: (l to r) Bob Jack and Jim Beaty of Lincoln; Gordon Earley and Don Gilbertson of Clover Park; Bob Moore and Carl Peterson of Stadium; and Don McNally and Joe Hamilton of Bellarmine. The coaches (kneeling, l to r)were: Alex Watt, Doug Stevenson, Dick Milford and Ronnie Rowe, all members of the professional Tacoma Rockets team. The first night of action, on January the 13th, paired Stadium and Clover Park at 7 p.m. and Lincoln against Bellarmine at 8:20 p.m.(T.N.T. 1/9/49, p. B-7).

Ice hockey--Tacoma; Sporting goods; Ice skating rinks--Tacoma; Athletes--Tacoma--1940-1950; Students--Tacoma--1940-1950; Stadium High School (Tacoma); Tacoma Rockets (Tacoma); Tacoma Ice Palace (Tacoma);

The Lincoln High School hockey team was photographed on January 13, 1949 at the Tacoma Ice Palace, 3801 South Union Avenue, with their coach Alec Watt (far right) who played for the Tacoma Rockets and Maynard Ponko (far left) the Lincoln H.S. team advisor who later became Wilson High School's first principal. The 1949 Railsplitters won the city league championship with a record of 5 wins and one tie. Three of the team's players were named to the all-city team: Russ Fowler, goalie; Jim Beaty, forward; and Grant Anderson, defenseman. (Student names appear in newspaper.) (T. Times, 1/16/49, p. 16). TPL-8261

Students--Tacoma--1940-1950; Ice hockey--Tacoma; Athletes--Tacoma; Ice skating rinks--Tacoma; Tacoma Ice Palace (Tacoma); Lincoln High School (Tacoma); Watt, Alec; Ponko, Maynard;

Miscellaneous skating groups at Ice Palace, Tribune, Lee Irwin. Robert Sorenson and Phyllis Walters, both in advanced high school skating class, share a laugh with Ice Palace staff professional Shirley Lander on January 25, 1949. Shirley has teasingly wrapped a thick white sock around Robert's right hand. Robert was a student at Stewart Jr. High while Phyllis attended Gray Jr. High. They were just two of the hundreds who had flocked to classes at the Ice Palace since the rink opened in the fall of 1946. (TNT 1-30-1949, B-5)

Tacoma Ice Palace (Tacoma); Teenagers--1940-1950; Ice skating--Tacoma--1940-1950; Ice skating rinks--Tacoma; Sorenson, Robert; Walters, Phyllis; Lander, Shirley;

Miscellaneous skating groups at Ice Palace, Tribune, Lee Irwin. Katherine Nelson and Bob Hamlet are taking a turn on the ice at the Tacoma Ice Palace on January 25, 1949. She holds his hands as they step out. The News Tribune listed them as the oldest and youngest skaters in current classes at the skating rink. Katherine Nelson was 60 and Bob Hamlet was three. (TNT 1-30-1949, B-5)

Tacoma Ice Palace (Tacoma); Ice skating--Tacoma--1940-1950; Ice skating rinks--Tacoma; Children & adults--Tacoma--1940-1950; Nelson, Katherine; Hamlet, Bob;