Mechanical interior behind bowling lanes of the Sky Lane Bowl in Seattle.

Bowling lanes and seating area of the Sky Lane Bowl in Seattle.

Bowling lanes and seating area of the Sky Lane Bowl in Seattle.

Dining area of the Sky Lane Bowl in Seattle.

The team representing Reliance Trailers, of Oakland, California, dominated play in all open bowling events of the Northwest International Bowling Congress, concluding Sunday May 5, 1940 in Tacoma at the Broadway Alleys. The men won the team championship with a total score of 2951. In the front are F. McGee (575), and M. Karolac (614). In the back are R. Waag (592), J. Whetstone (581) and G. Danielson (589). Mickey Karolac won the all events open title, with a grand total of 1858, 30 pins ahead of his closest competitor. Whetstone and Danielson won the open doubles. (T. Times 5/6/1940, pg. 11)

Bowlers--Tacoma--1940-1950; Reliance Trailers--Oakland, Ca.; Karolac, Mickey; Northwest International Bowling Congress;

The O'Donnell Market women's bowling team from Bend, Oregon. Five women dressed in matching outfits representing O'Donnell's Market. Three women in back row have names embroidered on shirts, left to right: Reba, Olga, Evelyn. The team was competing in the annual Western Women's Bowling Congress at the Play Mor alleys April 24- May 5th, 1940.

Bowlers--Tacoma--1940-1950; Women--Tacoma--1940-1950; O'Donnell's Market--Bend, Oregon--People;

The five members of the Sherman Tackle Co. bowling team, Tacoma's Class B women's bowling champions for 1940, will be competing along with 127 other teams in the annual Western Women's Bowling Congress at the Play Mor alleys April 24- May 5th, 1940. The teams will come from Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana, California and British Columbia. Pictured are, left to right, Delores Coleman, captain, Winnifred Rowe, Nell Bowman, Sigrid Anderson and Cecelia Rowe. (T. Times 4/25/1940, pg. 17)

Bowlers--Tacoma--1940-1950; Women--Tacoma--1940-1950; Sherman Tackle Co. (Tacoma)--People; Coleman, Delores; Rowe, Winnifred; Bowman, Nell; Anderson, Sigrid; Rowe, Cecelia;

Sherman Tackle Co. women's bowling team, Tacoma City Girls Class B bowling champs. Five women dressed in skirts and blouses gathered around scoring table in bowling alley. They are, left to right, Delores Coleman, Winnifred Rowe, Nell Bowman, Sigrid Anderson and Cecelia Rowe. (T. Times 4/25/1940, pg. 17)

Bowlers--Tacoma--1940-1950; Women--Tacoma--1940-1950; Sherman Tackle Co. (Tacoma)--People; Coleman, Delores; Rowe, Winnifred; Bowman, Nell; Anderson, Sigrid; Rowe, Cecelia;

Cans of Columbia Ale are arranged in a semi-circle on the familiar Heidelberg logo placemat as the brewery's men's bowling team pose behind the display. The men, dressed in bowling shirts with their names embroidered on them, clutch their bowling balls in this April 30, 1954, photograph. Bowling was a popular pastime in the Fifties; there were probably many leagues established in Tacoma. TPL-6496

Bowlers--Tacoma; Bowling balls; Heidelberg Brewing Co. (Tacoma)--People; Beer;

Janie models her Heidelberg Breweries bowling shirt as her team members stand by their bowling balls in a photograph taken on April 30, 1954. Heidelberg sponsored both ladies and men's teams in bowling. Bowling was quite a popular sport in the 1950's with at least ten bowling alleys listed in the 1954 City Directory. TPL-6495

Bowlers--Tacoma; Bowling balls; Heidelberg Brewing Co. (Tacoma)--People;

Heidelberg Breweries sponsored teams for various recreational leagues. Ten members of the brewery's bowling team pose for a photograph on April 30, 1954. Five men are crouching with their right hands upright; the five women behind them each grasps ahold of one man's arm. The men all have their names embroidered above the pockets on their bowling shirts.

Bowlers--Tacoma; Bowling alleys--Tacoma; Heidelberg Brewing Co. (Tacoma)--People

A trio of lawn bowlers, (l to r) George Fairbaine and Charles P. Middleton of Seattle and Eugene McNeal of Tacoma, crouch to measure the distance between a bowling ball and the "jack" on the green in Wright Park. On May 28, 29 & 30, 1938, eighty five lawn bowlers from Bellingham, Portland, Seattle and Tacoma competed in the Northwest Lawn Bowling Association's holiday tournament in Wright Park . The Scottish game had developed a large following in the Pacific Northwest and Wright Park held one of the finest manicured playing fields in the region. McNeal of Tacoma won the singles title with Fairbairn finishing third. The object of the game is to roll your ball as close to the "jack", the small white ball, as possible. (T. Times, 6/1/1938, p. 5).

Bowling--Tacoma; Bowlers--Tacoma; Tournaments--Tacoma; Wright Park (Tacoma); Parks--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Lawn bowlers compete in Northwest tournament at Wright Park. The ancient Scottish game attracted 85 bowlers, signifying growing popularity in the Northwest. Spectators watch bowler as he stands on lawn pad and rolls the ball. (T.Times, 6/1/38, p. 5).

Bowling--Tacoma; Bowlers--Tacoma; Tournaments--Tacoma; Wright Park (Tacoma); Parks--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Ray Kanzler and one of the bowling teams posed for this studio portrait during the 1951 leagues.

Bowlers--Tacoma--1940-1950; Bowling balls;

The Market Bowlers won the "Champions of Champions" tournament at the Elks alleys. Eighty-six teams who had won either first or second half titles competed in the Third Annual Tacoma Bowling Association Tournament. Seen holding the tournament trophy are, L-R, Paul Flani, Nat Flani, Don Bryant, F.M. Durst, Martin Ward, Fred Wilvers and Carl Hoit. Five smaller trophies stand on a table in front of them. (TNT, 4/29/1951, p.C-17)

Bowlers--Tacoma--1950-1960; Awards; Group portraits;Flani, Paul; Flani, Nat; Bryant, Don; Burst, F.M.; Ward, Martin; Wilvers, Fred; Hoit, Carl;

Studio portrait of Joe Bowles, 325 Supply Squadron, AI 15432518, McChord Field. The young airman stopped by the Richards Studio on December 23, 1950 to have his photograph taken while in dress uniform.

Bowles, Joe; Military personnel--1950-1960; Military uniforms;

Bill Hay, on the extreme right, gives pointers to local lawn bowlers during his trip to Tacoma on September 7, 1950. Hay is the president of the American Lawn Bowling Association. From left to right are Jim Dickson, Cy Mentzer, Louis Muscek, Roy Cleveland, Bill Dunckley, Lew Thomas and Hay. The lawn bowling green in Wright Park was built by the W.P.A., and play began there on May2, 1936. (TNT 9-10-50, p. C-14)

Bowling--Tacoma--1950-1960; Bowlers--Tacoma--1950-1960; Balls (Sporting goods);

On Saturday evening January 21, 1950, Amos Sturgis, a 148-average bowler from Puyallup, went to the Sixth Avenue Lanes, 2052 6th Ave. for a little practice. On his second game he started with a strike. After rolling 12 strikes in a row, he was the first bowler in the history of the lanes to throw a perfect 300. For his perfect game, Sturgis received the standing house cash prize, and a special award from Ed Chilla, owner of the alleys. Ordered by Ed Chilla. (TNT 11/23/1950 p.17) TPL-9807

Bowlers--Tacoma--1950-1960; Bowling alleys--Tacoma--1950-1960; Sturgis, Amos; Sixth Avenue Lanes (Tacoma); Bowling balls; Awards;

B & B Glass and Paint Company were glass and paint dealers and manufacturers, their business office was located at 748 Market Street in downtown Tacoma. The company was owned by Benjamin E. Bassett and LeRoy O. Bertheau. View of B & B employees and possibly the owners; this company's bowling league appears to have won a local bowling tournament.

Tournaments--Tacoma--1940-1950; Awards--1940-1950; Bowling--Tacoma--1940-1950; Bowlers--Tacoma--1940-1950; Bowling balls; B & B Glass & Paint Co. (Tacoma)--Employees;

The City of Tacoma's ten bowling leagues competed against each other for the title of City Bowling Champions. The Department of Public Utilities Light Division beat the garbage, police and engineer's teams and were awarded the city trophy. Front row, left to right: Howard Armstrong and James Wilhelmi; team members in back row, left to right: Bill McClelland, Jack Byers, Frank Francis, Art Angove, Lave Bresolin, Dave Ferguson and Carl Phlugmacher (T.N.T., 5/1/49, p. B-13).

Bowling--Tacoma; Bowling alleys--Tacoma; Bowlers--Tacoma; Bowling balls; Awards; Men--Social life--1940-1950; Tournaments--Tacoma--1940-1950; Tacoma Dept. of Public Utilities, Light Division (Tacoma)--People;

View of Permanente Corporation's bowling team receiving their prizes, from Charles P. Love (left), General Superintendent of the company. Permanente's bowlers are being congratulated for a job well done. Permanente is a subsidiary of Kaiser Aluminum, they are an aluminum reduction plant that recently opened in Tacoma and have many other branches throughout the United States.

Bowlers--Tacoma; Bowling--Tacoma; Shaking hands--Tacoma; Awards; Aluminum industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Permanente Metals Corp. (Tacoma)--Employees; Love, Charles P.;

Permanente was is full operation in Tacoma within the first month of operations, this helped make the company one of the payroll builders in the city. Permanente and Kaiser were well respected businesses throughout American industry. View of Permanente Metals Corporation's bowling team at Play-Mor Bowling Alley, a Permanente employee can be seen in action, the other league members cheer him on.

Bowlers--Tacoma; Bowling--Tacoma; Bowling alleys--Tacoma; Bowling Balls; Play-Mor Bowling Alleys (Tacoma); Permanente Metals Corp. (Tacoma)--Employees;

Permanente Metals had now been operating in Tacoma for a little over six months. The company produced Kaiser Aluminum products and was a growing industry throughout the Pacific Northwest. The Tacoma subsidiary was an aluminum reduction plant, which helped increase the amount of aluminum produced throughout the nation. View of Permanente Metals Corporation's bowling team at Play-Mor Bowling Alley, the league appears happy with their bowling scores.

Bowlers--Tacoma; Bowling--Tacoma; Bowling alleys--Tacoma; Bowling Balls; Play-Mor Bowling Alleys (Tacoma); Permanente Metals Corp. (Tacoma)--Employees;

Bowling team in studio, Tug Boat Annie bowling team, Bill Herdman. The Tug Boat Annie bowling team, sponsored by Henry Foss of the Foss Tug and Boat Company, were champions of the Tacoma Major league two successive years. They were such strong competitors, somewhat feared throughout the Northwest bowling circles, that they went on to take first place in the Northwest Pin Classic - the NIBC (Northwestern International Bowling Congress). The champion bowlers were: L-R, seated, Red Wakefield, Frank McGee and Len Thomas; standing, Kelcy Allen and Ted Wakefield. (T.Times, 5/6/1948, p.16; 5/12/1948, p.11)

Bowlers--Tacoma--1940-1950; Tug Boat Annie Bowling Team (Tacoma); Wakefield, Red; McGee, Frank; Thomas, Len; Allen, Kelcy; Wakefield, Ted; Foss Launch & Tug Co. (Tacoma);

Brunswick-Balke. This ten-lane bowling alley is empty now. The pins are all lined up and the benches, ball returns and scoring tables stand ready for players to arrive. Ash bins are ready next to the projectors for scores.

Bowling alleys--Tacoma--1940-1950; Brunswick-Balke Co.;

In November of 1947, Stationers women's bowling team lined up for a group photo at the Broadway Alleys (739 1/2 Broadway), modeling their matching bowling uniforms- plaid skirts and white blouses with their names on the left side. Left to right were Tiny, Doris, Pat, Nettie and May. The shirts were set off by a plaid tie at the neck. Stationers Inc. sold office and school supplies, business equipment, office furniture, typewriters and mimeographs. C. H. Armstrong was President and J. F. Wilhelmi was Vice President and Treasurer. The company had both women's and men's bowling teams.

Bowlers--Tacoma; Bowling--Tacoma; Bowling alleys--Tacoma; Bowling balls; Women--Sports--Tacoma; Broadway Bowling Center (Tacoma);

Bill Herdman, Shrine bowling team. The five team members, L-R, John Pasnick, Bill Farrar, Henry Wiley, Ben Overdahl and Tony Vetter, listen while Bill Herdman, kneeling, provides encouragement. The back of the team's shirts are embroidered with "Afifi, Tacoma" and their insignia. The team members wear their fez. (T.Times, 12/12/1946, p.18)

Bowlers--Tacoma--1940-1950; Men--Clubs--Tacoma; Fraternal organizations--Tacoma--1940-1950; Ancient Arabic Order of Nobles of the Mystic Shrine (Tacoma); Herdman, Bill; Pasnick, John; Farrar, Bill; Wiley, Henry; Overdahl, Ben; Vetter, Tony;

These five women, dressed in matching polka dot dresses, bowled in the Women's A League for the 1306 Tavern in 1946. Owned by Inigo Lucchesi, the tavern was at 1306 Pacific Avenue. Inigo's wife Ann (second from right) was a very good bowler. On November 21, 1946 she had the top three game score for women bowling that night in Tacoma with a combined score of 540.The women on the team have been identified, from the names on their dresses as: (l to r) Dorothy Pollen, Mildred Fleming, Evelyn Stein, Ann Lucchesi, and Josephine Halko. TPL-9491

Bowlers--Tacoma--1940-1950; Bowling alleys--Tacoma--1940-1950; Women--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Wearing the latest in stylish glasses, these women bowled for Green's Optometrists, 254 So. 11th, in November of 1946 at the Broadway Bowling Center. The women are wearing matching bowling shirts with their names above the left pocket: Marlys, Jean, Helen, Jona and Peggy. Several women's leagues competed at the Broadway Alleys, 739 1/2 Broadway, including the Broadway Ladies and the Eagles Auxiliary.

Bowlers--Tacoma--1940-1950; Green's Optometrists (Tacoma)--1940-1950; Broadway Bowling Center (Tacoma); Bowling alleys--Tacoma--1940-1950;

The women's bowling team from Green's Optometrists and possibly Charles A. Green, Jr., owner of Green's Optometrists. The women wear matching bowling shirts backwards to show their team name and they each hold a bowling ball. They each wear eyeglasses as well as the man holding three bowling pins. They are playing at Broadway Bowling Center.

Bowlers--Tacoma--1940-1950; Green's Optometrists (Tacoma)--1940-1950; Broadway Bowling Center (Tacoma); Bowling alleys--Tacoma--1940-1950; Women--Tacoma--1940-1950;