In August of 1950 a very agile man performs acrobatic stunts during the Tacoma Athletic Commission's 4th annual water carnival held on Ruston Way. The water events were performed on Commencement Bay directly bayward of the TAC headquarters at 2217 Ruston Way in the Top of the Ocean cafe. The performers were provided by Ski-Quatic Follies from Seattle. The man on the trapeze could be Giff Owen. (TNT 8-25-50, p. 20)

Tacoma Athletic Commission (Tacoma); Events--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Two water-skiers were just one of the acts that entertained the large crowd that gathered on Commencement Bay at the Tacoma Athletic Club's Water Carnival on August 26, 1950. Spectators watched the activities from both decks of the Top of the Ocean, 2217 Ruston Way. The Ski-Quatic Follies, Seattle, provided the entertainment which included diving, clown jumps, wake jumping and slalom skiing. (TNT 8-25-50, p. 20)

Tacoma Athletic Commission (Tacoma); Top of the Ocean (Tacoma); Events--Tacoma--1950-1960; Celebrations--Tacoma--1950-1960; Water skiing--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Peeking through the woven bamboo setting are Tacoma Athletic Commission members (kneeling) Salem Nourse and L.B. MacDonald. Standing are Margaret (Mrs. Salem) Nourse and Myra and E.R. Fetterolf. They were part of a large gathering that attended the T.A.C. Hawaiian dinner-dance held at the Top of the Ocean on October 2, 1950. Alfred Apaka, celebrated Hawaiian orchestra leader, and his band entertained. (TNT 10-15-50, p. D-4)

Tacoma Athletic Commission (Tacoma); Events--Tacoma--1950-1960; Top of the Ocean (Tacoma); Nourse, Salem; MacDonald, L.B.; Nourse, Margaret; Fetterolf, Myra J.; Fetterolf, E.R.;

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;

View of Patsy Hamm and Jackie Boyle, champion ice skaters from Tacoma; last year they won National Recognition in the major league events held at Colorado Springs, Colorado. In 1949 they have competed in many local and regional ice skating events, including the recent Lakewood Ice Club's fund raiser.

Ice skating--Tacoma; Ice skating rinks--Tacoma; Winter sports--Tacoma; Athletes--Tacoma; Skaters; Tacoma Ice Palace (Tacoma); Hamm, Patsy; Boyle, Jack;

Golf tournament at the Tacoma Country Club. Spectators surround a golfer on the golf course. (T. Times).

Sports - Ball Games - Golf - TournamentsFacilities - Sports Facilities - Golf CoursesOrganizations - Clubs - Social Clubs - Country Clubs - Tacoma Country Club

Golf tournament at the Tacoma Country Club. Golfer on putting green taps golf ball toward hole. A crowd of spectators watch the event near a grove of trees. A water tower is visible through the trees. (T. Times).

Sports - Ball Games - Golf - TournamentsFacilities - Sports Facilities - Golf CoursesOrganizations - Clubs - Social Clubs - Country Clubs - Tacoma Country Clubs

Tacom Lawn Tennis tournament. Young man on courts with tennis racket ready to hit a backhand shot. (T. Times).

Sports - Racket Sports - Tennis - PlayersOrganizations - Sports Organizations - Tacoma Lawn and Tennis Club

Tacoma Lawn Tennis tournament. Young women ready to swing tennis racket at on-coming ball. She is on tennis courts near score keeper's stand. (T. Times).

Sports - Racket Sports - Tennis - PlayersOrganizations - Sports Organizations - Tacoma Lawn and Tennis Club

On April 13-14, 1935, Paradise at Mount Rainier was home to the greatest sporting event ever held in the Northwest. It was the location for the national downhill and slalom championships. Also at stake were positions on the 1936 US Olympic ski team. Parking for spectators, and the final stop for mass transit, was located at Narada Falls. 7,000 spectators then hiked to Paradise in 12 - 20 foot deep snow to view the matches. It was about 2 miles one way to the slalom course and 1 mile to the downhill course. By the mid 1930's alpine skiing had exploded in growth as a US leisure sport, boasting almost a million skiers across the country. Radio broadcasters carried reports of the tournament and the ski conditions of the Northwest to ski enthusiasts all across the US. Stock negative.

Skiers--Tacoma--1930-1940; Skiing--Tournaments--1930-1940;

In April of 1935, Paradise at Mount Rainier was home to the national downhill and slalom championships. It was the first time that this contest had ever been held in the west. This photograph, taken during the tournament held April 13-14, showed the Paradise Lodge and the Paradise Inn surrounded by deep snow despite the spring date. Skiers and spectators dot the snow. Stock negative.

Skiers--Tacoma--1930-1940; Skiing--Tournaments--1930-1940;

On April 13-14, 1935, Paradise at Mount Rainier was host to the biggest sporting event ever held in the Northwest. It was the site of the national downhill and slalom championships with positions on the US ski team for the 1936 Olympics also at stake. Skiers and spectators were photographed lined up on either side of a ski run watching tournament skier number 20 maneuver down the slopes. This was most likely a portion of the slalom course that ran down the east side of Alta Vista, a zig zag descent of 1500 feet. Spectators had to hike two miles one way from Narada Falls to the slalom course. Stock negative.

Skiers--Tacoma--1930-1940; Skiing--Tournaments--1930-1940;

Close-up portrait of unidentified teen skier wearing the number 63 during the 1935 National Women's Downhill and Slalom championship held at Paradise, Mount Rainier. This was the first national championship for women in these two events. Varying newspaper sources number the female entrants from 11-14, including the Smith sisters from Tacoma and Grace Carter from Seattle, who placed second in the combined. Stock negative.

Skiers--Tacoma--1930-1940; Athletes--Tacoma--1930-1940; Skiing--Tournaments--1930-1940;

Over 7,000 spectators turned out April 13-14, 1935 to view the national downhill and slalom championships held at Paradise, Mount Rainier. This was the first time this event had been held in the west. Fifty-nine male skiers were registered to race, along with eleven women. The downhill started at Sugar Loaf, 8,500 feet above sea level, and dropped to Panorama Point and then to Edith Creek Basin, a 3,000 foot drop (35%) downward to the finish. On the day of the race, mist and fog shrouded the course in the morning. The top part of the course was icy and the lower part fast and treacherous. As the sun came out, the snow at the bottom of the course began to melt making it soft. Winner Hannes Schroll ran the course at an estimated speed of 75 mph.

Skiers--Tacoma--1930-1940; Skiing--Tournaments--1930-1940;

Winning skiers claim their trophy at the Paradise Winter Sports Carnival on Sunday, February 13, 1938. First place winner in the Service Club downhill race is Orville Stewart, center, representing the Junior Chamber of Commerce. On the left is Leonard Berglund of the Young Men's Business Club. The woman is unidentified. (photo is misnumbered) (TNT 2/14/1938, pg. 1)

Skiers--Tacoma--1930-1940; Winter sports--1930-1940; Skiing--Tournaments--1930-1940; Stewart, Orville; Berglund, Leonard;

In September of 1937, Stadium High School's Coach Christie posed with his team in front of a Gothic arch at the school. Later they would represent their school at the state track meet in Pullman in May. Pictured in the back row, left to right, are McCord, Londos, Reynolds, Bennatts & Coach Christy. In the front row are Smith, Watts, Long & Johns. (T.Times 5/19/1937, pg. 3)

Track athletics--1930-1940; Stadium High School (Tacoma)--Sports;

Tacoma Schwingfest. "Crown Girls," a group of young women wearing formal gowns and sashes, pose proudly with a group of wrestlers proficient in the art of Schwingen, or Swiss Wrestling, in August of 1937. Most of the men are wearing traditional laurels on their heads. Martin Betschart holds the Swiss flag on a stage decorated with stars, scrolls, and art deco motif. Front row is (youth) Champion Buebe Schwinger Al Burgener. "Crown Girls" (L-R) Mary Keller, Alice Widmer, Lena Jelasich, Ida Fassbind, Evelyn Bucher, Louise Query, Martha Muller, Ruby Etter, Ann Schnider. Schwingers are (L-R): Frank Betschart, Al Ming, Sr., Adolph Imhof, Karl Kessler, Eugene Weber, Max Holenstein, Robert Spichtig, Ben Holdener, John Balmer. Musicians in next row are: (L-R): Charlie Steiner, Joe Burgi, Ed Schwarzenberger, Egon Schmidt. At the top are: (L-R): unidentified, Al Bacher, Martin Betschart. (Swiss Sportsmen's Club of Tacoma: p. 17)

Wrestling--Tacoma--1930-1940; Swiss Americans--Tacoma; Ethnic groups--Tacoma; Tacoma Schwinger Club (Tacoma);

On April 13-14, 1935, the nation's premier alpine event was held at Paradise, Mount Rainier. The Northwest slopes were the site of the national downhill and slalom championships. Also at stake were positions on the 1936 US Olympic team. This was the first time that a major US skiing event had been held in the west. Skier number 59 was photographed maneuvering through the competition course. Over 70 skiers, 59 men and 11 women, threw their hats into the ring for a chance at the national title. Hannes Schroll of Austria won the men's downhill, slalom and combined. Ellis-Ayr Smith of Tacoma won the women's downhill and combined with her sister Ethlynne (Skit) taking the prize in the slalom. Stock negative.

Skiers--Tacoma--1930-1940; Skiing--Tournaments--1930-1940;

Tacoma's best hope for a medal in the Men's National Championships in downhill and slalom in 1935 was Carlton Wiegel. The competition was held April 13-14, 1935 at Mount Rainier. The contest also served as the finals in the US Olympic trials and it was the greatest sporting event ever held in the Northwest. Wiegel was a native Norwegian who inherited his love of the sport. At the time of the competition however, he was hampered by an old ankle injury and finished 13th in the Downhill and failed to finish in the first 20 of the slalom. (TT, TNT, TDL 4/12-15, 1935)

Skiers--Tacoma--1930-1940; Athletes--Tacoma--1930-1940; Skiing--Tournaments--1930-1940; Wiegel, Carlton;

Hannes Schroll, the Austrian daredevil on skis, came to the Northwest in April of 1935 to compete in the US national men's downhill and slalom competition. He finished the competition by winning both events as well as the combined. A member of the European ski racing elite, he was the holder of 87 European titles when he came to the US. He remained to become the director of the Badger Pass resort in Yosemite. In 1937, he and an Austrian copatriot purchased 696 acres at Donner Summit in California. The pair, with a group of investors including Walt Disney, developed the Sugar Bowl resort and ski area. But Tacoma will always remember him best as the Wild Man who yodeled as he hurtled down the mountain at 75 mph. (TT, TNT, TDL 4/12-15, 1935)

Skiers--Tacoma--1930-1940; Skiing--Tournaments--1930-1940; Schroll, Hannes;

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;

Four unidentified young players on the hockey team sponsored by the Barbecue Inn take a milk break in front of the Tacoma Arena, 3801 South Union Avenue, in February of 1953. In 1953, Hockey in Tacoma wasn't confined to Tacoma's professional team, the Rockets. Thanks to the Metropolitan Park District and the Tacoma Hockey Club, approximately 250 boys and young men in Tacoma were able to compete in three leagues that played at the Arena on Monday and Thursday nights. No other town on the pacific coast had a hockey program that compared to Tacoma's. The Barbecue Inn was at 8102 Maple Street S.W. in Lakewood. (TNT 2/22/1953 p.B-5) Photograph ordered by Allen Goldfin.

Ice hockey--Tacoma; Ice hockey players--Tacoma; Ice skating rinks--Tacoma; Sporting goods; Electric signs--Tacoma--1950-1960; Signs (Notices);

A member of the I.O.O. F. hockey team prepares to enter the game as he swings open the heavy rink door in this February, 1953, photograph. A small, but intent, group of supporters sit behind the team bench. This may be a mixed practice or game as a member of the Barbecue Inn team is on the same Tacoma Rockets bench. It would be expected that the "home team" be assigned the Tacoma Rockets section. Photograph ordered by Allen Goldfin.

Ice hockey--Tacoma; Ice hockey players--Tacoma; Ice skating rinks--Tacoma; Sports spectators--Tacoma;

A young hockey player modestly signs an autograph for two admiring fans in this February, 1953, photograph. He apparently took time off from practice to chat with the spectators as he is dressed in full hockey gear, sans helmet. Hockey was very popular in the 1950's in the Tacoma area; there were many teams involved in the sport ranging from the Under-12's to high school teams. The Tacoma Rockets was the area's semi-pro team whose players and scores were reported on in the daily newspaper on a regular basis. Photograph ordered by Allen Goldfin. TPL-8262

Ice hockey--Tacoma; Ice hockey players--Tacoma; Ice skating rinks--Tacoma; Sports spectators--Tacoma;

Tacoma Rockets coach Murray "Muzz" Patrick gives advice in February of 1953 to forward Jack Stewart (age 7) and goalie Dick Boedecker (age 10) as the young players listen intently. The coach, a former NHL player and member of a well-known hockey family, may be giving pointers to the forward on how to get the puck past the goalie. Jack Stewart's North-End I.O.O. F. team would be in action in February against the Studs for the first-half Pee-Wee League title. The Pee-Wee title match would be the preliminary game before the Tacoma Rockets and Tacoma Amateurs played in an exhibition contest. (TNT 2-4-53, p. 24) Photograph ordered by Allen Goldfin for the King Feature Syndicate.

Ice hockey--Tacoma; Ice hockey players--Tacoma; Ice skating rinks; Coaching (Athletics)--Tacoma; Stewart, Jack; Boedecker, Dick; Patrick, Murray;

A young goalie, believed to be Dick Boedecker, sprawls on the ice with his right glove clenched in front of a hockey goal. He may have just caught a puck shot at him by the opposing forward. His coach, hands on his knees, watchs while a photographer, sans skates, films the action. This photograph was probably taken at the Tacoma Ice Palace, 3801 So. Union Ave. Photograph ordered by Allen Goldfin for King Feature Syndicate in February, 1953.

Ice hockey--Tacoma; Ice hockey players--Tacoma; Ice skating rinks; Photographers--Tacoma;

For many years the Tacoma Athletic Commission sponsored a Fourth of July show featuring elaborate fireworks. George P. Sheridan, chairman, and Howard Krewson, ticket chairman, pose with three children and a variety of fireworks on a grassy lot on July 1, 1965. Cecelia Harris rides bareback on a small pony while Denise Michael is perched on a Schwinn bicycle. Patricia Harris holds an enormous firecracker. The bicycle and pony would be given away during the gigantic fireworks show at the Stadium Bowl on Monday, July 5th. Photograph ordered by the Tacoma Athletic Commission. (TNT 7-2-65, p. 1)

Tacoma Athletic Commission (Tacoma); Children & adults; Sheridan, George P.; Krewson, Howard; Harris, Cecelia; Michael, Denise; Harris, Patricia; Ponies; Bicycles & tricycles; Fireworks--1960-1970;

Changing of the guard at the T.A.C. The presidential gravel exchanges hands on January 4, 1968, as new officers of the Tacoma Athletic Commission are announced. Stan Naccarato, seated left, accepts the gravel from outgoing president Tom Cross while Howie Krewson looks on. Standing and observing are : (L-R) Treasurer Joe Macaluso, Secretary Robert Nelsen, Third v.p. - Bill Rohrs and Second v.p., Hal Brotman. Photograph ordered by Tacoma Athletic Commission. (TNT 1-7-68, B15)

Tacoma Athletic Commission (Tacoma); Naccarato, Stan; Cross, Tom; Krewson, Howard; Macaluso, Joe; Nelsen, Robert; Rohrs, Bill; Brotman, Hal;

These four figure skaters were all smiles in March of 1958 when photographed on the ice of the Lakewood Ice Arena at 7310 Steilacoom Blvd. S.W. They were all bound for the National Figure Skating Championships to be held in Minneapolis on March 26-29, 1958. From left to right are: Linda Galbraith (Novice Ladies), Kathleen Seabeck (Junior Ladies), and Judy and Jerry Fotheringill (Junior Pairs). The skaters had earned their tickets to the national championships by placing among the top three at the Pacific Coast competitions held in Seattle in February. All four were members of the Lakewood Winter Club; the Winter Club had established residency at the Lakewood Ice Arena in 1938. One year later, in 1959, Judianne and Jerry Fotheringill won the national junior pairs crown at the figure skating championships when they were held in Rochester. Photograph ordered by the Lakewood Winter Club. (TNT 3-18-58, p. 20)

Ice skating--Tacoma--1950-1960; Skaters; Seabeck, Kathleen; Galbraith, Linda; Fotheringill, Judy; Fotheringill, Jerry;

View of head table at banquet. Governor Albert Rosellini was one of the honored guests at the 1963 Washington State Sports Hall of Fame awards banquet on February 6, 1963. The Sports Hall of Fame had been established by the Tacoma Athletic Commission by one of its founders, Clay Huntington, in 1960. Each year a number of candidates are nominated to be voted upon by top sportswriters and sportscasters from throughout the state. Those elected are recognized for their outstanding sports accomplishments and honor they have brought to themselves and the State of Washington. At the head table above in this 1963 photograph are also local lumberman and philanthropist Ben Cheney (seated second to left) and All-star shortstop, Maury Wills (next to Gov. Rosellini). Five men were elected to the Tacoma-Pierce County Sports Hall of Fame: Don Paul, George Wise, Frank Gillihan, Jack Walters and Jack Connor. Those honorees are believed to be standing in the above picture behind the head table; names not necessarily in order. (TNT 2-7-63, C-7) (www.washingtonsportshalloffame.com/index2.htm)

Tacoma Athletic Commission (Tacoma); Awards; Washington State Sports Hall of Fame (Tacoma); Rosellini, Albert D.; Wills, Maury; Cheney, Ben B., 1905-1971;