Bowling has long been popular in Tacoma, producing such greats as Earl Anthony. The Tryfon Hatters bowled for John Tryfon whose hat store was located at 944 1/2 Commerce Street beginning in 1921. Greek-born Tryfon, affectionately known as "the Madhatter of Commerce Street", retired in 1973.

Baseball outing on the grounds of the Western State Hospital.

This is the 185-yard par 3 8th hole on the Fircrest Golf Club Course as it appeared in the 1920's. In the background on a hill is a water tower which has since been replaced by a larger, modern tank. Situated on 160-acres in the heart of the small city, the private golf club opened in July of 1924 with nine of the planned 18 holes available. The second nine holes would be put into use by the summer of 1925. (Additional information provided by a reader)

ca. 1924. One golfer is attempting to blast out of a bunker at the Fircrest Golf Course while his two companions remain safely out of the way. This photograph was believed to have been taken not long after the private golf course's opening in 1924. This site has been identified as the original hole design and bunker configuration of the 17th green at the Fircrest Golf Course. The course designer, Arthur V. Macan, created the hole to mirror the glaciers of Mount Rainier. Golfers soon called it "The Volcano Hole." (Additional information provided by a reader)

Cue wizard George H. Sutton visited Tacoma's Naubert & Manning billiard academy in October of 1925 where he defeated George Latshaw 250-78, running off 147 in a row. Nicknamed "Handless," Mr. Sutton toured the country and amazed spectators with his skills for almost 35 years. He had lost his arms below the elbows at age 8 in a sawmill accident. This did not prevent him from studying medicine and graduating from the University of Milwaukee. He learned to play billiards during his college years and later set a Balkline world record. Mr. Sutton would pass away in 1938, at the age of 68. (TDL 10-9-25, p. 7-article & alternate photograph; www.cuecare.com)

ca. 1937. Frozen in time in the middle of a windup is Floyd "Lefty" Isekite of the Tacoma Tigers. "Lefty," a southpaw, pitched in the Western International League in the 1930's. He had a blazing fastball and pitched a no-hitter in 1937 against the Wenatchee Chiefs. "Lefty" last pitched for the Tigers in 1940. He was named to the Tacoma-Pierce County Sports Hall of Fame in 1972. Floyd Gill "Lefty" Isekite passed away in April, 1992. TPL-150. (TNT 11-14-39, p. 20, TNT 8-28-49, B-9)

ca. 1938. Members of the Tacoma Tigers baseball club pose for a 1938 team picture prior to their game with Yakima. William "Hack" Wilson was the Tigers' playing catcher and also their manager. He is believed to be in the back row, third from the right. TPL-4747.

A large crowd of baseball fans gathered outside the Tribune Publishing Company building to watch the box score of the World Series game between the Philadelphia Athletics and the St. Louis Cardinals on October 5, 1930. The News Tribune had a large scoreboard mounted on the front of their building which allowed fans to follow the game play-by-play. Although Cardinals pitcher Jesse Haines outdueled Lefty Grove 3-1 to tie the Series up at 2 wins apiece, the Athletics would ultimately prevail, winning the World Series 4 games to 2. BU-12852, TPL-2115

ca. 1930s. Rev. Jokatsu Yukawa, pastor of the Tacoma Hongwanji Buddhist Church, has donned protective gear and prepares to engage in kendo, a form of Japanese fencing. Rev. Yukawa is to the right in this sepia 1930's photograph; his masked opponent is not identified. The pair are practicing at the site of the Japanese Language School on Tacoma Avenue South, which had opened in 1921. Rev. Yukawa spent five years as the temple's minister, from 1928-1933. During his tenure, a $40,000 fund drive was initiated which culminated in the construction of the present church and junior members were organized in active Young Buddhist Association groups. He was promoted to serve a larger congregation in California and was replaced by Rev. Sensho Sasaki. (History of Pierce County, Vol. 1, p. 16) TPL-2008.

Heavyweight Champion Gene Tunney, center, removes his leather flying helmet after arriving at Camp Lewis by plane from Seattle on February 8, 1927. He is met by Governor Roland H. Hartley, left, and Brig. Gen. Robert Alexander. Tunney will complete the remainder of his journey to Olympia by automobile. He is being honored at a luncheon in Olympia where 200 guests will hear him speak about the proposed boxing commission bill for Washington. Tunney was the Champion from 1926- 28, defeating Jack Dempsey for the crown, and retired undefeated in 1928. He was known as being handsome and intellectual. He served in the Navy in World War II, was successful in business and wrote two books. (TNT 2/8/1927 p.1)

Portrait of pugilist Gene Tunney, taken on February 8, 1927, when he landed at Camp Lewis, enroute from Seattle to Olympia. The military two person plane was met at Camp Lewis by a delegation from Olympia, headed by Governor Roland H. Hartley. Tunney, heavyweight boxing Champion from 1926-28, was honored at a luncheon in Olympia where he spoke about a proposed boxing commission bill for the state. Tunney had defeated Jack Dempsey in 1926, and again in 1927, for the heavyweight crown. He retired as Champion in 1928. (TNT 2/8/1927 p.1)

Alexina Slater, showing the vitality of youth, shrugs off her grueling 2-mile swim across the Point Defiance channel and dances the Charleston in front of a movie camera on September 26, 1926. The 15-year-old Stadium High School student was the only female entry in the race from Talequah to Point Defiance but she outswam nine others to finish fourth. Her time of 1 hr. 20 minutes was only 18 minutes slower than the winner, Gerhard Bahr. The massive crowd of 10,000 heartily cheered and applauded her efforts. Miss Slater, of 5517 N. 45th St., was presented a trophy from Mahncke & Co. in honor of her accomplishment. (Tacoma Sunday Ledger, 9-26-26, p. 1, TNT 9-27-26, p. 1)

15-year-old Alexina Slater, in cap and swimsuit, was the only female entrant in the first organized channel swim from the Tahlequah Ferry Terminal on Vashon Island to Point Defiance held on September 26, 1926. She finished fourth with a time of 1 hr. 20 minutes, outracing nine other swimmers. The Stadium High School student was only 18 minutes behind Gerhard Bahr's winning time of 1 hr. 2 minutes. While Bahr received the roars befitting the champion, Miss Slater was also heavily applauded by the crowd of 10,000. Her picture appeared on the front page of the News Tribune and the headline actually read " Girl Given Cheer as She Swims Point Defiance Channel." Miss Slater, of 5517 N. 45th St., began swimming at age 4 under the direction of her father. (Tacoma Sunday Ledger, 9-26-26, p. 1, TNT 9-27-26, p. 1)

The "Tigers," members of the South Tacoma Business Men's Club independent baseball team, pose outdoors for a team picture on April 27, 1924. All but one are wearing complete baseball attire, including caps. They would open their season against the Northern Pacific Shopmen on May 4, 1924, in the brand new baseball park at South 72nd & Lawrence. A big parade would precede the game. The Northern Pacific Shopmen would go on to win a high scoring game, 11-9. From L-R, top row, Cliff Wescott; Elmer Booth; O. Capps; Roy Hilliard; Bryon Furseth; Ed Putnam. Kneeling L-R: Ted Fosdick; Archie Genin; Lud Radike; Bishop; Brown. (TNT 4-29-24, p.12; TDL 5-4-24, C-1) G53.1-024; TPL-7766

Baseball players--Tacoma--1920-1930; Uniforms; South Tacoma Business Men's Club (Tacoma);

Kay St. Main Event. The Glide Rink is packed with spectators eagerly anticipating the main event boxing match on January 24, 1924. Three stern men, including the referee, observe two fighters in action. It is noticeable that the audience, apparently all male, is well dressed with suits and ties worn. Gene Cline of Oakland and Eddie Roberts of Tacoma headlined the card with a six-round bout. Roberts, a welterweight, decisioned Cline in a tough contest. The boxing match, along with other bouts, was sponsored by the Kay Street Athletic Club. G53.1-130 (Tacoma Sunday Ledger, 1-20-24, C-3-article; TDL 1-25-24, p. 10-article)

Boxers (Sports)--Tacoma--1920-1930; Sports spectators--Tacoma--1920-1930; Boxing--Tacoma--1920-1930; Cline, Gene; Roberts, Eddie;

Stadium High School basketball team. This is part of Stadium's first team in basketball for the 1923-24 season. There were two captains that year: Cliff Bergman and Neil Yingling. From L-R (top row): Walter Dow, Lon Crosthwaite, Neil McDougall, Ed Dow. The Dow brothers were newcomers from Montana. On the bottom row, L-R: Bayard Mosher, Neil Yingling, Clifford Bergman, Herman Brix. Coached by Will Duggan, the Tigers went down to defeat three times at the hands of Lincoln High School. (1924 Tahoma- various pages; TNT 1-14-24, p. 24) G46.1-017

Basketball players--Tacoma--1920-1930; Stadium High School (Tacoma); Students--Tacoma--1920-1930; Dow, Walter; Crosthwaite, Lon; McDougall, Neil; Dow, Ed; Mosher, Bayard; Yingling, Neil; Bergman, Clifford; Brix, Herman;

Stadium High School's football players. This is Stadium High's first team in the 1923 season. Unlike the previous year which began with only three veterans on the team, Stadium was able to send eleven experienced men to battle cross-town rival Lincoln. Stadium would go on to defeat Lincoln High School three times in tightly contested games. Stadium was led by Captain Bayard Mosher (seated, third from left holding ball) and coached by Myron Carr (standing in dark jersey with cap) and Vern Clark (standing extreme right in second row). (1924 Tahoma yearbook; T.Times 11-19-1923, p. 10) G46.1-034

Football players--Tacoma--1920-1930; Students--Tacoma--1920-1930; Stadium High School (Tacoma); Mosher, Bayard; Carr, Myron; Clark, Vern;

Olene brothers. The brothers Olene both played football at the College of Puget Sound with Melvin (left) in the Class of '24 and Leonard in the Class of '27. Similar in weight and height, they were high-powered fullbacks. The 1924 C.P.S. yearbook, the Tamanawas, listed their nicknames as "Vas" (Melvin) and "Gas" (Leonard). Melvin, a transfer from Albany College, was senior class president and graduated with a degree in chemistry that year. The Olenes were from Albany, Oregon. G54.1-005 (1924 Tamanawas; TNT 11-2-23, p. 23)

Football players--Tacoma--1920-1930; Olene, Melvin; Olene, Leonard;

The 8-man Northwestern Woodenware Co. bowling team posed for a group portrait on October 22, 1923. They participated in the Commercial League. Two bowling balls and a pair of wooden pins are being held by three members seated in front. Standing in the second row on the left is Leif Jensen, accountant for the firm. G53.1-105

Bowlers--Tacoma; Bowling balls; Jensen, Leif; Northwestern Woodenware Co. (Tacoma)--Employees;

This is the 12-man Sumner High School football team in 1922 with their award-winning trophy. This December photograph was taken outdoors, perhaps on school grounds, with seven of the team kneeling on the snow-covered grass. The man on the far left is possibly the coach, H. Davis. For the second year, Sumner had won the Pierce County championship with a 5-1 record. Its only loss was to Auburn. Sumner had defeated Puyallup on November 5th by a seven point margin before a large crowd attending Sumner's homecoming. Rivals Puyallup and Sumner High School battled to a 7-7 tie on the morning of November 30th. This left the Valley high school football championship undecided. Sumner players involved in that game included: Reynolds, Bortle, Caster, Sperling, Barron, Peter, Dwight Taylor, Dean Taylor, Paulhamus (Captain), G. Taylor and Benton (last names provided only by the Daily Ledger). G46.1-039 (TDL 12-1-22, p. 8 -article only; TNT 11-17-22, p. 22-article)

Football players--Sumner; Awards;

This was Stadium High School's first squad during the 1922 football season. Coach Myron Carr (not pictured) had only three returning first team lettermen at the beginning of the school year. Nevertheless, the veterans and newcomers played to the best of their ability in clashes with rival Lincoln High and maintained a tough competitive spirit throughout the season. Center Herman Brix, a junior, proved to be a mainstay on offense. Brix (third from right, back row) later used his athletic prowess at the University of Washington where he was a tackle on the 1926 Rose Bowl team. His silver medal in shot-putting at the 1928 Olympics and his rugged good looks helped lead to Hollywood and the role of Tarzan in "The New Adventures of Tarzan." Later, as actor Bruce Bennett, he would appear in many motion pictures including "Mildred Pierce" and "Treasure of the Sierra Madre." G46.1-041

Football players--Tacoma--1920-1930; Stadium High School (Tacoma); Brix, Herman;

These four Stadium High School "Tigers", all seniors, were on the starting squad for the 1922 football season. Left to right: fullback Max Mika, end/halfback Stanley McDowell, tackle Stanley Long and end Harold Walker. Max was captain of the team and also was on the basketball's first team. Stanley McDowell was a four-year letterman and was captain of the school's soccer team. Stanley Long had already developed a football reputation from his playing days in Chehalis and continued his fine play at Stadium. He was also the treasurer for the senior class. A fine tackler, Harold Walker was a three-year letterman and also was on the first team in wrestling. G46.1-036 (1923 "Tahoma" -various pages; TNT 10-26-22, p. 23-alternate photograph) TPL-8198

Football players--Tacoma--1920-1930; Stadium High School (Tacoma); Mika, Max; McDowell, Stanley; Long, Stanley; Walker, Harold;

These are the first and second string football teams representing Stadium High School during the fall of 1922. Despite only having three returning lettermen, with two of the three being seniors, Stadium High School fought valiantly during their inter-city clashes with Lincoln High School. The school would lose the city championship for the first time in six years. First team members, as noted by the school yearbook, "Tahoma," were: (in no particular order) fullback Max Mika, center Herman Brix (later Olympian and "Tarzan" actor Bruce Bennett), guard Max Hoff, tackle Stanley Long, fullback Sam Hanson, center Robert McCullough, end Ed Cooper, halfback Ted Graham, tackle Harold Anderson, quarterback Bayard Mosher, end/halfback Stanley McDowell, end Harold Walker, guard Einar Larsen, guard/center Loren Baldwin and halfback Lon Crosshwaite. (1923 Tahoma p.139-141; TNT 10-26-22, p. 23-last names only listed) TPL-8199; G46.1-038; G54.1-004

Football players--Tacoma--1920-1930; Stadium High School (Tacoma); Students--Tacoma--1920-1930;

These three stalwart Stadium High School teens were part of the school's "First Team" lineup during the 1922 football season. At far left is Sam Hanson, fullback. Sam, although only a freshman, proved worthy of placement on the more experienced team. Lon Crosshwaite is the player in the center. A halfback, the speedy Crosshwaite was noted for running punts back farther than any man on the team. At far right is Bayard Mosher, the team's quarterback. The school's yearbook praised Mosher for his never-say-die attitude and peerless quarterbacking. All three players shown above were underclassmen and expected to return the following year. (1923 "The Tahoma," p. 139-141; TNT 11-8-22, p. 17) G46.1-042

Football players--Tacoma--1920-1930; Stadium High School (Tacoma)--1920-1930; Hanson, Sam; Crosshwaite, Lon; Mosher, Bayard;

On July 4, 1921, at 2:30 in the afternoon, the flag dropped starting the 10th annual Tacoma Speedway Classic. Nine drivers had entered the 250 mile race. It was driven on Tacoma's infamous board track and had a purse of $25,000, to be divided nine ways. On the right is the pace car, a Marmon Speedster, carrying referee Eddie Rickenbacker and pace maker Ray Harroun. The car would pace the drivers for one lap before the race actually took off. Rickenbacker was a former star of the race track and a famous ace of the air and Harroun was also a veteran driver. Harroun was a last minute replacement for Louis Chevrolet. The car on the left of the pace car is #6, the Duesenberg driven by Roscoe Sarles. Sarles had earned the pole position by driving at the top speed of 101 mph during the trials. The race was won by favorite Tommy Milton. Milton broke all speed records for distance with his average speed of 98 mph. (TDL 7/4/1921, pg. 1; 7/5/21, pg. 1) G51.1-082

Tacoma Speedway (Lakewood); Racetracks--Lakewood--1920-1930; Automobile racing--Lakewood--1920-1930;

Two of the entries in the 1921 Tacoma Speedway Classic are pictured above, with Tom Alley's #27 Frontenac lined up ahead of Eddie Hearne's #1 Revere. It was Mr. Alley's first visit to Washington State although he was a veteran driver and considered one of the pioneers of racing. Mr. Hearne's white Revere was the same car he drove in 1920 when he finished third. The finishing line in 1922 saw these two cars switched in position: Mr. Hearne finished fourth with a time of 2:39:42, an eye-blink ahead of Mr. Alley's 2:39:44. Finishing fourth garnered Mr. Hearne $1,750 and 80 championship driving points while Mr. Alley's fifth place finish won him $1,500 and 50 championship points. The field of nine fast cars saw Tommy Milton nose out Roscoe Sarles for the $10,000 first place prize. (TNT 7-5-21, p. 1,2-results) G52.1-018

Alley, Tom; Hearne, Eddie; Tacoma Speedway (Lakewood); Racetracks--Lakewood--1920-1930; Automobile racing--Lakewood--1920-1930; Racing automobiles--1920-1930; Frontenac automobile; Revere automobile;

Twenty thousand race fans crowded into the covered grandstands of the Tacoma Speedway to watch the July 4, 1921 Speedway Classic. The drivers, mechanics and race officials stand on the board track prior to the start of the 250 mile race. The race cars are lined up on the track three abreast, with the Marmon Speedster pace car in the lead. In the front row are, left to right, #6 Roscoe Sarles' Duesenberg, #1 Eddie Hearne's Revere Special and #3 Frank Elliott's Leach Special. Middle row: #5 Joe Thomas's Duesenberg, #7 Eddie Miller's car, #2 Tommy Milton's Durant Special. Last row: #27 Tom Alley's Frontenac, #12 Anton Soules' Frontenac, #21 Eddie Pullen's Duesenberg. The crowd was treated to an exciting race where Tommy Milton repeated his win of the previous year, breaking all distance speed records with an average speed of 98 mph. He completed the race in 2:34:00, followed closely by Sarles at 2:34:52. (TDL 7/2/1921 - 7/5/21, all pg. 1) G51.1-081

Racetracks--Lakewood--1920-1930; Automobile racing--Lakewood--1920-1930; Tacoma Speedway (Lakewood); Racing automobiles--1920-1930; Grandstands--Lakewood;

ca. 1921. Informal close-up portrait of auto racer, Eddie Miller. Mr. Miller, part of the powerful four-car Duesenberg team, paid his third visit to Tacoma's Speedway in 1921. He picked up his bride from back East before arriving in Tacoma in late June, following the path laid by his former teammate, Tommy Milton, who had done the same before winning the 1920 Tacoma race. Eddie Miller in his #7 Duesenberg came in sixth in 1921 with a time of 2:39:55 and average mph of 93.70. He earned $1000 and 35 championship points. Mr. Miller was credited in building 23 cars. Before piloting a car himself, he had riden as a "mechanician" with six drivers. Eddie Miller had been on every speedway in the United States, traveling over 23,000 miles in racing cars alone. (TNT 6-30-21, p. 15; TDL 7-3-21, C-3-article; TNT 7-5-21, p. 1, 2-results) G52.1-060

Miller, Edward; Automobile racing drivers; Tacoma Speedway (Lakewood);

On July 4, 1921, some of the cars participating in the 10th annual Speedway Classic are lined up on the board track. In the lead is #27 Tom Alley's Frontenac followed by #1 Eddie Hearne's big white Revere Special. The Marmon Speedster pace car, which would be driven by Ray Harroun, brings up the rear. In the background is the judge's viewing tower. Twenty thousand fans turned out to cheer on the 9 drivers in the 250 mile race. The drivers finished in the following order: Milton, Sarles, Thomas, Hearne, Alley and Miller. Pullen and Elliott were flagged off the track at the completion of the race. Soules did not complete the race, leaving on the 61st lap with a blown piston. (TDL 7/5/1921, pg. 1) G51.1-067

Automobile racing--Lakewood--1920-1930; Racetracks--Lakewood--1920-1930; Tacoma Speedway (Lakewood); Racing automobiles--1920-1930;

Construction workers take a moment to pose for a photograph at the site of the Tacoma Speedway in February of 1921. G34.1-012

Tacoma Speedway (Lakewood); Construction workers--Lakewood;