Interior- bowling alley. The Villa Bowl, located in Lakewood's Villa Plaza Shopping Center, welcomed area bowlers to their modern new facility in September, 1957. Semi-circular bench seating was provided for bowlers on the checkered flooring and comfortable chairs with arm rests awaited onlookers. Villa Bowl had 24 lanes and automatic Brunswick pin setters. There would be a league room for lessons by both a male and female instructor and a leathercraft shop where bowlers could learn to make custom made covers. A snack bar and banquet room would also be available. Owners Russell and Jo Trauger would also provide a nursery with trained supervisors to watch the children of bowlers. The bowling alley would be open 24 hours a day. For exterior of building, see A108778-5. Photograph ordered by Villa Bowl. (TNT 8-7-57, B-20, TNT 9-19-57, p. 14, 15))

Bowling alleys--Lakewood; Villa Bowl (Lakewood);

The Villa Bowl was one of the newest bowling alleys to open in Pierce County in 1957; it was located in the new Villa Plaza Shopping Center. The building's exterior is typically concrete-block construction with some brick facing. Large letters near the roofline advertise the business' name; there is also a cutout of two bowlers on a separate panel nearby. The bowling alley was scheduled to open about September 1. It would have 24 lanes and automatic Brunswick pin setters. Bowling lessons would be provided by both a male and female instructor. Photograph ordered by Villa Bowl. (TNT 8-7-57, B-20)

Bowling alleys--Lakewood; Villa Bowl (Lakewood); Signs (Notices);

These teenagers played in the Babe Ruth league in 1957 and were sponsored by Ben Cheney. They are wearing pinstriped uniforms similar to the ones worn by older Cheney Studs. Mr. Cheney made it possible for thousands of youngsters to participate in amateur sports in the local area. Photograph ordered by the Cheney Lumber Co.

Baseball players--Tacoma--1950-1960; Uniforms;

ca. 1958. Additional work had been done on C116559, image 1, to improve appearance of players manually added to the team's roster. This was the South End Boys Club baseball team sponsored by Stamey Insurance in 1958. They played in the Junior League of Metro Park's baseball program. Three boys apparently were not present at the time of the original photograph; the Richards Studio then cut and pasted their images into the group shot. Photograph ordered by Ben Cheney.

Baseball players--Tacoma--1960-1970; Baseball--Tacoma--1960-1970; Stamey Insurance, Inc. (Tacoma);

ca. 1928. A copy of this photograph was ordered in October of 1958 by the Cheney Lumber Co. In the photograph, the members of the "Decimo Club" posed in their basketball uniforms. It appears to date from around 1928; the "Decimo" Club participated in the City League basketball league that year. The player holding the basketball in the front row is believed to be Ben Cheney. In 1924, Mr. Cheney arrived in Tacoma from South Bend at the age of 19. He loved sports and participated in several, including basketball. He drew a cartoon for his 1920 South Bend High School yearbook of himself dreaming of basketball glory, but at 5'8" tall he did not play varsity basketball. His true skill was in business. In 1936, he bought his first lumber mill and began building the empire that became the internationally known Cheney Lumber Co. He donated generously to allow local children to have the opportunity to participate in sports. Ben Cheney died in 1971. (The Ben Cheney Story by Med Nicholson, The Sou'wester, Fall 2000)

Basketball players--Tacoma;

Ben Cheney's generosity permitted thousands of Tacoma youth to participate in sports including football, basketball and baseball. The local lumberman and philanthropist sponsored many teams under the name, Cheney Studs, and they were able to play at the facility named after Mr. Cheney, Cheney Field. View of two Cheney Studs Midget football players practicing the art of kicking while two coaches observe on November 1, 1958. These players are dressed in full uniform including the famous Cheney Studs logo on their jerseys. The Midget Studs met Lakewood at Clover Park High School for the league championship later that day. Both teams had a 4-0-1 record; the tie was with each other. Coincidentally, they tied again in the championship game at 6-6. They were scheduled to play again the following week but were declared co-champions with no additional playoffs. Photograph ordered by Cheney Lumber Co. (TNT 10-24-58, D-3; TNT 11-7-58, p. 25)

Football--Tacoma--1950-1960; Football players--Tacoma--1950-1960;

The Harold Stamey Insurance Agency sponsored several youth baseball teams in the 1950's. This group of boys played out of the South End Boys Club in the Metro Parks Junior League division in the summer of 1958. Standing with the players are Mr. and Mrs. Stamey and two other adults, Chris Matz and Dick Palamidessi, who were probably coaches. The striking note about this group picture is that three boys' pictures were cut and pasted into the group shot: Elvin La Coursiere and Gene Rasmussen on both ends of kneeling row and Tom Bishop, fourth from the right in the rear. The names of the Stamey Insurance team were listed at the bottom of the team photo: Front row (L-R): Elvin La Coursiere, Curtis Stamey, Dennis Waliter, Frank Hahn, Allen Burmester, Russ Fagering, Mike Endicott and Gene Rasmussen. Back row (L-R): Chris Matz, Dick Palamidessi, Chris Schmidt, Bob Gagnon, Darrell Matz, Tom Bishop, Bruce Nichols, Mrs. Harold Stamey, Harold Stamey. The Stamey team edged the East Side Boys Club 5-4 to wrap up the Junior South boys baseball title that summer. Pitchers Rasmussen and Nichols combined for a two-hitter. Photograph ordered by Harold Stamey. (TNT 8-1-58, p. 20)

Baseball players--Tacoma--1950-1960; Baseball--Tacoma--1950-1960; Teenagers--1950-1960; Stamey Insurance, Inc. (Tacoma); Stamey, Harold; Stamey, Curtis;

This South End Boys Club baseball team was sponsored by Stamey Insurance. Mr. and Mrs. Stamey and two additional coaches, Chris Matz and Dick Palamidessi, posed with the players in the summer of 1958. They played in the Junior League of Metro Park's baseball program. This was believed to be the original group portrait; see C116559-1 for touched-up version when three boys, who were probably missing the day of the photograph, had their pictures cut and pasted into the group shot. From L-R in the front row: Curtis Stamey, Dennis Waltier, Frank Hahn, Allen Burmester, Russ Fagering and Mike Endicott. In the back row, L-R: Chris Matz, Dick Palamidessi, Chris Schmidt, Bob Gagnon, Darrell Matz, Bruce Nichols and Mr. and Mrs. Stamey. Photograph ordered by Harold Stamey.

Baseball players--Tacoma--1950-1960; Baseball--Tacoma--1950-1960; Teenagers--Tacoma--1950-1960; Stamey Insurance, Inc. (Tacoma); Stamey, Harold; Stamey, Curtis;

Eleven Reichhold Chemicals team members pose with the trophy honoring them as the commercial champions of the year in softball. Most of the men are wearing a RCI logo on their uniforms. Reichhold, like many other large companies, sponsored recreational teams for their employees. These men were part of the eighty employed by the company in 1958; the company had an annual payroll of $500,000. Plans were announced in November, 1958, to build a major phenol producing plant, necessary to plywood production, with a $1 million payroll and 150 added employees. Construction was to start the latter part of 1959. Photograph ordered by Reichhold Chemicals, Inc. (TNT 11-2-58, A-1)

Softball players--Tacoma--1950-1960; Reichhold Chemicals, Inc. (Tacoma); Awards;

The Cheney Studs are pictured in front of the Cheney Field sign on August 9, 1958. The Richards Studio has labeled these pictures as the "Seattle" Cheney Studs baseball team. Ben Cheney, local lumberman and noted philanthropist, sponsored many amateur teams in a variety of sports. All groups were called the Cheney Studs regardless of members' ages or sport chosen. Coach Joe Budnick is seated to the far left in this photograph. Others identified are: Earl Hyder, first row 4th from left; Bob Maguinez is in the second row, second from right; Gene Anderson, Cheney Studs Athletic Director is in the second row, extreme right. Photograph ordered by Cheney Lumber Co. (Additional identification provided by a reader)

Baseball players--Tacoma--1950-1960; Hyder, Earl; Maguinez, Bob; Anderson, Gene;

Ben Cheney sponsored many amateur teams, all sporting the nomenclature, the Cheney Studs. A young baseball player is photographed at dusk on June 19, 1958; he is wearing a pinstriped uniform with the familiar Studs logo. The baseball team was composed of high school and college-level stars in the Puget Sound area. Photograph ordered by Cheney Lumber Co.

Baseball players--Tacoma--1950-1960; Baseball--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Douglas Fir Plywood Association conducted its 22nd annual meeting in June, 1958. Members met in Gearhart, Oregon, and enjoyed playing in a golf tournament. Four golfers appear to be adhering to the sign, "Please replace divots," as they examine a chunk of displaced grass. Photograph ordered by Douglas Fir Plywood Association.

Golf--Oregon--Gearhart; Golfers--Oregon--Gearhart; Signs (Notices); Douglas Fir Plywood Association (Tacoma);

Former World Heavyweight Boxing Champions Joe Louis, far right, and Max Baer, far left, during an appearance at Tacoma's B&I Circus Store on May 3, 1958. Louis speaks with B&I owner E. L. Irwin. Frank Stojack, football and wrestling standout, stands next to Baer signing autographs. ALBUM 9.

Boxers (Sports)--Tacoma--1950-1960; Baer, Max, 1909-1959--Public appearances; Louis, Joe, 1914-1981--Public appearances; Stojack, Frank; Irwin, E.L.; B&I Circus Store (Tacoma); Autographing--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Former World Heavyweight Boxing Champion Max Baer, left, clowns around with three other men during an appearance at Tacoma's B&I Circus Store on May 3, 1958. He has a large fist against the jaw of Frank Stojack, former city councilman and current Sheriff. Stojack, a graduate of Washington State College, had played professional football and also wrestled professionally, even after his election to city office. Max Baer was the father of actor Max Baer, Jr., of television's "The Beverly Hillbillies." He joined boxer Joe Louis and other Tacoma sports figures in issuing autographs to their many fans. ALBUM 9.

Boxers (Sports)--Tacoma--1950-1960; Baer, Max, 1909-1959--Public appearances; Stojack, Frank; B&I Circus Store (Tacoma);

Former World Heavyweight Boxing Champions Joe Louis, second from left, and Max Baer, far right, signed autographs during a special appearance at Tacoma's B&I Circus Store, 8012 South Tacoma Way, on Saturday May 3, 1958. Joining them at the autograph tables were Frank Stojack (far left), professional wrestling standout and Pierce County Sheriff, and a fourth unidentified man. Boxers Louis and Baer had been flown by helicopter to the B&I from the Lakewood Villa Plaza where they had signed autographs earlier the same day. ALBUM 9.

Boxers (Sports)--Tacoma--1950-1960; Baer, Max, 1909-1959--Public appearances; Louis, Joe, 1914-1981--Public appearances; Stojack, Frank; B&I Circus Store (Tacoma); Autographing--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Former world heavyweight boxing champions Joe Louis, left, and Max Baer, right, with store owner E. L. Irwin during a May, 1958, appearance at Tacoma's B&I Circus Store. Cliff Olson, PLU coach and athletic director; Frank Stojack, football player and wrestling champion; and Pat McMurtry, heavyweight boxing title contender, also participated in the autograph event. (TNT, 5/1/1958, p. C9). TPL-187. ALBUM 9.

Boxers (Sports)--Tacoma--1950-1960; Baer, Max, 1909-1959--Public appearances;Louis, Joe, 1914-1981--Public appearances; B&I Circus Store (Tacoma); Irwin, E.L.;

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;

Post #202 Legion Studs baseball team at Cheney Field. The team is flanked by their manager and their coach. Posed in the front row with the team are three small bat boys. The 202 Legion Studs played in the American Legion Jr. Baseball League, finishing the regular season 11-3. They were one of the teams in a four way tie for area champion. A double elimination tournament was held to decide the winner; the Studs were the first team eliminated in the tourney which was won by the Stadium-Bellarmine 138 team. The Studs placed second in the 4th of July tourney in Longview, defeated by Centralia. (TNT 7/6/1959, pg. 17; 7/28/1959, pg. 18)

Baseball players--Tacoma--1950-1960; Baseball--Tacoma--1950-1960; American Legion Tacoma Post No. 202 (Tacoma)--Baseball players;

Jack Murphy (l) and Andy Garnes (r) posed in their Cheney Studs baseball uniforms, on May 16, 1959. The picture order by the Cheney Lumber Co. is labeled "Legion Studs Post 202 at Cheney Field." The Post 202 Legion Studs were District 4 champions in 1957 and 1958 and finished fourth in 1959. They were opening a 40 games schedule in May of 1959. The 16 man travelling squad was managed by Jack Murphy and coached by Andy Garnes. Mr. Murphy was a school teacher for Tacoma public schools and Mr. Garnes, an attorney in Tacoma. (TNT 5/29/1959, pg. 16) (Additional information provided by a reader)

Baseball players--Tacoma--1950-1960; Baseball--Tacoma--1950-1960; American Legion Tacoma Post No. 202 (Tacoma)--Baseball players; Garnes, Andy; Murphy, Jack;

Ben Cheney's generosity allowed hundreds of Tacoma area youth to participate on basketball, football and baseball teams. Each year his Cheney Lumber Co. sponsored a Sports Award banquet to honor these young people. Several boys in this November 30, 1958, photograph are wearing jackets with the Cheney Studs logo. This year the Studs Midget football team were co-champions along with Lakewood of the Metro Park District league; one boy happily holds onto his individual trophy while others in the group share smiles. Photograph ordered by Gene Anderson, Cheney Lumber Co.

Football players--Tacoma--1950-1960; Awards;

Seattle Cheney Studs baseball team - team photo. Longtime coach Joe Budnick, in dark jacket, is at the extreme right in this August, 1960 photograph. The Seattle team was in Tacoma in late August to compete as tournament favorites in the Washington State Amateur Baseball Congress (AABC) matches held at Heidelberg Park. They faced and defeated B & B Hardware in an all-Seattle battle on August 22nd, by rallying for five runs in the 8th inning for a 9-5 victory. The Seattle Cheney Studs then beat Criswells, champions of the Tacoma City League, 7-2 on August 28th at White Center, thereby winning the Washington State Amateur Baseball title for the second straight year. The Cheney Studs are named after Ben Cheney, local lumberman and philanthropist, who sponsored amateur teams in sports including basketball, football, and baseball. No matter what the sport, his teams were always called the Cheney Studs. (TNT 8-22-60, p. 10-article; TNT 8-29-60, p. 19-article)

Baseball players--Tacoma--1960-1970; Budnick, Joe;

Tacoma Giants manager John "Red" Davis and Portland Beavers manager Les Peden engage in a friendly discussion with the umpire during the 1960 baseball season. The Giants opened their season April 16, 1960 in the newly constructed Cheney Stadium. Fans celebrated the new stadium and the return of Pacific Coast League baseball to Tacoma. Portland won the first game, 7-2. The 1960 Tacoma Giants team included future baseball greats Matty Alou, Tom Haller, Juan Marichal, Willie McCovey, Gaylord Perry and Dusty Rhodes.

Seven Portland Beavers look none-too-pleased as they watch the action outside the dugout between their club and the host Tacoma Giants on opening day, April 16, 1960. Opening day was postponed until Saturday, April 16th, due to a 59 mph spring storm which brought traces of snow and lows of 37 degrees. The day/night doubleheader was being played at the newly constructed Cheney Stadium on (then) Bantz Blvd. Over 12,000 baseball fans flocked to see the first Pacific Coast League contests played in Tacoma since 1905. Tacoma would lose its first game 7-2 but blank the Beavers in the nightcap, 11-0, with the strong pitching of future major league star, righthander Juan Marichal.

Baseball--Tacoma--1960-1970; Baseball players--Tacoma--1960-1970; Cheney Stadium (Tacoma);

The grandstand was full on June 9, 1960 in Tacoma's new Cheney Stadium for a game pitting the Tacoma Giants against the Vancouver Mounties. Although open since April 16th, the stadium was officially dedicated in pre-game ceremonies on June 9th. Fans attending the game received a free souvenir program which included a color picture of the team and stadium. They also enjoyed special home run hitting, fungo, and throwing contests between the Giants and the Mounties. The 5,012 paying customers went home happy as Tacoma whipped the Mounties 6-0, earning starter Eddie Fisher his third shutout and sixth victory of the season. (Photograph ordered by Cheney Lumber.) (TNT 6-5-60, B-11, 6-10-60, A-1, p. 24)

Cheney Stadium (Tacoma); Baseball--Tacoma--1960-1970; Baseball players--Tacoma--1960-1970; Sports spectators--Tacoma;

The concession stands, nestled under the pre-stressed concrete grandstands of Tacoma's new ballpark, were almost empty when the Tacoma Giant faced off against the Vancouver Mounties on June 9th, 1960 . Before the game the ballpark was formally christened "Cheney Stadium" during a special dedication ceremony. The concession stands offered traditional hotdogs, soda, popcorn and candy. Discriminating fans could also purchased cigars. The area was well lit as one of the stadium's six giant light towers helps to illuminate the night. Photograph ordered by Cheney Lumber. (TNT 6-9-60, p. 1-article on dedication ceremonies)

Cheney Stadium (Tacoma); Baseball--Tacoma--1960-1970; Food vendors--Tacoma;

Line-up of Tacoma Giants baseball team on opening day, April 16, 1960, in the brand new Cheney Stadium. The Giants, managed by John "Red" Davis, were being introduced to the thousands attending the first game held in the new facility. The Tacoma team would be playing the Portland Beavers in day-night matches. Lights installed on six giant towers would provide clear viewing for night games with each tower having a bank of 62 - 1,500 watt bulbs.

Baseball--Tacoma--1960-1970; Baseball players--Tacoma--1960-1970; Cheney Stadium (Tacoma);

Managed by Tommy Heath, the Portland Beavers of the Pacific Coast League are being introduced to the thousands of spectators at Cheney Stadium on April 16, 1960, opening day of baseball. They would be the hometown Tacoma Giants' first opponent in the new stadium which was completed in three months, 14 days. The stadium was finished in time for the Giants' first game; however, the fickle spring weather did not cooperate and a massive windstorm forced postponement until Saturday, April 16th, of the doubleheader between the two Pacific Coast League clubs. They would split the games, with Portland on top in the first game, 7-2 and Tacoma coming back strong in the nightcap, 11-0.

Baseball--Tacoma--1960-1970; Baseball players--Tacoma--1960-1970; Cheney Stadium (Tacoma);

Group picture of Pederson Fryer Farms' baseball team. Sixteen players and their manager posed for this May 14, 1960, photograph at Heidelberg Field. They represented Pederson Fryer Farms in the 1960 AAU City League. They would join Cammarano Bottlers, Criswells, Puget Sound Renders, 4th Division Trains of Fort Lewis and defending champion Woodworth Contractors in the 6-team league. Al Faulkner, formerly of the Valley League, was the new manager of Pederson's. His team consisted, among others, of ex-PLC stars Ron Coltom, Jerry Curtis, Chuck Hobbs, and city-loop veterans Don Martelli and Ray Wing, outfielders, along with Gary Moore, Chuck Robbins and new acquisition, right hand pitcher Al MaCoy. Pederson's and Cammarano Bottlers, the previous year's runner-up, were scheduled to open the City League season in the first half of a double bill on May 30, 1960. That game was apparently cancelled due to rain and Pederson's would open their season with a 3-2 victory over the 4th Division Trains on June 3rd with southpaw Ron Coltom credited for the win. (TNT 5-8-60, B-15, 5-15-60, B-10, 6-4-60, p. 9)

Baseball players--Tacoma--1960-1970; Pederson Fryer Farms (Tacoma); Uniforms;

The Tacoma Giants played a double-header against the Portland Beavers on April 16, 1960 for opening day in Tacoma's new Cheney Stadium. In this photo from the first game of the day a ballplayer believed to be left fielder Dusty Rhodes makes contact with the ball to the delight of the large hometown crowd in the stands. The Portland squad won the first game 7 - 2 but fell to the home team in the nightcap, losing 11 - 0 due to the 8-hit shutout by future Hall-of-Famer Juan Marichal. Opening day had to be postponed until Saturday, April 16th, due to a 59 mph spring storm, massive rains, and low temperatures. Rhodes had a successful debut with the Tacoma Giants, going 2 - 4 in both games. He had played a major role in the New York Giants World Series victory in 1954 and played for seven years in the major leagues. TPL-9762

Baseball--Tacoma--1960-1970; Baseball players--Tacoma--1960-1970; Rhodes, Dusty; Cheney Stadium (Tacoma);

Opening day ceremonies at Cheney Stadium preceding Pacific Coast League matchup between the Tacoma Giants and Portland Beavers on April 16, 1960. Tacoma Mayor Ben Hanson at the microphone. Ben Cheney, Giants Board of Directors, second from right; next to him is W.D. "Rosy" Ryan, Giants vice president/general manager. "Rosy" Ryan had pitched in three World Series with the old N.Y. Giants. He saw service with Brooklyn, Boston and the Yankees, where he was a roommate of Babe Ruth. He played under skippers Miller Huggins, John McGraw and Casey Stengel. (TNT 4-12-60, D-2)

Baseball--Tacoma--1960-1970; Cheney Stadium (Tacoma); Public speaking--Tacoma; Cheney, Ben B., 1905-1971; Ryan, W.D.; Hanson, Ben;