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;

Visit of North Wind to Tacoma and reception at Tacoma Athletic Commission, Tribune & TAC. Several naval officers and their wives were in Tacoma for observance of Navy Week. They were greeted at a reception at the Tacoma Athletic Commission on November 7, 1948, at their facilities at the Top of the Ocean. Several of the navy wives and members of the TAC are shown at the reception, L-R, Mrs. Steven W. Calloway, Ethyl A. (Mrs. Howard) Smith, Mrs. Charles W. Thomas, Mrs. George Fritschmann, Genevieve L. (Mrs. Frank T.) Walters, and Myra J. (Mrs. E.R.) Fetterolf. (T.Times, 11/8/1948)

Tacoma Athletic Commission (Tacoma); Smith, Ethyl A.; Walters, Genevieve L.; Fetterolf, Myra J.; Women--Tacoma--1940-1950; Clothing & dress--Tacoma--1940-1950; Receptions--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Tacoma Athletic Commission, Bob Sanders. The Tacoma Athletic Commission honored two of Tacoma's sports heroes October 28, 1948. Bob Martin, left, and Marv Rickert, center, are shown with Howard R. Smith, president of the Tacoma Athletic Commission. They each received the newly created Tacoma Athletic Commission award of merit, emblem, and cigarette lighter as well as having their photographs hanging at TAC's Hall of Fame. Martin won a gold medal in the 1948 Olympic games held in London as a member of the U.S. rowing team in the four-oared shell competition. Rickert played outfield in the 1948 World Series for Boston. He went 4 for 19 in the six game series with one home run. (TNT, 10/29/1948, p.26)

Tacoma Athletic Commission (Tacoma); Top of the Ocean (Tacoma); Martin, Bob; Rickert, Marv; Smith, Howard R.; Awards; Baseball--Tacoma--1940-1950; Baseball players--Tacoma--1940-1950; Athletes;

The Lakewood Ice Club was sponsoring a fundraising event in support of young ice skaters from Washington. Local champion ice skaters would participate in the program; the performances would include: dance, duets or solos. 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 (T. Times, 1/16/49, p. 14 & 1/20/49, p. 16).

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

Figure ice skaters from Tacoma joined ice skaters from the Lakewood Ice Club for a special event held in support of young ice skaters throughout the State. These skaters have returned with trophies galore and would perform between 10:00 A.M. and 12:00 P.M. for spectators at the Lakewood Ice Arena. View of Nancy Roberts, 13 year old champion ice skater from Tacoma. Nancy performed at the Lakewood Ice Arena in the solos program (T. Times, 1/16/49, p. 14 & 1/20/49, p. 16).

Ice skating--Tacoma; Ice skating rinks--Lakewood; Winter sports--Tacoma; Athletes--Tacoma; Skaters; Lakewood Ice Arena (Lakewood); Roberts, Nancy;

Mr. Frank Walters, President of the Tacoma Athletic Commission, and Mrs. Walters posed with a publicity poster for the organization's 4th annual birthday party to be held at the club's headquarters at the Top of the Ocean on February 20, 1950. The party celebrated four years of active promotion of the city's athletic programs. The TAC was unique in the U.S. Organized as the Tacoma War Athletic Commission in 1942, it raised funds for athletic equipment for the thousands of US servicemen stationed in the Pacific Islands. Equipment was sent to fighting forces from Alaska to Australia. Following the end of the war, the group directed its policies to the civic and athletic betterment of Tacoma, particularly in the support of sports activities for youth. (TNT 2-26-1950 D-1, TNT 3/23/1956, pg. 1)

Tacoma Athletic Commission (Tacoma); Events--Tacoma--1950-1960; Clubs--Tacoma--1950-1960; Top of the Ocean (Tacoma); Walters, Frank; Walters, Frank--Family;

Tacoma Athletic Commission's 1950 St. Patrick's Day party at the Top of the Ocean. Patrick Steele is on the left, Mrs. Mary Steele is on the far right. Four hundred members and guests of TAC attended the annual dinner and program on St. Patrick's Day. Diners had a choice of prawns or roast beef, with each plate adorned with two fresh rainbow trout.

Tacoma Athletic Commission (Tacoma); Top of the Ocean (Tacoma); Events--Tacoma--1950-1960; Saint Patrick's Day; Parties--Tacoma--1950-1960; Holidays--Tacoma--1950-1960; Hats--1950-1960; Steele, Patrick; Steele, Mary;

The Tacoma Athletic Commission held a Hawaiian dinner-dance on October 2, 1950, at the Top of the Ocean for members and guests. Alfred Apaka, popular Hawaiian orchestra leader, and his band were the featured performers. T.A.C. members (L-R) Mrs. Jack S. Roberts, Mrs. Dillard Howell and Mrs. Howard R. Smith hold up a grass skirt and flower lei for the approval of (standing L-R) Mrs. James J. Mellinger, Mrs. L.R. Ghilarducci, Mrs. Joseph Lehman and Mrs. Frederick A. Haines, Jr. (TNT 10-1-50, p. D-6)

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

People who attended the Halloween Party sponsored by the Tacoma Athletic Commission at the Top of the Ocean enjoyed the entertainment as well as the company. Ordered by Will Maylon.

Tacoma Athletic Commission (Tacoma); Top of the Ocean (Tacoma); Dinner parties--Tacoma--1950-1960; Halloween--Social life;

People enjoyed the floorshow at the Halloween Party sponsored by the Tacoma Athletic Commission at the Top of the Ocean. A group are seen here wearing party hats and holding party favors. Ordered by Will Maylon.

Tacoma Athletic Commission (Tacoma); Top of the Ocean (Tacoma); Dinner parties--Tacoma--1950-1960; Halloween--Social life;

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.

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)

Hockey season ends with the 1938-1939 Ice Hockey Champions, Griffin Fuel team at Lakewood Ice Arena. Captain Bill Anderson and two unidentified men. (T. Times, 4/20/1939, p. 14)

Ice hockey--Lakewood--1930-1940; Ice hockey players--Tacoma--1930-1940; Griffin Fuel Co. (Tacoma); Lakewood Ice Arena (Lakewood); Anderson, Bill;

Scenes from the ski exhibition following the Silver Ski races on Mount Rainier. Racer is seen through the backs of spectators as he makes a jump. The crowd at the ski races parks their skis and poles in an upright position in the snow while they watch the contest. (T. Times, 4/17/1939, p. 11).

Skiing--Mt. Rainier--1930-1940; Skiers; Winter sports;

Exhibition following the 1939 Silver Ski race on Mount Rainier. Skier soars through the air with arms raised and skis evenly elevated as spectators watch from roped sideline. (T. Times 4/17/1939, p. 11).

Skiing--Mt. Rainier--1930-1940; Skiers; Winter sports;

ca. 1939. Three female skiers at Mount Rainier, possibly Annie Wright students. They are tentatively identified as Lois Fisher, Peoria Ill., Jean Lenham, Bozeman Mt. and Jane Snider.

Skiers--1930-1940; Skiing--Mt. Rainier--1930-1940;

ca. 1939. A female skier pulls herself hand over hand up the mountain using the tow rope provided for skiers at Paradise, Mt. Rainier. Mount Rainier had a ban on mechanical ski lifts, feeling that they would mar the scenery.

Skiers--1930-1940; Skiing--Mt. Rainier--1930-1940; Rainier, Mount (Wash.); Winter sports; Snow; Ski lifts;

Skiers pose for the camera at the 1938 Winter Carnival. More than 5000 skiers are expected to attend the festivities which include a free carnival dance and coronation of a queen, skiing under floodlights, and Sunday races.

Skiers;

One skier gets assistance with her boot at the 1938 Winter Carnival at Paradise, Mount Rainier. More than 5000 skiers are expected to attend the two day festivities which include a free carnival dance and coronation of a queen, skiing under floodlights, and Sunday races.

Skiers;

February, 1938, ski races in Paradise Valley, Mount Rainier National Park. A large group of skiers wait on the sidelines by the lodge for the races in the seventh annual Tacoma Winter Sports Carnival to begin. Although much attention was garnered by the winners in the men's and women's open slalom races, there were races for all abilities and ages. The Washington Ski Club was in charge of the junior level races on the second day of the skiing carnival.

Skiers; Athletes;

Large gathering of skiers outside Paradise Inn, Mount Rainier National Park, waiting for the ski race events in February, 1938. The windows of the Inn can be seen in the drifts of snow. The Winter Sports Carnival, sponsored by the Tacoma Chamber of Commerce and other civic organizations, drew many competitors annually from the Pacific Northwest region. 5000 skiers and spectators were expected to attend the two-day carnival, which featured a free carnival dance and coronation of a queen, skiing under floodlights, and Sunday races. (T.Times 2-9-38, p. 7)

Skiers; Athletes; Paradise Inn (Wash.);

Paradise was overflowing with spectators gathered to watch the 1938 Silver Skis Race when the race had to cancel due to high winds. A slalom race and ski stunt exhibition were the substitute attractions. (T.Times 3/28/38, p.1).

Skiing--Mt. Rainier--1930-1940; Skiers; Winter sports;

On March 27, 1938, the Silver Skis race at Mount Rainier, from Camp Muir to Paradise, was cancelled due to gale force winds above 9,000 feet. A special exhibition slalom race was quickly organized to entertain the crowd of 8,000 spectators. They were also treated to skiing stunts performed by various ski stars on a special jump. (T.Times, 3/28/1938, p.1).

Skiing--Mt. Rainier--1930-1940; Skiers; Winter sports;

The 1938 Silver Skis downhill race at Mount Rainier. Skiers maneuver their way through the snow as the trees and mountains cast a crisp backdrop on the scene. The record crowd of 8,000 was disappointed when competing skiers had to turn back at 9600 feet above sea level, near McClure's Rock, due to gale force winds. The race was cancelled for the second year in a row and an exhibition slalom was substituted for the audience's entertainment. (T. Times, 3/28/1938, p.1).

Skiing--Mt. Rainier--1930-1940; Skiers; Winter sports;

Large group of skiers cluster at Paradise on Mount Rainier, disappointed in the bad weather cancellation of the Silver Skis race. The group was entertained by a substitute slalom race and a ski stunt exhibition. (T.Times, 3/28/38, p. 1).

Skiing--Mt. Rainier--1930-1940; Skiers; Winter sports;

On March 27, 1938, the Silver Skis race was cancelled for the second year in a row due to high winds above 9,000 feet. The record audience of 8,000 was disappointed, but promoters substituted a slalom exhibition race on the steep Alta Vista slope. Flags have been set for the slalom course surrounded by viewers on skis. (T.Times, 3/28/1938, p.1).

Skiing--Mt. Rainier--1930-1940; Skiers; Winter sports;

Fifteen-month-old Jerry Keisler, of Seattle, won the title of "youngest skier on the mountain" at the 1938 Silver Skis competition on Mt. Rainier. (cropped version of D7150 image 6) Using specially made skis and poles, the youngster skied away from the photographer just after his picture was snapped. (T.Times, 3/30/1938, p. 5).

Skiing--Mt. Rainier--1930-1940; Skiers; Winter sports; Children skiing--Mt. Rainier--1930-1940; Keisler, Jerry;

Paul (Sonny) Sceva, Jr., of Tacoma, is pictured skiing down a slope on Mount Rainier on January 18, 1939. He was a member of the Pacific Coast Conference champion ski team, the Washington Huskies. At that time, he was one of the top skiers in the Pacific Northwest. He had been a reserve member on the U.S. Olympic ski team in Europe in 1937 and had spent most of the 1937 winter in the Alps, competing in many races and placing high. Mr. Sceva would go on to graduate from the University of Washington in 1941. Sonny's father, Paul Sceva, Sr., was the manager of the Rainier National Park Company which operated the various concessions on the mountain including Longmire. (T.Times, 1/18/1939, p. 7-alt. photograph)

Skiing; Skiers; Sceva, Paul;

Portrait of Eddie Marino, middleweight boxing manager of Al Hostak. Marino, a former United States Marine, was known as "the little sergeant." (T. Times, 6/25/1938, p. 13).

Sports - Athletics - BoxingPeople - Men - Sportsmen - Boxing Managers

Hockey player in Alt Heidelberg uniform with stick, man in overcoat next to him watching.

Sports - Hockey - Ice Hockey