Bedecked with Hawaiian leis, entertainer Alfred Apaka and members of the Tacoma Athletic Commission enjoy an evening at the Top of the Ocean. Mr. Apaka, shown here in white shirt and cloth lei, was asked to bring his orchestra to Tacoma to perform at the T.A.C. Hawaiian dinner-dance in October, 1950. Smiling for the camera are J.J. Petrich (in background); others seated are Mr. and Mrs. Henry Wannberg, Mr. Apaka, Elsie Pitzen. Standing are Mr. and Mrs. Howard Lichtenwalter. (TNT 10-8-50, p. D-8)

Tacoma Athletic Commission (Tacoma); Events--Tacoma--1950-1960; Apaka, Alfred; Top of the Ocean (Tacoma);

A woman contortionist performed on the dance floor with her legs elevated on two tables on either side of her body in a split formation . Her body is lower than her feet. Groups of people who are seated at tables around dance floor applaud her performance during the Halloween party sponsored by the Tacoma Athletic Commission at the Top of the Ocean. 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;

Spectators at the Tacoma Athletic Commission's August, 1950, water carnival have a good view of the day's festivities as they stand and perch on the dock in Commencement Bay. A man in a small boat under the dock has chosen a unique viewpoint. The water carnival is an annual event located near the T.A.C.'s waterfront headquarters.

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

A man is captured in mid-dive onto a large trampoline during the Tacoma Athletic Commission's August, 1950, water carnival festivities. Phil Skiff and George Lewis of the Ski-Quatic Follies of Seattle demonstrated stunts on the trampoline. There were seventeen acts to entertain the large crowds gathered on Ruston Way.(TNT 8-25-50, p. 20, 8-27-50, p. B-10))

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

Group of TAC & Elks, TAC, Metcalf. A group of six men who are all members of both the Tacoma Athletic Commission and the Elks are reviewing a poster announcing an evening at the Tacoma Athletic Commission headquarters at the Top of the Ocean honoring Emmett T. Anderson, the newly named Grand Exalted Ruler of the Elks. They are, L-R, standing, Will Maylon, Frank Walters, and Frank Gillihan, TAC president. Seated are Leo McGavick, John Heinrick and Al Whitman. (TNT, 8/5/1949, p.29)

Tacoma Athletic Commission (Tacoma); Anderson, Emmett T.; Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Tacoma Lodge No. 174 (Tacoma); Maylon, Will; Walters, Frank; Gillihan, Frank J.; McGavick, Leo A.; Heinrick, John; Whitman, Al;

Interiors of the Lakewood Ice Arena. An instructor ties his skates surrounded by smiling young students. Although the home of several competitive skaters, the rink also offered affordable lessons to children and adults at all skating levels from beginners on up. Public free skating time was also available and if you didn't own your own skates, they could be rented. ("History of Figure Skating in Pierce County, Lakewood Arena")

Ice skating--Tacoma--1950-1960; Lakewood Ice Arena (Lakewood); Lakewood Figure Skating Club (Lakewood); Ice skating rinks--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Cupid, victory cigar in mouth, draws back his bow to attempt a fifth arrow at the telephone target on January 10, 1958. He has already successfully hit the target four times. He does appear to be rather close to the designated target. The archer is dressed in a towel covering his waist and part of his suit wound around his shoulder and hip. Photograph ordered by Pacific Telephone & Telegraph Co.

Archery--Tacoma; Bows (Archery); Targets (Sports); Pacific Telephone & Telegraph Co. (Tacoma);

Cupid retrieves his arrows in a January 10, 1958, photograph. He has apparently hit his target, a telephone in a circle, with all four arrows at a rate of 100%. The smiling archer has a towel wrapped around his waist and perhaps part of his suit draped over his shoulder. He is clutching a large bow. Photograph ordered by Pacific Telephone & Telegraph Co.

Archery--Tacoma; Bows (Archery); Targets (Sports); Telephones; Pacific Telephone & Telegraph Co. (Tacoma);

Ben and Marian Cheney smile broadly as they pose with guest Andy Gilbert (left) at the 1963 Washington State Sports Hall of Fame banquet sponsored by the Tacoma Athletic Commission on February 6, 1963. Also at the top of the stairs on the upper right is Tacoma Athletic Commission president William (Bill) Gazecki. Mr. Cheney was a well known sports fan whose generosity allowed thousands of Tacoma youngsters to participate in organized sports. He was instrumental in bringing the Tacoma Giants Pacific Coast League baseball team to Tacoma to play in Cheney Stadium. Mr. Gilbert was the newly named manager of the Tacoma Giants. His pro career spanned twelve years as he performed at every position other than catcher. In his rookie season in the Ohio State League, Mr. Gilbert broke his neck sliding head-first into second base. Undeterred, he returned to baseball the following year. (TNT 2-4-63, p. 14-article) (Additional identification provided by a reader)

Tacoma Athletic Commission (Tacoma); Awards; Washington State Sports Hall of Fame (Tacoma); Cheney, Ben B., 1905-1971; Cheney, Marian; Gilbert, Andy; Gazecki, William;

In jest, William Gazecki was wrapped in resplendent robes and crowned the new " king" of the Tacoma Athletic Commission on February 12, 1963. Four TAC officers posed with their newly elected president as one member places a gilded crown on his head. William Larson, Peter Stojack, Marv Tommervik and Bob Danhausere form a half-circle around William Gazecki . A more traditional picture of this group was chosen to run in the February 17, 1963, edition of the News Tribune. The TAC is a local volunteer-run sports and civic booster organization. Photograph ordered by the Tacoma Athletic Commission. (TNT 2-17-63, B-10)

Tacoma Athletic Commission (Tacoma); Crowns; Larson, William C.; Stojack, Peter; Tommervik, Marv; Danhausere, Robert; Gazecki, William;

T.A.C. officials and guests. Husky quarterback Sonny Sixkiller (back row, third from right) and three of his teammates paid a visit to the Tacoma Athletic Commission on December 3, 1970. T.A.C. members seated (left to right) are: Hank Semmern, Tom Paine, professional golfer Ken Still, and president Hal Brotman. Forrest Rodgers (extreme right) is in the back row along with Sonny Sixkiller and his teammates. Teammates Rank Baty, Ace Bulger and Rick Huget are all graduates of Washington high schools. (teammates order unknown) Photograph ordered by the Tacoma Athletic Commission. (TNT article 12-8-70, p. 16)

Tacoma Athletic Commission (Tacoma); Sixkiller, Sonny; Semmern, Hank; Paine, Tom; Still, Ken; Brotman, Hal; Rodgers, Forrest; Baty, Rank; Bulger, Ace; Huget, Rick;

In April of 1935, Paradise on Mount Rainier was home to the national downhill and slalom competitions. This was the first time that this major skiing event had ever been held in the west. Seventy skiers were scheduled to compete. The flags of four of the competing nations waved proudly above the snow. They are the flags of, left to right, Austria, Switzerland, Canada, and the United States.The men's alpine competition was won by Austrian Hannes Schroll who delighted the crowd of spectators by yodeling as he sped down the course. Stock negative.

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

Tacoma sisters Ellis-Ayr (left) and Ethlynne ("Skit") Smith (later Babson) smile broadly for the camera on April 14, 1935 after winning the first ever Women's Downhill and Slalom national titles. The national championships were held for the first time in the west April 13-14 at Mount Rainier's Paradise Valley. The competition was also part of the trials for the 1936 Olympic team but at that time women did not compete in the Olympics in either event. The sisters, who had only been skiing for a couple of years, had attended Stadium High School, the University of Washington and were members of the Washington Ski Club. (T. Times, TNT, TDL 4/12-15, 1935)

Skiers--Tacoma--1930-1940; Athletes--Tacoma--1930-1940; Skiing--Tournaments--1930-1940; Babson, Ethlynne; Smith, Ethlynne; Smith, Ellis-Ayr; Families--Tacoma--1930-1940;

Tacoma sisters Ellis-Ayr (left) and Ethlynne "Skit" Smith posed for photographers on Mount Rainier on April 14, 1935 after winning the first ever women's National championships in downhill (Ellis-Ayr) and slalom (Skit) on April 13-14. The two day national competition, held at Paradise on Mt. Rainier, attracted skiers from throughout the United States and Canada and from several European countries including Switzerland and the Netherlands. The pair had only been skiing a couple of years but were devoted to the sport. They skied every weekend by hiking up Mount Rainier to the glaciers where there was snow year round. The all around athletes also rode horses, played tennis and golf, and swam. (TNT 4/15/1935, pg. 1) TPL-9424

Skiers--Tacoma--1930-1940; Athletes--Tacoma--1930-1940; Skiing--Tournaments--1930-1940; Babson, Ethelynn; Smith, Ellis-Ayr;

ca. 1936. Skiers waiting in line and watching a skier maneuver through the snow. Flags mark the ski trail.

Sports - Winter Sports - Skiing

Two girls in ski rental shop at Paradise, Mount Rainier Park. This is a closer cropped print of D745- image 9. (T.Times).

Skiing; Mount Rainier National Park (Wash.);

Morley Barnard (left) and Bill Anderson (right) of the Griffin Fuel Company hockey team warm up for their game against the team fielded by Cammaranos. On Wednesday November 15, 1939 the Griffin Fuel hockey team set a new league record at the Lakewood Ice Arena when they defeated the Cammaranos 19 to 16. In 1938, the Oakes Pavilion at 7310 Steilacoom Blvd. was converted into the Lakewood Ice Arena. The Ice Arena was torn down after its roof collapsed in October 1982.

Ice hockey--Lakewood--1930-1940; Lakewood Ice Arena (Lakewood); Ice hockey players--Lakewood;

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;