Winter skiing at Mount Rainier Park. View of mountain, trees, skiers, and glimpse of Paradise Lodge. (T.Times 1/28/1937)

Skiing; Mount Rainier National Park (Wash.);

Two girls in ski rental shop at Paradise, Mount Rainier Park. (T.Times).

Skiing; Mount Rainier National Park (Wash.);

Rodella Hockom placed the crown on Snow Queen Maurita Shank's head on January 30, 1937 during the 6th Annual Tacoma Winter Sports Carnival at Paradise, Mt. Rainier Park. Standing with Queen Maurita are her ladies in waiting Mary Brockhoff (L) and Billie Woodruff. Snow fell all day on the 30th, hampering attendance at the Carnival, but delighting the Queen and her Court who only paused in their skiing long enough for this informal crowning. The official coronation never took place. The 133 inches of snow on the ground at Paradise made for great skiing, but hazardous driving and festival participants only numbered about 2500. (T.Times 2/1/1937, pg. 1)

Skiers; Shank, Maurita; Hockom, Rodella; Brockhoff, Mary; Woodruff, Billie; Events--Tacoma; Mount Rainier National Park (Wash.);

Seattle skier Don Fraser, left, winner of the Men's Slalom in the Tacoma Winter Carnival at Paradise, shakes hands with another man on January 30, 1937. Fraser, a member of the 1936 Olympic team, later married Gretchen Kunigk, the Tacoma skier who medaled at the 1948 Olympics. He would go on to capture the 1938 Men's Slalom race at Paradise as well.

Skiers; Fraser, Don, 1914-1994; Shaking hands;

Groups in North End Tacoma after a snow storm. Three young skiers: Jean McKie, Gwen McKie, and Jean Osborne are pictured on Carr St. Boy with a sled and large homes in background. The week was starting out with new low temperatures. The Tacoma Field weather station recorded a low of 2.7 degrees above zero. City Hall recorded 15 degrees above. Motorists were advised to stay home or drive with chains. Police reminded the public that pulling a sled behind your car and driving recklessly were against the law. At least another 24 hours of record low temperatures was forecast for the local area. (T. Times, 1/11/1937, p. 1)

Skiing--Tacoma--1930-1940; Skiers--Tacoma--1930-1940; Snow--Tacoma--1930-1940; Sleds & sleighs; Winter; McKie, Jean; McKie, Gwen; Osborne, Jean;

Ice Skater Patsy Baker and the Bob Richards demonstrating how to pose inside of the studio.

Group of swimmers and sunbathers on an unidentified lakeside dock with a diving tower, multiple diving boards and a water polo hoop.

Slightly overhead view of posing group at the Lakewood Ice Arena.

Panorama of Women's Equine Polo team with little girl in uniform in front of military officer.

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;

Western Washington ice skaters were gathering together at the Lakewood Ice Arena in January of 1949 to raise money to support young skaters working towards National, Coast and Northwest events. View of hand-colored black and white photograph of Diane Jacobsen, student at Lincoln High School and a champion ice skater. Diane performed in the Lakewood Ice Club ice skating fundraiser (T. Times, 1/16/49, p. 14 & 1/20/49, p. 16). ALBUM 15.

Ice skating--Tacoma; Ice skating rinks--Lakewood; Winter sports--Tacoma; Athletes--Tacoma; Skaters; Lakewood Ice Arena (Lakewood); Jacobsen, Diane;

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;

Eight players from the four high schools in the Tacoma High School Hockey League and their coaches posed for a News Tribune photographer in January of 1949. The league, which played at the Tacoma Ice Palace, 3801 So. Union Avenue, was just starting its second season. The players were: (l to r) Bob Jack and Jim Beaty of Lincoln; Gordon Earley and Don Gilbertson of Clover Park; Bob Moore and Carl Peterson of Stadium; and Don McNally and Joe Hamilton of Bellarmine. The coaches (kneeling, l to r)were: Alex Watt, Doug Stevenson, Dick Milford and Ronnie Rowe, all members of the professional Tacoma Rockets team. The first night of action, on January the 13th, paired Stadium and Clover Park at 7 p.m. and Lincoln against Bellarmine at 8:20 p.m.(T.N.T. 1/9/49, p. B-7).

Ice hockey--Tacoma; Sporting goods; Ice skating rinks--Tacoma; Athletes--Tacoma--1940-1950; Students--Tacoma--1940-1950; Stadium High School (Tacoma); Tacoma Rockets (Tacoma); Tacoma Ice Palace (Tacoma);

Jerry Fodey, one of two goalies on the 1948-49 Tacoma Rockets, demonstrated his technigue for the cameras in December of 1948. The Rockets were in second place in the Pacific Coast Hockey League, seven points behind the league leading New Westminster Royals. In November they had won five straight games, the longest winning streak in club history. The Rockets played in the Tacoma Ice Palace at 3801 South Union Avenue. (T. Times, 1/2/49, p. 21).

Ice hockey--Tacoma; Athletes--Tacoma; Ice skating--Tacoma; Ice skating rinks--Tacoma; Sports & recreation facilities--Tacoma; Sporting goods; Tacoma Ice Palace (Tacoma); Tacoma Rockets (Tacoma); Coast Ice Hockey League (Tacoma);

Fight promoter Ethel Seifert sponsored the Semi-Final All-Heavy Wrestling Show at the Starlight Athletic Club at So. 11th Street and Market St. in 1948. Tacoma Times newspaper carriers were invited as guests of Ethel Seifert. Left to right view of Rocco Toma, known as the wild bull of the Argentine Pampas, Nick Zvolis, the referee, and Pierre LaSalle, former Canadian amateur champ (T. Times, 12/2/48, p. 6).

Wrestling--Tacoma; Wrestlers--Tacoma; Sports & recreation facilities--Tacoma; Referees; Fighting--Tacoma; Events--Tacoma; Toma, Rocco; LaSalle, Pierre; Zvolis, Nick;

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;

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;

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;

Tacoma's semi-pro Coast Ice Hockey League team, the Tacoma Rockets, were returning from a series of five games, all of which they won. They were the first team in club history to win five straight. The Rockets had an upcoming game against the Vancouver Canucks at the Tacoma State Armory. View of Tacoma Rockets at Union Depot, names appear in newspaper (T. Times, 11/19/48, p. 15). Founded in 1946, the Rockets ceased operations in 1953.

Ice hockey--Tacoma; Athletes--Tacoma; Luggage; Travel--Tacoma; Coast Ice Hockey League (Tacoma); Tacoma Rockets (Tacoma); Union Station (Tacoma); Railroad travel--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Many boats were tied up at the Old Town Dock on August 29, 1948, as spectators tried to get the best seats to watch the second annual water show, sponsored by the Tacoma Athletic Commission. The large boat fifth from left was the "Georgia," owned by fisherman Antone Mariani. The dock was lined with people, as were the decks of the Top of the Ocean, in the foreground. Water skiing excitement was provided by the Seattle Skiquatic Follies in a two hour show.

Tacoma Athletic Commission (Tacoma); Top of the Ocean (Tacoma); Old Town Dock (Tacoma); Events--Tacoma--1940-1950; Clubs--Tacoma--1940-1950; Restaurants--Tacoma--1940-1950; Waterfronts;

Cars lined the intersection of Ruston Way and McCarver St. as spectators flooded Old Tacoma on August 29, 1948 to see the second annual water show sponsored by the Tacoma Athletic Club. Water skiing entertainment would be provided by the Seattle Skiquatic Follies in the waters in front of the Top of the Ocean, which housed the TAC headquarters.

Tacoma Athletic Commission (Tacoma); Top of the Ocean (Tacoma); Old Town Dock (Tacoma); Events--Tacoma--1940-1950; Clubs--Tacoma--1940-1950; Restaurants--Tacoma--1940-1950; Waterfronts;

Skiers from the Seattle Skiquatics Follies entertained the crowd on August 29, 1948 in the waters in front of the Top of the Ocean. The water show was the second annual extravaganza sponsored by the Tacoma Athletic Club (TAC). In the center of the photograph is a flat barge in the water, possibly used as a staging area for the show. To the right of the barge is a larger vessel. Between the two is a airborne skier being pulled by the fast boat behind and to the left of the barge.

Tacoma Athletic Commission (Tacoma); Top of the Ocean (Tacoma); Old Town Dock (Tacoma); Events--Tacoma--1940-1950; Clubs--Tacoma--1940-1950; Restaurants--Tacoma--1940-1950; Waterfronts;

The second annual Tacoma Athletic Commission Water Carnival was held on August 29, 1948, in front of the TAC headquarters at the Top of the Ocean. Spectators filled both decks of the boat-shaped restaurant and the Old Town Dock to watch the water skiing exhibition put on by the Seattle Skiquatics Follies. More spectators are perched on a couple of boats tied up at the dock, including the "Georgia" (left) owned by fisherman Antone Mariani. The Top of the Ocean was destroyed by an arson fire in April of 1977. (Ordered by Bob Sanders.) TPL-7970

Tacoma Athletic Commission (Tacoma); Top of the Ocean (Tacoma); Old Town Dock (Tacoma); Events--Tacoma--1940-1950; Clubs--Tacoma--1940-1950; Restaurants--Tacoma--1940-1950; Waterfronts;

On August 29, 1948, the Tacoma Athletic Commission (TAC) sponsored their second annual water show in Commencement Bay, in front of the TAC headquarters at the Top of the Ocean. Spectators lined the decks of the restaurant and the Old Town dock to watch the free water skiing show. Boats also formed a rectangle around the area where the skiers performed. The barge in the center of the picture was probably used as a staging area for the skiers. Some of the skiers from the Seattle Skiquatic Follies can be seen behind the speeding boat left. The show ran from 4-6pm.

Tacoma Athletic Commission (Tacoma); Top of the Ocean (Tacoma); Old Town Dock (Tacoma); Events--Tacoma--1940-1950; Clubs--Tacoma--1940-1950; Restaurants--Tacoma--1940-1950; Waterfronts;

On Sunday afternoon, August 29, 1948, a few spectators returned to their automobiles, holding tight to their small children, after watching part of the two hour water show in Commencement Bay. The show was held in the waters of the Bay in front of the Top of the Ocean restaurant and club and was sponsored by the Tacoma Athletic Commission, which had its headquarters at the Top. People crowded the decks of the Top, as well as the Old Town Dock. The show featured the talents of the Seattle Skiquatics Follies.

Tacoma Athletic Commission (Tacoma); Top of the Ocean (Tacoma); Old Town Dock (Tacoma); Events--Tacoma--1940-1950; Clubs--Tacoma--1940-1950; Restaurants--Tacoma--1940-1950; Waterfronts;

Parked automobiles lined the railroad tracks, McCarver St. and Ruston Way in Old Tacoma on August 29, 1948 as people rolled into the area to view the second annual Tacoma Athletic Commission Water Show. The show took place Sunday afternoon from 4-6pm in Commencement Bay in front of the boat shaped Top of the Ocean restaurant and club. The Top housed the headquarters of the TAC. The show featured the skiing talents of the Seattle Skiquatic Follies. In the photograph, a man crosses the tracks holding the hands of two small children.

Tacoma Athletic Commission (Tacoma); Top of the Ocean (Tacoma); Old Town Dock (Tacoma); Events--Tacoma--1940-1950; Clubs--Tacoma--1940-1950; Restaurants--Tacoma--1940-1950; Waterfronts;

On August 29, 1948, the Tacoma Athletic Commission (TAC) drew crowds to their second annual water show in Commencement Bay near Old Tacoma. Spectators watched the water carnival from both the Old Town Dock and the decks of the Top of the Ocean. TAC offered a two hour water extravaganza featuring the water skiing talents of the Seattle Skiquatics Follies. The parking lot in the distance was filled as Tacomans flooded the area to watch the free show. Photograph ordered by Bob Sanders, TAC.

Tacoma Athletic Commission (Tacoma); Top of the Ocean (Tacoma); Old Town Dock (Tacoma); Events--Tacoma--1940-1950; Clubs--Tacoma--1940-1950; Restaurants--Tacoma--1940-1950; Waterfronts;

The completion of the new Milton City Hall building was long awaited. The building included a recreational hall area which contained a dance floor, auditorium, stage, kitchen, fireplace and sports facilities. The building dedication in August of 1948 included games, races, children's activities, prizes, free ice cream and a smorgasbord dinner. Exterior view of new $50,000 City Hall and Recreational Center in Milton, Washington (T. Times, 8/13/48, p. 3).

Sports & recreation facilities--Milton; Building dedications--Milton; City & town halls--Milton; Milton City Hall (Milton);

Exteriors of the Lakewood Ice Arena. Perched on the shores of Steilacoom Lake, the facility had once been the ballroom for the Oakes Pavilion, which also offered a water stadium for competitive swimming where the tryouts for the American Olympic team were held in the mid twenties. After a brief stint as the Towers, a nightclub, the frame building was purchased by developer Norton Clapp in 1936. In 1938, at the urging of his wife who was a fan of ice skating, the building was remodeled into the Lakewood Ice Arena. The lake area around the club was still available for summer swimming and the Figure Skating Club even kept a dock and float available for members. The Arena was demolished in 1982 and replaced by lakeshore condominiums. ("History of Figure Skating in Pierce County, Lakewood Arena") TPL-5672

Ice skating--Tacoma--1950-1960; Lakewood Ice Arena (Lakewood); Lakewood Figure Skating Club (Lakewood); Ice skating rinks--Tacoma--1950-1960; Lake Steilacoom (Wash.);

Interiors Lakewood Ice Arena. Several young skaters and what appear to be instructors watch while a more experienced skater makes a graceful curve on a thin blade of steel. The building formerly known as the Oakes Ballroom and briefly as the Towers was purchased by developer Norton Clapp, future Weyerhaeuser chairman, in 1936 and converted into the Ice Arena in 1938. The building was remodeled to resemble a Swiss chalet with murals on the walls and a draped ceiling approximating clouds. The Lakewood Figure Skating Club at the Ice Arena produced many champions through the years. The building itself however went through some trying times. In 1948, the roof collapsed and the building had to be restored. There was a major remodel in 1959 and in 1974 a temporary closure by the fire marshalls. In October of 1982, the roof caved in once more, forcing the demolition of the historic building. ("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;