Lakes Class of 1966 members Phil Nesse and Jim Nichols

 Photo taken Oct. 21, 2024, in Tacoma, Pierce County, Washington.

DeKOVEN HALL: From military school to resort

From TNT/Tacoma News Tribune - Sun, Nov 15, 1981 

For Lakewood, DeKoven is more than a street and business name

For Lakewood, DeKoven is more than a street and business name

The DeKoven name in Lakewood goes beyond DeKoven Drive and DeKoven Cleaners

Learn about it through five advertisements and a story posted here:

• Sept 11, 1903, TNT/Tacoma News Tribune – THE DeKOVEN SCHOOL FOR BOYS NEAR AMERICAN LAKE
  
  
• Sept 1, 1904, Oregonian, Portland – DeKOVEN HALL
  
  
• Aug. 7, 1914, Tacoma Daily Ledger – DeKOVEN: A HOME SCHOOL FOR FORTY BOYS
  
  
• Aug 24, 1916, TNT/Tacoma News Tribune – DeKOVEN SCHOOL FOR BOYS
  
  
• Sept 19, 1975, TNT/Tacoma News Tribune --OLD SCHOOL NOW APARTMENT HOUSE
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

Location of interim Lakewood Library brings back memories (Suburban Times, Sept. 11, 2024)

The Suburban Times - A community bulletin board for Western Pierce County. Lakewood, Wash.

Location of interim Lakewood Library
brings back memories

September 11, 2024

By Tim Marsh, Lakes High Class of 1966

Chevron/Standard sign illustration, July 11, 1966, Source: TNT/Tacoma News Tribune

 

 

Some reading “Interim Lakewood Pierce County Library to open Thursday, Sept. 12” in the Sept. 9, 2024, Suburban Times and seeing the library’s 10202 Gravelly Lake Dr. S.W. address thought it familiar.

Isn’t that address across the street from Villa Plaza and at the corner of Gravelly Lake Drive & Alfaretta Street S.E.?

Yes.

And, it’s on the same side of the road and across (from Alfaretta Street) from Park Lodge School?

Yes.

Long, long (long) ago, before Lakewood had either a permanent or interim library, wasn’t there was a temporary Lakewood Library in the basement of old Park Lodge where Mrs. White had her kindergarten classroom?

Yes.

A story in the May 9, 1960, TNT/Tacoma News Tribune said Friends of the Lakes District Library sought “more adequate quarters for the Pierce County Library District’s Lakewood branch. It is temporarily housed in the basement of Park Lodge School.”

Lakewood Library Friends Elect, May 9, 1960, Source: TNT/Tacoma News Tribune

 

A May 31, 1959, TNT story said the basement location was “inadequate for the needs of both children and adults.”

And, the Nov. 18, 1960, TNT reported the “Lakewood Branch Library is a real press-into-service operation” and is “squeezed inside a school basement.” Librarian Marile Thomas noted that Brownie Girl Scout Troop 122 from Wildwood visited the library. During it a Brownie asked her, “Do all libraries look like this?” 

Mrs. Thomas assured the Brownie, a second grade school student, that “most libraries were quite different from the one crammed into the depths of the Park Lodge School.”

Yet another TNT story quotes Mrs. Thomas as saying the June 1959 temporary Lakewood Library was “bulging at the seams.” 

So, it’s “nailed” about the temporary library being housed in Park Lodge School. Now, let’s go back across Alfaretta Street to the location of the new (2024) interim Lakewood Library.

Finn Krogh, April 1, 1946, Source: TNT/Tacoma News Tribune

(The Feb. 3, 1965, TNT, reported on actions of the Pierce County Planning Commission. One of them regarded a “request by Finn Krogh for a zone change to allow for remodeling and expansion of an old service station.” It was OKed by the commission. “The property is located near Gravelly Lake Drive and Alfaretta Avenue in the Lakes district.")

 You might or might not remember there was a gas station/service station at that site.

Chevron Gas Station sign illustration, April 1, 1946, Source: TNT/Tacoma News Tribune

An advertisement in a 2002 edition of the TNT said “Lakewood Chevron” was in its 70^th year. That means a gas station/service station opened at that site in 1932. Was Park Lodge School next door?

Lakewood Chevron/70 years, July 25, 2002, Source: TNT/Tacoma News Tribune

Yes.

A 1997 TNT story said the original Park Lodge School was built in 1912. “It was constructed near a rail stop called Park Lodge Station” and sat on “prime rural property, near the lakes that gave the community its identity and surrounded by neighborhoods that gave it a good reputation.”

In the early 1920s – source the TNT, of course – an addition to the original Park Lodge School “near DeKoven Inn on Lake Steilacoom” was built at a cost of $10,000. The addition included a “full basement” which, we know now (2024), became home for the temporary Lakewood library.

Park Lodge Service/Bill Cooley, May 27, 1954, Source: TNT/Tacoma News Tribune

 

While (old) Park Lodge School was next door to the Chevron Station, Villa Plaza was not across the street. That’s because it opened in 1957. However, Villa Plaza’s namesake, Visitation Villa was there. 

The Visitation Villa Lakewood Historical Society Historical Marker says Visitation Villa (1923-1956) was a “Catholic girls school began shortly after the Sisters moved in on August 15, 1923 and operated until 1954. In May of 1956, construction began on the Villa Plaza Shopping Center which opened in 1957.”

Footnotes

Story mentions DeKoven Inn. It was, said an article in a 1981 TNT, “one of the most popular resorts in Western Washington.” A 1926 ad for the inn in the TNT invited dancing (9 p.m. to midnight) and dining with a full course chicken dinner at $1.50. Dinner parties were a specialty and banquets catered. Afternoon card parties and luncheons were offered. Playing every evening was the DeKoven Inn Orchestra. “For those who wish to dance only, (the cost of) admission (was) 50 cents couple.” DeKoven Inn phone number: Madison 126-R-3.

Posting with this article the following from the TNT/Tacoma News Tribune:

Park Lodge Service, LA 9718, March 28, 1954, Source: TNT/Tacoma News Tribune

 

Plymouth club coupe, July 18, 1958, Source: TNT/Tacoma News Tribune

 

Exceptionally Volkswagen, Nov 13, 1960, Source: TNT/Tacoma News Tribune

Lakewood Chevron gas prices/$1.16, April 2, 1982, Source: TNT/Tacoma News Tribune

SERVICE STN Island Person, Feb 2, 1997, Source: TNT/Tacoma News Tribune

Finally

The Chevron station had a nice gumball machine. Put in a coin and you received not only a very good gumball, but also a nice metal ring to put around your finger. The gumball was in the ring hole.

 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

--At 8:15 am on 9/12/2024 Rex S. Hays posted at the 1966 Grads Clover Park /Lakes Facebook page this text: “De koven Service, predecessor to Bill Cooley's Park Lodge Service. Owned by Finn Krogh, my great uncle. My great grandmother and older sister in the foreground, (Finn's mother and Melinda Mckillip,(Hays).” And this photo.

 --June 3, 1920, TNT/Tacoma News Tribune has a classified ad for transfer and express offered by AMERICAN LAKE AUTO FREIGHT, E. A. Krogh, Prop. So. Tacoma R. F. D. No. 1, Box 118, Madison 124-J-3.

--Dec. 30, 1924, TNT/Tacoma News Tribune, includes an ad showing that Dekoven Service Station/E. A. Krogh was among dealers in Tacoma and vicinity selling the “new winter Red Crown gasoline.”

June 20, 1926, Tacoma Daily Ledger with headline “SERVICE STATION MAN BUYS STUDE” ran a story with text reading: “E. A. Krogh of Steilacoom Lake has just joined the ranks of Studebaker owners through the purchase of a Studebaker standard sedan from the B. H. Kennedy company (on Broadway in Tacoma). Mr. Krogh is the proprietor of DeKoven service station at Steilacoom.”

March 23, 1930, Tacoma Daily Ledger has an ad about “All Tacoma … is talking about new Gilmour Blu-Green Gasoline.” Among independent service stations where the gasoline was sold was DeKoven Service Station, Gravelly Lake Blvd.”

 

May 10, 1935, TNT/Tacoma News Tribune classified ad is about a 2 & ½ ton truck with steel body, hydraulic hoist, “good rubber” being sold by DeKoven Service Station, Lakewood, 0168-J-3.

Research seems to indicate that at some point “Interlaaken Service Station” might have been the name of the gas station on Gravelly Lake Boulevard.

  https://thesubtimes.com/2024/09/11/location-of-interim-lakewood-library-brings-back-memories/

#

 

MEMORIES OF LAKEWOOD’S NAVY BASE SCHOOL, THE TACOMA GIANTS AND MORE

MEMORIES OF LAKEWOOD’S NAVY BASE SCHOOL, THE TACOMA GIANTS AND MORE

By Tim Marsh, Lakes High Class of 1966 

(Updated 3/29/2024)

In the early 1950s, my Mom, Dad and sister and I moved from North Dakota to Lakewood.

We arrived before Allied Van Lines brought our household goods and before our Lakewood rental house was available.

 

Our temporary housing was the Oakwood Motel on South Tacoma Way. The motel room had a pay radio - a nickel a listen.

After Cheney Stadium opened in 1960, our family enjoyed attending Tacoma Giants games. Dusty Rhodes, formerly of the New York Baseball Gaints, was my favorite player. I loved watching him throw the ball in from the outfield.

Our family segued from the rental into a house we owned on Bridgeport Way in Lakewood. It was not far from Lakewood Square and an Albertson’s grocery store.

Giant players came to the store to sign autographs and visit with fans. Those appearances might have happened because the store assistant manager -- who lived next door to us in a rental -- had been a professional ball player in the St. Louis Browns organization.

Mom sang in Lakewood’s Little Church on the Prairie choir. She liked choir member Blanche Perry, Gaylord Perry’s wife.

After World War II, the Naval Depot – located at what had once been was the Tacoma Speedway, a wood board automobile racing track -- was used in a variety of ways. The Clover Park School District had its administrative offices there and the district’s Navy Base School was there, too.

My sister (Clover Park High grad) and I (Lakes High grad) were “schooled” in the district. As “Baby Boomers” we were among students in the district who attended Navy Base, across the street from Flett Dairy and nearby Mountain View Cemetery.

Navy Base School was an overflow school. For example, if there were not enough classrooms for seventh graders at Hudtloff and Mann junior high schools, the overflow of seventh grade students studied at Navy Base. It was a regular school -- activities, assemblies, etc. -- in an interesting environment.

The school was in what apparently had been the supply depot’s administrative offices. Walls were paperboard and the halls were narrow, as if we were walking in passageways beneath deck in a naval ship. I recall being in a giant safe in one of the Navy Base School rooms. During the war the safe probably held important papers. I was in it to get my school crossing guard crosswalk flag.

History says the Clover Park School District occupied most of the seven concrete block Navy Base buildings which included the steam plant with underground power and heating “designed to withstand aerial bombings anticipated during World War II.”

That helps explain part of the reason why, periodically, we students practiced fire, earthquake and air raid (“The Bomb”) drills.

My Navy Base time was when corporal punishment with a wooden paddle was condoned. I never was paddled, but the Navy Base teacher with the paddle was well known and a concern.

Research shows over the years Navy Base had baseball for boys and girls and basketball, apparently just for boys. I recall none of this. It was in the school years before I was there.

My forte was playing saxophone in the band. Band and orchestra concerts in the Navy Base cafeteria at night meant smelling cow manure as it wafted across Steilacoom Boulevard to noses of musicians, parents, siblings and friends walking from the parking lot to the cafeteria and back.

In Lakewood I tried to be an athlete. With no athletic talent, I was an outfielder on Lakewood Recreation Association softball teams. I was an outfielder with hopes the ball would never be hit to me.

My schooling started at Park Lodge School. I attended Navy Base School for sixth and seven grades. Eight grade for me was at the “new” Hudtloff (near Custer) and -- after we moved from Bridgeport Way to American Lake – to the even newer Mann for ninth grade. At the time, Hudtloff and Mann were both junior high schools.

I arrived at the new (it opened in 1962) Lakes High as a sophomore in 1963. As a sports fan it was a wonderful place to be.

There were great boys Lakes teams, with Rick Austin, who went on to pitch in the Major Leagues, among super student athletes.

Lakes High School had girls and boys on its very good tennis teams. Sue Colley was an excellent tennis player. Lakes High likely had many other great girl athletes, but Title IX came too late for them.

#

 

 

TNT/Tacoma News Tribune stories/clippings about Villa Plaza from 1957 when the shopping center opened in Lakewood (Pierce County, suburban Tacoma)

If the images are too small for you to read easily, 

click on each image for a larger, easier to read, version. 

 

TNT/Tacoma News Tribune stories/clippings about
Villa Plaza from 1957 when the shopping center opened in Lakewood (Pierce County, suburban Tacoma)

Riding my Sears J. C. Higgins bicycle – bought in 1963 at Sears & Roebuck in Lakewood on South Tacoma Way – into the sunset

Riding my Sears J. C. Higgins bicycle – bought in 1963 at Sears & Roebuck in Lakewood on South Tacoma Way – into the sunset

March 28, 2024 Suburban Times, Lakewood

Story and photos by Tim Marsh, Lakes High Class of 1966.

I rode my Sears J. C. Higgins bicycle — bought in 1963 from the Sears catalogue and paid for and picked it up at Sears & Roebuck in Lakewood at 8720 South Tacoma Way at the “U.S. 99 at Lakewood cutoff” – off into the sunset.

That paints a nice picture. But, it’s not accurate.

In reality, this month a local charity picked up my bike. It was loaded into the back of their truck next to a couple of couches someone else donated. The truck drove off during a brief respite from rainy weather. No rain drops. No tears from me. But, memories. 

Downsizing at home finished off the bike, which I bought at 15-years old. I’m 76. It’s been literally hanging around in our garage for more than 10 years. I lost track the last time I rode the bike. It was time for us to part. 

The bike was moved from Lakewood to western Oregon. From western Oregon to eastern Washington. From eastern Washington back to western Oregon. Next stop will be where the charity’s buyer takes it. .

In 1963 I needed the bike for transportation. I had a Saturday job doing yardwork at a home on the other side of the lake. I could walk there but riding a bike to/from was a better option. 

Looking at the Sears catalogue at home I saw possibilities. I picked a 26-inch bike with bright metallic red enamel finish and silver fenders. 

Today the finish has faded. It still has its original white sidewall tires. There’s rust. The seat is cracking. But, in general it’s in great shape for its age. The Tacoma bike license affixed on the back fender expired Dec. 31, 1963.

When the bike arrived, we got a phone call. Dad drove me to the store. He paid for it. We put the bike in a box and brought it home.

I assembled it. Then, I ordered a J.C. Higgins speedometer/odometer and did not ride the bike until I installed it on the bike. The 950 miles on the odometer are original miles. 

Not every Saturday was a bike to yard work on the other side of the lake day. Neighbor boys, older than me, worked at the same home years before. They sometimes rowed a boat over and back. I decided I’d do that, too.

Dad bought a new 8-foot pram wood rowboat from a shop in old Tacoma. We put it on sawhorses on the front porch and painted the inside and stern white and the rest of it bright blue. 

Rowing to my Saturday job was not a breeze, but do-able. Once there was more than a breeze. There was strong wind and whitecaps on the lake. Rowing back home after work was challenging. I was not wearing a life jacket and was afraid the pram would be swamped and sink. 

So, I beached the pram at American Lake Park and walked home. The next day, with better lake conditions, I walked to the park and rowed the pram home.

Having that Saturday job meant I earned money. Mrs. L (name changed) paid me after each day of work. Using a manual typewriter, she’d add the date, and my name on the check. Then, she used a neat machine to print the dollar and cents amount on the check. 

With check in hand, I’d get myself to Rhodes department store at Villa Plaza. It cashed my check in its second floor business office. Yes, on Saturdays.

Mrs. L was amazing. Not only a job, but she paid with checks. I did not appreciate it at the time, but she tallied my hours and paid into Social Security. When I retired, the first hours for which I had SocSec credit were thanks to her.

Yes, the money earned and Social Security credit was good. But, more important to me now is the memory of my bicycle and my 8-foot pram.

POSTSCRIPT – According to the TNT, the Sears Suburban Store in Lakewood opened in 1957. Store officials extended a “cordial invitation to the public to see the many facilities offered in this great new Sears store of almost 11,000 square feet.” Interesting to note, the building formerly housed a Safeway grocery store.

The store had a South Tacoma Way address and was at the intersection with Steilacoom Boulevard. Phone JU 8-3661.

Sold in the store were Coldspot freezers and refrigerators. Kenmore ranges, washers and dryers. Silverstone television sets and radios and Craftsman power tools. No mention of J. C. Higgins.

Oh, you recall, as do I, the Sears store on Broadway in downtown Tacoma. I always entered in through the back (top of building) parking lot. Go into the back door, ride the escalator down and smell the popcorn.

ALSO – A TNT classified ad in the Nov 18, 1952 mentions “Sears Farm Store, 1408 So. St.” in Tacoma.

 

https://thesubtimes.com/2024/03/28/riding-my-sears-j-c-higgins-bicycle-bought-in-1963-at-sears-roebuck-in-lakewood-on-south-tacoma-way-into-the-sunset/

Iva Alice Wheeler Mann and Julius Warren Mann of Lakewood

IVA ALICE WHEELER MANN, spouse of Julius Warren Mann

25 Oct 1887 to 1 Sept 1983 (age 95) Iva

Editorial: Iva Alice Mann left legacy for students
Text includes: "For her tireless efforts they gave a school - the Iva Alice Mann Junior High School -- her name as a living memorial."
Sept 6 1983
TNT/Tacoma News Tribune

'Founding mother' of CPark District, Iva Mann, 94, dies
Feb 2 1983
TNT/Tacoma News Tribune

-Get Schooled in Lakewood History With Iva Alice Mann
Lakewood Historical Society
https://www.lakewoodhistorical.org › news › details
Jan 1, 2014 — Iva Alice Mann almost singlehandedly
founded the Clover Park School District in 1928.

-Iva Alice Mann: The Foraging of the Clover Park School District
March-April 2007, Pages 1 & 4, Prairie Gazette, Lakewood Historical Society
https://www.lakewoodhistorical.org/media/dynamic/docs/mar_apr_2007.pdf

...............
 

JULIUS WARREN MANN, spouse of Iva Alice Wheeler Mann

1885 to 1975 (age 90) Julius

Julius Mann, 90, inventor, teacher
Aug 2, 1975
TNT/Tacoma News Tribune

Firm's Origin Traced to Bad Tooth
(Tacoma's Mann-Russell Electronics
genesis was abscessed tooth of
found Julius Warren Mann)
Feb 10, 1962
TNT/Tacoma News Tribune

Lakewood football field has had three names; here’s history about the first

Lakewood football field has had three names; here’s history about the first

OCTOBER 4, 2016 SUBURBAN TIMES

By Tim Marsh, Lakes High School Class of 1966

https://thesubtimes.com/2016/10/04/lakewood-football-field-has-had-three-names-heres-history-about-the-first

Thompson Field. Lakewood Stadium. Harry Lang Stadium.

Three names, one football venue in Lakewood at Clover Park High School.

The Clover Park School District was created in 1928. Ten years later, due to the rapid expansion of Fort Lewis, Clover Park High School was established with the cornerstone of the original school laid June 28, 1938.

PHOTO From left, Clover Park superintendent A.G. Hudtloff, Lakewood visionary Walter Thompson, Mrs. A.S. Black and Thompson's son, Ray. Photo courtesy Images of America - Lakewood by Walter Neary and Steve Dunkelburger.

PHOTO A photo (above) taken in 1939 on the Clover Park campus shows four people, including Walter J. Thompson and Arthur Hudtloff, district superintendent.

Thompson holds a copy of the notes he will use to deliver a speech on May 17, 1939, when the athletic field at Clover Park High School is dedicated in his name.

According to information with the photo, Thompson donated the initial $1,000 to get the field project started. The field was completed as a project of WPA, an acronym for the federal Works Progress Administration, a Depression era work-relief program.

One source says the field was a memorial to Thompson. In reality, it was dedicated in honor of Thompson, not in memory of him. He was still alive. However, just a bit more than 14 months after the dedication, on Aug. 3, 1940, he died at age 87 in Lakewood.

Who was Walter James Thompson?

PHOTO Record setting pole vault at Thompson Field as shown in the 1957 Clover Park High School yearbook. Photo courtesy Lakewood Historical Society.

He was a social and civic leader, Lakewood visionary, Tacoma banker, financier, Gravelly Lake pioneer, philanthropists, and, according to Legendary Locals of Lakewood, an “audacious businessman.”

Born in Spring Prairie, Wisc., in 1853, he was a successful banker and attorney in Nebraska before coming to the Tacoma in 1884. He bought the Bank of New Tacoma and changed its name to Merchants National Bank. He also founded Tacoma Savings Bank.

He had a home in Tacoma and homes in Lakewood. One source says he eventually moved out of the Tacoma house to one on Gravelly Lake. He also was owner of the historic Boatman-Ainsworth, the oldest private structure in Lakewood.

According to the History of Tacoma, the Tacoma home of Thompson and his wife, Amaryllis Thompson (1850-1933), was frequented by intellectuals and progressives including Julia Ward Howe, who wrote the “Battle Hymn of the Republic,” and Susan B. Anthony, social reformer and women’s rights advocate.

The Thompsons were known for their personal library and collection of paintings.

Thompson owned the Boatman–Ainsworth house from 1889-1939. He donated a portion property on which the house was located to Clover Park. The portion is the location of Thompson Field, today’s Harry Lang Stadium.

A Lakewood historical marker – placed by the Lakewood Historical Society, the Lakewood Landmarks & Heritage Board and the City of Lakewood – is near the house which is near Harry Lang Stadium.

PHOTO An undated photo of Thompson Field. Photo courtesy of Lakewood Historical Society.

Thompson served a variety social and civic roles. He was a benefactor and key player in the newly established Tacoma Public Library and, in the 1880s, its president for several years.

In 1888, he was a delegate to the Republican national convention and went on to serve in Washington Territorial lower house and Senate, where he was an active promoter of progressive agenda items including women’s suffrage.

In 1912, he quit the Republican party and joined the Progressive party — nicknamed the “Bull Moose Party” — created by former U.S. President Theodore Roosevelt.

The Spokane Chronicle in 1916 said he was a “well-known bull moose” of Pierce County. In that year, he ran for the U.S. Senate as the Progressive candidate.

So, in 1939 Thompson Field was built and dedicated at Clover Park High School. It was the home venue of Clover Park varsity football games. When Lakes High School opened in 1962, it became the venue of Lakes varsity football home games, too.

PHOTO Known today as Harry Lang Stadium, the former Thompson Field was rebuilt in recent years by Landscape Architect RW Droll. Photo courtesy of Robert W. Droll, Landscape Architect of Lacey, Washington.

But, time marched on and eventually there was need for a modernized stadium. That resulted with upgrading in about 1984-1985 of Thompson Field and renaming it Lakewood Stadium.

On Aug. 21, 2001, Harry E. Lang died at age 83. He was a dedicated coach, teacher, principal, administrator and later a school-board member and board president in the Clover Park School District. He served the community for more than 50 years.

In September 2001, the Clover Park School Board approved a resolution to rename the facility to Harry E. Lang Stadium, said the TNT.

On Oct. 26, 2001, before a Clover Park vs. Lakes football game, Lakewood Stadium was renamed and dedicated in honor of Lang.

FOOTNOTES:

–Thompson’s business dealings included selling homes on Lake Steilacoom and Gravelly Lake.

–According to the Seattle Times, the change of the stadium name from Lakewood to Harry Lange “reduced confusion with the 2A school north of Everett named Lakewood.” In the late 1950s (early 1960s?), Pacific Northwest Bell Telephone changed Lakewood’s telephone prefix from LAkewood to JUniper. One of the reasons? Because there was sometimes confusion between Lakewood (Pierce Co.) and Lakewood (north of Everett in Snohomish Co.)

–Before Clover Park High School existed, students from Lakewood apparently attended Tacoma’s Stadium High School.

–This story focuses on football. But the field featured has been and is the home of track & field, too. Thompson Field (with real grass) had a five laps to a mile cinder track. Today’s Harry Lang Stadium has an artificial turf football field and a four laps to 400m synthetic all-weather track.

–During the author’s years (1963-1966) as a Lakes High student, initially when the Lancers played football on Clover Park’s Thompson Field, scoreboard signage proclaimed the field  “Home of the Warriors.” Thanks to a sign maker grandfather of a Lakes student, a “Home of the Lancers” sign was made. It was displayed over the Warriors sign during Lakes home football games.

–Sources for this story include first and foremost the amazing Lakewood history books by Steve Dunkelberger and Walter Neary: “Images of America: Lakewood” (2005) and “Legendary Locals of Lakewood” (2014). Other sources include, but are not limited to, liquidsearch.com, Seattle Times, Seattle P-I, gridironbeez.proboards.com, Wikipedia, historylink.com, Longview Daily News, TNT/Tacoma News Tribune, Southsoundtalk.com and Spokane Daily Chronicle, Tacoma Public Library, the Lakewood Log , a National Register of Historic Places nomination form, “History of Tacoma” and politicalgraveyard.com

–Errors in story? If so, please send corrections to author at wildcatville@gmail.com

PHOTO of Thompson Field sign and Lakes vs. Clover Park football on Thompson Field from 1968 Lakes Legend yearbook. 

Silcox Island on American Lake

Photo of Silcox Island on American Lake taken from Bill’s Boathouse by Matthew Anderson, Oct. 1, 2023, Suburban Times, Lakewood.

https://thesubtimes.com/2023/10/01/letter-awake-awake

::::::::::::::::::::::

American Lake VA in foreground and Silcox Island in background. 

Is this the NAVY BASE school song?

 Is this the NAVY BASE school song?

=NAVY BASE SCHOOL WE HONOR YOU, AN EDUCATIONAL AND LEADERSHIP BEACON DAY AND NIGHT.

=WHEN THE NAVY BASE MIGHTY ‘EAGLES’ GET IN A FIGHT THEY ALWAYS WIN BECAUSE THEY ARE BRIGHT AND RIGHT.

Saturday dance class in the York Room of the Lakewood Terrace

Did you, young ladies and gentlemen, take a Saturday dance class held in the York Room of the Lakewood Terrace restaurant in the late 1950s or early 1960s?

Class leader was Russ Saltmarsh. His wife and dance partner was Jean Saltmarsh. They lived with their family in Lakewood.

There was a lad who played records on an electric record player. Each record had a number. Russ knew all the dance tunes on records by number by heart. He asked the lad to play a tune and it was done.

There was classic (not classical) dances taught/ learned. But there were also those more contemporary, too. For example, the twist and “The Madison.”

Wikipedia says:

--The Twist is an American pop song written and originally released in early 1959 (having been recorded on November 11, 1958) by Hank Ballard and the Midnighters.”

--“The Madison is a novelty dance that was popular in the late 1950s to mid-1960s. ... Its popularity inspired dance teams and competitions, as well as various ... The jazz pianist Ray Bryant recorded "Madison Time" for Columbia Records in 1959.”

Here are some of the steps in the Madison line dance:

IT'S MADISON TIME

2:03 "Now, when I said 'hit it!' I want the big strong basketball with the Wilt Chamberlain hook. (pause) Hit it! Two points!"

2:17 "Now this time, when I say 'hit it!' I want the big strong Jackie Gleason and back to the Madison. (pause) Hit it! (pause). And, a-w-w-w-way we go!"

"You're looking good!"

https://www.songfacts.com/facts/ray-bryant-combo/the-madison-time

 

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Instructors Russ and Jean Saltmarsh announced the opening of a series of lessons on Latin American and ballroom dancing will begin Sept. 30 at 8 p.m. The classes are for Elks members and their guests. Reservations must be made.

… TNT/Tacoma News Tribune Sept 24, 1960

 

Eating their cake and keeping it too are Mr. and Mrs. Russ Saltmarsh.

Long interested in ballroom dancing and often teaching, they are on a six-week cruise on the SS Mariposa in the South Pacific as dance instructors.

When they arrive back in San Francisco on July 13 after traveling as far as Australia with stopovers in fascinating cities of the world, they will be joined by their  children to journey down to Disneyland

At present, the youngsters are being cared for by their paternal grandparents, the G. H. Saltmarshes of Seattle.

Also on board the ship is another Tacoman, Mrs. Charles Lund.

… TNT/Tacoma News Tribune July 3, 1960