Submitted by Morgan Alexander.
On this day in 1977, David Levage who was hired by a local crime syndicate dumped a dozen cans of paint thinner onto premier Tacoma waterfront restaurant, Top of The Ocean. Built in the 1940s, the structure was instantly engulfed in flames once ignited. This arson was connected to a number of other suspicious nightclub fires which resulted in a Federal grand jury racketeering case that brought down local crime bosses and Pierce County Sheriff, George Janovich.
To learn more about the history of the Top of The Ocean, click here.
To learn more about David Levage click here.
Learn about the Federal racketeering case, click here.
Tacoma Sun article link.
Morgan Alexander,
Thank you for your article and photo regarding the Top of The Ocean Restaurant.
I discovered the Top of The Ocean Restaurant some 65 years ago as a teenager while dating young ladies from my high school..
I made many trips to the restaurant after my college years too, to attend monthly company meetings hosted by my employer.
I have never forgotten the Top of The Ocean Restaurant and still miss it to this day.
Your article just made me realize, I too was a victimized by felon, David Levage, the crime syndicate, and Pierce County Sheriff George Janovich.
Sad!
Joseph Boyle – Former Pierce County Resident
I remember going there after a prom from high school. Seems we did that a lot then. It is truly missed. It is unbelievable the damage done to our favorite places with this group of wannabe hoods destroying them. They also did a lot of other stuff like threatening family members of the owners of the clubs they wanted to control. Weird scary time here in Lakewood/Tacoma.
I also remember going there as a kid. It had a big dance floor in the middle and tables all around it. That was the only time that I saw my parents dance. My father was a major supporter of their 4th of July fireworks show. We sat on the top deck facing the water and watched the show. I have many great memories of that place. It was a sad day when that old boat burned down.
Great article, great memories