"A lot of people ask ‘Who were the Blue Barons?' I tell them they were a motorcycle club and the first thing they always think of is the Hell's Angles or whatever. And they're not, they are totally the opposite," explained David Allen, son of Blue Baron's founder, Paul Allen.
From afar they looked like leather clad bikers caving up the streets of Tacoma on Indians, Triumphs and Harleys. Up close, they were business men and community advocates.
Though certainly not the oldest of the motorcycle clubs in the area, the Blue Barons have certainly left their mark. Established in 1938(est.) and continuing into the mind 1970s, the Blue Baron's administered Graham speedway, owned and ran the Mount Tahoma Hill Climb (also known as Blue Baron Hill), and supported a huge number of public and social works. They were members of both the American Motorcycle Association and the Northwest Motorcycle Association.
Prior to closing in the 1970s due to a lawsuit with a mink farm and encroaching urbanization, Graham Speedway was once a mecca for motorcycle enthusiasts in the area. Owned by the (still active) Tacoma Motorcycle Club and ran by the Blue Barons, the speedway put on numerous races and events - including an Evel Knievel jump in August of 1967. The speedway saw the likes of local legends Bob Knox, ‘Indian' Joe and Emil Ahola.
Caroline Gallacci perhaps best described the Mount Tahoma Hill Climb best when she wrote in her book Playgroud to the Pros, "In Addition to the Graham Speedway, racers also used what they called Blue Baron Hill. It was not much to look at: a gravel scar carved out of the salal and ferns above a nondescript cinder-block building that was the headquarters for the Blue Barons club. From the clubhouse, however, it appeared almost vertical and must have been a challenge just to, let alone beat the clock. The hill sits on the edge of South Tacoma peat bogs near where the end of 56th meets Tyler Street."
The Blue Barons founded and supported several charity events in the area. The clubhouse on 56th street saw Halloween parties for the St Ann's orphanage. Rides were arranged to raise money for the numerous charities. Bob Malley, a lifelong member of the Barons and Expert Class rider independently started a youth program, Young Hotshots, encouraged riders sixteen and younger to ride safe. He also established for founded a class for McNeil Island as a way to cultivate mechanic skills, it was the first such program in a federal facility.
Sadly the Blue Baron's chapter in Tacoma's motorcycling history is drawing to a more definite close. "I've been to three funerals in the last year of club members that have passed away," Allen said.
The Blue Barons left such an imprint on Tacoma and the Puget Sound that they will be featured in the upcoming exhibit "Let's Ride: Motorcycling the Northwest" at the Washington State History Museum. The show is scheduled to open January 23, 2013.
Comments for "Blue Barons Motorcycle Club ran the streets of Tacoma" (14)
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Ed Bray said on Jun. 03, 2012 at 8:37pm
I remember the Blue Barons well. My good friend Larry Robinson was a racer and climbed the hill many times. Sadly he passed a few years ago.
PAM KELLEY said on Jun. 07, 2012 at 9:27am
I remember them well, too. I was close friends with Donna and David Allen and as children we spent many weekends at the 56th street club and at the Graham Speedway and attended many of the parties they hosted. Aways a very family oriented gathering and Paul an Ruth Allen were like a second family to me. Love the memories!
Billy Stambaugh said on Jun. 09, 2012 at 8:02pm
Fantastic article! ! Thanks for keeping history alive! My Gramps would be stoked!
Cindy Hembree said on Jan. 21, 2013 at 8:19pm
My dad "Red" Berry used to own Tacoma Motorcycle Sales on River road in the late 60's. He was a member of BB. We attended many hill climbs at the old site off of 56th. I can't drive by there without thinking of it and the flat track out at Graham speedway where my brother Pat and my dad's cousin Milt Loflin would sometimes race and of course Emil Ahola, bouncing Bob Malley and a few others. The corn feeds and bike games that the Blue Barons held. Good memories. Nice article
Bob Higgins said on Aug. 25, 2013 at 1:44am
I bought my first new bike a 1962 BSA starfire 250 scrambler from RED and MILT on river road . it was the most beautiful thing I had ever seen. not knowing better I rode from Tacoma to Olympia and seized the piston . Red and Milt took me home and repaired by brand new BSA free of charge. you do not forget people like that .I am now age 71 .the blue barons hill climb was where I went after work often . I still have a picture of me on the start of the hill with RED and MILT . THOSE WERE THE DAYS
jeff nemec said on Sep. 25, 2013 at 7:24am
I got my 125 mx in 1972 BUT Dave had got it and the nice guy that he is late me buy it THANkS DAVE You are a good person
George McNelly said on Nov. 24, 2013 at 3:24pm
Had many fun afternoons at the Blue Baron's Hill Climbs during the late 60's and early
70's. The competitors and Barons were all fun loving guys, but could be very competitive. Also had a good time at the races on Friday nights out a Graham, and
also enjoyed some great scrambles out on the farm land. These were the "Golden Years" of motorcycling in my mind. Thanks and Good Luck!
Dave Petrovich said on Apr. 04, 2018 at 10:14am
I have great memories of the Blue Barons and it's members back in the late 50's and 60's those days were some of the best memories of my youth. My dad would take me over there on the weekends and drop me off for a day of riding. I sure loved those hills!
Joel Wells said on May. 07, 2018 at 1:17pm
My step dad (who raised me) was Tom Weber. He was a member we were there most weekends watching him climb the hill. He had a lot of trophy's and I was always proud to be with him. It was a lot of great memories as a kid in Tacoma. He's still alive, pushing 80 years old living up off of Pacific and 63rd.
Bradley Rebecca said on Aug. 10, 2018 at 5:59am
I am glad to find it. There are so many developers working on this part but this is one of the best innovative post ever. Thanks for such post.
Bob Birch said on Jan. 06, 2019 at 12:20pm
I was a member of the club bought my Goldstars and TT special from Red and Milt
was a pretty fair scrambler won a few also did well on the hill I rode Graham every friday
night #44Q thanks for the memories
Bob
Alfred Fournier said on Feb. 02, 2019 at 7:37pm
My step dad Charley smith was a member, raced a arial square 4 had may trophy's. I still have a 8mm real with races and hill climbs down at the old club house. My mom and Charley had their wedding in the club house in 1959. we moved to Calif. in 1965. but I have a lot of good memories at the bottom of that hill.. Trying to find and old projector so I can watch those movies. Charley drove a blue 1957 chev. 1/2 ton with spare tire racefender mount and a disc wheel cove with the blue barons name and logo on it I may have a pic somewhere..
Jim Padur said on Feb. 21, 2019 at 3:12pm
Who were the members that passed ? We need to work on a date for a BB reunion.
Gwynn Rice said on May. 03, 2020 at 10:48am
I was a member of the Blue Barons in early 60's also was Pit Boss at Graham Speedway for 2 years and race there also. Rode the hill climb many times they were very good times. would love to hear some old Baron's I am on face book.
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