Blocks used for sidewalks on Consumer's Central Heating System at Pierce County Court House, Holroyd Company, Jim Holroyd. A workman is backfilling the trench for the Consumer's Central Heating Company pipe that had been lined with concrete blocks to provide easy access to the pipe. The area where the pipe ran is covered with a sturdy material.

Holroyd Co. (Tacoma); Consumer's Central Heating Co. (Tacoma); Building materials--Tacoma; Concrete products industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Heating & ventilation industry--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Republican candidates for 28th District. Because no G.O.P. candidates from the 28th District filed for the primary, Republican Central Committee chairman Clarence Sather had to persuade Elmer L. Eddy and Frank A. Glassy to run as "sticker" candidates. Voters would have to write their names in on the ballots in the November general election. Both men have labor ties; Eddy belongs to the boilermaker and barber unions and Glassy owns and operates Glassy Electric, a union shop. They will be opposing Democrats Arthur R. Paulsen and A. L. (Slim) Rasmussen. From left to right in the photograph are Don Perry, Supt. of Elections, Elmer L. Eddy, and Frank A. Glassy at the courthouse. (TNT 9-27-50, p. 12)

Political elections--Tacoma--1950-1960; Eddy, Elmer L.; Glassy, Frank A.; Perry, Don;

Three women switchboard operators at the switchboard at the Court House. The two women who are seated wear head sets with ear phones and microphones together. They are busy with the cords connecting and disconnecting phone calls. A 1950 calendar from Great Northern Railway hangs on the wall behind them. Ordered by Llewelyn Advertising Agency.

Pierce County Courthouse (Tacoma); Telephone switchboards--Tacoma; Telephone operators--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Claude R. "Shorty" Doran (at right, holding a microphone), the Pierce County Agricultural Agent, and an unidentified man were photographed using a reel-to-reel tape recorder in Mr. Doran's office at the old County Court House, 1012 South G Street, on June 15, 1950. They were probably recording a program to be broadcast on KMO radio during the Farm Show which was on the air Monday through Friday at 12:45 p.m. "Shorty" Doran became the agricultural agent in 1949. He had been active in promoting dairy practices in Pierce County for several years, and as superintendent of the Dairy department of the Western Washington Fair had successfully developed an outstanding 4-H dairy program. ( Ordered by Llewelyn Advertising Agency.)

Pierce County Courthouse (Tacoma); Sound recordings; Communication devices;

The Pierce County Courthouse was built in 1892 and served for 70 years until it was abandoned and demolished following the construction of the current County-City Building on Tacoma Ave. Constructed at a cost of $743,000, the Romanesque building of Wilkeson and Pittsburgh grey freestone finished with Tenino bluestone was almost an exact duplicate of architect Henry Hobson Richardson's courthouse in Pittsburgh, Pa. The building was three stories and the central tower was 230 feet tall. The tower's clock, added in 1907, was four feet in diameter and faced on all four sides. The plans for the building included secret stairways, hideouts and a hanging room, reportedly used to hang two prisoners. The cathedral type building was demolished in 1959. (TNT'S "Tacoma Landmarks by Thompson" reprints from the TNT Calendars and Sunday Magazine")

Pierce County Courthouse (Tacoma); Historic buildings--Tacoma;

Pierce County Courthouse. Three men sitting at tables in court room. This photograph was taken on November 26, 1951. On that day, one of the sessions at the Courthouse involved a decision by the Pierce County Commissioners whereby they voted to ban fireworks sale and use in the county except in supervised displays. Commissioner Harry Sprinker is possibly the first man at left. (TNT 11-26-51, p. 1-article)

Pierce County Courthouse (Tacoma);

ca. 1915. A photographic copy of a customer's photograph showing a large group of approximately 78 people in front of one of the entrances to the Pierce County Courthouse.

Pierce County Courthouse (Tacoma); Courthouses--Tacoma; Architectural elements--Tacoma; Doors & doorways--Tacoma;

Port of Tacoma for Times Special Edition, studio stock, B of R. The exterior of the Old Pierce County Court House. The ornate building, patterned after the Courthouse in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, that was designed by Henry Hobson Richardson, was built in 1892. Proctor and Dennis served as architects and John T. Long was the contractor. It was built of Wilkeson and Pittsburg grey freestone and finished with Tenino bluestone. The clock tower stood 230 feet while the building's three stories measured 226 feet by 102 feet. The building was demolished in 1959. The building had turrets with conical spires and tall finials, round-arched windows, and a steeply pitched roof with hipped roof projections. A balustrade marks a balcony over one of the building's arched entryways.

Pierce County Courthouse (Tacoma); Courthouses--Tacoma; Clock towers--Tacoma--1940-1950; Roofs--Tacoma; Spires--Tacoma; Architectural elements--Tacoma;

Port of Tacoma for Times Special Edition, studio stock, B of R. The exterior of the Old Pierce County Court House showing one of the entryways to the building. The arched doorway is set between two pilasters. Attached columns are set immediately adjacent to the doorway which is topped with decorative windows while separated by a frieze from casement windows.

Pierce County Courthouse (Tacoma); Courthouses--Tacoma; Architectural elements--Tacoma; Doors & doorways--Tacoma;

View of Pierce County Sheriff's office new medicine kit, kit is shown both opened and closed. Medicine kit has analgesic balm, liniment, Olympic Trainer athletic liniment, Red Cross bandages, ammonia inhalant, tweezers, scissors, swabs, gauze and other first aid items. Richard's Studio has combined two images, photo ordered by Gordon Hill, Pierce County Deputy Sheriff's Officer.

Sheriffs--Tacoma; Law enforcement--Tacoma; Law enforcement training--Tacoma; First aid--Tacoma; Emergency medical services--Tacoma; Pierce County Sheriffs (Tacoma);

Long lines of Pierce County residents filled the second floor hallway of the old Pierce County Courthouse on January 2, 1948 outside the Auditor's office. Motorists had until January 10th to register their vehicles, or a $3 penalty would be attached to their registration fees. Anyone choosing to drive without a 1948 license sticker could be arrested and heavily fined.(T. Times, 1/3/48, p. 7).

Licenses--Tacoma--1940-1950; Recording & registration--Tacoma--1940-1950; License plates--Washington (State)--1940-1950; Vehicles--Tacoma--1940-1950; Queues--Tacoma; Crowds--Tacoma--1940-1950; Pierce County Courthouse (Tacoma);

In January of 1948, Pierce County residents were lined up in the second floor hallway of the old Pierce County Court House trying to meet the deadline for registering their vehicles. Auditor Joseph E. Ford and his staff were prepared to work long hours to ensure that everyone could get their car licenses renewed before the January 10th deadline. There was a $3 penalty and an additional fine if arrested while operating a vehicle without a new sticker. (T.Times 1-3-48, p. 7)

Licenses--Tacoma--1940-1950; Recording & registration--Tacoma--1940-1950; License plates--Washington (State)--1940-1950; Vehicles--Tacoma--1940-1950; Queues--Tacoma; Crowds--Tacoma--1940-1950; Pierce County Courthouse (Tacoma);

Man outside County Commissioners office, Times. This unidentified man was photographed on September 11, 1947. He wore glasses and casual attire. He appears to be holding a cigar in his right hand with two more in his shirt pocket.

Offices--Tacoma--1940-1950; Courthouses--Tacoma--1940-1950; Men--Tacoma--1940-1950; Eyeglasses;

James B. Mitchell was tried and convicted for the murder of Dr. John R. Thompson. Mitchell confessed to slaying two people from Tacoma, Bruce Gullett was the other person killed by Mitchell, but his case would be tried at a later date. Judge Fred G. Remann presided over the hearings. View of James B. Mitchell being led into or out of the court room, he is wearing handcuffs (T. Times, 4/17/47, p. 1).

Shooting--Tacoma; Mitchell, James B.--Judicial proceedings; Actions & defenses--Tacoma; Homicides--Tacoma; Death--Tacoma; Handcuffs; Courthouses--Tacoma; Pierce County Courthouse (Tacoma);

The Pierce County Sheriff's Department force including patrolmen, detectives and Pierce County Sheriff Lee Croft. The sheriffs force is standing on the steps of the Pierce County Courthouse. The courthouse, built in 1892 and designed by Proctor and Dennis architects, was patterned after the courthouse in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. It was finished with Tenino bluestone. The building was demolished in 1959.

Sheriffs--Pierce County--1940-1950; Pierce County Sheriffs (Tacoma); Pierce County Courthouse (Tacoma); Courthouses--Tacoma; Uniforms; Croft, Lee

The Pierce County Sheriff's Department force including patrolmen, detectives, and Pierce County Sheriff H.W. "Lee " Croft posed on the steps of the Pierce County Courthouse in December of 1945. Sheriff Croft (center, first row) was first elected to his position in 1942. He was a former logger, gold miner, heavyweight boxer, checkers enthusiast and longtime operator of the Croft Hotel on Pacific Ave. Lee Croft served two terms as sheriff and passed away in December of 1951.

Sheriffs--Pierce County--1940-1950; Pierce County Sheriffs (Tacoma); Pierce County Courthouse (Tacoma); Courthouses--Tacoma; Croft, Lee

Maefair Apartment fire hearing. It was determined after a long hearing that unfortunately the loss of nineteen lives occurred primarily because of human error. No criminal negligence was found. (T. Times, 3/2/45, p. 1).

Courtrooms--Tacoma; Judicial proceedings--Tacoma; Pierce County Courthouse (Tacoma);

Maefair Apartment fire hearing. After an extensive investigation it was concluded that the fire was started in the basement, then continued upwards, until it was out of control. Coroner Paul Mellinger, center, questioned several witnesses, including victims, Robbie Larson, Fire Inspector and John D. Hamilton, owner of Hamilton's Candy Co. (T. Times, 3/2/45, p. 1).

Courtrooms--Tacoma; Judicial proceedings--Tacoma; Mellinger, Paul;

Maefair Apartments fire hearing. Witnesses were called and evidence was provided to a jury, who was to decide whether criminal negligence had occurred at the February 17, 1945, Maefair Apartments fire that killed 19 people. Coroner Paul Mellinger questioned a wide array of witnesses, and provided jurors with a clear picture of the unfortunate circumstances. Seated in the jury box were: (l-r) Mrs. Alfarnia E. Allen, Mrs. C.R. McColl and Mrs. Robert C. McCune. In the back row were: (l-r) H.W. Kramer, future Tacoma mayor John H. Anderson and Erling O. Johnson. (T. Times, 3/2/45, p. 1; TNT 3-2-45, p. 1-alternate photograph & article).

Courtrooms--Tacoma; Judicial proceedings--Tacoma; Juries--Tacoma; Kramer, H.W.; Anderson, John H.; Johnson, Erling O.; Allen, Alfarnia; McColl, C.R.--Family; McCune, Robert C.--Family;

On September 30, 1942, under the watchful eye of Deputy Auditor Mary Nuzman, (left), Mrs. Clara Doan filled in the blanks on the Declaration of Candidacy for Constable. Mrs. Doan was the Republican candidate and the first woman to run for the office. Her candidacy was being presented by Dr. Hinton D. Jonez, center, Republican County Chairman. If elected, she would be one of 3 Constables, along with Robert Dykeman and "Connie" Ireland. Most of the Constable's work load was paperwork. (T. Times 10/2/1945, pg. 5)

Nuzman, Mary; Doan, Clara; Jonez, Hinton D.; Political elections; Municipal government--Tacoma--1940-1950;

On September 30, 1942, Deputy Auditor Mary Nuzman, left, supplied a Declaration of Candidacy to Mrs. Clara Doan, Republican candidate for Constable. Mrs. Doan was believed to be the first female candidate for Constable in Tacoma's, or perhaps the state's, history. Her candidacy was being presented by Dr. Hinton D. Jonez, right, Republican County Chairman. Mrs. Doan was the widow of a WWI veteran and the daughter of a pioneer Thurston County family (Moses Gardner). She was running for the 3rd Constable spot using the slogan "one should be a woman." (T. Times 10/2/1942, pg. 5)

Nuzman, Mary; Doan, Clara; Jonez, Hinton D.; Political elections; Municipal government--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Three unidentified men are pictured in the County Auditor's office in the Pierce County Courthouse on September 30, 1942.

Municipal government--Tacoma--1940-1950;

After wedding portrait of Mary Ellen Miller and Don Carlson in front of the Pierce County Court House. As more young men were drafted or enlisted, weddings were hurriedly placed on the social calendar, often with the young woman travelling to the military base where her intended was stationed. The Pierce County Courthouse became a revolving door for young couples wanting to be united before he left for "over there." [Also dated. 08-14-1942]

Miller, Mary Ellen--Marriage; Carlson, Don; Weddings--Tacoma--1940-1950;

As the caption on this photograph indicates, this was the Criminal Force of the Pierce County Sheriff's Dept. in 1938. John C. Bjorklund (not pictured), the County Sheriff, was in his second term. When re-elected in 1938, he received the largest majority ever given a candidate for any office in the history of Pierce County up to that time. TPL-2512

Uniforms; Sheriffs--Pierce County--1930-1940; Pierce County Sheriffs (Tacoma);

Pierce County Sheriff's officers, George W. Kupka on right, flank Sheriff John C. Bjorklund on the Court House steps in January of 1938. John C. Bjorklund was in his second term. When re-elected in 1938, he received the largest majority ever given a candidate for any office in the history of Pierce County up to that time. Bjorklund was for many years the secretary of the Tacoma Longshoremen's Union and he was a familiar figure on Tacoma's waterfront. (filed with Argentum)

Bjorklund, John; Uniforms; Sheriffs--Pierce County--1930-1940; Pierce County Sheriffs (Tacoma); Pierce County Courthouse (Tacoma); Courthouses--Tacoma; Kupka, George;

On January 19, 1938, Pierce County Sheriff John C. Bjorklund posed on the steps of the old Pierce County Courthouse at 1012 South G Street with his 16-member staff. Sheriff Bjorklund is in the front row, second from the left. His criminal deputies donned blue caps, coats and high laced boots for this photograph. Marian Hager, stenographer, was the only female staff member. The names of the sixteen aides are listed in the newspaper caption. (TNT 1/19/1938, pg. 7-alternate photograph)

Bjorklund, John; Uniforms; Sheriffs--Pierce County--1930-1940; Law enforcement officers; Pierce County Courthouse (Tacoma); Courthouses--Tacoma; Hager, Marian;

ca. 1936. Pierce County Courthouse. From the time it was built in 1892 till it was demolished in 1959, the Romanesque turrets of the Courthouse were a familiar landmark in Tacoma. The building was designed by Proctor & Dennis, architects, and was patterned after the courthouse in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania by Henry Hobson Richardson. It was an imposing structure for a city with large aspirations. The three story building was built of Wilkeson grey freestone finished with Tenino bluestone. Its focus was a tall clock tower that was damaged in the 1949 earthquake. A167500-36. (TPL-2532, TPL-4031 and TPL-6670)

Pierce County Courthouse (Tacoma); Courthouses--Tacoma; Historic buildings--Tacoma;

On December 30, 1924, a crowd of last minute "shoppers" filled the office of Pierce County Auditor Freemont Campbell Jr. in a last minute attempt to get their 1925 automobile license applications filed before the January 1 deadline. By the 30th, scarcely half of the county's automobile owners had applied for their new licenses. Tacoma and Pierce County drivers who belonged to the Automobile Club of Western Washington could avoid the lines at the auditor's office in the Pierce County courthouse,1012 South G Street, by going to the automobile club's Tacoma office at 119 South 9th Street. (TNT 1/1/1925, pg. 11) (WSHS- negative A644-0)

Crowds--Tacoma--1920-1930; Pierce County Auditor (Tacoma)--1920-1930; Recording & registration--Pierce County--1920-1930;

On Friday December 3, 1948, Judge Hugh J. Rosellini signed the death warrant for Jake Bird; the warrant orders Bird to be hanged on January 14, 1949. Bird was arrested for the Tacoma axe murders of Bertha and Beverly June Kludt earlier this year. The serial killer later confessed to participating in more than forty other murders. This will be Bird's second trip to the death house at Walla Walla Penitentiary, Governor Mon C. Wallgren ordered an investigation, which delayed the initial hearing. All available deputies were ordered to accompany Jake Bird to the Pierce County Court House and to secure the exterior of the building on Friday December 3, 1948. Bird told Patrick M. Steele, Pierce County Prosecutor, "Maybe you've got me this time and maybe you haven't". View of Jake Bird, in handcuffs, being escorted into Judge Rosellini's courtroom (T. Times, 12/1-3/48, p. 1).

Hangings--Tacoma; Homicides--Tacoma; Criminals--Tacoma; Confessions; Judicial proceedings--Tacoma; Courthouses--Tacoma; Actions & defenses--Tacoma; Bird, Jake--Trials, Litigation, etc.; Pierce County Courthouse (Tacoma);

A long line of motorists formed outside Pierce County Auditor Jack Sonntag's office October 25, 1948, to purchase special 1949 license plates. Clare Radek, cashier, is showing Mr. Sonntag license plate B 1 which had been reserved for many years for S.A. Perkins, a prominent Tacoma businessman. "Sam" Perkins had received the first license plate issued by Washington State, plate no.1, in 1905. (photo ordered for the Times by Angeloff) (T.Times, 10/25/1948, p.18)

Pierce County Courthouse (Tacoma); Sonntag, Jack W.; Radek, Clare; License plates--Washington (State)--1940-1950; Government officials--Tacoma--1940-1950;