Identity elements
Reference code
Name and location of repository
Level of description
Item
Title
A6059-1
Date(s)
- 1917 (Creation)
Extent
Name of creator
Content and structure elements
Scope and content
ca. 1917. In 1917, the United States was balancing on the brink of entering the European War and was looking for a Northwest location for an army staging camp. H. B. Blitz devised a publicity stunt to influence people to vote for the proposal to sell 2 million in bonds to buy 70,000 acres as a military site.The land would then be given to Uncle Sam as a gift, with the understanding that the fort would bring increased revenue to the area. Mr. Blitz hired a man to drive a burro and two-wheeled cart around town a week before the Camp Lewis election. Sign: "Frisco Presidio, Greater Frisco. Pierce County Army Post, Greater Tacoma. All loyal residents will vote for Army Post." The proposal carried 6 to 1 and Fort Lewis was born. (T. Times 1/12/1938, p.14).
Advertising--Tacoma--1910-1920; Publicity; Fort Lewis (Wash.);