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D104198-14
Date(s)
- 1957-01-15 (Creation)
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Mayor John H. Anderson (far left) and former Mayor and current Councilman Harold Tollefson hold the framed citation declaring Tacoma an All-American City at the recognition banquet held on January 15, 1957 at the Top of the Ocean, 2217 Ruston Way. Standing between them are: (l to r) City Manager David Rowland and Frank Backstrom, Tacoma's first City Manager. The award, presented to Tacoma by the National Municipal League and Look Magazine, noted the achievement that Tacoma had made, progressing from a 1952 "bad" rating to a model for city action. Effective June 1, 1953, Tacoma voted in a council-manager form of government. The council hired Frank Backstrom from Kansas City to serve as the first City Manager. He reorganized the structure of the city government and hired Police Chief Roy Kerr, from Topeka, to clean up the vice. Tollefson served as the first Mayor appointed by the Council, followed by Anderson. Backstrom had recently left Tacoma and was replaced by David Rowlands. (TNT 1/15-16/1957, pg. 1) G10.1
Awards; Anderson, John H.; Rowlands, David; Backstrom, Frank; Tollefson, Harold M., 1908-1985; Mayors--Tacoma--1950-1960;