Mayor M.G. Tennent (extreme left with hat) and a contingent of football fans were on hand to greet the Gonzaga University football team at Union Depot on November 10, 1926. 22 "Bulldogs," led by coach "Clipper" Smith plus a manager and trainer, posed for a group portrait before traveling by car to the Winthrop Hotel. The Gonzaga team would face a local independent team comprised of Tacoma Athletic Commission athletes at Stadium Bowl for an Armistice Day game. The college students were heavy favorites and would indeed go on to defeat the Tacomans 41-0. (TDL 11-11-26, p. 7; TDL 11-12-26, p. 8-article)

Mayors--Tacoma--1920-1930; Tennent, Melvin Green; Football players--Tacoma--1920-1930; Students--Tacoma--1920-1930; Union Station (Tacoma);

Washington Governor Roland H. Hartley (center with white handkerchief and watch chain) and Lt. Governor W. Lon Johnson (far right) are on the rostrum in legislative chambers on March 7, 1927. Their spouses are believed to be standing next to them. The third couple on the far left was not identified. Roland Hartley was elected governor twice, serving from 1924-32. Lon Johnson, a former state senator, served a single term as Lt. Gov. and later became a Superior Court Judge. Both men were Republicans. G74.1-193

Hartley, Roland H.; Governors; Johnson, W. Lon; Government officials--Washington;

On February 8, 1928, Mayor M.G. Tennent was photographed aboard the "City of Tacoma" airplane. He is wearing protective headgear and goggles. The "City of Tacoma" had been the local entry in the New York-Spokane aerial derby which occurred in September of 1927. TPL-8080; G12.1-025

Tennent, Melvin Green; Mayors--Tacoma--1920-1930; Airplanes--Tacoma--1920-1930;

ca. 1928. Melvin Green Tennent was elected to be mayor of Tacoma twice. He was elected March 9, 1926 but resigned before the end of his term. James Newbegin was chosen as his replacement in March of 1929. He was elected the second time March 13, 1930. This photograph is Boland # B18391. ALBUM 16. Also G2.1-039 and MAYOR-016

Tennent, Melvin Green; Mayors--Tacoma--1920-1930;

Wendell Willkie, 1940 Republican Presidential nominee, looks up at an unidentified past national commander of the American Legion, while in Tacoma on February 11, 1944. Seated on the right in photograph is Washington Governor Arthur B. Langlie. Mr. Willkie was in town to speak at the Pierce County Republican Club's Lincoln Day dinner and at the Rhodes American Legion Post.

Willkie, Wendell, 1892-1944; Guests--Tacoma--1940-1950; Langlie, Arthur B., 1900-1966; Governors; Patriotic societies--Tacoma--1940-1950;

In front of City Hall Mayor Melvin G. Tennent, second from left, welcomed Leo, the Metro Goldwyn Mayer lion, and his entourage to Tacoma in August, 1930, during Leo's World Tour. Mayor Tennent is standing in front of Leo's ornate, and very fortified, traveling cage. The cage was 13 feet long and part of a 24 foot Reo speedwagon. Unbreakable glass three feet high and canvas drops that could be lowered in case of inclement weather assured Leo's comfort and health. MGM had trademarked Leo's very distinctive roar which appeared at the beginning of their films for decades. Leo seemingly was a cat with nine lives: while touring the globe for MGM, he survived two train wrecks, a Mississippi flood, a California earthquake, a fire and a plane crash. He died at an advanced age of 23, in 1938, and is buried in Gillette, New Jersey, on the farm owned by Volney Phifer, premier animal trainer. The uniformed man at the right is believed to be Mr. Phifer, Leo's trainer. (TDL 8-17-30, E-5)

Tennent, Melvin Green; Mayors--Tacoma--1930-1940; Cages--Tacoma; Leo (Lion)--Associated objects;

Informal portrait of President Warren G. Harding believed to have been taken in July of 1923. President Harding and his wife visited Tacoma on July 5, 1923 and were given a warm welcome at Stadium Bowl where 25,000 people stood in the drizzling rain just to greet the presidential couple. The President was on his way to Alaska via the naval transport the USS Henderson and would not return to Tacoma. He died 28 days later, at the age of 57, of a heart attack.

Harding, Warren G.; Presidents--United States; Guests--Tacoma--1920-1930; Visits of state--Tacoma--1920-1930;

Wendell Willkie, the 1940 Republican nominee for President, paid a brief visit to Tacoma in February of 1944 to deliver speeches at the Pierce County Republican Club's Lincoln Day dinner and at the Edward B. Rhodes Post #2, American Legion. Mr. Willkie is pictured seated (center) next to Republican Governor Arthur B. Langlie. Also listening to the conversation are Frank Callender (standing) and an unidentified past national commander. Mr. Willkie had lost the 1940 election to Franklin Delano Roosevelt by five million votes and although had sought to become the 1944 Republican nominee, was not chosen by his party. Wendell Willkie would pass away on October 8, 1944, just eight months after his Tacoma visit.

Willkie, Wendell, 1892-1944; Guests--Tacoma--1940-1950; Langlie, Arthur B., 1900-1966; Governors; Patriotic societies--Tacoma--1940-1950; Callender, Frank T.;

Former Presidential nominee Wendell Willkie (near right at rear in dark suit) delivered two speeches in Tacoma on February 11, 1944, to the Republican faithful and to the American Legion. Dr. Hinton D. Jonez is the man in pin stripes (foreground.) Dr. Jonez, a well-known physician, was a past commander of the American Legion for the State of Washington as well as headed the local Edward B. Rhodes Post No. 2.

Willkie, Wendell, 1892-1944; Guests--Tacoma--1940-1950; Jonez, Hinton D.;

Pacific Avenue is crammed with people on September 23, 1940, all eager to catch a glimpse of Republican Presidential candidate Wendell Willkie on his brief stopover. The candidate's open car can barely squeeze through the waiting throngs as police and others attempt to make room. Mr. Willkie has his arms extended wide in an exuberant greeting to his many supporters.

Willkie, Wendell, 1892-1944; Political campaigns; Presidential elections; Crowds--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Republican nominee for President, Wendell Willkie, spent a brief hour in Tacoma during his 1940 whistle-stop tour. He is pictured acknowledging the crowds at the Northern Pacific Railroad shops in South Tacoma on September 23, 1940.

Willkie, Wendell, 1892-1944; Political campaigns; Presidential elections;

Presidential candidate Wendell Willkie stands in his open car while waving to the crowds gathered at the Northern Pacific Railroad shops in South Tacoma. Mr. Willkie, the Republican nominee, was challenging Franklin Delano Roosevelt in the 1940 elections. Although he was swamped in the Electoral College vote, Mr. Willkie's total of 22 million popular votes was only five million less than Mr. Roosevelt's.

Willkie, Wendell, 1892-1944; Political campaigns; Presidential elections;

Wendell Willkie at podium, delivering speech to the American Legion Edward B. Rhodes Post No. 2 in Tacoma on February 11, 1944. The former Republican nominee for President was in town for the Pierce County Republican Club's Lincoln Day dinner where he was the principal speaker and also visited the American Legion post.

Willkie, Wendell, 1892-1944; Guests--Tacoma--1940-1950; Public speaking--Tacoma--1940-1950; Patriotic societies--Tacoma--1940-1950; American Legion Edward B. Rhodes Post No. 2 (Tacoma);

ca. 1950. Val Fawcett, Tacoma mayor from 1946-50 and acting mayor during Harry P. Cain's military service in the mid-forties, is pictured with friends circa 1950. They may be at a sporting event, possibly a baseball game. Mr. Fawcett is seated second from the left; next to him is believed to be Howard R. Smith who was the Tacoma Athletic Commission president for several years. Frank Gillihan, school board member and active Tacoma Athletic Commission member, is seated at the far right. ALBUM 16

Fawcett, Clarence Valdo, 1900-1965; Mayors--Tacoma--1940-1950; Gillihan, Frank J.;

ca. 1927. Legislative Building. Olympia's Legislative Building as seen circa 1927. This view is mainly of the right wing which included the House chambers. Both the House and Senate chambers would be finished in imported marble. The marble used in the House chamber was of French Escalette whose creamy look and blends of yellow, pink and red gave the chamber a warmer, lighter look than the more somber tones of the Senate chamber. (Johnston: Washington's Audacious State Capitol and Its Builders)

Legislative Building (Olympia);

ca. 1927. Legislative Building. Great curving walkways connected the Legislative Building with other parts of the Olympia complex. This view of the massive building focuses on the large expanse of sidewalks and includes the sight of three 1920s automobiles parked at the foot of the wide steps. Apparently after much discussion of the campus' landscaping, the clearance, grading, paving, and planting was mostly completely by 1930. (Johnston: Washington's Audacious State Capitol and Its Builders)

Legislative Building (Olympia); Sidewalks--Olympia;

ca. 1927. Legislative Building. The stately Legislative (Capitol) Building in Olympia looks complete in the above photograph taken about 1927. The building had Doric-colonnaded wings to the north and south and central colonnaded and pedimented entrance porticoes between. Its walls were thick, 12 inches of stone facing together with brick or concrete backing with an overall thickness of 2 feet, 5 inches. The large oval in front of the massive steps appears to be a lush grass lawn. (Johnston: Washington's Audacious State Capitol and Its Builders)

Legislative Building (Olympia);

ca. 1924. Progress photograph - State Legislative (Capitol) Building. Although construction on the Legislative Building in Olympia had begun in 1923, it was not the first attempt at the creation of a new state capitol building. Ernest Flagg of New York City had won a national competition in 1894 to become the project's architect. His design called for a compact structure facing south with "rusticated" ground floor, two main floors and an attic. The dome would have a "Gilded Age" appearance. Excavation and construction of foundations and basement, of brick and exterior gray Tenino stone, followed. However, a change of administration delayed the construction of a permanent state capitol building and the legislature instead moved into the Thurston County Courthouse in downtown Olympia until 1927. The lack of space in the courthouse instigated a call for the resumption of plans to build a new state capitol building. A richer, larger scale plan was sought which would include the Temple of Justice and future buildings grouped as necessary. Only 30 entries were submitted in 1911 with another New York City twosome, Walter Robb Wilder and Harry Keith White, emerging as the winners. The Temple of Justice and Insurance Building would be completed first, in 1920 and 1921 respectively. The Legislative Building would be constructed on the site of the Flagg foundations. Pictured above ca. 1924 are the foundations and monumental steps. The stone facing is of Wilkeson stone from quarries in Pierce County; lighter in color than Tenino or Chuckanut stone, it was felt that the off-white tones with cream and pink hints would provide a warmer appearance on cold, rainy days. Durable, Wilkeson stone was available in vast quantities and would be used during the years of construction. (Johnston: Washington's Audacious State Capitol and Its Builders)

Building construction--Olympia--1920-1930; Legislative Building (Olympia);

ca. 1927. View of State Capitol buildings after 1925. L-R are the Insurance Building, Legislative (Capitol) Building, and the Temple of Justice. All buildings utilized Wilkeson stone, a durable sandstone, from the quarries of Pierce County. The Temple of Justice was accepted by the state in August of 1920 at a total cost of $942,230. Located east of the Legislative Building, the Insurance Building was constructed in response to the increasing office space needs of the state government. Using elements of the Roman Doric order, the Insurance Building was occupied in 1921 by a variety of state offices including the governor's office. The Insurance Building cost more than the Temple of Justice - at slightly over a million dollars. ($1,032,000.) The Legislative Building was the last of the three to be officially completed in 1928 with its total cost $7,385,768.21, including nearly $600,000 in furnishings. Landscaping of the complex would follow. (Johnston: Washington's Audacious State Capitol and Its Builders)

Legislative Building (Olympia); Insurance Building (Olympia); Temple of Justice (Olympia);

ca. 1927. Legislative Building. The most complex structural element was the building's dome. Possibly the fourth highest dome in the world, the dome was one of the last great self-supporting masonry domes built. New York City architects Walter Wilder and Harry White envisioned the creation of three domes, blending them into a structure 176 feet above a base 102 feet above the ground. The overall height of the dome would be 278 feet, resting on a 130-foot monolith foundation of concrete and steel which supported four massive corner piers. Topping-out ceremonies, in which the final stone was set into place on the lantern, occurred on October 13, 1926. (Johnston: Washington's Audacious State Capitol and Its Builders)

Legislative Building (Olympia);

ca. 1927. Interior of rotunda - Legislative Building. This view of the rotunda's interior was believed to have been taken shortly after its completion. The rotunda was located directly beneath the Legislative Building's dome. After much discussion, it was decided not to use all marble in the interior of the rotunda but to use plaster as the interior finish. Besides the cost, it was felt that the presence of too much marble would make it too austere. The marble that was used in the rotunda was from Alaska with its light gray tones; the same was used in entrances, staircases and corridors. Richer, more expensive imported marble would be utilized in the legislative chambers and in the state reception room. (Johnston: Washington's Audacious State Capitol and Its Builders)

Legislative Building (Olympia); Rotundas--Olympia;

Mayor C. Val Fawcett received an official invitation to Hawaii's Aloha Week in October of 1948 from Lura Keller, Tacoma counter agent for United Air Lines. A lei of orchids, flown to Tacoma by the airlines, accompanied the invitation. Mayor Fawcett had traveled to Hawaii earlier that year with Tacoma's goodwill ambassadors. Aloha Week was to have been November 14 - 21, 1948. Photograph ordered by United Air Lines. (TNT 10/13/1948, p.6)

Fawcett, Clarence Valdo, 1900-1965; Mayors--Tacoma--1940-1950; Keller, Lura; United Airlines (Tacoma); Orchids--Tacoma; Leis; Invitations;

Portrait of Governor Mon C. Wallgren while he was attending a meeting of the Olympia Eagles. Mr. Wallgren, a Democrat, served as Washington State's governor for one term from 1945-49. A member of the National Guard during WWI, Mr. Wallgren was engaged in the retail jewelry and optical business from 1915-1932. He was subsequently elected to represent the 2nd District in Congress from 1933-40 and then the U.S. Senate from 1940-45. A longtime acquaintance of Harry S. Truman, he stumped the state with the president in the 1940's, appearing with the president in Tacoma in June, 1948. ALBUM 10.

Governors; Wallgren, Mon C., 1891-1961;

Cigarette in hand, Governor Mon C. Wallgren sits among Eagles Club members during a visit to the Olympia Eagles Lodge #21 on October 1, 1948. He is in the center of the photograph, third from the left. He was present to watch the induction of new members and also gave a speech to fellow Eagles. ALBUM 10.

Governors; Wallgren, Mon C., 1891-1961; Fraternal organizations--Olympia--1940-1950; Fraternal Order of Eagles (Olympia);

Governor Mon C. Wallgren rides in a 1929 Packard Touring automobile in a parade on Olympia's East 4th Avenue. Residents line both sides of the street on this drizzly day. Olympia F.O.E. (Eagles) Lodge is in center background. Governor Wallgren subsequently attended an Eagles meeting where he addressed fellow members. Series ordered, but not used, by Life Magazine. ALBUM 10. Patrons report the upside-down "Mark's Used Cars" sign was intentional--and one of many unusual ploys by the business to get customers into the lot.

Governors; Wallgren, Mon C., 1891-1961; Automobiles--Olympia--1940-1950; Fraternal organizations--Olympia--1940-1950; Fraternal Order of Eagles (Olympia); Parades & processions--Olympia--1940-1950;

Governor Mon C. Wallgren rides in a 1929 Packard Touring convertible in a parade on Olympia's East 4th Avenue. Olympia F.O.E. (Eagles) held a parade in honor of Governor Wallgren's visit. He is seated to the extreme left along with two other dignitaries and is wearing a heavy topcoat to counteract the chill. Governor Wallgren was running for re-election; however, his bid to remain in the governor's chair would be defeated by Republican Arthur B. Langlie. Series ordered by Life Magazine but not published. ALBUM 10.

Governors; Wallgren, Mon C., 1891-1961; Automobiles--Olympia--1940-1950; Fraternal organizations--Olympia--1940-1950; Fraternal Order of Eagles (Olympia); Parades & processions--Olympia--1940-1950;

Governor Mon C. Wallgren gives a standing ovation to a baton twirler during a parade in Olympia. He is riding in a 1929 Packard convertible with other dignitaries as part of a parade given in his honor during his visit to the Olympia Eagles. The majorette has her two batons in rapid motion as she gives a huge smile. The parade had momentarily stopped in front of a Texaco gas station so the majorette could perform. Series ordered, but not used, by Life Magazine. ALBUM 10.

Governors; Wallgren, Mon C., 1891-1961; Baton twirling--Olympia--1940-1950; Drum majorettes--Olympia--1940-1950; Fraternal Order of Eagles (Olympia); Parades & processions--Olympia--1940-1950; Automobiles--Olympia--1940-1950;

Governor Mon C. Wallgren admires a baton twirler while riding in a 1929 Packard Touring convertible during a parade in Olympia. He is seated in the back of the vehicle closest to the majorette. Governor Wallgren took part in the parade and attended a meeting of the Olympia Eagles. The majorette wears a uniform with a sparkling skirt and top with midriff exposed, boots and a tall helmet with a plume. The young brunette has her baton in motion. ALBUM 10.

Governors; Wallgren, Mon C., 1891-1961; Baton twirling--Olympia--1940-1950; Drum majorettes--Olympia--1940-1950; Parades & processions--Olympia--1940-1950; Automobiles--Olympia--1940-1950;

Governor Mon C. Wallgren rides in a 1929 Packard Touring convertible in a parade on Olympia's East 4th Avenue. He would be attending a meeting held at the Olympia Eagles Lodge #21 on 4th Avenue E. Governor Wallgren's vehicle is behind one of the Eagles' drill teams. The women wear dark uniforms with white visored caps, white gloves and white shoes. Standing at attention, they are led by a man in Eagles uniform, carrying a saber. GallenKamp's and Williams stores are seen on the opposite side of the street. ALBUM 10.

Governors; Wallgren, Mon C., 1891-1961; Drill teams; Parades & processions--Olympia--1940-1950; Automobiles--Olympia--1940-1950; Fraternal organizations--Olympia--1940-1950; Fraternal Order of Eagles (Olympia);

Governor Mon C. Wallgren with members of the drill team at the Olympia Eagles Lodge. The female drill team members from the F.O.E. #21 wear uniforms of dark jackets with three rows of brass buttons, white skirts and plumed helmets. One woman has her white gloves draped over her belt. At least two women have braids attached to one shoulder; they may be officers in the group. Photograph was taken on October 1, 1948, on behalf of Life Magazine, but apparently not run in the publication. ALBUM 10.

Governors; Wallgren, Mon C., 1891-1961; Drill teams; Uniforms; Women--Olympia--1940-1950; Fraternal organizations--Olympia--1940-1950; Fraternal Order of Eagles (Olympia);