ca. 1959. Imposing entrance of the new County-City building, an soaring glass and aluminum structure designed by A. Gordon Lumm. Lumm was the controversial selection of the County Commissioners as architect. His selection raised the ire of the local architects as he was the only one who did not participate in the free preliminary work performed by the architects' society. Bids for the construction of the original design came in 3 1/2 million higher than available funds. Voters approved an additional $3,700,00 in a bond issue to make up the difference. The building was finally constructed according to the original design and dedicated on April 10, 1959. (TNT 4/7/1959, pg. B1+)

County-City Building (Tacoma);

ca. 1959. A rare view of the modern fifties architecture of the County City Building (dedicated April of 1959) and the Romanesque building that it was replacing, the Pierce County Courthouse. The County Courthouse was built in 1892 and although beautiful, by the fifties it had deteriorated, had sagging floors and was a fire hazard. The building was demolished the summer of 1959 and the area used as additional parking for the County-City Building. With this added parking area, the County-City Building would have available parking for 604 cars. The increased need for parking reflected the increase in personal automobile ownership in the fifties. TPL-9929

County-City Building (Tacoma); Pierce County Courthouse (Tacoma);

View of County-City Building ordered by Fentron Industries, Seattle. The modern County-City Building stands nearly completed on September 19, 1958, a stark contrast to the Old City Hall that it will be replacing. The main tower would be twelve stories high: ten for office space, basement storage and a penthouse used for mechanical equipment and a lunchroom. This particular shot was taken by a Richards Studio photographer who apparently climbed to the third floor of the Old Courthouse located to the rear of the new facility.

County-City Building (Tacoma);

Mayor Harry Cain and Tacoma AAA head Bob Hager in front of AAA office at Winthrop Hotel during Ford Good Driver League Contest. Automobile is a 1942 Mercury.

Mayors - Tacoma - 1940-46 - US Senators - Washington State - 1947-53 - Harry P. Cain (1906-79)

Tacoma Mayor Harry P. Cain, seated in rear at the head table, was one of the principal speakers at the annual induction meeting of the Tacoma Active Club, held at the (New) Tacoma Hotel on December 12, 1940. 46 initiates were accepted into the group's membership. In addition, Active International president Ted Little of Olympia and the mayor-elect of Olympia, Truman Trullinger, were guest speakers. ALBUM 12. (T.Times 12-13-40, p. 12)

Cain, Harry P., 1906-1979; Mayors--Tacoma--1940-1950; Meetings--Tacoma--1940-1950; Tacoma Active Club (Tacoma);

Army Day at Fort Lewis, 1935. Governor Martin shaking army officer's hand, another officer standing beside the first one. On Saturday, April 6th, 1935, Ft. Lewis, under the command of Brig. Gen. Ortho B. Rosenbaum, threw open the gates of the fort to celebrate the 16th anniversary of the US's entry into WWI. Thousands attended, double the attendance of the previous year, and were treated to exhibitions, drills and demonstrations. (T. Times 4/8/1935, pg. 1)

Governors; Martin, Clarence D., 1887-1955; Fort Lewis (Wash.);

Dedication day for Fort Nisqually reconstruction at Point Defiance. Tacoma Mayor George Smitley, far left, his wife and Governor Clarence D. Martin, second from left in photo, and an unidentified man stand in an open automobile during the historical pageant held in downtown Tacoma on Labor Day. The man to the far right is possibly a Tacoma city councilman. Later that day, throngs would attend the formal dedication of Fort Nisqually's restoration. The Young Men's Business Club was instrumental in pursuing restoration of the historic fort. It provided the funds for the materials necessary for the project. Much of the labor was done through the CWA. (TNT 9-4-34, p. 1) ALBUM 10.

Governors; Martin, Clarence D., 1887-1955; Mayors--Tacoma--1930-1940; Smitley, George A., 1872-1956; Point Defiance Park (Tacoma); Fort Nisqually (Tacoma); Dedications--Tacoma--1930-1940;

Dedication day for Fort Nisqually reconstruction at Point Defiance. L-R are Tacoma Mayor George Smitley, Governor Clarence D. Martin, Mrs. Smitley and an unidentified man. Photograph was probably taken in the morning of September 3, 1934, at the time of the historical pageant which occurred on downtown streets. Dedication of the old fort later that day would be the feature of the Labor Day celebration. (TNT 9-4-34, p. 1) ALBUM 10.

Governors; Martin, Clarence D., 1887-1955; Mayors--Tacoma--1930-1940; Smitley, George A., 1872-1956; Point Defiance Park (Tacoma); Fort Nisqually (Tacoma); Dedications--Tacoma--1930-1940;