Undated photograph of the Pierce County Courthouse, 1012 South G St., possibly taken in the very early 1900s. The massive stone structure was built in 1892 and patterned after the Courthouse in Pittsburgh. The ornate three-story building with its turrets, spires, and arched windows was a Tacoma landmark until its demolition in 1959 to make way for the County-City Building and future parking. This undated photograph shows a number of pedestrians peering at the roadway in front of the Courthouse while several horse-and-carriages await. It is unclear whether an accident has occurred. TPL-3849

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

In July of 1959 the stately old County Courthouse at 1012 South G Street, adorned with large signs on its southeast tower declaring "This building is coming down" and "Salvage for sale", was in the process of being demolished. Lige Dickson and Co., the subcontractor for the demolition, had gutted much of the interior and the north wing was already gone. Built in 1892, its familiar Romanesque spires and cupolas made it a Tacoma landmark. By 1959 the beauty of the building's stone work hid deteriorating interior walls and sagging floors. A "Save the Courthouse" movement failed after generating only 20 letters. The final hold up to demolition was that Pierce County Sheriff Frank Stojack refused to move his department to the new County-City building until he received increased funding for a larger staff to man the new facility. After demolition was completed, the area formerly occupied by the Courthouse served as a parking lot for the County-City building. (TNT 4/22/1959, pg. 1, 4/30/1959, pg. 1, 6/20/1959, pg. 1) TPL-6567

Pierce County Courthouse (Tacoma); Courthouses--Tacoma; County-City Building (Tacoma); State Armory (Tacoma);

By July of 1959, demolition of the aging Gothic-styled Piece County Courthouse, 1012 South G Street, was well underway. Lige Dickson & Co. began tearing down the old courthouse in June with cranes and wrecking balls bringing it down piece by piece over the next several weeks. In July explosive charges were set and the remainder of the courthouse came tumbling down. A parking lot for the new County City Building, shown at right, was built on the site. BU 12845; TPL-6561

Pierce County Courthouse (Tacoma); Courthouses--Tacoma; Historic buildings--Tacoma; Hoisting machinery; Demolition--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Judge Wilford A. Richmond, Superior Court judge, and his colleagues posed for a portrait at the Pierce County Court House on February 28, 1957. Photograph ordered by Washington Tuberculosis Association.

Richmond, W.A.; Judges--Tacoma; Washington Tuberculosis Association (Tacoma);

Judge Waldo Stone, center, is seated in front of the Auditor's Office in this sepia photograph taken on July 1, 1954. There is a marriage licenses sign behind him indicating that office hours were from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. The two men in the photograph with Judge Stone are T.J. "Pat" O'Brien and Armand R. Moceri of Sumner. Mr. Moceri would announce his candidacy for the 25th District state representative in August, 1954. Mr. O'Brien would seek election to the post of county accessor; he had been elected constable in 1950. (TNT 8-23-54, p. 9, TNT 9-5-54, A-2))

Stone, Waldo; Judges; O'Brien, T.J.; Moceri, Armand R.; Signs (Notices);

Tacoma-Pierce County Blood Bank was located on 726-28 Saint Helens Avenue in downtown Tacoma. The center opened in July 1946, in 1947 they were receiving blood donations for industrial plants throughout Tacoma. View of prisoner donating blood at Pierce County Jail, the jail was located on the first floor of the building; nurse from Tacoma-Pierce County Blood Bank is helping the patient with the donation.

Prisoners--Tacoma; Prisons--Tacoma; Blood donations--Tacoma; Medical equipment & supplies; Blood; Nurses--Tacoma; Pierce County Jail (Tacoma); Tacoma-Pierce County Blood Bank (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;

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);

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;

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 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;

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;

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);

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;

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;

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;

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;

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;

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 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);

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

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

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);

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;

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);

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);

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);

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;

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;

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;