Tacoma's Northwest Soccer & Sports Center was originally called Exhibition Hall. Although work on the building started in 1931, the Hall was not completed until February of 1941. Mayor Harry Cain signs his autograph in cement next to his foot and handprints at the building's dedication. Over the years this building has been home to a number of businesses including Tacoma Sleepmaster and Boeing (as a sub-assembly plant). ALBUM 12.

Mayors--Tacoma--1940-1950; Cain, Harry P., 1906-1979;

The JROTC Ticket Commitee from Bellarmine paid a visit to Mayor Harry P. Cain on February 5, 1941, and persuaded him to buy a ticket for the school's Military Ball. L to R: Bob Spahr, James Fitzpatrick, Bud Farrell, Mayor Cain, Peter Diebert, Buster Van Rooy, Richard Hermsen, Bill McDevitt. The third annual ball would be held on February 14, 1941, with music supplied by Louis Grenier. All boys who attended Bellarmine participated in military training. (T.Times, 2-11-41, p. 18) ALBUM 12.

Mayors--Tacoma--1940-1950; Cain, Harry P., 1906-1979; Military education--Tacoma; Cadets--Tacoma; Reserve Officers Training Corps (Tacoma); Bellarmine High School (Tacoma); Private schools--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Republican candidates on stage at Jason Lee Jr. High School. Arthur Langlie, seated directly behind the speaker, awaits his turn at the podium during a large Republican rally held in the Jason Lee Auditorium. Several supporters cradle "Langlie for Governor" signs and there is one (Paul) "Preus for Congress" sign as well. "Uncle Sam", dressed in typical patriotic garb, has joined the group. A small band is seated below the stage, instruments at rest. The windy and rainy evening failed to keep away the party faithful as both Democrats and Republicans staged rallies at separate locations. This was the final drive for both parties before the November 5th election. ALBUM 2. (T. Times 11-1-40, p. 1, T. Times, 11-2-40, p.12)

Political elections--Tacoma--1940-1950; Langlie, Arthur B., 1900-1966; Signs (Notices);

Tacoma Mayor J.J. Kaufman at Allenmore Golf Course on May 3, 1939, with skier Gretchen Kunigk and skater Dora Mae Rice for "Hole-in-One" Tournament. Miss Kunigk is posed on her snow skiis with poles hovering while Mayor Kaufman aims to tee off. Miss Rice, in ice skates, is perched on the car's bumper. The new Buick would be awarded to any contestant who aced the hole. In 1948, Gretchen Kunigk Fraser would become the first American to medal in Olympic Skiing. (T. Times, 5-4-39, p. 14).

Mayors--Tacoma--1930-1940; Kaufman, Joseph J.; Fraser, Gretchen Kunigk, 1919-1994; Rice, Dora Mae; Golf--Tacoma--1930-1940; Golfers--Tacoma--1930-1940;

Gyro Club with Jubilee Hats on Winthrop Hotel roof on July 5, 1939. Provident Building, (Second) Tacoma Hotel, 11th Street Bridge and Tideflats in background. Group includes Mayor J. J. Kaufman, Harry P. Cain, C. Val Fawcett, Ira Davisson, Holmes Eastwood and Norton Clapp. The Gyro Club was promoting the wearing of hats during the celebration honoring Washington's 50 years of statehood. Club members are shown wearing a variety of styles including top hats, 10-gallon hats, low crown derbies. Many prominent city, county and civic leaders were included in the group. Clapp was the Tacoma Chamber of Commerce president, Fawcett, Eastwood and Davisson were City Commissioners, and Cain (soon to be elected the next mayor) was the Jubilee Chairman. The sole woman in the group was Mrs. Louise S. Taylor, county superintendent of schools. (T. Times, 7-7-39, p. 1) ALBUM 11.

Washington State Golden Jubilee, 1939--Tacoma; Mayors--Tacoma; Kaufman, Joseph J.; Cain, Harry P., 1906-1979; Clapp, Norton, 1906-1995; Fawcett, Clarence Valdo, 1900-1965; Taylor, Louise S.;

Shoveling contest during October 16, 1940, ground breaking at C.P.S.for new Student Union Building. Leaning on shovels L-R: Chamber of Commerce president Everett T. Smith, Mayor Harry P. Cain, Student Body Pres. Lyle Jamieson, trustee Norton Clapp. Bursar Charles A. Robbins is in second row behind the contestants. Bursar Robbins would declare Mr. Clapp the eventual winner. (T. Times, 10-17-40, p. 10)

Cain, Harry P., 1906-1979 ; Mayors--Tacoma--1940-1950; Clapp, Norton, 1906-1995; College of Puget Sound (Tacoma)--1940-1950; Universities & colleges--Tacoma; Smith, Everett T.; Jamieson, Lyle; Robbins, Charles A.; Ground breaking ceremonies--Tacoma;

In January of 1941, Tacoma Mayor Harry P. Cain warmly greeted Viola Wasterlain (center), noted Tacoma violinist, on she arrival at Union Station. Pictured left to right are believed to be Lazlo Bartel (accompanist), Mrs. Fernanda Wasterlain Ashmun (the artist's mother), Miss Wasterlain, Mayor Cain, unidentified. Miss Wasterlain, in town for a Temple Theater concert, had recently performed for President and Mrs. Roosevelt at the White House and soon would be appearing with the New York Philharmonic under Otto Klemperer at Carnegie Hall. The violinist, who grew up in Tacoma, had debuted at New York's Town Hall in 1937 and had last been in Tacoma in 1939. (T.Times 1-20-41, p. 1, 14) ALBUM 12.

Cain, Harry P., 1906-1979; Mayors--Tacoma--1940-1950; Wasterlain, Viola; Ashmun, Fernanda Wasterlain; Shaking hands--Tacoma;

National Guard Governor's review at Camp Moss (Murray). Left to right: Unidentified aide, Governor Clarence D. Martin, wearing black overcoat and tall silk hat, Major Gen. Walter C. Sweeney, Ft. Lewis Commander, Brig. General Maurice Thompson, adjutant general of the Guard. Governor Martin watched as the state's 3000 National Guardsmen paraded before him and military officials on June 18, 1939, during the annual Governor's Review. The parade concluded a fifteen day training period for guardsmen. (T. Times 6-19-39, p. 1).

Governors; Martin, Clarence D., 1887-1955; Generals; Sweeney, Walter C.; Thompson, Maurice W., 1878-1954;

C. Val Fawcett, after his reelection as Commissioner of Finance in the 1938 Primary Election. Val Fawcett was a native son of Tacoma and attended schools in Tacoma and Long Beach, Ca., where his family spent the winters. His first taste of public life was serving from 1921- 1926 as secretary to his father, Tacoma's "Fighting Mayor" Angelo V. Fawcett. The elder Fawcett served 5 tumultuous terms as Mayor of Tacoma. In 1926, Val Fawcett was employed by the State Labor & Industries Department as auditor in the Tacoma office. He rose to assistant superintendent. He resigned in 1930 to successfully campaign for the position of Commissioner of Finance. In 1943, as vice president of the City Council, he became acting Mayor when Mayor Harry P. Cain was called to active military duty. He ran on his own right in 1946, was elected and served until 1950. He died in 1965 at the age of 65 of a heart attack at this home at 3416 No. 19th Street. (T.Times, 2/22/1938, p.1)

Fawcett, Clarence Valdo, 1900-1965;

ca. 1935. Mayor George A. Smitley with Ethlynne "Skit" Smith (later Babson) and Ellis-Ayr Smith at his office in (Old) City Hall circa 1935. The Smith sisters were noted local skiers, Ellis-Ayr being a U.S. team member for the 1936 Winter Olympic Games at Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany.

Mayors--Tacoma--1930-1940; Smitley, George A., 1872-1956; Skiers; Babson, Ethlynne; Smith, Ethlynne; Smith, Ellis-Ayr; Families--Tacoma--1930-1940;

A wide variety of flower arrangements were sent to City Hall when Mayor John C. Siegle was installed as the city's chief executive on June 6, 1938. The mayor appears to be leaning forward, perhaps in response to a question, when photographed between his two nominees for city posts, William J. Ganz and C. Amos Booth. The floral pieces were transferred from council chambers to Mayor Siegle's private office. Dr. John Charles Siegle was a well-known civic leader and leading dentist before becoming mayor. He was a prime supporter of the city and sought to develop tourism and industry. ALBUM 11. (T.Times 6-6-38, 1, 14).

Mayors--Tacoma--1930-1940; Siegle, John C., 1885-1939; Ganz, William J.; Booth, C. Amos; Flower arrangements;

Mayor John Siegle pretends to light fuse of giant advertising fire-cracker for a Junior Chamber of Commerce "big bang" publicity for July 4th fireworks at Stadium Bowl. Spanish steps from Commerce to Broadway and (Old) Elks Temple in background.

Mayors--Tacoma--1930-1940; Siegle, John C., 1885-1939; Holidays--Tacoma--1930-1940; Firecrackers; Tacoma Junior Chamber of Commerce (Tacoma);

Following the administering of oaths, Mayor John C. Siegle's name was inscribed on the door of room 303, also the office of C. Amos Booth, Refuse Superintendent. The name of his secretary, William J. Ganz, was also inscribed. Both Mr. Booth and Mr. Ganz were Dr. Siegle's personal appointees. Dr. Siegle's name would remain here only a short time; he died while serving as mayor the following year. ALBUM 11.

Mayors--Tacoma--1930-1940; Siegle, John C., 1885-1939; Signs (Notices);

This photograph taken in 1938 shows Mayor George A. Smitley buying a "Buddy Poppy" from Mary Lee Burrows (left) and Elizabeth Armstrong, the youngest members of the American Legion Rhodes Post Auxiliary, at his office in (Old) City Hall. Mayor Smitley was born in Fort Wayne, Indiana in 1872, and although his formal education was limited to four years in a country school, he went on to be a successful businessman and Mayor of Tacoma from 1934 through 1938. Buddy poppies date to the early 1920s. They were inspired after WWI by the poem "In Flanders Fields" and are sold by the VFW to raise funds for disabled and needy veterans and their dependents.

Mayors--Tacoma--1930-1940; Smitley, George A., 1872-1956; Patriotic societies--Tacoma; American Legion Edward B. Rhodes Post No. 2 (Tacoma); Girls--Tacoma--1930-1940; Burrows, Mary Lee; Armstrong, Elizabeth;

ca. 1939. W.P.A. (Works Progress Administration) workers at McChord Field. Four men pushing metal-wheeled wheelbarrows over snow-covered, frozen ground. 1939 Stock negative.

Works Progress Administration (Tacoma); Laborers--Tacoma; Wheelbarrows;

Tacoma Mayor John Siegle, standing, in the grandstand for the "Mayor's Handicap Race" during Tacoma Day at the Western Washington Fair, Puyallup. Public Safety Commissioner Holmes Eastwood is seated center, with tobacco tin. (T. Times, 9/22/38, p. 1)

Mayors - Tacoma - 1938-39 - Dr. John C. Siegle (1885-1939) - Washington StateEvents - Fairs - Washington State - Puyallup - Western Washington Fair

Mayor Harry P. Cain rides in half-track during October 21, 1941 tank maneuvers at Fort Lewis. Mayor Cain had attended a military academy in his youth and had been a reservist for many years. He would enter the U.S. Army in 1943, taking a leave of absence from his mayoral duties.

Mayors--Tacoma--1940-1950; Cain, Harry P., 1906-1979; Military maneuvers--Fort Lewis; Military vehicles--Fort Lewis;

Eleanor Roosevelt, as assistant director of the Office of Civilian Defense, came to Tacoma Saturday morning December 13, 1941 to meet with local civilian defense chiefs in Mayor Harry P. Cain's office. Mayor Cain arranged a meeting between Mrs. Roosevelt and a delegation of local, young, American-born Japanese who represented the Japanese American Joint Defense Corps. The delegation included (from l to r) Shigeko Tamaki, Shigeo Wakamatsu, Waichi Oyanagi, and Ted Nakamura. In her remarks to the defense chiefs she had said, " Give American born Japanese, and even Japanese nationals who lived in this country for years, who have children and grand children and who have bought defense bonds - give them every consideration." TPL-7964

Presidents' spouses; Roosevelt, Anna Eleanor, 1884-1962; Japanese Americans--Tacoma; World War, 1939-1945--Civil defense--Tacoma; World War, 1939-1945--Social aspects--Tacoma; Tamaki, Shigeko; Wakamatsu, Shigeo; Oyanagi, Waichi; Nakamura, Ted;

Leaving a luncheon at University-Union Club are (L-R) John Boettiger (publisher of the Seattle Post-Intelligencer and son-in-law of the Roosevelts), First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt, Anna Roosevelt Boettiger and Mayor Harry P. Cain. Automobile at curbside is a 1941 Plymouth. Mrs. Roosevelt is the head of the women's defense activities for the nation and was making several stops in the West Coast and Pacific Northwest to meet with state and local defense councils. (TNT 12-13-41, p. 1; TNT 12-15-41, p. 9) ALBUM 1.

Presidents' spouses; Roosevelt, Anna Eleanor, 1884-1962; Visits of state--Tacoma; Mayors--Tacoma--1940-1950; Cain, Harry P., 1906-1979; Boettiger, John; University Union Club of Tacoma (Tacoma); Boettiger, Anna Eleanor Roosevelt Dall, 1906-1975;

First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt receives a gift from Marjorie Cain during a luncheon at the University-Union Club on December 13, 1941. Mayor Harry P. Cain, holding a cigarette, is to the right of Mrs. Roosevelt. Mrs. Roosevelt was paying a short visit to Tacoma to speak to local civil defense leaders in the aftermath of Pearl Harbor. She was accompanied by her daughter, Anna Eleanor Boettiger and Anna's husband, John. (TNT 12-13-41, p. 1, TNT 12-15-41, p. 9) ALBUM 1.

Presidents' spouses; Roosevelt, Anna Eleanor, 1884-1962; Visits of state--Tacoma; Mayors--Tacoma--1940-1950; Cain, Harry P., 1906-1979; Cain, Marjorie Dils, 1908-1994; World War, 1939-1945--Civil defense--Tacoma;

Six days after Pearl Harbor, Eleanor (Mrs. Franklin D.) Roosevelt, Assistant Director of the Office of Civilian Defense, speaks to Tacoma Mayor Harry Cain and local Civilian Defense leaders about wartime issues in the Mayor's office at City Hall. Mayor Cain appears to be diligently taking notes on Mrs. Roosevelt's speech. After her stop in Tacoma, she went to another conference on civil defense in Seattle. (T.Times, 12-13-41, p. 1) ALBUM 1

Presidents' spouses; Roosevelt, Anna Eleanor, 1884-1962; Visits of state--Tacoma; Mayors--Tacoma--1940-1950; Cain, Harry P., 1906-1979; World War, 1939-1945--Civil defense--Tacoma;

Cropped version of D11318, series 1, showing Mayor Harry P. Cain receiving a "Buddy Poppy" from the American Legion Rhodes Post Auxiliary on May 13, 1941. Mrs. George F. Allen pins the poppy onto Mayor Cain. Buddy Poppies were sold as a fund raiser for disabled veterans. ALBUM 12.

Mayors--Tacoma--1940-1950; Cain, Harry P., 1906-1979; American Legion Auxiliary (Tacoma); American Legion Edward B. Rhodes Post No. 2 (Tacoma); Fund raising--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Drum majorettes Phylis Scott (left) and Marilyn Nelson sold Mayor Harry P. Cain a "forget-me-not" or "Buddy Poppy," for the benefit of Disabled American Veterans, at his office in (Old) City Hall in early September of 1941. The annual fund raiser was directed by chairman Floyd Brassfield of the Tacoma Chapter No. 1, Disabled American Veterans. The proceeds from the sale were used to support various veterans' relief programs; the VFW made no profit from the sale. (T.Times 9-4-41, p. 2) ALBUM 12.

Mayors--Tacoma--1940-1950; Cain, Harry P., 1906-1979; Fund raising--Tacoma--1940-1950; Disabled American Veterans, Tacoma Post No. 1 (Tacoma); Scott, Phylis; Nelson, Marilyn; Drum majorettes--Tacoma--1940-1950;

On September 23, 1940, Wendell Willkie shook hands with another Republican candidate for office while on the rear platform of the "Willkie Special" train. The man to the right is believed to be Paul Preus, Congressional candidate. Mr. Preus was running to represent the people in Pierce and King counties, outside of Seattle. He was from Parkland and a financial agent for Pacific Lutheran College. Mr. Willkie was joined by Mr. Preus and several other notables including Arthur B. Langlie on his brief stopover in Tacoma. (T. Times, Election Guide 8-31-40, p. 7, T.Times, 9-23-40, p. 1, T.Times, 9-24-40, p. 1)

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

Wendell Willkie, the Republican candidate for President in 1940, stands at a microphone at the back of a Northern Pacific train car. The "Willkie Special" arrived in Tacoma on September 23, 1940, from Portland on a campaign swing through the west coast states. Although he only stayed in Tacoma for roughly an hour, Mr. Willkie made several stops including one at the Northern Pacific Shops in South Tacoma and a second at the Wheeler-Osgood plant on the tideflats. Wendell Willkie challenged Franklin Delano Roosevelt in the 1940 elections. Although he lost handily in the electoral voting, his popular vote was only slightly less than Mr. Roosevelt's. ALBUM 2. (T. Times, 9-23-40, p.1, T.Times, 9-24-40, p. 1)

Willkie, Wendell, 1892-1944; Presidential elections--Tacoma--1940-1950; Public speaking--Tacoma;

On Monday afternoon, September 23, 1940, Republican Presidential candidate Wendell Willkie addressed a crowd of 200 to 300 Tacomans from an open automobile in front of Lincoln High School. Mr. Willkie and his entourage on the train the "Willkie Special" had pulled into the Northern Pacific Railroad shops a short time before during a planned one-hour visit to Tacoma. Lincoln High School was one of just four planned stops Mr. Willkie made while in Tacoma; the tubas and horns of the Lincoln band greeted him as well as the Pacific Lutheran College chorus. South "G" Street is packed with supporters of Mr. Willkie and curious on-lookers. He was the first Republican candidate for President to visit Washington state in 24 years. ALBUM 2. (T. Times, 9-23-40, p. 1, T.Times, 9-24-40, p. 1))

Willkie, Wendell, 1892-1944; Presidential elections--Tacoma--1940-1950; Public speaking--Tacoma; Crowds--Tacoma; Lincoln High School (Tacoma);

Army officers, city officials, and Mayor Harry P. Cain planning bomb show at Stadium Bowl. Mayor Cain is standing third from right. Stadium High School is in the background. City officials joined Army personnel on August 4, 1942, in planning a practical demonstration of how civilians might protect themselves against incendiary bombs if dropped in enemy air raids. Temporary buildings, including seven "homes" and a three-story "hotel," would be constructed in Stadium Bowl on which bombs would be deliberately set off. Techniques to put out bombs would include stream and spray methods, "dunking in bathtubs," and what to do when the bombs burn themselves out. The demonstration would draw some 10,000 spectators on the evening of August 19th. On Stadium's field are: Elmer Bashey of Public Works, Lt. Jack Barrows, City health director Dr. Lee (Leland E.) Powers, local CD coordinator Frank Evans, Public utilities first aid expert Theodore O. Powers, Mayor Cain, Chief air warden Fred Sandstrom and Capt. Charles Eisenbacher of the Tacoma Fire Department. (T.Times 8-5-42, p. 2; TNT 8-19-42, p. 1, TNT 8-20-42, p. 1-articles on bomb demonstration)

Mayors--Tacoma--1940-1950; Cain, Harry P., 1906-1979; Stadium Bowl (Tacoma); Stadium High School (Tacoma); Bashey, Elmer; Barrows, Jack; Powers, Leland E.; Evans, Frank; Powers, Theodore O.; Sandstrom, Fred; Eisenbacher, Charles J.;

Thor and Eva Tollefson getting handy in an informal "Home Portrait". They may have been placing decals on the wooden table. Mrs. Tollefson holds a decal of a dashing matador as her next selection. There is a hammer under Mr. Tollefson's hand; he seems to have been prepared for heavy-duty work. Carpentry was a Tollefson hobby; he had made the small round table pictured here and done most of the work on the basement rumpus room. Thor Tollefson had just been re-elected as Pierce County Prosecutor by a wide margin in 1942, an office he held for another four years before making a successful bid for a Congressional seat. (T. Times, 11-4-42, p. 1) ALBUM 4.

Tollefson, Thor C., 1901-1982; Tollefson, Eva; Decals;

On June 15, 1942, scrap rubber collected by Boy Scouts is stacked between a brick building and the railroad tracks at Standard Oil Company on Tideflats. Mayor Harry P. Cain and a woman stand by Scouts on track. The Scouts brought in about 16 tons (32,000 lbs.) on the first day of the rubber drive. President Franklin D. Roosevelt had ordered a nationwide scrap rubber collection campaign between 6/15 12:01 a.m. and 6/30 12 midnight. Tacoma's quota was 2,000,000 lbs (1,000 tons.) The scrap rubber would be sold to the Rubber Recovery Corporation, a new government unit. Recycling was neccessary as the Japanese had cut off 92 % of the U.S.'s normal sources of crude rubber. (T. Times)

Cain, Harry P., 1906-1979; Mayors--Tacoma--1940-1950; Boy Scouts (Tacoma)--1940-1950; World War, 1939-1945--Scrap drives; Scrap drives--Tacoma--1940-1950; Tires;

Mayor Harry P. Cain makes a broadcast appeal over station KMO for the Tacoma Community Chest from the Mayor's Office in (Old) City Hall. The Community Chest preceded the United Way. ALBUM 13. TPL-10183

Cain, Harry P., 1906-1979; Mayors--Tacoma--1940-1950; Radio broadcasting--Tacoma--1940-1950;