Early in January of 1926, Tacoma voters were flooding into the Registrar's office on the third floor of City Hall to qualify to vote in the upcoming city primary and general elections. The throng included three new voters, pictured center of the counter. The trio was composed of Ingeborg Ekberg, Alice Raymond and Vera Landers, all students at the College of Puget Sound and all having just turned 21. According to city clerk Genevieve Martin almost 9,000 voters had registered in the first five days for the elections, which included another run for the Mayor's office by four time incumbent Angelo Vance Fawcett. TPL-3209 (TNT 1/11/1926, pg. 17- cropped picture, TNT 1/9/26, pg. 14-article on registration)

The Young Men's Republican Club presented a framed and colored portrait of President Calvin Coolidge to Tacoma's City Council on April 20, 1927. The photograph would join the likenesses of Presidents (Teddy) Roosevelt, Wilson, and Harding in the council chambers. Mayor Melvin G. Tennent accepted, on behalf of the council, the portrait from Al Ray, president of the Young Men's Republican Club. L-R are: Mayor Tennent (hand on photograph); Commissioners Ira S. Davisson, Dyer Dyment, Jesse Silver, Acting commissioner Asa Troyer, and Al Ray. G23.1-007 (TDL 4-21-27, p. 3)

Portrait photographs; Gifts; Tennent, Melvin Green; Mayors--Tacoma--1920-1930; Davisson, Ira; Dyment, Dyer; Silver, Jesse; Troyer, Asa E.; Ray, Al; Municipal government--Tacoma--1920-1930;

At midnight on January 16, 1920, the United States went "dry." Overnight, breweries and distilleries closed their doors as the 18th Amendment made the manufacture, sale or transport of alcohol illegal. America was thirsty and enterprising individuals stepped forward to fill the void with alcohol made from home made distilleries, or "stills." Many of these apparatus, such as the one pictured at (Old) City Hall, were confiscated in Pierce County. (TDL 8/15/1920, pg B-5) G24.1-077

Prohibition--Tacoma; Stills (Distilleries);

Mayor George A. Smitley with Rhododendron Queen Myrtle Olson at his office in (Old) City Hall. Photograph taken for the Seattle Star. Miss Olson brought Mayor Smitley a bouquet of Washington's state flower and an invitation from Port Townsend's Mayor Bangerter for all Tacomans to attend Rhododendron Days on the Olympic Peninsula May 22-23, 1936. (T. Times 5/15/1936, pg. 1)

Smitley, George A., 1872-1956; Olson, Myrtle; Rhododendrons; Mayors--Tacoma--1930-1940; Festivals--Port Townsend--1930-1940;

Tacoma City Council at (Old) City Hall. Mayor George Smitley at right center, by window. Portrait of Mayor A.V. Fawcett on wall, now hangs in Rare Book Room of Tacoma Public Library. (T.Times)

Mayors--Tacoma--1930-1940; Smitley, George A., 1872-1956;

Girl representing the Disabled American Veterans pins a Forget-Me-Not or "Buddy Poppy" on Mayor George A. Smitley at his office in (Old) City Hall. Miss Viola Wilson is holding a handful of paper poppies as she fastens the Forget-Me-Not to Mr. Smitley's lapel. Mr. Smitley helped to kick off the annual Forget-Me-Not sale by purchasing the first flower from Miss Wilson, who is the daughter of state disabled veterans commander Virgil Wilson. It was noted in the Tacoma Times article attached to the sepia September 25, 1935, photograph, that Mr. Wilson was seriously ill in a Seattle hospital suffering from the effects of wounds received in the war. ALBUM 11. (T. Times, 9-26-35, p. 5)

Mayors--Tacoma--1930-1940; Smitley, George A., 1872-1956; Fund raising--Tacoma--1930-1940; Patriotic societies--Tacoma; Veterans' organizations--Tacoma; Wilson, Viola;

Sepia 1937 photograph of Tacoma City Officials at (Old) City Hall. L to R: Frank Callender - public safety commissioner, C. Val Fawcett - finance commissioner, Tom Swayze - city controller, Mayor George Smitley, Genevieve Martin - city clerk, Abner Bergersen - public works commissioner, Ira Davisson - public utilities commissioner, and Howard Carothers- corporation counsel. Group is seated at a glass-top table with two spittoons on floor. Furnishings, including wood floor, appear plain and utilitarian. ALBUM 11.

Municipal government--Tacoma; Mayors--Tacoma--1930-1940; Smitley, George A., 1872-1956; Callender, Frank T.; Fawcett, Clarence Valdo, 1900-1965; Swayze, Tom; Martin, Genevieve; Bergersen, Abner R.; Davisson, Ira; Carothers, Howard;

Tacoma City Council at (Old) City Hall. Photographed in April of 1937 for the Tacoma Times but apparently not used. (T. Times)

Municipal officials--Tacoma--1930-1940; Meetings--Tacoma--1930-1940; Old City Hall (Tacoma);

Norman J. Maddex, a city light department wire man, is "re-lamping" the tower on Tacoma's Old City Hall, 625 Commerce St., in this photograph from November 1935. Sitting in a boatswain's chair, just a board slung in the loops of a bowline knot, he works at replacing burned out light bulbs and repairing defective wiring. The tower had 750 bulbs along the cornice rims, down the tower corners, and around the clock dial. (T. Times 11-15-1935 p.3)

City Hall (Tacoma); Maddex, Norman J.;

ca. 1925. Large group of men in business suits outside of the Mayor's office in the (Old) City Hall at 625 Commerce St. The men are unidentified in this circa 1925 photograph with the exception of the man seated second to the right who is thought to be Dr. Hinton Jonez, prominent Tacoma physician.

Municipal government--Tacoma--1930-1940; Old City Hall (Tacoma);

Mayor Val Fawcett gives a warm welcome to Al Thrall (L) and Richard Williams visiting (Old) City Hall in the spring of 1947. Quick thinking on the part of the two 17-year-olds during the March 29th Daffodil Parade prevented injury and disruption of the annual event. Richard Williams, driving a float with Al Thrall assisting, warned the packed crowds and managed to stop his runaway float when its brakes failed. (T.Times 4-1-47, p. 7) ALBUM 14.

Mayors--Tacoma--1940-1950; Fawcett, Clarence Valdo, 1900-1965; Shaking hands--Tacoma; Teenagers; Thrall, Al; Williams, Richard;

City Clerk Genevieve Martin administers the oath of office to Public Safety Commissioner Holmes Eastwood at (old) City Hall on June 6, 1938. Mr. Eastwood replaced Frank T. Callender as head of Public Safety; Mr. Callender (not pictured) was present to greet his successor with a handshake. Mr. Eastwood was very dapper in a blue coat, white trousers and white shoes. Mr. Eastwood reportedly brought his own desk and chair to city government, "Should I get kicked out of here, they'll have to kick out my desk and chair, too." One of his first official acts as Safety Commissioner was to give out-of-city motorists a parking break by issuing cards allowing them to park on downtown streets without fear of overtime tickets It would be a means to encourage tourism in the city's core. (T. Times, 6-6-38, p. 14, 6-7-38, p.13)

Eastwood, Holmes; Oaths--Tacoma; Martin, Genevieve; Municipal government--Tacoma;

Newly elected Mayor Val Fawcett takes the oath of office from city clerk Genevieve Martin at (Old) City Hall on June 3, 1946. In May of 1943, Val Fawcett had assumed the office of Acting Mayor to allow Mayor Harry P. Cain to serve in the Army. Val Fawcett was elected mayor in 1946 and served until 1950. He had previously served several terms as Tacoma's Finance Commissioner. No stranger to politics, he was the son of A.V. ("Fighting") Fawcett, controversial four time Mayor of Tacoma. Miss Martin was a long term municipal employee who administered the oath to several of Tacoma's Mayors. TPL-4909. ALBUM 14. (T. Times 6-3-46, p. 1)

Fawcett, Clarence Valdo, 1900-1965; Mayors--Tacoma--1940-1950; Oaths--Tacoma; Martin, Genevieve; Municipal government--Tacoma;

Newly installed Mayor John C. Siegle, center, stands with his fellow city councilmen on June 6, 1938, in (Old) City Hall. From L-R, Val Fawcett - Finance Commissioner, Holmes Eastwood - Safety Commissioner, Dr. Siegle, Ira Davisson - Public Utilities Commissioner and Abner Bergersen - Public Works Commissioner. Dr. Siegle, a leading dentist in Tacoma, was the city's first native-born mayor. The death of his father when the mayor was only ten caused him to drop out of Tacoma public schools; he later studied privately while becoming a card carrying member of the Machinists Union. He worked his way through Northwestern University and obtained his DDS. Mayor Siegle held many leadership titles in the community including being the Past Exalted Ruler of Tacoma Lodge No. 174, BPOE, past president of the Kiwanis Club, past president of the North End community club and past commander of the Edward B. Rhodes Post No. 2 of the American Legion. His platform urged civic improvement to make Tacoma an ever better city and campaigned for new industry and economic development, especially in the Tideflats. Dr. Siegle passed away on April 12, 1939, of cancer, having served as mayor for less than a year. ALBUM 11. (T.Times 6-6-38, p. 1)

Mayors--Tacoma--1930-1940; Siegle, John C., 1885-1939; Fawcett, Clarence Valdo, 1900-1965; Eastwood, Holmes; Davisson, Ira; Bergersen, Abner R.; Municipal government--Tacoma;

Mayor Val Fawcett looks at the proof sheets for the September, 1947 issue of Holiday Magazine, the State of Washington issue, in a promotional photo taken at his office in Tacoma's (Old) City Hall, 625 Commerce St.. H.N. Bergeron (in a light suit), sales representative of Curtiss Circulation Company, points out to Mayor Fawcett the photographs and articles that will highlight the industrial, civic, and cultural life of the Pacific Northwest. Edwin J. Schneebeck, a local magazine wholesaler, looks on. (T.Times, 8/19/1947, p.9) ALBUM 14.

Mayors--Tacoma--1940-1950; Fawcett, Clarence Valdo, 1900-1965; Periodicals; Holiday Magazine; Bergeron, H.N.; Schneebeck, Edwin J.; Publicity photographs; Offices--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Mayor Val Fawcett looks at the Holiday Magazine State of Washington issue in a promotional photo taken at his office in (Old) City Hall. Looking on are Curtiss Circulation Co. sales representative H.N. Bergeron and local magazine wholesaler Edwin J. Schneebeck. The upcoming September 1947 issue would highlight the City of Tacoma with 30 pages of information and photographs. ALBUM 14. (T. Times 8-19-47, p.9)

Mayors--Tacoma--1940-1950; Fawcett, Clarence Valdo, 1900-1965; Periodicals; Holiday Magazine; Bergeron, H.N.; Schneebeck, Edwin J.; Publicity photographs; Offices--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Mayor C. Val Fawcett studies a pre-publication copy of the September, 1947 issue of Holiday Magazine in his office in Tacoma's (Old) City Hall in August of 1947. Tacoma received three pages, including 5 photographs, in the 36 page section of the issue devoted to Washington State. The long article, written by northwest author Nard Jones, included over 90 photographs of scenic views, Washington industries and her people. Enjoying the sneak peek along with Mayor Fawcett are Curtiss Circulation Company sales representative H.N. Bergeron (left) and local magazine wholesaler Edwin J. Schneebeck. (T.Times 8-19-47, p. 9-alt. photograph) ALBUM 14.

Mayors--Tacoma--1940-1950; Fawcett, Clarence Valdo, 1900-1965; Periodicals; Holiday Magazine; Bergeron, H.N.; Schneebeck, Edwin J.; Publicity photographs; Offices--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Safety Award being presented in Mayor Val Fawcett's office to Police Department and other city departments by the American Automobile Association. The Pedestrian Protection Award was presented to the Tacoma Police Department and citizens for their reduction in pedestrian accidents. (T.Times, 6/24/1947, p.3)

Police--Tacoma--1940-1950; Tacoma Police Department (Tacoma); Safety; Accidents; American Automobile Association (Tacoma); Awards; Fawcett, Clarence Valdo, 1900-1965; Mayors--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Aloha! An unidentified woman drapes a flowered Hawaiian lei around the neck of Tacoma Mayor Val Fawcett in a publicity photo for KVI Radio taken at his office in (Old) City Hall. ALBUM 14.

Mayors--Tacoma--1940-1950; Fawcett, Clarence Valdo, 1900-1965; Leis;

Voting against the wishes of Tacoma's churches and social service organizations, Mayor Val Fawcett (left) and the city council passed an ordinance on December 30, 1946 amending the pinball machine regulations in Tacoma. Rather than banning the "one armed bandits" as the churches preferred, the city voted to collect a 5% tax on all "payoff" machines within Tacoma city limits. An estimated $120,000 would be added to the city's coffers. An unidentified man is pointing to the wording on one of the 35 petitions brought in to city hall by the pinball machine opponents, including those signed by the YMCA, Salvation Army, WCTU and the PLU student body. ALBUM 14. (T.Times 12-30-46, p. 1, 14-article; TNT 12-30-46, p. 1-article)

Mayors--Tacoma--1940-1950; Fawcett, Clarence Valdo, 1900-1965; Petitions--Tacoma;

Mayor Harry P. Cain signs "Paternal Week" proclamation for the Maccabees on May 17, 1946. Observing is believed to be Robert Goldberg. Mr. Goldberg was also the president of the Fraternal Congress of the State of Washington. ALBUM 13. (T.Times 5-13-1946, p. 7-article & photograph re: Fraternal Congress of the State of Washington)

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

Three generations at swearing in of Mayor Val Fawcett. L to R: wife Linda, granddaughter Linda, Fawcett, mother Margaret (widow of Mayor A.V. Fawcett), daughter Margaret, son-in-law Norbert Knecht. Fawcett Senior's portrait overlooks the family group. ALBUM 14.

Mayors--Tacoma--1940-1950; Fawcett, Clarence Valdo, 1900-1965; Fawcett, Clarence Valdo, 1900-1965--Family;

Mayor C. Val Fawcett was buying Easter Seals from his grandchildren on March 19, 1949, in order to support the campaign that had just started. Easter Seals helped support disabled children; the Mayor wanted everyone in Tacoma to help support this organization. View of Mayor C. Val Fawcett with his two granddaughters, Linda and Valerie Knecht of Seattle, at the mayor's office in (Old) City Hall. (T. Times, 3/22/49, p. 3).

Grandparents; Fund raising--Tacoma--1940-1950; Community service--Tacoma--1940-1950; Mayors--Tacoma--1940-1950; Fawcett, Clarence Valdo, 1900-1965; Knecht, Linda; Knecht, Valerie;

Mayor John Anderson is the first civic official in the city's history to be named an honorary airline hostess. Maxine Gordon, a stewardess with Western Airlines, has pinned a pair of Western Airlines' wings to Mayor Anderson's lapel and she is also modeling the airline's new uniform. (TNT, 3/22/1952, p.17)

Anderson, John H.; Mayors--Tacoma--1950-1960; Offices--Tacoma--1950-1960; Airline industry; Western Airline (Tacoma); Flight attendants--Tacoma--1950-1960; Gordon, Maxine;

Tacoma (Old) City Hall building, with old jail on right, showing contrast before and after steam cleaning. As part of Tacoma's beautification plan, A. W. Bushy of Western Building Cleaning Co. was removing 41 years of grime accumulated on City Hall. The dingy portion on the right back is the portion that has not been cleaned. City Hall building designed by E.A. Hatherton, Architect, 1893. Hatherton was from San Francisco and worked on design of that city's City Hall. The building was cleaned in time for Tacoma to play host to the state during the Golden Jubilee celebration. (T. Times 7/26/1939, pg. 4)

Clock towers--Tacoma; Old City Hall (Tacoma);

Mrs. Lane Paskill is set to circle Saturday, September 7, 1940, on Mayor Harry P. Cain's office calendar as a reminder of the Club of Hearts Cabaret Sports Dance to benefit the Red Cross. The dance would be held in the Hotel Winthrop's Crystal Ballroom. Since the mayor's schedule was so often crowded, Mrs. Paskill visited him in mid-August to book the date. TPL-5177. ALBUM 12. (T.Times 8-24-40, p. 5)

Cain, Harry P., 1906-1979; Mayors--Tacoma--1940-1950; Calendars; Paskill, Lane--Family; Fund raising--Tacoma--1940-1950;

A Mrs. Golden, part of the "Hormel" team, pays a visit to Mayor Harry P. Cain in March, 1941. The company was running a campaign to promote Spam and Hormel Chili Con Carne whereby roving "Hormel Girls and Men" would stop people at random and pay them either $1 or $2 if they could provide proof of Hormel's products. Mrs. Golden is pictured holding a Chili Con Carne label; it is not known whether the label belonged to Mayor Cain. ALBUM 12.

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

On February 29, 1940, Mayor J.J. Kaufman wielded a knife to cut the first piece of apple pie in a promotional campaign for Apple Pie Week. Mrs. Agnes Phillips of the Northwest Food Exchange, Wenatchee, and three members of the Tacoma Bakers Commitee, held plates, waiting for their share of the large pie in the Mayor's office in (Old) City Hall. The mayor and his company got an early start on Apple Pie Week which was scheduled for March 4-9, 1940. L-R in the photograph are Mrs. Phillips, Ray Bolin of Weaver Pie Co., O.H. Oaks of Golden Rule Bakery, Wallace Macpherson of Federal Bakery and Mayor Kaufman. (T.Times 3-4-40, p. 5) ALBUM 11.

Mayors--Tacoma--1930-1940; Kaufman, Joseph J.; Pies; Phillips, Agnes; Bolin, Ray; Oaks, O.H.; Macpherson, Wallace A.;