Henry A. Wallace with supporters during a Democratic campaign visit to Tacoma. He is standing second to the left, holding a pair of reading glasses and a newspaper in his hands. 3000 braved the inclement weather and a bus strike to make their way to the State Armory to hear Mr. Wallace call on loyal Democrats to close ranks and elect progressive Democrats in the upcoming election. He especially praised U.S. Senator Hugh B. Mitchell who was seeking re-election. Henry Wallace was the U.S. Vice-President, 1941-45, former Secretary of Agriculture and briefly Secretary of Commerce. He became the candidate of the (Third) Progressive Party for President in 1948. Sepia photograph taken on October 28, 1946. (T. Times, 10-29-46, p. 1) ALBUM 2.

Political elections--Tacoma--1940-1950; Wallace, Henry A., 1888-1965;

On December 30, 1946, Mayor Val Fawcett, far right, is pictured congratulating officers of the Tacoma Athletic Commission at the opening of their headquarters at the Top of the Ocean. L to R: Dave Tuell, Bob Sanders, Gerry Waechter. Mr. Waechter was the chairman of the club. Over 1500 members and associate members attended the formal opening. Mayor Fawcett is also a director of the T.A.C. ALBUM 14. (T.Times 12-31-46, p. 12)

Mayors--Tacoma--1940-1950; Fawcett, Clarence Valdo, 1900-1965; Tacoma Athletic Commission (Tacoma); Tuell, Dave; Sanders, Bob; Waechter, Gerry;

Gov. Arthur B. Langlie speaking at dedication of Liberty Bell replica at Washington State Historical Society in front of a capacity crowd. Sociey Pres.S A. Perkins sits to the governor's left; woman in large hat is Margaret Marshall, descendant of Chief Justice John Marshall. It was at the funeral procession of John Marshall in 1835 that the original Liberty Bell cracked. Identical in design, lettering, and calibration to the original bell, the replica weighs over a ton and stands six feet in height, measuring twelve feet in circumference at the lip and four feet at the crown. (TNT 7-8-50, p. 10; TNT 7-11-50, p. 19)

Governors; Langlie, Arthur B., 1900-1966; Galleries & museums--Tacoma; Washington State Historical Society (Tacoma)--Exhibitions & displays; Bells;

On July 9, 1950 Governor Arthur B Langlie accepted an exact replica of the Liberty Bell in the name of the residents of Washington state. The replica was one of 53 donated by the Copper Industry of America to each state, territory, and the District of Columbia . The bells were made in Annecy, France, and are identical in design, lettering, and calibration to the original Liberty Bell. Left to right: Governor Arthur B. Langlie, Washington State Historical Society President S.A. "Sam" Perkins, Society Director Chapin Foster. (TNT 7-8-50, p. 10; TNT 7-11-50, p. 19)

Governors; Langlie, Arthur B., 1900-1966; Galleries & museums--Tacoma; Washington State Historical Society (Tacoma)--Exhibitions & displays; Bells;

Elks, Emmett T. Anderson, Grand Exalted Ruler of the Elks.Emmett T. Anderson, Grand Exalted Ruler of the Elks, and his wife Lucile are welcomed home by a parade along Pacific Avenue. The convertible they are riding in has been decorated with sprays of gladiola flowers and fabric. They are escorted by Past Exalted Rulers of Tacoma Lodge number 174. Mr. Anderson was appointed to the Elks war commission when the United States entered World War II. He extended the service of the Elks to individuals in uniform all over the Pacific slope, Alaska and Hawaii. He organized the committees which met the needs of repatriated prisoners of war from the Philippines and Japan, furnishing food, medicine, clothing, transportation and cash as each case required. He served on the veterans service commission when the war was over. (TNT,7/26/1949, p.9; TNT 7-28-49, p. 1-article)

Anderson, Emmett T.; Anderson, Lucile B.; Parades & processions--Tacoma--1940-1950; Fraternal organizations--Tacoma--1940-1950; Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Tacoma Lodge No. 174 (Tacoma);

Elks, Emmett T. Anderson, Grand Exalted Ruler of the Elks. Mr. Anderson doffs his hat to the crowd as he and wife Lucile are escorted downtown in a parade held in his honor. Emmett T. Anderson was unanimously elected Grand Exalted Ruler of the Elks Order of the United States at their national convention in Cleveland in July, 1949. He was a past exalted ruler of his lodge in Tacoma and a former district deputy grand exalted ruler for the Washington southwest area. He was also president of Anderson Printing Company. (TNT, 7/12/1949, p.1; TNT 7-28-49, p. 1-article)

Anderson, Emmett T.; Anderson, Lucile B.; Parades & processions--Tacoma--1940-1950; Fraternal organizations--Tacoma--1940-1950; Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Tacoma Lodge No. 174 (Tacoma);

Mayor Val Fawcett with Mrs. Emmett T. Anderson. On July 27, 1949, a welcome home parade in downtown Tacoma was held in honor of the newly elected Grand Exalted Ruler of the Elks Order of the United States, Emmett T. Anderson. Mayor Val Fawcett is pictured above with Lucile B. Anderson shortly after presenting her with a bouquet of red roses. Emmett Anderson was a prominent Tacoma civic leader and president of Anderson Printing. He was chosen as national leader of the Elks during the recent convention in Cleveland. ALBUM 14

Mayors--Tacoma--1940-1950; Fawcett, Clarence Valdo, 1900-1965; Anderson, Lucile B.; Parades & processions--Tacoma--1940-1950;

The Men starring Marlon Brando and Teresa Wright was showing at John Hamrick's Music Box Theatre while up the street the Rialto promoted "Sunset Boulevard" with Gloria Swanson. On the same day, October 11, 1950, a huge crowd gathered around the speakers' platform at the South 9th and Broadway intersection to hear Vice President Alben Barkley during a Democratic campaign tour. The speaker pictured at the podium was not Mr. Barkley; it is possible that it was senatorial candidate, Warren G. Magnuson. ALBUM 1.

Vice presidents; Barkley, Alben W., 1877-1956; Visits of state--Tacoma; Crowds--Tacoma; Marquees--Tacoma;

V-P Barkley, Sen. Magnuson, former Rep. John Coffee, amid a group of party workers and candidates at Democratic HQ on October 11, 1950. Signs: "Coffee for Congress, " " Reelect Magnuson," "Croft for Sheriff," "Rosellini State Supreme Court," " Kupka, State Rep.," "Reelect Paul Newman, County Comm." An eager crowd presses forward to meet Alben Barkley who was to spend a busy two days in Washington state helping the Democratic cause. Screaming sirens accompanied the Vice-President's 90-mph-dash from the airport to Tacoma where he arrived almost an hour later than expected for a scheduled outdoor speech. He spoke from the same stand where President Truman had spoken two years ago. (TNT 10-12-50, p. 1) ALBUM 1.

Vice presidents; Barkley, Alben W., 1877-1956; Visits of state--Tacoma; Legislators--Washington--1950-1960; Magnuson, Warren G., 1905-1989; Coffee, John;

Vice President Alben Barkley addressing a crowd on South 9th Street at Broadway and Saint Helens Avenue. Tacoma Mayor John Anderson is in the extreme right foreground. A massive crowd gathered to hear Mr. Barkley on October 11, 1950, who may have been stumping for Democratic candidates. 1950 was a senatorial election year where Democrat Warren G. Magnuson was victorious. ALBUM 1.

Vice presidents; Barkley, Alben W., 1877-1956; Visits of state--Tacoma; Public speaking--Tacoma;

Crowd on South 9th Street at Broadway and Saint Helens Avenue hears Vice President Barkley's address on his October 11, 1950, visit to Tacoma. Grant (Bostwick) Hotel, Hotel Winthrop, Elks Temple and "Auto Row" in background. "Safety First" sign indicating 15 days since last traffic fatality. Mr. Barkley had been making a whirlwind tour of Washington state speaking at several major cities during a two-day visit. He was given the Key to Tacoma by Mayor John Anderson before departing for a scheduled Jefferson-Jackson Day dinner at Seattle's Olympic Hotel. TPL-6676. ALBUM 1. (TNT 10-12-50, p. 1)

Vice presidents; Barkley, Alben W., 1877-1956; Visits of state--Tacoma; Public speaking--Tacoma; Crowds--Tacoma;

The Pierce County Treasurer's office was located on the first floor of the Pierce County Court House, at 1012 South G Street. In 1949 The Pierce County Treasurer was Leander R. Johnson. Interior view of the treasurer's office, county employees are reviewing county treasury information; the man behind the three men in foreground, is looking through a city directory. TPL-8391

County government--Tacoma; Government employees--Tacoma; Government officials--Tacoma; Treasuries--Tacoma; Civil service--Tacoma--1940-1950; Pierce County Treasurer (Tacoma);

Ground breaking for US Oil and Refining Co. plant on Tideflats. Group at right in photo includes Senators Warren G. Magnuson and Henry M. Jackson (far L and far R), and Mayor Harold Tollefson (2nd from R). Standing between Senator Magnuson and Mayor Tollefson is believed to be Dr. Ernest Lyder, president of U.S. Oil & Refining Co. A diesel shovel takes the first scoop of sandy soil commencing the ground breaking for the new plant. A 10-million dollar plant would rise from this 120-acre location. (TNT 7-21-55, p. 1, TNT 7-22-55, p. 1) ALBUM 4.

Magnuson, Warren G., 1905-1989; Jackson, Henry M., 1912-1983; Legislators--Washington--1950-1960; Mayors--Tacoma--1950-1960; Tollefson, Harold M., 1908-1985; US Oil & Refining Co. (Tacoma); Ground breaking ceremonies--Tacoma;

Ground breaking of the US Oil and Refining plant on the Tacoma tideflats. Fun Fair Queen Shiela Widener, center; Mayor Harold Tollefson far R, Cong. Thor Tollefson 3rd from R, Senator Warren Magnuson 5th from R, Senator Henry M. Jackson 8th from right. Standing next to the Fun Fair Queen is Dr. Ernest Lyder, president of U.S. Oil & Refining. Both he and Miss Widener have their hands cupped; they may have been holding some of the sandy soil excavated by the giant shovel. 300 spectators watched the ceremonies, including a pre-ground breaking appearance by comedian Chico Marx. (TNT 7-22-55, p. 1) ALBUM 4.

Magnuson, Warren G., 1905-1989; Jackson, Henry M., 1912-1983; US Oil & Refining Co. (Tacoma); Legislators--Washington--1950-1960; Tollefson, Thor C., 1901-1982; Mayors--Tacoma--1940-1950; Tollefson, Harold M., 1908-1985; Wildener, Shiela;

Ground breaking for U.S. Oil & Refining Co. plant on Tideflats. Senators Warren G. Magnuson and Henry M. Jackson (5th and 8th from L), Congressman Thor Tollefson (6th from L) and Mayor Harold Tollefson behind Fun Fair Queen Shiela Widener. Nearly everyone looks amused at comments made at the chosen site for the $10 million dollar refinery; oil company officials, Port Commissioners and a portion of Washington's Congressional delegation gathered on July 22, 1955, to break ground for the new plant. U.S. Oil & Refining Co. president Ernest Lyder is at the controls of the giant diesel shovel. Ceremonies were part of the first annual Fun Fair activities; comedian Chico Marx was also present to entertain. (TNT 7-21-55, p. 1, TNT 7-22-55, p. 1) ALBUM 4.

Magnuson, Warren G., 1905-1989; Jackson, Henry M., 1912-1983; US Oil & Refining Co. (Tacoma); Legislators--Washington--1950-1960; Tollefson, Thor C., 1901-1982; Mayors--Tacoma--1950-1960; Tollefson, Harold M., 1908-1985; Lyder, Ernest;

No empty seats were visible in the Washington State Armory during President Harry S. Truman's speech in early October, 1952. Local dignitaries sat on the platform behind Mr. Truman while he addressed the massive crowd. Policemen stood guard on the upper deck of the armory. Radio and television covered the president's appearance for the benefit of local residents. ALBUM 1.

Presidents; Truman, Harry S., 1884-1972; Visits of state--Tacoma; Crowds--Tacoma; State Armory (Tacoma);

Governor Arthur B. Langlie takes the oath of office for the third time, Inauguration Day, 1953. He was the first chief executive in Washington State to be elected three times for four-year terms. Supreme Court Chief Justice Thomas E. Grady administered the oath of office during a joint session of the Senate and House of Representatives held in the House chambers. In Governor Langlie's address to the 33rd Legislature, he encouraged increases in local property taxes to finance schools and other local government functions. His overall plan was to balance the state budget without additional state taxes. He backed toll roads when appropriate and plans for new bridges across the Sound. ALBUM 10. (TNT 1-14-53, p. 1)

Governors; Langlie, Arthur B., 1900-1966; Oaths--Olympia; Grady, Thomas E.; Judges;

Tacoma Mayor "Big John" Anderson (right) and an unidentified representative of the Pacific Telephone and Telegraph Company admire the cover of the 1956 Tacoma Telephone Directory while standing below the original artwork. In the actual cover, the fisherman reels in a lucky catch. The Tacoma telephone directory in 1956 came out with a mid-year print date. ALBUM 14.

Mayors--Tacoma--1950-1960; Anderson, John H.; Pacific Telephone & Telegraph Co. (Tacoma);

Eleven unidentified "Albert Rosellini for Governor" campaign workers posed in front of a Studebaker Garage in June of 1956. The Democrats were gathering in Tacoma for the State Democratic Convention, and Democrats running for various offices were busy with promotional campaigns. Most of the campaign workers are holding small donation boxes, others have small bouquets of red paper roses, the candidate's political emblem, and balloons with his name on them. Mr. Rosellini was elected in November, 1956, defeating the Republican candidate, Lt. Gov. Emmett T. Anderson. He was re-elected in 1960 but lost a bid for a third term in 1964 to Dan Evans. ALBUM 10.

Governors; Rosellini, Albert D.; Political campaigns; Signs (Notices);

On Thursday October 18, 1956, four days after his 66th birthday, President Dwight D. Eisenhower addressed a crowd of over 8,000 Tacomans crammed into the CPS (UPS) Fieldhouse. President Eisenhower was on a campaign swing through the Pacific Northwest. While in Tacoma, Ike stayed at the home of his older brother, Edgar, in Lakewood. Tacoma Mayor John Anderson is to left of Mamie Eisenhower. Series ordered by International News Photo. ALBUM 1.

Presidents; Eisenhower, Dwight David, 1890-1969; Presidents' spouses; Eisenhower, Mamie; Visits of state--Tacoma; Anderson, John H.;

President Dwight D. Eisenhower at the podium, addressing the crowd at the College of Puget Sound (UPS) Fieldhouse. Eisenhower was on an ambitious 5-day air campaign swing through the west. His visit to Tacoma was sandwiched between speeches in Seattle and Portland. While in Tacoma, he stayed overnight with his elder brother Edgar at his American Lake home and made a 12 mile journey by motorcade from Edgar's home to CPS and then to McChord Air Force Base. Cheering school children stood in the rain to catch a glimpse of their President. Series ordered by International News Photo. ALBUM 1.

Presidents; Eisenhower, Dwight David, 1890-1969; Visits of state--Tacoma; College of Puget Sound (Tacoma)--1950-1960;

On October 18, 1956, President Dwight D. Eisenhower's motorcade traveled from his brother Edgar's American Lake home to the College of Puget Sound where he was scheduled to speak informally to an audience of 8,000. His motorcade route was planned to allow the greatest number of cheering spectators to view the President. One of the highlights was 100 Marymount Military Academy cadets in full uniform blowing bugles and presenting arms. The President was in Tacoma on a re-election campaign swing through the west. Series ordered by International News Photo. ALBUM 1.

Presidents; Eisenhower, Dwight David, 1890-1969; Visits of state--Tacoma; Motorcades--Tacoma; Presidential elections--Tacoma;

President Dwight D. Eisenhower's address at the College of Puget Sound (UPS) Fieldhouse. Tacoma Mayor John Anderson (rear), Ike's wife Mamie, brother Edgar and wife, and Gov. Arthur Langlie listen to the President. Series ordered by International News Photo. ALBUM 1.

Presidents; Visits of state--Tacoma; Eisenhower, Mamie; Eisenhower, Edgar; Governors; Langlie, Arthur B., 1900-1966; College of Puget Sound (Tacoma)--1950-1960;

National Transportation Week was around the corner when Col. Harry T. Meyers, post transportation officer at Fort Lewis and Harry D. Smith, western division traffic manager for Weyerhaeuser Sales Co., pointed out various modes of transportation to Mayor John Anderson in May of 1958. Models of a United Airlines airplane, Pacific Intermountain Express (PIE) semi-truck and trailer, and Milwaukee Road train are displayed before the mayor. Publicity for Tacoma Chamber of Commerce. ALBUM 14. (TNT 5-11-58, B-4)

Mayors--Tacoma--1950-1960; Anderson, John H.; Meyers, Harry T.; Military officers; Smith, Harry D.; Model airplanes; Model vehicles; Model railroads;

Seven years after its initial approval by voters, the new County-City Building was dedicated April 10, 1959. The interim years had been filled with political wrangling and budget and design problems. The aluminum and glass building was designed by A. Gordon Lumm and build by Macdonald construction for a price tag of 9 1/2 million dollars. Tacoma Mayor Ben Hanson stands on the platform speaking at the dedication. After the keys for the building were presented to Mayor Hanson (someone had forgotten to bring the actual keys and a set of house keys were substituted); he turned and presented them to ex-Mayor John Anderson, who was instrumental in the construction of the building. (TNT 4/9/1959, pg. 1 4/10/1959, pg. 1)

County-City Building (Tacoma); Dedications--Tacoma--1950-1960; Hanson, Ben;

ca. 1959. The new County-City building from the intersection of 9th and Tacoma Ave. So. In April of 1959, Macdonald Building Co. had finally finished construction on the building that almost did not get built. In November of 1952, after a previous bond issue defeat, voters approved 6 million dollars to finance a joint county and city building. Over 20 sites were proposed, each with its own adamant supporters. The County Commissioners overrode all, including their own advisory committee that recommended the area bounded by So. 13th, 15th, Market and Tacoma Ave, to choose its present site. A Gordon Lumm was the controversial selection as architect. In midstream, 1953, Tacoma changed its form of government and the new council wanted the city to have its own wing, a demand that Lumm could not accomodate. In 1956, things went from bad to worse, as construction bids came in at 3 1/2 million over available funds. Voters voted in another bond issue to cover the shortfall. The council agreed on a lease agreement, after stormy negotiations, whereby the city would pay the county $80,000 a year for 20 years. The building was finally completed and dedicated on April 10, 1959, after much political blood letting. (TNT 4/7/1959, pg B1+) TPL-8169

County-City Building (Tacoma); Courthouses--Tacoma;

Interior and exterior shots of the new County-City building; jail cells in the new law enforcement wing. The combined facility for the county sheriff and the Tacoma police departments was jokingly referred to as the "joint joint." The jail was designed for maximum security and to be a more comfortable and spacious environment for the city, county and federal prisoners. It had air conditioning, a chapel, infirmary, delousing room and even a fenced rooftop exercise area called the "patio." The city jail was located on the third floor and the county jail on the fourth floor of the north wing. Jointly there were 8-9 tanks capable of holding 10-50 prisoners each. The city and county jails each had space for 140 prisoners. The day cells were equipped with showers, but the shower booths had no controls. A jailer yards away controlled both the temperature and the volume of the spray. (TNT 4/7/1959, pg. B-10)

County-City Building (Tacoma); Courthouses--Tacoma; Jails--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);

ca. 1959. The gothic spires of the old Pierce County Courthouse overlook the new glass and aluminum County-City building in this photograph from April or May of 1959. The old Courthouse was scheduled to be demolished as soon as all offices were relocated to the the new building. Of special interest was the movement of thousands of paper records, required by law for the county to store. Four trucking firms were hired to move 5,000 beer cartons of public records to the new building. Approximately 9 additional truck loads of records that were over 10 years old were ordered destroyed. Demolition of the Old Courthouse began in June, 1959. It was replaced with a parking lot.

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

Snip! Governor Albert Rosellini and Angela Nicholson, Miss Tacoma, cut the bright yellow ribbon for the new Tacoma Mall Bon Marche store on August 3, 1964. The Bon Marche was the first store to open in the new mall; the mall didn't have its official opening until October, 1965. The new Bon Marche was a massive four-story building with 256,000 square feet. The closing of the store's longtime downtown location was deemed necessary because of the antiquated conditions of the building and the lack of suitable parking. The downtown store, formerly the Fisher's Department Store, closed at 5:30 p.m. on July 25, 1964. Dignitaries present at the ribbon cutting included Dr. Arnold Herrmann, deputy mayor, David Rowlands, city manager, county commissioners Harry Sprinker, Fritz Geiger and Pat Gallagher, and city councilmen Maurice Finnigan and Hal Murtland, and Darrel E. Vannice, managing director of the Bon. (TNT 7-19-64, p. 1, TNT 8-4-64, p. 18) ALBUM 10.

Governors; Rosellini, Albert D.; Nicholson, Angela; Bon Marche (Tacoma); Department stores--Tacoma--1960-1970; Shopping centers--Tacoma; Dedications--Tacoma--1960-1970; Vannice, Darrel E.;