Mayor George A. Smitley and businessman J. Lee Kress in a July 1, 1937, photograph taken at (Old) City Hall. Mr. Kress, a personal friend of the mayor's, was opening a new Malt Shop in the Bostwick Building. The men are holding a letter from the mayor that welcomes Mr. Kress back to the Tacoma area. He also owned two other Malt Shops in the Olympia area. (T.Times 7-2-37, p. 4)

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

Tacoma City Council at (Old) City Hall. Interested observers listen intently to council proceedings in April of 1937. (T. Times)

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

Tacoma City Council at (Old) City Hall. Men in conference at table. (T. Times)

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

Tacoma City Council at (Old) City Hall. As the seating arrangement indicates, officials did not face the audience as they met. This photograph was part of a series taken in April of 1937 for the Tacoma Times newspaper but apparently not run. (T. Times)

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

Mayor Melvin G. Tennent, right, shakes hands with "Banjo King" Eddie Peabody at (Old) City Hall. Edwin Ellsworth "Eddie" Peabody, 1902-1970, was a well known vaudeville star. The 24 year old performer was appearing in person for the first time in Tacoma, from 12/2- 12/29/1927, at the Broadway Theater. The diminutive blue eyed, blonde haired young man was an expert on all stringed instruments, playing with proficiency the banjo, violin, mandolin, guitar, harp and others. While in town, he also made guest appearances to autograph his records at Sherman Clay Co., Hopper Kelly and Rhodes Bro. (TDL 12/2/1927, pg. 7- info only) (Argentum) (listed in Richards notes as A2438)

Peabody, Eddie; Banjos; Mayors--Tacoma--1920-1930; Tennent, Melvin Green;

On August 19, 1941, Tacoma Mayor Harry P. Cain prepared to cut the 40 lb. cake decorated with the city seal presented to him in his office in (Old) City Hall. Pictured, L to R were Mayor Cain, city health officer Dr. Leland E. Powers, Corporation counsel Howard Carothers, Public Utilities Commissioner R.D. ("Bob") O'Neil, chef John Carrion of C&H Sugar, Robert Abel of the C of C, Edgar Densmore of Johnson-Leiber Co. Chef John Carrion, chef training instructor of the bakery service department of the California & Hawaiian Sugar Refining Corporation, created an exact replica in sugar of the city's official seal. While in town, he conducted demonstrations for bakers at the Federal Baking Co. ALBUM 12. (T.Times 8-21-41, p. 12)

Mayors--Tacoma--1940-1950; Cain, Harry P., 1906-1979; Cakes--Tacoma--1940-1950; Cooks; Powers, Leland E.; Carothers, Howard; O'Neil, Robert D.; Carrion, John; Abel, Robert B.; Densmore, Edgar M.;

On June 1, 1942, L.W. (Roy) Craig went right to work in his new position as City Controller. Mr. Craig had formerly been the County Clerk. His new position brought a new office on the third floor of the City Hall, across from the Council Chambers. (T. Times 6/1/1942, pg. 1)

Craig, L.W.; Municipal government--Tacoma;

Eleanor Roosevelt thanks a delegation of young Japanese-Americans for their support as "loyal Americans" following a meeting of local civil defense officials at Mayor Harry Cain's office. Although the Japanese-Americans were not present during the actual informative meeting, Mrs. Roosevelt asked that "every consideration" should be given to American born Japanese and even long-time Japanese nationals. Mayor Cain was later one of the very few opposed to the internment of Japanese-Americans on the west coast. (TNT 12-13-41, p. 1) ALBUM 1. TPL-9780,

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

Six days after Pearl Harbor was attacked in December of 1941, Eleanor (Mrs. Franklin D.) Roosevelt visited Tacoma in her role as the Assistant Director of the Office of Civilian Defense. In the Mayor's office at City Hall she spoke to Tacoma Mayor Harry P. Cain and local Civilian Defense leaders about wartime issues. She repeatedly emphasized the importance and necessity for all citizens to register for volunteer work. Her boss, Director Fiorello LaGuardia, the Mayor of New York City, had visited Tacoma just prior to Mrs. Roosevelt's arrival. After her stop in Tacoma, she went on to another conference in Seattle . (Tacoma Times, 12-13-41, p. 1-article) 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;

Eleanor Roosevelt, Assistant Director of the Office of Civilian Defense, makes an impromptu address over Radio Station KMO from the Mayor Harry Cain's office at City Hall on December 13, 1941. Mrs. Roosevelt answered questions over the air as presented by civilian defense council members. She was reportedly very affable and willing to be photographed and interviewed. She urged all Americans to assist in civil defense, stating that "defense is not a question of one individual or one organization." She repeatedly stressed the importance of volunteer groups and the invaluable assistance they could render. (TNT 12-13-41, p. 1) cropped version of D12299 image 4

Presidents' spouses; Roosevelt, Anna Eleanor, 1884-1962; Visits of state--Tacoma; World War, 1939-1945--Civil defense--Tacoma; Radio broadcasting--Tacoma; KMO Radio Station (Tacoma); World War, 1939-1945--Communications;

Actress Lana Turner with Mayor Harry P. Cain at his office in (Old) City Hall where she is appearing for a press interview on Friday June 12, 1942. She had just arrived from Portland in the company of Leon Titus, local chairman of war bond sales. She stopped in the Mayor's office for an official greeting and to speak with reporters. Her grace and charm earned the Tacoma Times reporter's respect and the observation that she was unspoiled and undemanding. (T. Times 6/13/1942, pg.1)

Turner, Lana, 1920-1995; Actresses; Mayors--Tacoma--1940-1950; Cain, Harry P., 1906-1979; War bonds & funds--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Mayor Harry P. Cain shows Actress Lana Turner a list of facts about Tacoma during her visit on June 12, 1942 to the Mayor's office in (Old) City Hall for a press interview. Miss Turner, also known as the "Sweater Girl" for her curvy good looks, was in Tacoma on a War Bonds Sale junket. While in Pierce County for her 24 hour stay, she would visit Fort Lewis, the Seattle-Tacoma Shipyard, dedicate Tacoma's new war bond selling center ("Liberty Center") and dispense kisses and autographs to those who bought bonds. (T. Times 6/12/1942, pg. 1)

Turner, Lana, 1920-1995; Actresses; Mayors--Tacoma--1940-1950; Cain, Harry P., 1906-1979; War bonds & funds--Tacoma--1940-1950; World War, 1939-1945--Economic aspects of war--Tacoma;

On June 12, 1942, the first meeting of War Chest admissions committee was held at (Old) City Hall to decide which groups the fund raising drive would benefit. L to R: Leona (Mrs. Edwin C.) Yoder, Fern (Mrs. Clay C.) Pratt, Freeman Cochran, Mayor Harry P. Cain, George Firth, Walter West, Guy T. Thompson, Hazel (Mrs. J.P.) Simpson. Mayor Cain headed the drive as chairman while Guy T. Thompson served as War Chest secretary. The group would examine appeals for war relief funds. The request from the USO had already being approved. (TNT 6-15-42, p. 7) ALBUM 13.

World War, 1939-1945--Economic aspects of war--Tacoma; Cain, Harry P., 1906-1979; Mayors--Tacoma--1940-1950; Community service--Tacoma--1940-1950; Charitable organizations--Tacoma--1940-1950;

As part of their planned take over of the Tacoma City Government on Saturday April 6, 1940, Fort Lewis district Civilian Conservation Corps enrollees are preliminarily sworn into service by City Clerk Genevieve Martin. To the right of the uniformed young men is Fred A. Taylor, who will be Tacoma Mayor for the day. The other six CCC members are, left to right, Clifford Grant, Copeland Dwyer, Fred Dozier, Garnett Sketers, Einer Fryxell and Joseph O. Johnson. (T. Times 4/5/1940, pg. 9 & 20) TPL-10321

Civilian Conservation Corps (Tacoma); Taylor, Fred A.; Dwyer, Copeland; Dozier, Fred H.; Fryxell, Einer; Johnson, Joseph O.; Sketers, Garnett E.; Grant, Clifford J.; Martin, Genevieve;

City officials contributing to Drama League on January 24, 1940, at (Old) City Hall. Left to right are members of the city council: C. Val Fawcett - Finance Commissioner, Mayor J. J. Kaufman, Mrs. Hugh J. Rosellini, Controller Tom Swayze, Public Safety Commissioner Holmes Eastwood, Public Works Commissioner Abner Bergersen and Public Utilities Commissioner Ira Davisson. All dug deep in their pockets for funding for the proposed Tacoma Little Theater to be built on No. "I" St. Mrs. Rosellini was one of the sixteen members of the Drama league who participated in the fund raising. She indicated that the new Little Theater would have a revolving stage, only the second in the West following Seattle's Showboat. (T.Times 1-27-40, p. 3) ALBUM 11.

Mayors--Tacoma--1930-1940; Kaufman, Joseph J.; Municipal government--Tacoma; Fawcett, Clarence Valdo, 1900-1965; Swayze, Tom; Eastwood, Holmes; Bergersen, Abner R.; Davisson, Ira; Tacoma Drama League (Tacoma); Fund raising--Tacoma--1930-1940;

City officials donating to Drama League on January 24, 1940, at (Old) City Hall. Left to right: Public Safety Commissioner Holmes Eastwood, Public Utilities Commissioner Ira Davisson, Finance Commissioner C. Val Fawcett, unidentified woman representing Tacoma Drama League, Mayor J.J. Kaufman, Public Works Commissioner Abner Bergersen and City Controller Tom Swayze. Mayor Kaufman appears to be examining the blueprints for the proposed Tacoma Little Theater to be constructed at No. 2nd and "I" Streets. The (Tacoma) Drama League sent out eight teams comprised of two members each to solicit donations for the new endeavor. (T. Times 1-27-40, p. 3) ALBUM 11.

Mayors--Tacoma--1930-1940; Kaufman, Joseph J.; Municipal government--Tacoma; Fawcett, Clarence Valdo, 1900-1965; Swayze, Tom; Eastwood, Holmes; Bergersen, Abner R.; Davisson, Ira; Tacoma Drama League (Tacoma); Fund raising--Tacoma--1930-1940;

In April of 1941 the Camp Fire Girls of Tacoma raised money for a week long summer outing at Camp Sealth on Vashon Island by selling doughnuts.From left to right, Margaret Turner, Billie Mellis, Ruthella Raver and Joan Thrasher met with Mayor Harry Cain at his office in (Old) City Hall at 625 Commerce St. (T. Times, 4/7/1941)

Cain, Harry P., 1906-1979; Mayors--Tacoma--1940-1950; Camp Fire Girls (Tacoma); Girls--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Harry Cain given oath as Mayor of Tacoma at City Hall by City Clerk Genevieve Martin. Bob O'Neil, Utilities Commissioner-elect, looks on. Elected to the 2 remaining years of Mayor Siegle's term, Cain was overwhelmingly reelected in 1942. In 1940, Cain had lost in the primary to Dr. Bert Kerstetter. When Kerstetter died just days before the election, Cain's name was placed on the ballot. He defeated former mayor Melvin G. Tennent, who hotly contested the election. Bob O'Neil defeated Ira S. Davisson, who had served as Commissioner of Utilities since 1918. (T.Times 6/3/1940, pg. 1)

O'Neil, Robert D.; Cain, Harry P., 1906-1979; Mayors--Tacoma--1940-1950; Oaths--Tacoma; Martin, Genevieve; Municipal government--Tacoma;

Safety Award being presented in Mayor's office to Police Department and other city departments, AAA Pedestrian Protection award. Tacoma won a National Safety Plaque by the Automobile Association of America in recognition of the work done by Tacoma police and citizens to reduce pedestrian accidents. Tacoma was given third place in cities with populations from 100,000 to 500,000. (T.Times, 6/24/1947, p.3)

Police--Tacoma--1940-1950; Tacoma Police Department (Tacoma); Safety; Accidents; American Automobile Association (Tacoma); Awards;

Clinton Reynolds presents Mayor Harry P. Cain the National "Pedestrian Protection Award" for Tacoma during a March 31, 1943, ceremony at the Mayor's office in (Old) City Hall. Standing: Lyle Abrahamson, Einar Langseth, Wm. Deering, Paul Sceva, Robert Chester. ALBUM 13.

Cain, Harry P., 1906-1979; Mayors--Tacoma--1940-1950; Awards; Reynolds, Clinton S.; Abrahamson, Lyle; Langseth, Einar, 1892-1968; Deering, William; Sceva, Paul H.; Chester, Robert;

Tacoma Civilian War Council receives a check from the proceeds of a salvage drive on March 22, 1943, at the Mayor's Office in (Old) City Hall. L to R, Seated: Rev. Harold Booch of the First Congregational Church, Sam Powell, Mayor Harry P. Cain. Standing: Joe Dightman, C.N. Curtis, John Jacobs. Fraternal and civic organizations had donated their Sundays to sort the 3,000 tons of scrap collected, which was sold to mills for a total of $2,000. ALBUM 13. (TNT 3/24/1943, pg. 4)

Cain, Harry P., 1906-1979; Mayors--Tacoma--1940-1950; Scrap drives--Tacoma--1940-1950; Booch, Harold; Powell, Sam; Dightman, Joe; Curtis, C.N.; Jacobs, John;

Tacoma Mayor Harry P. Cain and Pierce County P.T.A. President Mrs. Byron Moye at the Mayor's Office in (Old) City Hall on April 27, 1943. Mrs. Moye is buying a $1000 War Bond and fulfilling a promise made the previous Saturday at the Liberty Center. Individuals who bought a Series E bond (18.75 and up) were taken on a hair-raising drive in an army jeep. Mrs. Moye pledged to buy a bond for every jeep load of women war bond buyers that afternoon. Publicity for the War Finance Board. (TNT 4/19/43, PG. 27; Cain, Harry P., 1906-1979; )

Cain, Harry P., 1906-1979; Mayors--Tacoma--1940-1950; War bonds & funds;

An overflow crowd jammed into the Council Chambers on April 16, 1943 to hear the arguments for, and against, Mayor Cain's proposed pinball ordinance, while even more people waited outside. The biggest crowd to gather at this location in 25 years discussed the issue for two hours. Those against felt the machines should be abolished. Others felt they should be watched more closely, taxed and the money used to keep children away from the machines. When the ordinance came before the City Council a few days later, it was voted down 4-1, with Mayor Cain being the only yes vote. (Times 4/16/1943, pg. 3-picture; TNT 4/16/1943, pg. 1)

Legislative hearings--Tacoma; Crowds; Overcrowding; Municipal government;

Mayor Harry P. Cain and a Mrs. Golden, "The Hormel Girl," at the mayor's office in (Old) City Hall. The comely representive of the meat packer was in town in March, 1941, along with other "Hormel Girls and Men," exchanging 1 and 2 dollar bills for Hormel labels and testimonials for the products. Residents who were stopped and had proof of Spam's metal key and/or Hormel's Chili Con Carne labels would be asked their opinions and then rewarded with the money. (T.Times 3/18.1941 p.7) ALBUM 12.

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

DeMolay boys in Mayor's office, 3rd floor of City Hall, in their annual practice of "taking over" Tacoma's city government for one day for a first hand view of government operations. Nineteen year old James Blake was made Acting Mayor for the day and sat in on the council's regular session. He urged the establishment of a civic auditorium to keep the young people of Tacoma entertained and out of trouble. The group of DeMolay members discussed civic problems with the council members and were paired for the day with department heads to learn municipal duties. The group broke for a luncheon at the Top of the Ocean. DeMolay members were students from local high schools and the College of Puget Sound. The Order of Demolay was a young male youth group (ages 14-21) sponsored by the Freemasons.(TNT 3/31/1950 pg. A3)

Teenagers--1950-1960; Order of DeMolay (Tacoma);

Bob Hager (fourth from left) received a certificate of appreciation on behalf of the Tacoma School Patrol for the past twenty years of service, the certificate was presented by AAA of Washington. More than 10,000 boys have served Tacoma schools through all types of weather. The Tacoma School Patrol had also sworn in an additional 150 officers earlier in the day. The uniformed officer at the far right is Don Davies. He was the coordinator of the School Safety Patrol while assigned to Tacom's Youth Guidance Division. (T. Times, 2/6/49, p. 28).

Awards; Rites & ceremonies--Tacoma; Guards--Tacoma; Tacoma City Hall (Tacoma); Tacoma School Patrol (Tacoma);Hager, Bob;

The Order of Demolay for Boys Tacoma Chapter would be holding a special meeting at Royal A. Gove Hall, located on South 38th Street and Sheridan Avenue, to install new club officers. The club's committee chairmen in charge of the ceremony and installations were: James Pittman, Bruce Eberly, Bruce Galloway, Ted Barber, Ray Killingbeck and James Beebe. View of club members (T.N.T., 3/27/49, p. A-10).

Boys--Tacoma--1940-1950; Offices--Tacoma--1940-1950; Clubs--Tacoma; Meetings--Tacoma; Rites & ceremonies--Tacoma; Order of DeMolay (Tacoma); Tacoma City Hall (Tacoma);

View of the City of Tacoma Board of Contracts and Awards members: A. M. Angove, City Purchasing Agent and Secretary of the Board; L. W. (Roy) Craig, Finance Commissioner; Mayor C. Val Fawcett, Chairman; and Lyle Lemley, City Controller. The Board of Contracts and Awards supervise the operations of the municipal plant and shops (T.N.T., 9/4/49, p. A-8).

Municipal officials--Tacoma--1940-1950; Meetings--Tacoma--1940-1950; Municipal government--Tacoma--1940-1950; Tacoma City Hall (Tacoma); Fawcett, Clarence Valdo, 1900-1965;

ca. 1979. Old City Hall. Designed in the style of "fifteenth-century Italian town hall architecture," the six-story building was constructed in 1892. It became "Old" City Hall upon the opening of the County-City Building in 1959. Saved from demolition, it was restored as a shopping center with grand opening in 1974. In 1980 it was converted into an office building. The 32-square foot tower had its bell chimes restored in late 1993. The Old City Hall is on the City, State, and National Registry.

Old City Hall (Tacoma);