Three generations at the June 3, 1946, swearing in of Tacoma Mayor Val Fawcett. Left to Right: wife Linda, granddaughter Linda, Mayor Fawcett, mother Margaret (widow of Mayor A.V. Fawcett) and daughter Margaret. The City of Tacoma got a new mayor and two new councilmen on Monday morning, June 3rd, as Val Fawcett and L.W. (Roy) Craig (new Finance Commissioner) and Robert S. Temme (new Public Safety Commissioner) took the oath of office. Mayor Fawcett was no stranger to the office of mayor - he had managed the dual role of acting mayor and finance commissioner for 2.5 years while Harry P. Cain was on military leave with the Army. Harry Cain had vacated the mayor's post to run for U.S. Senate. ALBUM 14 (TNT 6-2-42, A-1-article)

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

Mayor John Anderson accepts an invitation from the Greater Seattle Gospel Crusade's Official Committee, Tacoma division, to hear evangelist Billy Graham speak during the summer of 1951. Mr. Graham is coming to Seattle for a series of revivals beginning July 29, 1951, to be held at the Memorial High School Stadium. Choir director Cliff Barrows and gospel singer George Beverly Shea will be accompanying Mr. Graham. From left to right are Rev. Don R. Rogne, Mayor Anderson, A.W. Pitts and Rev. Harris G. Hunter. Special arrangements are being made for Tacomans to attend the August 3rd revival as it has been designated as Tacoma Night. Photograph commissioned by Rev. Harris G. Hunter, pastor of the Tahoma Terrace United Presbyterian Church. (TNT 7-29-51, A-10) ALBUM 16.

Anderson, John H.; Mayors--Tacoma--1950-1960; Graham, Billy; Revivals; Rogne, Don R.; Pitts, A.W.; Hunter, Harris G.; Clergy;

Tacoma Mayor "Big John" Anderson with two members of the Pierce County Association of Catholic War Veterans at the Mayor's Office in (Old) City Hall. On March 13, 1952, Mayor Anderson received the "Cross of Peace" from Lew Turner (L), state commander of the Catholic War Veterans organization and Peter J. Schmalz, commander of the Pierce County chapter of the C.W.V. ALBUM 14. (TNT 3-14-52, A-6)

Mayors--Tacoma--1950-1960; Anderson, John H.; Veterans' organizations--Tacoma--1950-1960; Turner, Lew; Schmalz, Peter J.;

Sepia photograph of new city officers at (Old) City Hall. Left to Right: Frank Callender, C. Val Fawcett, Mayor George A. Smitley, Abner R. Bergersen, Ira S. Davisson. Mr. Callender and Mayor Smitley won election bids on March 13, 1934, but were not sworn in until June 4, 1934. Mr. Smitley defeated Dr. John C. Siegle by 5325 votes while Frank Callender was elected as the new Public Safety Commissioner. Voters also rejected the city manager proposal whereby freeholders would have been elected on May 1st in order that the city charter might be revised to provide for a city manager plan. Val Fawcett had been re-elected Finance Commissioner; he, the new mayor, and Mr. Callender took oaths of office on June 4th administered by city clerk, Genevieve Martin. Mr. Bergersen was already Public Works Commissioner and Mr. Davisson, Public Utilities Commissioner. These men composed the re-organized city council. (T.Times, 3-14-34, p. 1, 6-4-34, p. 1) ALBUM 11.

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

C. Val Fawcett takes the oath as City Finance Commissioner for the third time from Clerk Genevieve Martin at (old) City Hall on June 6, 1938. Newly installed Mayor John C. Siegle looks on smilingly. Mr. Fawcett would serve multiple terms as finance commissioner for the city. He would go on to become acting mayor during Mayor Harry P. Cain's absence during WWII and then be elected mayor in March, 1946. In 1938, Ms. Martin had already held the position of City Clerk for 16 years. (T.Times, 6-6-38, p. 14)

Fawcett, Clarence Valdo, 1900-1965; Oaths--Tacoma; Mayors--Tacoma--1930-1940; Siegle, John C., 1885-1939; Martin, Genevieve;

Mayor George A. Smitley buying a Forget-Me-Not or "Buddy Poppy" from a volunteer worker representing the Disabled American Veterans at his office in (Old) City Hall. He is in the process of handing over a check as a donation to Viola Wilson. Miss Wilson is the daughter of Virgil Wilson, state commander of disabled veterans, and the youngest member of the women's auxiliary here. The proceeds of the two-day sale will go to rehabiliation efforts of the veterans' organizations. Sepia photograph taken on September 25, 1935. 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;

Mayor George Smitley (R) shakes hands with El Haren, newspaper astrologer, during his visit to Tacoma. El Haren's column was carried by the Tacoma Times for a limited time; the Times ran this photo on May 12, 1937. Free daily advice was dispensed by America's "most celebrated astrologer" with replies printed in the Times. For $1.00 and a 6 cent self-addressed stamped envelope, El Haren provided a complete astrological reading and answered three questions free. If the reader chose to save money, he/she would be entitled to one free question using the Times coupon. The newspaper was apparently swamped with thousands of requests during the astrologer's short stay here. Samples of questions and El Haren's answers can be found in the Tacoma Times issues of May 11, 12, 14 and 17, 1937. (T.Times 5-10-37, p. 7, 5-11-37, p. 8, 5-12-37, p. 4, 5-14-37, p. 16, 5-17-37, p. 4) ALBUM 11.

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

Sepia photograph of City Controller Tom Swayze, Mayor George Smitley and Utilities Commissioner Ira Davisson at (Old) City Hall on May 25, 1936; the city officials are signing contracts with St. Regis Kraft Co which will enable the pulp industry, idle since 1930, to reopen and remodernize facilities. The city would supply millions of gallons of water and hundreds of electrical horsepower daily. Utilities Commissioner Davisson is holding a check from Kraft for $10,000 to begin service. Mr. Davisson, furthest right in the photograph, was a longtime Public Utilities Commissioner first appointed in November, 1918. He led Tacoma's utilities through difficult times in the 1920's and 30's and managed to improve service while keeping rates low. During his long tenure, a 25-million gallon North End Reservoir was built in 1927, and Mr. Davisson worked to extend water service to the Tideflats which helped the growth of industrial development. He was finally voted out of office in 1940 at age 80. ALBUM 11. (Seattle/King Co. HistoryLink.org, T.Times, 5-26-36, p. 2)

Mayors--Tacoma--1930-1940; Smitley, George A., 1872-1956; Swayze, Tom; Davisson, Ira; Municipal government--Tacoma;

On August 28, 1947 C.V. Fawcett, the current Mayor of Tacoma and the reigning Pacific Coast Mayors' Salmon Derby champion, squeezed in a few extra minutes of practice for the upcoming competition in his City Hall office. The mayor had barely a moment to spare as the derby was scheduled to take place on Saturday, August 30th in Ilwaco. Dressed in fisherman's waders and a warm plaid jacket, Mr. Fawcett was photographed diligently studying the book "Salmon Fishing on Puget Sound" while dangling his (unbaited) hook over a metal bucket. He hoped to repeat his triumph of the previous year when he hauled in a 22-pound salmon, handily defeating mayors from California, Portland and other Pacific Coast cities. And should people scoff at the mayor's unusual bucket training, it must be stated that he had employed the same technique the year he won. Mayor Fawcett managed to pull in a 25 lb. fish, winning the 1947 derby. (TNT 8-29-71, p. 1) TPL-8264

Mayors--Tacoma--1940-1950; Fawcett, Clarence Valdo, 1900-1965; Fishing; Fishermen--Tacoma--1940-1950; Fishing & hunting gear;

ca. 1934. Sepia portrait of Tacoma Mayor George A. Smitley at (Old) City Hall. A native of Fort Wayne, Indiana, Mr. Smitley was a traveling salesman for the Majestic Manufacturing Co. for twelve years. He came to Tacoma in 1905 and worked for the C.E. Horton Furniture Co. for nine years. While in Tacoma, Mr. Smitley joined the Elks Club, eventually becoming the secretary and manager. His association with many civic and social groups, including the Elks, Masons, Lions, Tacoma Gun Club and Shriners, may have assisted him when he made a successful bid in 1934 for the mayor's seat. He had held no previous political office prior to becoming mayor. During his tenure as mayor, Fort Nisqually Reconstruction was officially dedicated and President Roosevelt whistlestopped in Tacoma. ALBUM 11, ALBUM 16.

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

ca. 1934. Portrait of Tacoma Mayor George A. Smitley in his office at (Old) City Hall. Mr. Smitley succeeded two-time mayor, Melvin G. Tennent, as the city's chief executive. Formerly a traveling salesman, furniture company manager and Elks secretary/manager, Mr. Smitley won election in March, 1934, despite never holding a political office. During his administration, Franklin Roosevelt visited Tacoma on a brief stopover and Fort Nisqually's reconstruction efforts took place. ALBUM 11.

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

ca. 1934. Portrait of Mayor George A. Smitley in his office at (Old) City Hall. In this 1934 sepia photograph, Mr. Smitley is wearing a three-piece suit; he has one hand resting on the mayor's desk. Having held no previous political office, he succeeded two-term mayor Melvin G. Tennent. A former salesman, furniture company manager and Elks Club secretary/manager, and well known in Tacoma, Mr. Smitley was mayor for one four-year term. He was married in 1930 to Mrs. W.C. (Isabel) Bowen. ALBUM 11.

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

Mayor George A. Smitley with Rhododendron Queen Myrtle Olson and American Legion Post Commander Paul Chaplain at mayor's office in (Old) City Hall. Photograph ordered by the Seattle Star. Rhododendron Days on the Olympic Peninsula would celebrate the blooming of the state's official flower May 22-23, 1936. Most of the festivities would be centered in Port Townsend. Queen Myrtle will reign over sporting events, parades and flower tours. (T. Times 5/15/1936, pg. 1)

Smitley, George A., 1872-1956; Olson, Myrtle; Rhododendrons; Mayors--Tacoma--1930-1940; Festivals--Port Townsend--1930-1940; Chaplain, Paul; American Legion (Tacoma);

Norman J. Maddex, City Light department wireman, suspended by cables to work on relamping the (Old) City Hall tower clock. "Relamping" is the term used for replacing the burned out light globes and defective wiring. He is dangling in a boatswain's chair, a board slung in the loops of a bowline knot. In addition to his precarious perch, the men handling the cables above him had to be careful of loose tiles that could send them hurtling to the street below. The work had been delayed for some time as financially hard pressed city departments argued about whose budget the job should be charged to. (T. Times 11-15-1935, pg. 3)

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

Mayor John C. Siegle and two appointees admire flowers sent for the mayor's swearing in ceremony at (Old) City Hall on June 6, 1938. Blossoms of many varieties decorate the mayor's chambers. Flanking the new mayor are William J. Ganz and C. Amos Booth, the mayor's nominees for Secretary to the Mayor and Superintendent, Refuse Collection division, respectively. The mayor's first official act was to submit to the new council his appointments. They were confirmed during the first session. (T. Times, 6-6-38, p. 14) ALBUM 11.

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

John C. Siegle held up his right hand as he was sworn in as Mayor on June 6, 1938, by City Clerk Genevieve Martin. Standing by the wall, between them, are Holmes Eastwood, Safety Commissioner, wearing a sports jacket and light colored slacks, and C. Val Fawcett, Finance Commissioner. Dr. Siegle succeeded George A. Smitley as mayor. In Dr. Siegle's address, he pledged his efforts towards securing new industries, helping those already here, and promoting the Narrows Bridge project. Dr. Siegle, a dentist, was the first mayor of Tacoma to be born in Tacoma. He died April 12, 1939 less then one year after taking office. (T. Times, 6-6-38, p. 1, 14)

Mayors--Tacoma--1930-1940; Siegle, John C., 1885-1939; Oaths--Tacoma; Fawcett, Clarence Valdo, 1900-1965; Eastwood, Holmes; Martin, Genevieve;

On May 25, 1938, Mayor George A. Smitley, in his office at (old) City Hall, bought a "Buddy Poppy" from Mary Lee Burrows (L) and Elizabeth Armstrong, the youngest members of the American Legion Rhodes Post Auxiliary. Buddy Poppies were assembled by disabled and/or needy veterans and proceeds used for veterans welfare. (T.Times).

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

Mrs. Jess Dannen of the American Legion Auxiliary, Rhodes post, pins a "Buddy Poppy" on Tacoma Mayor J.J. Kaufman at (Old) City Hall on May 23, 1939. Mayor Kaufman was the first to buy a poppy during Tacoma's Poppy Days. These paper poppies were made by disabled veterans in a Walla Walla hospital and sold to raise funds for veterans relief. ALBUM 11, ALBUM 16. (T.Times 5-25-39, p. 4)

Mayors--Tacoma--1930-1940; Kaufman, Joseph J.; American Legion Auxiliary (Tacoma); Fund raising--Tacoma--1930-1940;

Four Girl Scouts selling Mayor J. J. Kaufman a copy of the Golden Jubilee Program at his office in (Old) City Hall on July 18, 1939. Mayor Kaufman is perusing the "Fifty Years of Progress Washington Golden Jubilee Celebration" book as the young girls look on. Tacoma was awarded the official statehood jubilee celebration; over 100,000 residents enjoyed a 14-mile parade and rain failed to dampen outdoor dances and pageants. ALBUM 11.

Washington State Golden Jubilee, 1939--Tacoma; Mayors--Tacoma--1930-1940; Kaufman, Joseph J.; Girl Scouts (Tacoma);

ca. 1893. Tacoma Public Library on 5th floor of Old City Hall. The three statues in the large room were purchased by City Librarian William Curtis Taylor and donated to the library. Mr. Taylor had decorated the library with several busts and frames paid for by himself. The library had previously been located in the Ball Block, 919-21 Broadway, before its move to Old City Hall, 625 Commerce St., in 1893. Mr. Taylor had been the librarian since 1892 and was appointed by Mayor Huson as City Librarian in 1894 when the library came under the control of the City of Tacoma. (Tacoma Daily Ledger, 4-22-1896-article)

Tacoma Public Library (Tacoma); Public libraries--Tacoma--1890-1900; Old City Hall (Tacoma); Statues--Tacoma--1890-1900;

City Refuse Department office in Tacoma's Old City Hall. Three women and three men are working in the office. Flowers decorate the office desks, and a calander from the Tacoma Savings & Loan Association hangs on the back wall. The "Spanish steps", next to the Elks Building, can be seen through the window.

City Refuse Department (Tacoma); Refuse disposal--Tacoma--1930-1940