On August 12, 1955, Mayor Harold Tollefson christened a new Trailways bus at the Trailway Bus Depot, 114-116 So. 8th St. The unidentified members of an all girl accordion band, in satin skirts with matching beanies and slippers, looked on in varying states of surprise. Three of the accordions had advertisement on them for the "Vista Liner." The luxury Continental Trailways "Vista Liner 100" bus being unveiled at the station on 8th and Pacific Ave. The fleet of new liners was being placed in service on Trailways' Evergreen routes from Seattle to San Diego and Los Angeles to San Francisco. The term "Vista Liner" refers to the raised rear deck with skylights for full enjoyment of passing scenery. The bus features contour seating with adjustable headrests, FM background music, springs to absorb road shock and facing seats with card tables. (TNT 8/10/1955, pg. B-1) TPL-8354

Tollefson, Harold M., 1908-1985; Mayors--Tacoma--1950-1960; Buses--Tacoma; Bus terminals--Tacoma; Accordions;

Mayor John H. Anderson meets with Elder Osgood of the Seventh Day Adventists and several others for a publicity picture on March 26, 1953. There are several large white cans marked "SDA Disaster Kit", holding emergency supplies for household use in case of disaster, while Mayor Anderson displays an American Red Cross medical kit. DeWitt Osgood is the pastor of the Central Seventh Day Adventist Church. His and other Seventh Day Adventist churches worked together to assemble these emergency kits; bandages, antiseptics, splints, dressings, and water purification tablets were some of the supplies contained in each kit. (TNT 3-22-53, A-15)

Anderson, John H.; Osgood, DeWitt; Disaster relief--Tacoma;

Members of 80 veteran's organizations braved record heat on Memorial Day 1956 to hear an address by U.S. Senator Warren G. Magnuson, Washington Democrat, at Mountain View Memorial Park in Lakewood. "Maggie" defeated Lt. Col., and Tacoma Mayor, Harry P. Cain for the Senate seat vacated by Homer T. Bone in 1944 and served 6 terms, losing in 1980 to Slade Gorton. Senator Magnuson sat on powerful committees while in office, including Commerce, Interstate & Foreign Commerce, and Appropriations. He was a war veteran, attaining the rank of Lieutenant Commander in the U.S. Navy during WWII and claiming membership in the Amvets, Veterans of Foreign Wars and the American Legion. A graduate of the University of Washington and the University of Washington Law School, Senator Magnuson resumed the practice of law following his political loss of 1980; he died in Seattle on May 20, 1989. ALBUM 4.

Magnuson, Warren G., 1905-1989; Legislators--Washington--1950-1960;

On June 7, 1956, the original artwork of the 1956 Tacoma telephone directory was presented to the City of Tacoma by an unidentified representative of Pacific Telephone & Telegraph Co. Mayor John Anderson (left) graciously accepted the framed gift. ALBUM 14.

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

Mayor John Anderson (left) accepts from an unidentified representative of Pacific Telephone & Telegraph the original artwork for the cover of the 1956 Tacoma telephone directory. Illustrated are familiar local sights including Mt. Rainier, downtown Tacoma, ships at dockside and even two fishermen trying their luck. The actual directory cover would be somewhat modified as seen in D99640, image 2. ALBUM 14.

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

ca. 1959. Imposing entrance of the new County-City building, an soaring glass and aluminum structure designed by A. Gordon Lumm. Lumm was the controversial selection of the County Commissioners as architect. His selection raised the ire of the local architects as he was the only one who did not participate in the free preliminary work performed by the architects' society. Bids for the construction of the original design came in 3 1/2 million higher than available funds. Voters approved an additional $3,700,00 in a bond issue to make up the difference. The building was finally constructed according to the original design and dedicated on April 10, 1959. (TNT 4/7/1959, pg. B1+)

County-City Building (Tacoma);

Governor Albert D. Rosellini with a group of Pierce County Democrats at a testimonial dinner for the governor. Ethel Rosellini, the governor's wife, is flanked by her husband (R) and State Attorney General John J. O'Connell. Standing are P.C. Democratic party chairman George Sheridan and John McCutcheon, county prosecutor and the evening's master of ceremonies. The Fellowship Hall dinner replaced the usual Jefferson-Jackson day fund raiser and was planned so that the governor could make a direct report to Pierce County residents regarding the progress of his administration. Albert Rosellini was born to immigrant parents in Tacoma in 1910. An attorney, he was elected to the State Senate in 1938 and championed liberal causes including juvenile justice reform and transportation improvements. His first term as governor saw the modernization of the mental health system, increased aid to colleges and universities, creation of a separate justice and prison system for juveniles, merit system for state employees and establishment of the Department of Commerce and Economic Development. He made effective use of the state's first televised debates between gubernatorial candidates and defeated State Supt. of Public Instruction Lloyd Andrews in his re-election bid. Attempting a third consecutive term, he lost the 1964 elections to Republican State House leader, Dan Evans. Subsequent tries for the King County Executive and governor were not successful. In 1988, the state renamed the Evergreen Floating Bridge, the world's longest floating bridge, for the governor who pushed its construction. ALBUM 10. (Seattle/King Co. HistoryLink.org; TNT 5-4-58, A-7, TNT 5-10-58, p. 1)

Governors; Rosellini, Albert D.; Rosellini, Ethel; O'Connell, John J.; Sheridan, George; McCutcheon, John;

April 10, 1959, saw the dedication of the new County-City Building, 930 Tacoma Avenue South. The 9 1/2 million dollar project was finally completed after years of delay. Although voters had approved its construction in November of 1952, it took until July of 1956 for building to start. A large number of business people, politicians, civic leaders and everyday Tacomans attended the ceremony. In the background, the doomed old Pierce County Courthouse awaited its demolition. It would make way for parking for the new facility.

County-City Building (Tacoma); Dedications--Tacoma--1950-1960; Building dedications--Tacoma--1950-1960; Pierce County Courthouse (Tacoma); Crowds--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Governor Albert D. Rosellini addresses his audience outside the new County-City Building during dedication ceremonies in April, 1959. Seated in the group behind the governor are members of the police, service organizations, and councilmen, including Mayor Ben Hanson, in the second row, and John Anderson, third row. Wearing a crown in the front row is Pat Baldwin, the Queen of Anchorage Alaska's Fur Rendevoux, in Tacoma for the Daffodil Festival's Salute to Alaska. To her right is the 1959 Daffodil Queen Carol Mills.

Rosellini, Albert D.; Governors; County-City Building (Tacoma); Dedications--Tacoma--1950-1960; Hanson, Ben; Anderson, John H.; Baldwin, Pat; Mills, Carol;

On September 13, 1968, Mayor A.L. Rasmussen extended his congratulations to the Central Area Progressive Improvement Association for their new status as the non-profit sponsor of FHA-assisted low-income home sales. Wallace Walker, Sr., president of the association (at left), is pictured grasping the hand of Mayor Rasmussen at the association's headquarters, 922 So. K St. (now Martin Luther King Jr. Way). Andrew Hess, Federal Housing Administration regional director, is on the extreme right. The Central Area Progressive Improvement Association would purchase older homes, rehabilitate them, and sell them to low-income families. The families would be responsible for repaying FHA loans at 3% interest. Photograph ordered by the Tacoma-Pierce County Opportunity & Development, Inc. (TNT 9-14-68, p. 7+ - alt. photograph & article)

Rasmussen, Albert Lawrence; Mayors--Tacoma--1960-1970; Walker, Wallace; Hess, Andrew; Central Area Progressive Improvement Association (Tacoma);

Governor Albert D. Rosellini and his three daughters (l to r) Lynn, Janey, and Sue Ann were all ready in July of 1964 to go doorbell ringing with other Democratic candidates in the 29th District. He was seeking a third term as governor. Despite Lyndon Johnson's national landslide, the Republicans captured Washington's governor's office when Dan Evans, an engineer and Republican State House Leader, ran a strong campaign to unseat the incumbent. Mr. Rosellini entered the King County Executive race in 1969 and challenged Mr. Evans' bid for an unprecedented third consecutive term in 1972, but he was unsuccessful in both attempts. After his retirement from politics, Governor Rosellini resumed his former occupation of attorney. ALBUM 10. (TNT 7-19-64, p. 2)

Governors; Rosellini, Albert D.; Rosellini, Albert D.--Family; Rosellini, Lynn; Rosellini, Sue Ann; Rosellini, Janey; Fathers & children--Tacoma; Political campaigns;

Mayor Ben Hanson, in catcher's crouch, posed with Tacoma Giants general manager W.D. "Rosy" Ryan (wearing mitt) and officials of the Harmony Chapter #18, Disabled American Veterans, on February 4, 1960. Ernie Roberts, Western Washington chief of staff for the DAV, was clutching a Mickey Mantle Louisville slugger. Baseball memorabilia, including a Giants uniform, was on display in cases behind the men. Mayor Hanson and Mr. Ryan pledged their support for the Disabled American Veterans convention coming to Tacoma in July of 1960, while Robert Stelzer and Loyd E. Ireland looked on. Mr. Ryan also indicated that veterans would receive every consideration for jobs at the new Ben Cheney Stadium and concessions. Photograph ordered by Ernie Roberts. (TNT 2-8-60, p. 3)

Mayors--Tacoma--1960-1970; Hanson, Ben; Ryan, W.D.; Roberts, Ernie; Stelzer, Robert; Ireland, Loyd E.; Baseball--Tacoma--1960-1970; Disabled veterans; Veterans;

ca. 1960. 1960 Richards stock footage- the County-City Building, taken from Tacoma Avenue South. This twelve story central structure towers 167 feet above the street level. The court wing sits to the left and the law enforcement wing to the right. The glass and aluminum building was dedicated in April of 1959 and built from a design by architect A. Gordon Lumm. The building is still in use and the central structure looks much the same, however the side wings have been remodeled and greatly expanded.

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

Newly-elected Mayor A.L. "Slim" Rasmussen shares a plaque with an unidentified woman; there is a large metal key mounted on the wooden plaque with a description beneath, "Tacoma All America All Electric City." Rasmussen defeated 3-term mayor Harold Tollefson in the November general elections. At that time he was a machinist-inspector at the Northern Pacific Railroad roundhouse and had served 22 years in the state legislature. Photograph ordered by Tacoma-Pierce County Economic Opportunity.

Rasmussen, Albert Lawrence; Mayors--Tacoma--1960-1970; Plaques--Tacoma; Keys (Hardware);

Moments prior to the official ribbon cutting dedicating the inaugural halfway house for the Tacoma Narcotics Center, Senator Warren G. Magnuson addressed the waiting crowd. He stated that "this center can be the hope that lights the end of the tunnel for many who have been caught in the spiral of drug abuse." Initial $534,000 funding of the project was obtained from the Office of Economic Opportunity; however, Senator Magnuson feared that budget cuts might impact severely additional funding past September, 1968. He pledged his continuing support of the project. Seated near Senator Magnuson were Tacoma Mayor A.L. "Slim" Rasmussen and City Manager David Rowlands on one side and project director Robert Roberton, the center's Advisory Board chairman George Hess, and George W. Johnson, executive director of the sponsoring Opportunity Development, Inc., on his other side. (TNT 4-14-68, A-10, TNT 4-17-68, A-4) ALBUM 4.

Magnuson, Warren G., 1905-1989; Legislators--Washington--1960-1970; Public speaking--Tacoma; Dedications--Tacoma--1960-1970; Rasmussen, Albert Lawrence; Mayors--Tacoma--1960-1970; Rowlands, David; Roberton, Robert; Hess, George; Johnson, George W.;

On July 9, 1968, Governor Dan Evans, right, paid a visit to the free summer camp, administered by the Tacoma-Pierce County Opportunity & Development, Inc., at Camp Murray. He was pictured speaking to Harold Moss (in profile), who would become Tacoma's first black mayor in 1994. George W. Johnson, executive director of the Opportunity & Development Inc., stood between them. (Photograph ordered by the Tacoma-Pierce County Opportunity & Development, Inc.)

Evans, Daniel J., 1925-; Governors; Johnson, George W.; Moss, Harold; Tacoma-Pierce County Opportunity & Development, Inc. (Tacoma); American Lake (Wash.); Camp Murray (Wash.);

Newly-elected Mayor A.L. "Slim" Rasmussen poses with two women at the County-City Building on November 29, 1967. Rasmussen had defeated incumbent Harold Tollefson in the recent general election. Photograph ordered by Tacoma-Pierce County Economic Opportunity.

Rasmussen, Albert Lawrence; Mayors--Tacoma--1960-1970;

Senator Warren G. Magnuson had the honor of cutting the ribbon at the dedication of Tacoma Narcotics Center's halfway house on April 16, 1968. Mayor A.L. "Slim" Rasmussen, center, (holding ribbon) was one of 125 city, county and state officials who attended the ceremony. Founded by a $534,000 grant from the Office of Economic Opportunity, the new facility on Fawcett Avenue was the first of three proposed units to rehabilitate narcotic users. It had taken several months and several different locations before this site was finally chosen. Because the grant from the O.E.O. only extended to September, 1968, Senator Magnuson pledged his support in an effort to maintain funding. (TNT 4-14-68, A-10, TNT 4-17-68, A-4) ALBUM 4.

Magnuson, Warren G., 1905-1989; Legislators--Washington--1960-1970; Dedications--Tacoma--1960-1970; Rasmussen, Albert Lawrence; Mayors--Tacoma--1960-1970;

Governor's inspection tour of O.D.I. summer camp. Governor Dan Evans (L) is being interviewed on July 9, 1968, as he inspects the free summer camp held at Camp Murray. Governor Evans had announced earlier in the spring that the National Guard facility would be made available for 3000 Tacoma-area youngsters age 7-21 to attend a free summer camp. Next to Governor Evans is believed to be Paul Tanaka, the camp's director. The governor also took time to meet the camp's youngsters and put them at ease by telling them of his small sons' own camping adventures - in the back yard of the governor's mansion using their dad's tent. Photograph ordered by Tacoma-Pierce County Opportunity & Development, Inc. (TNT 7-10-68, p. 1-article)

Evans, Daniel J., 1925-; Governors; Interviews; Camp Murray (Wash.); Tacoma-Pierce County Opportunity & Development, Inc. (Tacoma);

On June 12, 1968 Wallace Walker, Sr. (seated at center) and a group of members and officers of the Central Area Progressive Improvement Association met with Mayor A.L. "Slim" Rasmussen in the mayor's conference room at the County-City Building, 930 Tacoma Avenue South. The Association, a non-profit self-help organization with 475 members had just received a Credit Union charter from the State of Washington. The non-profit group, composed of various ethnic, religious and political groups, sought to promote the development and well-being of the Central Area of Tacoma. It was led by Wallace Walker, Sr., president. Standing L-R: R.E.E. Hutchine, Jimmie Smith, Vernal Garrett, Lou Skala, Louie Johnson and vice-president Anthony Clark. Seated are treasurer Vernon Garrett, president Wallace Walker, Sr., and Mayor Rasmussen. (TNT 6-17-68, p. 10)

Rasmussen, Albert Lawrence; Mayors--Tacoma--1960-1970; Central Area Progressive Improvement Association (Tacoma); Meetings--Tacoma--1960-1970;

Pierce County legislators to the House of Representatives gathered together to discuss pending legislation when the 33rd State Legislature convened in January, 1953. Tom Montgomery, Gordon Brown, Elmer Hyppa and Joe Macek are pictured behind Brown's desk. Governor Arthur B. Langlie, in his Inaugural address, urged an austerity program with a balanced budget, no new state taxes and trimmed appropriations. Even with a Republican controlled legislature, approval of the program would not be automatic. (TNT 1-15-53, p. 1)

Legislators--Washington--1950-1960; Montgomery, Tom; Brown, Gordon; Hyppa, Elmer; Macek, Joe;

ca. 1960. The County-City Building, dedicated in April of 1959, over 7 years after the voters' approval, and designed by A. Gordon Lumm. The building stretches over 2 city blocks and was built at a cost of 9 1/2 million dollars; 3 1/2 million over the original amount approved by the voters. Shown is the four story law enforcement wing that was completed and occupied last. It housed both the Pierce County Sheriffs and the Tacoma Police Department. It is connected to the twelve story central structure. The photograph is taken from the intersection of 9th and Tacoma Ave. South with the structure facing onto Tacoma Ave. So. Photograph from the 1960 Richards stock files.

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

Governor Albert D. Rosellini with a group of Pierce County Democrats. Seated next to the governor and Mrs. Rosellini is former Pierce County prosecutor and current State Attorney General, John J. O'Connell. Standing are George Sheridan, Democratic party county chairman and John McCutcheon, current county prosecutor. The group was captured in a photograph taken on May 9, 1958, at a testimonial dinner given in honor of Governor Rosellini at the Fellowship Hall. The governor spoke about the 30 million dollar deficit he inherited from Republican Arthur B. Langlie and stated that he had saved the state 20 million, due to cutbacks in operating costs of state offices and vigorous collection of taxes from out-of-state corporations dba in Washington. Governor Rosellini was then in his first term as chief executive. The son of immigrants, he studied law at the University of Washington and became a well-known Seattle attorney. After employment in Warren G. Magnuson's King County Prosecutor's office, Mr. Rosellini won election to the State Senate in 1938 where he remained until his assumption of the governor's seat in 1956. Under his leadership, the legislature passed enabling legislation for the Municipality of Metropolitan Seattle (Metro, now part of King County) and the Seattle's "Century 21" world's fair. In addition, he was able to create a separate justice and prison system for juveniles, accelerate road construction and modernize the mental health system. He was the legislative father of the University of Washington's medical/dental schools and a supporter of higher education. Albert Rosellini was the first Italian-American and first Catholic governor west of the Mississippi. A portrait of Mr. Rosellini's early life and active career in politics was captured in Payton Smith's 1997 work, "Rosellini: Immigrants' Son and Progressive Governor." (Seattle/King Co. HistoryLink.org; TNT 5-4-58, A-7, TNT 5-10-58, p. 1) ALBUM 10.

Governors; Rosellini, Albert D.; Rosellini, Ethel; O'Connell, John; Sheridan, George; McCutcheon, John;

Tacoma Mall Office Building dedication. Newly elected Tacoma mayor, Gordon Johnston (far right) helped to officially dedicate the Tacoma Mall Office Building on December 12, 1969. The six-story building was one of the first new major office buildings constructed in Tacoma in many years. Located just off Pine Street, the Tacoma Mall Office Building is still in use in 2006. The other two men in the photograph are not positively identified but may have been owners of the building. Photograph ordered by Center Offices, Inc. (TNT 12-13-69, p. 28 -article)

Johnston, Gordon N.; Mayors--Tacoma--1960-1970; Building dedications--Tacoma--1960-1970; Tacoma Mall Office Building (Tacoma);

In November of 1969, Mayor-elect Gordon Johnston assisted three Senior Girl Scouts in wrapping Christmas presents for the needy. The gifts would be distributed at the third annual Tacoma-Pierce County Opportunities Development, Inc. (ODI) Christmas party, to be held in several different locations in 1969 in order to accommodate more children. Assisting the mayor-elect, the honorary chairman of the citywide celebration, are: (l-r) Jane Evans, Diana Moser and Nancy Nelson. Publicity photo for Tacoma - Pierce County ODI . ALBUM 14. (TNT 11-30-69, A-17)

Johnston, Gordon N.; Mayors--Tacoma--1970-1980; Girl Scouts (Tacoma); Christmas presents; Evans, Jane; Moser, Diana; Nelson, Nancy;

Mayor A.L. "Slim" Rasmussen affixes his signature to a document proclaiming October 11-18, 1969, as "Scandinavian Days." Displaying examples of Scandinavian handicrafts are Mrs. Arvilla Dabroe, publicity chair (L) and Mrs. A. Victor Johnson (R), chairman of the Leif Erikson Memorial Committee. Hartley Kantor, promotion chairman of the Tacoma Downtown Association and Dennis Rowley, co-chairman of the "Scandinavian Days" event, are also pictured above. Scandinavian handicrafts, heirlooms and artifacts will be on display in downtown stores' windows during this time. Photograph ordered by the Downtown Tacoma Association. (TNT 10-5-69, A-19)

Rasmussen, Albert Lawrence; Mayors--Tacoma--1960-1970; Dabroe, Arvilla; Johnson, A. Victor--Family; Kantor, Hartley; Rowley, Dennis; Proclamations;

Washington Governor Dr. Dixy Lee Ray attends the annual meeting of the Downtown Tacoma Association on March 7, 1978, where she was the feature speaker. She indicated that she would ensure the Tacoma Spur met no delay from environmental opposition. Dr. Ray stated that she did not want a repeat of the I-90 situation in Seattle. She praised the business community for the self-improvement Tacoma has already shown. Governor Ray was then in the middle of her sole term as state chief executive. She was the first woman governor of Washington and the first woman, and last chairperson, of the Atomic Energy Commission. Born in Tacoma in 1914 in a working-class family, she worked her way through college to emerge with a doctorate in zoology from Stanford University. She served on the faculty of the University of Washington, specializing in marine biology, and was the director of Seattle's Pacific Science Center before accepting an appointment by President Nixon to the Atomic Energy Commission. She made a successful bid for the governor's chair in November, 1976, defeating Republican John D. Spellman. Following her term in office, she retired to her Fox Island home and co-authored two books on environmentalists with her biographer, Lou Guzzo. Dr. Ray died on January 2, 1994 at the age of 79. Photograph ordered by the Downtown Tacoma Association. ALBUM 10. (Seattle/King Co. HistoryLink.org; TNT 3-8-78, A-5)

Governors; Ray, Dixy Lee, 1914-1994; Meetings--Tacoma--1970-1980;

1971 Richards color stock footage. Oath of office. County officials and judges take the oath of office on January 11, 1971, before seated Pierce County Commissioners Patrick J. Gallagher and George Sheridan. Among those standing was Clay Huntington, who would take his place as the newly elected commissioner. Those participating in swearing-in ceremonies included newly elected auditor Ken Johnston, new judge Frank Ruff of Gig Harbor, and re-elected officials: Prosecutor Ron Hendry, Clerk Don Perry, Coroner Jack Davelaar, Sheriff Carl Petersen, Treasurer Maurice Raymond (in dark hornrims), judges Filis Otto, Waldo Stone and Willard Hedlund. (TNT 1-11-71, p. 29- article)

County government--Washington; Oaths--Tacoma; Sheridan, George; Gallagher, Patrick J.; Huntington, Clay; Johnston, Ken; Ruff, Frank; Hendry, Ron; Perry, Don; Davelaar, Jack; Petersen, Carl; Raymond, Maurice; Otto, Filis; Stone, Waldo; Hedlund, Willard;

On February 17, 1972, Mayor Gordon N. Johnston (third from left in red tie) joined Tacoma Athletic Commission president Frank Ruffo (far left) and Pierce County Commissioner Clay Huntington (second from right) in congratulating boxing coach Joe Clough and Tacoma Boys Club boxer Ray Seales for their outstanding achievements. Clough and Seales received symbolic keys to the city and wristwatches. Ray Seales was proclaimed the "State Amateur Boxer of the Year" while Joe Clough, well known in boxing circles, was named "Boxing Coach of the Year." ALBUM 14. (TNT 2-16-72, B-9 article; TNT 2-18-72, p.28 article)

Johnston, Gordon N.; Mayors--Tacoma--1970-1980; Awards; Keys (Hardware); Tacoma Athletic Commission (Tacoma); Ruffo, Frank; Huntington, Clay; Seales, Ray; Clough, Joe; Boxers (Sports)--Tacoma--1970-1980;

C. Val Fawcett, re-elected Commissioner of Finance in the 1938 Primary Election. (T.Times, 2/22/1938, p.1)

Fawcett, Clarence Valdo, 1900-1965;