ca. 1954. Copy of customer print. A. Gordon Lumm was named the architect for the new County-City Building in May, 1953, after much discussion. His basic plan for the new offices was officially approved a year later. His architectural drawing shows the County-City Building facing Tacoma Avenue South; it is across the street from the Tacoma Public Library. The building would be a modern twelve story structure of aluminum and glass. It took quite a while for it to be completed; the new County-City Building was formally dedicated on April 10, 1959. The building debt was retired in July, 1977. Photograph ordered by Fentron Industries.

Architectural drawings; County-City Building (Tacoma);

Plywood barricade around construction area for the new County-City building. After much discussion and delay, a site was finally decided on for the new building. Although approved by voters Nov. 4, 1952, construction did not begin until July 25, 1956. Before construction comes demolition. Homes and offices shown here will soon be torn down to make way for the new modern office building. Coast Contractors will demolish the approximately 4 square blocks of buildings for the low bid of $48, 448. A $7,000 board fence will be erected around the site, excluding the Court House and two buildings to be used an annexes.The old County Court House will remain standing and in use until the new building is built and then be torn down to make room for the parking lot. The fence is 2800 ft long and made of 2x4 and plywood and must remain up for 2 years fencing the site. A crew of 30 men will be hired for the demolition. Walter McHugh, head of Coast Construction, estimates the actual demolition cost to be closer to $70,000, the difference and profit to be made from salvage that will be sold on the spot. (TNT 3/20/1955, pg. A-18) TPL-8168

County-City Building (Tacoma);

Building construction continues slowly on the new County-City Building at 930 Tacoma Avenue South in April, 1957. After many years of argument and delay, construction finally began in July, 1956. It would not be completed until 1959, and dedicated in April of that year. View of concrete slip at the building site; forms are in place. The building would eventually be 12 stories high. A glimpse of the old County Court House can be seen; the Romanesque building of grey freestone would be used until the new building was complete and then torn down for a parking lot. Photograph ordered by Douglas Fir Plywood Association.

County-City Building (Tacoma); Building construction--Tacoma--1950-1960; Douglas Fir Plywood Association (Tacoma);

Holroyd Co. cement mixers are on hand at the site of the new County-City Building on 9th and Tacoma Avenue South in April, 1957. Concrete forms are in place as work slowly progresses. Although voters had approved building joint city and county offices in November, 1952, it was not until July, 1956, that construction actually began. Delays occurred as site selections were debated, property condemned, architectural choices argued, and administrative officials scrapped. The County-City building would eventually top off at 12 stories and be dedicated on April 10, 1959. Photograph ordered by Douglas Fir Plywood Association.

County-City Building (Tacoma); Building construction--Tacoma--1950-1960; Progress photographs; Concrete mixers; Douglas Fir Plywood Association (Tacoma);

Work progresses on the new County City Building in April, 1957. View of steel works; the steel was supplied by Bethlehem Pacific Coast Steel Corporation's Seattle plant. It would be two more years until the building was completed; dedication of the new County City Building was in April, 1959. Photograph ordered by Bethlehem Pacific Coast Steel Corporation.

Building construction--Tacoma--1950-1960; Steel; Bethlehem Pacific Coast Steel Corp. (Seattle); County-City Building (Tacoma);

Work progresses on the new County-City Building in April, 1957. Bethlehem Pacific Coast Steel Corporation provided the steel needed for the framing. View of steelworks including plywood sheets on top. Construction would not be fully completed until 1959. Central Schools building can be seen in the far left with City Dye Works at the right rear. Photograph ordered by Bethlehem Pacific Coast Steel Corporation.

Progress photographs; Building construction--Tacoma--1950-1960; County-City Building (Tacoma); Steel; Bethlehem Pacific Coast Steel Corp. (Seattle);

ca. 1958. Mount Rainier can barely be seen in the distance on an overcast day, to the right of the new County-City Building under construction. The smaller unit is the new law enforcement wing which will eventually become four stories tall. The steel frame work is now up; structural steel used in fabricating the framework was probably provided by Bethlehem Pacific Coast Steel's Seattle plant. The large dirt area to the foreground will become parking. Photograph ordered by Bethlehem Pacific Coast Steel Corporation.

Progress photographs; County-City Building (Tacoma); Building construction--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Construction continues on the new County-City Building in the spring of 1958. At this point, work on the edifice is now past the half-way point. View of construction at the corner of So. 11th and Tacoma Avenue So. shows the two-story court wing and the ten-story plus penthouse central structure. The court wing is being constructed of reinforced concrete. The court rooms will be soundproof and windowless. The towering central portion is 165 feet above Tacoma Avenue. It is being built to be fireproof and will be only one of about 100 in the country with exterior aluminum paneling. Another unit, a four-story law enforcement wing, will be finished later. Photograph ordered by Fentron Industries, Seattle. TPL-6679. (TNT 1-5-58, A-6)

Progress photographs; County-City Building (Tacoma); Building construction--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Another angle of the County-City Building construction in progress was taken on April 2, 1958, for Fentron Industries of Seattle. The taller structure is the ten story and penthouse central building. Scaffolding is in place, probably to put aluminum paneling over the exterior walls. The smaller wing would be eventually four stories tall and contain the law enforcement forces. It appears that the steel framework is up and most concrete floors poured. Parking would be provided in the vicinity of the piles of rubble and construction materials. Total cost of the project was under $10 million dollars. TPL-6568

Progress photographs; Building construction--Tacoma--1950-1960; County-City Building (Tacoma);

Work proceeds steadily on the new County-City Building being constructed on Tacoma Avenue South, next door to the Tacoma Public Library. The massive, multi-storied central structure will be one of the very few in the country with exterior aluminum paneling. The two-story court building shown above is made of reinforced concrete. Although the interior court rooms are soundproof and windowless, there appear to be windows on the exterior walls. A. Gordon Lumm, A.I.A., is the architect of the project; Macdonald Building Co. is the contractor. There is a large sign at the site listing the names of the County Commissioners, Tacoma City Council, Architect, Engineers and Contractor. The County-City Building would be formally dedicated on April 10, 1959. Photograph ordered by Fentron Industries, Seattle.

Progress photographs; County-City Building (Tacoma); Building construction--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Progress photographs of the construction of the new County-City Building were taken on June 19, 1958, for Fentron Industries, Seattle. Structurally, the building was 99% completed by early March, 1958. The old Courthouse to the right of the photograph would be demolished for parking; it was expected to be the last job in this project. The two houses adjacent to the site and next to the Courthouse were being used by county employees; they, too, would be leveled for parking. The mild winter, despite rain, kept the construction on schedule. (TNT 3-9-58, A-1) TPL-6680

Progress photographs; County-City Building (Tacoma); Pierce County Courthouse (Tacoma);

Aerial photographs taken on September 9, 1958, show the nearly completed County-City Building on Tacoma Avenue South. The parking lot and landscaping still need to be done. The old Courthouse to the rear of the new building would be the last to be demolished. The land there, too, would become necessary parking. The State Armory, directly behind the Courthouse at 715 South 11th St., still remains. The Tacoma Public Library can be seen to the new County-City Building's right, at 1102 Tacoma Avenue South. Other prominent features include the Schoenfeld's furniture store and Union Station on Pacific Avenue and a portion of the City (now Thea Foss) Waterway. This view, looking southeast, was very similar to A116584-2. Hazy smoke or clouds nearly obliterate Mount Rainier in the distance as well as parts of the industrial Tideflats.

Aerial photographs; Aerial views; County-City Building (Tacoma); Pierce County Courthouse (Tacoma); State Armory (Tacoma); Tacoma Public Library (Tacoma); Streets--Tacoma--1950-1960; Commercial streets--Tacoma--1950-1960;

View of County-City Building ordered by Fentron Industries, Seattle. The modern County-City Building stands nearly completed on September 19, 1958, a stark contrast to the Old City Hall that it will be replacing. The main tower would be twelve stories high: ten for office space, basement storage and a penthouse used for mechanical equipment and a lunchroom. This particular shot was taken by a Richards Studio photographer who apparently climbed to the third floor of the Old Courthouse located to the rear of the new facility.

County-City Building (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);

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;

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;

ca. 1959. Aerial of downtown Tacoma and the almost completed County City Building at 930 Tacoma Ave. South. The CC building lies in the center of the photograph. To the left of the building is the new (1952) Tacoma Public Library at 1102 Tacoma Ave. So. Directly behind the CC building is the old Pierce County Courthouse, at 1012 So G. St., still in use until the CC building is completed but scheduled for demolition. Directly behind the Courthouse is the Washington National Guard Armory, at 715 So. 11th St., which remains at this location. The erection of the County City Building was a long time in coming; from its voter approval in 1952 to the start of construction in 1956 to the dedication of the new building April 10, 1959.

Progress photographs; County-City Building (Tacoma); Building construction--Tacoma--1950-1960; Tacoma Public Library (Tacoma); Pierce County Courthouse (Tacoma); State Armory (Tacoma);

ca. 1959. Frank Stojack served as Pierce County Sheriff from 1958 to 1962. The Lincoln High School graduate played pro-football for the NFL's Brooklyn Dodgers in 1936 before launching an immensely successful wrestling career. Fans voted him the "King of Wrestling" in 1953. Stojack was elected to the Tacoma City Council the same year, running as the "Champion of Fair Play". He duties after being elected sheriff in 1958 included moving the department into the new County-City Building, seen in the background shortly after its completion in 1959. The Tacoma Boys Clubs received over $300,000 from the estate of Frank Stojack after his death in 1987.

horses

Electrical contractor Carl T. Madsen and Mort Anderson study blueprints in front of the new County-City Building on March 21, 1959. The building was designed by A. Gordon Lumm. architect, and the general contractor was the Macdonald Building Co.

County-City Building (Tacoma); Courthouses--Tacoma--1950-1960; Madsen, Carl T.; Anderson, Mort; Blueprints;

Nine men pose outside the newly completed County-City Building on March 21, 1959. Two of the men are believed to be electrical contractor Carl T. Madsen and Mort Anderson. The County-City Building would be dedicated on April 10, 1959, nearly seven years after voters approved its construction.

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

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 April 10, 1959, the new 9 1/2 million dollar County-City Building was dedicated. The raised square stand in front of the building was seating for dignitaries and speakers such as County Commissioner Harry Sprinker, Tacoma Mayor Ben Hanson and Washington State Governor Albert Rosellini, as well as others. The sidewalks and street in front of the building were thronged with people and office workers watched out the windows. The Pacific Lutheran College Choir of the West, under the direction of Gunnar J. Malmin, sang for the ceremony. The eleven story glass and aluminum edifice was designed by A. Gordon Lumm. It stretched over two city blocks. It replaced the old City Hall, old County Courthouse, old Police Station and the old County City Health Department. (TNT 4/9/1959, pg. 1 & 4/10/1959, pg. 1) TPL-3848

County-City Building (Tacoma); Dedications--Tacoma--1950-1960; Building dedications--Tacoma--1950-1960; Crowds--Tacoma; Choirs (Music);

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;

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. 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;

ca. 1960. 1960 Richards stock footage- the County-City Building from the intersection of 11th and Tacoma Avenue South. In the background to the left can be seen the Armory. This view shows the two story court wing next to the twelve story central structure. The very controversial joint building took over 7 years from voter approval to finished structure, with skirmishes over location, architect, cost (it finished 3 1/2 million over original budget) and division between city and county. The building, however, has served Tacoma and Pierce County well and still meets the needs of the community. The wings have been extensively remodeled and added on to and now stretch almost to Tacoma Ave. So.

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

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;

Mayor Ben Hanson gestures as his visitor, L. Shukin of Turkey, watches on the grass outside the County-City Building, 930 Tacoma Avenue South, on July 10, 1961. The mayor may have been pointing toward the old Central School building further up the street. TRUEBLOOD 524

Mayors--Tacoma--1960-1970; Hanson, Ben; Shukin, L.; Foreign visitors--Turkey;

Mayor Ben Hanson welcomes Brazilian labor leaders to Tacoma on July 31, 1961, with a firm handshake and the key to the city. Ten labor leaders were visiting Tacoma for one week to learn about collective bargaining and union contracts. While in Tacoma, the visitors talked to labor, city and school officials and toured industrial plants and civic installations. Mayor Hanson had been elected mayor by the city council in 1958 and then elected by the people of Tacoma in a charter change. ALBUM 16. (TNT 7-31-61, p. 1-article)

Hanson, Ben; Mayors--Tacoma--1960-1970; Shaking hands--Tacoma; Foreign visitors--Brazil;

Kokura, Japan, one of Tacoma's sister cities, sent a miniature Shinto shrine to the City of Tacoma in 1961 as a token of their friendship. Toyosuke Nogami, a resident of Kokura, was commissioned to hand-carve the shrine; he journeyed to the Japan Alps to select the best Japanese cypress for the job. When it arrived, the shrine was put on display in the "solarium" adjacent to the second floor lobby of the County-City Building. The elaborately carved shrine also included a gate and two lantern posts which were damaged slightly during shipping. A terrace behind the Washington State Historical Society museum on Stadium Way was chosen as the permanent site of the shrine. It was dedicated there in May, 1962. Pictured above with the Shinto shrine are Sylvia Sass (kneeling, center left) and Thomas Takemura (kneeling, center right) of the Sister City Committee.

Shrines--Tacoma; Wood carvings; Sass, Sylvia; Takemura, Thomas;