ca. 1889. Northern Pacific Headquarters at 621 Pacific Avenue, circa 1889. The railroad had chosen Tacoma as its western terminus in 1873; from that point, the city would grow furiously from a small hamlet to a metropolis of about 30,000 by 1890. Construction of Northern Pacific's stone and brick headquarters with its distinctive tower, located on the bluff overlooking their half-moon railroad yards, began in the summer of 1887 and was completed the following year. Its 53 offices and storerooms and 19 vaults were utilized by the Tacoma Land Company, Weyerhaeuser Company and Northern Pacific. Northern Pacific would sell the building to the City of Tacoma in 1922 as the railroad planned to move its offices to Seattle. Photograph courtesy of the John Ogden Collection. (Tacoma Rediviva, p. 27+) TPL-10172

Northern Pacific Headquarters Building (Tacoma); Northern Pacific Railway Co. (Tacoma);

On Saturday, February 2, 1924, an unidentified boy smiled his way through a "Schick test" at the Health Department's clinic, located in the City Hall Annex at 621 Pacific Avenue. The "Schick test" was a diagnostic test developed by Bela Schick in 1913 to determine susceptibility to the dreaded disease diphtheria. Children testing positive to the injected toxin in the skin test would then be immunized with inactive toxin. Fifty one children reported to the clinic to be tested on February 2nd. Tests were administered by Dr. C.F. Engles, City Health Officer, assisted by Dr. W.B. Penny and Nurse Elizabeth Ericksen. TPL-1634 (TDL 2/3/1924, pg. 4-A) G27.1-128; TPL-1634

Vaccinations; Health care facilities--Tacoma--1920-1930; Clinics--Tacoma--1920-1930;

People are lined up in early February of 1924 to register to vote. State law required that all voters in incorporated cities and towns had to register to vote every two years. February 5th was the last day to register to vote in the city primary to be held on February 26th. The registration office at the City Hall Annex was open from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily but Genevieve Martin, city clerk, stated that registration would be extended to midnight on the last day if necessary. 2,460 people lined up to register on February 5th, making it the busiest day for registration that year. The final total of registered voters was 31,686 out of the 40,000 eligible. G42.1-073 (TNT 10-30-23, p. 1-article; TDL 1-7-24, p. 3-article; TDL 2-5-24, p. 1-article; TNT 2-5-24, p. 4; TDL 2-6-24, p. 12)

Voter registration--Tacoma--1920-1930; Queues--Tacoma;

Glory Ragland (second from left), a public health service nurse, and Percy Brush, look on as a dentist who preferred to remain anonymous provided free dental work to a young patient at the new free dental clinic in the City Hall Annex, 621 Pacific Ave. Opened January 21, 1924 and organized by the Kiwanis Club with the cooperation of county, professional and fraternal organizations, the clinic provided free dental services Monday and Tuesday from 9 am to 12 noon, with a local dentist on duty to volunteer his services. A room in the annex had been completely furnished and painted white. The Kiwanis and Elks provided the equipment. Percy Brush was president of the Kiwanis and chairman of the committee responsible for the clinic when it was founded. (TDL 3/26/1924, pg. 3) TPL-659; G27.1-118

Ragland, Glory; Brush, Percy; Dentistry--Tacoma--1920-1930; Dental equipment & supplies--1920-1930; Dental hygiene--Tacoma; Health care facilities--Tacoma;

Dwight Howell, behind the wheel of a new Ford convertible from Titus Motor Company, is not receiving a ticket. He has just been honored for being a top student driver. In March of 1941, Ford Motor Co. started the Ford Good Driver League. They worked with police and public safety organizations to encourage traffic safety and good driving habits. This photograph was taken in front of the Public Safety Building at 621 Pacific Avenue. The man at the far left is probably Tacoma Chief of Police Einer Langseth. Howell went on to win the Washington State Finals and represent Washington at the Nationals in August, 1941. The 17 year old Howell graduated from Stadium High School in the Spring of 1941.

Howell, Dwight; Ford automobile; Titus Motor Co. (Tacoma); Law enforcement--Tacoma; Law enforcement officers--Tacoma;

On Friday, April 17, 1942, Tacoma received its first shipment of steel helmets and armbands for their Air Raid Wardens. The shipment included 250 of each. Trying out the new equipment at the Civilian Defense Volunteer Office at the City Hall Annex are, left to right, Joseph Lanser, Frank Evans and George Russell. The "tin hats" were made of steel thick enough to protect the wearer from shrapnel splinters. (T. Times 4/18/1942, pg. 1)

World War, 1939-1945--Civil defense--Tacoma; Lanser, Joseph; Evans, Frank; Russell, George; Helmets; Flags--United States;

Modelling the latest in "tin hats" and armbands are Civilian Defense officers, left to right, Joseph Lanser, Frank Evans and George Russell. On Friday, April 17, 1942, Tacoma received its first shipment of steel helmets and armbands for their Air Raid Wardens. The shipment included 250 of each. The "tin hats" were made of steel thick enough to protect the wearer from shrapnel splinters. The trio is posing at the Civilian Defense Volunteer office at the City Hall Annex. (T. Times 4/18/1942, pg. 1)

World War, 1939-1945--Civil defense--Tacoma; Lanser, Joseph; Evans, Frank; Russell, George; Helmets; Flags--United States;

Mayor Cain congratulates A.E. Albrecht on his promising group of thirteen Naval recruits on August 17,1942. Albrecht runs the local recruiting station with the assistance of D.M. Kelley (in uniform at right.) The group is standing on the steps of the City Hall Annex (formerly the Northern Pacific Headquarters Building). The recruits are Harold Robert Gillam, Roland L. LaClair, Charles J. McQueen, William L. Viafore, Peter J. Marzano, Chester M. Christopherson, Milton O. Windh, Ellsworth M. Evje, Bernard W. Erdahl, William J. Green, Gilbert P. Bloom, James B. Atkins Jr. and Varrel L. Smith. (T. Times 8/18/1942 p.3)

Cain, Harry P., 1906-1979; Mayors--Tacoma--1940-1950; Albrecht, A.E.; Kelley, D.M.; World War, 1939-1945--Recruiting & enlistment--Tacoma;

Lt. Frances Rich, WAVE and daughter of famed actress Irene Rich, visited Tacoma on April 6, 1943. She is photographed with some Navy men as well as fellow WAVES Lt. Jane Horsfall and Ensign Carol Citron in front of the Navy Recruiting office at the City Hall Annex. Lt. Rich was one of the first 120 women to enter officer's training school at Smith College. She was currently attached to the Postal Commission of the Naval Dept. and touring the country on behalf of V-Mail. While in Tacoma, she was scheduled to attend a Kiwanis meeting, a Junior League meeting and interview prospective WAVES. Born in Spokane, Lt. Rich moved to Hollywood with her mom and was a sculptress before joining the service. (T. Times 4/5/1943, pg. 6)

Rich, Frances; World War, 1939-1945--Recruiting & enlistment--Tacoma;

Lt. Frances Rich posed with fellow WAVES Lt. Jane Horsfall and Ensign Carol Citron at the Naval recruiting office at the City Hall Annex. Lt. Rich was the daughter of actress Irene Rich and one of the first women to enter officer's training at Smith College. She was attached to the Postal Commission of the Naval Department and was in town to extol V-Mail as well as interview prospective WAVES. (T. Times 4/5/1943, pg. 6)

Rich, Frances; World War, 1939-1945--Recruiting & enlistment--Tacoma;

A roll of knotted bed sheets remains dangling from a window at the jail in the Public Safety Building, 621 Pacific Ave., on July 3, 1950. Federal prisoner Stanley P. O'Carter, age 34 of Phoenix, Arizona, made a daring attempt at escape from the multi-floored jail at 3:50 a.m. that morning. Only by chance was he captured as Officers Ed Cutler and Robert Hubert were passing nearby in the darkness at the time Mr. Carter dropped 12 feet onto the ground from the makeshift "ladder." Mr. Carter was one of only three federal prisoners in the government tank and had been alone in his cell for several days. It was believed that tools smuggled to him enabled him to cut a hole through the back of his cell and allowed him access to a small unbarred ventillating window on the north side of the building, immediately above the driveway. No tools were found on the prisoner nor in his cell. Mr. Carter did not resist arrest and was returned to the jail. (TNT 7-4-50, p. 1-article) TPL-6665

Public Safety Building (Tacoma); Prison escapes--Tacoma; Jails--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Tacoma's finest, along with their vehicles, stand alertly outside the Public Safety Building/City Hall Annex on August 29, 1953. They were members of the Tacoma Police Department's Motorcycle division. TPL-7118

Police--Tacoma--1950-1960; Tacoma Police Department (Tacoma); Public Safety Building (Tacoma); City Hall Annex (Tacoma); Motorcycles--Tacoma--1950-1960;

The Public Safety Building on Pacific Avenue was also known as the City Hall Annex. Originally built for Northern Pacific Railroad for use as its headquarters in 1887, the City of Tacoma purchased the building in 1922 . The south wing of the Italianate, stucco-covered stone structure was later rebuilt to house the jail. The Old City Hall was directly across the street on Pacific. View of the Public Safety Building taken on May 9, 1958, indicates that this was Police Headquarters, with separate entrances for the detective division and for traffic violators. With the completion of the County-City Building in 1959, the Public Safety Building was vacated. An art center was proposed to occupy the empty space and in 1962, the Allied Arts Center began a remodeling project. A few years later, the Public Safety Building escaped total demolition, although the jail wing was destroyed, and was placed on historic registries. Photograph ordered by Alan Liddle, architect. TPL-6491. (Tacoma Rediviva, p. 27)

Public Safety Building (Tacoma); City Hall Annex (Tacoma); Tacoma Police Department (Tacoma);

Exterior exposure of Allied Arts Building. Originally the site of the Northern Pacific Railroad headquarters and later purchased by the City of Tacoma for use as an annex and Public Safety Building, the building at 6th and Pacific was empty by 1962 as law enforcement agencies had moved to the new County-City Building on Tacoma Avenue South. Architect Alan Liddle had proposed the transformation of the building into an art center. Allied Arts of Tacoma accepted a 15-year lease from the city and took formal possession of the old Public Safety Building on November 30, 1961. Now called the Allied Arts Center, remodeling commenced in March, 1962, and dedication of the building would follow on June 4, 1962. View of remodeled building; plywood "fins" protruding were painted in bright shades of blue, yellow and off-orange in contrast to the chocolate brown outer walls. The first floor would be the headquarters of the Tacoma Convention Bureau and Housing Information Center. Photograph ordered by Douglas Fir Plywood Association. (TNT 11-30-61, p. 1, TNT 6-3-62, p. 1, TNT 6-5-62, p. 3)

Allied Arts Building (Tacoma); Public Safety Building (Tacoma); City Hall Annex (Tacoma);

On June 1, 1969, Mrs. Clarence Martin and Puget Sound National Bank executive Dutton Hayward examined some of the many oil and watercolor entries in the annual county-wide student art show sponsored by the Tacoma Links. Mrs. Martin was the chairman of the show for the Links, a national association of business and professional women. The art show opened on June 1, 1969, and ran until June 27th at the Allied Arts Center. Junior and senior high school students, both private and public, were invited to submit their art. Cash awards were presented by Puget Sound National Bank with the winning work rotating among the ten Puget Sound National Bank branches during July. Photograph ordered by Cole & Weber Advertising, Seattle. (TNT 6-1-69, B-10-article)

Art exhibitions--Tacoma--1960-1970; Paintings; Martin, Clarence--Family; Hayward, Dutton;

The art collection of Bruce LeRoy was on display at the Tacoma Art Museum (AKA Allied Arts Center) in July of 1969. Many of the paintings reflected the Pacific Northwest of the past. The primitives in his collection were part of the art museum's Tacoma Centennial Celebration. Mr. LeRoy was associated with the Washington State Historical Society for many years. Photograph ordered by Bruce LeRoy.

Paintings; Tacoma Art Museum (Tacoma); Allied Arts Center (Tacoma); Galleries & museums--Tacoma; LeRoy, Bruce--Associated objects;

In July of 1969 it was possible to travel to the Tacoma Art Museum (AKA Allied Arts Center) to view the art collection of Bruce LeRoy on display. Several paintings are shown above decorating an otherwise plain paneled wall; they appear to be scenes of the early Northwest outdoors. The Tacoma Art Museum were presenting these primitives from Mr. LeRoy's collection and contemporary entries from Northwest artists as part of the Tacoma Centennial Celebration. Photograph ordered by Bruce LeRoy.

Paintings; Tacoma Art Museum (Tacoma); Allied Arts Center (Tacoma); Galleries & museums--Tacoma; LeRoy, Bruce--Associated objects;

Exhibit - Tacoma Art Museum. Western art on display at the Tacoma Art Museum in late April of 1970. Each piece of art is labeled with a title and the artist's name. Painting to the far right is labeled "Zuni Pottery Maker;" artist is W.R. Leigh. The Santa Fe Railroad lent their collection of Western art to the Tacoma Art Museum for a short period of time. The "Wild, Wild West" collection was featured through May 3, 1970. Photograph ordered by Santa Fe Railway Co. (TNT 4-26-70, D-7 - article)

Tacoma Art Museum (Tacoma); Galleries & museums--Tacoma; Paintings;

Exhibit - Tacoma Art Museum. Framed paintings of various sizes are hung on the paneled walls of the Tacoma Art Museum. In April of 1970, an exhibit of Western art was being displayed. Painting to the farthest left is "Taos Girls" by W. Ufer. The "Wild, Wild West" collection was loaned to the art museum by the Santa Fe Railroad. The majestic beauty of the region's natural features and its people were the focus of the many paintings. Photograph ordered by Santa Fe Railway Co. (TNT 4-26-70, D-7 - article)

Tacoma Art Museum (Tacoma); Galleries & museums--Tacoma; Paintings;

ca. 1979. Roof line of the Northern Pacific Headquarters Building, 621 Pacific Ave.

Public Safety Building (Tacoma);

ca. 1979. The cupola of the Northern Pacific Headquarters Building, 621 Pacific Ave.

Public Safety Building (Tacoma); Northern Pacific Headquarters Building (Tacoma);