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);

ca. 1971. 1971 Richards color stock footage. Bell tower of 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. TPL-9206

Clock towers--Tacoma; Old City Hall (Tacoma);

Mrs. Sigrid Holmberg, Mrs. Claude Purvis, and Mrs. Lee C. Garrison of Tacoma's Delphinum Garden Club shared smiles with master clock expert E.F. Farrens (right) and his assistant, Joe Mertz, as they held two of the old clock hands from the Old City Hall clock tower, 625 Commerce Street in May of 1962. The Delphinium Garden Club was working with Mr. Farrens to restore the tower clock, which had fallen into disrepair since 1959 when the city offices left the building for the new County-City Building on Tacoma Avenue South. New cedar clock hands were to be made by the city's woodworking shop. There had been talk about razing the dilapidated Italian Renaissance building, built of yellow brick; it managed to escape the wrecking ball and was added to the National Registry in 1974. Photograph ordered by Delphinium Garden Club. (TNT 5-22-62, p. 1, 5-27-62, p. 1) TPL-9181

Delphinium Garden Club (Tacoma); Clock towers--Tacoma; Old City Hall (Tacoma); Holmberg, Sigrid; Mertz, Joe; Farrens, E.F.;

Members of the Delphinium Garden Club examine the hands of the old clock at (Old) City Hall on May 26, 1962. Mrs. Sigrid Holmberg, Mrs. Claude Purvis, and Mrs. Lee C. Garrison are assisted by Joe Mertz and E.F. Farrens, master clock expert from Portland. Mr. Farrens is donating weekends to repair the clock along with his assistant, Mr. Mertz. The chimes and tower clock had stopped for three years and recently were re-started. The clock was reportedly "keeping beautiful time," although it may have been hard for a layman to detect since the hands were removed. A new set of hands would be made by the city's woodworking shop. The Delphinium Garden Club was financing restoration of the timepiece. View of Old City Hall with bell tower that rises five stories above main floors. Government offices had been moved three years before to the new County-City Building on Tacoma Avenue South. Photograph ordered by Delphinium Garden Club. (TNT 5-22-62, p. 1, 5-27-62, p. 1)

Delphinium Garden Club (Tacoma); Clock towers--Tacoma; Old City Hall (Tacoma); Mertz, Joe; Holmberg, Sigrid; Farrens, E.F.;

Mayor John Anderson, in his office at (Old) City Hall, admires a bouquet of rhododendrons held by Mrs. John Skupens of the Washington Rhododendron Society. Mrs. Skupens had called on the mayor to invite him to the upcoming 9th annual Tacoma Rhododendron Show. The two day show would take place at the Oakland Community Center with free admission. Publicity photo for Tacoma Rhododendron Society. (TNT 5-9-57, C-6) ALBUM 14

Mayors--Tacoma--1950-1960; Anderson, John H.; Rhododendrons; Skupens, John--Family;

Old City Hall. Built in 1892, this Renaissance style structure served as the seat of Tacoma's government for 70 years. It was abandoned for 15 years and just saved from the wrecking ball in 1974 and added to the National Register. The building was restored and now houses offices.

Old City Hall (Tacoma); Office buildings--Tacoma;

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;

Mayor John Anderson is the first civic official in the city's history to be named an honorary airline hostess. Maxine Gordon, a stewardess with Western Airlines, has pinned a pair of Western Airlines' wings to Mayor Anderson's lapel and she is also modeling the airline's new uniform. (TNT, 3/22/1952, p.17)

Anderson, John H.; Mayors--Tacoma--1950-1960; Offices--Tacoma--1950-1960; Airline industry; Western Airline (Tacoma); Flight attendants--Tacoma--1950-1960; Gordon, Maxine;

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.;

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;

Mayor John H. Anderson is shown here issuing a proclamation setting aside the period from January 14 to 21, 1951, as Junior Chamber of Commerce week. With him in his office are L-R, G. Hanley Barker, Jaycee director; Fred F. LeVeque, local president; Warner Matson, first vice president; Marc H. Miller, award chairman; and Howard Perkin, secretary. John H. Anderson was one of the partners in Anderson Construction Company. (TNT, 1/14/1951, p.A-4)

Anderson, John H.; Mayors--Tacoma--1950-1960; Tacoma Junior Chamber of Commerce (Tacoma); Barker, G. Hanley; LeVeque, Fred F.; Matson, Warner; Miller, Marc H.; Perkin, Howard;

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);

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;

City of Tacoma was kicking off their annual clean-up, paint-up and fix-up week in early May of 1949. Mayor C. Val Fawcett (right) and Charles Griffith, Committee Chairman for the annual city clean-up, were getting ready to ask all citizens of Tacoma for 100% participation. City officials were stressing that a clean city helped decrease health hazards (T.N.T., 5/10/49, p. 21).

Municipal services--Tacoma--1940-1950; Urban beautification--Tacoma--1940-1950; Events--Tacoma--1940-1950; Municipal government--Tacoma; Mayors--Tacoma--1940-1950; Fawcett, Clarence Valdo, 1900-1965; Griffith, Charles H.;

Mayor C. Val Fawcett was buying Easter Seals from his grandchildren on March 19, 1949, in order to support the campaign that had just started. Easter Seals helped support disabled children; the Mayor wanted everyone in Tacoma to help support this organization. View of Mayor C. Val Fawcett with his two granddaughters, Linda and Valerie Knecht of Seattle, at the mayor's office in (Old) City Hall. (T. Times, 3/22/49, p. 3).

Grandparents; Fund raising--Tacoma--1940-1950; Community service--Tacoma--1940-1950; Mayors--Tacoma--1940-1950; Fawcett, Clarence Valdo, 1900-1965; Knecht, Linda; Knecht, Valerie;

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);

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;

Asa E. Troyer's neighbor, R. H. Frogner used a 6% DDT solution and a spray gun to get to this yellow jacket nest, that was on his property at Caledonia Beach. This beehive probably housed 1,000 busy wasps; after he stripped off the outer mud protective wall, a pagoda-like construction is visible, hundreds of cells for eggs, food and shelter can be seen. View of Asa E. Troyer, Tacoma City Treasurer, holding up half of a yellow jacket nest (T. Times, 12/19/48, p. 5).

Wasps' nests--Tacoma; Wasps; Poisons; Pest control--Tacoma; Municipal officials--Tacoma; Troyer, Asa E.; Old City Hall (Tacoma);

Tacoma's Mayor C. Val Fawcett (left) and Fircrest's Mayor Nelson J. Morrison are promoting free x-rays. They are encouraging all Pierce County citizens to get their chests x-rayed. The Christmas Seals mobile x-ray unit is scheduled to make several stops in the next few days, it is currently parked in front of Tacoma's City Hall. The free x-ray service is being sponsored by the Tuberculosis League of Pierce County (T.N.T., 6/4/48, p. 5).

Radiography; Mobile health units--Tacoma; Health care--Tacoma; Signs (Notices); Clinics--Tacoma; Mayors--Tacoma--1940-1950; Tuberculosis League of Pierce County (Tacoma); Fawcett, Clarence Valdo, 1900-1965; Morrison, Nelson J.;

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;

Mayor Val Fawcett looks at the proof sheets for the September, 1947 issue of Holiday Magazine, the State of Washington issue, in a promotional photo taken at his office in Tacoma's (Old) City Hall, 625 Commerce St.. H.N. Bergeron (in a light suit), sales representative of Curtiss Circulation Company, points out to Mayor Fawcett the photographs and articles that will highlight the industrial, civic, and cultural life of the Pacific Northwest. Edwin J. Schneebeck, a local magazine wholesaler, looks on. (T.Times, 8/19/1947, p.9) ALBUM 14.

Mayors--Tacoma--1940-1950; Fawcett, Clarence Valdo, 1900-1965; Periodicals; Holiday Magazine; Bergeron, H.N.; Schneebeck, Edwin J.; Publicity photographs; Offices--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Mayor Val Fawcett looks at the Holiday Magazine State of Washington issue in a promotional photo taken at his office in (Old) City Hall. Looking on are Curtiss Circulation Co. sales representative H.N. Bergeron and local magazine wholesaler Edwin J. Schneebeck. The upcoming September 1947 issue would highlight the City of Tacoma with 30 pages of information and photographs. ALBUM 14. (T. Times 8-19-47, p.9)

Mayors--Tacoma--1940-1950; Fawcett, Clarence Valdo, 1900-1965; Periodicals; Holiday Magazine; Bergeron, H.N.; Schneebeck, Edwin J.; Publicity photographs; Offices--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Mayor C. Val Fawcett studies a pre-publication copy of the September, 1947 issue of Holiday Magazine in his office in Tacoma's (Old) City Hall in August of 1947. Tacoma received three pages, including 5 photographs, in the 36 page section of the issue devoted to Washington State. The long article, written by northwest author Nard Jones, included over 90 photographs of scenic views, Washington industries and her people. Enjoying the sneak peek along with Mayor Fawcett are Curtiss Circulation Company sales representative H.N. Bergeron (left) and local magazine wholesaler Edwin J. Schneebeck. (T.Times 8-19-47, p. 9-alt. photograph) ALBUM 14.

Mayors--Tacoma--1940-1950; Fawcett, Clarence Valdo, 1900-1965; Periodicals; Holiday Magazine; Bergeron, H.N.; Schneebeck, Edwin J.; Publicity photographs; Offices--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Safety Award being presented in Mayor Val Fawcett's office to Police Department and other city departments by the American Automobile Association. The Pedestrian Protection Award was presented to the Tacoma Police Department and citizens for their reduction in pedestrian accidents. (T.Times, 6/24/1947, p.3)

Police--Tacoma--1940-1950; Tacoma Police Department (Tacoma); Safety; Accidents; American Automobile Association (Tacoma); Awards; Fawcett, Clarence Valdo, 1900-1965; Mayors--Tacoma--1940-1950;

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;

Mayor C. V. "Val" Fawcett was visited in his office at (old) City Hall by three young women from Olympia dressed as cowgirls. The young women were graduates of the Class of 1947 and had recently won a popularity contest in Olympa. They called on Mayor Fawcett to invite all Tacoma and vicinity residents to Olympia's grand 4th of July show. L-R, Ruth Stubbs, Mayor Fawcett, Martha Strange and Audrey Strandness. (T.Times, 6/13/1947, p.4) ALBUM 14.

Mayors--Tacoma--1940-1950; Fawcett, Clarence Valdo, 1900-1965; Stubbs, Ruth; Strange, Martha; Strandness, Audrey;

Mayor Val Fawcett gives a warm welcome to Al Thrall (L) and Richard Williams visiting (Old) City Hall in the spring of 1947. Quick thinking on the part of the two 17-year-olds during the March 29th Daffodil Parade prevented injury and disruption of the annual event. Richard Williams, driving a float with Al Thrall assisting, warned the packed crowds and managed to stop his runaway float when its brakes failed. (T.Times 4-1-47, p. 7) ALBUM 14.

Mayors--Tacoma--1940-1950; Fawcett, Clarence Valdo, 1900-1965; Shaking hands--Tacoma; Teenagers; Thrall, Al; Williams, Richard;

Voting against the wishes of Tacoma's churches and social service organizations, Mayor Val Fawcett (left) and the city council passed an ordinance on December 30, 1946 amending the pinball machine regulations in Tacoma. Rather than banning the "one armed bandits" as the churches preferred, the city voted to collect a 5% tax on all "payoff" machines within Tacoma city limits. An estimated $120,000 would be added to the city's coffers. An unidentified man is pointing to the wording on one of the 35 petitions brought in to city hall by the pinball machine opponents, including those signed by the YMCA, Salvation Army, WCTU and the PLU student body. ALBUM 14. (T.Times 12-30-46, p. 1, 14-article; TNT 12-30-46, p. 1-article)

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

Mayor Val Fawcett, seated center, and city Public Utilities Commissioner C.A. "Clif" Erdahl (seated foreground) listen patiently to delegations from church groups and others, who have just delivered petitions calling for the outlawing of pinball machines. A city Legal Department memo, dated 12/29/1946, is on the table in foreground. Despite two hours of fervent protest by council visitors, the mayor and council would go on to pass an emergency ordinance on December 30, 1946, amending pinball regulations in the city. Pinball machines would not be outlawed but instead have a 5% tax on these "payoff" machines. ALBUM 14. (T.Times 12-30-46, p. 1, 14-article; TNT 12-30-46, p. 1-article)

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

Aloha! An unidentified woman drapes a flowered Hawaiian lei around the neck of Tacoma Mayor Val Fawcett in a publicity photo for KVI Radio taken at his office in (Old) City Hall. ALBUM 14.

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