Mayor A.L." Slim" Rasmussen, wearing a Tacoma Centennial string tie, with four women and four children in the city council chamber at the County-City Building. Photo ordered by Tacoma O.P.I. ALBUM 14.

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

Building dedication. With a snip of the giant silvered scissors, Tacoma Mayor-elect Gordon Johnston officially dedicated the Tacoma Mall Office Building on December 12, 1969. The 2.7 million dollar structure was designed by Olympia architects Bennett & Johnson to be soundproof and built of reinforced concrete. Although December 12th was the official building dedication, it had actually already been open for several months. Also present for the dedication were two of the four owners of the building : Joseph A. Price and Mr. and Mrs. John S. Leavitt; Brig. Gen. (Ret) R.L. Scott, J. Henry Helser and Lloyd Beauleaurier, manager of the Tacoma Mall Shopping Center. After speeches and champagne, the group toured the building's offices. 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); Scissors & shears;

Official city portrait of Tacoma Mayor Gordon N. Johnston during his first term of office. Mr. Johnston would serve as mayor from 1970-1978. He had defeated incumbent A.L. Rasmussen on November 4, 1969, by 440 votes. ALBUM 14.

Johnston, Gordon N.; Mayors--Tacoma--1970-1980;

Studio portrait of Tacoma Mayor Gordon N. Johnston. Mr. Johnston, an architect, member of the City Planning Commission, and former master sergeant during WWII, defeated incumbent A.L. Rasmussen in the very close November, 1969, general elections. This was Mr. Johnston's first bid in politics. Gordon Johnston took the oath of office on January 12, 1970, becoming Tacoma's 28th mayor. He would subsequently win re-election. Mr. Johnston passed away on March 6, 2006. Photograph ordered by the City of Tacoma.

Johnston, Gordon N.; Mayors--Tacoma--1970-1980;

Pierce County Democratic Party banquet. State Senator Martin Durkan of Issaquah at podium; Tacoma Mayor Gordon Johnston is third from right in photo; State Insurance Commissioner Karl Hermann, fifth from right. Large photos on wall of US Senator Warren G. Magnuson (L) and Congressman Floyd V. Hicks (R). Nearly 700 people attended the $12.50 plate fundraiser for the annual Jefferson-Jackson Day at the Fellowship Hall on April 10, 1970. Commissioner Hermann, featured speaker, indicated that price controls and rationing were better methods to control inflation than the Nixon course of unemployment. (TNT 4-10-70, A-2-article; TNT 4-11-70, p.3-article) ALBUM 14.

Johnston, Gordon N.; Mayors--Tacoma--1970-1980; Durkan, Martin; Hermann, Karl; Banquets--Tacoma--1970-1980;

ca. 1970. 1970 Richards stock footage. Tacoma Mayor Gordon N. Johnston, standing by a white podium, delivers an address to an unidentified group. This may have been taken at the same time as D158000, image 24C, when Mr. Johnston was photographed with bankers Al Saunders and Gerrit VanderEnde.

Johnston, Gordon N.; Mayors--Tacoma--1970-1980; Public speaking--Tacoma;

Tacoma Mayor Gordon N. Johnston welcomes shoppers to the new addition of the Tacoma Mall on July 25, 1973. The Mall had completed its west end expansion and 20 new stores were now open for business, including Ben Bridge Jeweler, Orange Julius, Tinder Box and Waldenbooks. This would bring the total number of stores in the Mall to about 110, just slightly smaller than Southcenter. Photograph ordered by the Tacoma Mall Corporation.

Johnston, Gordon N.; Mayors--Tacoma--1970-1980; Public speaking--Tacoma; Tacoma Mall Shopping Center (Tacoma); Shopping centers--Tacoma--1970-1980; Dedications--Tacoma--1970-1980; Building dedications--Tacoma--1970-1980;

Pierce County's former Auditors who served from 1859-1909 are pictured in oval frames in this copy ordered by the current Pierce County Auditors Office on August 4, 1975. Along with the officials are four examples of 19th century architecture, including the Pierce County Courthouse and the block house used in the Indian War of 1855-56.

County government--Washington; Government officials--Washington;

1975 color Richards stock footage. Mayor Gordon N. Johnston and 10-year-old Mark Mackenroth are prepared to dig deep during groundbreaking ceremonies for the new civic center, the Bicentennial Pavilion, in April of 1975. Mark was chosen to represent future generations who would use the Pavilion. Tacoma had long sought a convention center to hold large-scale meetings, concerts and banquets. It would open the following year in June.

Johnston, Gordon N.; Mayors--Tacoma--1970-1980; Mackenroth, Mark; Shovels; Digging--Tacoma; Ground breaking ceremonies--Tacoma--1970-1980; Bicentennial Pavilion (Tacoma);

Those at the head table stand for the introduction of Washington's Governor, Dr. Dixy Lee Ray, at the annual meeting of the Downtown Tacoma Association in March of 1978. Governor Ray was the feature speaker of the event. Among those at the head table were Bud McIvor, president of the Downtown Tacoma Association (standing next to Governor Ray); Bill Philip, head of Puget Sound National Bank (third from left); and the reigning Ms. Downtown Tacoma, Catherine Packer. Photograph ordered by the Downtown Tacoma Association.

Governors; Ray, Dixy Lee, 1914-1994; Meetings--Tacoma--1970-1980; McIvor, Bud; Philip, William W.; Packer, Catherine; Beauty contestants--Tacoma--1970-1980;

Governor Dixy Lee Ray speaks at the annual meeting of the Downtown Tacoma Association. Dr. Ray was the only woman to serve as governor of Washington and the only woman to chair the U.S. Atomic Energy Commission. She established a record as the youngest girl to climb Mount Rainier at age 12. A Tacoma native, she graduated from Stadium High School and Mills College and obtained a doctorate in zoology from Stanford University. Specializing in marine biology, she served on the faculty of the University of Washington for nearly three decades. As a director of the Pacific Science Center in Seattle, she is credited in preserving the center, which had been built for the world's fair in 1962. In Dr. Ray's only term as governor, her administration balanced the budget and brought in full funding of basic education. Photograph ordered by the Downtown Tacoma Association. ALBUM 10. TPL-5914 (Seattle/King Co. HistoryLink.org)

Governors; Ray, Dixy Lee, 1914-1994; Public speaking--Tacoma;

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);

A view of two styles of Kodex card catalogs used at the Washington State Unemployment Service office. A double folding case for cards in flipable sleeves is seen in the center. A single sided case is seen on the left. The counter has an ink stand, a calendar, and a typed list of clerical duties. This system could be used to match applicants with employment openings.

Washington State Employment Security Dept. (Tacoma); Office equipment & supplies; Offices--Tacoma--1950-1960;

In December of 1950 Sonia Sawyer, at the Washington State Employment Services office in Tacoma at 112 South 12th Street was photographed demonstrating the departments large Kardex card file. The system of file cards could be used to quickly match job applicants with employment openings. The Kardex system for storing and retrieving information goes back to the late 1890s.

Washington State Employment Security Dept. (Tacoma); Office equipment & supplies; Offices--Tacoma--1950-1960; Office workers--Tacoma--1950-1960;

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;

Mayor John Anderson addresses the crowd during the March 20, 1951, ground breaking for the new main branch of the Tacoma Public Library to be located at 1102 Tacoma Avenue South. The mayor's speech would be broadcast over KTNT radio. Behind the mayor was a giant billboard message donated by Foster & Kleiser urging the use of the public library for information, education and recreation. Among those in attendance was Thomas J. Porro, Library Board president (seated third from left). ALBUM 14.

Mayors--Tacoma--1950-1960; Anderson, John H.; Public speaking--Tacoma--1950-1960; Ground breaking ceremonies--Tacoma--1950-1960; Tacoma Public Library (Tacoma); Public libraries--Tacoma--1950-1960; Porro, Thomas J.; Billboards--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Alden Woodworth (center) was photographed handing a Quit Claim Deed to Tacoma Mayor John H. Anderson in early February of 1951, at a meeting of the Young Men's Business Club held at the Winthrop Hotel. The deed was for the land at the east approach of the Tacoma Narrows Bridge where a memorial to Tacoma's war dead was planned. It was a project worked on by the Y.M.B.C. for many years. Also seated next to Mr. Woodworth is Bremerton mayor L. Hum Kean. Standing, from left to right: Mayor of Gig Harbor, Harold H. Ryan; Kitsap County Commissioner Verd Nichols; Y.M.B.C. memorial committee chairman Arthur Paulsen; Mrs. Ruth E. Peeler of the State Parks commission; Jack Roberts of the Public Works commission and Y.M.B.C. president Peter Pelegruti. ALBUM 14 (TNT 2-4-51, A-6)

Mayors--Tacoma--1950-1960; Anderson, John H.; Woodworth, Alden; Ryan, Harold H.; Nichols, Verd; Paulsen, Arthur; Peeler, Ruth E.; Roberts, Jack; Roberts, John S.; Pelegruti, Peter; Young Mens Business Club (Tacoma); Memorial Park (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);

Governor Arthur B. Langlie, second from left, at College of Puget Sound graduation ceremonies to deliver the Commencement Address. President R. Franklin Thompson, in cap and gown, is next to the governor. The couple on right is likely Mr. and Mrs. Dix Rowland. There would be 163 candidates for degrees at C.P.S.'s 67th Commencement held on June 5, 1955. Governor Langlie's topic would be "Putting Meaning into Life." He had received an honorary doctorate of science degree from C.P.S. in 1942. ALBUM 10. (TNT 5-29-55, A-7)

Governors; Langlie, Arthur B., 1900-1966; Thompson, R. Franklin, 1908-1999; Universities & colleges--Tacoma; College of Puget Sound (Tacoma)--1950-1960; College presidents--Tacoma;

Ground breaking for U.S. Oil and Refining Co. plant on Tideflats. Senators Warren G. Magnuson and Henry M. Jackson (5th and 8th from L), Congressman Thor Tollefson (6th from L) and Mayor Harold Tollefson behind Fun Fair Queen Shiela Widener. Seated in the giant diesel shovel is U.S. Oil & Refining Co. president, Dr. Ernest Lyder. Perched on the shovel's front are Port Commissioners M.S. Erdahl and Maurice Raymond, who was the principal speaker at the event. Many of those present, including hundreds of spectators, had used the site formerly as a swimming hole and for duck hunting. (TNT 7-21-55, p. 1, TNT 7-22-55, p. 1) ALBUM 4

Magnuson, Warren G., 1905-1989; Jackson, Henry M., 1912-1983; US Oil & Refining Co. (Tacoma); Legislators--Washington--1950-1960; Tollefson, Thor C., 1901-1982; Mayors--Tacoma--1950-1960; Tollefson, Harold M., 1908-1985; Lyder, Ernest;

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;

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);

President Dwight D. Eisenhower delivers an address to an attentive audience at the College of Puget Sound Fieldhouse on October 18, 1956. The President had been barnstorming the western portion of the country. While in Tacoma, he and wife Mamie spent some time at his brother Edgar's American Lake home. Eisenhower's bid for re-election in November was successful. He died in March, 1969, of heart disease. ALBUM 1.

Presidents; Eisenhower, Dwight David, 1890-1969; Presidents--United States; Visits of state--Tacoma--1950-1960; Public speaking--Tacoma--1950-1960;

President Dwight D. Eisenhower at the podium, addressing the crowd of 8,000 at the College of Puget Sound (UPS) Fieldhouse. President Eisenhower was in Tacoma on part of an ambitious 5-day air campaign sweep through the West. Eisenhower, who in 1952 had become the first Republican to win the Presidency in 20 years, was running for re-election. While in Tacoma, he stayed at the home of his older brother Edgar Eisenhower and toured many areas of Tacoma by motorcade from his brother's American Lake home to CPS and from CPS to McChord Air Force Base. Series ordered by International News Photo. TPL-8088. ALBUM 1.

Presidents; Eisenhower, Dwight David, 1890-1969; Visits of state--Tacoma; College of Puget Sound (Tacoma)--1950-1960;

Mayor of Tacoma, prominent businessman, civic leader and sportsman John H. Anderson; photograph ordered by Anderson Construction. Anderson originally served as Mayor under the commission form of government from 1950-1954. He was elected as freshman City Councilman under the council-manager form of government in 1956 and was elected Mayor again by a vote of the Council. John Herbert Anderson was born in Auburn, N.Y., and came to Tacoma in 1908 at the age of three. He graduated from Stadium High School, where he played soccer and was a 3 year varsity tackle, in 1926. At 6 feet 2 inches and 245 pounds, he earned the nickname " Big John," and it fit his exuberant personality. He ran a thriving business as a general contractor in Tacoma and was an avid hunter, fisherman and golfer. He served on the Tacoma School Board from 1965 until his death in 1974, and had been president of the Board three times. In November of 1974, after a round of golf, he died of a heart attack at the age of 69. He was survived by his wife Caroline and children John Rodney and Karin. (TNT 11-16-1974, pg. B-16)

Mayors--Tacoma--1950-1960; Anderson, John H.;

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;

Senator Harry Cain playing pool with Tacoma Mayor John Anderson (in white tux) and group of Army officers. Senator Cain, in black tux, was a former mayor of Tacoma. He had made his fourth quick trip back to Tacoma since February 1, 1951, this time for Armed Forces Day activities. Ordered by United Council of Churches. ALBUM 13 (TNT 5-18-51, p.2-article on Senator Cain)

Cain, Harry P., 1906-1979; Anderson, John H.; Mayors--Tacoma--1940-1950; Mayors--Tacoma--1950-1960; Legislators--Washington--1950-1960; Billiards--Tacoma--1950-1960;

On June 7, 1951, Mayor John Anderson officially opened the new Sears, Roebuck parking lot by snipping the red ribbon. The three level garage was located directly adjacent to the main Sears store with 365 feet fronting Market St. Each level opened to a street: the first level opened to Court D, second level to 13th, and the upper story had its entrance on Market. Apparently the third level was already packed with cars and drivers were advised to use the second level. The concrete facility had a 500-car capacity. (TNT 6-6-51, B-2 article; TNT 6-6-51, B-6 article) ALBUM 14.

Mayors--Tacoma--1950-1960; Anderson, John H.; Parking garages--Tacoma--1950-1960; Dedications--Tacoma--1950-1960; Sears, Roebuck & Co. (Tacoma); Signs (Notices);