Dedication day for Fort Nisqually reconstruction at Point Defiance. L-R are Tacoma Mayor George Smitley, Governor Clarence D. Martin, Mrs. Smitley and an unidentified man. Photograph was probably taken in the morning of September 3, 1934, at the time of the historical pageant which occurred on downtown streets. Dedication of the old fort later that day would be the feature of the Labor Day celebration. (TNT 9-4-34, p. 1) ALBUM 10.

Governors; Martin, Clarence D., 1887-1955; Mayors--Tacoma--1930-1940; Smitley, George A., 1872-1956; Point Defiance Park (Tacoma); Fort Nisqually (Tacoma); Dedications--Tacoma--1930-1940;

Dedication day for Fort Nisqually reconstruction at Point Defiance. Tacoma Mayor George Smitley, far left, his wife and Governor Clarence D. Martin, second from left in photo, and an unidentified man stand in an open automobile during the historical pageant held in downtown Tacoma on Labor Day. The man to the far right is possibly a Tacoma city councilman. Later that day, throngs would attend the formal dedication of Fort Nisqually's restoration. The Young Men's Business Club was instrumental in pursuing restoration of the historic fort. It provided the funds for the materials necessary for the project. Much of the labor was done through the CWA. (TNT 9-4-34, p. 1) ALBUM 10.

Governors; Martin, Clarence D., 1887-1955; Mayors--Tacoma--1930-1940; Smitley, George A., 1872-1956; Point Defiance Park (Tacoma); Fort Nisqually (Tacoma); Dedications--Tacoma--1930-1940;

Newly elected Mayor Val Fawcett takes the oath of office from city clerk Genevieve Martin at (Old) City Hall on June 3, 1946. In May of 1943, Val Fawcett had assumed the office of Acting Mayor to allow Mayor Harry P. Cain to serve in the Army. Val Fawcett was elected mayor in 1946 and served until 1950. He had previously served several terms as Tacoma's Finance Commissioner. No stranger to politics, he was the son of A.V. ("Fighting") Fawcett, controversial four time Mayor of Tacoma. Miss Martin was a long term municipal employee who administered the oath to several of Tacoma's Mayors. TPL-4909. ALBUM 14. (T. Times 6-3-46, p. 1)

Fawcett, Clarence Valdo, 1900-1965; Mayors--Tacoma--1940-1950; Oaths--Tacoma; Martin, Genevieve; Municipal government--Tacoma;

C.M.T.C. awards ceremonies. Governor Clarence D. Martin with a group of Army officers observe the Citizens Military Training Camp awards program at Fort Lewis. Awards for civil, military and athletic excellence were presented at the conclusion of the annual encampment of citizen soldiers. The awards were presented on Visitors Day and the ceremony observed by Gov. Martin, mayors of nearby cities and families and friends of participants. (T.Times, 8/4/1938, p.1).

Governors; Martin, Clarence D., 1887-1955; Fort Lewis (Wash.); Citizens Military Training Camp--Fort Lewis;

Mrs. Kate Stevens Bates, youngest daughter and only survivor of Washington Territory's first governor, Isaac Stevens, sits at the piano at her home in Olympia on March 14, 1939. She was only a few months old when the family arrived in Olympia. Brother Hazard Stevens built Bates' home. She is the wife of James H.S. Bates. (T. Times 3/14/1939, p. 1)

Governors; Stevens, Isaac Ingalls--Family; Bates, Kate Stevens; Pianos;

ca. 1937. In 1937 former Tacoma mayor Melvin G. Tennent (far left) was photographed while visiting the Globe Machine Manufacturing Company at 301 East 11th Street. Melvin Green Tennent was twice elected mayor of Tacoma; first when he defeated four-term incumbent Angelo Fawcett in March, 1926, by 4000+ votes, and again in 1930. Born in 1885 in Marietta, Georgia, Mr. Tennent went to work in an iron foundry when only 10 years old. He moved to Washington state in 1920 and became the president of Tennent Steel Casting Co. with branches in three cities. In 1937 the City Directory listed him as the vice-president of the Atlas Foundry. Mr. Tennent, who claimed to have tried to retire three times, died in 1969 at the age of 84, still active in real estate. ALBUM 11.

Mayors--Tacoma--1920-1930; Mayors--Tacoma--1930-1940; Tennent, Melvin Green;

Harry P. Cain, future Mayor of Tacoma and U.S. Senator, appeared in the Tacoma Little Theater production of "The Animal Kingdom" under the direction of his wife, Marjorie Dils Cain. Mr. Cain, who starred as Tom Collier, is pictured in this March, 1937, print speaking to the woman on the stairs. He portrayed a small-time publisher with a genuine sense of humor. Other cast members included Mrs. Salem Nourse, Salem Nourse, Uwarda Egley, Claude Brennan, Mrs. Galvin Hopper, Gordon Tuell, Mrs. Thomas Turner and Merle Benedict. The well-received play completed its 3-day run on March 14, 1937. (T.Times 3-3-37, p. 11, 3-12-37, p. 8) ALBUM 12.

Cain, Harry P., 1906-1979; Actors--Tacoma--1930-1940; Tacoma Little Theatre (Tacoma); Tacoma Drama League (Tacoma); Theatrical productions--Tacoma--1930-1940; Mayors--Tacoma--1940-1950;

In 1940, the heated election fight between former mayor Melvin G. Tennent and Harry P. Cain ended in March with Mr. Cain elected mayor of Tacoma. Mr. Cain's name had been placed on the ballot by a superior court mandamus order days before the election. "This is the dirtiest deal ever pulled in the city of Tacoma," declared a bitter Mr. Tennent after the election. The Tacoma Times journeyed to the Cain's home on Wednesday, March 13, 1940, to photograph the newly elected mayor and his family. Harry P. Cain II (Buzzy), age two, and his small dog Ricky pose for the camera the morning after his father's victory. (T.Times, 3-13-40, p. 1) ALBUM 12.

Cain, Harry P., 1906-1979; Cain, Harry P., 1906-1979--Family; Mayors--Tacoma--1940-1950; Dogs--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Mayor- Elect Harry P. Cain addresses supporters on the night of his election, March 12, 1940. Successful Public Utilities Commissioner candidate Bob O'Neil is perched on a desk behind him. Mr. Cain defeated former mayor Melvin G. Tennent in a highly contested race. Harry P. Cain's name was placed on the ballot by the courts as a replacement for Dr. Bert Kertsetter who had died just days before the general election. Mr. Cain had finished third in the primary, behind leading vote getter Kertsetter and Mr. Tennent. He assumed office in June. ALBUM 12.

Cain, Harry P., 1906-1979; Mayors--Tacoma--1940-1950; Political elections--Tacoma--1940-1950; Pointing fingers;

A sense of humor saves the day as Wavie (Mrs. J.J.) Kaufman, wife of the Mayor, prepares to cut a makeshift ribbon opening the new, and long awaited, 38th Street bridge on December 19, 1939. Some thrill seeking youngsters had dissected the original ribbon and carried it off as souvenirs. A replacement was formed from pieces of cloth. It is held by Mayor Kaufman, left, and Commissioner A.R. Bergersen. Representative H. N. (Barney) Jackson, center, and Senator G.B. Kerstetter, far right, look on. The 38th street bridge was a modern concrete affair costing $37,000 and intended to bring the McKinley Hill area "back into the city." The construction of the bridge had been sought for several years by Hill residents. (T. Times 12/20/1939, pg. 20)

Kaufman, Joseph J.; Mayors--Tacoma--1930-1940; Dedications--Tacoma--1930-1940; Bridges--Tacoma--1930-1940; Kaufman, Wavie; Bergersen, Abner R.; Jackson, H.N.; Kerstetter, G.B.;

Newly installed Mayor John C. Siegle, center, stands with his fellow city councilmen on June 6, 1938, in (Old) City Hall. From L-R, Val Fawcett - Finance Commissioner, Holmes Eastwood - Safety Commissioner, Dr. Siegle, Ira Davisson - Public Utilities Commissioner and Abner Bergersen - Public Works Commissioner. Dr. Siegle, a leading dentist in Tacoma, was the city's first native-born mayor. The death of his father when the mayor was only ten caused him to drop out of Tacoma public schools; he later studied privately while becoming a card carrying member of the Machinists Union. He worked his way through Northwestern University and obtained his DDS. Mayor Siegle held many leadership titles in the community including being the Past Exalted Ruler of Tacoma Lodge No. 174, BPOE, past president of the Kiwanis Club, past president of the North End community club and past commander of the Edward B. Rhodes Post No. 2 of the American Legion. His platform urged civic improvement to make Tacoma an ever better city and campaigned for new industry and economic development, especially in the Tideflats. Dr. Siegle passed away on April 12, 1939, of cancer, having served as mayor for less than a year. ALBUM 11. (T.Times 6-6-38, p. 1)

Mayors--Tacoma--1930-1940; Siegle, John C., 1885-1939; Fawcett, Clarence Valdo, 1900-1965; Eastwood, Holmes; Davisson, Ira; Bergersen, Abner R.; Municipal government--Tacoma;

Arrival of army transport U.S. Grant bringing 808 officers and men of the 15th Infantry Division home from Tientsin, China. Pictured left to right are Col. Joseph A. McAndrew, commander of the 15th Infantry, unidentified officer, Governor Clarence D. Martin, an unidentified officer and Tacoma Mayor George Smitley. (T.Times, 3/24/1938, p.1),

Mayors--Tacoma--1930-1940; Smitley, George A., 1872-1956; Martin, Clarence D., 1887-1955; Troop movements--1930-1940; McAndrew, Joseph A.;

Publicity portrait of new Pierce County Prosecutor Thor Tollefson making a point, appearently from the City Directory! Mr. Tollefson served as county prosecutor from 1938-1946, at which time he made a successful bid for a Congressional seat. He was to remain as the 6th District representative for nine terms, until finally defeated for re-election in the 1964 elections. (T. Times, 1-9-39, p. 1) ALBUM 4.

Tollefson, Thor C., 1901-1982; Lawyers--Tacoma--1930-1940;

New Pierce County Prosecutor Thor Tollefson and his wife Eva. Mr. Tollefson was the county's prosecuting attorney from 1938-1946 when he then ran for election to the U.S. House of Representatives. He defeated incumbent Democrat John Coffee and won re-election during the eight succeeding Congresses. Born in Minnesota and a Tacoma resident since 1912, Mr. Tollefson graduated from Lincoln High School and the University of Washington Law School. (T. Times 1-09-39, p. 1) ALBUM 4.

Tollefson, Thor C., 1901-1982; Tollefson, Eva; Lawyers--Tacoma--1930-1940;

During March of 1938 the Tacoma Philharmonic Orchestra, under the direction of Eugene Linden, presented the first in a series of three concerts to be held that year at the Temple Theatre. The 60 member orchestra played the Overture from the "Magic Flute", Tchaikovsky's 5th Symphony, and the Concerto for Piano and Orchestra by Mowery with Dent Mowery as soloist. The Philharmonic attracted their largest audience ever, with approximately 1,400 persons attending. The musicians in rehearsal are: seated l to r, Philip Meyer, Charles Bird & John Kolilis. Glen Dodge is standing at the far right, and Herb Jones is standing at the center under the calendar. The sign on the wall indicates that the Philharmonic Orchestra in 1938 was part of the WPA Federal Music Project. (T.Times 3/4/1938, p.3).

Works Progress Administration (Tacoma); Tacoma Philharmonic Orchestra (Tacoma); Orchestras--Tacoma--1930-1940; Brass instruments; Musicians--Tacoma--1930-1940; Meyer, Philip; Bird, Charles; Kolilis, John; Dodge, Glen; Jones, Herb;

Informal shoveling contest during October, 1940, ground breaking at C.P.S.for new Student Union Building. Mayor Harry Cain, in hat and cigarette in mouth, squats at right center. Norton Clapp is to Cain's left in photo. Norton Clapp served as a trustee of the college (later University) for 62 years, 19 of those as chairman of the board of trustees. Students and invited guests chortle at the sight of the unannounced shoveling contest pitting Bishop Bruce Baxter of Willamette University, C.P.S. president Edward H. Todd, Board of Trustees president E.L. Blaine and trustee Albert H. Hooker, Jr., on October 16, 1940. The contest was diplomatically declared a draw. Trustee Hooker was disqualified because his first shovelful of dirt fell on Dr. Todd's neck. Norton Clapp would go on to win the actual 4-man shoveling contest, besting Mayor Cain, the student body president and Chamber of Commerce president. (T.Times, 10-16-40, p. 1, 10-17-40, p. 10 and 1941 C.P.S.annual Tamanawas) ALBUM 12

Cain, Harry P., 1906-1979 ; Mayors--Tacoma--1940-1950; Clapp, Norton, 1906-1995; College of Puget Sound (Tacoma)--1940-1950; Universities & colleges--Tacoma; Digging--Tacoma--1940-1950; Ground breaking ceremonies--Tacoma;

Mrs. Lane Paskill is set to circle Saturday, September 7, 1940, on Mayor Harry P. Cain's office calendar as a reminder of the Club of Hearts Cabaret Sports Dance to benefit the Red Cross. The dance would be held in the Hotel Winthrop's Crystal Ballroom. Since the mayor's schedule was so often crowded, Mrs. Paskill visited him in mid-August to book the date. TPL-5177. ALBUM 12. (T.Times 8-24-40, p. 5)

Cain, Harry P., 1906-1979; Mayors--Tacoma--1940-1950; Calendars; Paskill, Lane--Family; Fund raising--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Arthur B. Langlie, mayor of Seattle and Republican candidate for Governor, speaking at the Wheeler-Osgood Company on the Tacoma tideflats. Langlie had made several speeches in Tacoma on this day in his campaign against Democrat Clarence C. Dill. Dill had defeated incumbent Governor Clarence Martin in the primaries, indicating that Washington was ready for a change. Langlie narrowly defeated Dill in the final election, becoming Governor by a margin of fewer than 6,000 votes.

Langlie, Arthur B., 1900-1966; Wheeler, Osgood Co. (Tacoma); Political campaigns;

J.J. Kaufman, ex-Mayor and newly elected president of the Tacoma Chamber of Commerce, with Larry Windsor of Republic, Washington, and his dog Trixie, at the Chamber of Commerce annual achievement dinner. (T. Times)

Mayors - Tacoma - 1939-40 - Joseph J. Kaufman (circa 1884-1965) Animals - Domestic Animals - Dogs

Mayor Harry P. Cain signs his autograph in cement next to his foot and handprints at Tacoma's new Exposition Hall on Bay Street (now Tacoma Soccer Center). The new civic auditorium was dedicated on February 15, 1941, with the Tacoma Better Housing Exposition as the first exhibit. The show had a nine-day run. ALBUM 12.

Mayors--Tacoma--1940-1950; Cain, Harry P., 1906-1979;

Cropped photograph of Mayor Harry P. Cain putting the final touches in his autographed cement square at the dedication of the Tacoma Exposition Hall on February 15, 1941. Same photograph but showing more crowd reaction is D10894, image 1. Mayor Cain placed his hands and feet in the wet cement. ALBUM 12.

Mayors--Tacoma--1940-1950; Cain, Harry P., 1906-1979;

Mayor Harry P. Cain putting handprints in cement at Tacoma's new Exposition Hall on Bay Street (now Tacoma Soccer Center) on February 15, 1941. The mayor appears to have successfully avoided planting his knees at the same time. The city's new civic auditorium hosted the Better Housing Exposition as its first exhibition. ALBUM 12. .

Mayors--Tacoma--1940-1950; Cain, Harry P., 1906-1979;

A Mrs. Golden, part of the "Hormel" team, pays a visit to Mayor Harry P. Cain in March, 1941. The company was running a campaign to promote Spam and Hormel Chili Con Carne whereby roving "Hormel Girls and Men" would stop people at random and pay them either $1 or $2 if they could provide proof of Hormel's products. Mrs. Golden is pictured holding a Chili Con Carne label; it is not known whether the label belonged to Mayor Cain. ALBUM 12.

Mayors--Tacoma--1940-1950; Cain, Harry P., 1906-1979;

ca. 1940. These five unidentified members of the Willkie and McNary Club of Pierce County were decked out in special semi-circular bonnets to welcome their favorite Presidential candidate to Tacoma in September of 1940. Each is also wearing a small campaign button on her dress. Presidential candidate Willkie made a whistle-stop tour of Tacoma on September 23, 1940, which included a stop at campaign headquarters. He took his campaign directly to the average voter during his one hour and 45 minute visit, greeting thousands of people along his route which stretched from South Tacoma to the business and industrial sections of the city. (T.Times, 9-23-40, p. 1, T.Times, 9-24-40, p. 1) ALBUM 2.

Presidential elections--Tacoma--1940-1950; Hats--1940-1950;

Crowd listening to Republican Presidential candidate Wendell Willkie's address at Wheeler-Osgood Company. (T. Times)

Willkie, Wendell, 1892-1944; Political campaigns; Presidential elections; Public speaking--Tacoma--1940-1950; Crowds--Tacoma--1940-1950;

When Wendell Willkie, the 1940 Republican presidential nominee stopped in Tacoma, both Frank Fletcher (left), age 5, and his brother Walt, age 3, were at the Northern Pacific Shops train yard to hear him. His September 1940 visit to Tacoma was the first campaign stop by a Republican presidential candidate in Tacoma in 24 years. The Tacoma Times misidentified Walt as Robert Fletcher when they originally published this photograph in September of 1940. TPL-8374

Willkie, Wendell, 1892-1944; Presidential elections--Tacoma--1940-1950; Public speaking--Tacoma; Fletcher, Frank; Fletcher, Walt;

Republican presidential candidate Wendell Willkie at microphone on the rear platform of his special train. Mrs. Willkie and Arthur Langlie, Republican candidate for Governor, are to Willkie's left. The "Willkie Special" had traveled throughout Oregon and Washington as Mr. Willkie made several brief stops to promote his candidacy. Other Republicans also hitched a ride aboard including Paul Preus, candidate for Congress and Mr. Langlie, Mayor of Seattle. TPL-184 ALBUM 2. (T. Times, 9-23-40, p. 1, T.Times, 9-24-40, p. 1))

Willkie, Wendell, 1892-1944; Presidential elections--Tacoma--1940-1950; Willkie, Edith; Langlie, Arthur B., 1900-1966;

Mrs. Karl B. Kellogg and Mrs. Bertha Taylor present a box of candy to Edith (Mrs. Wendell) Willkie at Northern Pacific Railroad shops in South Tacoma. Mrs. Russell Harrod waits to present flowers. The women were members of Republican organizations: Mrs. Kellogg, the president of Pro-America, Mrs. Taylor, secretary of the Republican County Central Comm., and Mrs. Harrod, the vice-president of United Women's Republican Club. Paul Johns leans over to assist Mrs. Willkie. Wendell Willkie was the Republican candidate for president in 1940. He, and his "Willkie Special" train, made several stops in Oregon and Washington in his campaign against Franklin Delano Roosevelt. In his short one hour stay in Tacoma, he managed to make several speeches at Lincoln High School, his campaign headquarters and the Wheeler-Osgood plant. Mr. Willkie ultimately lost the election to incumbent Roosevelt; however, his popular vote was only 5 million less than what President Roosevelt had received. ALBUM 2. (T.Times, 9-23-40, p.1, T. Times, 9-24-40, p. 1)

Willkie, Wendell, 1892-1944; Willkie, Edith; Presidential elections--Tacoma--1940-1950; Johns, Paul; Taylor, Bertha; Kellogg, Karl B.--Family; Harrod, Russell--Family;

Tacoma Mayor Harry P. Cain, seated in rear at the head table, was one of the principal speakers at the annual induction meeting of the Tacoma Active Club, held at the (New) Tacoma Hotel on December 12, 1940. 46 initiates were accepted into the group's membership. In addition, Active International president Ted Little of Olympia and the mayor-elect of Olympia, Truman Trullinger, were guest speakers. ALBUM 12. (T.Times 12-13-40, p. 12)

Cain, Harry P., 1906-1979; Mayors--Tacoma--1940-1950; Meetings--Tacoma--1940-1950; Tacoma Active Club (Tacoma);

Publicity for aluminum drive. Mayor Harry P. Cain, center in white, with men and women of Tacoma Home Defense Corps on Traffic Island at South 9th and Broadway. A high wire enclosure had been sent up to collect used aluminum that could be recycled into bombers. A city wide drive was scheduled for July 21-29th, 1941. The mountain of old pots and pans would be turned over to the National Committee. In all, over 9 tons of the precious metal was collected in Tacoma; 17,128 pounds of it at 9th and Broadway. (TNT 7/21/1941, pg. 14)

Cain, Harry P., 1906-1979; Mayors--Tacoma--1940-1950; Tacoma Home Defense Corps (Tacoma); World War, 1939-1945--Scrap drives;