Research the archive

• “giblett” ×

1. The Ghost Stories of the City Reservoir

   While typhoid fever rages in Tacoma, the city council struggles to address public panic over rumors of bodies dumped in the water supply.

   Feb 4, 1904The Tacoma TimesTacoma, Pierce CountyCity Hall · True Crime

2. City Hall Forces Transit Upgrade

   After years of complaints about 'rattletraps,' the City Council orders the Tacoma Railway & Power Company to replace its McKinley Park fleet.

   Mar 18, 1909The Tacoma TimesMcKinley Park, Tacoma, Pierce CountyCity Hall

3. Nine Votes to Kill Civil Service—Tacoma's Council Tries to Gut the Charter

   At a special meeting, nine councilmen back a plan to let the mayor fire city workers at will; reformists need to hold two more votes to stop it.

   Feb 12, 1909The Tacoma TimesTacoma, Pierce CountyCity Hall

4. City Council Splits Over Telephone Franchise

   A surprise move to indefinitely postpone the new independent telephone franchise failed in a narrow 9-7 vote, signaling a shift in local utility control.

   Jul 28, 1904The Tacoma TimesTacoma, Pierce CountyFollow the Money

5. The Council’s Cold Shoulder to South Tacoma

   A fiery exchange in the Tacoma City Council reveals deep tensions over public safety resources in the South Tacoma district.

   Aug 18, 1904The Tacoma TimesSouth Tacoma, Tacoma, Pierce CountyCity Hall

6. The Price of Tacoma’s Railroad Growth

   After a grueling two-year standoff, the city grants Jim Hill massive concessions in exchange for long-promised freight terminals and a new depot.

   Jan 14, 1909The Tacoma TimesTacoma, Pierce CountyFollow the Money

7. The 1909 City Hall Power Grab That Tacoma Voters Were Told to Stop

   A fiery Times editorial urged citizens to pack the council chamber against charter amendments it said would gut civil service, raise council pay, and hand city jobs to political loyalists.

   Feb 11, 1909The Tacoma TimesTacoma, Pierce CountyCity Hall

8. City Council Sides with Grocers to Shutter Public Market

   In a blow to local gardeners and budget-conscious residents, the city council votes to dismantle the D Street market stalls to protect the city's grocery combine.

   Apr 29, 1909The Tacoma TimesD Street, Tacoma, Pierce CountyCity Hall

9. City Leaders Hike the South Tacoma Woods to Scout New Wells

   After a soaking walk through the forest, city officials and contractors consider a new strategy for Tacoma’s water future.

   Sep 9, 1904The Tacoma TimesWapato Lake, Tacoma, Pierce CountyCity Hall

10. Tacoma’s Grocery Trust Fails to Kill Public Market

    After intense lobbying from the Retail Grocers' association to dismantle the D Street market, citizens and the Central Labor Council force the city council to back down and preserve the farmers' market.

    May 6, 1909The Tacoma TimesD Street, Tacoma, Pierce CountyFollow the Money

11. South Tacoma Secures Emergency Services After Council Battle

    While the city council rejected a street improvement project for the South L and 56th Street neighborhood, they ultimately conceded to demands for additional firefighting protection.

    Aug 25, 1904The Tacoma TimesTacoma, Pierce CountyCity Hall

12. The Shadowy Fight Over Tacoma's Telephone Monopoly

    Councilmen accused of catering to the Sunset Telephone company while ignoring constituent demands for fair rates.

    Jul 29, 1904The Tacoma TimesTacoma, Pierce CountyFollow the Money

13. The Battle to Protect Civil Service Reform

    Tacoma’s City Council faces a showdown as political machines push to dismantle merit-based municipal hiring.

    Mar 18, 1909The Tacoma TimesTacoma, Pierce CountyCity Hall

14. City Council Blocks Charter Reform

    Tacoma councilmen stall special election for new commission-style government to protect existing political machines.

    Mar 25, 1909The Tacoma TimesTacoma, Pierce CountyCity Hall

15. The Pure Food Ordinance Trap

    Tacoma women leading a campaign for food safety are blindsided by a missing provision in a new city ordinance.

    Mar 6, 1909The Tacoma TimesTacoma, Pierce CountyCity Hall

16. The North End's Water Works Fairness Fight

    Tacoma’s City Council faces accusations of unequal treatment regarding public infrastructure costs for water hydrants.

    Feb 4, 1909The Tacoma TimesTacoma, Pierce CountyCity Hall

17. City Hall Factions Scramble for Power

    Tacoma council members face a potential stalemate in selecting a new president, with rival factions vying for a decisive swing vote.

    Apr 14, 1909The Tacoma TimesTacoma, Pierce CountyCity Hall

18. Tacoma Cracks Down on Dirty Diners

    A new health ordinance forces restaurants, fish markets, and milk stores to secure city licenses or face closure.

    May 6, 1909The Tacoma TimesTacoma, Pierce CountyCity Hall

19. The Power Fight at City Hall

    Tacoma business owners demand a stay on new electric franchises, fearing a private monopoly over the city's municipal light plant.

    Jun 23, 1904The Tacoma TimesTacoma, Pierce CountyFollow the Money

20. Voters Approve Bridge and Sewer Bonds

    Tacoma voters select nine councilmen and approve massive public works spending during a low-turnout election.

    Apr 7, 1909The Tacoma TimesTacoma, Pierce CountyCity Hall

21. Tacoma's Women Take On the Bakers Over Wrapped Bread

    A committee of pure-food reformers and a dozen bakers squared off before the city council's health committee over an ordinance requiring bread be wrapped — with more than 1,000 women enlisted behind the fight.

    Feb 8, 1909The Tacoma TimesTacoma, Pierce CountyCity Hall

Download all 21 as a spreadsheet (CSV)