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Articles by Bill H. Baarsma
A Stroll Through Tacoma Cemetery is a Walk Through City History
Tacoma Cemetery, located at 4801 South Tacoma Way, has a long and rich history beginning in April 1875. Thus, the cemetery this year shares its sesquicentennial with the City of Tacoma. Among the 38,700 people buried there are nine former Tacoma mayors, the first state governor from Tacoma, and some of the most notable city pioneers. How Did It All Begin?
First there were two, then there was one
By Bill Baarsma (Note from the author: On Nov. 12, 1875, the Washington Territorial Legislature officially incorporated the City of Tacoma. Thus, this year marks the city’s Sesquicentennial. On Nov. 12 this year, Tacoma Historical Society will be joining the Asia Pacific Cultural Center in holding Tacoma’s 150th birthday at the new APCC building.
Charles Barstow Wright and Allen C. Mason: Two notable Tacoma pioneers
By Bill Baarsma (Note from the author: On Nov. 12, 1875, the Washington Territorial Legislature officially incorporated the City of Tacoma. Thus, this year marks the city’s Sesquicentennial. On Nov. 12, this year the Tacoma Historical Society will be joining the Asia Pacific Cultural Center in holding Tacoma’s 150th birthday celebration at the new APCC building.
Harold Moss: A true political trailblazer
(Note from the author: On Nov. 12, 1875, the Washington Territorial Legislature officially incorporated the City of Tacoma. Thus, this year marks the city’s Sesquicentennial. On Nov. 12 this year, the Tacoma Historical Society will be joining with the Asia Pacific Cultural Center in holding Tacoma’s 150th birthday celebration at the new APCC building. Ticketing information will be forthcoming.) Over its 150 years, Tacoma has experienced high hopes and, at times, deep disappointments.
Tacoma’s great recall of the 1970s
By Bill Baarsma (Note from the author: On Nov. 12, 1875, the Washington Territorial Legislature officially incorporated the City of Tacoma. Thus, this year marks the city’s sesquicentennial. The Tacoma Historical Society will be joining with the Asia Pacific Cultural Center in honoring Tacoma’s 150th birthday on Nov. 12 this year. Ticketing information will be forthcoming.) Over its 150 years, Tacoma has experienced high hopes and expectations and, at times, deep disappointments.
Dr. Dolores Silas: A woman of many firsts
By Bill Baarsma (Note from the author: On Nov. 12, 1875, the Washington Territorial Legislature officially incorporated the City of Tacoma. Thus, this year marks the city’s Sesquicentennial. On Nov. 12 this year, the Tacoma Historical Society will be joining with the Asia Pacific Cultural Center in holding a Tacoma birthday celebration at the new APCC building.
Tacoma’s strangest mayoral election
By Bill Baarsma (Note from the author: On Nov. 12, 1875, the Washington State Territorial Legislature officially incorporated the City of Tacoma. Thus, this year marks the city’s Sesquicentennial. On Nov. 12 this year the Tacoma Historical Society will be joining with the Asia Pacific Cultural Center in holding a Tacoma 150th birthday celebration at the new APCC building.
Three Women Trailblazers on the City Council: A Truly Diverse Group
By Bill Baarsma (Note from the author: On Nov.12, 1875, the Washington Territorial Legislature officially incorporated the City of Tacoma. Thus, this year marks the city’s sesquicentennial. On Nov. 12 this year, the Tacoma Historical Society will be joining with the Asia Pacific Cultural Center in holding a Tacoma birthday celebration at the APCC building.
Angelo Fawcett: Tacoma’s most interesting and notable political figure
(Note from the author: On Nov. 12, 1875, the Washington Territorial Legislature officially incorporated the City of Tacoma. Thus, this year marks the city’s sesquicentennial. On Nov. 12 this year, the Tacoma Historical Society will be joining with the Asia Pacific Cultural Center in holding a Tacoma birthday celebration at the new APCC building.) Over its 150 years, Tacoma has experienced high hopes and expectations and, at times, deep disappointments.
Tacoma’s pioneering odd couple
By Bill Baarsma (Note from the author: On Nov. 12, 1875, the Washington Territorial Legislature officially incorporated the City of Tacoma. Thus, this year marks the city’s sesquicentennial. On Nov. 12 of this year, the Tacoma Historical Society and the Asia Pacific Cultural Center will be holding a Tacoma birthday celebration at the new APCC building. Over its 150 years, Tacoma has experienced high hopes and expectations and, at times, deep disappointments.
I watched a polluting smelter turn into a vibrant development. Don’t lose perspective | Opinion
The News Tribune’s recent investigative report documenting the troubling financial issues at Point Ruston does not detract from the story of the historic rebirth of the site. It’s worth taking a step back and looking at the history. What was once one of the most toxic waste sites in the country, the American Smelting and Refining company’s (ASARCO) copper smelter, is now a vibrant, mixed-use urban village.
A Hilltop school bears the name of a racist. Honoring a Tacoma icon would be better | Opinion
He was described as an “unabashed racist” who once said, “No population that could be brought within the limits of our Territory could be more repugnant to the feelings of the people, or injurious to the prosperity of the community, than free negroes.” His son-in-law and biographer, Thomas Prosch, wrote, “He was prejudiced also against the negro … and thought that, as far as possible, it was better for the races to live apart.” He described Black people as “idle in their habits, difficult to...
Pierce County Amendment 51 takes politics out of prosecuting | Tacoma News Tribune
Bill Baarsma is a former Tacoma mayor (2002-2009) and City Council member (1992-99). We still remember the so-called good old days when county voters cast partisan ballots for an array of purely administrative positions — coroner, clerk, treasurer, assessor, auditor, sheriff and prosecutor. It was hard to figure how partisanship improved conducting autopsies, granting marriage licenses, managing records, depositing funds, appraising property or carrying out state-mandated laws.
Tacoma leaders don’t like new direction for Theater District | Tacoma News Tribune
We would like to share a little history in light of the city’s recent decision to end its partnership with Tacoma Arts Live, formerly known as the Broadway Center for Performing Arts. It really wasn’t that long ago (2004) when the Tacoma Fire Department closed down the historic Pantages and Rialto Theaters as fire hazards, too dangerous for occupancy.
Marilyn Strickland (1962- )
On November 3, 2020, Marilyn Strickland won the open seat in Washington’s 10th Congressional District, becoming the first Black Representative from the state of Washington, and first woman of Korean American descent elected to Congress. Previously on November 3, 2009, Marilyn Strickland was elected Tacoma, Washington’s 38th mayor, the second African American mayor of the city, and the first Black woman to hold the post.
Vote yes on Prop 1 to support art access for all
As Tacoma grows, how do we maintain – and grow – the sense of community that makes our city special? We do it by building on what’s been working: investments in learning opportunities, support of shared spaces – from neighborhoods to parks to historical locations – and promotion of arts, culture and heritage. There’s a proposition on the November ballot to support all these advantages, and create even more.
Tacoma: Council confirms utility chief, sky doesn’t fall
Re: “City Council confirms 2 new high-profile directors,” (TNT, 6/14). In voting to confirm new Utility Director Jackie Flowers and Community Development Director Jeff Robinson, the council complied with City Charter sections 3.4 and 4.18 for the first time. This confirmation authority was vested to the directly elected officials when Tacoma voters passed charter amendments in 2014, despite pleas of gloom and doom by naysayers and opponents.
Foss: Decision to restore waterway was visionary | The News Tribune
Re: “A decade on, the Foss cleanup shines,” (TNT, 8/21). Reporter Derrick Nunnally’s excellent article documenting the cleanup of the Foss Waterway illustrates how a public-private partnership can enhance the environment and lead to sound economic development.The initial decision to move forward with the Foss Waterway cleanup, made by policy makers 25 years ago, was fraught with controversy.
Lights out for Sonics home in Tacoma
By Bill Baarsma (Note from the author: On Nov. 12, 1875, the Washington Territorial Legislature officially incorporated the City of Tacoma. Thus, this year marks the City’s Sesquicentennial. Over its 150 years, Tacoma has experienced high hopes and expectations and, at times, deep disappointments. Such a happening occurred 30 years ago when the NBA’s Seattle Super Sonics played its entire 1994-95 season in the Tacoma Dome.
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