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Building History

The Tacoma architectural firm of Proctor and Dennis won an architectural competition for the Pierce County Courthouse on 06/17/1890. The Tacoma News Tribune reported the following day: The county commissioners began balloting on the court house plans about 5 o’clock yesterday afternoon but no final decision was reached until 6 o’clock at which hour the plum was awarded to Proctor & Dennis. According to the rule of the board, Proctor & Dennis will receive 2 ½ per cent. of the cost of the building as their remuneration, but will be compelled to pay to Arthur L. Smith, winner of the second prize, $300 and to Preston & Heide, winners of the third prize, $200. The commissioners make honorable mention of all other architects competing. The design of Proctor & Dennis shows a massive stone structure of great external beauty, with a central tower containing a clock and four dials and two corner turrets. It is to be three stories and a half in height the central tower rising to a height of 200 feet.” (See “Awarded at Last: Proctor & Dennis Will Draw the Court House Plans,” Tacoma News Tribune, 06/18/1890, p. 7.)

PCAD id: 15001