Cain, Delin subject of name changes

Mayor Bill Baarsma has received two requests to rename two places in honor of famous figures in the city’s history – one a politician who stood up for social justice and the other a notable entrepreneur in the era of early white settlers.

Baarsma presented both requests during Tacoma City Council’s Committee of the Whole meeting Sept. 9.

One letter is from C. Mark Smith and Candy Cain Tingstad, who is the daughter of Harry C. Cain. He served as mayor of Tacoma in the late 1930s and early 1940s. Baarsma noted that Cain is considered the only elected official who spoke out against the internment of Japanese Americans during World War II. Shortly after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, 1941, the federal government ordered Americans of Japanese descent in most areas of the West Coast to leave their homes and report to camps in rural areas of the interior of the West, where they remained until the end of the war.

Franklin Delano Roosevelt was president at the time and authorized the internment. Baarsma noted that First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt visited Tacoma, where Cain took her to the University of Puget Sound to meet Japanese-American students. Baarsma said he doubted Eleanor Roosevelt, known for her commitment to social justice causes, approved of her husband’s decision.

Cain served in the military during World War II, earning three Bronze Stars and the Legion of Merit.

After the war he was elected to the U.S. Senate. During the administration of President Dwight D. Eisenhower, Cain was a member of the Subversive Activities Control Board, where he defended the rights of those unjustly accused.

Later in his life he moved to the Miami area, where he served several terms on the Miami-Dade Commission and was active in the struggle for civil rights.

Cain Tingstad and Smith have requested renaming Broadway Plaza, which lies between Hotel Murano and Greater Tacoma Convention and Trade Center, in honor of Mayor Cain.

They provided a map showing the location of many businesses owned by Japanese Americans in this section of downtown prior to the war. Their letter noted that local Japanese Americans recognized Cain’s efforts on their behalf during a special banquet held in Tacoma in 1977.

There was discussion as to whether the request would require changing a street name. Councilmember Julie Anderson expressed her opposition to changing the name of an existing street, and suggested a plaque that would educate current residents on the ethnic heritage of this section of downtown. At least one council member suggested Broadway Plaza refers to the wide sidewalk area, rather than the street itself. Baarsma suggested a name that would include Cain and Broadway Plaza.

He also mentioned Japanese cherry trees that were planted on the UPS campus in recognition of students who were interned during the war, and suggested such trees would be fitting for the plaza.

The other request is from Skip Anderson, who wants the new ‘D’ Street Overpass to be renamed Delin Crossing.

In the letter, Anderson describes coming up with this idea while attending the recent ribbon cutting ceremony. The name refers to Nicholas Delin, an early pioneer who owned about 300 acres in the vicinity of the overpass, which connects Thea Foss Waterway to the Dome District.

Delin built a sawmill near there in 1852, 47 years before Thea Foss launched her boat service business and 13 years before Job Carr built his cabin in Old Town.

Under city law, such name change requests must be submitted to the mayor, who is required to present them for discussion with the other council members. The next step is to forward the requests to the Landmarks Preservation Commission, which Baarsma and his colleagues agreed to do.

The commission will hold a public hearing on the requests at a future date.

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