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Surprises That The Centennial Committee Discovered!

By Christine Hall

As the Centennial Committee, Tyler and Chris researched the FTJ history, they had some surprises!  Here are a few of them.

Civil War Residents

“I was surprised (though I shouldn’t have been) at how many early residents at FTJ served in the Civil War.  The best example (among many) would be Episcopal Bishop Lemuel Wells. Bishop Wells was studying for the ministry when the American Civil War broke out. He fought at the Battle of Vicksburg and served as commander of the body guard for General US Grant.” Claire McCaffery Griffin

Employees Lived at FTJ

“I was surprised that in the early days nearly all the employees lived on site, not just the superintendent. That made the jobs a major commitment, but they also benefited from having room and board as part of their overall compensation. The earliest planning for the Pratt-Tenzler Hall had the upper level devoted to staff living quarters. Though that did not happen, as late as 1970, Room 200 was used as the administrator’s apartment.”  Tyler Kaye

Grounds for Rejection

“I was surprised to see how long diabetes and dementia were grounds for rejection of applicants, and even removal of residents.  In light of the new master plan’s goal of reducing the ratio of health care residents to independent residents, I now see that acceptance of diabetic and demented residents was a big step towards our current ratio skewed towards health care. Of course we will continue to provide skilled nursing and memory care, but not at the same ratio as now. ‘  Redmond Barnett

Ages of Early Residents and Why Was the Tenzler Name Removed From The Building

“I was surprised that the ages of the early residents were in their 60’s and 70’s, so people are living longer and staying healthier longer these days.”  Also, I had asked once about who the Margaret was that the “Margaret’s Garden” stone was dedicated to.  We finally found that it was named for Margaret Long (1892-1966).  She was a Civic Leader and FTJ Board Secretary for 40 Years.  Moreover, the mystery of the Tenzler name disappearance from the Lillian Pratt Building was discovered.  The original building was named the Tenzler-Pratt Building in honor of these two women who were generous donors to have this building added to campus.  A few decades later, the Tenzler family asked to have its name removed from all the buildings in Puget Sound which had their name.  The building was renamed the Lillian Pratt Building”   Karen Fischer

Abundant Community Donations

“I was surprised about the extent of support for the beginning and early days of Restholme and FTJ. Not only P.E.O. members that initiated and helped establish the Home, but donations from Tacoma leaders and businesses, philanthropic organizations, and an extensive outreach and ongoing contributions from Circles that included so many women from the community. Important large gifts were keys to the founding, but it also “took a village” to keep things moving on successfully.  I have also been surprised about the successful Centennial presentations, graphics and displays have turned out so beautifully. When I first saw the “state” of the unsorted history boxes of stuff, I never imagined the clarity and organization that has materialized.”  Ann Martin

Ramps Instead of Stairs

“My surprise was structural, rather than literal.  First time surprise was in December 2019 when I walked on a ramp to see the Christmas trees in the Lillian Pratt building. I expected a staircase and not a ramp.

Fast forward to August 19, 2024. From the Tobey Jones Parlor room where we’re having lunch, I saw a resident walking up the ramp to the second floor.  Since the Tobey Jones Building was an original 1924 building, I assumed the ramp was an original design by the architect and approved by the Board.  If the above assumption is correct, FTJ was way ahead of its time!  (Ramps in public and private buildings were not legally/mandatory required until the passage of the ADA in 1990.)”  Cora Bock

Mrs. Franke Tobey Jones Did Not Start the First “Home For The Elderly” in Tacoma

“My biggest surprise was that Mrs. Franke Tobey Jones was not the one to come up with the idea of a “home for the elderly.”  It was actually Mrs. Virginia Mason (Mrs. John Q. Mason) that had the desire to have a home for the elderly.  She talked about this idea and found many women in Tacoma with the same desire.  Virginia and many, many women started raising funds to rent, furnish and staff the 22 room Danaher Home on D Street in Tacoma.  Mr. and Mrs. Jones lived across the street from the Danaher Home and thought the idea of a home for the elderly was wonderful.  In no time, Mr. and Mrs. Jones started an endowment fund to help run the home.  Shortly thereafter, and after her husband passed away, Mrs. Franke Tobey Jones donated $150,000 and the land to build a permanent retirement home, and so it was named after her.  For decades, the women of Tacoma continued to raise funds for the Franke Tobey Jones Home and kept it “afloat” during some hard times.”  Chris Hall