Aaron Titlow
Washington state politician (1857–1923) / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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Aaron Rosser Titlow (November 22, 1857 – January 6, 1923) was a Washington state lawyer and politician. Titlow served as a prosecuting attorney for Pierce County from 1896 to 1898 and was the Democratic National Committeeman from the state of Washington from 1920 to 1923. As of 2020, he's best remembered for Titlow Beach, a popular 75-acre (30 ha) waterfront public park in Tacoma which was purchased from Titlow's family in 1928 by Metro Parks Tacoma.
Aaron Rosser Titlow | |
---|---|
Born | (1857-11-22)November 22, 1857 |
Died | January 6, 1923(1923-01-06) (aged 65) |
Burial place | Tacoma Cemetery, Tacoma, Washington |
Alma mater | Washington University in St. Louis |
Years active | 1886–1922 |
Known for | Political influence among Washington state democrats; Titlow Beach |
Title | Democratic National Committeeman from the state of Washington |
Term | 1920–1923 |
Predecessor | Hugh C. Wallace |
Successor | George Francis Christensen |
Political party | Republican until 1896, then Democrat |
Spouse | Stella (Smart) Titlow[1] |
Children | 6 (5 survived)[2] |
Titlow settled in Tacoma, Washington, in 1888 and made many successful real estate investments that brought him wealth and prominence. As a lawyer, he was involved in several high-profile cases, defending public interest against corporate interests. In 1893, he won a court case representing the public interest against Tacoma City Council and Tacoma Light and Water Company, saving $787,000 ($22.6 million in 2020 dollars[note 1]) in public money. In 1909, Titlow protected his real estate interests and public access rights to the waterfront, fending off James J. Hill and Northern Pacific Railroad's attempt to monopolize the Tacoma waterfront.
Although Titlow did not hold any public office (with the exception of his two-year prosecuting attorney term), he became an influential political figure in Washington state as a Democratic Party factioneer. Titlow was a campaign manager for George Turner, contributing to his election to US Senate and supported James M. Cox during the presidential election of 1920.
As of 2020, Titlow's residence on Sheridan Avenue in Tacoma and the remnants of his Hesperides Hotel on Titlow Beach (now known as Titlow Lodge) are historic landmarks.