New Tacoma in Pierce County, Washington — The American West (Northwest)
In Honor of Rossell G. O’Brien
Photographed by Renee Crist
1. Rossell G. O’Brien Marker
In honor of Rossell G. O’Brien who in the Bostwick Building, Tacoma, Washington, on October 18, 1893, during regular session of the Washington Commandery of the Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the USA, did originate the custom of standing during the rendition of the Star Spangled Banner, the National Anthem of the United States of America.
Erected 1970 by Mary Ball Chapter, NSDAR.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Notable Events • Patriots & Patriotism. In addition, it is included in the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) series list. A significant historical date for this entry is October 18, 1983.
Location. Marker has been permanently removed. It was located near 47° 15.35′ N, 122° 26.433′ W. Marker was in Tacoma, Washington, in Pierce County. It was in New Tacoma. It was on Broadway, on the right when traveling south. The bronze plaque is mounted onto the left side of an entrance to the Bostwick Building. The building owner has confirmed that the plaque was removed from the building by unknown parties and has been reported stolen. Touch for map. Marker was at or near
this page online
We have been informed that this marker is no longer there and will not be replaced. This page is an archival view of what was.
Regionally, this marker was in the Puget Sound Region and in Greater Seattle. It was also on the American Pacific Coast, in the Pacific Northwest, and in the Lewis & Clark Corridor. Globally, it was in North America, in the Cascade Range, in the Inside Passage, on the Ring of Fire, in the Pacific Rim, in the Western Hemisphere, in the Western World, and in the Anglosphere.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this location: George Francis Train (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Old City Hall (about 600 feet away); Murray Morgan Bridge Rehabilitation (approx. ¼ mile away); The Shul: Talmud Torah - Sinai Temple (approx. half a mile away); Welcome Figure (approx. 0.6 miles away); Commemorating Nihongo Gakko 日本語学校 (approx. 0.6 miles away); Then and Now: South End of the Thea Foss Waterway (approx. 0.7 miles away); Dedicated to You, a Free Citizen in a Free Land
Photographed by Shirley A Stirling, November 29, 2025
2. Rossell G. O’Brien Marker
Marker is missing and has been for some time.
Regarding In Honor of Rossell G. O’Brien. Rossell O’Brien was born in Dublin in 1846, and after coming to the US as a 16-year-old fought in the US Civil War with the Union Army’s 134th Illinois Volunteer Infantry. In 1870, he moved to Washington Territory where he served as clerk of the Supreme Court and as United States commissioner. He is known as "The father of the Washington National Guard." In 1882 he organized the first National Guard in Washington Territory and was its first Commander. He served on the Olympia City Council starting in 1883 and was elected Mayor in 1891. He was also involved in the Military Order of the Loyal Legion, an organization of US Civil War veterans. At a meeting in Tacoma’s Bostwick Hotel on October 18, 1893, he proposed a motion that all should stand and men remove their hats during the playing of the Star-Spangled Banner. The motion was unanimously adopted, and within two years, had also been adopted nationally by the Loyal Legion which promoted the custom nationwide.
Credits. This page was last revised on July 8, 2026. It was originally submitted on April 16, 2023, by Renee Crist of Gig Harbor, Washington. This page has been viewed 306 times since then and 51 times this year. Last updated on July 7, 2026, by Renee Crist of Gig Harbor, Washington. Photos: 1. submitted on April 16, 2023, by Renee Crist of Gig Harbor, Washington. 2. submitted on November 30, 2025, by Shirley A Stirling of Lacey, Washington. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
