This historic house holds significance in African American history as it was constructed by Horace Prince Lawhorn, Tacoma's first black police officer. Lawhorn arrived in the city in 1890 and later joined the police force in 1899, contributing to the department's policy of including at least one African American officer. His duties encompassed driving police vehicles and was also engaged in real estate transactions. 

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Moreover, Lawhorn's father, Reuben Lawhorn, notably served as a doctor and enlisted in the military at the age of forty-five.