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I'm in Nashville, so I have both Detroit, Denver, and Chicago beat for one-party control. We last elected a Republican Mayor in 1886 (and that was when African-Americans were still allowed to vote and even elected a Black Republican as head of our then-City Council). Like Dan, I, too, can claim a "big city" Mayor as a relative (who also was my great-grandfather's first cousin, too). Henry Kiel of St. Louis, a Progressive Republican, served from 1913-25 (back then, St. Louis was about the 5th largest city in the country with almost 900,000 people, but has lost 2/3rds of its population since) and has never had anyone surpass his time in office. Kiel, a 100% German-American (during WW1 no less), almost ended up in the U.S. Senate (had he run in 1928 rather than 1932) and his opponent in 1934 would've been none other than Harry S Truman from the corrupt 'Rat Kansas City regime. Some regard him as the city's greatest Mayor and several buildings are/were named for him. In the decade following his death in the '40s, the 'Rats hijacked control of the city and haven't relinquished control in well over 50 years. My cousin would be horrified to see the mess they made of his crown jewel, from the corruption to the running-down of the inner city, which was once filled with people and gleaming new structures (many of which he personally built). Truly a shame. :-(

Wow, this has become quite an interesting thread! Kind of ironic that it would be Nashville, considering Tennessee was the first southern state to break away from solid-Dem rule (they were electing Republicans statewide in the 20s)

I like the tribute to black Republicans section of your profile. Very interesting! Oscar DePriest was the last decent Congressman in district (of course, back then the district didn't snake into the suburbs like it does now, nor was it controlled by the Chicago Dem machine). DePriest voted against FDR's new deal program in 1933, saying it was socialist (like any good Republican would do!) Unfortuantely, it cost him his seat and marked the beginning of blacks going to the Dem plantantion. If only we could go back in time and shift a few votes in the 1934 election!