Switch gear equipment at Pacific Oerlikon Co. The worker appears diminutive next to the huge electronic machinery mounted above his head. Pacific Oerlikon, a subsidiary of Oerlikon Engineering Co. of Switzerland, manufactured large equipment for the power grid. It occupied the site of the former Henry Mill and Timber Co. in a building specially designed to accomodate the sheer height of its products.

Pacific Oerlikon Co. (Tacoma); Machinery; Equipment;

Switch gear equipment at Pacific Oerlikon Co. The worker eyes suspiciously the hook used to lift this product packaged for transport. Although the hook reads Yale five ton, the worker looks doubtful that it will hold. The product is labelled "porcelain, handle with care, fragile." Pacific Oerlikon manufactured large breakers and equipment used in the transmission of electric power.

Pacific Oerlikon Co. (Tacoma); Machinery; Equipment;

ca. 1955. Pacific Oerlikon Co. An employee works on a precision grinder. Pacific Oerlikon manufactured electrical components, including huge breakers used in the power grid. It occupied the site of the former Henry Mill and Timber Co. Pacific Oerlikon was a subsidiary of Oerlikon Engineering Co. and was entirely Swiss owned.

Pacific Oerlikon Co. (Tacoma); Electrical apparatus; Electrical apparatus industry--Tacoma--1950-1960; Electronic industry--Tacoma--1950-1960; Machinery; Equipment;

ca. 1955. Two young women in summer attire, short sleeves and sandals, seem to be measuring on tippy-toes the height of this gigantic circuit breaker at Pacific Oerlikon. Pacific Oerlikon manufactured electrical components in powerful sizes for use on the power grid.

Pacific Oerlikon Co. (Tacoma); Electrical apparatus; Electrical apparatus industry--Tacoma--1950-1960; Electronic industry--Tacoma--1950-1960;

ca. 1955. Pacific Oerlikon Co. Two men work on drilling machinery, manufacturing electrical parts. The company was a subsidiary of Oerlikon Engineering of Zurich, Switzerland and manufactured porcelain clad low oil content circuit breakers. In 1956, the company changed its name to United Power Control. In a 1958 merger with Meridian Corporation of Chicago, the name again changed, this time to United Products Co.

Pacific Oerlikon Co. (Tacoma); Electrical apparatus; Electrical apparatus industry--Tacoma--1950-1960; Electronic industry--Tacoma--1950-1960; Machinery; Equipment;

ca. 1955. Pacific Oerlikon Co. An employee works on a large piece of machinery. The company manufactured large electrical components and employed over 100 skilled workers. Pacific Oerlikon was a subsidiary of 75 year old Oerlikon Engineering Co. of Zurich, Switzerland.The Northwest was chosen as the site of Oerlikon's offspring because of the market for large power grid equipment and the lack of any other manufacturers in the area. Tacoma was chosen as the site due to the availability of a location (the former Henry Mill and Timber Co.) and the abundance of skilled labor.

Pacific Oerlikon Co. (Tacoma); Electrical apparatus; Electrical apparatus industry--Tacoma--1950-1960; Electronic industry--Tacoma--1950-1960; Machinery; Equipment;

ca. 1955. Pacific Oerlikon Co. Four workers gingerly lower a large and fragile circuit breaker using ropes and pulleys. The company manufactured giant electronic components for use by the power suppliers.

Pacific Oerlikon Co. (Tacoma); Electrical apparatus; Electrical apparatus industry--Tacoma--1950-1960; Electronic industry--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Henry Mill in Old Town. A new and very modern mill opened in Old Town on July 20, 1925, located on the waterfront at 3001 North Starr St. Henry Mill & Timber Co. would remain in business there until 1945 when it was taken over by the Tacoma Lumber Fabricating Co. During WWII, Henry Mill became active in prefabricated structures for the military. They specialized in bridges and hangars. TPL-2048; G36.1-143B

Henry Mill & Timber Co. (Tacoma); Mills--Tacoma--1920-1930; Lumber industry--Tacoma--1920-1930; Railroad tracks--Tacoma--1920-1930;

The Henry Mill & Timber Co. had just begun operating in late July of 1925, just about two weeks before this photograph of the plant's exterior was taken. The plant took over two years to build due to difficulty in preparing the foundation. Built on the 26-acre waterfront site of the old Tacoma Mill Co., the sawmill was designed to use the most modern equipment. It started with a head saw, edger and trimmer. Finished products could be easily transported via ship or nearby railroad tracks. G36.1-143A (TNT 7-20-25, p. 16-article)

Henry Mill & Timber Co. (Tacoma); Mills--Tacoma--1920-1930; Lumber industry--Tacoma--1920-1930; Railroad tracks--Tacoma--1920-1930;

Several operations in plant, Tacoma Lumber Fabricating, Mr. Patterson. Young men work alongside older men in creating the structural beams for which Tacoma Lumber Fabricating was well known. The company created prefabricated portions of buildings for an entire prefabricated house as well as curved beams used to roof large buildings. The top floor of their modern office building was the plant loft for giant layout work. They had a complete sawmill and planing mill plant. (T.Times, 1/16/1949, p.18)

Tacoma Lumber Fabricating Co. (Tacoma); Lumber industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Building materials industry--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Several operations in plant, Tacoma Lumber Fabricating, Mr. Patterson. Workmen are dipping completed trusses into a liquid mixture using a pulley system. Stacks of lumber are seen further back in the plant's yard. The company manufactured materials from heavy timbers such as power line cross arms, bridge timbers and roof trusses to little pieces four feet long for refrigerator car rack slabs. (T.Times, 1/16/1949, p.18)

Tacoma Lumber Fabricating Co. (Tacoma); Lumber industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Building materials industry--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Several operations in plant, Tacoma Lumber Fabricating, Mr. Patterson. Stacks of completed trusses have been loaded on a freight car and two workmen are using straps to secure the load during shipping. Active management of the company was under Frank Grabbs. G.E. Karlen was president and Lee C. Monahan was vice-president. (T.Times, 1/16/1949, p.18)

Tacoma Lumber Fabricating Co. (Tacoma); Lumber industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Building materials industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Railroad freight cars--Tacoma; Laborers--Tacoma--1940-1950;

On June 15, 1942, the sawmill at the Henry Mill and Timber Co. caught fire, the result of electrical problems. Quick action by the fire department managed to save the planer plant, warehouse and offices, but the sawmill was completely wiped out. Monetary loss was in excess of $200,000. No lives were lost; the sawmill was not operating due to a shortage of logs. (T.Times 6/16/1942, pg. 1)

Lumber industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Henry Mill & Timber Co. (Tacoma); Fires--Tacoma--1940-1950;

On the evening of June 15, 1942, the sawmill at the Henry Mill & Timber Co. was fully engulfed in flames. The fire department managed to save the planer plant, warehouse and offices, but the sawmill was a complete loss. The owners swore to rebuild immediately. However, after the fire, the company's business began to consist mostly of prefabricated items for the military. (T. Times 6/16/1942, pg. 1)

Lumber industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Henry Mill & Timber Co. (Tacoma); Fires--Tacoma--1940-1950;

A fire on the evening of June 15, 1942 completely destroyed the sawmill at the Henry Mill & Timber Co. Loss exceeded $200,000. The planer plant, warehouse and offices were saved. There were no injuries. (T.Times 6/16/1942, pg. 1)

Lumber industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Henry Mill & Timber Co. (Tacoma); Fires--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Henry Mill, construction of prefabricated trusses. Photograph shows piles of timber and a wood form that is being constructed at the Mill, located at the foot of Starr St., near the water. Sperry Mills, located on what is now Schuster Parkway, can be seen in the background. During the war, Henry Mill was active in lumber prefabrication.

Lumber industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Trusses--Tacoma; Structural frames--Tacoma; Building construction--Tacoma; Henry Mill & Timber Co. (Tacoma);

Henry Mill, construction of trusses. Henry Mill was located at 3001 No. Starr, the former site of the old Tacoma Mill Co. The mill was operated by John F. Buchanan, pres., and William F. Buchanan, VP. During the second World War, they became active in lumber prefabrication. Large buildings, such as hangars, were prebuilt in pieces and reassembled on arrival at their destination.

Lumber industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Trusses--Tacoma; Structural frames--Tacoma; Building construction--Tacoma; Henry Mill & Timber Co. (Tacoma);

Henry Mill, construction of trusses. Henry Mill & Timber Co. was located at the foot of Starr St., near the water. During World War II, they held a number of government contracts for prefabricated structures. This photo shows company officials standing in and around a wooden truss that is being built.

Lumber industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Trusses--Tacoma; Structural frames--Tacoma; Building construction--Tacoma; Henry Mill & Timber Co. (Tacoma);

Henry Mill, construction of prefabricated trusses. Photograph shows piles of timber and a wood form that is being constructed at the Mill, located at the foot of Starr St., near the water. During the war, Henry Mill was active in lumber prefabrication.

Lumber industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Trusses--Tacoma; Structural frames--Tacoma; Building construction--Tacoma; Henry Mill & Timber Co. (Tacoma);

Henry Mill, construction of prefabricated trusses. During the war, Henry Mill was active in lumber prefabrication.

Lumber industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Trusses--Tacoma; Structural frames--Tacoma; Building construction--Tacoma; Henry Mill & Timber Co. (Tacoma);

Henry Mill, construction of prefabricated trusses. During the war, Henry Mill was active in lumber prefabrication.

Lumber industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Trusses--Tacoma; Structural frames--Tacoma; Building construction--Tacoma; Henry Mill & Timber Co. (Tacoma);

Henry Mill , box girder at end of new dock. Boards laid out in a diagonal pattern over straight boards, topped by boards going the opposite diagonal. Large nail-shaped spikes are shown near the edges. Large stacks of lumber on a pier, a shed, other buildings and a crane are seen in the background.

Piers & wharves--Tacoma; Girders--Manufacturing; Waterfronts--Tacoma; Henry Mill & Timber Co. (Tacoma);

Henry Mill was located at the foot of No. Starr St., right at the waterfront. It was on the 28 acre site of the old Tacoma MIll Co. During the war, Henry Mill specialized in prefabricated elements for the military. The company was taken over in 1945 by Tacoma Lumber Fabricating Co. The photograph shows lots of stored lumber as well as a couple of cranes.

Lumber industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Henry Mill & Timber Co. (Tacoma); Mills--Tacoma--1940-1950; Waterfronts--Tacoma--1940-1950; Piers & wharves--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Henry Mill and Timber Company. Burner and lumber storage dock along the Tacoma waterfront. Henry Mill began operations at this site in 1925. It was formerly the site of the Old Tacoma Mill Co. TPL-8381

Lumber industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Henry Mill & Timber Co. (Tacoma); Mills--Tacoma--1940-1950; Waterfronts--Tacoma--1940-1950; Piers & wharves--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Henry Mill and Timber Company along the Tacoma waterfront. Henry Mill began operations at this site in 1925. Prefabricated trusses can be seen in the foreground. During the World War II, the company specialized in prefabricated bridges and hangars for the military.

Lumber industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Henry Mill & Timber Co. (Tacoma); Mills--Tacoma--1940-1950; Waterfronts--Tacoma--1940-1950; Piers & wharves--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Henry Mill and Timber Company. Lumber storage dock along the Tacoma waterfront. Began operations at this site in 1925.

Lumber industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Henry Mill & Timber Co. (Tacoma); Mills--Tacoma--1940-1950; Waterfronts--Tacoma--1940-1950; Piers & wharves--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Henry Mill, box girder at end of new dock. Side-view detail of boards. Large nail-shaped spikes are shown near the edges may be spacers. Sign on one of the buildings in background says "Drifted Snow Flour".

Girders--Tacoma; Industrial facilities--Tacoma; Structural frames--Tacoma; Henry Mill & Timber Co. (Tacoma);

ca. 1943. Built in 1924, the Henry Mill & Timber Company occupied the site on Ruston Way just south of North Starr St. for almost 20 years. Originally a sawmill, they started fabricating structures when they built the caisson panels for the first Narrows Bridge. Their expertise in designing and building prefabricated structures from heavy timber won them contracts during WWII for giant store houses and hangers that could be broken down into small sections, shipped, and re-assembled with a minimum of effort. After the war they were taken over by the Tacoma Lumber Fabricating Co. which closed in the early 1950s.

Lumber industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Lumberyards--Tacoma; Prefabricated buildings--Tacoma; Henry Mill & Timber Co. (Tacoma);

Mill workers and management at Henry Mill & Timber Company, prefabricators of heavy timber structures. The company began in 1925 as a sawmill, but grew during World War II when they specialized in prefabricated structures. They held Army and Navy contracts for cantonments, storehouses, cargo barges and blimp hangars. In October of 1943, workers were photographed preparing lumber for construction. In assembly line precision--the lumber was cut, trimmed, bored and groved, then each finished piece was stenciled (labeled) to fit precisely together on the building site. TPL-9386

Henry Mill & Timber Co. (Tacoma); Lumber industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Prefabricated buildings;