Two large machines, resembling cement mixers, were used to clean cowhides at the Hibbard-Stewart Co. in the Port of Tacoma Industrial Yard on October 9, 1970. Once the hides were cleaned and dried, they were converted into leather and used to manufacture a variety of products including bags, clothing and shoes. Hibbard-Stewart Co., founded in 1887, was located at 401 Alexander Ave. They did a brisk business in curing and preserving green cattle hides from local slaughterhouses and shipped them through the Port of Tacoma. Photograph ordered by Challenge Cook Brothers Inc., City of Industry, CA. (TNT ad 5-21-72, insert p. 16)

Hides & skins; Curing (Preservation)--Tacoma; Hibbard-Stewart Co. (Tacoma)

Cleaning cowhides. View of machinery used in the cleaning of cowhides at the Hibbard-Stewart Co. in the Tideflats. A soggy pile of cowhides rests on the cement floor in this October, 1970, photograph. The hides would have first have had to be cured to prevent putrefaction and then soaked in water to remove any curing agent - like salt. Once the hides have been cleaned and prepared, the process can begin to turn them into leather. Hibbard-Stewart was in the business of curing/preserving green cattle hides from local slaughterhouses and shipping them through the Port of Tacoma to the Far East. According to a later advertisement in the News Tribune dated May 21, 1972, the company processed 1,200,000 pounds of cattle hides each month. Photograph ordered by Challenge Cook Brothers Inc., City of Industry, CA. (TNT 5-21-72, insert p. 16)

Hides & skins; Curing (Preservation)--Tacoma; Hibbard-Stewart Co. (Tacoma);