Hooker Electrochemical Co. was focusing on post war prospects which included an increase in funding for the development and research department. This department was concentrating on projects for the further diversification of their chemical products, as well as, looking at the expansion of sales and broadening of markets. The research department was an invaluable component of the company. Interior view of plant.

Machinery; Equipment; Chemical industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Industrial facilities--Tacoma; Hooker Electrochemical Co. (Tacoma);

Hooker Electrochemical Co. plant in Tacoma was spread throughout 47 acres. They were located on the Hylebos Waterway for easy access to Puget Sound and they also had easy railway access. Large storage tanks for the chemicals produced were located on site, then transported throughout the West coast plants. Interior view of plant.

Ladders; Equipment; Chemical industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Industrial facilities--Tacoma; Hooker Electrochemical Co. (Tacoma);

Aerial view of Hooker Chemicals Plant on the tideflats. A recent merger brought Hooker Electrochemical Company of Tacoma and Niagara Falls, New York and the Detrex Corporation of Detroit, Michigan together, bringing a new company in the chemical industry to Tacoma. The Hooker-Dextrex plant can be seen towards the the top of the image (north), just lower left of the ship yard's water tower. Hooker companies were spread throughout 47 acres in Tacoma (T. Times, 2/26/1947 3B).

Aerial views; Aerial photographs; Waterfronts--Tacoma; Industrial facilities--Tacoma; Hooker Detrex, Inc. (Tacoma); Hooker Electrochemical Co. (Tacoma);

This aerial photograph from November 1948 shows the Hooker Electrochemical Company located at 605 Alexander Avenue on the Tacoma tideflats. The waterway above the plant, dotted with log booms, is the Hylebos Waterway. Small houses and businesses line the shore on the other side of the waterway along Marine View Drive. Hooker changed its name to Occidental Chemical Co. in 1982. In 1997 the company was purchased by Pioneer Companies Inc.; the plant closed in 2002. TPL-7977

Aerial photographs; Hooker Electrochemical Co. (Tacoma); Chemical industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Logs; Hylebos Waterway (Tacoma); Harbors--Tacoma; Factories--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Sunnen Hauling Company was owned by Joe Sunnen. There were two facilities in Washington, one in Tacoma and one in Seattle. The company's Tacoma site was at 301 East 25th Street; they were fully insured and bonded. View of Sunnen Hauling Company installing a new top on liquid caustic storage tank at Hooker Electrochemical Company; two Lorraine cranes in restricted quarters put eight ton top on tank (T. Times, 1/30/49, p. 17).

Shipping--Tacoma; Moving & storage trade--Tacoma; Storage tanks--Tacoma; Pulleys; Hoisting machinery; Sunnen Auto Freight & Heavy Hauling Co. (Tacoma); Hooker Electrochemical Co. (Tacoma); Chemical industry--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Conveyor Link Belt operation at Hooker Chemical Company, Tacoma. For Link Belt Company. Crane operated shovel dumps chemicals into open grate. Storage tanks at edge of water in background. Part of series taken on September 10, 1951.

Hoisting machinery; Hooker Electrochemical Co. (Tacoma); Chemical industry--Tacoma--1950-1960; Storage tanks--Tacoma;

Conveyor Link Belt operation at Hooker Chemical Company, Tacoma. For Link Belt Company. Long conveyor moves chemicals in corregated building. Part of series taken on September 10, 1951.

Conveying systems--Tacoma--1950-1960; Belts & belting (Equipment); Hooker Electrochemical Co. (Tacoma); Chemical industry--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Industrial sections of the City of Tacoma. Hooker Electrochemical Company. Artistic exposure of brick buildings framed by the massive wrought iron gates of the plant. The plant was built on the site of the old Foundation Shipyard and opened in February of 1929. Photograph was taken on February 15, 1938, nearly nine years from its establishment.

Hooker Electrochemical Co. (Tacoma); Chemical industry--Tacoma--1930-1940; Gates--Tacoma;

Large container for Hooker Chemicals with slightly pronounced lettering.