A close-up of insulated caustic evaporation tanks and piping at Hooker Chemical. The Tacoma plant was expanded in 1950 and was fully operational by Januray 1951. The increase in production helped the company meet enlarged requirements of its current customers and to supply several important new consumers with caustic soda and liquid chlorine. (Hooker Electrochemical Company Annual Report, 1950)

Chemical industry--Tacoma--1950-1960; Hooker Electrochemical Co. (Tacoma);

Hundreds of electrolytic cells, in row after row, work 24 hours a day at Hooker Electrochemical producing the basic ingredients of all Hooker Chemicals. In each of the Hooker cells, under the action of direct electric current, salt and water are broken down into a constant flow of caustic soda, chlorine, and hydrogen. Many other large producers of chlorine were licensed to use the Hooker cels in their own plants. Thus Hooker Cells, continually improved in design and efficiency, accounted for nearly half of all the chlorine produced in the United States. (Hooker Electrochemical Company Annual Report, 1950)

Chemical industry--Tacoma--1950-1960; Hooker Electrochemical Co. (Tacoma);

Tank cars are being loaded at the Hooker Electrochemical Company's main gate on Alexander Avenue on the Tideflats. Hooker began operations in Tacoma in 1929 and the plant underwent several large expansions before being sold to Pioneer Companies, Inc., in 1997. Along with the Pennsylvania Salt Company, Hooker Electrochemical was a large producer of chlorine and caustic soda, supplying the Pacific Northwest's pulp and paper industry. Low cost electricity, abundant water supply, and easily accessible transportation attracted several chemical plants to the area, and later drew companies making use of by-products from the original plants or new products developed for established firms. TPL-8685

Hooker Electrochemical Co. (Tacoma); Chemical industry--Tacoma--1950-1960; Industrial facilities--Tacoma--1950-1960; Railroad tank cars--Tacoma--1950-1960;

On August 25, 1951, the open front gates of the Hooker Electrochemical Company framed the flagpole in front of the company's administrative buildings. The ornate gates were attached to brick pillars and the company name was clearly listed in wrought iron on top. Hooker had its plant on the Tacoma tideflats at 605 Alexander Avenue. Established in Tacoma in 1929, it underwent several expansions before it was sold in 1997 to Pioneer Companies, Inc. Hooker Electrochemical was one of the area's largest chemical companies. TPL-4445

Hooker Electrochemical Co. (Tacoma); Chemical industry--Tacoma--1950-1960; Gates--Tacoma; Flagpoles--Tacoma;

Expansion continues at the Hooker Electrochemical Company's Tideflats plant in August, 1951. Steel reinforcing and footing for a new building are being installed. Hooker began operations in Tacoma in 1929 and constantly remodeled and expanded in order to handle their growing business. Along with Pennsylvania Salt Manufacturing Company of Washington, Hooker supplied the Pacific Northwest pulp and paper industry with caustic soda and chlorine. Hooker tank cars can be seen in the photograph's background; they were one method of shipping Hooker products to their customers.

Hooker Electrochemical Co. (Tacoma); Chemical industry--Tacoma--1950-1960; Industrial facilities--Tacoma--1950-1960; Railroad tank cars--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Angled view from across the street of Hooker Electrochemical's industrial facilities taken on August 24, 1951. Located in the Tideflats on Alexander Avenue, the Hooker plant underwent several large expansions throughout the years before its sale to Pioneer Companies, Inc., in the late 1990's. Hooker opened its plant in Tacoma in 1929, about the same time as the Pennsylvania Salt Manufacturing Company, and both provided the Pacific Northwest paper and pulp industry with the chlorine and caustic soda necessary for the industry's operations. Relatively cheap and abundant raw materials along with a ready labor supply, plenty of power, and convenient transportation facilities served to attract Hooker, as well as other chemical companies, to the Tacoma area. Tank cars and circular holding tanks can be seen amidst the buildings on the sprawling Hooker grounds.

Chemical industry--Tacoma--1950-1960; Hooker Electrochemical Co. (Tacoma); Industrial facilities--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Hooker Chemical Company. The main gate of the Hooker Electrochemical Company and its brick buildings as they appeared in August, 1951. Hooker Electrochemical opened their Tacoma plant in 1928. Hooker, along with the Pennsylvania Salt Manufacturing Company, supplied the Pacific Northwest pulp and paper industry with the means to bleach and refine wood pulp. Hooker products were also used to manufacture soap and refine petroleum products. The Hooker plant on the Tideflats had several expansions before its sale to Pioneer Companies, Inc., in 1997.

Chemical industry--Tacoma--1950-1960; Hooker Electrochemical Co. (Tacoma); Industrial facilities--Tacoma--1950-1960;

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;

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;

The Hooker Electrochemical float that was in the Armed Forces Parade May 19, 1951, stands outside the company headquarters. Several tanks of chemicals that were essential to the war effort were displayed. Ordered by Hooker Electrochemical Chemical.

Hooker Electrochemical Co. (Tacoma); Chemical industry--Tacoma--1950-1960; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Caustic tanks at Hooker Electrochemical. The two tanks on the right sit on top of wooden structures that have doors and windows in them. In January 1950 Hooker announced plans for increased production facilities for caustic soda and liquid chlorine. The old Type E electrolytic cells were to be removed and replaced by the newest Type S-3 cells with far greater capacity for producing caustic soda and chlorine. Additions included equipment for handling and treating brine, purifying caustic and liquifying chlorine. Triple effect pans were to be used for caustic evaporation. Ordered by Mr. Bunt. (TNT, 1/23/1950)

Chemical industry--Tacoma--1950-1960; Industrial facilities--Tacoma; Hooker Electrochemical Co. (Tacoma);

Interior of new ammonia plant at Hooker Electrochemical. The $2 million anhydrous ammonia plant was completed in May of 1952. Anhydrous ammonia is ammonia in the form of a gas. It is used by firms such as the Pacific Northwest's pulp and paper mills and fertilizer and explosives manufacturing companies. By completion of the plant, the entire production was already contracted for and the plant was set for another $6 million dollar expansion to be competed by the fall of 1953. (TNT 10-19-1952)

Hooker Electrochemical Co. (Tacoma); Chemical industry--Tacoma--1950-1960;

ca. 1952. Control room for production of anhydrous ammonia at the new ammonia plant, Hooker Electrochemical. Anhydrous ammonia is ammonia in the form of a gas. It is composed of three parts hydrogen to one of nitrogen. The hydrogen is obtained from electrolytic cells, which convert salt brine into caustic soda, chlorine and hydrogen. The rock salt used is obtained from the San Francisco bay area solar evaporation ponds. The nitrogen is obtained from the air by liquefying equipment manufactured by L'Aire Liquide of Montreal. (TNT 10-19-1952)

Hooker Electrochemical Co. (Tacoma); Factories--Tacoma--1950-1960; Chemical industry--Tacoma--1950-1960;

ca. 1952. Interiors new anhydrous ammonia plant, Hooker Electrochemical. The new $2 million plant was completed in May of 1952. The plant had an output of 40 tons every 24 hours. Eighteen men were employed in the plant, which operated 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The plant began operation in June of 1952 with its entire production already contracted for. Plans were made immediately for a $6 million dollar expansion. (TNT 10-19-1952)

Hooker Electrochemical Co. (Tacoma); Factories--Tacoma--1950-1960; Chemical industry--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Exterior at new ammonia plant, Hooker Electrochemical. In the plant, hydrogen and nitrogen are mixed in the proper proportion for anhydrous ammonia, subjected to 5,000 pounds to a square inch pressure and then sent to a converter and combined to make the gas. The ammonia is placed in storage tanks outside the plant to await shipment. Shipment is done entirely by railroad tank car. Each car holds 26 tons. (TNT 10-19-1952)

Hooker Electrochemical Co. (Tacoma); Factories--Tacoma--1950-1960; Chemical industry--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Exterior at new anhydrous ammonia plant, Hooker Electrochemical, completed in May of 1952. Design and erection of the plant were supervised by the Chemical Construction Corporation. The general contractor for the construction of buildings and erection of equipment was Roy T. Earley Co. of Tacoma. The plant went into production in June of 1952, with a output of 40 tons every 24 hours. It operated 24 hours a day, seven days a week. (TNT 10-19-1952)

Hooker Electrochemical Co. (Tacoma); Factories--Tacoma--1950-1960; Chemical industry--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Exteriors new anhydrous ammonia plant, Hooker Electrochemical, completed in May of 1952. Hooker also produced liquid chlorine, caustic soda and muriatic acid. The ammonia plant began operation in June of 1952 with an output of 40 tons every 24 hours. It was immediately deemed too small and scheduled for a $6 million expansion, which would increase production by 50 per cent. The plant operated 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and employed 18 men. (TNT 10-19-1952)

Hooker Electrochemical Co. (Tacoma); Factories--Tacoma--1950-1960; Chemical industry--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Exterior of new anhydrous ammonia plant at Hooker Electrochemical, completed in May of 1952. The ammonia produced here was used by the Northwest's paper and pulp mills and fertilizer and explosive manufacturers. It was shipped entirely by tank car, each car held 26 tons. On completion of the plant, the entire production of 40 tons every 24 hours was already contracted for. The plant was slated for an immediate $6 million dollar expansion that would increase production by half. (TNT 10-19-1952)

Hooker Electrochemical Co. (Tacoma); Chemical industry--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Exterior of new anhydrous ammonia plant at Hooker Electrochemical, completed in May of 1952. Ammonia in gaseous form is composed of three parts of hydrogen to one of nitrogen. In the plant, the hydrogen and nitrogen are mixed in the proper proportion, subjected to 5,000 pounds to a square inch pressure and then sent to a converter and combined to make ammonia. The ammonia is placed in storage tanks outside the plant to await shipment by tank car. (TNT 10-19-1952)

Hooker Electrochemical Co. (Tacoma); Chemical industry--Tacoma--1950-1960;

An aerial view of the plant facility for Hooker Electrochemical Company located at 605 Alexander Avenue on the Tacoma tideflats. The Hylebos Waterway provided excellent accessibility with a company dock and a railroad spur running through the facility enhanced transportation even further. The Port of Tacoma sold an additional 20-acre site to Hooker Electrochemical in December 1951 for $56,400 according to George Osgood, manager of the Port. The property, including a 1,200-foot frontage on the Port-Industrial waterway, was to be used for further expansion of the chemical firm's Tacoma plant. (TNT, 12/16/1951, p.1)

Aerial photographs; Hooker Electrochemical Co. (Tacoma); Logs; Hylebos Waterway (Tacoma); Harbors--Tacoma; Factories--Tacoma--1940-1950; Chemical industry--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Hooker Electrochemical plant workman is filling a chemical storage tank, marked Detrex Corporation, the Toledo "No Springs, Honest Weight" scale indicates the tank weighs 550 pounds, the weight capacity is 1,000 pounds. Detrex Corporation and Hooker Electrochemical Company had recently merged, making the chemical industry in Tacoma larger and stronger.

Weights & measures--Tacoma; Scales; Scientific equipment--Tacoma; Measuring--Tacoma; Storage tanks--Tacoma; Industrial facilities--Tacoma; Hooker Electrochemical Co. (Tacoma); Chemical industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Toledo Scale Co. (Tacoma);

In November of 1947, an unidentified employee at the Hooker Electrochemical plant , at 605 Alexander Avenue on Tacoma's tideflats, used an industrial scale to weigh large chemical storage canisters. The scales he was using were manufactured by the Toledo Scale Company, which had opened an office in Tacoma in 1927 and maintained an office here for 30 years.Toledo scales, like these "No Spring, Honest Weight" units could be found in grocery stores, farmers markets and industrial plants throughout the Northwest. The Hooker Chemical Company, which in its final years was owned by Pioneer Companies, Inc. closed in 2002.

Weights & measures--Tacoma; Scales; Scientific equipment--Tacoma; Measuring--Tacoma; Industrial facilities--Tacoma; Storage tanks--Tacoma; Hooker Electrochemical Co. (Tacoma); Chemical industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Toledo Scale Co. (Tacoma);

Hooker fine and heavy chemicals included: Acid chlorides, bleaching powder, metallic chlorides, muriatic acid, naphthalene derivatives, sulfide derivatives, toluene derivatives, hydrogenated products, fatty acid esters, chlorine liquids, chlorinating agents, chlorinated paraffins, caustic soda, aliphatic chlorides, benzene derivatives and benzoates. Interior view of plant and chemical producing machinery.

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

Hooker Electrochemical Co. Tacoma plant was the second chlor-alkali plant in the United States and the first caustic soda plant in the Northwest. The Tacoma plant began producing chemicals in 1929 and it was an essential industry needed during World War II. The Tacoma Hooker plant received two Army-Navy E Awards for war achievement during 1945. Interior view of plant where a cell house was being constructed. Chlorine and caustic soda would be produced through an electrolytical process. (Additional information provided by a reader)

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