1971 color Richards stock footage. Aerial view of ASARCO (American Smelting & Refining Co.) in May of 1971. Two ships are docked to be loaded with metals for shipment outside Washington state. The famous ASARCO smokestack is near the right corner edge; the 571-foot giant chimney was imploded in 1993, nine years after the plant had closed. The dark gray color of the plant grounds is in stark contrast to the deep blue waters of Puget Sound; the color is due to slag.

Aerial views; American Smelting & Refining Co. (Tacoma); Smelters--Tacoma--1970-1980; Smokestacks--Tacoma;

ca. 1973. 1973 Richards stock footage. An overhead view of the American Smelting & Refining Co. (ASARCO) and Commencement Bay in 1973. Wispy puffs of smoke emerge from the plant's 562-foot smokestack. ASARCO would eventually close twelve years later due to economic and environmental reasons. The smelter stack was demolished in 1993.

Aerial views; American Smelting & Refining Co. (Tacoma); Smelters--Tacoma--1970-1980; Smokestacks--Tacoma; Industrial facilities--Tacoma; Commencement Bay (Wash.);

ca. 1973. 1973 Richards stock footage. Aerial view of North 52nd St. area, featuring the American Smelting & Refining Co. (ASARCO) plant and smokestack. Also in the photograph is winding Bayshore Drive near Commencement Bay. The tip of Mount Rainier can barely be seen in the background haze.

Aerial views; American Smelting & Refining Co. (Tacoma); Smokestacks--Tacoma; Commencement Bay (Wash.); Rainier, Mount (Wash.);