Home portrait of the Weyerhaeusers. The couple pictured in this sepia photograph is John Philip ("Phil") and Helen Weyerhaeuser. They were enjoying a family gathering at their Thorne Lane residence on July 6, 1954. Phil Weyerhaeuser led the Weyerhaeuser Timber Company from 1933 to 1956, a span of time which included the changes brought about by the Great Depression and World War ll. He believed that the best way a forest products company could operate would be to own its own timberlands. Phil Weyerhaeuser passed away on December 8, 1956. The 1956 Weyerhaeuser Timber Company annual report was dedicated to him; he was lauded as "a man of exceptional vision, kindliness and executive talents. It was he who activated the philosophy of managing forest lands for perpetual growth and harvest. His influence in the industry and the American community will be felt for generations to come." (Twining, Charles E., Phil Weyerhaeuser, Lumberman)

Weyerhaeuser, John Philip; Weyerhaeuser, Helen;

A little girl touches a stuffed animal whose head emerges from a toy storage unit in a September 20, 1954, photograph. A variety of toys are scattered on the floor including a football helmet, glove, drum, dolls and books. These are probably going to be picked up and stored in the two wooden toy boxes. The boxes have wheels and are marked "delivery truck" and "moving van". It would make cleaning up faster and more fun as the toy chests are mobile; the child would be in charge of "driving" to pick up or deliver her toys. The "vehicles" could then be parked under the wooden desk for convenient storage. Photograph ordered by Douglas Fir Plywood Association.

Douglas Fir Plywood Association (Tacoma); Children playing with toys--Tacoma--1950-1960; Toys;

Plywood was a versatile product. It seemed like you could make anything out of plywood, including these charming store window Christmas cutouts. Two little wooden children, mouths wide open, are singing Christmas carols. This particular store was offering free Christmas plans using fir plywood for gifts, decorations and toys. A do-it-yourselfer could use the plans to create similar cutouts and then paint them in whichever colors he desired. Photograph ordered by Douglas Fir Plywood Association.

Douglas Fir Plywood Association (Tacoma); Plywood; Merchandise displays--Tacoma--1950-1960;

The winter cold does not seem to bother "Miss Pacific" as she smiles widely during her parade route. She is perched on the cab's roof just in front of a giant peeler log. Georgia-Pacific Plywood Co. had sponsored several entries in the November 27, 1954, Bellingham parade with a fleet of trucks hauling an impressive display of giant Douglas fir logs. "Miss Pacific", along with "Miss Georgia" and "Miss Peeler Log", participated wearing hobnailed boots, hard hats, short-shorts and sleeveless blouses. Photograph ordered by Georgia-Pacific Plywood Co. TPL-9509

Logs; Parades & processions--Bellingham--1950-1960;

An M.A. Couch truck is slowly making a turn past the Bellingham Bedding Co. and is careful not to dislodge neither the young model perched on the truck's cab or the giant peeler log on its bed. Georgia-Pacific Plywood Co. supplied several of the large Douglas fir logs for a parade down the main streets of Bellingham on November 27, 1954. Signs on the massive logs indicated that each peeler log would be sufficient to supply enough plywood to build 40 average homes. These logs were obtained locally from timber forests in Washington State. Photograph ordered by Georgia-Pacific Plywood Co.

Logs; Parades & processions--Bellingham--1950-1960; Trucks--Bellingham--1950-1960; Signs (Notices);

Exterior of Puget Sound Plywood. A vertical sign juts out from the Puget Sound Plywood, Inc.'s company offices indicating it was "Soundbilt" in a November 23, 1954, photograph. The company plant is apparently next door across the parking lot. Puget Sound Plywood was situated on 3 1/2 acres in the Tideflats between the City and Middle Waterways. Railroad tracks shown here indicate that there was direct rail access for easy shipment of the company's plywood products. Photograph ordered by Douglas Fir Plywood Association.

Puget Sound Plywood, Inc. (Tacoma); Lumber industry--Tacoma--1950-1960; Douglas Fir Plywood Association (Tacoma); Cooperatives--Tacoma;

An executive of Puget Sound Plywood, Inc., studies documents on November 23, 1954. The walls of his office are made of plywood; the wall closest to the door may be of knotted pine. His oversized desk is also made of wood; a copy of American Lumberman is visible on the top shelf of his inbox. Puget Sound Plywood was Tacoma's first cooperative plywood plant; it was founded in 1942 and had its facilities at 230 East F Street in the Tideflats. Photograph ordered by Douglas Fir Plywood Association.

Puget Sound Plywood, Inc. (Tacoma); Lumber industry--Tacoma--1950-1960; Office workers--Tacoma--1950-1960; Plywood; Desks; Douglas Fir Plywood Association (Tacoma); Cooperatives--Tacoma;

Executives of Puget Sound Plywood, Inc., manufacturers of plywood, confer in the board room on November 23, 1954. The five executives all have documents in front of them and may be discussing an ad campaign as there is a copy of a cartoon introducing new usage for plywood. Harold Wenman (at right, in light coat) is apparently addressing his fellow workers. Mr. Wenman was an original shareholder of Puget Sound Plywood. The firm, the first cooperative plywood plant in Tacoma, opened on June 1, 1942. It had 298 members who each contributed $1000 and received the same hourly pay and percentage of the company's profits. Mr. Wenman had purchased his share before WWII and worked as the Office Manager for many years before becoming the General Manager from 1964-1970. A graduate of Knapps School of Business, he worked as an accountant for St. Regis, and then served as a staff sgt.in England during the war. Puget Sound Plywood continued to operate through the early 1980s but finally closed due to economic conditions. Photograph ordered by Douglas Fir Plywood Assn. (Additional information provided by a reader)

Puget Sound Plywood, Inc. (Tacoma); Wenman, Harold; Lumber industry--Tacoma--1950-1960; Plywood; Cooperatives--Tacoma; Office workers--Tacoma--1950-1960; Desks; Douglas Fir Plywood Association (Tacoma);

Workers at the Buffelen company appear to be in the process of stacking doors in a December 7, 1954, photograph. There are already two tall towers of doors against the wall. Two men are lifting a door while the third waits to toss it on top of the pile. Photograph ordered by the Condon Co., an advertising agency.

Buffelen Lumber & Manufacturing Co. (Tacoma); Doors & doorways--Tacoma--1950-1960; Condon Co., Inc. (Tacoma);

By the mid-1950's more and more people were becoming accustomed to "do-it-yourselfing" and the Douglas Fir Plywood Association encouraged them to use plywood for their building projects. Stores were devoting space to handyman supplies; pictured in July, 1954, is an unidentified model with displays of new Douglas Fir Plywood Handy Panels. These panels, at 2 ft. by 4 ft., were smaller then full size plywood sheets. They were easy to handle, select and use. They were clearly marked for size, grade and price. Plans were available to build your own storage units or versatile chests and often the work could be completed within a weekend. Stores were eager to help the customer who wanted to save money by doing the work himself. Photograph ordered by Douglas Fir Plywood Association. (Handy Panels ad, Popular Science, December 1952, p. 248)

Plywood; Merchandise displays--1950-1960; Signs (Notices); Douglas Fir Plywood Association (Tacoma); Do-it-yourself work--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Pencil behind his ear, a worker ponders the placement of a sheet of plywood on forms already in place. One large sheet is already been nailed on. The man needs to stand on a wooden plank to reach the forms as the building's foundation is already set and the ground excavated. Each plywood sheet is labeled "Plyscord" and stamped in numerous places informing buyers that this genuine fir plywood has undergone stringent testing for quality. Photograph ordered by Douglas Fir Plywood Association.

Plywood; Building construction; Douglas Fir Plywood Association (Tacoma);

A young model enjoys an appetizing snack as she lounges on an extended sofa in a September 13, 1954, photograph. The plates of food are placed on a four legged TV table whose ends are tilted upward. The TV table, made out of wood, was built at the right height for someone sitting in front of it or for use as a miniature coffee table. Photograph ordered by Douglas Fir Plywood Association.

Plywood; Tables; Douglas Fir Plywood Association (Tacoma);

Architects in the firm of Jensen & Mills examine a small display of Douglas Fir Plywood Association promotional material in their Jones Building office on November 19, 1954. The plywood association always stressed the stringent quality controls utilized in approving plywood for numerous uses. The DFPA label on plywood meant that customers could count on the association standing behind its product. Photograph ordered by Douglas Fir Plywood Association.

Douglas Fir Plywood Association (Tacoma); Merchandise displays--Tacoma--1950-1960; Advertising--Tacoma--1950-1960; Jensen & Mills (Tacoma);

The enormous splash generated as a giant peeler log is dumped into the log dump nearly obscures sight of the log. This Douglas fir log, along with several others, was used in a Bellingham parade on November 27, 1954, as entries sponsored by Georgia-Pacific Plywood Co. Harvested locally from timbered forests, the logs were marched down the city's main streets, providing an impressive display for local spectators. Georgia-Pacific wanted to stress that each log contained enough material to be used in making forty average houses. Photograph ordered by Georgia-Pacific Plywood Co.

Logs; Basins (Bodies of water)--Bellingham;

Two young ladies, who look very much alike, proudly sport banners identifying themselves as "Miss Georgia" and "Miss Pacific" as the Georgia-Pacific Plywood's entries in the November 27, 1954, Bellingham parade take a momentary pause. The plywood company had sponsored several giant peeler logs mounted on heavy duty trucks for the parade. The large banners on the logs' sides make it clear that these trees were harvested locally from timber forests in our state. Photograph ordered by Georgia-Pacific Plywood.

Logs; Parades & processions--Bellingham--1950-1960; Signs (Notices);

A scantily clad young woman cheerfully waves her hat at parade spectators while perched on top of a R.E. Gray Trucking System cab on November 27, 1954. The truck is hauling a giant peeler log courtesy of the Georgia-Pacific Plywood Co. which was cut from timber forests in Washington State. Bellingham apparently had a parade in late November in which several giant logs were on display to parade viewers. Photograph ordered by Georgia-Pacific Plywood Co.

Logs; Parades & processions--Bellingham--1950-1960; Trucks--Bellingham--1950-1960;

Multiple windows provide plenty of natural light for office employees of the Puget Sound Plywood company. In addition, there are several lengthy fluorescent lights overhead. Puget Sound Plywood was the first cooperative plywood plant in the city. It manufactured plywood and promoted the convenience and durability of plywood in a number of ways. Instructions were provided for the do-it-yourselfer or professional on the building of storage units, including showing the plans in 3-D format and also built-ins. Photograph ordered by Douglas Fir Plywood Association.

Puget Sound Plywood, Inc. (Tacoma); Puget Sound Plywood, Inc. (Tacoma)--Employees; Lumber industry--Tacoma--1950-1960; Office workers--Tacoma--1950-1960; Signs (Notices); Douglas Fir Plywood Association (Tacoma); Cooperatives--Tacoma;

Home portrait of the Weyerhaeusers. This sepia photograph of the large Weyerhaeuser clan was taken on July 6, 1954. Seated in the center of the picture are John Philip ("Phil") Weyerhaeuser, Jr., and wife Helen surrounded by children and grandchildren. Phil Weyerhaeuser was instrumental in leading the Weyerhaeuser Timber Company for over twenty years. His son, John Philip ("Flip") Weyerhaeuser, III, and family were visiting from St. Paul, Minnesota, and had spent two weeks at the Weyerhaeuser family home in American Lake. Another son, George, and family were also present for the gathering; they had traveled from Eugene, Oregon. (TNT 7-11-54, D-2)

Weyerhaeuser, John Philip--Family; Group portraits;

A man examines a piece of plywood sheathing marked "Plyscord", as it is being removed from a pickup truck on October 5, 1954. Several sheets remain to be unloaded to join the those already stacked on the ground. Plywood was a versatile product with many uses; first and foremost may have been in construction. Photograph ordered by Douglas Fir Plywood Association.

Plywood; Douglas Fir Plywood Association (Tacoma);

Logging trucks travel down a winding road carrying giant peeler logs that will be used in the November 27, 1954, Bellingham parade. Georgia-Pacific Plywood would be sponsoring several entries in this parade which would provide an impressive display of massive logs. The company would make a point to emphasize that the logs came from timbered forests in the local area. Photograph ordered by Georgia-Pacific Plywood Co.

Logs; Trucks--Bellingham--1950-1960;

Giant fir tree cut down by Georgia Plywood Company. Workman walking past freshly cut tree in forest in late November of 1954. The giant log was later paraded through the streets of Bellingham, Washington.

Lumber industry--1950-1960; Logs;

A Buffelen employee concentrates as he applies pressure to a louvered door on December 7, 1954. The door is made to allow air to circulate; it may be designed for a closet or a pantry. There appears to be three doors stacked one on top of another as the worker completes his tasks. Photograph ordered by Condon Co., an advertising agency.

Buffelen Lumber & Manufacturing Co. (Tacoma); Doors & doorways--Tacoma--1950-1960; Condon Co., Inc. (Tacoma);

A special Plyscord Calculator was prepared by the Douglas Fir Plywood Association to help contractors or homeowners determine correct plywood thickness, nail size, nailing schedule, rafter spacing and FHA minimum property requirements necessary when roofing. Plyscord Roof Sheathing was 100% genuine Douglas Fir plywood. Photograph ordered by Douglas Fir Plywood Association.

Douglas Fir Plywood Association (Tacoma); Calculators;

The giant log on the truck bed appears to be twice as tall as the two men standing in front of it. It seems that the Native American chief is sharing a pipe with his white friend. Georgia-Pacific Plywood entered several giant peeler logs in a parade down the main streets of Bellingham on November 27, 1954. These men may have been taking a break from parade activity. Photograph ordered by Georgia-Pacific Plywood.

Logs; Parades & processions--Bellingham--1950-1960; Indians of North America--Bellingham;

A large fleet of trucks haul giant logs just past the Whatcom Feed & Seed on their way to join the parade down Bellingham's main streets on November 27, 1954. Georgia-Pacific Plywood had arranged for several entries in the parade, with trucks proceeding two by two, of giant peeler logs of Douglas fir. Each log contained enough plywood to make forty average homes. Photograph ordered by Georgia-Pacific Plywood Co. TPL-8195

Logs; Parades & processions--Bellingham--1950-1960; Trucks--Bellingham--1950-1960;

A long convoy of trucks bearing Georgia-Pacific giants logs participated in a parade down the streets of Bellingham on November 27, 1954. A policeman is on hand to monitor traffic while a sparse crowd watches outside the Hotel Bellingham. The giant logs on display were peeler logs of Douglas fir. Banners attached to the logs indicated that each log would supply enough plywood for forty average homes. Photograph ordered by Georgia-Pacific Plywood Co.

Logs; Parades & processions--Bellingham--1950-1960; Trucks--Bellingham--1950-1960; Signs (Notices);

Puget Sound Plywood, founded in 1942, was the first cooperative plywood plant in the city. Located on East F Street and between the City and Middle Waterways, on the Tideflats, the company had easy access to rail facilities, making transport of their products economical and convenient. Alfred Anderson was the long-time president of Puget Sound Plywood with John Martison as vice president. View of interior of company offices show employees at work at sparsely decorated desks while two men stand perusing documents at a long counter. Photograph ordered by Douglas Fir Plywood Association.

Puget Sound Plywood, Inc. (Tacoma); Lumber industry--Tacoma--1950-1960; Office workers--Tacoma--1950-1960; Douglas Fir Plywood Association (Tacoma); Cooperatives--Tacoma;