Several models of adding machines and typewriters by Monroe, Remington, Rand and Burroughs lined up for auction at Wheeler-Osgood factory liquidation. Once known as the world's largest manufacturer of doors, Wheeler Osgood opened for business in 1889 and closed in 1952. The factory building itself burned down during demolition in July of 1952.
Wheeler, Osgood Company specialized in manufacturing plywood products and doors, the company's facilities were located in Tacoma's tideflats at 1216 Saint Paul Avenue. In 1948, the company officers were: Joseph H. Gonyea, President and General Manager, Paul M. Smith, Secretary, John F. Cushing, Treasurer, and R. D. Burrows, General Plant Superintendent. Exterior view of recently painted Wheeler, Osgood Company; the company sign is above the main entrance; industrial plant in background.
Wheeler Osgood office interiors. Mr. Robert H. O'Neil was the assistant secretary at Wheeler Osgood at this time. The office walls are covered with plywood paneling and a highly-grained wooden door is open to the hallway. A file cabinet sits against the wall.
Wheeler Osgood office interiors. A view of a smaller office at the plant's offices. The walls are covered with highly grained plywood paneling and the door is also. The desk is covered with a bloter and has a phone on the corner. One side chair sits against the wall and the floor is covered with linoleum.
Wheeler Osgood office interiors. A view of one of the offices at Wheeler Osgood with a large desk, two large windows with draperies and venetian blinds. There are guest chairs around the room and a shadow of a round table shows against the carpeting. The walls are covered in wood paneling. Florescent light fixtures are set at an angle to the corners of the room.
Exterior view of Wheeler Osgood plant, on spec.Some of Wheeler Osgood's "multiplicity of smokestacks" are shown here along with their water tower. The company started in Tacoma in 1889 and was a mainstay on the Tacoma tideflats. They became the world's largest producer of wooden doors.
Wheeler, Osgood Co. (Tacoma); Lumber industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Factories--Tacoma--1940-1950; Smokestacks--Tacoma--1940-1950; Water towers--Tacoma--1940-1950;
Visitors going through plant, Wheeler-Osgood, Miss Lingren. Puran Sawhney and his family, from New Delhi, India, were in Tacoma for two days. They were touring the United States and Mr. Sawhney wanted to learn about American industry. He is standing (second from right) with three men from Wheeler-Osgood by the railroad tracks that serve the door manufacturing facility. Stacks of lumber on wheels are lined up beside them.
Wheeler, Osgood Co. (Tacoma); Lumber industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Guests--Tacoma--1940-1950; Sawhney, Puran; East Indians; Business people--Tacoma--1940-1950; Railroad tracks--Tacoma;
On Wednesday April 13, 1949 at approximately 11:55 A.M. the Pacific Northwest was shaken by an earthquake. The areas affected by the earthquake included: Seattle, Tacoma, Puyallup, Port Angeles, Portland and Vancouver, B. C.; tremors were also felt in Idaho. View of stack at Wheeler Osgood that was damaged during the earthquake (T.N.T., 4/14/49, p. 1 & 2).
