Hundreds watched on August 1, 1940 as the Cape Alva slid down the ways at the Seattle- Tacoma Shipbuilding Corporation plant in Tacoma. Originally known simply as Hull #1, the Cape Alva, a freight motorship, was the first vessel to be launched by the Sea-Tac Shipbuilding Co. at their Tacoma site. She was also Tacoma's first major motorship launching in 17 years. The cost of the big steel craft was $2,127,000. She was 416 feet long and 60 feet wide with two 4,000 Horsepower diesel engines and a single four bladed propeller. Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding was located at 100 Alexander Avenue on the site of the old Todd Shipyards. The Cape Alva was sold to a private concern in 1948 and scrapped in 1970. (T. Times 7/18/1940, pg. 1; 7/23/1940, pg. 2)

Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma); World War, 1939-1945--Economic & industrial aspects--Tacoma; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Launchings--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Sea Boy launching. An 85 ft. sardine boat built by Puget Sound Boatbuilding Corp for Bill and Ted Healy was launched into Puget Sound on July 1st. This event was sponsored by Mary Klemme. View of William Healy, Iris Healy, Mary Klemme, Marguerite Healy and Theodore Healy at the Sea Boy launching (T. Times, 7/1/44, p. 4).

Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Launchings--Tacoma--1940-1950; Healy, Bill--Family; Healy, Ted--Family;

Tacoma Boat Facilities. Interior of Tacoma Boatbuilding Co. plant. Cubicle for parts are shown on left side of this workshop. TPL-6652

Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Tacoma Boat Building Co., Inc. (Tacoma);

Tacoma Boat Facilities. Interior of Tacoma Boatbuilding Co. plant. Elaborate machinery used for boatbuilding enabled the company to produce minesweepers for the war effort. TPL-6649

Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Tacoma Boat Building Co., Inc. (Tacoma);

Tacoma Boat Facilities. Exterior of Tacoma Boatbuilding Co. A glimpse of the YMS minesweeper can be seen on the right, Tacoma Boatbuilding Co. received a contract for $700,000 for each of the minesweepers built at this time. TPL-6650

Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Tacoma Boat Building Co., Inc. (Tacoma); Government vessels--Tacoma;

Puget Sound Boat. Puget Sound Boatbuilding Corp. gained recognition for their fishing boats and were rated among the top boat builders in Tacoma. They built many vessels for the Army Transportation Division as well. Interior view of boat building plant at Puget Sound Boatbuilding Corp. TPL-8864

Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; World War, 1939-1945--Economic & industrial aspects--Tacoma; Puget Sound Boat Building Corp. (Tacoma);

Wilkeson Products interior and exterior of mine. The Wilkeson Coal & Coke Co. mine brought prosperity to a small town. Jobs were readily available for those interested in coal mining. Exterior view of coke producing plant. TPL-7989

Coke industry --Wilkeson; Coal mining--Wilkeson; Wilkeson Coal & Coke Co. (Wilkeson);

Coke plant interior and exterior for Wilkeson Products. On May 28, 1943, the first coke oven was charged at this site. After its success six more ovens were charged the following day. During the first week of June 1943, operations began at this million dollar Pacific Northwest coke plant.

Coke industry--Tacoma; Wilkeson Co. (Tacoma);

Coke plant interior and exterior for Wilkeson Products. The Wilkeson Coke plant will provide shipments to defense plants in the Pacific Northwest, as well as, gas supplies for heating and cooking in Tacoma. Tacoma will be fortunate enough to have unlimited gas supplies during the cold winter months.

Coke industry--Tacoma; Wilkeson Co. (Tacoma);

Coke plant interior and exterior for Wilkeson Products. Non-stop operations at the Wilkeson Coke plant have been difficult to maintain, but a necessary task. Plant provides shipments to commercial businesses and residents of Tacoma. Coke plant is the only one of its kind in the Pacific Northwest.

Coke industry--Tacoma; Wilkeson Co. (Tacoma);

Wilkeson Products interior and exterior of mine. In 1888 Wilkeson Coal & Coke Co. began producing the best grade of coke available in the West. Wilkeson Co. mine employed 200 employees, they lived with their families in Wilkeson, Washington, a small mining town in eastern Pierce County. View of buildings at Wilkeson.

Coke industry--Wilkeson; Coal mining--Wilkeson; Wilkeson Coal & Coke Co. (Wilkeson);

Wilkeson Products interior and exterior of mine. Wilkeson Coal & Coke Co. had the largest coal and coke mine in the State of Washington. They were one of the only completely electrified mining plants in the world, and always had the most modern machinery available. Interior view of mining plant. TPL-6616

Coke industry--Wilkeson; Coal mining--Wilkeson; Wilkeson Coal & Coke Co. (Wilkeson);

Wilkeson Products interior of mine and coke plant. Wilkeson Coal & Coke Co. had the largest coal and coke mine in the State of Washington. They were one of the only completely electrified mining plants in the world, and always had the most modern machinery available.

Coke industry--Wilkeson; Coal mining--Wilkeson; Wilkeson Coal & Coke Co. (Wilkeson);

Wilkeson Products interior and exterior of mine. Many mines in Wilkeson, Washington closed in 1938, but then reopened to assist in the production of coke needed for the war effort. Interior view of Wilkeson Coal & Coke Co. mining plant, railway tracks where freight cars were used to bring in mining equipment and take out coal are visible. Financed by the U.S. government-sponsored Defense Plant Corporation, the Wilkeson Products mine began operations in 1943. It was to be a short-lived venture as the mine struggled to produce coal, despite the vast amounts invested in machinery and construction. It closed on November 22, 1944, having produced less than 1% of Washington coal production during the war effort. (Kombol, Bill, '"When Coal Was King," Voice of the Valley, 12-27-2011)

Coke industry--Wilkeson; Coal--Wilkeson; Mine railroads--Wilkeson; Coal mining--Wilkeson; Wilkeson Coal & Coke Co. (Wilkeson); World War, 1939-1945--Economic & industrial aspects--Wilkeson;

Rebuilding of Tacoma oxygen plant, Air Reduction Sales Co., contract #MCC2797, neg. no.ARS-63

Factories--Tacoma; Air Reduction Sales Co. (Tacoma);

Exterior view of the Great Northern Railroad Ticket Office. Remodeled storefront with neon signage and a display for the Great Northern's "Empire Builder" in the window. The office was located in the Drury building. It was part of Transportation Row, 112-18 So. 9th St., which housed the ticket offices of the Northern Pacific, Great Northern, Union Pacific, and Chicago, Milwaukee and St. Paul railroads.

Railroad companies--Tacoma; Offices--Tacoma--1950-1960; Facades--Tacoma--1950-1960; Ticket offices; Window displays; Great Northern Railway Co. (Tacoma);

Men with moose killed in Chilcotin District, Peterson Boat, George Peterson. Arne Strom and H.D. Maxwell were two of the six hunters that had gone on a 10-day hunting trip with George Peterson to British Columbia. They are seen here with the 3 moose and one deer hung in one of the buildings at Peterson Boat Building. George Peterson and his friends had already brought in three moose during this season. See D45,791-2. (TNT, 11/27/1949,p.B11)

Peterson Boat Building Co. (Tacoma)--Buildings; Hunting--Washington (State); Moose hunting--Tacoma--1940-1950; Moose; Dead animals; Hunting trophies; Deer hunting--Tacoma--1940-1950; Deer;

Men with moose killed in Chilcotin District, Peterson Boat, George Peterson. Six Tacoma nimrods found good hunting in British Columbia around the Williams Lake area and brougnt home three moose and a deer as evidence. The moose, with an average spread of from 35 to 40 inches, were bagged the first day out on a 10-day jaunt. The hunters are, L-R, George Peterson, Reuben C. Carlson, Arne Strom, H.D. Maxwell, Thomas Myers and Lewis Boen. Thomas Myers owned and operated J.P. Myers Fuel in Tacoma, Gig Harbor Sand and Gravel in Gig Harbor, and Bremerton Lines (a bus service operating between Bremerton and Tacoma). (TNT, 11/27/1949, p.B-11)

Peterson Boat Building Co. (Tacoma)--Buildings; Hunting--Washington (State); Moose hunting--Tacoma--1940-1950; Moose; Hunting trophies; Deer hunting--Tacoma--1940-1950; Deer; Peterson, George; Carlson, R.C.; Strom, Arne; Maxwell, Horace D.;

This photograph was taken as part of a photo mural for Feltrok Insulation Company, ordered by Mr. Lybeck. Feltrok manufactured home and industrial insulations and were members of the National Mineral Wool Association and Industrial Mineral Wool Institute. C.J. Rusden was president of the company at this time. A rail line brought materials used in the company's manufacturing processes directly to the yard. The smokestacks were tall to provide cooling.

Industrial facilities--Tacoma--1950-1960; Feltrok Insulation Manufacturing Co. (Tacoma); Smokestacks--Tacoma;

ca. 1950. The ASARCO stack dominated the Tacoma sky line from its elevated position near Point Defiance along the Tacoma waterfront from 1917 until it was demolished January 17, 1993. It was the largest smokestack in the world when it was built at 571 feet. It was shortened to 562 feet during repairs in 1937. TPL-6600

Industrial facilities--Tacoma; Smelters--Tacoma; American Smelting & Refining Co. (Tacoma); Smokestacks--Tacoma;

Dignitaries pose during the launching of the Hortensia-Bertin at Tacoma Boat Building. She would contain the most modern of navigational and communication equipment with radiophone and code instruments, Northern Radio sending set and National receiver. She would also be equiped with a 181 h.p. Chrysler-powered Western "Fairliner' bait-tender which was also equipped with a radiotelephone. The two gentlemen on the left are Haldor Dahl and Arne Strom, owners of Tacoma Boat. Mrs. Arthur DeFever of San Pedro, California, is third from the right holding long-stemmed roses. She was the wife of the boat's architect and sponsor of at the launching. Ordered by C.F.A. Mann. (TNT, 1/5/1950, p.21; Pacific Fisherman, April 1950, p.26; Pacific Fisherman October 1950, p.12) TPL-9025

Launchings--Tacoma--1940-1950; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Fishing boats--Tacoma; Tacoma Boat Building Co., Inc. (Tacoma); Dahl, Haldor; Strom, Arne;

Launching at Western Boat. Ordered by Seattle Times by Mr. R.H. Calkins. The John N. Cobb stands in the ways ready to be formally launched. Flags are draped over the first and second decks. The boat was to becoma an exploratory vessel for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. She was designed by W.C. Nickum & Sons, Seattle naval architects, and built by Western Boat. She was of very heavy wood construction, 93' in length, and powered with a 550 hp Fairbanks-Morse diesel engine. (Pacific Fisherman, March 1950, p.29)

Launchings--Tacoma--1950-1960; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1950-1960; Western Boat Building Co. (Tacoma); Ships--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Calf shelter made of plywood at Western Washington Experiment Station. The Station, affiliated with Washington State College, opened 7/1/1895. Its approximately 155 home acres were used to develop satisfactory farm practices in the fields of dairying, poultry production, and the growth of fruits, vegetables, specialty crops, ornamentals and bulbs. It employed approximately 70 people from the Tacoma/Puyallup area, 20 of those in research. Photograph ordered by Douglas Fir Plywood Association.

Plywood; Douglas Fir Plywood Association (Tacoma); Barns--Tacoma; Western Washington Experiment Station (Puyallup);

New machinery, TAM Engineering Corporation. Interior of Ford engine rebuilding shop. Workman measures cylinder bore of Ford "flathead" V8 engine block attached to a honing machine during rebuilding.

Machine shops--Tacoma; TAM Engineering Corp. (Tacoma);

St. Paul & Tacoma Lumber Co. lumber yard where hoisting machinery moves a long piece of lumber from one location to another. St. Paul & Tacoma, established in 1888, was one of the first sawmills on Commencement Bay.The company prospered until its MIll "C," located on the Thea Foss Waterway, became the largest in the world, cutting a million board feet of timber a day.

Lumber industry--Tacoma--1950-1960; St. Paul & Tacoma Lumber Co. (Tacoma); Hoisting machinery;

Stauffer Chemical Co. opened a half million dollar plant in the spring of 1950 for the production of super phosphate fertilizer. The big chemical plant, erected on 14 acres of a 40 acre tract on the Tideflats, utilized phosphate rock from Wyoming and sulphuric acid from the newly constructed American Smelting and Refining acid plant to create super phosphate commercial fertilizer for a Pacific Northwest market area of 200 miles. The plant included a tank farm, mixing building, bulk storage facilities, finished product warehouses and office building. Phosphate storage towers and rail delivery system shown to the left of this picture. The original plant employed 20-30 and was capable of turning out 250 tons of fertilizer daily. The plant was expanded in 1955 to produce liquid aluminum sulphate.

Stauffer Chemical Co. (Tacoma); Chemical industry--Tacoma--1950-1960; Fertilizer industry--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Coca-Cola Bottling Company moved into this building in 1948; the building had previously been used as supplemental housing for defense workers during World War II, as as the headquarters for the Work Projects Administration. The building was originally built in 1912 it was used as a City Detention Station and a City Contagious Hospital for women. Photo ordered by A. C. Horn Company, Incorporated; a business based out of San Francisco, California.

Bottling industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Beverage industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Building construction--Tacoma; Coca-Cola Bottling Co. (Tacoma)--Buildings; A.C. Horn Co., Inc. (San Francisco, Calif.);

J.M. Martinac Shipbuilding, sea trials of the Mary S. The new tuna clipper, the Mary S, was 109' x 25.5' x 12' and was powered by a Superior diesel main engine. (Pacific Fisherman Yearbook 1950, p. 85, p.244, and p.321.) TPL-628

J.M. Martinac Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma); Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Ship trials--Tacoma--1940-1950; Fishing boats--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Douglas Fir Plywood Association held their annual meeting to discuss the Douglas Fir plywood industry at the Winthrop Hotel. Douglas Fir plywood is the "Wood of 1000 Uses", used in houses, advertising, boats, and hundreds of other products. View of unidentified DFPA representative at the annual DFPA conference, which is being held at the Winthrop Hotel; DFPA plywood sign in foreground.

Lumber industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Business people--Tacoma--1940-1950; Meetings--Tacoma--1940-1950; Signs (Notices); Plywood; Hotel Winthrop (Tacoma); Douglas Fir Plywood Association (Tacoma);

Engine round house at Northern Pacific Railway, Elwin Barker. A side view of locomotive number 1783. In Washington state, the mainline crossed the Cascade Mountains at Stampede Pass, through Stampede Tunnel, 9,834 feet long built at an altitude of 2,852 feet. A switchback was originally used to cross the Pass until a tunnel was completed in May 1888. (Pacific Northwest Railroads of McGee and Nixon, Richard Green)

Northern Pacific Railway Co. (Tacoma); Railroad companies--Tacoma--1940-1950; Railroad locomotives--Tacoma--1940-1950; Railroad roundhouses--Tacoma;