A view of the exterior of Pennsylvania Salt Manufacturing Company's facilities showing the proximity of the railroad spur to one of the buildings. A stack is seen over the building. Pennsalt's expansion program begun in 1951 was to include four structures, the largest of which was to be an 80 x 120-foot section of the primary production room. (TNT, 7/29/1951)

Pennsylvania Salt Manufacturing Co. of Washington (Tacoma); Chemical industry--Tacoma--1950-1960; Railroad tank cars--Tacoma--1950-1960; Railroad sidings--Tacoma;

The exterior of the Georgia Pacific Plywood Company building in Olympia, Washington. The two-story building with a flat roof reflects 1950's styling and architecture. A smoke stack with the letters "GP" on it can be seen on the left.

Douglas Fir Plywood Association (Tacoma); Georgia Pacific Plywood Co. (Olympia);

A stark office in the Georgia Pacific Plywood Company building in Olympia provides desks and equipment for fourteen people. Each desk has been provided with a calculator in the middle of the desk with a waste can to catch the tape as it runs from the machine. Telephones are seen on a few of the desks and most of them also have a typewriter on a pull-out shelf on the left. Florescent lighting provides a bright overhead light. Companies were attempting to apply assembly-line techniques to office work.

Douglas Fir Plywood Association (Tacoma); Georgia Pacific Plywood Co. (Olympia); Offices--Olympia;

An aerial view of the new multiwall bag plant at St. Regis. The plant was completely equipped to produce a full range of multiwall bags. Equipment included six production lines, three printing presses, a complete art and engraving department and auxiliary equipment. This plant replaced a leased plant in Seattle. (TNT, 10/19/1952)

St. Regis Paper Co. (Tacoma)--1950-1960; Aerial photographs; Mills--Tacoma--1950-1960; Paper industry--Tacoma--1950-1960;

An aerial view on February 16, 1952, showing the new multiwall bag plant at St. Regis. St. Regis also had other bag plants on the Pacific Coast at Los Angeles and San Leandro, California. The company also maintained complete engineering and service facilities for automatic bag filling equipment, including a machine shop at Los Angeles, and packer sales and engineering offices at San Francisco and Seattle. The company was self-contained on the west coast. (TNT, 10/19/1952)

St. Regis Paper Co. (Tacoma)--1950-1960; Aerial photographs; Mills--Tacoma--1950-1960; Paper industry--Tacoma--1950-1960;

An aerial view of the new multiwall bag plant at St. Regis. The expansion of the bag plant facilities by St. Regis reflected the continuing trend of industry and agriculture to use the multiwall shipping sack. It was estimated that approximately 2 1/2 billion multiwall bags were used in 1951 for all types of products, compared with less than half a billion in 1938. The multiwall bag came into general use as an industrial container in the mid 1920's and was used for packaging cement and other rock products. Shortly thereafter is was adopted by the sugar industry. (TNT, 10/19/1952)

St. Regis Paper Co. (Tacoma)--1950-1960; Aerial photographs; Mills--Tacoma--1950-1960; Paper industry--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Exposure of wood working equipment for auction at Wheeler-Osgood Sash & Door Co. liquidation. The door and plywood plant in Tacoma was sold for approximately $650, 000 for the purposes of liquidation. The factory opened in 1889, and went out of business in 1952. During the interim, the company was one of the largest door plants in the world and an important part of Tacoma's lumber manufacturing industry. The building itself burned down in July of 1959. (TNT 2-26-1952, pg. 1)

Machinery; Wheeler, Osgood Co. (Tacoma); Factories--Tacoma--1950-1960; Lumber industry--Tacoma--1950-1960;

St. Regis Paper Company. Construction progress. New bag plant. Interior of warehouse. Machinery, boxes, scaffolding, exposed mechanical system on ceiling. This is possibly the big bag plant at 801 Portland Ave. which was part of St. Regis' expansion in the 1950s.

St. Regis Paper Co. (Tacoma)--1950-1960; Building construction--Tacoma--1950-1960; Paper industry--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Large piece of equipment, the "Challoner 790", for auction at Wheeler Osgood factory liquidation. The door manufacturer closed its doors in 1952 and liquidated all assets. Certain former employees of the plant announced that they intended to form a co-operative to acquire and operate the factory, after the new owners announced their intention to liquidate. This move was opposed by the Lumber and Sawmill Worker's union and never came to fruition. Other companies that looked at the plant included Boeing, who were looking for a warehouse for its Seattle factory. The building was finally scheduled for demolition when no sale went through and burned down during the process in July of 1959. (TNT 2-26-1952, pg. 1)

Wheeler, Osgood Co. (Tacoma); Factories--Tacoma--1950-1960; Machinery; Lumber industry--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Large desk with 2 swivel chairs behind it, 4 other chairs and a sofa. Exposures of office furniture for auction at Wheeler Osgood factory liquidation. Once the world's largest manufacturer of doors, the factory went out of business in 1952 and was sold for liquidation for approximately $650,000. The company suffered from labor troubles, reorganization and finally a strike by the Lumber and Sawmill Workers' union. (TNT 2-26-1952, pg. 1)

Wheeler, Osgood Co. (Tacoma); Factories--Tacoma--1950-1960; Office furniture; Lumber industry--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Elevated view of Tacoma Fire Station No. 16 under construction. Workers install roof sheathing by Douglas Fir Plywood Association. Narrows Bridge and old Highway 16 in background. Area just being developed. This $24,000 structure at 6th Ave and Meyer St. was dedicated on July 20, 1952. The 12 man crew and one engine provided fire protection to the Highlands district from Stevens St. to the Narrows bridge and also to University Place. This building was razed and replaced in 1999.

Plywood industry--Tacoma--1950-1960; Carpentry--Tacoma--1950-1960; Construction--Tacoma--1950-1960; Fire stations--Tacoma; Tacoma Fire Department, Fire Station No. 16 (Tacoma);

Exposure of "concentrated load test" at DFPA lab. Scientists measure results as several 50 pound weights, totaling 500 lb., are place on top of a circle of plywood. Random testing of the plywood produced in all mills provided quality control. Two laboratories, one in Tacoma and another in Eugene, conducted a continuing program of testing and research funded and supported by the industry itself.

Plywood industry--Tacoma--1950-1960; Testing; Experiments; Douglas Fir Plywood Association (Tacoma);

Exposure of large machinery dwarfing the laborers at Ace Furnace & Steel Co. This machine is either a shear press or a brace press. The company was built in 1930 and was owned by Alvin T. Davies. Ace produced steel and sheet metal products- furnaces, tanks, stacks and did electrical welding.

Ace Furnace & Steel Co. (Tacoma); Iron construction--Tacoma; Iron & steel workers--Tacoma; Metalworking--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;

Views of the plant at Hudson Machinery Company, Inc. Hudson Machinery were dealers in machinery located at Townsend at Minneapolis, Tacoma Tideflats. Frank C. Hamprecht was president and Walter E. Liggett was secretary-treasurer. A unidentified man poses beside shelves filled with parts and a center cabinet filled with drill rods.

Hudson Machinery Company, Inc. (Tacoma); Warehouses--Tacoma--1950-1960; Machinery; Machinery Industry--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Workers and their families at the Pacific Boat Building Co. celebrate the launching of the A.M.S. (motor minesweeper) 116, hull 29 by munching on Nalley potato chips and drinking Nesbitt orange soda. In the background can be seen more hulls under construction. The AMS 116 was one of five 144 ft minesweepers contracted with the firm by the Navy. Naval rearmament was fueling the Tacoma ship building economy. (T. Reporter 7/23/1952, pg. 1)

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

Women in suits, hats and corsages pose around 7 year old Barbara Broback holding an engraved silver tray commemorating the launching of the A.M.S. (motor minesweeper) 116, hull 29 at Pacific Boat Building Co. Carolyn D. Anderson, wife of the Mayor, was the sponsor.The boat building firm was begun in 1937 by partners A. Strom and H. Dahl.

Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1950-1960; Pacific Boat Building Co. (Tacoma); Launchings--Tacoma--1950-1960; Broback, Barbara;

Launching of A.M.S. (motor mine sweeper) #113 at Tacoma Boat Building Company for the Navy. Ship sliding down the ways into the water as it leaves building. The AMS 113 was the first Navy minesweeper to be launched in Tacoma since WWII. Tacoma was rapidly becoming a major center of Naval boat building in our nation's rearmament effort. Tacoma firms held a total of $20 million dollars in Naval contracts. (T. Reporter 7/22/1952, pg. 2 & 7/8/1952, pg. 8)

Launchings--Tacoma--1950-1960; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1950-1960; Tacoma Boat Building Co., Inc. (Tacoma);

The rear of the hull of the USS Endurance (AMS 435) as they prepare for launching at J.M. Martinac Shipbuilding. The Endurance was the first of four 171 foot minesweepers constructed by Martinac for the Navy. Martinac was also the first firm on the Pacific coast to be designated by the Navy as a "qualified laminator." The frames for the minesweepers were laminated in their branch office on Baker dock and then barged up City waterway to the plant for placement in the new boats. (TNT 2-10-1952, pg. B-6, T. Reporter 8/11/1952, pg 2)

Launchings--Tacoma--1950-1960; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1950-1960; J.M. Martinac Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma);

Holroyd Co's concrete block plant next to Meadow Park golf course. Sheds filled with blocks, gravel piles, trucks and automobiles. Water in foreground. The address of this location is never given, it is referred to as the gravel pit in Meadow Park. The water body is manmade and probably used in the manufacturing process. The company also had a gravel pit at Nisqually.

Cement industries--Tacoma; Holroyd Co. (Tacoma);

Holroyd Co's concrete block plant next to Meadow Park golf course. Sheds, gravel piles, truck and automobiles. The address for this location is never given; it is referred to as the gravel pit in Meadow Park. The company also maintained a gravel pit in Nisqually. Holyroyd Co. manufactured building materials, concrete building units and mixed concrete. The structure in the left background is built into the mountain of gravel.

Cement industries--Tacoma; Holroyd Co. (Tacoma);

Rounds of cheese stored for aging, cheese making process- Tillamook cheese. Taken for the Tillamook County Creamery Assoc., Garibaldi Oregon. Most cheese is not ready to eat until it has had time to ripen, or age. The flavor of the cheese develops during the ripening period. Bacteria in cheese keep working until the cheese is right, and the cheese maker encourages or stops bacterial growth by controlling the temperature and humidity of the storage area. Cheeses lose moisture as they ripen. The longer a cheese is left to ripen, the drier it gets and the harder it will be. The ripening period can range from a few days for soft cheeses to more than two years for a hard cheese like Parmesan.

Cheese; Dairy products industry--Oregon--1950-1960;

Merchandise display at the Winthrop Hotel, Evergreen Room, in July of 1952. Nalley's celebrated not only their successful line, but also their solid blue collar labor pedigree by displaying the various unions of its employees. Nalley products pictured are Lumberjack Syrup, Mayonnaise, Potato chips, honey, ketchup, salad dressing, relish, pickles, mustard, shoestring potatoes, "Esquire Sauce," and canned meals.

Nalley's, Inc. (Tacoma)--Products; Food--Tacoma--1950-1960; Food industry--Tacoma--1950-1960; Merchandise displays--Tacoma--1940-1950;

New Swenson evaporators and connecting tubes, stairways to different levels at St. Regis. "Black Liquor" was the substance that was left after the chemical "cooking" process that removed sap and pitch from the cellulose fiber. The evaporator evaporated the water content from the liquor to the point of 52% solids. The liquor was sent to furnaces where it burned like oil, and the chemicals not used in the "cooking process" were recovered. (TNT 2-17-1952, pg. C-14)

St. Regis Paper Co. (Tacoma)--1950-1960; Paper industry--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Two Swenson evaporators and pipes at St. Regis. The molten substance left after the "Black Liquor" burns through the furnace is called "Green Liquor." The green liquor is sent to the caustic department, where the insoluble matter settles out, also the calcium carbonate, and a clear white liquor is made. This liquor is the original one used in the "cooking process" to separate sap & pitch from cellulose fibers and the recovery and recycling is complete. (TNT 2-17-1952, pg. C-14)

St. Regis Paper Co. (Tacoma)--1950-1960; Paper industry--Tacoma--1950-1960;

The Douglas Fir Plywood Association presented a display showing how plywood was used by several industries in the Northwest in the Washington Hall in Portland, Oregon. Washington Hall was part of an earlier exposition in Portland. The hall where the display was housed has been built with columns the look like the trunks of trees. Sky lights in the roof allow plenty of natural light into the interior of the large hall.

Douglas Fir Plywood Association (Portland); Exhibition buildings--Portland; Exhibitions--Portland;

The Douglas Fir Plywood Association presented a display showing how plywood was used by several industries in the Northwest including the boat and ship industry, heavy construction, home building and on farms.

Douglas Fir Plywood Association (Portland); Exhibition buildings--Portland; Exhibitions--Portland;

The Douglas Fir Plywood Association presented a display showing how plywood was made and some of its many uses in the Washington Hall in Portland, Oregon.

Douglas Fir Plywood Association (Portland); Exhibition buildings--Portland; Exhibitions--Portland;

A White tank truck for Larro Feeds is parked in the parking lot of Gereral Mills Inc., Sperry Division, along Schuster Parkway near Sixth. Sperry Mills grain storage elevators are seen in the background.

General Mills, Inc., Sperry Division (Tacoma); White trucks--Tacoma; Trucks--Tacoma--1950-1960; Flour & meal industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Shipping--Tacoma--1950-1960;