1936 Daily operations at St. Regis. View of large funnels and other unidentified machinery in photograph taken on December 21, 1936. Plant is believed to be the St. Regis Tacoma location, 801 Portland Ave. The Tacoma facility had recently undergone an expensive remodeling to be transformed into a modern plant where 60,000 tons of bleached pulp were expected to be produced a year. Over 800 men had been employed in the reconstruction process boosting St. Regis' payroll to $15,000 a week. Much new machinery was purchased including electric saws and machines to bark logs. By late November of 1936, the Tacoma St. Regis had commenced operations with a crew of 250. A bleaching unit would be ready in three months. (T.Times 10-14-36, p. 5-article; T. Times 11-25-36, p. 5-article)
St. Regis Paper Co. (Tacoma)--1930-1940; Machinery; Paper industry--1930-1940; Lumber industry--1930-1940; Mills--Tacoma--1930-1940;
1936 daily operations at St. Regis. In late 1936 St. Regis Kraft Co.'s Tacoma plant began operating with a crew of 250 at its newly remodeled and modernized facility in the Tideflats. Boland studios paid visits to the pulp plant on December 21-22, 1936, to photograph the new interiors including machinery. Here two unidentified St. Regis employees focus their attention of one of the new machines. G37.1-048 (T.Times 10-14-36, p. 5-article; T. Times 11-25-36, p. 5-article)
St. Regis Paper Co. (Tacoma)--1930-1940; Paper industry--1930-1940; Lumber industry--1930-1940; Mills--Tacoma--1930-1940; Machinery;
1936 daily operations at St. Regis. The Tacoma St. Regis underwent expansion and modernization of its facility in the Tideflats during most of 1936. New machinery was brought in as the demand for bleached pulp grew. By the end of November of that year, the pulp plant had started operating with an initial crew of 250. Eventually the plant would run continuously on a 24-hour schedule with four staggered shifts of eight hours and provide employment for many Tacomans. (T.Times 10-14-36, p. 5-article; T. Times 11-25-36, p. 5-article)
St. Regis Paper Co. (Tacoma)--1930-1940; Paper industry--1930-1940; Lumber industry--1930-1940; Mills--Tacoma--1930-1940; Machinery;
Unidentified equipment at St. Regis. St. Regis Kraft in Tacoma had undergone a $1,000,000 modernization project so that the company could move into bleached pulp production. New machinery was purchased and the site expanded. The purpose of the tall structure shown above was not provided; each row had six concrete or metal handles. G37.1-027
St. Regis Paper Co. (Tacoma); Paper industry--1930-1940; Lumber industry--1930-1940; Mills--Tacoma--1930-1940; Equipment;
Reconstruction and expansion of the St. Regis Kraft facility in the Tideflats was nearly completed in late December of 1936. The company had spent $1,000,000, a tidy sum in the Depression years, to update their large pulp plant to handle the production of bleached pulp. New machinery was purchased to deal with 25,000 short logs per hour, including electric saws to cut the logs into irregular-shaped chunks and machines to bark the logs before going to regular pulp chippers. The bleaching unit would be ready in early 1937. G34.1-104 (T.Times 10-14-36, p. 5-article; T.Times 11-25-36, p. 5-article)
St. Regis Paper Co. (Tacoma); Paper industry--1930-1940; Lumber industry--1930-1940; Mills--Tacoma--1930-1940;
1936 daily operations at St. Regis. View of a thick cluster of narrow steel or cement pipes at a St. Regis Paper Co. facility, probably the Tacoma location at 801 Portland Ave. in December of 1936. The St. Regis plant in Tacoma had undergone massive remodeling for several months to make it into a modern plant capable of producing 60,000 tons of bleached pulp per year. G37.1-026 (T.Times 10-14-36, p. 5-article; T. Times 11-25-36, p. 5-article)
St. Regis Paper Co. (Tacoma)--1930-1940; Paper industry--1930-1940; Lumber industry--1930-1940; Mills--Tacoma--1930-1940;
1936 daily operations at St. Regis. This is believed to be the St. Regis Paper Co. facility in Tacoma at 801 Portland Ave. as pictured in December of 1936. This exterior view of the plant shows its close proximity to railroad tracks which meant easier transport of its products. Pieces of lumber are strewn about and a wheelbarrow and other small carts are present. The Tacoma St. Regis Kraft Co. pulp plant had undergone modernization of its facility earlier in 1936 including new machinery and expansion of the plant. By the end of November, 1936, the plant was operating with a crew of 250. St. Regis expected that the bleaching unit would be ready in 90 days; until then, unbleached pulp as formerly produced would be manufactured. G37.1-021 (T.Times 10-14-36, p. 5-article; T. Times 11-25-36, p. 5-article)
St. Regis Paper Co. (Tacoma)--1930-1940; Paper industry--1930-1940; Lumber industry--1930-1940; Mills--Tacoma--1930-1940;
1936 daily operations at St. Regis. Interiors of the newly remodeled and expanded St. Regis Kraft Co. plant on the Tideflats were photographed on December 21-22, 1936. The company had spent a million dollars in the extensive remodeling project during 1936 which was nearly completed. This view appears to be of wood framed windows with two latches apiece. G37.1-014 (T.Times 10-14-36, p. 5; T. Times 11-25-36, p. 5-articles, no pictures, on both pages regarding remodeling)
St. Regis Paper Co. (Tacoma)--1930-1940; Paper industry--1930-1940; Lumber industry--1930-1940; Mills--Tacoma--1930-1940;
This internal view of St. Regis was taken in December of 1936. The location was not specified but it is believed to be the big paper mill at 801 Portland Ave., the former location of Union Bag & Paper Co. This particular view shows wet floors, drains, and machinery on both sides. It is possible that a washer had broken causing the wetness. TPL-6802; G37.1-013
St. Regis Paper Co. (Tacoma)--1930-1940; Paper industry--Tacoma--1930-1940; Mills--Tacoma--1930-1940; Machinery;
Lumber operations at St. Regis. Although photographer Boland's notes do not mention the location of this particular St. Regis Kraft Co. plant, it is probably the large concern in Tacoma as photographed in December of 1936. The Tacoma plant had been transformed into a modern facility for the production of 60,000 tons of bleached pulp per year. The company had spent a million dollars for new machinery and reconstruction. The pulp plant was operating by the end of November, 1936, with a crew of 250. The bleaching unit would open about three months later. (T.Times 11-25-36, p. 5-article)
St. Regis Paper Co. (Tacoma)--1930-1940; Paper industry--Tacoma--1930-1940; Lumber industry--Tacoma--1930-1940;
In October of 1936, members of the Scandinavian-American Democratic Club rallied for their party's candidates in the upcoming local and national elections. Portraits and signs for Franklin Delano Roosevelt and Clarence Martin line the walls. Both men were seeking re-election, Roosevelt for the presidency and Martin for Washington State governor. The rally was held at Valhalla Hall on October 14, 1936, with the general public invited. Initiatives and amendments on the general election ballot were discussed. G42.1-069 (T.Times 10-13-36, p. 10-article)
Scandinavian- American Democratic Club (Tacoma); Political participation--Tacoma; Political campaigns; Political elections--Tacoma--1930-1940;
The schooner "Commodore," the last of the offshore sailing fleet in regular service on the Puget Sound, was photographed in September of 1936 while taking on a load of lumber at one of the mills in Tacoma. She was built in 1919 by the J.H. Price Construction Company, a Lake Washington shipyard, and by 1935 the wooden four masted schooner had fallen on hard times. In 1937 she was operating in Alaska as the Iniskin. She met her end in 1942. She was towed to South America and broken up for lumber to build houses. ("Marine History of the Pacific Northwest" H.W. McCurdy) G50.1-118, TPL-5845
Posing in front of the "Infallible" on her June 19, 1936, launching date are the ship's sponsor (with roses) and other guests. The "Infallible" was launched from Western Boat facilities. She was an 86-foot diesel cannery tender with 240 hp. Capt. Ed Strand was her skipper. G37.1-132
The "Infallible," an 86-foot diesel cannery tender, was launched on June 19, 1936 at Western Boat. An unidentified woman, in a long floral -patterned gown and dark hat, was the sponsor of the event. She is pictured holding a bouquet of assorted blossoms as she reaches to officially launch the vessel. G37.1-133
An enormous log is being hoisted onto a heavy duty truck using a "spreader bar" (at left) in this June, 1936, photograph. It will be taken to Tacoma to be processed for Peterman Manufacturing Co. This view is of one of Peterman's old White trucks unloading its load at the railhead in Morton. Al Peterman had purchased several old Whites, then completely rebuilt and heavily modified them to be used in his logging operations at Morton. In 1933-34 Mr. Peterman had purchaed 11 sections (7040 acres) from the Northern Pacific Railroad and began logging in late 1934 to provide materials for his Tacoma door plant. Logging operations were finished in Morton in 1940 after 190 million feet of timber were logged. G75.1-056 (Additional information provided by a reader)
One-lane road, curving by forested land. Photograph requested by Peterman Logging (Manufacturing Co.) in June of 1936. Hillside on the right has been decimated of trees. This is a view of Peterman Manufacturing Co.'s main truck road just down the ravine below the trestle in Boland B25874. According to a reader, Mr. Peterman kept his roads in excellent shape to make it easier and faster for his logging trucks. It is said that his trucks could do 50 mph coming down off the hill into Morton which was unheard of at that time. G75.1-064
Spar tree used in Peterman Logging operations in June of 1936. This tall straight tree has had its limbs chopped off and has been topped. It would be used to support cables that would drag the felled timber to where trucks could transport it to mills. Spar trees have since been supplemented by portable steel towers. This view was taken of one of Peterman's landings on top of Peterman Hill near Morton. Next to the spar tree is an 11 x 13 steam yarder ("donkey") yarding logs. Nearby are some of the trucks waiting to be loaded and then transporting logs down the hill to the railhead at Morton. According to a reader, the road to Tacoma was not good enough to transport the logs via trucks in a safe and timely manner, hence the use of rail. G75.1-057 (Additional information provided by a reader)
Peterman Logging operations near Morton in June of 1936. This may be a "skid road," where heavy logs are partially sunken so that felled timber can be dragged over them to a skidway or landing. According to a reader, this is a view of one of Peterman Manufacturing Co.'s truck roads about a mile past the trestle (shown in Boland B25874) to the south of the beaver pond area. The assorted logs in the foreground were part of a bridge under construction. Because the ground was very swampy, the brush was cut down and laid crossways in the roadbed and gravel dumped on top. The road is still there decades later. G75.1-051 (Additional information provided by a reader)
Peterman Logging operations at or near Morton, June of 1936. According to a reader, this photograph shows a "Triple Drum" yarder in action. Unlike earlier models, this vehicle was mobile with tracklaying capability. The caterpillar mounted set of drums could easily maneuver over rough terrain to yard logs out of a ravine or canyon. The logs could then be either yarded with a crawler tractor or directly loaded onto trucks. TPL-9854; G75.1-044 (Additional information provided by a reader)
One-lane road curving slightly through stand of trees not far from the start of Peterman Manufacturing Co.'s main truck road going up to the top of Peterman Hill, south of Morton. According to a reader, Mr. Peterman used a contract rock crusher to crush rock and a full time roadgrader to make an all-weather road at a time when most logging roads were planked or just mud. Al Peterman had bought 11 sections (or 7040 acres) from the Northern Pacific Railroad in 1933-34. He began logging in late 1934 to supply his Tacoma door plant. The area had originally been called Cotter's Rock after a pioneer homesteader but became known as Peterman Hill. His logging operations ceased in Morton in 1940 but not before logging 190 million feet of timber. Photograph ordered by Peterman Logging (Manufacturing Co.) in June of 1936. G75.1-065; G74.1-111 (Additional information provided by a reader)
Peterman logging operations on top of Peterman Hill south of Morton. View of Peterman Manufacturing Co.'s truck road trestle. A section of forest has been partially cleared in this June, 1936, photograph. Tree stumps remaining seem to indicate that the trees were mostly young trees and not old growth timber although the short log in the foreground was Douglas Fir old growth. Peterman's Tacoma door and veneer plants utilized the Douglas Fir for its products. According to one reader, this area is now called the "beaver pond." There was no pond there at the time of this photograph but over time the beavers took advantage of the pilings of the trestle and built a large dam around them. The trestle is no longer there. G75.1.052
Interior of Peterman Manufacturing Co.'s Morton large truck shop with dirt floor. This open-beamed garage was photographed on June 5, 1936, as part of a series of daily operations for the company. An exterior view of the building is located at Boland B25884. Mr. Al Peterman had purchaed a fleet of fifteen old White trucks from the Shell Oil Co. and completely rebuilt them in his Tacoma shop. They were converted into 6 wheelers with air brakes and bigger engines. The Morton shop then made more modifications as they were put through the hauling operations. Mr. Peterman maintained a staff of skilled mechanics in the Morton shop to work on these trucks. G48.1-018 (Additional information provided by a reader)
June, 1936, view of exterior of large wood framed building which was the Peterman Manufacturing Co.'s Morton truck shop. The interior of the shop is shown in Boland B25883. According to a reader, the building was located in old town Morton in what is now Backstrom Park. This ground was later given to the town of Morton to be used as a city park by Gust Backstrom who was Al Peterman's old logging foreman. The site was that of the Peterman company's railhead where logs were unloaded from trucks and reloaded onto Milwaukee railcars to be transported to Tacoma. Part of Peterman Hill is shown in the background to the south of the shop building. Mr. Peterman logged over 7000 acres in the Morton area in the period of six years, from 1934-1940, to supply his Tacoma operations. G48.1-016 (Additional information provided by a reader)
Two trucks appear to have already been filled with crushed rock and a third one awaits as this June, 1936, photograph for Peterman Logging (Manufacturing) Co. was taken on top of Peterman Hill south of Morton. The bunker(s) and crusher site was not far up the hill on Peterman's main haul road. Mr. Peterman contracted out the crushing and the bunkers were later moved farther back to the east end of the operation. Al Peterman was farsighted enough to realize that a well maintained, smooth truck road would be easier on his trucks and they would be able to travel faster down from his logging operations to the reload area. This was at a time when the majority of logging roads were rough with just planks or mere mud. Mr. Peterman even employed a full time roadgrader operator. G75.1-048 (Additional information provided by a reader)
Daily logging operations of the Peterman Logging (Manufacturing) Co. as seen through a series of photographs taken on June 5, 1936, at or near Morton. A spar tree, rigged with guy lines and blocks, leans precariously while yarding logs. According to a reader, this is a view of Peterman Manufacturing Co.'s railhead reload in old town Morton. The truck is being prepared to be unloaded by the Tacoma Iron Works 9 x 10 yarder ("donkey") to the right in the photograph. The "donkey" was used to also load the Milwaukee railcars standing on the siding running from the right side of the photograph's foreground to the left rear. The main spar tree is barely visible on the extreme left with the "tail" tree to the right just on the far side of the siding. The "tail" tree is bent over so that the spreader bar will be over the center of the railcar as the loading is done. This will make it easier to center the logs on the car. Included in the photograph's background is a bark conveyor. The Model T at extreme right belonged to the "donkey's" operator. G75.1-058 (Information provided by a reader)
Peterman Manufacturing Co. (Tacoma); Lumber industry--1930-1940; Logs; Ford automobile;
Logging equipment at a Peterman logging site, location at or near Morton, in June of 1936. Equipment is a "donkey" used to move logs. These early diesel yarders were designed to yard logs to a landing using a spar tree. The "donkeys" were mounted on sleds made out of two logs which allowed them to be moved on trucks or railcars. It was possible for them to pull themselves over rough grounds to where they needed to be set up. This diesel yarder is possibly one of the first "Berger" brand yarders with the first V8 Caterpillar engine power plant. TPL-9855; G75.1-046 (Additional information provided by a reader)
Fife School as viewed in June of 1936. TPL-7107 This building was constructed in 1930 to serve as the high school in the Fife S.D. The "new" high school was completed in 1950. This building in this photo became the junior high and served as such until Surprise Lake Middle School opened in the fall of 1971. This structure now houses the high school's administrative offices. This photo is looking towards the northwest. This would have been the back section of the early high school and junior high school. Visible is the old boiler room chimney which notably swayed in the earthquake of April 1965. This building was renovated, and this back section now contains the main entrance to the administrative offices for the high school.
In June of 1936, members of the Lumber and Sawmill Workers Union collected food for their striking brothers in Omak, Wa. The first load of food was being loaded into a truck and shipped from the District Council's headquarters at 748 Market St. It would be followed by two more truck loads dispatched on June 27th. The local union had emerged from their own bitter and extended battle in 1935 victorious. The workers in Omak had been on strike since early May. The strike was dangerous with the plant heavily guarded and guards and strike breakers armed. The plant had the support of Omak area merchants and the strikers were suffering greatly. TPL-2452 (Tacoma Labor Advocate 6/12/1936, pg 4; 6/26/1936, pg. 1- picture & pg. 2 story)
