Chicago, Milwaukee and St. Paul Railroad, Engine #10254. On an official test trip in March of 1920, a brand new Bi-polar engine pauses for some publicity shots. The class EP2 engine was manufactured by Alco-GE. The bi-polars were unique in design because the bi-polar fields for each motor were carried on the truck frame. The huge 265 ton, 3,240 hp bi-polars were designed specifically for passenger service in the Cascades and were an immediate success when put into service in 1920. Their top speed was rated at 70 mph and they could pull 1, 120 tons (14 cars) up a 2% grade at 25 mph. The electric locomotives were also unique in appearance, riding low on 44" drivers, and in sound, their trademark a distinctive high pitched shrill from their air whistles. (Charles and Dorothy Wood "Milwaukee Road West") G44.1-079, TPL-2379
Railroad locomotives--Tacoma; Railroad cars--Tacoma; Railroads--Tacoma; Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad Co. (Tacoma);
Side view of parked St. Paul & Tacoma Lumber Co. No. 1 truck filled with stacks of what may be plywood. This April, 1920, photograph may have been taken at the company's downtown Tacoma yard. As noted through the doorless truck, there was no driver at the wheel. G36.1-160
St. Paul & Tacoma Lumber Co. (Tacoma); Trucks--1920-1930;
St. Paul & Tacoma lumber yard. This November, 1920, progress photograph shows a fuel conveyor belt being constructed 24 feet above the ground at the St. Paul & Tacoma Lumber Co. Two 2 ton locomotive cranes are pictured lifting a 106 foot truss into place. The 641 foot long aerial belt will run from the mill to a point on the waterway directly across from the Consumers Central Heating Co. The conveyor belt will be used to transport the mill's waste wood, formed into logs. The fuel will be dumped on barges and carried across to the heating plant where it will be burned to supply heat to the city. The conveyor belt was all wood with the exception of the belt itself and the roller bearings. Parallel chord lattice was used for the entire length with the exception of street crossings where 106 foot span Belfast type lattice trusses were used. (TDL 1/9/1921, pg. 6) TPL-2047; G36.1-163
Lumber industry--Tacoma--1920-1930; St. Paul & Tacoma Lumber Co. (Tacoma); Belts & belting (Equipment); Fuel trade--Tacoma--1920-1930;
ca. 1920. Smelter operations at ASARCO. Steam rises as ore is poured via hoisted ladle onto giant cylinders at the American Smelting & Refining Co.'s plant in Ruston circa 1920. Other large ladles are on the floor waiting to be filled with ore. TPL-899; G37.1-184
American Smelting & Refining Co. (Tacoma); Smelters--Tacoma--1920-1930; Industrial facilities--Tacoma--1920-1930;
ca. 1920. Smelter operations at ASARCO. These employees of the American Smelting & Refining Co. (ASARCO) are carefully monitoring what may be the pouring of molten ore in this circa 1920 photograph. It seems to have caught the attention of several other workers in the area. TPL-2351; G37.1-191
American Smelting & Refining Co. (Tacoma); Smelters--Tacoma--1920-1930; Industrial facilities--Tacoma--1920-1930;
An unidentified mill in Tacoma's Tideflats was photographed by Marvin Boland in March of 1921. No workers are in sight. Piles of lumber are stacked throughout the yard. G36.1-043
On September 2, 1921, a steam powered cargo ship from the Luckenbach Line was docked at the Tidewater Mill, 3901 E. 11th St. The Tidewater had been opened in 1918 and was capable of producing 100,000 board feet a day. The majority of its products were shipped for export. The mill was built with a frontage of 750 feet of deep water, allowing the company to load several vessels at a time. The Luckenbach Steamship Co., 1850-1974, was one of the longest-lived and most successful U.S. shipping companies. It was started in 1850 by Lewis Luckenbach and grew to be a major force in intercoastal trade. (TDL 12/22/1918, pg. B-8; www.nationalflaggen.de) G49.1-074
The Tidewater Mill, on the east side of the Hylebos Waterway, was photographed on September 2, 1921 as the large steamship "Quinault" was being loaded with timber. The mill was built in 1918 on six acres of soggy land purchased from Gen. James Ashton. The land was filled in and the mill was built. It was one of only a handful on the Pacific Coast capable of producing the longest timbers. Tidewater could cut timbers up to 130 feet in length. The mill site's major advantage was 750 feet of deep water moorage, allowing the loading of several vessels at a time. (TDL 12/22/1918, pg. B-8) G49.1-071; TPL-9251
This elevated view of the Buffelen Lumber & Manufacturing Company, looking toward Tacoma across the Tideflats, was captured in November of 1921. The narrow bridge built on pilings is the old Hylebos Creek bridge. Located in the industrial Tideflats at Lincoln Ave. & Taylor Way, the sprawling Buffelen plant had been undergoing rapid expansion with the construction of a new warehouse in 1916 and a new power plant five years later. Other important improvements in 1921 included dry kilns and warehouses. Buffelen was organized in 1912 by John Buffelen primarily as a door manufacturer. In 1916 the company started to manufacture fir plywood. A small ad placed in the Tacoma Daily Ledger on 7-11-21 listed "fir doors, 3-ply panels, alder panels, sash, etc." as products manufactured by the firm which had offices in Minneapolis and Tacoma. (TDL- Ad 7-11-21, p. 7; Tacoma Sunday Ledger, 1-1-22, B-5-article)
Construction on the new John Dower Lumber Company headquarters building at 733 East 11th Street began in late November, 1921. The company held an open house for the general public on March 11, 1922. The building, designed by Bullard & Mason, was one of the most unique lumber offices in the country. The finish on the exterior was designed to resemble a log house; the interior was finished in selected native woods, stained and varnished to bring out their natural colors. In 1922 the John Dower Lumber Company was one of the largest retail lumber companies in the United States. The St. Paul & Tacoma Lumber Company purchased the Dower yard and headquarters building in 1942. BU-11057
Lumber industry--Tacoma--1920-1930; John Dower Lumber Company (Tacoma); Building construction--Tacoma--1920-1930;
Elevated view of Tacoma's industrial tideflats as pictured on March 25, 1922. Visible are the sprawling St. Paul & Tacoma Lumber Co. and the Washington Parlor Furniture Co. at far left and the Pacific Lumber & Millwork Co. in center. They were at the foot or end of the 11th St. Bridge (now Murray Morgan Bridge). TPL-5731; G91.-017
St. Paul & Tacoma Lumber Co. (Tacoma); Washington Parlor Furniture Co. (Tacoma); Pacific Lumber & Millwork Co. (Tacoma);
On May 9, 1922, a steam cargo ship was pictured docked at the Tidewater Mill, where it was taking on a shipment of lumber. The Mill was located on the east side of the Hylebos Waterway, near the end of 11th St. It was opened in 1918 and had a capacity of 100,000 logs a day. The mill was built on wetlands which were filled for the construction of the mill. Its greatest advantage was its frontage on 750 feet of deep water, allowing the loading of several vessels at a time. (TDL 12/22/1918, Pg. B-8)
These massive logs are being transported on Northern Pacific flatcars to the St. Paul & Tacoma Lumber Co. yard on May 13, 1922. Railroad tracks intersect at this particular location. G44.1-103
Lumber industry--Tacoma--1920-1930; Logs; St. Paul & Tacoma Lumber Co. (Tacoma); Northern Pacific Railway Co. (Tacoma); Railroad cars--Tacoma--1920-1930; Railroad tracks--Tacoma--1920-1930;
Sawmill operations. View of St. Paul & Tacoma's modern sawmill, recently placed in operation, as pictured on May 21, 1922. Machinery and tracks in foreground. The new mill was the latest of improvements enacted by the lumber firm. G36.1-034 (TDL 5-23-22, p. 7-article)
Lumber industry--Tacoma--1920-1930; St. Paul & Tacoma Lumber Co. (Tacoma); Sawmills--Tacoma--1920-1930; Machinery;
Mill operations. Interior view of machinery and wood at St. Paul & Tacoma's new sawmill on May 21, 1922. Mill "C" started operation the following day. It was the latest of improvements done by the company. The new mill had a capacity of 200,000 feet of lumber every eight hours. It was electrically operated throughout and had all the latest safety devices. (TDL 5-23-22, p. 7-article)
Lumber industry--Tacoma--1920-1930; St. Paul & Tacoma Lumber Co. (Tacoma); Machinery; Sawmills--Tacoma--1920-1930;
Sawmill operations. There are no walls in this part of St. Paul & Tacoma Lumber Co.'s new sawmill but an open beamed ceiling provides cover for the tracks below. This was Mill "C" which would start operating on May 22, 1922. St. Paul & Tacoma had spent much money in getting their plant in the best condition. The entire plant was modernized, Mills "A" and "B" electrically updated, and new docks and additional warehouses built. G36.1-035 (TDL 5-23-22, p. 7-article)
Lumber industry--Tacoma--1920-1930; Sawmills--Tacoma--1920-1930; St. Paul & Tacoma Lumber Co. (Tacoma);
This is one of Tacoma's shipyards in the Tideflats in a photograph taken on September 8, 1922. A crane and stacks of lumber are visible across from the large building in this deteriorated print. G36.1-011
These are believed to be buildings in an unidentified Tacoma shipyard. This September, 1922, photograph also shows the nearness of railroad tracks to the buildings to make it easier for lumber to be transported. G36.1-085 (print has deteriorated)
Four delegates to the 13th annual Pacific Logging Congress Convention posed for photographer Marvin Boland on October 28, 1922. The men have removed their hats for this picture. The earlier conventions of the Pacific Logging Congress had a mixture of delegates representing management and workmen. All were interested in the latest logging techniques and equipment to further improve their industry. The 1922 convention saw representatives from all the Pacific Coast states and British Columbia in attendance at the four-day session in Tacoma. G75.1-135
At a time when timber was king, and logs of this size were not unusual, thirteen delegates to the 13th annual Pacific Logging Congress Convention were able to balance themselves on top of large cut logs in this late October of 1922 photograph - with room to spare. A special excursion train left Tacoma's Union Station on Saturday, October 28, 1922, for a day trip to the St. Paul & Tacoma Lumber Co. camp at Kapowsin. There the many delegates viewed up-to-date methods of logging by high leads and lidgerwood skidders. The convention took place October 25-28, 1922, and attracted some 500 representatives of the logging industry. G75.1-138 (TDL 10-23-22, p. 5-article; TDL 10-25-22, p. 1-article; TDL 10-26-22, p. 1-article)
Delegates to the 13th annual Pacific Logging Congress Convention posed outdoors on October 28, 1922. The first convention was held in 1909 in Seattle and continues to be held annually. Educational and informational presentations about the logging industry and exhibitions of the newest logging equipment and supplies were staples of the conventions. G75.1-134 (www.pacificloggingcongress.org/history)
These were some of the 500 delegates to the 13th annual Pacific Logging Congress Convention held in Tacoma from October 25-28, 1922. Everett Griggs, president of the St. Paul & Tacoma Lumber Co., welcomed the delegates to Tacoma, the "Lumber Capital of America," in his October 25th address. The firm invited attendees to visit its lumber camp at Kapowsin on the final day of the convention where they are believed to be pictured above. There the group was able to observe the most up-to-date methods of logging by high leads and Lidgerwood skidders. L.T. ("Tom") Murray, founder of the West Fork Timber Co. of Tacoma, was president of the Congress and may have been included in the group congregated above. TPL-2043; G75.1-137 (TDL 10-23-22, p. 5-article; TDL 10-25-22, p. 1-article; TDL 10-26-22, p. 1-article)
Two men in heavy topcoats to ward off chilly weather stand next to a large cut log on October 28, 1922. On the end of the log are words welcoming delegates to the 13th Pacific Logging Congress. 500 representatives of the logging industry met in Tacoma from October 25 to the 28th . On the last day of the convention they journeyed to the St. Paul & Tacoma Lumber Co. camp at Kapowsin where the above photograph is believed to have been taken. TPL-2118; G75.1-136 (TDL 10-23-22, p. 5-article; TDL 10-25-22, p. 1-article; TDL 10-26-22, p. 1-article)
Delegates to the 13th annual Pacific Logging Congress Convention observe logging operations in October of 1922. A steam donkey next to a spar tree is assisting in the yarding procedures. The visiting lumbermen watched the modern methods of logging at the St. Paul & Tacoma Lumber Co. camp at Kapowsin. G75.1-092 (TDL 10-23-22, p. 5-article; TDL 10-25-22, p. 1-article; TDL 10-26-22, p. 1-article)
Two circular slices of logs placed on the small porch above welcomed delegates to the Pacific Logging Congress Convention on October 28, 1922. The tiny log cabin itself was built using white fir in 1889. 500 delegates from all Pacific Coast states and British Columbia had convened at the Tacoma Hotel in late October of 1922 for the 13th annual gathering of lumbermen. On the last day of the meeting they traveled to the St. Paul & Tacoma Lumber Co. camp in Kapowsin where the above photograph was believed to have been taken. G75.1-141 (TDL 10-23-22, p. 5-article; TDL 10-25-22, p. 1-article; TDL 10-26-22, p. 1-article)
Scores of delegates to the 13th annual Pacific Logging Congress Convention piled aboard a Northern Pacific Railroad flatcar on October 28, 1922. Railings prevent the passengers from unexpectedly exiting the freight car; indeed, the motto "Safety First," as painted on the railing, seems to be well heeded. They were visiting the St. Paul & Tacoma Lumber Co. camp at Kapowsin that day to view modern techniques of logging. G75.1-140 (TDL 10-23-22, p. 5-article; TDL 10-25-22, p. 1-article; TDL 10-26-22, p. 1-article)
A group of seven, including one woman, posed before the "welcome" log at the 13th annual Pacific Logging Congress Convention on October 28, 1922. Each year representatives of logging concerns would meet to discuss important issues affecting their industry. The 1922 convention was headquartered in Tacoma where one of the topics of discussion was the use of slack line cable systems in bringing logs out. This photograph is believed to have been taken at the St. Paul & Tacoma Lumber Co. camp at Kapowsin where delegates visited on a special day trip the last day of the convention. G75.1-139 (TDL 10-23-22, p. 5-article; TDL 10-25-22, p. 1-article; TDL 10-26-22, p. 1-article)
Smoke is billowing out of chimneys found in the neatly constructed cabins at the West Fork Logging Camp in Tacoma. There are several small painted cabins in a row with even a planked walkway before them. A road ends at the camp so that cars can be driven and parked outside the buildings. G75.1-031
Lumber camps--Tacoma--1920-1930; Lumber industry--Tacoma--1920-1930; West Fork Logging Co. (Tacoma);
Poles are stacked and loaded onto railroad flatcars by the heavy crane nearby. This December, 1922, photograph was ordered by the Cascade Timber Co. G36.1-071 (print has deteriorated)
