Hundreds of electrolytic cells, in row after row, work 24 hours a day at Hooker Electrochemical producing the basic ingredients of all Hooker Chemicals. In each of the Hooker cells, under the action of direct electric current, salt and water are broken down into a constant flow of caustic soda, chlorine, and hydrogen. Many other large producers of chlorine were licensed to use the Hooker cels in their own plants. Thus Hooker Cells, continually improved in design and efficiency, accounted for nearly half of all the chlorine produced in the United States. (Hooker Electrochemical Company Annual Report, 1950)
Chemical industry--Tacoma--1950-1960; Hooker Electrochemical Co. (Tacoma);
Hooker Chemical operations. A Hooker Chemical Co. employee appears to be monitoring the gauge on the large machinery outside the company plant in October, 1964. Photograph ordered by Hooker Chemical Co. for annual report.
Hooker Electrochemical Co. (Tacoma); Chemical industry--Tacoma--1960-1970; Industrial facilities--Tacoma--1960-1970; Machinery;
Industrial sections of the City of Tacoma. Hooker Electrochemical Company. Artistic exposure of brick buildings framed by the massive wrought iron gates of the plant. The plant was built on the site of the old Foundation Shipyard and opened in February of 1929. Photograph was taken on February 15, 1938, nearly nine years from its establishment.
Hooker Electrochemical Co. (Tacoma); Chemical industry--Tacoma--1930-1940; Gates--Tacoma;
Pipes and equipment at Hooker Electrochemical Co. as photographed on September 24, 1931. Hooker's large plant in Tacoma was built in 1928 and celebrated its grand opening in February of 1929. Chemicals manufactured by Hooker aided the area's pulp and paper industry. G33.1-163
Hooker Electrochemical Co. (Tacoma); Chemical industry--Tacoma--1930-1940; Industrial facilities--Tacoma--1930-1940; Equipment;
Various types of equipment located at Hooker Electrochemical's plant were photographed on September 24, 1931. The chemical producing company was located at 605 Alexander Avenue and would celebrate over 50 years in business here in Tacoma. After several name changes, it would close down about 2002. G33.1-164
Hooker Electrochemical Co. (Tacoma); Chemical industry--Tacoma--1930-1940; Industrial facilities--Tacoma--1930-1940; Equipment;
Hooker Chemical Co. operations. Although this resembles mounds of snow reflected in a clear pool of water, the piles are actually made of salt. Hooker Chemical Co. used tons of salt in their daily operations. A Hooker employee is pictured above in October of 1964 spraying water onto the salt piles. ALBUM 15.
Hooker Electrochemical Co. (Tacoma); Chemical industry--Tacoma--1960-1970;
Hooker Chemical Co. operations. View of brick one-story office for Hooker Chemical Co. in October, 1964. Unlike many faceless concrete industrial facilities, the older plant buildings were built in the Georgian style. Even the newer structures, such as the office building above, retained a classic facade. The Hooker plant was opened on February 16, 1929. It retained the Hooker name until 1982 when it changed its name to Occidental Chemical Corp. Photograph ordered by Hooker Chemical for annual report.
Hooker Electrochemical Co. (Tacoma); Chemical industry--Tacoma--1960-1970; Industrial facilities--Tacoma--1960-1970;
Railroad tank car being loaded at Hooker Chemicals. The sign cautions "Danger, Caustic." Hooker Electrochemical was a large producer of chlorine and caustic soda, supplying the Pacific Northwest's pulp and paper industry. According to the tank's markings, it hold 8031 gallons of caustic soda.
Hooker Electrochemical Co. (Tacoma); Chemical industry--Tacoma--1950-1960; Industrial facilities--Tacoma--1950-1960; Railroad tank cars--Tacoma--1950-1960;
Hooker Electrochemical Co. Tacoma plant was the second chlor-alkali plant in the United States and the first caustic soda plant in the Northwest. The Tacoma plant began producing chemicals in 1929 and it was an essential industry needed during World War II. The Tacoma Hooker plant received two Army-Navy E Awards for war achievement during 1945. Interior view of plant where a cell house was being constructed. Chlorine and caustic soda would be produced through an electrolytical process. (Additional information provided by a reader)
Machinery; Equipment; Chemical industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Industrial facilities--Tacoma; Hooker Electrochemical Co. (Tacoma);
On August 25, 1951, the open front gates of the Hooker Electrochemical Company framed the flagpole in front of the company's administrative buildings. The ornate gates were attached to brick pillars and the company name was clearly listed in wrought iron on top. Hooker had its plant on the Tacoma tideflats at 605 Alexander Avenue. Established in Tacoma in 1929, it underwent several expansions before it was sold in 1997 to Pioneer Companies, Inc. Hooker Electrochemical was one of the area's largest chemical companies. TPL-4445
Hooker Electrochemical Co. (Tacoma); Chemical industry--Tacoma--1950-1960; Gates--Tacoma; Flagpoles--Tacoma;
Expansion continues at the Hooker Electrochemical Company's Tideflats plant in August, 1951. Steel reinforcing and footing for a new building are being installed. Hooker began operations in Tacoma in 1929 and constantly remodeled and expanded in order to handle their growing business. Along with Pennsylvania Salt Manufacturing Company of Washington, Hooker supplied the Pacific Northwest pulp and paper industry with caustic soda and chlorine. Hooker tank cars can be seen in the photograph's background; they were one method of shipping Hooker products to their customers.
Hooker Electrochemical Co. (Tacoma); Chemical industry--Tacoma--1950-1960; Industrial facilities--Tacoma--1950-1960; Railroad tank cars--Tacoma--1950-1960;
Exterior of new anhydrous ammonia plant at Hooker Electrochemical, completed in May of 1952. The ammonia produced here was used by the Northwest's paper and pulp mills and fertilizer and explosive manufacturers. It was shipped entirely by tank car, each car held 26 tons. On completion of the plant, the entire production of 40 tons every 24 hours was already contracted for. The plant was slated for an immediate $6 million dollar expansion that would increase production by half. (TNT 10-19-1952)
Hooker Electrochemical Co. (Tacoma); Chemical industry--Tacoma--1950-1960;
Exterior of new anhydrous ammonia plant at Hooker Electrochemical, completed in May of 1952. Ammonia in gaseous form is composed of three parts of hydrogen to one of nitrogen. In the plant, the hydrogen and nitrogen are mixed in the proper proportion, subjected to 5,000 pounds to a square inch pressure and then sent to a converter and combined to make ammonia. The ammonia is placed in storage tanks outside the plant to await shipment by tank car. (TNT 10-19-1952)
Hooker Electrochemical Co. (Tacoma); Chemical industry--Tacoma--1950-1960;
