Man on platform of Pennsylvania Salt Manufacturing Company chlorine tank car in this photograph dated July of 1940. Hylebos Waterway in background.

Pennsylvania Salt Manufacturing Co. of Washington (Tacoma); Chemical industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Railroad tank cars--Tacoma; Hylebos Waterway (Tacoma);

Pennsylvania Salt Manufacturing Company.A view of a large piece of machinery at the Penn Salt plant. The name "General Electric Company" is molded into the housing on the base of the machine. It is large enough to have a portion of the machine below floor level.

Pennsylvania Salt Manufacturing Co. of Washington (Tacoma); Chemical industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Factories--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Pennsylvania Salt Manufacturing Company. The exterior of one of the buildings at the plant. A flag pole stands in front of the building. The $2 million Tacoma plant covered about 40 acres of tideflats on Hylebos waterway. Their products included chlorine and caustic soda (used in pulp, paper, plywood and soap manufacture as well as for sanitation purposes), chemical manufacturing, metallurgical and other processes and herbicides.

Pennsylvania Salt Manufacturing Co. of Washington (Tacoma); Chemical industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Factories--Tacoma;

This photograph of six cans of caustic soda manufactured by Pennsalt was taken on September 15, 1951. The black metallic cans are of various sizes; five of them contain flake caustic soda while the remaining container is labeled solid caustic soda. Caustic soda, also known as sodium hydroxide, is a white brittle solid used especially in making soap, rayon and paper. It can be in liquid, solid or flake form. The Pennsylvania Salt Manufacturing Co. had a large chemical plant in the Tideflats which manufactured basic chemicals from salt for pulp mills and then onto other products.

Pennsylvania Salt Manufacturing Co. of Washington (Tacoma); Pennsalt (Tacoma); Chemical industry--Tacoma--1950-1960; Containers; Minerals--Tacoma;

A Pennsalt employee carefully monitors a pressure gauge at the Pennsylvania Salt Manufacturing Co. of Washington's tideflats plant in October, 1951. He has one hand on a handle and stares directly at the gauge. Two tanks of liquid chlorine flank a Toledo scale nearby.

Pennsylvania Salt Manufacturing Co. of Washington (Tacoma); Pennsalt (Tacoma); Chemical industry--Tacoma--1950-1960; Industrial facilities--Tacoma--1950-1960; Storage tanks--Tacoma; Scales; Pipes;

The exterior of one of the many buildings at Pennsylvania Salt Manufacturing Company's Tacoma plant

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

Two men are seen working on the railroad tank cars at the Tacoma Pennsylvania Salt Manufacturing Company's spur. It was reported at the company's annual shareholders' meeting in April 1951 that Pennsalt of Washington was expanding its production of DDT at Portland by about 70 per cent. (TNT, 4/26/1951)

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

A small group of visitors stand in front of the Pennsylvania Salt Manufacturing Company of Washington's Taylor Way plant. Nearby is a tank used to contain liquid chlorine, one of Pennsalt's many chemical products. The company opened its doors for a celebration of its parent firm's 100th anniversary which included tours, demonstrations, and refreshments. (TNT 8-6-50, p. A-9)

Pennsylvania Salt Manufacturing Co. of Washington (Tacoma); Pennsalt (Tacoma); Chemical industry--Tacoma--1950-1960;

In 1943 the United States celebrated the second wartime Mother's Day of WWII. Hundreds of local mothers took jobs in Tacoma's industrial plants to help the war effort. Women employees like these photographed at the Pennsylvania Salt Manufacturing Co. helped the company that year achieve the coveted "E" pennant for efficiency in production. During the war, much of the American work force was composed of women who had replaced the thousands of men serving in the Armed Forces. (T.Times 5-8-43, p. 1-article)

World War, 1939-1945--Economic & industrial aspects--Tacoma; Chemical industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Pennsylvania Salt Manufacturing Co. of Washington (Tacoma); Factories--Tacoma--1940-1950; Women--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Service mothers in Defense Plants. Lunch served at many tables outdoors at Pennsylvania Salt Manufacturing Company on May 8, 1943, to honor the war-time workers on Mother's Day who are mothers of service men. (Penn Salt) (T. Times)

World War, 1939-1945--Economic & industrial aspects--Tacoma; Chemical industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Pennsylvania Salt Manufacturing Co. of Washington (Tacoma); Luncheons--Tacoma;

Interior view of Pennsylvania Salt Manufacturing Company with man in overalls and cap reading gauges and dials on Boiler No. 2 Control Panel. Also shown are paper readouts, other gauges, a clock and pipes with turn-off valves.

World War, 1939-1945--Economic & industrial aspects--Tacoma; Chemical industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Working class--Tacoma--1940-1950; Pennsylvania Salt Manufacturing Co. of Washington (Tacoma);

Worker at Pennsylvania Salt Manufacturing Company inspecting pressure gauge in May of 1943. During World War II Penn Salt produced chemicals important in manufacturing ammunitions products. (T.Times, 2/23/44)

World War, 1939-1945--Economic & industrial aspects--Tacoma; Chemical industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Working class--Tacoma--1940-1950; Pennsylvania Salt Manufacturing Co. of Washington (Tacoma); Factories--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Three security officers were photographed in May of 1943 outside of the Pennsylvania Salt Manufacturing Co.

World War, 1939-1945--Economic & industrial aspects--Tacoma; Chemical industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Working class--Tacoma--1940-1950; Pennsylvania Salt Manufacturing Co. of Washington (Tacoma); Factories--Tacoma--1940-1950;

A male and a female worker were photographed during their regular daily tasks in May of 1943 at the Pennsylvania Salt Manufacturing Co.

World War, 1939-1945--Economic & industrial aspects--Tacoma; Chemical industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Working class--Tacoma--1940-1950; Pennsylvania Salt Manufacturing Co. of Washington (Tacoma); Factories--Tacoma--1940-1950;

One of the gardeners poses proudly with his irises in May of 1943 outside one of the factory buildings at the Pennsylvania Salt Manufacturing Co. During World War II, the factory manufactured chemicals necessary for the war effort.

World War, 1939-1945--Economic & industrial aspects--Tacoma; Chemical industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Working class--Tacoma--1940-1950; Pennsylvania Salt Manufacturing Co. of Washington (Tacoma); Factories--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Workers at the Pennsylvania Salt Manufacturing Co. were pictured in May of 1943 with a machine that appears to be filling drums with chemicals. "PennSalt" manufactured chemicals for many industries, including the defense industries.

World War, 1939-1945--Economic & industrial aspects--Tacoma; Chemical industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Working class--Tacoma--1940-1950; Pennsylvania Salt Manufacturing Co. of Washington (Tacoma); Factories--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Two men are photographed working on a piece of machinery at the Pennsylvania Salt Manufacturing plant in May of 1943.

World War, 1939-1945--Economic & industrial aspects--Tacoma; Chemical industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Working class--Tacoma--1940-1950; Pennsylvania Salt Manufacturing Co. of Washington (Tacoma); Factories--Tacoma--1940-1950;

A worker is photographed at his job at the Pennsylvania Salt Manufacturing Co. in May of 1943. The company produced chemicals, some of which were necessary for the war effort.

World War, 1939-1945--Economic & industrial aspects--Tacoma; Chemical industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Working class--Tacoma--1940-1950; Pennsylvania Salt Manufacturing Co. of Washington (Tacoma); Factories--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Pennsylvania Salt Manufacturing Company, coverage of "E" award ceremony on May 15, 1943. Reno Odlin, left, master of ceremonies at the event, is reviewing materials with two other unidentified men. (T.Times, 5/17/1943, p.16)

World War, 1939-1945--Economic & industrial aspects--Tacoma; Pennsylvania Salt Manufacturing Co. of Washington (Tacoma); Awards;

Pennsylvania Salt Manufacturing Company was awarded the Army/Navy "E" award during a May 15, 1943 outdoor ceremony. The award was for excellence in the manufacture of chemicals vital to the war effort. A crowd was photographed seated outside the Penn Salt building with a stage erected in front and the Air Force band from McChord Field seated next to stage. Several people are seated on the stage. (T.Times, 5/17/1943, p.16)

World War, 1939-1945--Economic & industrial aspects--Tacoma; Pennsylvania Salt Manufacturing Co. of Washington (Tacoma); Awards;

ca. 1943. Pennsylvania Salt Manufacturing Company, formerly Tacoma Electrochemical Company. Crowd gathered for star award ceremony outside office building, a one-story brick building with weather vane on roof. Photograph was taken circa 1943.

Pennsylvania Salt Manufacturing Co. of Washington (Tacoma)--Employees; Crowds--Tacoma--1940-1950; Chemical industry--Tacoma--1940-1950;

ca. 1943. Pennsylvania Salt Manufacturing Company, formerly Tacoma Electrochemical Company. Large crowd including employees watches as flags are raised during star award ceremony occurring circa 1943.

Pennsylvania Salt Manufacturing Co. of Washington (Tacoma)--Employees; Crowds--Tacoma--1940-1950; Chemical industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Flags--United States;

A Pennsalt guide explains to interested visitors how caustic-chlorine is created during Pennsalt's 100th anniversary open house. Despite its name, Pennsalt does not produce ordinary table salt. It does, however, produce caustic and chlorine from coarse gray California salt for pulp mills. Brine flows into cylinders and caustic soda drains off at the bottom with chlorine gas emerging from the top. These chemical products are then shipped back to California by tanker for a profit. (TNT 8-6-50, p.A-9, Seattle Times, 7-4-54, p.2)

Pennsylvania Salt Manufacturing Co. of Washington (Tacoma); Pennsalt (Tacoma); Chemical industry--Tacoma--1950-1960;

A large display of drawings was exhibited at the Pennsylvania Salt Manufacturing Company of Washington's open house held at its tideflats plant on August 8, 1950. The display commemorates the 100th anniversary of the firm's parent company, Pennsalt, and shows a series of illustrations regarding its history.

Pennsylvania Salt Manufacturing Co. of Washington (Tacoma); Pennsalt (Tacoma); Chemical industry--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Mayor John Anderson (left) assists Edwin L. Cliffe, superintendent of the Pennsylvania Salt Manufacturing Co. of Washington, with a chemistry demonstration on April 3, 1957. Mr. Cliffe was explaining the benefits of the chemical industry to the mayor in preparation for National Chemical Progress Week April 8-12th. The Tacoma area, home to Hooker Electrochemical, Kaiser Aluminum, Pennsalt, Reichhold Chemicals, St. Regis Paper Co., and DuPont de Nemours of DuPont, was the hub in the Pacific Northwest for the production and sale of chemicals. Publicity for Pennsalt Chemical Company. (TNT 4-10-57, D-3 article) ALBUM 14

Mayors--Tacoma--1950-1960; Anderson, John H.; Pennsylvania Salt Manufacturing Co. of Washington (Tacoma); Pennsalt (Tacoma); Cliffe, Edwin L.; Chemical industry--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Pennsylvania Salt Manufacturing Co. of Washington had its headquarters in Tacoma. Despite its name, Pennsalt did not produce table salt but instead was a basic manufacturer of chemicals from salt. It, along with Hooker Electrochemical, supplied caustic soda and chlorine to the Pacific Northwest's pulp and paper industry. View of some of the machinery used by Pennsalt in their Tideflats plant; these are believed to be rotary converters used to convert AC power to direct current. Photograph ordered by Edwin Cliffe, supt. of Pennsylvania Salt Manufacturing Co. of Washington. (Additional information provided by a reader)

Pennsylvania Salt Manufacturing Co. of Washington (Tacoma); Chemical industry--Tacoma--1950-1960; Machinery;

Pennsylvania Salt Manufacturing Co. of Washington had long been established in Tacoma; it was to celebrate its 25th anniversary locally in 1954. It started with a 40 acre tract of land on the Hylebos Waterway and has steadily expanded, adding new buildings and machinery, to fill the needs of the pulp and paper industry. View of machinery in Pennsalt plant; this may be a large burner. Photograph ordered by Edwin Cliffe.

Pennsylvania Salt Manufacturing Co. of Washington (Tacoma); Chemical industry--Tacoma--1950-1960; Machinery;

Pennsylvania Salt Manufacturing Co. Family Day; employees' picnic and open house. An unidentified group of employees stands in front of a display case set up for the open house. Wives, husbands and children of employees were invited on this day to tour the plant. A brief program was devoted to safety measures practiced at the plant. Lunch for 300 employees and their visitors was followed by a tour of the plant. The manufacturing facility opened on the Tideflats in June of 1929 as Tacoma Electro-Chemical Co. Despite its deceptive name, Pennsalt manufactured industrial chemicals, some of which were used in the manufacture of pulp and paper. (TNT 9/6/1953, pg. A-12)

Pennsylvania Salt Manufacturing Co. of Washington (Tacoma)--Employees; Chemical industry--Tacoma--1950-1960; Factories--Tacoma--1950-1960;

An aerial photograph of the sprawling Pennsylvania Salt Manufacturing Co. of Washington was taken in October, 1954. The Tacoma plant, whose parent company was founded over one hundred years ago in Natrona, Pennsylvania, has been at its 40 acre Tideflats location on the Hylebos waterway since 1929. Throughout the years, it has undergone rapid expansion of its facilities and also its product lines. Despite its name, it has no connection with the manufacture of table salt. Photograph ordered by Pennsylvania Salt Manufacturing Co. of Washington.

Aerial photographs; Pennsylvania Salt Manufacturing Co. of Washington (Tacoma); Chemical industry--Tacoma--1950-1960; Hylebos Waterway (Tacoma);

Pennsylvania Salt Manufacturing Co. of Washington: yard employees' Christmas party. Employees sit at long tables arranged between what appear to be containers of the company's chemicals. Employees eat a holiday meal of soup, bread and coffee poured from a large urn into paper cups.

Pennsylvania Salt Manufacturing Co. of Washington (Tacoma)--Employees; Chemical industry--Tacoma--1950-1960; Factories--Tacoma--1950-1960;