Hooker Electrochemical Co. was awarded the Army Navy "E" award by Major General Joseph D. Patch and Navy Officer W. C. Gilbert. An impressive ceremony was held at plant. Music was provided by the 440th Army Service Forces. Acting Mayor C. Val Fawcett was the Master of Ceremonies (T. Times, 1/10/45, p. 3).

Military decorations--Tacoma; Awards; Rites & ceremonies--Tacoma; Hooker Electrochemical Co. (Tacoma); Chemical industry--Tacoma--1940-1950;

The Hooker Electrochemical float that was in the Armed Forces Parade May 19, 1951, stands outside the company headquarters. Several tanks of chemicals that were essential to the war effort were displayed. Ordered by Hooker Electrochemical Chemical.

Hooker Electrochemical Co. (Tacoma); Chemical industry--Tacoma--1950-1960; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Exterior at new anhydrous ammonia plant, Hooker Electrochemical, completed in May of 1952. Design and erection of the plant were supervised by the Chemical Construction Corporation. The general contractor for the construction of buildings and erection of equipment was Roy T. Earley Co. of Tacoma. The plant went into production in June of 1952, with a output of 40 tons every 24 hours. It operated 24 hours a day, seven days a week. (TNT 10-19-1952)

Hooker Electrochemical Co. (Tacoma); Factories--Tacoma--1950-1960; Chemical industry--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Exteriors new anhydrous ammonia plant, Hooker Electrochemical, completed in May of 1952. Hooker also produced liquid chlorine, caustic soda and muriatic acid. The ammonia plant began operation in June of 1952 with an output of 40 tons every 24 hours. It was immediately deemed too small and scheduled for a $6 million expansion, which would increase production by 50 per cent. The plant operated 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and employed 18 men. (TNT 10-19-1952)

Hooker Electrochemical Co. (Tacoma); Factories--Tacoma--1950-1960; Chemical industry--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Caustic tanks at Hooker Electrochemical. The two tanks on the right sit on top of wooden structures that have doors and windows in them. In January 1950 Hooker announced plans for increased production facilities for caustic soda and liquid chlorine. The old Type E electrolytic cells were to be removed and replaced by the newest Type S-3 cells with far greater capacity for producing caustic soda and chlorine. Additions included equipment for handling and treating brine, purifying caustic and liquifying chlorine. Triple effect pans were to be used for caustic evaporation. Ordered by Mr. Bunt. (TNT, 1/23/1950)

Chemical industry--Tacoma--1950-1960; Industrial facilities--Tacoma; Hooker Electrochemical Co. (Tacoma);

Hooker Electrochemical plant workman is filling a chemical storage tank, marked Detrex Corporation, the Toledo "No Springs, Honest Weight" scale indicates the tank weighs 550 pounds, the weight capacity is 1,000 pounds. Detrex Corporation and Hooker Electrochemical Company had recently merged, making the chemical industry in Tacoma larger and stronger.

Weights & measures--Tacoma; Scales; Scientific equipment--Tacoma; Measuring--Tacoma; Storage tanks--Tacoma; Industrial facilities--Tacoma; Hooker Electrochemical Co. (Tacoma); Chemical industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Toledo Scale Co. (Tacoma);

Aerial view of Hooker Chemicals Plant on the tideflats. A recent merger brought Hooker Electrochemical Company of Tacoma and Niagara Falls, New York and the Detrex Corporation of Detroit, Michigan together, bringing a new company in the chemical industry to Tacoma. The Hooker-Dextrex plant can be seen towards the the top of the image (north), just lower left of the ship yard's water tower. Hooker companies were spread throughout 47 acres in Tacoma (T. Times, 2/26/1947 3B).

Aerial views; Aerial photographs; Waterfronts--Tacoma; Industrial facilities--Tacoma; Hooker Detrex, Inc. (Tacoma); Hooker Electrochemical Co. (Tacoma);

Hooker Electrochemical Co. was focusing on post war prospects which included an increase in funding for the development and research department. This department was concentrating on projects for the further diversification of their chemical products, as well as, looking at the expansion of sales and broadening of markets. The research department was an invaluable component of the company. Interior view of plant.

Machinery; Equipment; Chemical industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Industrial facilities--Tacoma; Hooker Electrochemical Co. (Tacoma);

Hooker Electrochemical Co. has helped Tacoma with industrial growth. They are a leader in their field and provide Tacoma with a stable, successful and prosperous industry. They employ award winning chemists and scientists, who help keep this company on top of the chemical industry. They stated a well trained staff is the key to success. Exterior view of plant, the tank says "Safety First". Image is of Hooker-Dextrex solvent plant.

Chemical industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Industrial facilities--Tacoma; Hooker Electrochemical Co. (Tacoma);

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);

An aerial photograph of the Hooker Electrochemical plant in the Tideflats was taken on July 24, 1957, for possible order by the company. Storage tanks appear to be loaded on railroad cars on two parallel tracks. Hooker was the second chlor-alkali plant in the United States and the first caustic soda plant in the Pacific Northwest. This was apparently an aerial view of an area of Hooker Electrochemical Co. on Industrial Waterway.

Aerial photographs; Hooker Electrochemical Co. (Tacoma); Chemical industry--Tacoma--1950-1960;

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;

ca. 1960. Richards stock footage. Aerial photograph taken in 1960 of the Hooker Electrochemical Co. plant located at 605 Alexander Avenue on the Tacoma Tideflats. A ship is docked at the company dock on the Hylebos Waterway, ready to transport and transfer Hooker products. A railroad spur running through the facility also made transportation of Hooker chemicals an easier task.

Aerial photographs; Hooker Electrochemical Co. (Tacoma); Chemical industry--Tacoma--1960-1970; Hylebos Waterway (Tacoma); Harbors--Tacoma;

ca. 1932. Hooker Electrochemical Company, machine room, circa 1932. View from above floor area. (filed with Argentum)

Chemical industry--Tacoma--1930-1940; Hooker Electrochemical Co. (Tacoma);

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;

A Hooker Chemical chlorine tank car awaits attention on the track outside the Tacoma plant on August 25, 1965. The tank holds 10,817 gallons. Photograph ordered by Hooker Chemical. TPL-6608

Storage tanks--Tacoma; Hooker Electrochemical Co. (Tacoma);

1967 Richards Studio stock file. May 2, 1967, aerial view in color of sprawling Hooker Chemical plant, 605 Alexander Ave., in the Tacoma tideflats. A ship is docked on the Hylebos Waterway next to the facility, ready to load and unload Hooker products. Easy access to water, rail and roadways was a factor in locating the large plant in Tacoma in 1928. Hooker was one of the primary suppliers to Pacific Northwest pulp and paper companies of chemicals used to bleach and refine wood pulp. Later it would also manufacture soap and refine petroleum products.

Aerial photographs; Hooker Electrochemical Co. (Tacoma); Chemical industry--Tacoma--1960-1970; Industrial facilities--Tacoma--1960-1970; Hylebos Waterway (Tacoma);

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;

Aerial view on May 26, 1970, of the Tacoma industrial Tideflats, featuring Hooker Chemical and Hylebos Waterway. By 1970, Hooker had been in Tacoma for 41 years. It had begun in 1929 with production of 13 tons of chlorine a day and a work crew of 40. In 1969, production had increased to 400 tons with the aid of 300 employees. Hooker was the first to produce caustic soda. Chlorine and caustic soda were sold mostly to the pulp/paper industry in the Pacific Northwest. By 1969, Hooker Chemical was a wholly owned subsidiary of Occidental Petroleum. (TNT 2-2-69, B-8 -article) Photograph ordered by Hylebos Industries, Inc.

Aerial views; Hooker Electrochemical Co. (Tacoma); Chemical industry--Tacoma--1970-1980; Industrial facilities--Tacoma--1970-1980; Hylebos Waterway (Tacoma);

ca. 1932. Hooker Electrochemical Company, machine room, circa 1932. Kroeshell carbonic system. (filed with Argentum)

Chemical industry--Tacoma--1930-1940; Hooker Electrochemical Co. (Tacoma);

In November of 1947, an unidentified employee at the Hooker Electrochemical plant , at 605 Alexander Avenue on Tacoma's tideflats, used an industrial scale to weigh large chemical storage canisters. The scales he was using were manufactured by the Toledo Scale Company, which had opened an office in Tacoma in 1927 and maintained an office here for 30 years.Toledo scales, like these "No Spring, Honest Weight" units could be found in grocery stores, farmers markets and industrial plants throughout the Northwest. The Hooker Chemical Company, which in its final years was owned by Pioneer Companies, Inc. closed in 2002.

Weights & measures--Tacoma; Scales; Scientific equipment--Tacoma; Measuring--Tacoma; Industrial facilities--Tacoma; Storage tanks--Tacoma; Hooker Electrochemical Co. (Tacoma); Chemical industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Toledo Scale Co. (Tacoma);

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);

Hooker Electrochemical Co. plant in Tacoma was spread throughout 47 acres. They were located on the Hylebos Waterway for easy access to Puget Sound and they also had easy railway access. Large storage tanks for the chemicals produced were located on site, then transported throughout the West coast plants. Interior view of plant.

Ladders; Equipment; Chemical industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Industrial facilities--Tacoma; Hooker Electrochemical Co. (Tacoma);

Conveyor Link Belt operation at Hooker Chemical Company, Tacoma. For Link Belt Company. Crane operated shovel dumps chemicals into open grate. Storage tanks at edge of water in background. Part of series taken on September 10, 1951.

Hoisting machinery; Hooker Electrochemical Co. (Tacoma); Chemical industry--Tacoma--1950-1960; Storage tanks--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;