Peterson Boat. The newly completed Mermaid is on her sea trials. A 107 foot tuna clipper built for Captain Frank Correia and Associates of San Diego, 600 hp Superior diesel, two 150 hp, 75kw Superior Diesel auxiliaries, Baker refrigertion, designed by Wilvers & DeFever. (Pacific Fisherman Yearbook 1950, p.66; Pacific Fisherman July 1950, p.7) TPL-9006

Peterson Boat Building Co. (Tacoma); Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Ship trials--Tacoma--1940-1950; Fishing boats--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Great Northern Railway Company operated passenger trains and freight car shipping services from Tacoma. The company had freight yards, railroad repair stations and passenger ticket terminals. The train car repairs and shipping were handled at the yards located at 2021-23 East D Street, with a freight office at 401 East 21st Street; the passenger station was located at 116 South 9th Street. View of Great Northern railroad freight car number 43959 at the Great Northern freight house. TPL-10458

Railroads--Tacoma; Railroad companies--Tacoma; Railroad tracks--Tacoma; Railroad freight cars--Tacoma; Great Northern Railway Co. (Tacoma);

Engine round house at Northern Pacific Railway, Elwin Barker. The Northern Pacific Railroad was created by Congress on July 2, 1864. Actual construction got underway in 1870 near Carlton, Minnesota. The railroad closely followed the route of Lewis and Clark. Then, after 13 years, the last spike was driven at Gold Creek, Montana, on September 8, 1893. (Pacific Northwest Railroads of McGee and Nixon, Richard Green)

Northern Pacific Railway Co. (Tacoma); Railroad companies--Tacoma--1940-1950; Railroad locomotives--Tacoma--1940-1950; Railroad roundhouses--Tacoma;

Northern Pacific locomotive No. 1783 rested on the turntable at the Northern Pacific Railway round house at 2211 East D St. in May of 1949. The round house was built in the late 1890s to service Northern Pacific's fleet of steam locomotives. Over the years, as the railroad companies switched from steam to diesel-electric engines, work at the round house dropped off. In the early 1970s the round house was closed down, and eventually demolished. The Reliance Lumber Company at 323 Puyallup Avenue can be seen behind the railroad facilities.. (TNT 11/30/1971 p.1) TPL-4421, TPL-3728

Northern Pacific Railway Co. (Tacoma); Railroad companies--Tacoma--1940-1950; Railroad locomotives--Tacoma--1940-1950; Railroad roundhouses--Tacoma;

Tacoma Vocational School began on October 1, 1940 when a Public Works Administration grant of $40,000 was combined with a $175,000 worth of federally supplied tools and machinery. The school is expected to be a big success, with classrooms already filled with students and a waiting list of interested students for the next school year. View of two unidentified students working in the machine shop at Tacoma Vocational School (T.N.T., 5/1/49, p. 1, B-1). TPL-8333

Machine shops--Tacoma; Machinery; Equipment; Apprentices--Tacoma--1940-1950; Students--Tacoma--1940-1950; Vocational education--Tacoma--1940-1950; Tacoma Vocational School (Tacoma);

Engine round house at Northern Pacific Railway, Elwin Barker. The North Coast Limited first went into service April 29, 1900. This passenger train was the pride of the Northwest Pacific. In the Pacific Northwest, the NP was the first railroad to offer sleeping and dining cars. As a passenger going from eastern Montana to western Washington, you would move across the flat lands of eastern Montana, across the Rocky Mountains, through valleys in Idaho and Washington, climb over the Cascade Mountains, and drop into the shipping port of Seattle. (Pacific Northwest Railroads of McGee and Nixon, Richard Green)

Northern Pacific Railway Co. (Tacoma); Railroad companies--Tacoma--1940-1950; Railroad locomotives--Tacoma--1940-1950; Railroad roundhouses--Tacoma;

Engine round house at Northern Pacific Railway, Elwin Barker. A side view of locomotive number 1783. In Washington state, the mainline crossed the Cascade Mountains at Stampede Pass, through Stampede Tunnel, 9,834 feet long built at an altitude of 2,852 feet. A switchback was originally used to cross the Pass until a tunnel was completed in May 1888. (Pacific Northwest Railroads of McGee and Nixon, Richard Green)

Northern Pacific Railway Co. (Tacoma); Railroad companies--Tacoma--1940-1950; Railroad locomotives--Tacoma--1940-1950; Railroad roundhouses--Tacoma;

J.M. Martinac Shipbuilding, sea trials of the Mary S. The galley of the new tuna clipper, the Mary S. TPL-630

J.M. Martinac Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma); Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Ship trials--Tacoma--1940-1950; Fishing boats--Tacoma--1940-1950; Galleys (Ship kitchens);

Tacoma was the nation's leader in the plywood industry. Douglas Fir Plywood Association and the Plywood Research Foundation were working on developing new and additional products that could be manufactured from parts of the tree not already being utilized. View of two unidentified DFPA representatives at the annual DFPA conference, being held at the Winthrop Hotel; conference welcome sign in background.

Lumber industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Business people--Tacoma--1940-1950; Meetings--Tacoma--1940-1950; Signs (Notices); Plywood; Hotel Winthrop (Tacoma); Douglas Fir Plywood Association (Tacoma);

J.M. Martinac Shipbuilding, sea trials of the Mary S. Three men stand beside the new tuna clipper, the Mary S. TPL-629

J.M. Martinac Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma); Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Ship trials--Tacoma--1940-1950; Fishing boats--Tacoma--1940-1950;

The brand "Douglas Fir" plywood is known as the "wood of 1,000 uses." This plywood undergoes a series of laboratory and field tests. The Douglas Fir Plywood Association has helped establish and maintain Tacoma as the plywood center of the world, by setting up a industry maintained quality control laboratory here. View of U. S. Senator, Harry P. Cain (right) with a DFPA representative at the annual DFPA conference, being held at the Winthrop Hotel on May 13, 1949.

Lumber industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Business people--Tacoma--1940-1950; Meetings--Tacoma--1940-1950; Plywood; Hotel Winthrop (Tacoma); Douglas Fir Plywood Association (Tacoma); Legislators--Washington--1940-1950; Cain, Harry P., 1906-1979;

J.M. Martinac Shipbuilding, sea trials of the Mary S. Three men stand beside the new tuna clipper, the Mary S. TPL-9007

J.M. Martinac Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma); Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Ship trials--Tacoma--1940-1950; Fishing boats--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Douglas Fir Plywood Association was hosting their 13th annual meeting in Tacoma's Winthrop Hotel in May of 1949. Tacoma continued to be the worldwide leader in plywood production. View of informational Douglas Fir Plywood charts, these indicate: "Effective Promotion + Aggressive Selling = Healthy Order Files;" chart on left side has information about the Douglas Fir Plywood industry today.

Lumber industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Conference rooms--Tacoma; Charts; Meetings--Tacoma--1940-1950; Signs (Notices); Plywood; Hotel Winthrop (Tacoma); Douglas Fir Plywood Association (Tacoma);

Douglas Fir Plywood was always being tested for durability and alternative uses. The research organization was supported by the plywood industries of Tacoma, this ensured Tacoma remaining at the top of plywood production. View of unidentified man applying Douglas Fir plywood panels in the interior of Riley and Catharine Denton's home, located at 1320 South Trafton Street. Riley Denton was the superintendent of Rainier Plywood Company. TPL-10297

Lumber industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Plywood; Houses--Tacoma--1940-1950; Remodeling--Tacoma--1940-1950; Laborers--Tacoma--1940-1950; Douglas Fir Plywood Association (Tacoma); Denton, Riley W.--Homes & haunts;

J.M. Martinac Shipbuilding, sea trials of the Mary S. The new tuna clipper, the Mary S, was 109' x 25.5' x 12' and was powered by a Superior diesel main engine. (Pacific Fisherman Yearbook 1950, p. 85, p.244, and p.321.) TPL-628

J.M. Martinac Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma); Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Ship trials--Tacoma--1940-1950; Fishing boats--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Douglas Fir Plywood Association held their annual meeting to discuss the Douglas Fir plywood industry at the Winthrop Hotel. Douglas Fir plywood is the "Wood of 1000 Uses", used in houses, advertising, boats, and hundreds of other products. View of unidentified DFPA representative at the annual DFPA conference, which is being held at the Winthrop Hotel; DFPA plywood sign in foreground.

Lumber industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Business people--Tacoma--1940-1950; Meetings--Tacoma--1940-1950; Signs (Notices); Plywood; Hotel Winthrop (Tacoma); Douglas Fir Plywood Association (Tacoma);

Aerial view of Pennsylvania Salt Manufacturing Company facilities in Portland, Oregon. President Fred C. Shanaman reported that with the addition of the new facilities for manufacture of chlorine, caustic soda and technical DDT, production at the Portland plant increased substantially in 1947; photo ordered by John Baker, Superintendent of Pennsylvania Salt Manufacturing Company of Washington, Tacoma plant.

Chemical industry--Oregon--Portland; Chemicals; Industrial facilities--Oregon--Portland; Aerial photographs; Aerial views; Waterfronts; Pennsylvania Salt Manufacturing Co. (Portland, Or.);

St. Regis paper plant in Tacoma is the focal point of the company's expanding pulp, paper and multiwall bag operations in the West Coast. The paper mill was recently completed and is one of the largest and most modern plants in the United States. The new paper producing mill is now able to mass produce paper and offer their customers their quality product in higher volumes and lower prices. Workmen are using an "Ederer" crane to move an enormous roll of paper.

Paper--Tacoma; Paper industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Laborers--Tacoma; Hoisting machinery; Industrial facilities--Tacoma; St. Regis Paper Co. (Tacoma)--1940-1950; Ederer Engineering Co. (Seattle);

St. Regis consistently worked on intensive product development and sales promotion activities, not only to improve the penetration into existing markets, but to open up entirely new fields. Tacoma's St.Regis plant would have their own research laboratory within the industrial site. Interior view of plant, paper roll is being moved by a large "Ederer" crane.

Paper--Tacoma; Paper industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Laborers--Tacoma; Hoisting machinery; Industrial facilities--Tacoma; St. Regis Paper Co. (Tacoma)--1940-1950; Ederer Engineering Co. (Seattle);

J. M. Martinac Shipbuilding Corporation's officers were: Joseph M. Martinac, President, Joseph S. Martinac, Vice-President, Reuben C. Carlson, Secretary, and Fred C. Borovich, Treasurer. The company designs and builds fishing, commercial and pleasure vessels; their plant was located at 1501 Railroad Avenue. Progress photograph and interior view of J. M. Martinac ship building plant, ship builders are working on a boat. TPL-8987

Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Industrial facilities--Tacoma; Boats--Tacoma; J.M. Martinac Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma);

Coca-Cola Bottling Company moved into this building in 1948; the building had previously been used as supplemental housing for defense workers during World War II, as as the headquarters for the Work Projects Administration. The building was originally built in 1912 it was used as a City Detention Station and a City Contagious Hospital for women. Photo ordered by A. C. Horn Company, Incorporated; a business based out of San Francisco, California.

Bottling industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Beverage industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Building construction--Tacoma; Coca-Cola Bottling Co. (Tacoma)--Buildings; A.C. Horn Co., Inc. (San Francisco, Calif.);

The "Mary S." was joining a big fleet of Manuel Sousa and Associates fishing boats in San Diego, California. Manuel Sousa was visiting his native land, Portugal, therefore he was not able to attend the launching; L. L. Livesly, partner and managing owner, represented the company. View of the recently launched J. M. Martinac tuna clipper, the "Mary S." (T.N.T., 4/15/49, p. 29). TPL-8995

Launchings--Tacoma--1940-1950; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Fishing boats--Tacoma--1940-1950; J.M. Martinac Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma);

The "Mary E. Petrich" would be capable of fishing for tuna in Australian waters, these waters have never been fished by American coast-based vessels. The tuna clipper could travel at a speed of 13-1/2 knots. View of the large crowd gathered at Western Boat's main plant, for the launching of the "Mary E. Petrich", the largest tuna clipper ever built (T. Times, 3/16/49, p. 1). TPL-8989

Launchings--Tacoma--1940-1950; Industrial facilities--Tacoma; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Fishing boats--Tacoma; Western Boat Building Co. (Tacoma);

The largest tuna clipper ever built, the "Mary E. Petrich" would be capable of carrying 450 tons of tuna under quick freeze refrigeration. This new vessel would be known as the queen of the tuna fleet, named after the late wife of Martin Petrich. View of Helen C. Petrich (right), wife of James F. Petrich Sr. and daughter-in-law to Martin Petrich; Helen was the "Mary E. Petrich" launching sponsor (T. Times, 3/16/49, p. 1). TPL-8990

Launchings--Tacoma--1940-1950; Women--Clothing & dress--Tacoma--1940-1950; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Fishing boats--Tacoma; Western Boat Building Co. (Tacoma);

Members from Afifi Temple and their spouses would be traveling to Denver, Colorado to attend a Shriner Director's meeting. The club members would be traveling aboard Union Pacific's "Portland Rose", they would be returning on April 4, 1949. Names appear in newspaper (T. Times, 3/29/49, p. 2).

Railroad stations--Tacoma; Fraternal organizations--Tacoma; Clothing & dress--Tacoma--1940-1950; Railroads--Tacoma; Union Pacific Railroad Co. (Tacoma); Union Station (Tacoma);

In March of 1949, 57 children from the morning and afternoon kindergarten classes of the Fern Hill school took a 40 mile roundtrip train ride from Tacoma's Union Station to Auburn. Ninety percent of the children had never been on a train before. After the ride, they were given a tour of the station by the stationmaster, and all 57 children climbed onto a giant scale in the baggage room. The entire group weighed 2,880 lbs. (T.N.T., 3/27/49, p. A-7). TPL-8804

Railroad stations--Tacoma; Children--Tacoma--1940-1950; Northern Pacific Railway Co. (Tacoma); Railroads--Tacoma; Railroad companies--Tacoma; Union Station (Tacoma); Railroad travel--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Western Boat Building Company has just completed and launched the "Mary E. Petrich", the largest tuna clipper ever built. The new vessel is 149-1/2 feet long, has a 34 foot beam, 1,600 horsepower submarine type diesel engine, and cost about $500,000 to build. The tuna clipper was named after Martin Petrich's late wife; view of the "Mary E. Petrich" being led out by tugboats, shortly after being christened (T. Times, 3/16/49, p. 1). TPL-8988

Launchings--Tacoma--1940-1950; Industrial facilities--Tacoma; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Fishing boats--Tacoma; Western Boat Building Co. (Tacoma);

Fred Osmers was the President of Tacoma Drug Company, they occupied their facilities on January 16, 1949; the building costs were estimated at $400,000 and the contractor was Austin Company. The company's facilities had over 70,000 square feet on one floor and was considered one of the most modern drug warehouses and distributing centers in the Northwest. Exterior view of Tacoma Drug Company (T. Times, 3/13/49, p. 19).

Industrial facilities--Tacoma; Medicines; Pharmaceutical industry--Tacoma; Building construction--Tacoma; Tacoma Drug Co. (Tacoma);

St. Regis had started producing kraft paper in January 1949, the tacoma plant had been remodeled over a long period of time and was operating at full capacity. View of St. Regis Paper Company Kraft Pulp Division; new mill on left, new laboratory is currently under construction; building contractor is Howard S. Wright and Company (T. Times, 3/13/49, p. 19).

Industrial facilities--Tacoma; Remodeling--Tacoma; Paper industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Building construction--Tacoma; St. Regis Paper Co. (Tacoma)--1940-1950;

Columbia Powder Company was located in Frederickson, Washington, southeast of Tacoma. A massive explosion destroyed a building at the plant and killed a family of six who had lived nearby; the boom was felt throughout Tacoma and heard in a 15 mile radius throughout Pierce County. Aerial view of Columbia Powder plant site where a three story building was destroyed following a massive explosion (T. Times, 3/15/49, p. 1).

Industrial facilities--Frederickson; Nitrates; Chemical industry--Frederickson; Explosions--Frederickson; Disasters--Frederickson; Columbia Powder Co. (Frederickson);