Opening of Stauffer Chemical Company. Ordered by Wilson & George Meyer & Company. Visiting dignitaries attending the opening of Stauffer Chemical's Tacoma plant are greeted by a young woman. A large bouquet stands beside the guest book on the wooden table.

Stauffer Chemical Co. (Tacoma); Chemical industry--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Opening of Stauffer Chemical Company. A workman is dwarfed by the huge piles of raw materials and a crane for moving the materials. The Tacoma plant made superphosphate using phosphate rock from its Leef, Wyoming, location and sulphuric acid from the Tacoma Smelter. The plant was capable of turning out 250 tons of fertilizer daily. Ordered by Wilson & George Meyer & Company. (TNT, 5/9/1950, clipping)

Stauffer Chemical Co. (Tacoma); Chemical industry--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Opening of Stauffer Chemical Company in Tacoma. A workman standing on a pile of phosphate rock directs another workman in moving the overhead crane. Various fertilizers made at the Tacoma branch were stored for curing and moved by the large clamshell to the milling units during shipping seasons. Both bulk and bagged material moved out during spring and fall seasons to farmers and mixers throughout the state of Washington and Oregon via truck and rail. Stauffer Chemical manufactured Captan fungicide, Vapam soil sterilant, herbicide and insecticide formulations, aluminum sulphate, titanium tetrachloride and pelleted mixed fertilizers. As of 1956 they had plants in 44 locations. Ordered by Wilson & George Meyer & Company. (TNT, 5/16/1955, clipping)

Stauffer Chemical Co. (Tacoma); Chemical industry--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Opening of Stauffer Chemical Company. Dignitaries attending the opening of the Tacoma plant were given an opportunity to view the bag filling operations. Once a bag was filled at an upper level it was sewn shut and delivered to workers via a conveyor system. Bags were stacked on pallets and several bags are seen stacked against the far wall. Ordered by Wilson & George Meyer & Company.

Stauffer Chemical Co. (Tacoma); Chemical industry--Tacoma--1950-1960; Conveying systems--Tacoma;

Opening of Stauffer Chemical Company. The exterior of the loading dock can be seen where a truck from the Tacoma Feed Company has backed in for loading. Dignitaries are being given a tour of the facilities. A railroad car sits next to the building and railroad tracks are seen crossing the yard. Materials could be delivered to and from the plant easliy. Ordered by Wilson & George Meyer & Company.

Stauffer Chemical Co. (Tacoma); Chemical industry--Tacoma--1950-1960; Railroad freight cars--Tacoma; Railroad tracks--Tacoma;

Opening of Stauffer Chemical Company. Several men are visiting one of the labs at the new Tacoma plant. Quality control was maintained with frequent tests. Research and development of the company's products was mainly carried out at their Los Altos, California, and Chauncey, New York, research centers. Ordered by Wilson & George Meyer & Company.

Stauffer Chemical Co. (Tacoma); Chemical industry--Tacoma--1950-1960; Laboratories--Tacoma;

Barthel Chemical Construction Company was the first rubber vulcanizing plant in the Pacific Northwest. The plant was constructed on the Port of Tacoma "Quadrangle" in 1950. The firm covered equipment of all types and description in the west. The vulcanizing plant was the largest north of Los Angeles. Workmen are seen here working on storage tanks. Ordered by Barthel Chemical Construction Company, Mr. Barthel. (Clippings, 11/13/1953)

Barthel Chemical Construction Co. (Tacoma); Storage tanks--Tacoma; Industrial facilities--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Two ships are docked at Hooker Electrochemical. A freighter with on-deck tanks has rails on either side of the ship. The rails on deck accommodated chlorine tank cars and caustic soda tank cars. Another freighter is seen on the left with the name "Mogul". In the distance, between the two ships, is a bridge over the Hylebos Waterway. Hooker Electrochemical Company held their first Board of Directors meeting in Tacoma in October 1950. The company's main offices were in Niagara Falls, New York. They had plants there and in Wilmington, California and Tacoma. (TNT, 11/2/1950, p.B-10)

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

A freighter with two tanks on deck is docked at Hooker Electrochemical loading dock on the Hylebos Waterway. Many large storage tanks are seen at the chemical producing facility. Hooker fine and heavy chemicals included: acid chlorides, bleaching powder, metallic chlorides, muriatic acid, naphthalene derivatives, sulfide derivatives, toluene derivatives, hydrogenated products, fatty acid esters, chlorine liquids, chlorinating agents, chlorinated paraffins, caustic soda, aliphatic chlorides, benzene derivatives and benzoates.

Chemical industry--Tacoma--1950-1960; Industrial facilities--Tacoma; Hooker Electrochemical Co. (Tacoma); Cargo ships--Tacoma; Storage tanks--Tacoma;

The engineer leans out of a railroad engine that is pulling a Hooker Electrochemical tank car. TPL-6606

Chemical industry--Tacoma--1950-1960; Hooker Electrochemical Co. (Tacoma); Railroad tank cars--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Directors' Meeting, Hooker Chemical Company. Attendees of the Hooker Chemical Company's directors meeting stand on a whart in front of a moored boat. This may be the company dock on the Hylebos Waterway. Plant manager John D. Rue has been identified as the third man from the left in back row. Plant superintendent A.J. Rosengarth is the fifth from left, back row.

Hooker Electrochemical Co. (Tacoma); Chemical industry--Tacoma--1950-1960; Meetings--Tacoma--1950-1960; Rue, John D.; Rosengarth, A.J.;

Directors' Meeting at Hooker Chemical Company on Halloween, 1950. Group of men including Tacoma executive staff standing on railroad tracks next to Hooker, Tacoma, tank car. This is probably at the Hooker Co. plant at 605 Alexander Ave. Not only did the company have a dock on the Hylebos Waterway but they also had a railroad spur running through the facility to make transport of Hooker chemicals easier and more efficient. Plant manager John D. Rue is extreme left in front row, sales manager Albert Hooker, Jr., is fifth from left in front and plant superintendent A.J. Rosengarth is on the extreme right, front row. This photograph appears in the book "Salt & Water, Power & People," a short history of the Hooker Electrochemical Co., and names of the individuals are listed within. (Thomas: Salt & Water, Power & People, p. 94) (Additional information provided by a reader)

Hooker Electrochemical Co. (Tacoma); Chemical industry--Tacoma--1950-1960; Meetings--Tacoma--1950-1960; Railroad tank cars--Tacoma--1950-1960; Rue, John D.; Hooker, Albert H.; Rosengarth, A.J.;

A close-up of insulated caustic evaporation tanks and piping at Hooker Chemical. The Tacoma plant was expanded in 1950 and was fully operational by Januray 1951. The increase in production helped the company meet enlarged requirements of its current customers and to supply several important new consumers with caustic soda and liquid chlorine. (Hooker Electrochemical Company Annual Report, 1950)

Chemical industry--Tacoma--1950-1960; 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);

Philadelphia Quartz Company, established in 1942, was the only sodium silicate plant in the Tacoma area. Belgian silica sand and California soda ash were chemically combined to obtain the product sold largely in Tacoma but marketed also in other Northwest cities. Silicate of soda, water-glass to farm households, was used in adhesives for the plywood industry and corrugated paper-board for the container industry. Televisions of the time required potassium silicates to produce the phosphor screen in the picture tubes. Philadelphia Quartz was headquartered in Berkeley, California. (TNT, 2/17/1948, p.6-A; 5/17/1954; 5/16/1955)

Chemical industry--Tacoma--1950-1960; Minerals; Philadelphia Quartz Co. of California (Tacoma);

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);

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;

Purex-Trend (Purex Corporation LTD), exterior view of building. A low office wing is seen on the right. Semi-trailers have backed up to a loading dock on the side opposite the railroad spur.

Chemical industry--Tacoma--1950-1960; Purex Corp. (Tacoma); Storage tanks--Tacoma;

Purex-Trend (Purex Corporation LTD), exterior view of building. Large warehouse type building, rail cars and Purex tanks.

Chemical industry--Tacoma--1950-1960; Purex Corp. (Tacoma); Storage tanks--Tacoma;

Exterior of the Purex-Trend (Purex Corporation LTD) plant. The large warehouse type building has been built using concrete block. Rail cars access the building via a railroad spur and three Purex tanks stand in the foreground.

Chemical industry--Tacoma--1950-1960; Purex Corp. (Tacoma); Storage tanks--Tacoma;

Purex-Trend (Purex Corporation LTD), exterior view of building. Large warehouse type building. Semi trucks and trailers at loading dock.

Chemical industry--Tacoma--1950-1960; Purex Corp. (Tacoma); Storage tanks--Tacoma;

Tank cars are being loaded at the Hooker Electrochemical Company's main gate on Alexander Avenue on the Tideflats. Hooker began operations in Tacoma in 1929 and the plant underwent several large expansions before being sold to Pioneer Companies, Inc., in 1997. Along with the Pennsylvania Salt Company, Hooker Electrochemical was a large producer of chlorine and caustic soda, supplying the Pacific Northwest's pulp and paper industry. Low cost electricity, abundant water supply, and easily accessible transportation attracted several chemical plants to the area, and later drew companies making use of by-products from the original plants or new products developed for established firms. TPL-8685

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

Angled view from across the street of Hooker Electrochemical's industrial facilities taken on August 24, 1951. Located in the Tideflats on Alexander Avenue, the Hooker plant underwent several large expansions throughout the years before its sale to Pioneer Companies, Inc., in the late 1990's. Hooker opened its plant in Tacoma in 1929, about the same time as the Pennsylvania Salt Manufacturing Company, and both provided the Pacific Northwest paper and pulp industry with the chlorine and caustic soda necessary for the industry's operations. Relatively cheap and abundant raw materials along with a ready labor supply, plenty of power, and convenient transportation facilities served to attract Hooker, as well as other chemical companies, to the Tacoma area. Tank cars and circular holding tanks can be seen amidst the buildings on the sprawling Hooker grounds.

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

Hooker Chemical Company. The main gate of the Hooker Electrochemical Company and its brick buildings as they appeared in August, 1951. Hooker Electrochemical opened their Tacoma plant in 1928. Hooker, along with the Pennsylvania Salt Manufacturing Company, supplied the Pacific Northwest pulp and paper industry with the means to bleach and refine wood pulp. Hooker products were also used to manufacture soap and refine petroleum products. The Hooker plant on the Tideflats had several expansions before its sale to Pioneer Companies, Inc., in 1997.

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

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;

Smokestack, storage tanks at Hooker Chemical Co., Tacoma, on September 10, 1951. Part of series taken that date concerning Hooker Chemical and conveyor link belt system.

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

Interior of new ammonia plant at Hooker Electrochemical. The $2 million anhydrous ammonia plant was completed in May of 1952. Anhydrous ammonia is ammonia in the form of a gas. It is used by firms such as the Pacific Northwest's pulp and paper mills and fertilizer and explosives manufacturing companies. By completion of the plant, the entire production was already contracted for and the plant was set for another $6 million dollar expansion to be competed by the fall of 1953. (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. 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;