On April 4, 1942, after several aborted attempts, the Northwest Hauling Company successfully raised a 150 foot smokestack at the new plant of Puget Sound Plywood located at 230 E. "F" Street. The huge steel stack weighed 13 tons and was constructed by Seattle Boiler Company. Once lifted into place on its 30 foot tall base, it jutted 180 feet into the air over the tideflats. The plant was expected to be fully operational in 30 days. The erection of the stack required several days of planning by the hauling company owned by Dan Cooney. Puget Sound Plywood, the first cooperative plywood plant in Tacoma, opened June 1, 1942. It had 298 members who each contributed $1,000 and received the same hourly pay and percentage of the company's profits. It was built on 3 1/2 acres at the mouth of the City Waterway. (T. Times 4/6/1942, pg. 2)
Renton housing project showing the use of standardized Cheney studding. Construction is the Highlands Development, east of I-405. Photographs made for Cheney Lumber Co.
Renton housing project showing use of "Cheney Studding." Ben Cheney standardized the roof height in the US with the sale of his 8 ft "Cheney Studs." Ordered by Cheney Lumber Company. [Also dated 06-09-1942]
On the evening of June 15, 1942, the sawmill at the Henry Mill & Timber Co. was fully engulfed in flames. The fire department managed to save the planer plant, warehouse and offices, but the sawmill was a complete loss. The owners swore to rebuild immediately. However, after the fire, the company's business began to consist mostly of prefabricated items for the military. (T. Times 6/16/1942, pg. 1)
Lumber industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Henry Mill & Timber Co. (Tacoma); Fires--Tacoma--1940-1950;
A fire on the evening of June 15, 1942 completely destroyed the sawmill at the Henry Mill & Timber Co. Loss exceeded $200,000. The planer plant, warehouse and offices were saved. There were no injuries. (T.Times 6/16/1942, pg. 1)
Lumber industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Henry Mill & Timber Co. (Tacoma); Fires--Tacoma--1940-1950;
On June 15, 1942, the sawmill at the Henry Mill and Timber Co. caught fire, the result of electrical problems. Quick action by the fire department managed to save the planer plant, warehouse and offices, but the sawmill was completely wiped out. Monetary loss was in excess of $200,000. No lives were lost; the sawmill was not operating due to a shortage of logs. (T.Times 6/16/1942, pg. 1)
Lumber industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Henry Mill & Timber Co. (Tacoma); Fires--Tacoma--1940-1950;
Henry Mill, construction of trusses. Henry Mill was located at 3001 No. Starr, the former site of the old Tacoma Mill Co. The mill was operated by John F. Buchanan, pres., and William F. Buchanan, VP. During the second World War, they became active in lumber prefabrication. Large buildings, such as hangars, were prebuilt in pieces and reassembled on arrival at their destination.
Lumber industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Trusses--Tacoma; Structural frames--Tacoma; Building construction--Tacoma; Henry Mill & Timber Co. (Tacoma);
Henry Mill, construction of prefabricated trusses. Photograph shows piles of timber and a wood form that is being constructed at the Mill, located at the foot of Starr St., near the water. Sperry Mills, located on what is now Schuster Parkway, can be seen in the background. During the war, Henry Mill was active in lumber prefabrication.
Lumber industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Trusses--Tacoma; Structural frames--Tacoma; Building construction--Tacoma; Henry Mill & Timber Co. (Tacoma);
Henry Mill, construction of trusses. Henry Mill & Timber Co. was located at the foot of Starr St., near the water. During World War II, they held a number of government contracts for prefabricated structures. This photo shows company officials standing in and around a wooden truss that is being built.
Lumber industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Trusses--Tacoma; Structural frames--Tacoma; Building construction--Tacoma; Henry Mill & Timber Co. (Tacoma);
Henry Mill, construction of prefabricated trusses. Photograph shows piles of timber and a wood form that is being constructed at the Mill, located at the foot of Starr St., near the water. During the war, Henry Mill was active in lumber prefabrication.
Lumber industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Trusses--Tacoma; Structural frames--Tacoma; Building construction--Tacoma; Henry Mill & Timber Co. (Tacoma);
Henry Mill was located at the foot of No. Starr St., right at the waterfront. It was on the 28 acre site of the old Tacoma MIll Co. During the war, Henry Mill specialized in prefabricated elements for the military. The company was taken over in 1945 by Tacoma Lumber Fabricating Co. The photograph shows lots of stored lumber as well as a couple of cranes.
Henry Mill and Timber Company. Burner and lumber storage dock along the Tacoma waterfront. Henry Mill began operations at this site in 1925. It was formerly the site of the Old Tacoma Mill Co. TPL-8381
Henry Mill and Timber Company along the Tacoma waterfront. Henry Mill began operations at this site in 1925. Prefabricated trusses can be seen in the foreground. During the World War II, the company specialized in prefabricated bridges and hangars for the military.
Buffelen Lumber & Manufacturing Co. was located in the area near the intersection of Lincoln and Taylor Way along the Tideflats. The company had been established at this location in the early 1900s. To the left of the picture is the mill's log pool.
View taken from an elevated point on March 19, 1943 of the Buffelen Lumber & Manufacturing Co., located on Lincoln at Taylor Way on the Tideflats. The company was organized in 1912 by John Buffelen, who produced primarily doors. Early in 1916, the plant began to manufacture fir plywood. In 1928, Buffelen met Phil Simpson, who became vice president of the company. John Buffelen left the firm in 1928 and Simpson acted as general manager of what was known as the Buffelen Lumber & Manufacturing Co. Mr. Simpson was one the forces involved in the formation of the Douglas Fir Plywood Association. ("The Plywood Age" Robert M. Cour)("The Plywood Age" Robert M. Cour)
The log pool at Buffelen Lumber and Manufacturing Company, located at Lincoln at Taylor Way on the Tideflats. The company had been operating a mill at this location since the early 1900's.
