Conveyor system pictured at Port of Tacoma in January, 1967. Built by Star Iron & Steel of Tacoma, the elevated conveyor equipment is set up to load and unload materials to the domed storage tank in the background. Photograph ordered by Star Iron & Steel Co.

Star Iron & Steel Co. (Tacoma); Conveying systems--Tacoma--1960-1970; Storage tanks--Tacoma;

Overhead view of trolley assembly at Star Iron & Steel. Trolley No. 1 and No. 2 are being assembled for the Webbers Fall Lock & Dam Crane on February 28, 1969. Photograph ordered by Star Iron & Steel.

Star Iron & Steel Co. (Tacoma); Steel industry--Tacoma--1960-1970; Hoisting machinery;

On a wet and bleak day in March, 1968, Star Iron & Steel Co. employees tested a new 100-ton gantry crane meant for dam work. The men are dwarfed by the sheer size of the crane located outside of company headquarters at 326 Alexander Ave. in the Tideflats. The heavy crane, standing 64 feet high, actually weighs in at 125 tons. It was built for the Army Corps of Engineers to handle powerhouse intake and spillway gates on the Little Goose Lock & Dam on Snake River. Photograph ordered by Star Iron & Steel Co. (TNT 3-17-68, C-21)

Star Iron & Steel Co. (Tacoma); Hoisting machinery; Steel industry--Tacoma--1960-1970;

Another view of the giant crane shown in D153667, Image 1. Cranes manufactured by Star Iron & Steel underwent rigorous testing before they were released to buyers. The Army Corps of Engineers required that the crane be fully assembled and operable before delivery. Once performance testing was completed, the crane would be dismantled and shipped. This 100-ton crane was destined for work on the Snake River at the Little Goose Lock & Dam. Similar cranes were built by Star Iron & Steel for usage on the Hoover, Mossyrock, Mayfield, Grand Coulee, Shasta and Bonneville dams. Photograph ordered by Star Iron & Steel Co. (TNT 3-17-68, C-21)

Star Iron & Steel Co. (Tacoma); Hoisting machinery; Steel industry--Tacoma--1960-1970;

A small convoy of trucks prepares to leave Star Iron & Steel, 326 Alexander Ave., loaded with manufactured products on March 13, 1968. Star Iron was well known for its crane production and other heavy duty equipment. Photograph ordered by Star Iron & Steel Co.

Star Iron & Steel Co. (Tacoma); Trucks--Tacoma--1960-1970; Steel industry--Tacoma--1960-1970;

Star Iron & Steel, general view around shop. On July 18, 1968, Star Iron & Steel was in the process of constructing a 250-ton bridge crane for Kerr Lock & Dam, located in Oklahoma. They had also just landed a 6.4 million dollar contract to build four 100-ton floating cranes for the Navy. Star Iron & Steel was well known for their custom designing and manufacturing of hoists and cranes. Photograph ordered by Star Iron & Steel Co.

Star Iron & Steel Co. (Tacoma); Steel industry--Tacoma--1960-1970; Industrial facilities--Tacoma--1960-1970;

Close-up of Star Iron & Steel Co. machinery, possibly a shovel, taken on November 15, 1968, at the company plant in Tacoma's Tideflats. Star Iron & Steel was a well-known local manufacturer of hoisting machinery. It had been in Tacoma since 1918 and had moved to its new location in the Port Industrial area in 1963. Photograph ordered by Star Iron & Steel Co.

Star Iron & Steel Co. (Tacoma); Industrial facilities--Tacoma--1960-1970; Steel industry--Tacoma--1960-1970; Hoisting machinery;

Scenes from the steel industry. View of crane work at Star Iron & Steel Co. Star Iron & Steel was one of the northwest's oldest fabricating companies. In February of 1969, the company was involved in manufacturing winch components for the Everett Alumina Crane. This crane may have been eventually used by the Port of Everett to move alumina ore, one of the port's chief imports. Photograph ordered by Star Iron & Steel Co.

Star Iron & Steel Co. (Tacoma); Steel industry--Tacoma--1960-1970; Hoisting machinery;

Scenes from the steel industry. By 1969, Star Iron & Steel had been in their Port Industrial location for six years. The larger facility at 326 Alexander Ave. made it possible for the company to increase payroll and accept more jobs. One of the projects in February of 1969 was to build winch components for Everett Alumina Crane. Photograph ordered by Star Iron & Steel.

Star Iron & Steel Co. (Tacoma); Steel industry--Tacoma--1960-1970; Hoisting machinery;

Scenes from Star Iron & Steel. Star Iron & Steel was one of the northwest's oldest steel fabricating firms. It was well known for the quality of its cranes, especially the heavy duty cranes manufactured for the Navy during WWII. In February of 1969, one of its projects was to manufacture winch components for the Everett Alumina Crane. Photograph ordered by Star Iron & Steel Co.

Star Iron & Steel Co. (Tacoma); Steel industry--Tacoma--1960-1970; Hoisting machinery;

Scenes from the steel industry. Star Iron & Steel Co. of Tacoma was in the process of manufacturing winch components for Everett Alumina Crane in the early part of February, 1969. Work was being done primarily in building 532. Photograph ordered by Star Iron & Steel Co.

Star Iron & Steel Co. (Tacoma); Steel industry--Tacoma--1960-1970; Hoisting machinery;

Scenes from Fick Foundry. A Fick Foundry employee is pictured on October 16, 1969, in a workshop area of the foundry. What appears to be a giant propeller lies on a long rectangular work table before him. Fick Foundry had long been established at 1005 East D St. and were manufacturers of metal castings for machine, marine and general use. Photograph ordered by Winston Fournier & Associates, Dallas.

Fick Foundry Co. (Tacoma); Foundries--Tacoma--1960-1970;

Molten liquid is being poured into molds at Fick Foundry, 1005 East D Street, in October of 1969. In business since 1924, Fick Foundry were producers of "quality static and centrifugal castings in most ferrous metals, and close tolerance aluminum centrifugal castings." The company had suffered through three major fires and was rebuilt each time. It would finally close in the late 1980's. Photograph ordered by Winston Fournier & Associates, Dallas.

Fick Foundry Co. (Tacoma); Foundries--Tacoma--1960-1970; Founding--Tacoma--1960-1970; Hoisting machinery;

Scenes from Fick Foundry. An unidentified worker at Fick Foundry, 1005 East D St., is pictured on October 16, 1969, one-handedly stirring a metal container of boiling liquid hung from a winch. Masses of steam obscure the contents. Drops of the molten metal escape the container and some appear to land on or near the worker. Photograph ordered by Winston Fournier & Associates, Dallas.

Fick Foundry Co. (Tacoma); Foundries--Tacoma--1960-1970; Founding--Tacoma--1960-1970; Hoisting machinery;

Scenes from Fick Foundry. Three employees of Fick Foundry, 1005 East D St., are properly wearing safety goggles to prevent eye injuries while they are in the process of pouring molten metal to form castings. Two of the men are tipping a bucket of liquid while using a metal grasping device while the third nudges the molten metal out with a thin rod. Photograph ordered by Winston Fournier & Associates, Dallas.

Fick Foundry Co. (Tacoma); Foundries--Tacoma--1960-1970; Founding--Tacoma--1960-1970;

1969 Scenes from Fick Foundry. A shimmering cascade of sparks streams from a machine used in Fick Foundry's operations. The unidentified foundry employee grips the metal tongs of the machine while wearing heavy gloves and protective goggles. Fick Foundry was established by Samuel Fick in the early 1920's and with his two sons' help, primarily produced iron manhole rings and covers and window sash weights. The company would grow and eventually move to manufacture high-integrity castings to meet modern technology's demands. Photograph ordered by Winston Fournier & Associates, Dallas. (Morgan: South on the Sound, p. 176)

Fick Foundry Co. (Tacoma); Foundries--Tacoma--1960-1970; Metalworking--Tacoma;

Star Iron & Steel. This is believed to be the aluminum fabrication plant at Star Iron & Steel in early 1970. The interior appears crowded with stacks of aluminum with metal shavings and piles of debris in the photograph's foreground. Star Iron & Steel, a long established Tacoma firm, had moved to more spacious quarters in the Port Industrial area in 1963. Photograph ordered by Star Iron & Steel Co.

Star Iron & Steel Co. (Tacoma); Industrial facilities--Tacoma--1970-1980; Steel industry--Tacoma--1970-1980;

Star Iron & Steel. On January 14, 1970, a series of photographs were taken regarding plant operations at Star Iron & Steel, 326 Alexander Ave. This is believed to be the building housing the aluminum fabrication unit. The interior looks very crowded with a variety of aluminum products. Founded in 1908, Star Iron & Steel was one of the oldest steel fabrication plants in the Pacific Northwest. Photograph ordered by Star Iron & Steel Co.

Star Iron & Steel Co. (Tacoma); Industrial facilities--1970-1980; Steel industry--Tacoma--1970-1980;

Star Iron & Steel operations. An unidentified Star Iron & Steel Co. employee at work in the company's machine shop in January of 1970. He wears thick safety gloves, sturdy boots and protective outer clothing. He has one hand on the control box and the other on a long piece of metal. Photograph ordered by Star Iron & Steel Co.

Star Iron & Steel Co. (Tacoma); Industrial facilities--Tacoma--1970-1980; Steel industry--Tacoma--1970-1980; Machinery;

Star Iron & Steel Co. employees. Employees of Star Iron & Steel Co. pose happily on September 28, 1970, in front of company headquarters at 326 Alexander Ave. These men were the crew responsible for the building of the 100-ton floating cranes for the U.S. Navy. Star Iron & Steel was under contract to build several of these massive cranes for the government. Photograph ordered by Star Iron & Steel Co.

Star Iron & Steel Co. (Tacoma); Steel industry--Tacoma--1970-1980; Hoisting machinery;

ca. 1971. 1971 Richards color stock footage. A familiar landmark in Tacoma was the imposing smokestack at the ASARCO smelter. It rose over 500 feet at the smelter located near Point Defiance. The smokestack, dubbed the tallest in the world at the time of its 1917 construction, would be demolished on January 17, 1993.

American Smelting & Refining Co. (Tacoma); Smelters--Tacoma--1970-1980; Smokestacks--Tacoma; Industrial facilities--Tacoma;

ca. 1971. 1971 Richards color stock footage. View of ASARCO smelter ca. 1971. Once the tallest smokestack in the world, it was demolished in January of 1993, some eight years after the plant closed due to environmental and economic reasons. TPL-5856

American Smelting & Refining Co. (Tacoma); Industrial facilities--Tacoma; Smokestacks--Tacoma; Chimneys--Tacoma;

ca. 1971. Crane operations - customer negatives. Planks placed on a tilted board may have come from the boxcar nearby. Photographs requested by Star Iron & Steel Co., major crane manufacturer. Crane units visible were under construction by Star Iron & Steel; cranes, hoists and special machinery made up 70% of the company's annual volume. The company also specialized in fabricated steel and aluminum. See D159837, image 13, for progress photograph of crane. (TNT 12-13-70, C-21 - article)

Star Iron & Steel Co. (Tacoma); Hoisting machinery; Railroad freight cars--Tacoma--1970-1980;

Preparations are being made to transport a floating concrete bulkhead from Star Iron & Steel Co.'s plant at 326 Alexander Ave. in early February of 1971. The 25-foot high bulkhead appears to be placed on beams equipped with wheels. It would be hauled to the Port of Tacoma and then towed by tug to the Snake River for use on the Little Goose Lock & Dam. Photograph ordered by Star Iron & Steel Co. (TNT 2-6-71, p. 21 - article)

Star Iron & Steel Co. (Tacoma); Steel industry--Tacoma--1970-1980; Retaining walls--Tacoma;

Workers are preparing to move a floating bulkhead in early February of 1971 from its construction site at 326 Alexander Ave. to the Port of Tacoma waterfront. It appears that rubber segments are being laid to help with traction. The bulkhead was manufactured by Star Iron & Steel Co. for the U.S. Corps of Engineers. It would be towed by tugboat down the coast and up the Columbia River to a dam on the Snake River. Photograph ordered by Star Iron & Steel Co. (TNT 2-6-71, p. 21- article)

Star Iron & Steel Co. (Tacoma); Steel industry--Tacoma--1970-1980; Retaining walls--Tacoma;

The bulkhead has completed its move from Star Iron & Steel's Alexander Ave. location to the Port of Tacoma's waterfront. This February 4, 1971, photograph shows the floating bulkhead in place. Four days later, Star Marine Industries, a subsidiary of Star Iron & Steel, would begin moving the 114-ton, $165,000 bulkhead to the Little Goose Lock & Dam on the Snake River. There the concrete bulkhead with watertight compartments would be used in maintenance and repair work. Photograph ordered by Star Iron & Steel. (TNT 2-6-71, p. 21 - article)

Star Iron & Steel Co. (Tacoma); Steel industry--Tacoma--1970-1980; Retaining walls--Tacoma;

Closer view of floating bulkhead on February 4, 1971. Previous photographs of the bulkhead and its move from Star Iron & Steel's tideflats location to waterfront are in D159838, images 6, 12, 14, and 17. Workers are shown monitoring water spurting from the bulkhead. The bulkhead, 25-feet tall, was ordered by the U.S. Corps of Engineers for usage on the Snake River near the Tri-Cities. Star Marine Industries, a subsidiary of Star Iron & Steel, would begin transporting the 114-ton bulkhead on February 8, 1971 by tugboat from the Port of Tacoma. The $165,000 bulkhead was designed and built by Star Iron & Steel. Photograph ordered by Star Iron & Steel Co. (TNT 2-6-71, p. 21- article)

Star Iron & Steel Co. (Tacoma); Steel industry--Tacoma--1970-1980; Retaining walls--Tacoma;

A worker makes one final check before the heavy-duty Northwest Hauling Co. truck departs from Star Iron & Steel's tideflats location on February 3, 1971, with a floating bulkhead in tow. After a stop at the Port of Tacoma, the bulkhead would be towed by tug to its final destination at the Little Goose Lock & Dam on the Snake River. Although Star Iron & Steel was perhaps best known for its manufacture of cranes and hoists, it also accepted other contracts; this $165,000 contract was from the U.S. Corps of Engineers. Photograph ordered by Star Iron & Steel Co. (TNT 2-6-71, p. 21- article)

Star Iron & Steel Co. (Tacoma); Steel industry--Tacoma--1970-1980; Retaining walls--Tacoma; Trucks--Tacoma--1970-1980;

Star Iron & Steel Co. operations. An unidentified Star Iron & Steel worker alertly keeps his eyes on the machine before him in this March, 1971, photograph. Star Iron & Steel had a backlog of unfilled contracts totaling $14,500,000, most scheduled for completion in 1971. The plant would have been bustling as there had been a 500% increase in sales over the last five years. Employment had tripled at the plant to handle the multitude of orders. Photograph ordered by Star Iron & Steel Co. (TNT 12-13-70, C-21- article)

Star Iron & Steel Co. (Tacoma); Steel industry--Tacoma--1970-1980; Machinery;

Star Iron & Steel operations. A Star Iron & Steel employee in overalls and gloves is shown operating an unidentified machine at the company plant in March of 1971. Star Iron & Steel was a longtime Tacoma firm with origins in the 1920s. Cranes, hoists and special machinery made up 70% of Star Iron & Steel's annual volume. The company also specialized in fabricated steel and aluminum. Photograph ordered by Star Iron & Steel. (TNT 12-13-70, C-21 - article)

Star Iron & Steel Co. (Tacoma); Steel industry--Tacoma--1970-1980; Machinery;