Marine Iron Works located at 1120 East D Street, was designing and building lightweight garden tractors, known as the "Mighty Man". These small tractors were intended for use on small farms and gardens, they could pull up to 8,000 pounds on a 2% grade. These tractors were becoming very popular with the urban farmers. View of "Mighty Man" garden tractor in action, photo ordered by Condon Advertising Company. TPL-9140

Agricultural machinery & implements--Tacoma--1940-1950; Tractors--Tacoma; Machinery; Equipment; Marine Iron Works, Inc. (Tacoma); Condon Co., Inc. (Tacoma);

Permanente Metals began production at their newly equipped aluminun plant on Taylor Way in Tacoma on October 31, 1947. Permanente purchased the former Olin Corp. facility, built in 1942, from the federal government and spent two years modernizing the plant. The remodeled Tacoma plant was the first in the nation to have self cleaning reduction pots with scrubbing systems, minimizing pollution released into the environment (PMC Annual Report, 1947-1948).

Aluminum industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Aluminum; Industrial facilities--Tacoma; Laborers--Tacoma; Permanente Metals Corp. (Tacoma)--Employees;

Charles P. Love, General Superintendent of Permanente Metals, along with plant technicians activated the first pot line in Tacoma, making October 31, 1947 the first official day of operations. Other pot lines will be activated, once the plant can make certain everything is operating without problems. The plant is expected to be producing at full capacity by the end of November. View of plant technician checking dials and control system (T. Times, 10/31/47, p. 1).

Aluminum industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Industrial facilities--Tacoma; Control rooms--Tacoma; Permanente Metals Corp. (Tacoma)--Employees;

Robert Breskovich, President of Pacific Boat Building Company, and Ray M. McCarty (foreground), General Manager of the Pleasure Boat Division are inspecting the new "Holiday" aluminum cruiser. "Holiday" aluminum cruisers are 23 feet, all welded mass produced aluminum, 65 horse power marine engine, will perform at 25 mph, 8 foot beam and 24 inch draft. The boat will have sleeping accommodations for 2, a small galley and bathroom (P.M.B., 1/48, p. 51).

Industrial facilities--Tacoma; Construction industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Motorboats--Tacoma; Product inspection--Tacoma; Pacific Boat Building Co. (Tacoma); Breskovich, Robert; McCarty, Ray M.;

The freight train is said to have moved forward before the track switch was completed, the train then "cornered" the engine, and the caboose crushed into the left side of the cab, pinning Sigvard Hill and killing him instantly. The railroad company plans to have a complete investigation. View of steaming wreckage and overturned cars near East 11th St. and Milwaukee Way. (T. Times, 10/16/47, p. 1).

Railroads--Tacoma; Railroad tracks--Tacoma; Railroad accidents--Tacoma; Railroad cars--Tacoma; Disasters--Tacoma; Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul & Pacific Railroad Co. (Tacoma);

Fern Hill's kindergarten and first grade classes were receiving a tour of the Northern Pacific's roundhouse, inspecting rail equipment and would get to ride aboard a Union Pacific train in November of 1947. In appreciation for the field trip the school children presented the railroad companies with a train frieze from their art class. View of Fern Hill's school children, teachers, volunteers and train staff at the Northern Pacific Roundhouse near East D St. and So. 23rd St. (T.Times, 11/14/47, p. 1, 17).

Railroads--Tacoma; School children--Tacoma--1940-1950; School excursions--Tacoma; Railroad roundhouses--Tacoma; Union Pacific Railroad Co. (Tacoma); Northern Pacific Railway Co. (Tacoma); Fern Hill School (Tacoma);

Sun Traveler is 121 feet long, 18 feet deep, has a 27 foot beam, 600 horsepower Washington Diesel engine and 3 General Motors diesel auxiliary engines, full speed is at 12 knots. This wood all-brine super tuna clipper was built by Puget Sound Boat Building. "Sun Traveler" is owned by Captain Ralph McCabe and the Sun Harbor Packing Company, both from San Diego, California. The vessel sets sail for San Diego this week (Pacific Fisherman, 1947 Yearbook Number, 1/25/48, p. 300; T.Times, 2/25/1949, p.16). TPL-8939

Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Fishing boats--Tacoma--1940-1950; Puget Sound Boat Building Corp. (Tacoma); Ship trials--Tacoma--1940-1950;

ca. 1947. Plywood testing, ordered by the Douglas Fir Plywood Association. The plywood industry was one of the most rigorously self regulated businesses in America. Its own labs were constantly testing its product, plywood, for new uses and limitations. All of the testing, promotion and self regulation were performed under the banner of the Douglas Fir Plywood Association. Here plywood is being tested at extremely high temperatures, also under what appears to be a weight. Wires lead from sensors to meters being monitored by the tester.

Douglas Fir Plywood Association (Tacoma); Plywood; Experiments; Product inspection;

New store building, Industrial Equipment Company, Harry Andrews. This photograph was used in a newspaper advertisement inviting people to attend a Rototiller demonstration held at the newly opened Tacoma Industrial Equipment Company on January 24, 1948. It was located one-half mile east of Fife on the Tacoma-Seattle Highway. Free coffee and chicken sandwiches were served and guests were invited to guess how many minutes the rototiller would run on one gallon of gas. First prize was $150 credit on the purchase of a rototiller. (T.Times, 1/23/1948, p.12)

Industrial Equipment Co. (Tacoma); Agricultural machinery & implements--Tacoma--1940-1950; Stores & shops--Tacoma--1940-1950; Lease & rental services--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Tacoma Boat. A view of the interior of the "Defiance" showing the engine room from the engineer's workbench located on a stepped bow tank. Included in the view are the three diesel auxiliaries, fresh water still, two ammonia compressors with control panel and distribution headers, snychronizing switchboard, power panel and motor starters topped off with a 600 h.p. heavy duty diesel propulsion engine weighing 40 tons. To the far left side is a compressor which supplied refrigeration for the freezer sections of the hold. Tacoma Boat announced their 16-year record in February 1948 as: 104 new commercial vessels of wood and steel; and, 1,073 commercial vessels rebuilt, modernized, converted or repaired. (T.Times, 2/26/1948, p.43; Tacoma Boatbuilding Co., Inc. Catalog, 9/1/1953) TPL-8947

Tacoma Boat Building Co., Inc. (Tacoma); Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Boat engines;

Tacoma Boat, the "Defiance". During its water trials the Definace, a 106 foot steel tuna seiner, shows her grace and power with a 600 hp Washington main engine. The Defiance has three decks with the pilot house on the second deck. She was built for Ted Luchich, et al. (Pacific Fisherman Yearbook 1948, p. 197) TPL-8943

Tacoma Boat Building Co., Inc. (Tacoma); Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Ship trials--Tacoma--1940-1950;

New Ford truck at Carstens' garage, Titus Motor Company, Henry Zachow. Titus Motor Company was the authorized Ford Truck distributor in the Tacoma area. Carstens had a large fleet of trucks not all of which were Fords. They had at least two refrigerated trucks built on Chevrolet chassis.

Carstens Packing Co. (Tacoma); Meat industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Trucks--Tacoma--1940-1950; Ford trucks;

Great Northern Box Car being loaded by Sperry Flour Company at Ocean Dock, DFPA, Edith Leik. A view inside the box car. Bags of flour are being moved by a forklift to fill the upper spaces in the box car. The interior of the freight car is lined with plywood and paper to protect the flour and meal being shipped. TPL-10457

Douglas Fir Plywood Association (Tacoma); Great Northern Railway Co. (Tacoma); General Mills, Inc., Sperry Division (Tacoma); Railroad freight cars--Tacoma; Railroad tracks--Tacoma; Flour & meal industry--Tacoma; Hoisting machinery;

Several operations in plant, Tacoma Lumber Fabricating, Mr. Patterson. Young men work alongside older men in creating the structural beams for which Tacoma Lumber Fabricating was well known. The company created prefabricated portions of buildings for an entire prefabricated house as well as curved beams used to roof large buildings. The top floor of their modern office building was the plant loft for giant layout work. They had a complete sawmill and planing mill plant. (T.Times, 1/16/1949, p.18)

Tacoma Lumber Fabricating Co. (Tacoma); Lumber industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Building materials industry--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Several operations in plant, Tacoma Lumber Fabricating, Mr. Patterson. Workmen are dipping completed trusses into a liquid mixture using a pulley system. Stacks of lumber are seen further back in the plant's yard. The company manufactured materials from heavy timbers such as power line cross arms, bridge timbers and roof trusses to little pieces four feet long for refrigerator car rack slabs. (T.Times, 1/16/1949, p.18)

Tacoma Lumber Fabricating Co. (Tacoma); Lumber industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Building materials industry--Tacoma--1940-1950;

When the Rainier Steel Corporation began operations at 2201 Lincoln Avenue, on Tacoma's tideflats, in December of 1948 it became Tacoma's only steel plant at that time. Here an unidentified employee of Rainier Steel, in special safety glasses, monitors work being done in the facility. Eugene Cunningham, president and general manager, started the Rainier Steel Corporation because of the acute steel shortage after WWII. Rainier Steel used scrap iron as its raw material and their furnaces melted the iron and produced steel. The company planned to employ fifty people once they reached full operating capacity which was 100 tons daily with the present equipment. The steel was sent to Detroit for use in the automotive industry. (T. Times, 12/13/48, p. 5-article).

Foundries--Tacoma; Founding--Tacoma; Iron & steel workers--Tacoma; Steel; Steel industry--Tacoma; Hoisting machinery; Industrial facilities--Tacoma; Furnaces--Tacoma; Rainier Steel Corp. (Tacoma);

The first steel plant in Tacoma opens on December 3, 1948, at 2201 Lincoln Avenue, on the tideflats. Rainier Steel Corporation's owner, President and General Manager is Eugene Cunningham. View of Phil E. Haglund (left) and Eugene Cunningham standing by the furnace on the first day of operations at Rainier Steel Corporation (T. Times, 12/13/48, p. 5).

Foundries--Tacoma; Founding--Tacoma; Iron & steel workers--Tacoma; Steel; Steel industry--Tacoma; Industrial facilities--Tacoma; Furnaces--Tacoma; Rainier Steel Corp. (Tacoma);

The Rainier Steel Corporation is the first company in Tacoma and in this regional area of its kind. The steel produced is being used to manufacture automobiles, company representatives stated the automobile companies are offering the best prices for their products. View of steel workers watching the first pouring of steel at Rainier Steel Corporation (T. Times, 12/13/48, p. 5).

Foundries--Tacoma; Founding--Tacoma; Iron & steel workers--Tacoma; Steel; Steel industry--Tacoma; Industrial facilities--Tacoma; Furnaces--Tacoma; Rainier Steel Corp. (Tacoma);

Washington Co-op's new feed mill would be one of the finest and most modern feed mills ever constructed. The building was built in Tacoma Tideflats area, at the Hylebos waterway, built over 8-1/2 acres. The mill would have access to the most efficient transportation, including all transcontinental railroads and any sound or ocean going vessels. Interior view of feed mill, machinery and feed equipment is ready for the official opening of facility.

Food storage buildings--Tacoma; Machinery; Equipment; Mills--Tacoma; Farming--Tacoma; Food industry--Tacoma; Washington Cooperative Farmers Association (Tacoma);

The feed mill was conveniently located on the Hylebos waterway, the Washington Co-op would later add a large dock which would provide water transportation. The feed mill had 110 foot tall elevators, 18 feet in diameter, these grain elevators had a capacity of 276,000 bushels of grain. Interior view of the new feed mill facilities, located at 1801 Taylor Way in Tacoma.

Food storage buildings--Tacoma; Machinery; Equipment; Mills--Tacoma; Farming--Tacoma; Food industry--Tacoma; Washington Cooperative Farmers Association (Tacoma);

Washington Co-operative Farmers' Association new feed mill had an innovative pre-mix system. The pre-mix system would mix vitamins and rare minerals and incorporate them into the mixing lines of poultry and dairy feeds. The pre-mix system would operated using the same type of Marchen feeders and equipment already installed at the mill. Interior view of new agricultural facility.

Food storage buildings--Tacoma; Machinery; Equipment; Mills--Tacoma; Farming--Tacoma; Food industry--Tacoma; Washington Cooperative Farmers' Association (Tacoma);

The new Washington Co-operative Farmers' Association feed mill was being served by the Tacoma Belt Line, giving access to all transcontinental railroads. There were currently four railroad lines set up, more would be added in the future. Interior view of new feed mill, the machinery and equipment is numbered, the plant is expected to being its operations in its new building in March 1949.

Food storage buildings--Tacoma; Machinery; Equipment; Mills--Tacoma; Farming--Tacoma; Food industry--Tacoma; Washington Cooperative Farmers' Association (Tacoma);

Northwest Hauling, view of crane at Tacoma Smelter, Mr. Don Cooney. The crane is seated on a trailer pulled by a large truck cab. It is used to lift trusses and materials to the construction crew at upper levels of the new building at ASARCO.

American Smelting & Refining Co. (Tacoma); Northwest Hauling Co. (Tacoma); Hoisting machinery; Smelters--Tacoma--1940-1950; Building construction--Tacoma--1940-1950;

South Tacoma Welding and Equipment Company was owned by Nick Bosko Jr. and Luke J. Caraway. The company was located in the south Tacoma district at 7047 South Tacoma Way; this facility was built in 1946 by Nick Bosko Jr. Exterior view of South Tacoma Welding and Equipment Company facilities, view of a recently constructed logging arch.

Machinery industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Machinery; Industrial facilities--Tacoma; Trailers--Tacoma; Welding--Tacoma; South Tacoma Welding & Equipment Co. (Tacoma);

St. Regis was established in Tacoma in 1928, the New York firm purchased this industrial site, modernized it and began operations in 1936. St. Regis Paper Company is said to be the most modern pulp mill ever built. The Tacoma facilities are spread out over 65 acres, between the Puyallup River Waterway and the St. Paul Lumber Company. Aerial view of St. Regis Paper Company, construction in progress.

Paper industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Mills--Tacoma; Industrial facilities--Tacoma; Progress photographs; Aerial photographs; St. Regis Paper Co. (Tacoma)--1940-1950;

Terminal Warehouses offered their clients a steel and concrete building which provided them with strong fireproof storage, they also provided cartage and other warehouse services. Terminal was one of the four warehouses owned by Pacific Storage and Distributing Company, these warehouses served the Pierce County area. Exterior view of Terminal Warehouses Inc., railroad freight car and railroad tracks give convenient loading and unloading accessibility; photo ordered by Pacific Storage and Distributing Company, a representative for American Chain of Warehouses.

Railroad freight cars--Tacoma; Shipping--Tacoma; Industrial facilities--Tacoma; Warehouses--Tacoma; Storehouses--Tacoma; Terminal Warehouses, Inc. (Tacoma); Pacific Storage & Distributing Co. (Tacoma);

John R. Keizer is a yardmaster for Northern Pacific Railway Company; John's job is to route the railroad cars through the yard, he has been doing this for forty years. John was born in LaCrosse, Wisconsin and moved to Tacoma many years ago; he has two sons, William and Fred, who also work for Northern Pacific. View of son Forest (Bill) Keizer (aboard train) and John R. Keizer (right), yardmaster for Northern Pacific Railway Company, photo taken for the Sunday Tacoma Times 25 Year Club (T. Times, 12/26/48, p. 27). (Additional identification provided by a reader)

Railroads--Tacoma--1940-1950; Railroad companies--Tacoma--1940-1950; Railroad cars--Tacoma--1940-1950; Railroad tracks--Tacoma; Railroad switching--Tacoma; Railroad employees; Keizer, John R.; Northern Pacific Railway Co. (Tacoma);

View of sand blasting and re-painting of boat "Eileen", work is being done by Machinists Incorporated, a repair shop from Seattle, Washington, the job is being done at Tacoma Boat Building facilities. The workman is painting the side of the boat, he is using a paint sprayer and wearing a face mask. The boat is expected to be completed in a few days, photo ordered by Machinists Inc. TPL-8956

Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Boats & boating; Fishing boats--Tacoma; Maintenance & repair--Tacoma; Sand blast; Tacoma Boat Building Co., Inc. (Tacoma); Machinists, Inc. (Seattle);

Johnnie B a recently launched purse seiner, built by Pacific Boat Building Company. Pacific Boat was owned by John B. Breskovich, he was also Vice-President of Puget Sound Boat Building Corporation. Pacific Boat Building plant and facilities were located at 759 Port of Tacoma Road. View of two people waving from "Johnnie B" fishing boat (Steve Mullan on right). TPL-10567

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

General Mills supervisors, Mr. Meinecke, Sperry Flour Division. Eight men from the Sperry Flour plant in their work clothes and one men in a business suit in this photograph taken on May 3, 1948. All but one of them wears a hat. At the far left is John W. Geddis. Mr. Geddis was a management trainee in 1948 which involved rotating through various training and supervisory assignments. He later became head of all General Mills Production and Distribution west of the Rocky Mountains. (Additional identification & information provided by a reader)

General Mills, Inc., Sperry Division (Tacoma); Flour & meal industry--Tacoma; Mills--Tacoma; Employees--Tacoma--1940-1950; Geddis, John W.;