Ordered by International Harvester, a single logging truck. The truck is fueled by propane and owned by Cotten Brothers in Spanaway, Washington. The truck is posed in front of a large propane tank labelled "Propane, the modern motor fuel." The back portion of the truck where the logs are usually loaded has been unhooked and now sits on the bed of the truck. International Harvester sold and serviced large commercial trucks.

Trucks--Spanaway--1950-1960; Cotten Bros. (Spanaway); Lumber industry--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Two employees of the U.S. Plywood Corporation examine sheets of plywood in their Seattle plant on January 6, 1956. They were manufacturers of the "Weldwood" brand of Douglas fir plywood. U.S. Plywood had two locations in Seattle including a lumber division on E. Marginal Way. It also had plants in Mapleton, Oregon, and a 60 million foot capacity mill in Anderson, California. By 1954, with the addition of Associated Plywood Mills' two holdings, U.S. Plywood was capable of 342 million feet annually. (Cour: Plywood Age, p. 158-59)

Plywood; Lumber industry--Seattle--1950-1960; United States Plywood Corp. (Seattle);

Ordered by the Douglas Fir Plywood Association; plywood being used in the construction of a commercial "chicken house." Plywood is being attached to the exterior of the beams to form the curved roof of the chicken house. The entrance area and a ventilation window can be seen. This is the back of the house. This is possibly the Fife farm of the Guy Conine family. The family raised poultry in three chicken houses, one conventional and two of the quonset hut design. They raised Van Tress hybrid crosses, Washington Whites and Lancaster Whites. The laminated beam construction of the two quonset hut variety eliminated the need for posts for support. All feeding and watering was automatic. (TNT 10/28/1956, pg. B-6)

Plywood; Construction; Poultry houses; Poultry industry;

The busy mail room of the Douglas Fir Plywood Association. A large mailer is being prepared. Some women fold the materials to be mailed and others stuff the envelopes. One of the jobs of the association was the promotion of the plywood product and the industry itself. One of the association's main sources of self promotion was the U.S. mail and the company maintained a large mail room to meet its demands.

Douglas Fir Plywood Association (Tacoma); Offices--Tacoma--1950-1960; Office workers--Tacoma--1950-1960; Correspondence;

Cheney Lumber Co.; packages of two by four "Cheney Studs" being readied for shipment in the railroad cars behind. Ben Cheney got his start in the lumber business in 1936 during the depression. By the late 1930's, he was supplying railroad ties nationally and internationally. Cheney was wholesaling the production of 140 portable mills throughout the northwest, selling their ties on a commission basis. As timber became more difficult to obtain cheaply, he became concerned over the side-cut slab wastage, often 2/3 of the log. He came up with the idea of supplying the housing market with standard 8 foot studding, the same length as railroad ties were cut. He even obtained a lower transportation cost from the Interstate Commerce Commission, making production even more economical. Cheney renamed the "shorts," as these 8 foot pieces had been called, "Cheney Studs." Studs became the standard in the building trade and Cheney is credited with standardizing the roof height in US residential construction. ("The Sou'wester" Volume xxxv, Number 3, Fall 2000)

Lumber industry--Tacoma--1950-1960; Lumberyards--Tacoma; Lumber--Tacoma; Building materials industry--Tacoma--1950-1960; Cheney Lumber Co. (Tacoma); Shipping--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Cheney Lumber Company's booth at the 1956 Greater Tacoma Home Show. A young Cheney Studs football player poses in uniform with one of the trophies. His uniform features the Cheney "stud" horse logo on the chest. "Studs" were what Cheney renamed the 8 foot 2 x 4 lumber "shorts" that revolutionized the building materials industry. On the back wall are photos of the young man's football team mates, as well as other Cheney teams. One sign points out that the amateur Cheney Studs baseball team was the national runnerup in the 1955 American Baseball Congress.

Lumber industry--Tacoma--1950-1960; Lumberyards--Tacoma; Lumber--Tacoma; Building materials industry--Tacoma--1950-1960; Cheney Lumber Co. (Tacoma); Greater Tacoma Home Show (Tacoma); Awards; Football players--Tacoma--1950-1960;

A model of one of Ben Cheney's lumberyards is displayed at the Cheney booth at the 1956 Greater Tacoma Home Show. Miniature stacks of Cheney "studs" dot the landscape. The Tacoma Home Show was held May 11-20, 1956 at the College of Puget Sound Fieldhouse. Over 100 local and national companies set up exhibit booths emphasizing products for the home. Cheney "studs" were 8 foot lengths of 2x4 timber that established the residential ceiling height in America.

Lumber industry--Tacoma--1950-1960; Lumberyards--Tacoma; Lumber--Tacoma; Building materials industry--Tacoma--1950-1960; Cheney Lumber Co. (Tacoma); Greater Tacoma Home Show (Tacoma); Models;

By the mid-1950's more and more people were becoming accustomed to "do-it-yourselfing" and the Douglas Fir Plywood Association encouraged them to use plywood for their building projects. Stores were devoting space to handyman supplies; pictured in July, 1954, is an unidentified model with displays of new Douglas Fir Plywood Handy Panels. These panels, at 2 ft. by 4 ft., were smaller then full size plywood sheets. They were easy to handle, select and use. They were clearly marked for size, grade and price. Plans were available to build your own storage units or versatile chests and often the work could be completed within a weekend. Stores were eager to help the customer who wanted to save money by doing the work himself. Photograph ordered by Douglas Fir Plywood Association. (Handy Panels ad, Popular Science, December 1952, p. 248)

Plywood; Merchandise displays--1950-1960; Signs (Notices); Douglas Fir Plywood Association (Tacoma); Do-it-yourself work--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Pencil behind his ear, a worker ponders the placement of a sheet of plywood on forms already in place. One large sheet is already been nailed on. The man needs to stand on a wooden plank to reach the forms as the building's foundation is already set and the ground excavated. Each plywood sheet is labeled "Plyscord" and stamped in numerous places informing buyers that this genuine fir plywood has undergone stringent testing for quality. Photograph ordered by Douglas Fir Plywood Association.

Plywood; Building construction; Douglas Fir Plywood Association (Tacoma);

A young model enjoys an appetizing snack as she lounges on an extended sofa in a September 13, 1954, photograph. The plates of food are placed on a four legged TV table whose ends are tilted upward. The TV table, made out of wood, was built at the right height for someone sitting in front of it or for use as a miniature coffee table. Photograph ordered by Douglas Fir Plywood Association.

Plywood; Tables; Douglas Fir Plywood Association (Tacoma);

Architects in the firm of Jensen & Mills examine a small display of Douglas Fir Plywood Association promotional material in their Jones Building office on November 19, 1954. The plywood association always stressed the stringent quality controls utilized in approving plywood for numerous uses. The DFPA label on plywood meant that customers could count on the association standing behind its product. Photograph ordered by Douglas Fir Plywood Association.

Douglas Fir Plywood Association (Tacoma); Merchandise displays--Tacoma--1950-1960; Advertising--Tacoma--1950-1960; Jensen & Mills (Tacoma);

The enormous splash generated as a giant peeler log is dumped into the log dump nearly obscures sight of the log. This Douglas fir log, along with several others, was used in a Bellingham parade on November 27, 1954, as entries sponsored by Georgia-Pacific Plywood Co. Harvested locally from timbered forests, the logs were marched down the city's main streets, providing an impressive display for local spectators. Georgia-Pacific wanted to stress that each log contained enough material to be used in making forty average houses. Photograph ordered by Georgia-Pacific Plywood Co.

Logs; Basins (Bodies of water)--Bellingham;

Two young ladies, who look very much alike, proudly sport banners identifying themselves as "Miss Georgia" and "Miss Pacific" as the Georgia-Pacific Plywood's entries in the November 27, 1954, Bellingham parade take a momentary pause. The plywood company had sponsored several giant peeler logs mounted on heavy duty trucks for the parade. The large banners on the logs' sides make it clear that these trees were harvested locally from timber forests in our state. Photograph ordered by Georgia-Pacific Plywood.

Logs; Parades & processions--Bellingham--1950-1960; Signs (Notices);

A scantily clad young woman cheerfully waves her hat at parade spectators while perched on top of a R.E. Gray Trucking System cab on November 27, 1954. The truck is hauling a giant peeler log courtesy of the Georgia-Pacific Plywood Co. which was cut from timber forests in Washington State. Bellingham apparently had a parade in late November in which several giant logs were on display to parade viewers. Photograph ordered by Georgia-Pacific Plywood Co.

Logs; Parades & processions--Bellingham--1950-1960; Trucks--Bellingham--1950-1960;

Multiple windows provide plenty of natural light for office employees of the Puget Sound Plywood company. In addition, there are several lengthy fluorescent lights overhead. Puget Sound Plywood was the first cooperative plywood plant in the city. It manufactured plywood and promoted the convenience and durability of plywood in a number of ways. Instructions were provided for the do-it-yourselfer or professional on the building of storage units, including showing the plans in 3-D format and also built-ins. Photograph ordered by Douglas Fir Plywood Association.

Puget Sound Plywood, Inc. (Tacoma); Puget Sound Plywood, Inc. (Tacoma)--Employees; Lumber industry--Tacoma--1950-1960; Office workers--Tacoma--1950-1960; Signs (Notices); Douglas Fir Plywood Association (Tacoma); Cooperatives--Tacoma;

Early evening exposure of Potlatch Forests, Inc., Lewiston, Idaho plant. Richards Studio had made several trips over the years to Idaho to photograph Potlatch Forests, Inc., pulp and paper operations. The above photograph was taken in July of 1968 for Malcolm McGhie, industrial consultant, New York. Potlatch operations continued even at night as the resulting smoke from stacks can testify. The bright lights of the mill reflect on the nearby water's surface.

Potlatch Forests, Inc. (Lewiston, ID); Lumber industry--Idaho--1960-1970; Paper industry--Idaho--1960-1970;

Pulp & paper operations in Lewiston, Idaho. A Potlatch Forests, Inc., employee arranges sheets of plywood into three separate stacks during his work shift on July 8, 1968. These plywood sheets will be lowered onto the conveyor belt below and placed next to other stacks. Photograph ordered by Malcolm McGhie, industrial consultant, New York.

Potlatch Forests, Inc. (Lewiston, ID); Paper industry--Idaho--1960-1970; Lumber industry--Idaho--1960-1970; Plywood; Mills--Idaho--Lewiston;

Weyerhaeuser Co. executives concluded the three day meeting in 1969 of sales managers from across the country with a banquet believed to have been held at the Winthrop Hotel. Signs promoting the "Big W Home Coming" were prominently displayed throughout the room. Nearly 100 sales managers had gathered to celebrate the solid year of sales from the wood products group. (TNT 2-2-69, B-8)

Weyerhaeuser Timber Co. (Tacoma); Meetings--Tacoma--1960-1970; Banquets--Tacoma--1960-1970; Signs (Notices);

Weyerhaeuser Co. sales managers from all over the nation met for their "Big W Homecoming" using both the Winthrop Hotel and the University of Puget Sound in the early part of February, 1969. George H. Weyerhaeuser, president and chief executive officer, points out the large "W" on a men's jacket. The nearly 100 managers from the wood products group were in Tacoma for a three-day conference where they would discuss sales objectives, marketing strategies and recap 1968, the best sales year in the history of the wood products group. Photograph ordered by the Weyerhaeuser Co. (TNT 2-2-69, B-8)

Weyerhaeuser, George H.; Weyerhaeuser Timber Co. (Tacoma); Meetings--Tacoma--1960-1970;

Three car loads of "Red End Cheney Studs" are ready for transport on May 20, 1963. The lumber is stacked neatly on freight cars waiting on a railroad siding near the Texaco Tideflats service station on E. 11th St. Photograph ordered by Cheney Lumber Co.

Lumber--Tacoma; Lumber industry--Tacoma--1960-1970; Railroad freight cars--Tacoma;

Rayonier, Inc., timber industry scenes from Grays Harbor. A long lineup of trucks loaded with logs prepare to leave this logging site for a mill or paper plant in July, 1964. Next to the trucks are railroad tracks with open cars with massive logs strapped down. One man is shown in the foreground making sure the loads are securely fastened. Photograph ordered by Malcolm McGhie, industrial consultant, New York.

Lumber industry--Grays Harbor--1960-1970; Logs; Rayonier, Inc. (Grays Harbor);

Rayonier, Inc., timber industry scenes, Grays Harbor. A portable spar pole is rigged for yarding trees during Rayonier, Inc., logging operations in Grays Harbor. It was used instead of a wood spar tree. This July, 1964, photograph was probably taken in the midst of Rayonier's enormous tree farm. Photograph ordered by Malcolm McGhie, industrial consultant, New York.

Lumber industry--Grays Harbor--1960-1970; Rayonier, Inc. (Grays Harbor);

July, 1964, Rayonier, Inc., timber industry scenes. Ordered by Malcolm McGhie, industrial consultant, New York. Man in hard hat examines carefully leaves of a young tree found in a cluster of similar trees. Note the size difference between these trees and the towering firs in the background. This photograph was possibly taken in Rayonier, Inc.'s large tree farm in Grays Harbor.

Lumber industry--Grays Harbor--1960-1970; Rayonier, Inc. (Grays Harbor); Trees;

Scenes from Potlatch Forests, Inc., pulp and paper operations, Lewiston, Idaho. A Potlatch Forests, Inc., employee is pictured in late September, 1964, as he walks alongside #2 Lime Kiln. Potlatch Forests, Inc., along with Weyerhaeuser and Boise-Payette Lumber (later renamed Boise Cascade) were involved in lumber operations on a large scale in Idaho. Potlatch Forests would move its headquarters from Lewiston to San Francisco in 1965. Photograph ordered by Malcolm McGhie, industrial consultant, New York. (Additional information provided by a reader)

Lumber industry--Idaho--1960-1970; Paper industry--Idaho--1960-1970; Potlatch Forests, Inc. (Lewiston, ID);

Scenes from Potlatch Forests, Inc., pulp and paper operations, Lewiston, Idaho. A series of photographs were taken in late September and early October, 1964, of Potlatch Forests' operations in Idaho for inclusion in the company's annual report. Workers are shown here in a modern warehouse filling boxes of Clearwater toilet tissues. Rows of toilet paper are stacked on tall metal shelving to be loaded into the open cardboard boxes that pass by on conveyer belts. Photograph ordered by Malcolm McGhie, industrial consultant, New York.

Lumber industry--Idaho--1960-1970; Paper industry--Idaho--1960-1970; Potlatch Forests, Inc. (Lewiston, ID); Warehouses--Idaho--Lewiston;

Close up photo of a section of an old growth Douglas fir, almost 13 feet in diameter as measured by the U.S. Forest Service, installed outside of the new Flora B. Tenzler Memorial Library, one of the branches of the Pierce County Library system, in Lakewood. The old growth tree was logged on the holdings of the Northwest Door Company near Packwood in 1946. The 586-year-old tree was determined to be the largest Douglas fir felled by man The cross section of fir used to stand outside the entrance of the Northwest Door Company at 1203 East D Street when Herman E. Tenzler was president of the company. Photograph ordered by Cole & Weber Advertising. (TNT 7-1-65, A-9)

Logs; Tree stumps--Lakewood--1960-1970; Flora B. Tenzler Memorial Library (Lakewood);

Two workmen monitor testing on a piece of plywood at the Douglas Fir Plywood Association's test lab at 1214 A St in Tacoma. The DFPA had two labs, one in Tacoma and one in Eugene, to test and improve the plywood product. The machinery doing the testing is 8 feet wide and 15 feet high and is being operated by two men. It appears to be measuring the pressure on the plywood.

Douglas Fir Plywood Association (Tacoma); Plywood; Testing--Tacoma--1950-1960; Product inspection--Tacoma--1950-1960;

1966 Scenes from Idaho logging operations. During a moment of leisure, two Potlatch Forests, Inc., employees clutch a small hatchet while in the Idaho forests in mid-July, 1966. One man is smoking a pipe. The hatchet's blade is whimsically inscribed "Hello Mom." Photograph ordered by Malcolm McGhie, industrial consultant, New York.

Potlatch Forests, Inc. (Lewiston, ID); Lumber industry--Idaho--1960-1970; Axes; Pipes (Smoking);

This enormous tree has been partially cut through by an employee of Rayonier, Inc., in Grays Harbor, in the summer of 1966. Although the worker is pictured with a small ax, larger tools would have been necessary to saw through the base of this giant tree. (no print on file, scan from original negative)

Rayonier, Inc. (Grays Harbor); Lumber industry--Grays Harbor--1960-1970; Axes;

Scenes from Idaho logging operations. A man steadies the stacked load of logs before the heavily laden truck departs for a Potlatch Forests, Inc., mill in July, 1966. Other workers are busy dragging logs and clearing the land to make logging roads. Photograph ordered by Malcolm McGhie, industrial consultant, New York.

Potlatch Forests, Inc. (Lewiston, ID); Lumber industry--Idaho--1960-1970; Logs; Tractors--Idaho;