Girls from Catholic College visiting Permanente plant, Bill Gorman. Students watch while molten alumina is siphoned from a reduction cell into a large crucible at the Permanente plant. Tacoma Catholic College had purchased the former Weyerhaeuser mansion, Haddaway Hall at 4301 No. Stevens St., and converted it into a Junior College for Women.

Permanente Metals Corp. (Tacoma); Aluminum industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Foundries--Tacoma--1940-1950; Laborers--Tacoma--1940-1950; Students--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Tacoma Smelter for Industrial Page, Times, George Beckingham. This was called the anode where molten copper was poured into molds. Each copper ingot was 500 pounds and had to be jacked out by hand and picked up by a crane. The crane had to be attached manually and then guided to a cooling rack. The crew doing that also helped to purify the molten copper before it was poured by shoving logs into the melting pot to oxidize the impurities. Built and established as the Ryan Smelter by Dennis Ryan in 1887, the smelter was sold to William R. Rust in 1889, who changed the name to the Tacoma Smelting and Refining Company. It was sold again in 1905 to the American Smelting & Refining Company (ASARCO). Originally built to produce lead, by 1911 the smelter became a major supplier of copper and lead was no longer produced. The company smelted gold and silver and refined electrolytic copper and arsenic. (T.Times, 2/26/1948, p.35) (Additional information provided by a reader)

American Smelting & Refining Co. (Tacoma); Smelters--Tacoma--1940-1950; Copper industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Industrial facilities--Tacoma;

Seven men are working at drafting tables at the new pre-fab plant of Bethlehem Pacific Coast Steel Corporation at 8501 East Marginal Way, Seattle. Ordered by Mr. Morse.

Bethlehem Pacific Coast Steel Corp. (Seattle); Factories--Seattle;

The interior of the new pre-fab plant of Bethlehem Pacific Coast Steel Corporation. Ordered by Mr. Morse.

Bethlehem Pacific Coast Steel Corp. (Seattle); Factories--Seattle;

Long view of the exterior of Pacific Iron and Steel Works at 1602 Canal St. (now Portland Ave.) The company manufactured heavy machinery for logging, hoisting and dredging. The foundry was built in 1914.

Pacific Iron & Steel Works (Tacoma); Foundries--Tacoma--1940-1950; Steel industry--Tacoma-- 1940-1950;

Pacific Iron & Steel Works, 1602 Canal St. (now Portland Ave.) An employee looks diminutive beside what may be a huge mold for steel castings.The foundry, built in 1914, also manufactured large machinery for logging and hoisting.

Pacific Iron & Steel Works (Tacoma); Foundries--Tacoma--1940-1950; Steel industry--Tacoma-- 1940-1950;

Pacific Iron & Steel Works, 1602 Canal St. (now Portland Ave.) An employee turns a wheel operating a large piece of machinery in the foundry.

Pacific Iron & Steel Works (Tacoma); Foundries--Tacoma--1940-1950; Steel industry--Tacoma-- 1940-1950;

Foundry operations - Pacific Iron & Steel Works. Pacific Iron & Steel was housed in a two-story wood & sheet metal structure at 1602 Canal St. (now Portland Ave.) The company, founded in 1914, manufactured logging and hoisting machinery, steel castings and dredging machinery. A worker is pictured here on January 10, 1943, turning the wheel which operates the large machine before him.

Pacific Iron & Steel Works (Tacoma); Foundries--Tacoma--1940-1950; Steel industry--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Publicity for Permanente News and Times Industrial Page, Permanente Metals, Bill Gorman. Two workmen move alumina into the reduction pots before closing the corrugated cover. Permanente produced more aluminum at this time than was produced by the entire industry in 1937, the third largest producer of aluminum in the nation. The average age of their employees was 35 years. The daily uses of aluminum were multiplying as manufacturers became acquainted with its lightness, strength, corrosion resistance, formability and appearance. (T.Times, 2/25/1949, p.36)

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

Publicity for Permanente News and Times Industrial Page, Permanente Metals, Bill Gorman. One of the employees at Permanente Metals Corporation leans back with his feet up on a pull-out board on a desk to review a worksheet. Clip-boards, a calendar and a map hang on the wall behind him. He is wearing work boots and a hat while relaxing into this review.

Permanente Metals Corp. (Tacoma)--Employees; Aluminum industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Laborers--Tacoma--1940-1950; Desks; Boots;

Her hair in disarray, a harried phone operator at Permanente Metals listens to one of many calls to the big plant at 3400 Taylor Way on February 9, 1949. Permanente, producers of Kaiser Aluminum, ran round-the-clock operations to keep up with the heavy demand by industry and the military for aluminum. Opened in Tacoma in 1947 as one of three big plants in Washington State, the company was the third largest producer of aluminum in the nation, exceeding over 20% of national production. (T.Times 2-25-49, p. 36-article)

Permanente Metals Corp. (Tacoma)--Employees; Aluminum industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Telephone operators--Tacoma--1940-1950;

ASARCO was one of the largest industries in Tacoma, with over 1,304 employees and a payroll of over $345,000. Last year the company smelted over 383,129 tons of ore and 106,870 tons of copper were refined. The company was a long and interesting history of ownerships, mergers and stockholders; including a time when the Guggenheim's were in control of the business. View of "Safety First" display during ASARCO's open house (T.N.T., 4/3/49, p. A-15 & 4/5/49, p. 1).

Industrial facilities--Tacoma; Celebrations--Tacoma; Safety equipment; Smelters--Tacoma; Laborers--Tacoma; Copper industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; American Smelting & Refining Co. (Tacoma)--Anniversaries;

Since September 1948, ASARCO has had 30,318 stockholders, with no one person owning as much as 3% of the company, making it one of the largest companies in the United States to be owned by the public. Six ASARCO employees, including Gustav Nordberg (third from right) are pictured at the company's 50-year celebration. Mr. Nordberg would pass away less than a year after this April, 1949, photograph was taken. He died on February 1, 1950. He lived on 49th & Frace, close to the smelter, and walked to work nearly every day. (T.N.T., 4/3/49, p. A-15 & 4/5/49, p. 1). (Additional identification & information provided by a reader)

Industrial facilities--Tacoma; Celebrations--Tacoma; Smelters--Tacoma; Laborers--Tacoma; Copper industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; American Smelting & Refining Co. (Tacoma)--Anniversaries; Nordberg, Gustav;

Publicity shots at Permanente Metals, Bill Gorman. Three men are caught playing craps in the storage yard at Permanente Metals. A man using a piece of lumber as a club is coming up behind them. The dice are still in mid-air creating shadows in front of the man who has just released them. There's plenty of money on the play. Aluminum pigs are stacked up all around the players. TPL-4555

Permanente Metals Corp. (Tacoma)--Employees; Aluminum industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Employees--Tacoma--1940-1950; Gambling--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Exterior to be used for letterhead, Steel, Steel & Steel, Inc., Mr. Ray. The company's window advertises that they have been realtors since 1920. David C. Steel was the president and manager of the company. William S. Steel served as secretary. Walter C. Steel Company was located at the same address and was headed by W.C. Steel. This night-time view of the offices includes window displays of current listings as well as the office fixtures and furnishings. TPL-8209

Steel Steel Steel, Inc. (Tacoma); Walter C. Steel, Inc. (Tacoma); Offices--Tacoma--1940-1950; Storefronts--Tacoma--1940-1950; Window displays--Tacoma--1940-1950; Real estate business--Tacoma;

Rainier Steel would use scrap iron as their raw resource in producing steel. The plant began producing steel on December 3, 1948, they were the first steel plant in Tacoma. The plant would employ about 50 people, when they reached full operations, which would help build the payrolls in Tacoma industries. Aerial view of Rainier Steel Corporation, located between Blair Waterway and Hylebos Waterway on Lincoln Avenue.

Steel industry--Tacoma; Steel; Foundries--Tacoma; Waterfronts; Industrial facilities--Tacoma; Aerial photographs; Aerial views; Rainier Steel Corp. (Tacoma);

Rainier Steel Company had just started operating in the steel industry in Tacoma, this company was the only one of its type in this regional area. Rainier would be producing and selling their steel to automobile companies in Detroit, Michigan. Eugene Cunningham was the President of Rainier Steel Corporation, the plant facilities were located at 2201 Lincoln Avenue in Tacoma's tideflats area, between Blair Waterway and Hylebos Waterway.

Steel industry--Tacoma; Steel; Industrial facilities--Tacoma; Foundries--Tacoma; Aerial photographs; Aerial views; Rainier Steel Corp. (Tacoma);

This aerial view of Tacoma shows the American Smelting & Refining Company's (ASARCO) smoke stack, plant and the surrounding area as it looked in July of 1953. The ASARCO smoke stack was a dominant feature in the Tacoma skyline from its construction in 1917 to its implosion in 1993. The plant stood near Point Defiance. Here large vessels can be seen pulled up to the dock to be loaded with metals to be shipped throughout the world. To the left can be seen part of the marina of the Tacoma Yacht Club and to the lower right, the city of Ruston. TPL-8483

American Smelting & Refining Co. (Tacoma); Smelters--Tacoma--1950-1960; Copper industry--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Aerial of Bethlehem Steel, Seattle. Located on a tract of 45 acres along West Spokane Stree, just west of Duwamish Waterway, the Seattle plant is a compact and highly efficient steelmaking unit. When operating at full capacity, the plant has a work force of about 1450. They represent a broad spectrum of skills and trades needed in the manufacture of steel.

Steel industry; Bethlehem Pacific Coast Steel Corp. (Seattle); Aerial photographs; Factories--Seattle;

An employee of Bethlehem Pacific Coast Steel Corporation's Seattle plant has his hands on the large valve of a machine in a photograph taken in September, 1951. Another employee in checkered jacket stands by finished steel products. Bethlehem Pacific Coast Steel had several facilities in the Seattle area including a rolling mill, nut and bolt department, tank farm and mill depot. Photograph ordered by Bethlehem Pacific Coast Steel Corp., San Francisco.

Factories; Steel industry; Bethlehem Pacific Coast Steel Corp. (Seattle);

Star Iron & Steel White truck at their foundry at 435 E 11th St, Tacoma

Industries; Star Iron & Steel; Trucks; Tideflats;

Star Iron &Steel machinery on track at their foundry at 435 E 11th St, Tacoma

Industries; Star Iron & Steel; Machinery; Tideflats;

ASARCO smelter (American Smelting & Refining Co.). A large crane mounted on tracks is unloading ore from the Norwegian motorship Bronnoy. The ship carried a $600,000 cargo of gold ore from Russian mines in the Urals. The mechanical crane could carry 5 tons on each dip into the ship's hold. The Bronnoy's 8,997 ton shipment will be refined at the rate of 900 tons a day. (T. Times 9/13/1935, pg. 3 & 1/19/1935, pg. 1)

American Smelting & Refining Co. (Tacoma); Smelters--Tacoma--1930-1940; Copper industry--Tacoma--1930-1940; Industrial facilities--Tacoma;

This is the American Smelting & Refining Company smokestack in Ruston as pictured in September of 1935. At 571 feet, the ASARCO smokestack dominated the skyline near Point Defiance from its elevated position above the waterfront. At the time of its construction in 1917, it was the tallest smokestack in the world. It lost nine feet in height after repairs in 1937. The smelter stack was demolished on January 17, 1993.

American Smelting & Refining Co. (Tacoma); Smelters--Tacoma--1930-1940; Copper industry--Tacoma--1930-1940; Industrial facilities--Tacoma; Smokestacks--Tacoma;

Pouring of metal at the Atlas Foundry. Men with cigarettes clamped in their teeth work the machinery that pours molten metal into a container. With America's entry into World War II just around the corner, production in metal would have been stepped up.

Atlas Foundry & Machine Co. (Tacoma);

When the wooden Whidbey Island - Mukilteo ferry landing was damaged by a ferry in August of 1938, the Puget Sound Navigation Company contacted the Star Iron & Steel Company in Tacoma. Within five days, plans were drawn and a steel replacement was built and ready for installation. The Cooney Transfer & Storage Company transported the finished 30,000 pound, 64 foot-long structure on an extra long Becholdt trailer. (T. Times, 8/23/1938, p. 3).

Star Iron & Steel Co. (Tacoma); Cooney Transfer & Storage Co. (Tacoma); Bridges--Whidbey Island; Trailers; Shipping--Tacoma--1930-1940;

Star Iron & Steel Company bridge fabricated in five days for Whidbey Island-Mukilteo ferry landing. On August 23, 1938, the Cooney Transfer & Storage Company transported the 30,000 pound, 64 foot-long steel bridge on a Becholdt trailer. The original wooden ferry landing structure was ripped out by the ferry a week ago. Within five days, the plans were drawn for the steel replacement, the steel was fabricated and two coats of paint were applied. (T. Times, 8/23/1938, p.3).

Star Iron & Steel Co. (Tacoma); Cooney Transfer & Storage Co. (Tacoma); Bridges--Whidbey Island; Trailers; Shipping--Tacoma--1930-1940;

ca. 1939. Ace Furnace and Steel Company, photograph pulled from Richards stock file. Transport trucks parked in front of company. (filed with Argentum)

Ace Furnace & Steel Co. (Tacoma); Heating & ventilation industry--Tacoma--1930-1940;

Atlas Foundry furnace. Three men working near the furnace in this photograph from January of 1937. They are guiding a bucket of molten iron or steel suspended on a large pulley above an open grate in the floor.

Atlas Foundry & Machine Co. (Tacoma); Foundries--Tacoma--1930-1940; Steel industry--Tacoma--1930-1940;

In January of 1937, a team of workmen at the Atlas Foundry, 3012 So. Wilkeson St. were photographed pouring molten metal into a small mold. In 1937 the Atlas Foundry employed 97 skilled workmen, and was the largest foundry on the Pacific Coast. Their three story pattern building housed over 50,000 wooden patterns, from which they could make castings varying in size from a 2-ounce bronze boat fitting to a 16-ton cast iron slag pot. Founded in 1899, the Atlas Foundry is now Atlas Casting & Technology. (TDL 3/28/1937)

Atlas Foundry & Machine Co. (Tacoma); Foundries--Tacoma--1930-1940; Steel industry--Tacoma--1930-1940;