1936 daily operations at St. Regis. A series of photographs were taken in two days of a St. Regis facility by the Boland studios in December of 1936. It is believed that the plant was the Tacoma location at 801 Portland Ave. Many internal shots were taken including the above which appears to be a large steel covered vat. The St. Regis Kraft Co. plant had undergone a months-long remodeling which included new machinery and fixtures. All of this was to transform the outdated facility into a modern plant so that it could produce 60,000 tons of bleached pulp per year. (T.Times 10-14-36, p. 5-article; T. Times 11-25-36, p. 5-article) G37.1-031
St. Regis Paper Co. (Tacoma)--1930-1940; Paper industry--1930-1940; Lumber industry--1930-1940; Mills--Tacoma--1930-1940;
1936 daily operations at St. Regis. Interior view of a St. Regis Paper Co. facility, believed to be the Tacoma plant located at 801 Portland Ave. in 1936. Steel beams and steel or concrete chutes in sight. St. Regis employed 845 men to remodel its Tacoma location in order to transform it into a modern plant for the production of 60,000 tons of bleached pulp per year. New machinery was purchased to handle 25,000 short logs per hour and electric saws and machines to bark logs were also included. Tacoma's prime location near rail, water and (later) highway access made it a valuable asset for manufacturers in the industrial Tideflats. (T.Times 10-14-36, p. 5-article; T. Times 11-25-36, p. 5-article)
St. Regis Paper Co. (Tacoma)--1930-1940; Paper industry--1930-1940; Lumber industry--1930-1940; Mills--Tacoma--1930-1940;
1936 Daily operations at St. Regis. A St. Regis employee is shown on December 21, 1936, loading stacks of the company's pulp via forklift. Another tall stack of pulp is already on a raised pallet. This may be the St. Regis Tacoma facility located at 801 Portland Ave. which had recently undergone a $1,000,000 modernization. TPL-6803; G37.1-055
St. Regis Paper Co. (Tacoma)--1930-1940; Paper industry--1930-1940; Lumber industry--1930-1940; Hoisting machinery; Mills--Tacoma--1930-1940;
1936 daily operations at St. Regis. Three employees of St. Regis Paper Co. stand behind a large cut log whose bark may have already been stripped. Although the particular St. Regis plant was not identified, this may have been the Tacoma plant located at 801 Portland Ave. The plant had purchased new machinery including machines to bark logs before going to regular pulp chippers and was undergoing transformation into a modern plant. By late November of 1936, the newly modernized Tacoma plant had commenced operations with a crew of 250. Eventually the plant would operate on a 24-hour day with four staggered shifts of eight hours. The modernization allowed for production of 60,000 tons of bleached pulp per year. TPL-2453; G36.1-023 (T.Times 10-14-36, pl 5-article; T. Times 11-25-36, p. 5-article)
St. Regis Paper Co. (Tacoma)--1930-1940; Paper industry--1930-1940; Lumber industry--1930-1940; Logs; Mills--Tacoma--1930-1940;
1936 daily operations at St. Regis. Interior view of newly expanded and modernized St. Regis mill, presumed to be in Tacoma, as seen on December 21-22, 1936. The company was proceeding into the bleached pulp business and had to extensively update their facility at 801 Portland Ave. in the Tideflats. St. Regis had previously manufactured unbleached pulp but the demand for the bleached product was rising, necessitating modernization. It would take another 60 days or so for the bleaching unit to be ready so the company would continue to produce unbleached pulp. G37.1-063 (T. Times 10-14-36, p. 5-article; T. Times 11-25-36, p. 5-article)
St. Regis Paper Co. (Tacoma)--1930-1940; Paper industry--1930-1940; Lumber industry--1930-1940; Mills--Tacoma--1930-1940; Machinery;
A St. Regis employee maneuvers a lift to hoist stacks of pulp at the big pulp plant in late December of 1936. The St. Regis Kraft Co. had resumed operations with a crew of 250 after months of modernization and expansion. Unbleached pulp would be produced until the new bleaching unit was ready in 1937. G37.1-056 (T.Times 10-14-36, p. 5-article; T.Times 11-25-36, p. 5-article)
St. Regis Paper Co. (Tacoma)--1930-1940; Paper industry--1930-1940; Lumber industry--1930-1940; Mills--Tacoma--1930-1940; Hoisting machinery;
1936 Daily operations at St. Regis. Although the specific St. Regis plant was not identified by the photographer, this was probably the Tacoma St. Regis located at 801 Portland Ave. Various sections of the facility and its machinery were photographed in a two-day period in December of 1936 by the Boland studios. The machine above may have been used to dry pulp since steam is shown rising from the rear roller. A million dollars had been spent to transform the Tacoma plant into a modern facility so that production of 60,000 tons of bleached pulp per year could be achieved. G37.1-016 (T.Times 10-14-36, p. 5-article; T.Times 11-25-36, p. 5-article)
St. Regis Paper Co. (Tacoma)--1930-1940; Machinery; Paper industry--1930-1940; Lumber industry--1930-1940; Mills--Tacoma--1930-1940;
1936 Daily operations at St. Regis. View of large funnels and other unidentified machinery in photograph taken on December 21, 1936. Plant is believed to be the St. Regis Tacoma location, 801 Portland Ave. The Tacoma facility had recently undergone an expensive remodeling to be transformed into a modern plant where 60,000 tons of bleached pulp were expected to be produced a year. Over 800 men had been employed in the reconstruction process boosting St. Regis' payroll to $15,000 a week. Much new machinery was purchased including electric saws and machines to bark logs. By late November of 1936, the Tacoma St. Regis had commenced operations with a crew of 250. A bleaching unit would be ready in three months. (T.Times 10-14-36, p. 5-article; T. Times 11-25-36, p. 5-article)
St. Regis Paper Co. (Tacoma)--1930-1940; Machinery; Paper industry--1930-1940; Lumber industry--1930-1940; Mills--Tacoma--1930-1940;
1936 daily operations at St. Regis. In late 1936 St. Regis Kraft Co.'s Tacoma plant began operating with a crew of 250 at its newly remodeled and modernized facility in the Tideflats. Boland studios paid visits to the pulp plant on December 21-22, 1936, to photograph the new interiors including machinery. Here two unidentified St. Regis employees focus their attention of one of the new machines. G37.1-048 (T.Times 10-14-36, p. 5-article; T. Times 11-25-36, p. 5-article)
St. Regis Paper Co. (Tacoma)--1930-1940; Paper industry--1930-1940; Lumber industry--1930-1940; Mills--Tacoma--1930-1940; Machinery;
1936 daily operations at St. Regis. The Tacoma St. Regis underwent expansion and modernization of its facility in the Tideflats during most of 1936. New machinery was brought in as the demand for bleached pulp grew. By the end of November of that year, the pulp plant had started operating with an initial crew of 250. Eventually the plant would run continuously on a 24-hour schedule with four staggered shifts of eight hours and provide employment for many Tacomans. (T.Times 10-14-36, p. 5-article; T. Times 11-25-36, p. 5-article)
St. Regis Paper Co. (Tacoma)--1930-1940; Paper industry--1930-1940; Lumber industry--1930-1940; Mills--Tacoma--1930-1940; Machinery;
Unidentified equipment at St. Regis. St. Regis Kraft in Tacoma had undergone a $1,000,000 modernization project so that the company could move into bleached pulp production. New machinery was purchased and the site expanded. The purpose of the tall structure shown above was not provided; each row had six concrete or metal handles. G37.1-027
St. Regis Paper Co. (Tacoma); Paper industry--1930-1940; Lumber industry--1930-1940; Mills--Tacoma--1930-1940; Equipment;
Reconstruction and expansion of the St. Regis Kraft facility in the Tideflats was nearly completed in late December of 1936. The company had spent $1,000,000, a tidy sum in the Depression years, to update their large pulp plant to handle the production of bleached pulp. New machinery was purchased to deal with 25,000 short logs per hour, including electric saws to cut the logs into irregular-shaped chunks and machines to bark the logs before going to regular pulp chippers. The bleaching unit would be ready in early 1937. G34.1-104 (T.Times 10-14-36, p. 5-article; T.Times 11-25-36, p. 5-article)
St. Regis Paper Co. (Tacoma); Paper industry--1930-1940; Lumber industry--1930-1940; Mills--Tacoma--1930-1940;
1936 daily operations at St. Regis. View of a thick cluster of narrow steel or cement pipes at a St. Regis Paper Co. facility, probably the Tacoma location at 801 Portland Ave. in December of 1936. The St. Regis plant in Tacoma had undergone massive remodeling for several months to make it into a modern plant capable of producing 60,000 tons of bleached pulp per year. G37.1-026 (T.Times 10-14-36, p. 5-article; T. Times 11-25-36, p. 5-article)
St. Regis Paper Co. (Tacoma)--1930-1940; Paper industry--1930-1940; Lumber industry--1930-1940; Mills--Tacoma--1930-1940;
1936 daily operations at St. Regis. This is believed to be the St. Regis Paper Co. facility in Tacoma at 801 Portland Ave. as pictured in December of 1936. This exterior view of the plant shows its close proximity to railroad tracks which meant easier transport of its products. Pieces of lumber are strewn about and a wheelbarrow and other small carts are present. The Tacoma St. Regis Kraft Co. pulp plant had undergone modernization of its facility earlier in 1936 including new machinery and expansion of the plant. By the end of November, 1936, the plant was operating with a crew of 250. St. Regis expected that the bleaching unit would be ready in 90 days; until then, unbleached pulp as formerly produced would be manufactured. G37.1-021 (T.Times 10-14-36, p. 5-article; T. Times 11-25-36, p. 5-article)
St. Regis Paper Co. (Tacoma)--1930-1940; Paper industry--1930-1940; Lumber industry--1930-1940; Mills--Tacoma--1930-1940;
1936 daily operations at St. Regis. Interiors of the newly remodeled and expanded St. Regis Kraft Co. plant on the Tideflats were photographed on December 21-22, 1936. The company had spent a million dollars in the extensive remodeling project during 1936 which was nearly completed. This view appears to be of wood framed windows with two latches apiece. G37.1-014 (T.Times 10-14-36, p. 5; T. Times 11-25-36, p. 5-articles, no pictures, on both pages regarding remodeling)
St. Regis Paper Co. (Tacoma)--1930-1940; Paper industry--1930-1940; Lumber industry--1930-1940; Mills--Tacoma--1930-1940;
This internal view of St. Regis was taken in December of 1936. The location was not specified but it is believed to be the big paper mill at 801 Portland Ave., the former location of Union Bag & Paper Co. This particular view shows wet floors, drains, and machinery on both sides. It is possible that a washer had broken causing the wetness. TPL-6802; G37.1-013
St. Regis Paper Co. (Tacoma)--1930-1940; Paper industry--Tacoma--1930-1940; Mills--Tacoma--1930-1940; Machinery;
Streetcar tracks head toward the waterfront in this December 30, 1936, photograph. Information on the picture states that it is "144 ft. to intersection No. 41st & Cheyenne Sts." There is a store or restaurant at the left which advertised the Olympic brand of milk, cream and ice cream. Photograph ordered by Tacoma Railway & Power Co. G58.1-022
Residential streets--Tacoma--1930-1940; Streets--Tacoma--1930-1940; Street railroad tracks--Tacoma--1930-1940;
Tacoma Railway & Power Co. requested photographs be taken of the North 41st & Cheyenne Sts. area in late December of 1936. According to information noted on the print, the view is of "center No. 41st St. 81 ft. west from property line." North 41st appears to have been a gravel road in the north end of Tacoma with houses on both sides of the street. The church steeple up the street is believed to be part of the Bethany Presbyterian Church, 4420 N. 41st St. G57.1-043
Workers at St. Regis Kraft Co. are in the process of wrapping and weighing stacks of pulp for shipment in this February 5, 1937, photograph. St. Regis' Tacoma plant had undergone a $1,000,000 modernization project in order to manufacture bleached pulp. New machinery was brought in and the plant was reopened in late December of 1936 to provide jobs for hundreds of Tacoma residents. G37.1-069
St. Regis Paper Co. (Tacoma)--1930-1940; Paper industry--1930-1940; Lumber industry--1930-1940; Mills--Tacoma--1930-1940; Machinery;
Huge sheets of bleached pulp are being manufactured at the Tacoma St. Regis Kraft plant in February of 1937. The plant had recently reopened a few months ago after much remodeling and expansion. St. Regis was moving into the growing bleached pulp business. According to the Tacoma Times, five million board feet of giant hemlock logs were chewed into chips every month and converted into pulp to be used in the manufacture of paper. This meant that the Tacoma plant produced 150 tons of pulp daily; the whole process from sawing logs to chipping to cooking with chemicals, washed and dried and finally baling took about six hours. St. Regis Kraft was a wholly owned subsidiary of the St. Regis Paper Co. Pulp from Tacoma supplied the eastern paper mills of the St. Regis Paper Co. as well as being exported to foreign countries, including Japan. G37.1-061 (T.Times 1-27-37, p. 1, 5-articles on St. Regis)
St. Regis Paper Co. (Tacoma)--1930-1940; Paper industry--1930-1940; Lumber industry--1930-1940; Mills--Tacoma--1930-1940; Machinery;
Two St. Regis employees, wearing white uniforms, are pictured at the Tacoma Kraft pulp plant on February 5, 1937. Steam is rising from some of the large unidentified machinery. St. Regis had undergone a $1,000,000 remodeling project to expand into the bleached pulp field. St. Regis was one of two pulp mills (Shaffer Pulp was the other) who manufactured high grade bleached and unbleached craft pulp for domestic and export markets. The plant was able to produce 150 tons of pulp daily. TPL-6804; G37.1-023 (T.Times 1-27-37, p.1, 5-articles on St. Regis)
St. Regis Paper Co. (Tacoma)--1930-1940; Paper industry--1930-1940; Lumber industry--1930-1940; Mills--Tacoma--1930-1940; Machinery;
Close-up of floating log rafts in the City (now Thea Foss) Waterway. These logs were probably destined for pulp production. Washington was third in the nation at this time in pulp producing. The abundance of hemlock and accessibility of water transportation plus low utility rates made Tacoma a prime location for the manufacture of pulp and other lumber products. Photograph taken in March of 1937. TPL-3236; G36.1-080 (T.Times 1,5-articles on pulp)
Directional sign erected by the AAA, Automobile Club of Washington, as seen near the Sixth Ave. ferry site on April 9, 1937. The sign directs motorists to ferries departing for Fox Island, Point Fosdick, and Cromwell as well as mileage to the City of Fircrest (3 miles), Tacoma's City Center (6 miles) and the AAA Club (6 miles). Another sign to the right advertises the "Deep Sea Aquarium Steilacoom." Photograph taken for court evidence. Automobile traffic on ferries at this landing were being re-routed to Point Defiance at this time due to repairs being made at the landing. The ferries resumed regular schedules following the completion of the (undisclosed) repairs on April 12, 1937. The area may have been photographed because of the death of a driver the previous year when his car plunged off the ferry slip. A trial seeking damages from the county, ferry, and Washington Navigation Co. was held the week of April 22nd. G66.1-111; TPL-5483 (T.Times 3-20-37, p. 5-article; T.Times 4-12-37, p. 7-article; T.Times 4-22-37, p. 1-article; T.Times 4-23-37, p. 1-article)
Taken for court evidence, an extended April, 1937, view of the Sixth Avenue wood ferry dock. Building at left center rented out rowboats. Several cars are parked on or near the ferry slip. The ferry landing had been closed for about 15 days while repairs were being made and automobile traffic re-routed via Point Defiance. Later in April a death damage suit against Pierce County, the Washington Navigation Co. and Skansie Ferry was resolved with an award of $7,711.22 to the dead driver's father. The driver had drowned when his car plunged off the Sixth Avenue ferry slip in August of 1936. TPL-8183; G66.1-108 (T. Times 3-20-37, p. 5-article; T. Times 4-12-37, p. 7-article; T. Times 4-22-37, p. 1-article; T. Times 4-23-37, p. 1-article)
The area near the Sixth Ave. ferry landing was photographed on April 9, 1937, for court evidence. This view, one of a series taken the same day, shows a directional signpost on the right, railroad crossing beyond, ferry slip, and two businesses on the left: the Bay View Cabaret and closer to the water, a rowboat rental/eatery. Repairs were nearly completed at the landing and regular schedules resumed by April 12th. Photographs taken may have been due to the damage suit brought against the county, Washington Navigation Co., and Skansie Ferry by the father of a deceased driver whose car had plunged into the Sound off the ferry slip in August of 1936. G48.1-033 (T.Times 3-20-37, p. 5-article; T.Times 4-12-37, p. 7-article; T.Times 4-22-37, p. 1-article; T.Times 4-23-37, p. 1-article)
This photograph of the Sixth Avenue ferry landing was taken on April 9, 1937, for court evidence. A railroad crossing runs before the "6th Ave. Boat House" and an unidentified restaurant. See Boland B26248 for another view of ferry slip. The ferry landing had been closed for about 15 days from March 20, 1937, while repairs (details not provided) were being made. Only foot passengers were allowed for that time and automobile traffic re-routed via Point Defiance. Later in April, a judgment was rendered against Pierce County, Washington Navigation Co., and Skansie Ferry in the amount of $7,711.22 for the death of a driver whose car plunged off the ferry slip in August of the previous year. TPL-1736; G66.1-110 (T. Times 3-20-37, p. 5-article; T. Times 4-12-37, p. 7-article; T. Times 4-22-37, p. 1-article; T. Times 4-23-37, p. 1-article)
St. Regis' floating log dump as viewed in early May of 1937. Docked nearby is the Japanese vessel, "Gyokoh Marudairen." In the distance are prominent city structures: the towers of City Hall, Pierce County Courthouse, and Central School and the Art-Deco styled Medical Arts Building. The floating logs will eventually be pulped and the product shipped via water to St. Regis' eastern paper mills and exported to foreign countries, including Japan. Japan was St. Regis' best customer at 35,000 tons annually. G37.1-010 (T.Times 1-27-37, p. 1-article on St. Regis)
This is the Grand Coulee Dam, still under construction in June of 1937. Begun in 1933, it would not be completed until 1942. The $63,000,000 funding for the dam was appropriated by President Franklin D. Roosevelt and work commenced under the Public Works Administration. Thousands were employed in the construction of the dam, making a positive impact on the struggling economy. According to the Bureau of Reclamation, the dam is the largest hydropower producer in the United States with total generating capacity of 6,809 megawatts. It is the key to the development of power on the Columbia River and as part of the Columbia Basin Project, irrigates more than 600,000 acres. The Grand Coulee Dam forms Lake Roosevelt which extends 151 miles north to the Canadian border. G74.1-021 (depts.washington.edu/depress/grand_coulee.shtml; www/usbr.gov/pn/grandcoulee/)
Grand Coulee Dam (Wash.); Dams--Grand Coulee; Dam construction;
Interior view of Pennsylvania Salt Manufacturing Co. of Washington plant which was taken in June of 1937. The chemical firm was established on 40 acres located in the industrial Tideflats area. It produced chlorine and other chemicals to serve the pulp and paper industry. This view of one section of the plant shows ladders, ductwork, gauges and steel/concrete beams.
Pennsylvania Salt Manufacturing Co. of Washington (Tacoma); Industrial facilities--Tacoma--1930-1940; Chemical industry--Tacoma--1930-1940;
The large Stewart clan gathered for a outdoor group portrait on the last day of July in 1937. Family members ranged from babies to the elderly. Nearly 90 of the Stewart clan were present. G2.1-029
