New machinery went into operation in December 1949 at Aaberg Fuel Company's yard between East Bay Street and the Puyallup River, at the foot of Puyallup Avenue. When drivers backed their trucks into the coal filling stations at Aaberg's, the trucks were filled automatically. A system of long conveyors was used to move the coal into the hoppers that filled the trucks. The coveyors automatically sorted the coal by grade. Each hopper could hold from 25 to 40 tons of coal. The Aaberg system was the first of its kind in the world, and was designed by Herbert Johnson Jr., the head of the company. (TNT, 12/14/1949, p.11, 12 & 13)

Aaberg's Fuel Co., Inc. (Tacoma); Coal--Tacoma; Fuel--Tacoma--1940-1950; Fuel trade--Tacoma--1940-1950; Conveying systems--Tacoma--1940-1950; Trucks--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Coal yard pictures, Aaberg Fuel Company, Johnson. Mrs. Anna Johnson was president of the company and Herbert P. Johnson, Jr., served as secretary-treasurer at this time. Herbert P. Johnson, Jr., designed the system of machinery that moved coal from box cars to the delivery trucks run by electricity provided by more than 20,000 feet of electric control cable. The company, "guaranteed the best quality coal or oil in town at the lowest possible prices". Delivery drivers stand beside their six trucks in front of large piles of coal. (TNT,12/14/1949, p.11, 12 & 13) Format 5" x 14" TPL-10241

Aaberg's Fuel Co., Inc. (Tacoma); Coal--Tacoma; Fuel--Tacoma--1940-1950; Fuel trade--Tacoma--1940-1950; Trucks--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Coal yard pictures, Aaberg Fuel Company, Johnson. Mrs. Anna Johnson, president of Aaberg's Fuel Company, sits at a large work table with a hand full of notes. Controls that operated the mechanical systems in the yard are in front of her. She could cause cars to be unloaded, trucks filled, coal sorted and moved about. The large window allows a view of the outdoor facilities. The hoppers used to load trucks with coal can be seen through the window. (TNT, 12/14/1949, p.11, 12 & 13) TPL-10242

Aaberg's Fuel Co., Inc. (Tacoma); Coal--Tacoma; Fuel--Tacoma--1940-1950; Fuel trade--Tacoma--1940-1950; Johnson, Anna;

Coal yard pictures, Aaberg Fuel Company, Johnson. Aaberg's also handled fuel oil. A new tank is being delivered by Inter-City Auto Freight. Herbert Johnson, Sr., owned an interest in a small coal mine at Morton. Herbert Johnson, Jr., appointed himself "sales manager" for his father's small mine. With a three-ton truck, he "sold" the Morton district. He did so well he came to Tacoma looking for a new market. (TNT, 12/14/1949, p.11, 12 & 13)

Aaberg's Fuel Co., Inc. (Tacoma); Fuel trade--Tacoma--1940-1950; Trucks--Tacoma--1940-1950; Inter-City Auto Freight, Inc. (Tacoma);

Interior at plant, Permanente Metals, Ted Schmidt. Interior view of the pot room, laborers are pouring the molten aluminum into a mold to form pigs. Pigs will weigh between fifty and one thousand pounds. The pigs are cooled, stacked on pallets and transported to the rolling mill at Trentwood, located near Spokane, Washington. The pigs from the Mead and Tacoma plant are later re-melted in furnaces where other metallic elements are added to form standard alloys (PMC Annual Report, 1947-1948).

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

Coal yard pictures, Aaberg Fuel Company, Johnson. A women signs for the fuel that has been delivered to her house by one of Aaberg's drivers. The hoses have been carefully rewound into their storage areas in the truck.

Aaberg's Fuel Co., Inc. (Tacoma); Fuel--Tacoma--1940-1950; Fuel trade--Tacoma--1940-1950; Trucks--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Large machine at Columbia Breweries. Columbia Breweries had added a 20,000 square foot, two story building that housed a new bottle shop and a can beer line earlier in 1949. They added new machinery for their expanded production. The company was founded in 1900 or 1902 depending on which account you read. In 1953 the company changed its name to Heidelberg Brewing Company. The company was purchased by Carling Brewing Company in 1956 and was sold again in 1979 to G. Heileman Brewing Company.

Columbia Breweries, Inc. (Tacoma)--1940-1950; Brewing industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Trucks--Tacoma--1940-1950; Machinery;

Men with moose killed in Chilcotin District, Peterson Boat, George Peterson. Arne Strom and H.D. Maxwell were two of the six hunters that had gone on a 10-day hunting trip with George Peterson to British Columbia. They are seen here with the 3 moose and one deer hung in one of the buildings at Peterson Boat Building. George Peterson and his friends had already brought in three moose during this season. See D45,791-2. (TNT, 11/27/1949,p.B11)

Peterson Boat Building Co. (Tacoma)--Buildings; Hunting--Washington (State); Moose hunting--Tacoma--1940-1950; Moose; Dead animals; Hunting trophies; Deer hunting--Tacoma--1940-1950; Deer;

Men with moose killed in Chilcotin District, Peterson Boat, George Peterson. Six Tacoma nimrods found good hunting in British Columbia around the Williams Lake area and brougnt home three moose and a deer as evidence. The moose, with an average spread of from 35 to 40 inches, were bagged the first day out on a 10-day jaunt. The hunters are, L-R, George Peterson, Reuben C. Carlson, Arne Strom, H.D. Maxwell, Thomas Myers and Lewis Boen. Thomas Myers owned and operated J.P. Myers Fuel in Tacoma, Gig Harbor Sand and Gravel in Gig Harbor, and Bremerton Lines (a bus service operating between Bremerton and Tacoma). (TNT, 11/27/1949, p.B-11)

Peterson Boat Building Co. (Tacoma)--Buildings; Hunting--Washington (State); Moose hunting--Tacoma--1940-1950; Moose; Hunting trophies; Deer hunting--Tacoma--1940-1950; Deer; Peterson, George; Carlson, R.C.; Strom, Arne; Maxwell, Horace D.;

The 87-foot exploratory vessel John R. Manning, constructed by the Puget Sound Boat Building Corp. for the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, was driven by a 6-cylinder, 11 1/2" x 15" Washington Iron Works diesel engine delivering 300hp at 325 rpm. Based in Honolulu, the ship made extensive explorations into the central Pacific.

Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1950-1960; Puget Sound Boat Building Corp. (Tacoma);

The tuna clipper Hortensia-Bertin, built by Tacoma Boat Building Co., heads out from Commencement Bay February 8, 1950 bound for the tuna seas. The vessel, owned by Capt. O. E. Bertin and designed by Arthur DeFever of San Pedro, was outstanding in the field of communications both internal and ship to shore. The ship was built of wood and was 103' in length and 25' 10" in beam with a hull identical to the Coronado, built by Peterson Boat Building Co., Tacoma. TPL-9027

Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1950-1960; Tacoma Boat Building Co., Inc. (Tacoma); Fishing boats--Tacoma--1950-1960; Ship trials--Tacoma--1940-1950;

The Hortensia-Bertin sits in the ways building at Tacoma Boat Building ready for launching into Commencement Bay. The large tuna clipper was designed by Arthur DeFever of San Pedro, and measured 103' x 24'10". O.E. Bertin would be her captain. She would have outstanding communication capabilities with radiophone and code instruments, a Northern Radio sending set and a National receiver. She was capable of carrying a crew of 20 and 185 tons of fish at 10 knots. Her home port was to be Tegucigalpa, Honduras. (TNT, 1/5/1950, p.21; Pacific Fisherman, April 1950, p.26; Pacific Fisherman, October 1950, p.12) TPL-9024

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

Launching of the John N. Cobb at Western Boat. L-R, Mrs. Emmett Egan and Mrs. Margaret E. Johnson, wife of Captain Sheldon W. Johnson, stand ready to christen the John N. Cobb, a U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service exploratory vessel. She was named after John N. Cobb, the first Dean of the School of Fisheries of the University of Washington, who had also served with the United States Bureau of Fisheries. Ordered for the Seattle Times by Mr. R.H. Calkins. (Marine Digest, 2/4/1950)

Launchings--Tacoma--1950-1960; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1950-1960; Western Boat Building Co. (Tacoma); Egan, Emmett--Family; Johnson, Margaret E.;

This photograph was taken as part of a photo mural for Feltrok Insulation Company, ordered by Mr. Lybeck. Feltrok manufactured home and industrial insulations and were members of the National Mineral Wool Association and Industrial Mineral Wool Institute. C.J. Rusden was president of the company at this time. A rail line brought materials used in the company's manufacturing processes directly to the yard. The smokestacks were tall to provide cooling.

Industrial facilities--Tacoma--1950-1960; Feltrok Insulation Manufacturing Co. (Tacoma); Smokestacks--Tacoma;

ca. 1950. The ASARCO stack dominated the Tacoma sky line from its elevated position near Point Defiance along the Tacoma waterfront from 1917 until it was demolished January 17, 1993. It was the largest smokestack in the world when it was built at 571 feet. It was shortened to 562 feet during repairs in 1937. TPL-6600

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

Dignitaries pose during the launching of the Hortensia-Bertin at Tacoma Boat Building. She would contain the most modern of navigational and communication equipment with radiophone and code instruments, Northern Radio sending set and National receiver. She would also be equiped with a 181 h.p. Chrysler-powered Western "Fairliner' bait-tender which was also equipped with a radiotelephone. The two gentlemen on the left are Haldor Dahl and Arne Strom, owners of Tacoma Boat. Mrs. Arthur DeFever of San Pedro, California, is third from the right holding long-stemmed roses. She was the wife of the boat's architect and sponsor of at the launching. Ordered by C.F.A. Mann. (TNT, 1/5/1950, p.21; Pacific Fisherman, April 1950, p.26; Pacific Fisherman October 1950, p.12) TPL-9025

Launchings--Tacoma--1940-1950; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Fishing boats--Tacoma; Tacoma Boat Building Co., Inc. (Tacoma); Dahl, Haldor; Strom, Arne;

Launching at Western Boat. Ordered by Seattle Times by Mr. R.H. Calkins. The John N. Cobb stands in the ways ready to be formally launched. Flags are draped over the first and second decks. The boat was to becoma an exploratory vessel for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. She was designed by W.C. Nickum & Sons, Seattle naval architects, and built by Western Boat. She was of very heavy wood construction, 93' in length, and powered with a 550 hp Fairbanks-Morse diesel engine. (Pacific Fisherman, March 1950, p.29)

Launchings--Tacoma--1950-1960; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1950-1960; Western Boat Building Co. (Tacoma); Ships--Tacoma--1950-1960;

The exterior of the St. Paul Restaurant was located in one corner of the St. Paul Lumber Company building. A public pay telephone stands at the corner under a sign for the restaurant that slants away from the building. This photograph was taken on a cold day when snow still lay on the ground and covered the limbs of the trees and the top of the telephone booth. The restaurant was owned by S.R. and Mrs. E.J. Hull.

Lumber industry--Tacoma--1950-1960; St. Paul & Tacoma Lumber Co. (Tacoma); St. Paul Restaurant (Tacoma); Restaurants--Tacoma; Telephone booths--Tacoma--1950-1960; Snow--Tacoma--1950-1960;

A man inspects a large stack of Hemlock boards in the yard at the St. Paul Lumber Company. The boards are ready for dry kilns where they would remain 2 to 4 days. Each tier of lumber is stripped to separate the pieces, which allows heat and steam to circulate freely when the load is in the kiln. After drying, the load is ready to be unstacked and sent to the planers. (Tree Life Hemlock, St. Paul & Tacoma Lumber Co.)

Lumber industry--Tacoma--1950-1960; St. Paul & Tacoma Lumber Co. (Tacoma);

A large stack of lumber in the yard at the St. Paul Lumber Company. The lumber is separated at even intervals to insure even drying.

Lumber industry--Tacoma--1950-1960; St. Paul & Tacoma Lumber Co. (Tacoma);

Launching at Western Boat. Ordered by Seattle Times by Mr. R.H. Calkins. The John N. Cobb is afloat near the 11th Street Bridge just after launching from the Western Boat ways building. The vessel would be equiped for exploratory navigation as well as for experimental fishing by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.. Snow is on the ground as seen on the opposite shore of City Waterway. The tall buildings of the business district of Tacoma are seen in the background. (Pacific Fisherman, March 1950, p.29) TPL-9652

Launchings--Tacoma--1950-1960; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1950-1960; Western Boat Building Co. (Tacoma); Ships--Tacoma--1950-1960; Cityscapes;

Calf shelter made of plywood at Western Washington Experiment Station. The Station, created in 1893, was located approximately seven miles from the city of Tacoma, in the Puyallup Valley. The Station engaged in research on western Washington agricultural problems. Photograph ordered by Douglas Fir Plywood Association.

Plywood; Douglas Fir Plywood Association (Tacoma); Western Washington Experiment Station (Puyallup); Barns--Tacoma

Calf shelter made of plywood at Western Washington Experiment Station. The Station, affiliated with Washington State College, opened 7/1/1895. Its approximately 155 home acres were used to develop satisfactory farm practices in the fields of dairying, poultry production, and the growth of fruits, vegetables, specialty crops, ornamentals and bulbs. It employed approximately 70 people from the Tacoma/Puyallup area, 20 of those in research. Photograph ordered by Douglas Fir Plywood Association.

Plywood; Douglas Fir Plywood Association (Tacoma); Barns--Tacoma; Western Washington Experiment Station (Puyallup);

Progress photograph, new building at Stauffer Chemical Company. Stauffer Chemical Company was just getting into production on the tideflats, manufacturing superphosphate fertilizer. The new plant would serve a market area of 200 miles with approximately 30,000 tons of its product a year. The Barthel Chemical Construction Company had installed lined acid tanks for Stauffer Chemical at this time. The plant was built on a 40 acre tract on the tideflats at the location of the old Rainier Steel facility. (TNT, 2/14/1950, p.A-7; 9/13/1949, clipping)

Stauffer Chemical Co. (Tacoma); Chemical industry--Tacoma--1950-1960; Progress photographs; Building construction--Tacoma--1950-1960; Barthel Chemical Construction Co. (Tacoma);

This photograph from February, 1950, shows part of the engine rebuilding shop at TAM Engineering Corp, 3033 So. Lawrence St. Four workmen are assembling and bench testing rebuilt Ford "flathead" V8 engines. The TAM plant was the most modern Ford Authorized engine rebuilding plant in the Pacific Northwest. By 1950, they had already rebuilt over 50,000 engines and small parts for dealers in the Pacific Northwest and Alaska. TAM Engineering Corp. was acquired by the Oklahoma City-based firm, Autocraft Industries, in 1995. (TNT 2-14-1950, A-4) TPL-8482

Machine shops--Tacoma; TAM Engineering Corp. (Tacoma);

New machinery, TAM Engineering Corporation. Interior of Ford engine rebuilding shop. Workman measures cylinder bore of Ford "flathead" V8 engine block attached to a honing machine during rebuilding.

Machine shops--Tacoma; TAM Engineering Corp. (Tacoma);

Boat interior. The interior of a Tacoma built fish boat showing the switchboard, the control panel for the electrical elements of the boat. TPL-9003

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

Boat interior. The interior of a newly completed fishing boat showing a small chapel. This is most likely the Virginia R completed by Tacoma Boat Building Company on January 29, 1949. TPL-9004

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

Boat interior. The engine room of a fishing boat newly completed by Tacoma Boat Building Company, most likely the Virginia R who was completed January 29, 1949. She carried a 16 cylinder GM diesel engine and had the capacity to carry up to 250 tons of frozen tuna. TPL-9002

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

Martinac Shipbuilding Corp., interior and exterior, Mr. Joe Martinac. A view of a ship's galley and table. Condiments are lined up along the center line of the table. A fire extinguisher is attached to the wall to the left. The large galley has a sink, stove and lots of storage area. Coffee pots are seen against the wall. TPL-8986

J.M. Martinac Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma); Fishing boats--Tacoma--1940-1950; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Galleys (Ship kitchens); Kitchens--Tacoma--1940-1950;