The extensive timber area owned by United States Plywood Corp. at Kosmos, Washington serves as the background for a personality shot of Mr. Jess Hurd who was photographed on March 2, 1954. Kosmos was once the headquarters for the logging operations of U.S. Plywood Corp. on the Cowlitz River, eight miles southeast of Morton in south central Lewis County. U.S. Plywood expanded in the post war years, acquiring plants at Mapleton, Ore., Anderson, Ca., two plants in the buy out of Associated Plywood Mills, Inc. and a veneer peeling plant at Kosmos, Wa. Their extensive timber holdings at Kosmos supplied the raw wood for their plywood plants. (Corrected identification provided by a reader)

Plywood; Lumber industry--Kosmos--1950-1960; United States Plywood Corp. (Seattle); Hurd, Jess;

United States Plywood Corp.'s logging operation at Kosmos, Wa., eight miles southeast of Morton in south central Lewis County. A tall timber is circled by ropes and pulleys. A piece of large hoisting machinery can be seen. The ropes possibly helped bring down the trees down safely when the timber was cut.

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

United States Plywood Corp.'s logging operation at Kosmos, Wa., eight miles southeast of Morton in south central Lewis County. A close up of the timber with ropes and pulleys used to move timber. Covered areas and shacks are at the base of the timber, including a large tank.

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

The launching of the U.S. Navy Destroyer 408, the U. S. S. Wilson, took place April 12, 1939 at the Puget Sound Navy Yard, Bremerton. At 90% complete, the vessel was 341-feet-long with 1725 tons displacement. It carried a complement of 9 officers and 175 men. It was commissioned July 5, 1939 and received eleven battle stars for service in World War II. After sustaining damage during the war, it was selected as a target during the atom bomb test at Bikini Atoll in July of 1946. It was decommissioned in August of 1946 but remained afloat and was finally scuttled off Kwajelein in March of 1948. (T. Times, 4/13/39, p.20)

Launchings--Bremerton--1930-1940; Puget Sound Naval Shipyard (Bremerton); Naval yards & naval stations--Bremerton--1930-1940; Government vessels; Warships--Bremerton--1930-1940;

The destroyer USS Wilson (#408) was launched April 12,1939 at the Puget Sound Navy Yard in Bremerton. On hand for the launching were, left to right, Rear Admiral E. B. Fenner, Mrs. Fenner (sponsor), Governor Clarence Martin, Mrs. Arthur B. Langlie, Major General Walter C. Sweeney. Mrs. Sweeney, and Seattle Mayor Arthur Langlie. The vessel was named after Seaman Charles Wilson, who was recognized for distinguished service in the Navy during the Civil War. (T.Times 4/13/1939, pg. 20)

Launchings--Bremerton--1930-1940; Puget Sound Naval Shipyard (Bremerton);Martin, Clarence D., 1887-1955; Governors; Langlie, Arthur B., 1900-1966; Mayors--Seattle; Fenner, Edward B.; Sweeney, Walter C.;

Launching of the U.S. Navy Destroyer #408, the U. S. S. Wilson, on April 12, 1939. The ship was decorated with pennants and bunting and photographed at dock in the Puget Sound Navy Yard at Bremerton. Ship launchings at the Navy yard differed from those at Tacoma Shipyards. The craft was built in a construction dock which was flooded for launching, much like a bathtub. The launching consisted of the gates being opened and the boat towed out into the Sound. The destroyer under construction in the background was almost entirely submerged during the ceremony. (T. Times 4/13/1939, p. 20)

Launchings--Bremerton--1930-1940; Puget Sound Naval Shipyard (Bremerton); Naval yards & naval stations--Bremerton--1930-1940; Government vessels; Warships--Bremerton--1930-1940;

Caught in mid-song are four members of a Pennsalt barbershop quartet in March, 1954. They are clutching top hats and dressed in the Gay 90's style, complete with false mustaches. Pennsylvania Salt Manufacturing Co. of Washington was a major producer of caustic soda and chlorine for several decades.

Pennsylvania Salt Manufacturing Co. of Washington (Tacoma)--People; Singing--Tacoma--1950-1960; Barbershop quartets; Mustaches;

Workers are laying plywood in apparent preparation for testing by the Douglas Fir Plywood Association's laboratory in March, 1954. Nearly all sections of plywood have been fastened with only a few sheets left to attach. Plywood was constantly being tested to assure consumers and the industry that all standards were being met.

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

An employee of the Douglas Fir Plywood Association appears to be monitoring gauges while doing product testing at the association's laboratory in March, 1954. Douglas Fir plywood was undergoing constant testing for durability and to maintain quality control. Photograph ordered by Douglas Fir Plywood Association.

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

Several views of chimneys at St. Regis Paper Co. were photographed on March 24, 1954. This may have been a new chimney constructed by the Boedecker Chimney Construction Co. It was not typically black, but seems to be lighter in color. Smoke is billowing out from the top. Photograph ordered by Boedecker Chimney Construction Co.

St. Regis Paper Co. (Tacoma)--1950-1960; Chimneys--Tacoma;

Douglas Fir Plywood Association created laboratories to maintain high quality standards of its plywood; plywood was constantly being tested for durability and to detect any flaws. View of sheets of plywood in the D.F.P.A. warehouse undergoing testing. Photograph ordered by Douglas Fir Plywood Association.

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

Passengers waiting to board the Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul & Pacific Railroad's trains could relax comfortably in the Milwaukee Road's new passenger depot at E. 11th and Milwaukee Way. In a photograph taken in April, 1954, there were many chairs available in a spacious, air conditioned room with plate glass windows to view incoming and departing traffic. A multi-window ticket office provided efficient service with gold-tone photo murals located above. The railroad had an open house for the public to tour the new $150,000 depot, hundreds apparently did so. (TNT 4-18-54, p. 1, TNT 4-22-54, B-4, TNT 4-24-54, p. 36)

Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul & Pacific Railroad Co. (Tacoma); Railroad stations--Tacoma--1950-1960;

A photograph taken at night on April 21, 1954, of the new Milwaukee Road passenger depot indicates the building was rectangular, with a two-layer flat roof, and surrounded by tinted plate glass windows. Waiting passengers could easily see the trains yet they were comfortably protected from the often inhospitable elements. The railroad's name, The Milwaukee Road, is illuminated on the exterior tower. The more convenient $150,000 passenger train depot on E. 11th and Milwaukee Way replaced an older model; it was made of Roman brick. (TNT 4-18-54, p. 1)

Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul & Pacific Railroad Co. (Tacoma); Railroad stations--Tacoma--1950-1960; Electric signs--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Five men stand in front of the Milwaukee Road's Engine #E-4, two with stop watches, on April 21, 1954. Also known as the Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul & Pacific Railroad, the Milwaukee was noted for its efficient, fast electric locomotives. During World War II, these electrics were due to be eliminated due to obsolescence, however the fact that they were so easily maintained and ran so effortlessly, delayed such action. Diesels finally overpowered the electrics; the last electric train ran in Washington State in November, 1972. The Milwaukee Road provided an economic boost to the Puget Sound area for decades; in 1954, their payroll was 4.5 million dollars and the railroad employed over 1000 people. (History of Pierce County, p. 22, TNT 4-24-54, p. 36))

Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul & Pacific Railroad Co. (Tacoma); Railroads--Tacoma--1950-1960; Railroad locomotives--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Opened in April of 1954, the new $150,000 passenger depot at the Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul & Pacific Railroad Company's tideflats location was a long, sleek, Roman brick structure. Passengers could wait in comfort on "lounge-type" aluminum furniture, a far cry from hard wooden benches, and remain dry behind wall-to-wall tinted plate glass windows until their trains arrived. The new depot replaced the old gray wood building at South 25th & A Streets. Many passengers may have been waiting for Milwaukee Road's popular Hiawatha service that ran from Tacoma to Chicago. This diesel-electric locomotive cut the time spent in traveling by several hours and passengers were able to enjoy a very scenic route. Unfortunately, after fifty years of service, the Hiawatha made its final run in May, 1961; it was the first of our country's long-haul passenger trains to quit. (History of Pierce County, Vol. 3, p. 22; TNT 4-18-54, p. 1+)

Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul & Pacific Railroad Co. (Tacoma); Railroad stations--Tacoma--1950-1960; Railroad locomotives--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Engine #E-4 pulls into the Milwaukee Road's depot on April 21, 1954. A "Danger 3000 volts" warning sign alerts people to the fact that this is an electric locomotive. The train stopped very close to the new passenger depot. It was much smaller than the original depot on East 25th St. and built on the tide flats parallel to the railroad's freight yards. The old depot was finally torn down in 1972, leaving only freight sheds; the site is now the bustling Freighthouse Square. (History of Pierce County, p. 22)

Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul & Pacific Railroad Co. (Tacoma); Railroad companies--Tacoma--1950-1960; Railroad locomotives--Tacoma--1950-1960; Railroad stations--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Twenty-two employees of the General Mills Inc., Sperry Division, pose behind a large "C Day Parade '54" banner on April 2, 1954. The brand names of several General Mills cereals are listed on the banner, including Cheerios, Wheaties, Kix, and a new cereal, Sugar Jets. Nearly fifty years later, Cheerios, Wheaties and Kix are still being devoured by the hungry public.

Flour & meal industry--Tacoma; Grain industry--Tacoma; General Mills, Inc., Sperry Division (Tacoma); Banners--Tacoma;

Representatives from Pendleton, Oregon, visited Heidelberg Brewery in April, 1954. The thirteen men and women pose in front of a Heidelberg doormat; it shows the familiar brewery symbol of a man quaffing a refreshing stein of beer. Heidelberg had purchased the brewery from Columbia Breweries a few years prior, although advertising until 1953 continued to emphasize the Columbia name. Carling Brewery eventually purchased Heidelberg in 1959; the plant was finally closed in 1979.

Brewing industry--Tacoma--1950-1960; Heidelberg Brewing Co. (Tacoma)--1950-1960; Columbia Breweries, Inc. (Tacoma)--1950-1960;

Q-630 was one of three Q-boats launched on April 20, 1954. The 63 foot Q-boats were built for the Army under Navy supervision. The ships were expected to be delivered at Rio Vista, California, in May or June, 1954. The sponsor of Q-630 was Mrs. Vincent J. Genn, wife of the machinery superintendent at Tacoma Boat Building. LTC John Fredin was the principal speaker at the launching. View of participants posed in front of vessel; several women are holding large bouquets of roses. (TNT 4-18-54, B-10)

Launchings--Tacoma--1950-1960; Government vessels--Tacoma; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1950-1960; Tacoma Boat Building Co., Inc. (Tacoma);

Three Army Q-boats were launched within minutes of each other on April 20, 1954. These 63' crafts were built by Tacoma Boat Building for the Army under Navy supervision. View of several women and small children in front of Q-630; these were members of the christening party. From left to right are: Barbara Rutledge (flower girl), Mrs. Vincent J. Genn, sponsor of Q-630, Shanna Roley (flower girl), Mrs. Wilbert N. Nelson, sponsor of Q-628, Mrs. Alf R. Dahl, sponsor of Q-629, and Linda Dahl (flower girl). (TNT 4-21-54, A-5)

Launchings--Tacoma--1950-1960; Government vessels--Tacoma; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1950-1960; Tacoma Boat Building Co., Inc. (Tacoma);

A crowd of spectators await the launching of the minesweeper #489, the U.S.S. Gallant, built by J.M. Martinac Shipbuilding on the evening of June 4, 1954. Martinac Shipbuilding had received a contract to built nine 171-foot minesweepers for the Navy during the early 1950's. Those observing the launching heard Rear Adm. W.F. James, 13th Naval District medical officer, give the principal address. Mrs. Walter Meserole, daughter of J.M. Martinac, was the ship's sponsor. Music for the ceremony was provided by the McChord Air Force Band. (TNT 5-30-54, C-12)

Launchings--Tacoma--1950-1960; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1950-1960; J.M. Martinac Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma);

The South Tacoma Shops of the Northern Pacific Railroad received an impressive plaque from the company in honor of their achieving the best safety record for 1953. It was apparently the fourth time the South Tacoma Shops had won this award; previous years noted on the plaque included 1943, 1944, and 1945. Northern Pacific employees and guests enjoyed a special banquet in the Fellowship Hall at the Masonic Temple on May 27, 1954, where awards were presented. Seated in the photograph are: R.H. Spellmeyer and H.J. McLain. Standing left to right are: J.J. Schmidt, A.J. Cecchi, F.L. Steinbright, F.G. Moody, G.L. Ernstrom, and C.T.DeWitt. (TNT 5-27-54, A-10, TNT 5-28-54, p.14)

Northern Pacific Railway Co. (Tacoma)--People; Awards;

Logging pond at Port Piers. For R.E. Chase, 601 Tacoma Building. Two men standing on logs in log pond, pushing on logs with long poles. Industries to the right and in background. Photograph taken on May 11, 1939.

Logs; Port of Tacoma (Tacoma);

Logging pond at Port Piers. For R. E. Chase, 601 Tacoma Building.

Logs; Lumber industry--Tacoma--1930-1940;

ca. 1954. The Chicago, Milwaukee, St.Paul & Pacific Railroad Co., commonly called The Milwaukee Road, opened a new passenger depot at East 11th and Milwaukee Way, on the tideflats, in April of 1954. Made of Roman brick, the $150,000 structure was a comfortable place to wait for incoming or outgoing trains. Large plate glass windows provided a clear view of the trains while keeping passengers safe and dry. The railroad company had used a simple wooden building at 25th and A Street since just after the turn of the century. The Milwaukee Road railroad went bankrupt in the late 1970s; all its land and buildings on the tideflats were purchased by Sea-Land in the early 1980s. TPL-3729

Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul & Pacific Railroad Co. (Tacoma); Railroad stations--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Home portrait of the Weyerhaeusers. This sepia photograph of the large Weyerhaeuser clan was taken on July 6, 1954. Seated in the center of the picture are John Philip ("Phil") Weyerhaeuser, Jr., and wife Helen surrounded by children and grandchildren. Phil Weyerhaeuser was instrumental in leading the Weyerhaeuser Timber Company for over twenty years. His son, John Philip ("Flip") Weyerhaeuser, III, and family were visiting from St. Paul, Minnesota, and had spent two weeks at the Weyerhaeuser family home in American Lake. Another son, George, and family were also present for the gathering; they had traveled from Eugene, Oregon. (TNT 7-11-54, D-2)

Weyerhaeuser, John Philip--Family; Group portraits;

Home portrait of the Weyerhaeusers. The couple pictured in this sepia photograph is John Philip ("Phil") and Helen Weyerhaeuser. They were enjoying a family gathering at their Thorne Lane residence on July 6, 1954. Phil Weyerhaeuser led the Weyerhaeuser Timber Company from 1933 to 1956, a span of time which included the changes brought about by the Great Depression and World War ll. He believed that the best way a forest products company could operate would be to own its own timberlands. Phil Weyerhaeuser passed away on December 8, 1956. The 1956 Weyerhaeuser Timber Company annual report was dedicated to him; he was lauded as "a man of exceptional vision, kindliness and executive talents. It was he who activated the philosophy of managing forest lands for perpetual growth and harvest. His influence in the industry and the American community will be felt for generations to come." (Twining, Charles E., Phil Weyerhaeuser, Lumberman)

Weyerhaeuser, John Philip; Weyerhaeuser, Helen;

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;

Close-up display of beer bottles. Pilsener Beer was brewed locally with artesian water by the Silver Springs Brewing Co. View of two brands of Pilsener Beer, Oldstyle and Hartz. Both were advertised as "Extra pale". Pilsener was a light beer with a strong flavor of hops; its name probably came from the Czech city of Pilsen (Pizen). The Silver Springs Brewing Co. were located at 105 E. 26th St.; the 1954 City Directory listed Lyle L. Lane was secretary/manager. Photograph ordered by Condon Co., an advertising firm.

Beer--Tacoma; Brewing industry--Tacoma--1950-1960; Silver Springs Brewing Co. (Tacoma); Merchandise displays--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Exterior brewery. Large lettering on the Silver Springs Brewing Co.'s building proudly proclaimed it as the "Home of Oldstyle Pilsener Beer" in an August 18, 1954, photograph. The Silver Springs Brewing Co. was founded in Port Orchard in 1934 and moved to Tacoma in 1950. After moving to Tacoma and purchasing the site at 105 E. 26th St., former home to Northwest Brewing Co., they added a three-story bottling plant to the complex. They provided Heidelberg Brewing (Columbia Breweries) with competition for Northwest beer drinking tastes with their Oldstyle Pilsener, brewed with artesian water.

Brewing industry--Tacoma--1950-1960; Silver Springs Brewing Co. (Tacoma); Signs (Notices);