Exterior of Wheeler Osgood Company's offices. Wheeler-Osgood was known as the world's largest manufacturer of doors and plywood at this time. The company started making doors in Tacoma in 1889 and plywood in 1910, only five years after the first fir plywood was manufactured at Portland, Oregon. N.O. Cruver served as president of the company at this time. He was president for 32 years.
Wheeler Osgood Plywood plant, Mr. McCallum. Plywood was anticipated to become very important for the post war reconstruction era. Pre-fabricated homes would utilize over 25% of the plywood supply. View of laborer in the interior of Wheeler Osgood plant. Photo ordered by Winston H. McCallum of the Douglas Fir Plywood Association.
Wheeler Osgood was a leader in the lumber industry, they manufactured doors and plywood panels. The company has been doing business in Tacoma for many years, they are one of the oldest businesses in Tacoma. In 1947 Wheeler Osgood was considering expanding their facilities, no changes had yet started, although the exterior of plant had been painted in October of 1947. Exterior view of Wheeler Osgood Company facilities.
In 1949 the Pacific Northwest had the worst earthquake that has ever been recorded. Eight people were killed, including one little boy from Tacoma; although many building suffered some destruction no buildings were completely demolished. View of stack at Wheeler Osgood that was damaged during the earthquake (T.N.T., 4/14/49, p. 1 & 2).
Exposure of wood working equipment for auction at Wheeler-Osgood Sash & Door Co. liquidation. The door and plywood plant in Tacoma was sold for approximately $650, 000 for the purposes of liquidation. The factory opened in 1889, and went out of business in 1952. During the interim, the company was one of the largest door plants in the world and an important part of Tacoma's lumber manufacturing industry. The building itself burned down in July of 1959. (TNT 2-26-1952, pg. 1)
Large piece of equipment, the "Challoner 790", for auction at Wheeler Osgood factory liquidation. The door manufacturer closed its doors in 1952 and liquidated all assets. Certain former employees of the plant announced that they intended to form a co-operative to acquire and operate the factory, after the new owners announced their intention to liquidate. This move was opposed by the Lumber and Sawmill Worker's union and never came to fruition. Other companies that looked at the plant included Boeing, who were looking for a warehouse for its Seattle factory. The building was finally scheduled for demolition when no sale went through and burned down during the process in July of 1959. (TNT 2-26-1952, pg. 1)
Large desk with 2 swivel chairs behind it, 4 other chairs and a sofa. Exposures of office furniture for auction at Wheeler Osgood factory liquidation. Once the world's largest manufacturer of doors, the factory went out of business in 1952 and was sold for liquidation for approximately $650,000. The company suffered from labor troubles, reorganization and finally a strike by the Lumber and Sawmill Workers' union. (TNT 2-26-1952, pg. 1)
Arthur B. Langlie, mayor of Seattle and Republican candidate for Governor, speaking at the Wheeler-Osgood Company on the Tacoma tideflats. Langlie had made several speeches in Tacoma on this day in his campaign against Democrat Clarence C. Dill. Dill had defeated incumbent Governor Clarence Martin in the primaries, indicating that Washington was ready for a change. Langlie narrowly defeated Dill in the final election, becoming Governor by a margin of fewer than 6,000 votes.
Langlie, Arthur B., 1900-1966; Wheeler, Osgood Co. (Tacoma); Political campaigns;
General view of the sprawling Wheeler-Osgood plant taken from the Washington Parlor Co. site on December 3, 1923. Its primary product was wood doors as its large sign proclaimed. The firm was established in 1889 and was in business for over 60 years before closing in 1952. G9.1-032
Seattle Mayor and Republican candidate for governor Arthur B. Langlie, in dark overcoat, campaigned at the Wheeler-Osgood Company on the Tacoma tideflats in October of 1940. He was being greeted by Harry Smith, president of the Lumber and Sawmill Workers Local at the plant. Mr. Langlie also visited the Tacoma Smelter, Hooker Chemical and the Pacific Match Co. in order to capture the labor vote. He was running against former Senator Clarence C. Dill, who had defeated incumbent Democratic governor Clarence D. Martin in the primaries. Clarence Martin had served as Washington's governor since 1933. C.C. Dill would prove a formidable opponent and Arthur Langlie carried the hotly contested election by fewer than 6,000 votes. (T. Times 10/10/1940, pg. 10) TPL-10260
Langlie, Arthur B., 1900-1966; Political campaigns; Wheeler, Osgood Co. (Tacoma); Smith, Harry; Shaking hands--Tacoma;
ca. 1927. Wheeler Osgood plant, circa 1927. A general elevated view of the door plant, with its various smokestacks, on the Tacoma tideflats with the bay in the background. The Wheeler-Osgood plant was opened in 1889 by George R. Osgood, W.C. Wheeler and D.D. Clark as a millworking plant. By 1927, the 37 year old company was the largest door factory in the world. The plant covered 14 acres, from St. Paul Ave. to the City Waterway, and employed 1500 people. It sawed all its own lumber and had an aerial line connecting the factory with the sawmill at the head of the City Waterway. The plant closed in 1952. It was demolished in the late 50's and caught fire in the process, burning to the ground. (filed with Argentum) (TNT 3/9/1927, pg. 13)
Wheeler, Osgood Company was founded in 1889 by George R. Osgood, W. C. Wheeler and D. D. Clark. The company was manufacturing doors from the beginning of its operations, they later became one of the first Douglas Fir plywood manufacturers in Tacoma. Exterior view of recently painted Wheeler, Osgood Company; the company sign is above the main entrance; industrial plant in background. Photo ordered by Douglas Fir Plywood Association
Wheeler Osgood office interiors. This view shows the newly remodeled entrance to the company's office building. Panes of glass surround a wooden door with beautiful grain showing. Visitor chairs are against both walls and the company's logo is set into the linoleum floor.
Wheeler Osgood, different sides of buildings, Paul Smith. This view shows the exterior of the plant with lots of unused metal tubing and a funnel lying on the ground both inside and outside a fenced area. Four tall stacks reach upwards from the building and a water tower stands over the building. An automobile is parked in the foreground. At this time Wheeler Osgood is considering expanding by purchasing the outstanding capital stock of the Fir Manufacturing Company of Myrtle Creek, Oregon. (T.Times, 9/3/1947, p.2)
Wheeler, Osgood Co. (Tacoma); Lumber industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Factories--Tacoma--1940-1950; Smokestacks--Tacoma--1940-1950; Water towers--Tacoma--1940-1950;
On February 5, 1948, thirty-five students from a special merchandising course at the University of Washington received first-hand knowledge of plywood, door and millwork production at several Tacoma plants. At the Wheeler Osgood plant, 1216 Saint Paul Ave., students watched William Holecheck operate a machine which clamped together the various plywood and wood parts of a 3-panel door. They also visited Coast Sash and Door. Photograph ordered by Mr. McCallum. (T.Times, 2/6/1948, p.15 and TNT, 2/6/1948, p.17)
Tour of Retail Lumbermen's Association Training Class, Wheeler-Osgood, Miss Lindgren. Several young men look on while a woman works with a machine to remove knots from the veneer covering a piece of plywood and replacing them with clear pieces of veneer.
Wheeler Osgood Plywood plant, Mr. McCallum. The Wheeler Osgood Plywood Co. began in 1889 as door manufacturers. In 1910 they became one of the first plywood manufacturers in Tacoma. They are one of the largest douglas fir plywood producers in the Northwest. View of Mr. Winston H. McCallum, Douglas Fir Plywood Association at the Wheeler Osgood plywood plant in front of a large cut log.
Wheeler Osgood Plywood plant, Mr. McCallum. In 1939 Wheeler Osgood celebrated their 50th anniversary by sending the 27th millionth door they built as part of the Washington State exhibit at the New York World's Fair. View of laborers at the Wheeler Oswood plywood plant. Photo ordered by Mr. Winston H. McCallum of the Douglas Fir Plywood Association.
Exposure of wood working equipment for auction at Wheeler-Osgood Sash & Door Co. liquidation. The company was once known as the world's largest manufacturer of wooden doors. The door making factory opened in 1889 and went out of business in 1952. In later years, the company was plagued by labor troubles and reorganizations and was finally closed by a strike the fall prior to its liquidation sale. The building itself burned down in July of 1959. (TNT 2-26-1952, pg. 1)
Exposure of wood working equipment for auction at Wheeler-Osgood Sash & Door Co. liquidation. The big plant on Saint Paul Ave, at one time the world's largest manufacturer of doors, was sold in Sept. by decision of the stockholders to interests represented by two attorneys, Archie Blair of Tacoma & J.A. Pritzker of Chicago. The sale included not only the Tacoma plant, but its interest in Myrtle Creek, Ore. and San Francisco. In October, Paul W. Billings was elected President of the company and authorized to complete the sale and accumulate funds for stockholders, at a reported ratio of $14.00 per share. (TNT 2-26-1952, pg. 1)
Log dump at Wheeler-Osgood Company. The log dump at the Wheeler-Osgood Sash & Door Company on East D Street measured 150 feet by 150 feet. Company buildings are located around the opposite side of the logs with a planked walkway in foreground. Wheeler-Osgood was a door and plywood manufacturer located on the tideflats at 1216 Saint Paul Ave. next to St. Paul & Tacoma Lumber Co. and Wilkeson Fuel Co. It was established in 1889 and closed its doors in 1952. It was destroyed by fire during demolition in 1959. Photograph ordered by Charlie Rembert, 3410 S. Washington Street. TPL-5732
Wheeler Osgood office interiors. A view of the entrance to the Wheeler Osgood Company from the exterior. The newly remodeled entrance is recessed from the front of the building and has recessed lighting and windows. There are two steps up to the concrete entrance. Wheeler-Osgood was established in 1889 by William C. Wheeler, George R. Osgood and D.D. Clarke. William C. Wheeler had leased property from the St. Paul and Tacoma Lumber Company. At first they made only red cedar doors, which were sold locally. (TNT, 7/20/1953)
Wheeler Osgood office interiors. Mr. Paul M. Smith was Secretary of the company at this time. This view shows the hallway leading from Mr. Smith's office with linoleum tile on the floor. Windows from the other offices into the hallway are made of light-diffusing glass. Paneling on the walls and the door are made of highly grained wood.
Several views of Wheeler-Osgood Buildings, Wheeler-Osgood, spec. An evening view of the exterior of the Wheeler-Osgood office building with the Tacoma skyline in the distance. An automobile stands across the street under a large tree and several more automobiles are parked beside the building.
Reliance Painting would use more than 3,000 gallons of paint to cover the twelve and a half acres of wall and surfaces at Wheeler Osgood. Painting scaffold is holding six of the seven painters that were assigned to the Wheeler Osgood contract, three unidentified men stand next to them, paint sprayers and hoses are hung on the scaffolding (T. Times, 9/24/47, p. 5).
