Washington Cooperative Farmers Association's Feed Mill. The Co-op spent a million dollars in the late 1940's to construct the modern feed mill pictured above. The feed mill would utilize the most modern techniques to blend and weigh its grains. In addition, a bulk feed unit was constructed where the feed could be funneled directly into waiting delivery trucks or rail cars. The Washington Co-op had been serving the Tacoma area since 1920. Its feed mill manufactured much of the formula feeds used by Western Washington members. As the Co-op continued to grow, new additions were made to improve efficiency including eight huge tanks added to the bulk feed loading-out line to increase storage by 50%. A completely new overhead conveying system was added to speed the handling from the mill to the truck. It made it possible to convey two different products simultaneously and increased the loading capacity from 40 to 100 tons per hour. (TNT 9-1-58, C-2)
Washington Cooperative Farmers Association (Tacoma); Food storage buildings--Tacoma; Shipping--Tacoma--1950-1960; Trucks--Tacoma--1950-1960;
Representatives of the 4-H Clubs of Washington meet with a Washington Co-op Farmers Association official on April 26, 1957, outside the association's headquarters on Taylor Way. Two of the 4-H'ers are standing on the running board of the Co-op's bulk feeds delivery truck. Photograph ordered by the Washington Cooperative Farmers Association.
Washington Cooperative Farmers Association (Tacoma); Trucks--Tacoma--1950-1960; 4-H Club (Tacoma);
Exterior Washington Co-op Farmers Association buildings. Located close to the modern feed mill appears to be the Washington Cooperative Farmers Association garage. The Co-op owned several delivery trucks that would transport bulk feeds and petroleum to its customers. They could be stored and maintained at this facility, which included three gas pumps. Photograph ordered by Washington Cooperative Farmers Association.
Washington Cooperative Farmers Association (Tacoma); Garages--Tacoma--1950-1960; Automobile service stations--Tacoma--1950-1960;
Exterior views of some Washington Co-op Farmers Association buildings were taken on February 1, 1956. The brick Farm Service Store was open Mondays-Fridays from 8 am to 4pm for the convenience of its members. A truck and passenger car are parked at the store's loading dock. A Great Northern boxcar is located close to the truck. Photograph ordered by Washington Cooperative Farmers Association.
Washington Cooperative Farmers Association (Tacoma); Railroad freight cars--Tacoma--1950-1960;
Exterior of mill and bulk feed station. The Washington Co-op Farmers Association built a modern, efficient feed mill in the late 1940's at a cost of $1,000,000+. Located on the Tideflats at the Hylebos waterway, the Co-op had immediate access to transcontinental railroads and sound or ocean going vessels which made transport of their feeds and grain extremely efficient. Bulk feed could be poured into the Co-op's Diamond-T trucks for delivery to waiting customers from the Bulk Feed Service area. Photograph ordered by Washington Cooperative Farmers Association. TPL-10077
Washington Cooperative Farmers Association (Tacoma); Grain elevators--Tacoma; Mills--Tacoma; Food storage buildings--Tacoma; Shipping--Tacoma--1950-1960; Railroad freight cars--Tacoma--1950-1960; Trucks--Tacoma--1950-1960;
A new Diamond-T petroleum truck is parked near the Washington Cooperative Farmers Association's feed mill in April, 1954. The Co-op continually upgraded their equipment; this new truck would be used to deliver gasoline, lube and heating oils to Co-op customers. No passengers would be permitted on board and smoking was strictly prohibited.
Washington Cooperative Farmers Association (Tacoma); Trucks--Tacoma--1950-1960; Diamond T trucks; Signs (Notices);
Washington Cooperative Farmers Association refrigerated delivery truck. The truck is painted with the logo for the Lynden brand, one of the co-op's brands. Lynden sold eggs, chicken and turkey. Washington farmers banded together and sold under the co-op's brands in order to get better prices for their goods. The grain elevators can be seen on the left.
Washington Cooperative Farmers Association (Tacoma); Grain elevators--Tacoma; Trucks--Tacoma--1950-1960;
As the holidays approached in 1953, the Washington Co-operative Farmers Association stood ready with their refrigerated delivery trucks. This truck was painted with the logo for the Lynden brand, one of the Co-op's brands, and their most popular holiday product - turkey. Lynden sold eggs and chicken, as well as the holiday gobbler. The truck was posed at the Co-op's Mill and grain elevators, located at 1801 Taylor Way, on the tideflats. The Co-op was formed of Washington farmers who banded together and sold under the Co-op's brands in order to get better prices for their goods.
Washington Cooperative Farmers Association (Tacoma); Grain elevators--Tacoma; Trucks--Tacoma--1950-1960;
Washington Coop Farmers Association, a truck carrying bulk feeds being filled directly from the feed mill. Built on 8 1/2 acres on the Hylebos Waterway, the feed mill was one of the most modern structures in the country. The Coop used both trucks and railroads to move its product across the country .
Washington Cooperative Farmers Association (Tacoma); Grain elevators--Tacoma; Shipping--Tacoma--1950-1960; Trucks--Tacoma--1950-1960;
Built on eight and a half acres of the Hylebos waterway, the Washington Co-operative Farmers Association's new feed mill was one of the finest and most modern units in the country. Trucks were able to have feed directly loaded from the warehouses via metallic hoses. The Co-op also used at least four railroad lines to transport their product throughout the country. Kenworth trucks would be able to haul eggs long distance as well. View of Washington Co-operative Farmers Association feed mill, grain elevator and warehouses in this February, 1953, photograph. Photograph ordered by Dale Smith, Washington Co-operative Farmers Assn.
Washington Cooperative Farmers Association (Tacoma); Grain elevators--Tacoma; Shipping--Tacoma--1950-1960; Railroad freight cars--Tacoma--1950-1960; Trucks--Tacoma--1950-1960;
In June of 1952, the Washington Cooperative Farmers Association operated a grain elevator, feed mill and warehouse complex at 1801 Taylor Way on an 8 1/2 acre site on the Hylebos Waterway. The mill, including its 163 Foot tall "headhouse" was completed in 1949 and was the last word in mill construction at that time. The site was served by the Tacoma Belt line, giving it access to all transcontinental railroads, and had a dock to accomodate ocean-going vessels. The mill was sold to Land O'Lakes/Cenex Feeds, Inc. in the 1980s and closed in 1990. TPL-9616
Washington Cooperative Farmers Association (Tacoma); Grain elevators--Tacoma--1950-1960; Shipping--Tacoma--1950-1960; Railroad freight cars--Tacoma--1950-1960;
A view of Washington Cooperative Farmers Association with the feed mill on left. Two trucks loaded with wood crates are parked in front of the mill. A line of automobiles is parked on left side of railroad tracks. The grain elevators are in the left background.
Washington Cooperative Farmers Association (Tacoma); Grain elevators--Tacoma; Shipping--Tacoma--1950-1960;
Men are weighing a truck filled with bulk feed at the Washington Cooperative Farmers Association's grain elevator, feed mill and warehouses on the Hylebos Waterway. The truck in the foreground and two more in the background have been painted with the Washington Co-op name.
Washington Cooperative Farmers Association (Tacoma); Grain elevators--Tacoma; Shipping--Tacoma--1950-1960; Trucks--Tacoma--1950-1960; International trucks;
Exposure of construction on Taylor Way, Washington Cooperative Farmers Association. The Washington Coop had built a large grain elevator at this site and was making additions to the plant.
Washington Cooperative Farmers Association (Tacoma);
Exposure of Washington Cooperative Farmers Association's grain elevator and feed mill, 1801 Taylor Way, on the Hylebos Waterway. Railroad tracks run beside the building facilitating product delivery.
Washington Cooperative Farmers Association (Tacoma); Grain elevators--Tacoma; Shipping--Tacoma--1950-1960; Railroad freight cars--Tacoma--1950-1960;
Exposure of Washington Cooperative Farmers Association's grain elevator, feed mill and warehouses at 1801 Taylor Way, on the Hylebos Waterway. Trucks and railroad cars pull up directly to the warehouses for loading.
Washington Cooperative Farmers Association (Tacoma); Grain elevators--Tacoma; Shipping--Tacoma--1950-1960; Railroad freight cars--Tacoma--1950-1960;
