Brine Tanks at Hooker Chemical. Two tanks are shown from ground level. A man is climbing towards the top of one of the tanks on a wooden stairway adjacent to the tanks. Several piles of dark materials are in the foreground and wooden walkways lead past the tanks. Hooker Chemical manufactured chemicals: chlorine used in the manufacture and bleaching of pulp and paper and to sterilize water and sewage; caustic soda used in oil refining and the manufacture of soap, and synthetic ammonia used in pulp and paper mills, fertilizers and explosives. The name was changed in 1982 to Occidental Chemical.

Chemical industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Hooker Electrochemical Co. (Tacoma); Storage tanks--Tacoma;

Brine Tanks at Hooker Chemical. Two tanks are shown from above. Two men are standing on the walkway over the tank, man on right has been identified as Loyd Johnson, Hooker chemist. The Tacoma Hooker Chemical plant was started in 1929 by Elon Huntington Hooker. Albert Huntington Hooker, Jr., long-time western sales manager of the electrochemical concern, was Elon Huntington Hooker's nephew.

Chemical industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Hooker Electrochemical Co. (Tacoma); Storage tanks--Tacoma; Johnson, Loyd;

The Hooker Electrochemical float that was in the Armed Forces Parade May 19, 1951, stands outside the company headquarters. Several tanks of chemicals that were essential to the war effort were displayed. Ordered by Hooker Electrochemical Chemical.

Hooker Electrochemical Co. (Tacoma); Chemical industry--Tacoma--1950-1960; Floats (Parades)--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Exterior at new anhydrous ammonia plant, Hooker Electrochemical, completed in May of 1952. Design and erection of the plant were supervised by the Chemical Construction Corporation. The general contractor for the construction of buildings and erection of equipment was Roy T. Earley Co. of Tacoma. The plant went into production in June of 1952, with a output of 40 tons every 24 hours. It operated 24 hours a day, seven days a week. (TNT 10-19-1952)

Hooker Electrochemical Co. (Tacoma); Factories--Tacoma--1950-1960; Chemical industry--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Exteriors new anhydrous ammonia plant, Hooker Electrochemical, completed in May of 1952. Hooker also produced liquid chlorine, caustic soda and muriatic acid. The ammonia plant began operation in June of 1952 with an output of 40 tons every 24 hours. It was immediately deemed too small and scheduled for a $6 million expansion, which would increase production by 50 per cent. The plant operated 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and employed 18 men. (TNT 10-19-1952)

Hooker Electrochemical Co. (Tacoma); Factories--Tacoma--1950-1960; Chemical industry--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Caustic tanks at Hooker Electrochemical. The two tanks on the right sit on top of wooden structures that have doors and windows in them. In January 1950 Hooker announced plans for increased production facilities for caustic soda and liquid chlorine. The old Type E electrolytic cells were to be removed and replaced by the newest Type S-3 cells with far greater capacity for producing caustic soda and chlorine. Additions included equipment for handling and treating brine, purifying caustic and liquifying chlorine. Triple effect pans were to be used for caustic evaporation. Ordered by Mr. Bunt. (TNT, 1/23/1950)

Chemical industry--Tacoma--1950-1960; Industrial facilities--Tacoma; Hooker Electrochemical Co. (Tacoma);

Hooker Electrochemical Co. was focusing on post war prospects which included an increase in funding for the development and research department. This department was concentrating on projects for the further diversification of their chemical products, as well as, looking at the expansion of sales and broadening of markets. The research department was an invaluable component of the company. Interior view of plant.

Machinery; Equipment; Chemical industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Industrial facilities--Tacoma; Hooker Electrochemical Co. (Tacoma);

Hooker Electrochemical Co. has helped Tacoma with industrial growth. They are a leader in their field and provide Tacoma with a stable, successful and prosperous industry. They employ award winning chemists and scientists, who help keep this company on top of the chemical industry. They stated a well trained staff is the key to success. Exterior view of plant, the tank says "Safety First". Image is of Hooker-Dextrex solvent plant.

Chemical industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Industrial facilities--Tacoma; Hooker Electrochemical Co. (Tacoma);

Hundreds of electrolytic cells, in row after row, work 24 hours a day at Hooker Electrochemical producing the basic ingredients of all Hooker Chemicals. In each of the Hooker cells, under the action of direct electric current, salt and water are broken down into a constant flow of caustic soda, chlorine, and hydrogen. Many other large producers of chlorine were licensed to use the Hooker cels in their own plants. Thus Hooker Cells, continually improved in design and efficiency, accounted for nearly half of all the chlorine produced in the United States. (Hooker Electrochemical Company Annual Report, 1950)

Chemical industry--Tacoma--1950-1960; Hooker Electrochemical Co. (Tacoma);

Hooker Chemical operations. A Hooker Chemical Co. employee appears to be monitoring the gauge on the large machinery outside the company plant in October, 1964. Photograph ordered by Hooker Chemical Co. for annual report.

Hooker Electrochemical Co. (Tacoma); Chemical industry--Tacoma--1960-1970; Industrial facilities--Tacoma--1960-1970; Machinery;

ca. 1932. Hooker Electrochemical Company, machine room, circa 1932. View from above floor area. (filed with Argentum)

Chemical industry--Tacoma--1930-1940; Hooker Electrochemical Co. (Tacoma);

Industrial sections of the City of Tacoma. Hooker Electrochemical Company. Artistic exposure of brick buildings framed by the massive wrought iron gates of the plant. The plant was built on the site of the old Foundation Shipyard and opened in February of 1929. Photograph was taken on February 15, 1938, nearly nine years from its establishment.

Hooker Electrochemical Co. (Tacoma); Chemical industry--Tacoma--1930-1940; Gates--Tacoma;

Pipes and equipment at Hooker Electrochemical Co. as photographed on September 24, 1931. Hooker's large plant in Tacoma was built in 1928 and celebrated its grand opening in February of 1929. Chemicals manufactured by Hooker aided the area's pulp and paper industry. G33.1-163

Hooker Electrochemical Co. (Tacoma); Chemical industry--Tacoma--1930-1940; Industrial facilities--Tacoma--1930-1940; Equipment;

Various types of equipment located at Hooker Electrochemical's plant were photographed on September 24, 1931. The chemical producing company was located at 605 Alexander Avenue and would celebrate over 50 years in business here in Tacoma. After several name changes, it would close down about 2002. G33.1-164

Hooker Electrochemical Co. (Tacoma); Chemical industry--Tacoma--1930-1940; Industrial facilities--Tacoma--1930-1940; Equipment;

ca. 1932. Hooker Electrochemical Company, circa 1932. Alcohol tank (upright at rear), top of storage tank and group of fittings. (filed with Argentum)

Chemical industry--Tacoma--1930-1940; Hooker Electrochemical Co. (Tacoma);

Large container for Hooker Chemicals with slightly pronounced lettering.

Hooker Electro Chemical Company. Mr. Stafford. Large tank or boiler, conical bottom, with chain around it and on top. [Also dated 08-24-1938]

Chemical industry--Tacoma--1930-1940; Hooker Electrochemical Co. (Tacoma);

Hooker Electrochemical Company. Mr. Stafford. Large Tank or boiler with legs on bottom. [Also dated 08-24-1938]

Chemical industry--Tacoma--1930-1940; Hooker Electrochemical Co. (Tacoma);

Hooker fine and heavy chemicals included: Acid chlorides, bleaching powder, metallic chlorides, muriatic acid, naphthalene derivatives, sulfide derivatives, toluene derivatives, hydrogenated products, fatty acid esters, chlorine liquids, chlorinating agents, chlorinated paraffins, caustic soda, aliphatic chlorides, benzene derivatives and benzoates. Interior view of plant and chemical producing machinery.

Machinery; Equipment; Chemicals; Chemical industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Industrial facilities--Tacoma; Hooker Electrochemical Co. (Tacoma);

Hooker Electrochemical Co. also had a large plant in Niagara Falls, New York. The company was always expanding and had many smaller plants and offices throughout the United States. Since the end of World War II, they had substantially grown and were looking at the possibility of opening up an office in Vancouver, British Columbia. Exterior view of Hooker-Dextrex solvent plant, where Hooker produced chemicals PCE and TCE from 1947-1973. The water tank (safety first!) is on an adjoining shipyard property. Additional image information provided by patron.

Chemical industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Industrial facilities--Tacoma; Hooker Electrochemical Co. (Tacoma);

Interior of new ammonia plant at Hooker Electrochemical. The $2 million anhydrous ammonia plant was completed in May of 1952. Anhydrous ammonia is ammonia in the form of a gas. It is used by firms such as the Pacific Northwest's pulp and paper mills and fertilizer and explosives manufacturing companies. By completion of the plant, the entire production was already contracted for and the plant was set for another $6 million dollar expansion to be competed by the fall of 1953. (TNT 10-19-1952)

Hooker Electrochemical Co. (Tacoma); Chemical industry--Tacoma--1950-1960;

ca. 1952. Control room for production of anhydrous ammonia at the new ammonia plant, Hooker Electrochemical. Anhydrous ammonia is ammonia in the form of a gas. It is composed of three parts hydrogen to one of nitrogen. The hydrogen is obtained from electrolytic cells, which convert salt brine into caustic soda, chlorine and hydrogen. The rock salt used is obtained from the San Francisco bay area solar evaporation ponds. The nitrogen is obtained from the air by liquefying equipment manufactured by L'Aire Liquide of Montreal. (TNT 10-19-1952)

Hooker Electrochemical Co. (Tacoma); Factories--Tacoma--1950-1960; Chemical industry--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Angled view from across the street of Hooker Electrochemical's industrial facilities taken on August 24, 1951. Located in the Tideflats on Alexander Avenue, the Hooker plant underwent several large expansions throughout the years before its sale to Pioneer Companies, Inc., in the late 1990's. Hooker opened its plant in Tacoma in 1929, about the same time as the Pennsylvania Salt Manufacturing Company, and both provided the Pacific Northwest paper and pulp industry with the chlorine and caustic soda necessary for the industry's operations. Relatively cheap and abundant raw materials along with a ready labor supply, plenty of power, and convenient transportation facilities served to attract Hooker, as well as other chemical companies, to the Tacoma area. Tank cars and circular holding tanks can be seen amidst the buildings on the sprawling Hooker grounds.

Chemical industry--Tacoma--1950-1960; Hooker Electrochemical Co. (Tacoma); Industrial facilities--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Railroad tank car being loaded with caustic soda at Hooker Chemicals. Hooker Electrochemical was a large producer of chlorine and caustic soda, supplying the Pacific Northwest's pulp and paper industry.

Hooker Electrochemical Co. (Tacoma); Chemical industry--Tacoma--1950-1960; Industrial facilities--Tacoma--1950-1960; Railroad tank cars--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Hooker Chemical Co. operations. Although this hard hatted employee appears to be maneuvering his machine to spray over a mountain of snow, he is actually adding to the enormous stockpile of salt on the salt pad at Hooker Chemical Co. The pile of salt is reflected in the adjoining pond of water. Photograph ordered by Hooker Chemical for use in annual report.

Hooker Electrochemical Co. (Tacoma); Chemical industry--Tacoma--1960-1970; Industrial facilities--Tacoma--1960-1970;

Hooker Chemical Co. operations. Knee deep in water on a cool day in October, 1964, a Hooker Chemical Co. employee uses a sprayer on giant piles of salt. The Georgian-style plant with steeple is in the background. Photograph ordered by Hooker Chemical for annual report.

Hooker Electrochemical Co. (Tacoma); Chemical industry--Tacoma--1960-1970; Industrial facilities--Tacoma--1960-1970;

Hooker Chemical operations. October, 1964, view of large storage tank believed to be liquid ammonia holding tank on Hooker Chemical property. Smaller tanks surround it. A new storage tank was built for a program of marketing agricultural ammonia as a fertilizer. Photograph ordered by Hooker Chemical for annual report. TPL-6607

Hooker Electrochemical Co. (Tacoma); Chemical industry--Tacoma--1960-1970; Industrial facilities--Tacoma--1960-1970; Storage tanks--Tacoma;

Hooker Chemical Co. operations. Although this resembles mounds of snow reflected in a clear pool of water, the piles are actually made of salt. Hooker Chemical Co. used tons of salt in their daily operations. A Hooker employee is pictured above in October of 1964 spraying water onto the salt piles. ALBUM 15.

Hooker Electrochemical Co. (Tacoma); Chemical industry--Tacoma--1960-1970;

Hooker Chemical Co. operations. View of brick one-story office for Hooker Chemical Co. in October, 1964. Unlike many faceless concrete industrial facilities, the older plant buildings were built in the Georgian style. Even the newer structures, such as the office building above, retained a classic facade. The Hooker plant was opened on February 16, 1929. It retained the Hooker name until 1982 when it changed its name to Occidental Chemical Corp. Photograph ordered by Hooker Chemical for annual report.

Hooker Electrochemical Co. (Tacoma); Chemical industry--Tacoma--1960-1970; Industrial facilities--Tacoma--1960-1970;

Railroad tank car being loaded at Hooker Chemicals. The sign cautions "Danger, Caustic." Hooker Electrochemical was a large producer of chlorine and caustic soda, supplying the Pacific Northwest's pulp and paper industry. According to the tank's markings, it hold 8031 gallons of caustic soda.

Hooker Electrochemical Co. (Tacoma); Chemical industry--Tacoma--1950-1960; Industrial facilities--Tacoma--1950-1960; Railroad tank cars--Tacoma--1950-1960;