ca. 1973. Standing over a hundred feet tall is this unidentified supporting structure at Kaiser Aluminum's Tideflats plant. Its size is apparent compared to the man standing at the foot of one of the supports. Even the truck nearby appears miniscule. Photograph ordered on December 19, 1973, by Puget Sound Fabricators, Seattle.

Kaiser Aluminum & Chemical Corp. (Tacoma); Aluminum industry--Tacoma--1970-1980;

Pennwalt plant. Located on 40 acres in the industrial Tacoma tideflats, the company was first known as the Pennsylvania Salt Manufacturing Co. of Washington or Pennsalt. Pennwalt was an inorganic chemical manufacturer of chlorine gas, caustic soda, liquid chlorine and hydrogen gas. Doing business in Tacoma since 1929, its caustic soda and liquid chlorine were in demand by the Northwest's pulp and paper industry. Photograph ordered by Pennwalt Corp.

Chemical industry--Tacoma--1970-1980; Pennsylvania Salt Manufacturing Co. of Washington (Tacoma); Pennwalt Corp. (Tacoma);

Pennwalt plant. This is another view in early 1976 of the sprawling Pennwalt Corporation plant located in Tacoma's tideflats along the Hylebos Waterway. The company was formerly known as the Pennsylvania Salt Manufacturing Co. of Washington or Pennsalt. It had been producing chemicals including caustic soda and liquid chlorine in Tacoma since 1929. Photograph ordered by Pennwalt Corporation.

Chemical industry--Tacoma--1970-1980; Pennsylvania Salt Manufacturing Co. of Washington (Tacoma); Pennsalt (Tacoma); Pennwalt Corp. (Tacoma);

Interior view of Stauffer Chemical Co. plant. Stauffer Chemical was located at 2545 Lincoln Ave. bordering the Blair (formerly Port Industrial) Waterway. At one time the large plant manufactured 20,000 tons of fertilizer annually. A July, 1976, look inside the plant shows what may have been mounds of fertilizer or dirt. Photograph ordered by Stauffer Chemical Co.

Stauffer Chemical Co. (Tacoma); Chemical industry--Tacoma--1970-1980; Industrial facilities--Tacoma--1970-1980;

Interior of Stauffer Chemical plant. Rows of 80-lb. bags are piled up on wooden pallets inside the Stauffer Chemical plant at 2545 Lincoln Ave. in July of 1976. These bags, marked "0-18-0," are believed to be filled with fertilizer. Photograph ordered by Stauffer Chemical Co.

Stauffer Chemical Co. (Tacoma); Chemical industry--Tacoma--1970-1980; Industrial facilities--Tacoma--1970-1980;

Offices of Stauffer Chemical Co. Two employees of Stauffer Chemical Co., 2545 Lincoln Ave., are pictured in July of 1976 at work in the company's offices. The woman is busily typing while the man is examining files from an open file cabinet. Modern office equipment including Pitney-Bowes and Western Union machines are located nearby. Photograph ordered by Stauffer Chemical Co.

Stauffer Chemical Co. (Tacoma); Chemical industry--Tacoma--1970-1980; Industrial facilities--Tacoma--1970-1980; Office workers--Tacoma--1970-1980; Office equipment & supplies;

Exterior view of Stauffer Chemical Co. as pictured in the summer of 1976. Stauffer Chemical was located on a nearly 18-acre section of land on the west side of the Blair (formerly Port Industrial) Waterway. It would be sold in 1987 to Rhone-Poulenc Basic Chemicals, a large French chemical company, who would only use a small portion of the plant to make alum, a water purifier, from aluminum sulfate. When Stauffer was in full production, it used to make about 20,000 tons of fertilizer annually. Photograph ordered by Stauffer Chemical Co. (TNT 9-8-93, C-1-article)

Stauffer Chemical Co. (Tacoma); Chemical industry--Tacoma--1970-1980; Industrial facilities--Tacoma--1970-1980;

A series of photographs were taken at the Stauffer Chemical Co. plant in the industrial Tideflats during the summer of 1976. Interior and exterior shots were taken of daily plant operations. An unidentified employee is pictured above in July of 1976 grasping a glass beaker while standing before a counter filled with various tubes and containers. Photograph ordered by Stauffer Chemical Co.

Stauffer Chemical Co. (Tacoma); Chemical industry--Tacoma--1970-1980; Industrial facilities--Tacoma--1970-1980;

A "Danger No Smoking" sign warns Reichhold Chemicals' workers against "lighting up" while at on the job. An employee, dressed in a lab coat, watches as long stripes of material resembling paneling emerges from a large machine and is subsequently rolled. Photograph ordered by Reichhold Chemicals, Inc.

Reichhold Chemicals, Inc. (Tacoma); Chemical industry--Tacoma--1970-1980; Signs (Notices); Machinery;

Daily operations at Reichhold Chemicals. Two young Reichhold Chemicals employees are pictured on May 25, 1971, using modern office equipment at the company plant, 2340 Taylor Way. The Teletype on the left may have been an ASR 33 model; paper would have been roll-fed. Photograph ordered by Reichhold Chemicals, Inc.

Reichhold Chemicals, Inc. (Tacoma); Office workers--Tacoma--1970-1980; Office equipment & supplies;

Interior of new aluminum rod mill at Kaiser Aluminum, 3400 Taylor Way, on November 1, 1968. This view is of one-half of Potline #4 and a cart loaded with "channels" which were lowered by crane into a slot just inside the ore hoppers visible on top of each "pot" or reduction cell. The new rod mill was nearly completed and ready for operation.The first rod would be formed in a test run on December 12, 1968. Molten aluminum would be processed into 3/8-inch rods at Tacoma's local mill and then shipped to San Leandro, California, for drawing into electrical wiring. Kaiser had reopened its Tacoma facilities in 1964 after a six-year closure and had steadily expanded since then. It was to permanently close in 2002. Photograph ordered by Kaiser Engineers. (TNT 12-13-68, C-18) (Additional information provided by a reader)

Kaiser Aluminum & Chemical Corp. (Tacoma); Aluminum industry--Tacoma--1960-1970; Industrial facilities--Tacoma--1960-1970;

New aluminum rod mill under construction. Kaiser Aluminum & Chemical Corp. was building a new rod mill in 1968; it would be ready for operation in December of that year. Once fully functional, the completely automated mill would produce rod at a rate of 1,800 feet per minute. Kaiser was undergoing a period of expansion where a new 500-foot stack and the rod mill were built, a second alumina dome with 100,000-ton capacity would be completed in 1969. Photograph ordered by Kaiser Engineers. (TNT 12-13-68, C-18)

Kaiser Aluminum & Chemical Corp. (Tacoma); Aluminum industry--Tacoma--1960-1970; Industrial facilities--Tacoma--1960-1970;

New aluminum rod mill under construction. Construction progresses on the new Kaiser Aluminum's rod mill on 3400 Taylor Way in early November, 1968. Covers have now been placed on the two small dome-containers. It is possible that these containers would hold the molten aluminum that would be used to manufacture the 3/8th-inch rods. Earlier photograph taken on October 18, D154922, Image 4, shows them uncovered. The mill would form its first rod in a test run on December 12, 1968. Photograph ordered by Kaiser Engineers. (TNT 12-13-68, C-18)

Kaiser Aluminum & Chemical Corp. (Tacoma); Aluminum industry--Tacoma--1960-1970; Industrial facilities--Tacoma--1960-1970;

Smoke drifts from the new 500-foot stack at the Kaiser Aluminum plant on Tacoma's Tideflats in late October, 1968. Kaiser was undergoing a period of expansion that would see a new aluminum rod mill open for production in December of 1968. Hylebos Waterway is adjacent to the plant on left side of photograph. Photograph ordered by Kaiser Engineers.

Kaiser Aluminum & Chemical Corp. (Tacoma); Aluminum industry--Tacoma--1960-1970; Industrial facilities--Tacoma--1960-1970; Hylebos Waterway (Tacoma); Aerial views;

Exterior of new aluminum rod mill at Kaiser Aluminum. Kaiser gradually phased in their new aluminum rod mill with its first rod being formed in a test run in December, 1968. The completely automated mill would produce rod at a rate of 1,800 feet a minute. Kaiser would produce the first semi-fabricated aluminum product for Tacoma. Photograph ordered by Kaiser Engineers, Inc. (TNT 12-8-68, A-7)

Kaiser Aluminum & Chemical Corp. (Tacoma); Aluminum industry--Tacoma--1960-1970; Industrial facilities--Tacoma--1960-1970;

Kaiser Aluminum plant aerials. Kaiser Aluminum, located at 3400 Taylor Way in the Tideflats, had resumed production in 1964 after being closed for six years. They were still expanding in 1968 when the above aerial photograph was taken. Hylebos Waterway and Northeast Tacoma in background. Photograph ordered by Kaiser Engineers. TPL-4741

Kaiser Aluminum & Chemical Corp. (Tacoma); Aluminum industry--Tacoma--1960-1970; Industrial facilities--Tacoma--1960-1970; Aerial views; Hylebos Waterway (Tacoma);

Closer aerial view of Kaiser's Tacoma plant located at 3400 Taylor Way in the industrial Tideflats. Taken on October 30, 1968, photograph emphasizes the height of what is believed to be the 500-foot stack recently constructed. Hylebos Waterway in background. Photograph ordered by Kaiser Engineers. TPL-6580

Kaiser Aluminum & Chemical Corp. (Tacoma); Aluminum industry--Tacoma--1960-1970; Industrial facilities--Tacoma--1960-1970; Aerial views; Hylebos Waterway (Tacoma);

Water view of Pennwalt Corp. shortly after Christmas, 1969. By 1969, Pennwalt (formerly known as Pennsalt or Pennsylvania Salt Manufacturing Co. of Washington) had been operating in Tacoma for 40 years. The company was located on 40-acres of land in Tacoma's Tideflats along the Hylebos Waterway. A leader in chemical production, it would merge with Wallace & Tiernan to form Pennwalt Corp. in 1969. More changes and mergers would occur and by 2004, the company would be known as Arkema, Inc. Photograph ordered by Pennwalt Corp.

Chemical industry--Tacoma--1960-1970; Pennsylvania Salt Manufacturing Co. of Washington (Tacoma); Pennwalt Corp. (Tacoma); Hylebos Waterway (Tacoma);

Exterior view of Pennwalt Corp. Formerly known as Pennsalt, the chemical producing company was located on 40 acres of land adjacent to the Hylebos Waterway. This view on December 26, 1969, shows one of the large piles of salt used by Pennwalt in daily operations. Doing business in Tacoma since 1929, Pennwalt had originally specialized in caustic soda and liquid chlorine for sale to the Pacific Northwest's pulp and paper industry before diversifying. Photograph ordered by Pennwalt Corp.

Chemical industry--Tacoma--1960-1970; Pennsylvania Salt Manufacturing Co. of Washington (Tacoma); Pennwalt Corp. (Tacoma);

Hooker Chemical operations. Another in a series of October, 1964, photographs of Hooker Chemical Co. operations at the company's Tideflats site. Worker in hard hat pictured in the act of spraying onto the enormous mound of salt. Salt, steeple on building and smokestack reflected in the adjoining pond. Hooker Chemical in Tacoma was the headquarters of the company's Western Division. According to the company's 1964 annual report, Hooker's role as a major supplier of chemicals to the pulp and paper industry substantially increased during the year and it was anticipated that sales would continue to rise. Photograph ordered by Hooker Chemical for annual report. (1964 Hooker Chemical Corp. annual report, p. 10)

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

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. Color photograph taken in October, 1964, of Hooker Chemical employee in hard hat spraying large piles of salt on company property. This particular scene is very similar to D142933-15. The salt is reflected in the adjoining pool of water. The huge pulp and paper industry in the Pacific Northwest created large new demands for pulp bleaching chemicals. Photograph ordered by Hooker Chemical Co. for annual report. (1964 Hooker Chemical Corp. annual report, p. 10)

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

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;

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;

H.H. Reichhold, president of Reichhold Chemicals, Inc., and E.M. Skytta of Tacoma, general manager and vice-president of the firm's Pacific Northwest Division, pose in front of the company's new office and laboratory during dedication ceremonies in June, 1962. Reichhold's Tacoma plant was located on the Tideflats, first at 3320 Lincoln Avenue and in 1962, at nearby 2340 Taylor Way. The company manufactured chemicals for use in the plywood industry. The Tacoma plant was the headquarters for the Pacific Northwest Division of Reichhold and was chosen since it offered excellent transportation via rail, water and highway and was located near major consuming businesses. The building of the L-shaped, 21,000 square foot structure completed the final stage of the firm's move from Seattle to Tacoma. (TNT 6-10-62, B-8)

Reichhold Chemicals, Inc. (Tacoma); Chemical industry--Tacoma--1960-1970; Reichhold, H.H.; Skytta, E.M.;

Black smoke billows from the tremendous fire that is consuming the former home of the Tacoma Sash & Door Co. on May 9, 1959. The fire was reported at about 11:30 a.m. by a foreman at Reichhold Chemicals who saw flames shooting from the windows of the building. The chemical tanks at Reichhold stood about 100 yards from the blaze, but luckily the wind was blowing in the opposite direction. The heat, however, was so intense that most Reichhold employees had to stay indoors. Reichhold suffered only minor damage to a power plant in the fire. (TNT 5/9/1959, pg. 1 & 5/10/1959, pg. 1)

Reichhold Chemicals, Inc. (Tacoma); Fires--Tacoma--1950-1960; Fire fighting--Tacoma--1950-1960; Tacoma Sash & Door Co. (Tacoma);

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;