In January of 1937, a team of workmen at the Atlas Foundry, 3012 So. Wilkeson St. were photographed pouring molten metal into a small mold. In 1937 the Atlas Foundry employed 97 skilled workmen, and was the largest foundry on the Pacific Coast. Their three story pattern building housed over 50,000 wooden patterns, from which they could make castings varying in size from a 2-ounce bronze boat fitting to a 16-ton cast iron slag pot. Founded in 1899, the Atlas Foundry is now Atlas Casting & Technology. (TDL 3/28/1937)

Atlas Foundry & Machine Co. (Tacoma); Foundries--Tacoma--1930-1940; Steel industry--Tacoma--1930-1940;

Atlas Foundry furnace. Workman igniting the foundry's new furnace. Glimpse of the foundry interior as it was photographed in January of 1937.

Atlas Foundry & Machine Co. (Tacoma); Foundries--Tacoma--1930-1940; Steel industry--Tacoma--1930-1940;

Atlas Foundry furnace as photographed in January of 1937. Workmen inside foundry. Laborer pouring glowing molten iron or steel into barrel. The process appears to be the method and machinery used prior to the foundry's installation of a new furnace.

Atlas Foundry & Machine Co. (Tacoma); Foundries--Tacoma--1930-1940; Steel industry--Tacoma--1930-1940;

Atlas Foundry furnace. Three men working near the furnace in this photograph from January of 1937. They are guiding a bucket of molten iron or steel suspended on a large pulley above an open grate in the floor.

Atlas Foundry & Machine Co. (Tacoma); Foundries--Tacoma--1930-1940; Steel industry--Tacoma--1930-1940;

American Smelting and Refining Company (ASARCO), Tacoma. Worker, with foot in trough, working under steel beams at glowing industrial oven. For J. Gius, reporter.

American Smelting & Refining Co. (Tacoma); Smelters--Tacoma--1930-1940; Copper industry--Tacoma--1930-1940; Industrial facilities--Tacoma;

American Smelting and Refining Company (ASARCO), Tacoma. Worker handling a steel plate on machinery, above which hangs a load of bricks suspended by a heavy chain. For J. Gius, reporter. (WSHS)

American Smelting & Refining Co. (Tacoma); Smelters--Tacoma--1930-1940; Copper industry--Tacoma--1930-1940; Industrial facilities--Tacoma;

Tacoma Smelter. Once the tallest smoke stack in the world, the brick structure billows smoke as it looms far above the refinery's steel gates. The stack was imploded in the 1990s after the refinery closed. Unchanged, the traffic tunnel remains in use.

American Smelting & Refining Co. (Tacoma); Smelters--Tacoma--1930-1940; Copper industry--Tacoma--1930-1940; Industrial facilities--Tacoma;

General overview of the American Smelting and Refining Company (ASARCO), Tacoma, as it appeared in 1935. Once the tallest smoke stack in the world, the brick structure billows smoke as it looms far above its industrial buildings. The stack was imploded in the 1990s after the refinery closed. (T. Times 1/19/1935, pg. 1)

American Smelting & Refining Co. (Tacoma); Smelters--Tacoma--1930-1940; Copper industry--Tacoma--1930-1940; Industrial facilities--Tacoma;

American Smelting and Refining Company (ASARCO), Tacoma. Worker grasping tongs as he reaches into small, industrial oven. For J. Gius, reporter.

American Smelting & Refining Co. (Tacoma); Smelters--Tacoma--1930-1940; Copper industry--Tacoma--1930-1940; Industrial facilities--Tacoma;

In January of 1935, 9,600 tons of gold bearing ore were removed from the holds of the Soviet freighter "Brandon" by huge iron buckets at the ASARCO refinery in Ruston. In 1935, The Soviet Union did not have a large enough smelter of its own to process the tons of ore being extracted from its mines. The "Brandon" had come from Leningrad. The American Smelting & Refining Company expected to receive 100,000 tons of gold rich ore from The Soviet Union in 1935. Mr. S. Raiz, a representative of the Soviets, was sent to Tacoma to keep a close eye on the process - and the gold. Photograph ordered by the American Smelting & Refining Co. (ASARCO) (TNT 1-15-35, p. 1-article; TNT 1-23-35, p. 1-article) TPL-807

American Smelting & Refining Co. (Tacoma); Smelters--Tacoma--1930-1940; Copper industry--Tacoma--1930-1940; Industrial facilities--Tacoma;

American Smelting and Refining Company (ASARCO), Tacoma. Worker directing activity of a large crane constructed over railroad tracks at the edge of Commencement Bay. Ships were loaded and unloaded at this point. The mechanical crane could carry 5 tons of ore on each dip into the hold. For J. Gius, reporter.

American Smelting & Refining Co. (Tacoma); Smelters--Tacoma--1930-1940; Copper industry--Tacoma--1930-1940; Industrial facilities--Tacoma;

American Smelting and Refining Company (ASARCO), Tacoma. Arrival of a European ship delivering ore from Russian mines to the smelter. Close-up view of ship with workers and rigging at smelter dock. To the left can be seen the outline of the giant mechanical crane used to unload the ships. At this time, Russian lacked the technology and infrastructure to process the ore themselves. In 1934, Russia produced 15.6% of the world's gold. Russian production was second only to Africa.

American Smelting & Refining Co. (Tacoma); Smelters--Tacoma--1930-1940; Copper industry--Tacoma--1930-1940; Industrial facilities--Tacoma;

American Smelting and Refining Company (ASARCO), Tacoma. Glowing, molten liquid ore pouring from a reverbatory furnace into a huge ladle. Two workers on the left are dwarfed by the size of the equipment. The furnace heats the ore to 2,700 degrees Farenheit. For J. Gius, reporter. (T. Times 1/19/1935, pg. 1)

American Smelting & Refining Co. (Tacoma); Smelters--Tacoma--1930-1940; Copper industry--Tacoma--1930-1940; Industrial facilities--Tacoma;

The American Smelting & Refining Co. (ASARCO Incorporated) Tacoma Plant. TPL-2353. Areas of the plant are labelled with arrows and typed notations. Typed notations read, left hand side, top to bottom: Main Stack, Silos, ESP'S (Hoppers), Flue, Metallic Arsenic Area, Arsenic Kitchens, Arsenic Roasters (Hoppers, Roaster Baghouse Hoppers, Herreshoff Roasters), Acid Plant Bldg (Settling Tanks & Basin), Fine Ore Storage (Settling, evaporation and neutralization impoundment Waste Piles), Liquid SO2 Plant. Across the top, left to right: Laboratory Container Storage, Reverberatory Furnaces, Oil Tanks, Refineries, Settling & Evaporation Basins. Right hand side, top to bottom: Slag Dump, Casting Furnace, Anode Furnaces, Nickel Plant, Converters, Unloading Dock, Crushing & Sampling Mill, Incinerator, and Ore Piles. TPL-2353, TPL-6246

American Smelting & Refining Co. (Tacoma); Smelters--Tacoma--1950-1960; Copper industry--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Industrial building with laborer in hardhat working in the foreground.

Four tall smokestacks on an industrial building.

Rainier Steel Company had just started operating in the steel industry in Tacoma, this company was the only one of its type in this regional area. Rainier would be producing and selling their steel to automobile companies in Detroit, Michigan. Eugene Cunningham was the President of Rainier Steel Corporation, the plant facilities were located at 2201 Lincoln Avenue in Tacoma's tideflats area, between Blair Waterway and Hylebos Waterway.

Steel industry--Tacoma; Steel; Industrial facilities--Tacoma; Foundries--Tacoma; Aerial photographs; Aerial views; Rainier Steel Corp. (Tacoma);

Rainier Steel would use scrap iron as their raw resource in producing steel. The plant began producing steel on December 3, 1948, they were the first steel plant in Tacoma. The plant would employ about 50 people, when they reached full operations, which would help build the payrolls in Tacoma industries. Aerial view of Rainier Steel Corporation, located between Blair Waterway and Hylebos Waterway on Lincoln Avenue.

Steel industry--Tacoma; Steel; Foundries--Tacoma; Waterfronts; Industrial facilities--Tacoma; Aerial photographs; Aerial views; Rainier Steel Corp. (Tacoma);

Northwest Hauling, view of crane at Tacoma Smelter, Mr. Don Cooney. The crane is seated on a trailer pulled by a large truck cab. It is used to lift trusses and materials to the construction crew at upper levels of the new building at ASARCO.

American Smelting & Refining Co. (Tacoma); Northwest Hauling Co. (Tacoma); Hoisting machinery; Smelters--Tacoma--1940-1950; Building construction--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Exterior to be used for letterhead, Steel, Steel & Steel, Inc., Mr. Ray. The company's window advertises that they have been realtors since 1920. David C. Steel was the president and manager of the company. William S. Steel served as secretary. Walter C. Steel Company was located at the same address and was headed by W.C. Steel. This night-time view of the offices includes window displays of current listings as well as the office fixtures and furnishings. TPL-8209

Steel Steel Steel, Inc. (Tacoma); Walter C. Steel, Inc. (Tacoma); Offices--Tacoma--1940-1950; Storefronts--Tacoma--1940-1950; Window displays--Tacoma--1940-1950; Real estate business--Tacoma;

Rainier Steel Corporation was incorporated in July 1948, the first steel was poured on December 3, 1948; the incorporated value of the plant is $200,000. The plant is only operating at 50%, at this time, the full capacity of the plant will be 100 tons per day. This Tacoma industry is helping fill the demands of the national steel shortage, most of the steel produced in Tacoma is being sold to automobile companies in Detroit, Michigan. View of unidentified steel worker checking the controls on the equipment (T. Times, 12/13/48, p. 5).

Foundries--Tacoma; Founding--Tacoma; Iron & steel workers--Tacoma; Steel; Steel industry--Tacoma; Industrial facilities--Tacoma; Rainier Steel Corp. (Tacoma);

The Rainier Steel Corporation is the first company in Tacoma and in this regional area of its kind. The steel produced is being used to manufacture automobiles, company representatives stated the automobile companies are offering the best prices for their products. View of steel workers watching the first pouring of steel at Rainier Steel Corporation (T. Times, 12/13/48, p. 5).

Foundries--Tacoma; Founding--Tacoma; Iron & steel workers--Tacoma; Steel; Steel industry--Tacoma; Industrial facilities--Tacoma; Furnaces--Tacoma; Rainier Steel Corp. (Tacoma);

The first steel plant in Tacoma opens on December 3, 1948, at 2201 Lincoln Avenue, on the tideflats. Rainier Steel Corporation's owner, President and General Manager is Eugene Cunningham. View of Phil E. Haglund (left) and Eugene Cunningham standing by the furnace on the first day of operations at Rainier Steel Corporation (T. Times, 12/13/48, p. 5).

Foundries--Tacoma; Founding--Tacoma; Iron & steel workers--Tacoma; Steel; Steel industry--Tacoma; Industrial facilities--Tacoma; Furnaces--Tacoma; Rainier Steel Corp. (Tacoma);

When the Rainier Steel Corporation began operations at 2201 Lincoln Avenue, on Tacoma's tideflats, in December of 1948 it became Tacoma's only steel plant at that time. Here an unidentified employee of Rainier Steel, in special safety glasses, monitors work being done in the facility. Eugene Cunningham, president and general manager, started the Rainier Steel Corporation because of the acute steel shortage after WWII. Rainier Steel used scrap iron as its raw material and their furnaces melted the iron and produced steel. The company planned to employ fifty people once they reached full operating capacity which was 100 tons daily with the present equipment. The steel was sent to Detroit for use in the automotive industry. (T. Times, 12/13/48, p. 5-article).

Foundries--Tacoma; Founding--Tacoma; Iron & steel workers--Tacoma; Steel; Steel industry--Tacoma; Hoisting machinery; Industrial facilities--Tacoma; Furnaces--Tacoma; Rainier Steel Corp. (Tacoma);

Permanente's First Anniversary, Permanente Metals, Bill Gorman. A family enjoys hot dogs during the celebration at Permanente on October 27, 1948. The older girl sits on a stack of aluminum pigs that have been produced at the plant. The woman holds a baby with one arm and her hot dog in her other hand. The weiners for the event were fried on one of the hot 500 pound pigs of aluminum at the plant. (T.Times, 10/28/1948, p.1)

Permanente Metals Corp. (Tacoma)--Employees; Aluminum industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Laborers--Tacoma--1940-1950; Families--Tacoma--1940-1950; Frankfurters--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Permanente's First Anniversary, Permanente Metals, Bill Gorman. A crowd of employees and their families watch James Condos, a caster at the plant, demonstrate pouring molten aluminum from a large ladle into a form for pig aluminum. More than 1,500 visitors crowded into the plant October 27, 1948, to celebrate the plant's first year of operation under Kaiser. They saw the step-by-step processes that went into making aluminum by touring the potrooms, rectifier stations, the machine shop, blacksmith shop and the casting room. (T.Times, 10/18, 1948, -.1)

Permanente Metals Corp. (Tacoma)--Employees; Aluminum industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Laborers--Tacoma--1940-1950; Families--Tacoma--1940-1950; Anniversaries--Tacoma--1940-1950;

On October 27, 1948, Permanente Metal Corporation employees, left to right, Charlotte Thorestad, C.P. (Pat) Love (plant manager) and Darlene O'Brien sat surrounded by a sea of iced cupcakes marked with a "P" and decorated with a single candle. Permanente's aluminum reduction plant at 2400 Taylor Way was celebrating its first year of production of Kaiser Aluminum with a "Family Day" Open House. Employees along with 1,500 friends, families and relations were the guests of management. They observed the step by step process of making aluminum and ate hot dogs cooked on a 500 lb. "pig" of aluminum, sandwiches, cupcakes and punch. The plant had been previously operated during World War II by the Olin Corporation. After its purchase by Kaiser, it became one of six aluminum plants operated by the company. The other plants were located at Mead and Trentwood Washington (near Spokane), Baton Rouge La., Newark Ohio and San Jose Ca. The Tacoma plant was permanently closed in 2002 and later demolished. (TNT 10/28/1948, p.1)

Permanente Metals Corp. (Tacoma)--Employees; Aluminum industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Employees--Tacoma--1940-1950; Baked products--Tacoma--1940-1950; Love, Charles P.; O'Brien, Darlene; Thorestad, Charlotte; Anniversaries--Tacoma--1940-1950;

ca. 1893. Tacoma smelter. This photograph of the Tacoma Smelting & Refining Co. (previously named the Ryan Smelter) was taken for the New England Magazine and published in their February, 1893, issue. The smelter was owned by prominent businessman William R. Rust who had purchased it four years before. The smelter was originally built to produce lead but in a few short years, would become a major supplier of copper. A comparison of an earlier view of the smelter, taken circa 1888, now shows a completed pier on the right and an additional large building on the property. In 1905 the American Smelting & Refining Co. (ASARCO) bought the company and it remained an important part of Tacoma's economy until its closure in 1985. (New England Magazine - February, 1893 p.800) (See Rutter, image 01, for view of smelter circa 1888)

American Smelting & Refining Co. (Tacoma); Smelters--Tacoma; Industrial facilities--Tacoma;

Damaged negative showning view of American Smelting & Refining Co. (ASARCO) looking toward Tacoma.

Smelters--Tacoma; American Smelting & Refining Co. (Tacoma);

ca. 1893. Tacoma smelter. This photograph of the Tacoma Smelting & Refining Co. (previously named the Ryan Smelter) was taken for the New England Magazine and published in their February, 1893, issue. The smelter was owned by prominent businessman William R. Rust who had purchased it four years before. The smelter was originally built to produce lead but in a few short years, would become a major supplier of copper. A comparison of an earlier view of the smelter, taken circa 1888, now shows a completed pier on the right and an additional large building on the property. In 1905 the American Smelting & Refining Co. (ASARCO) bought the company and it remained an important part of Tacoma's economy until its closure in 1985. (New England Magazine - February, 1893 p.800) (Scan of original print - no negative or print on file)

American Smelting & Refining Co. (Tacoma); Smelters--Tacoma; Industrial facilities--Tacoma;