A cement truck is being loaded at C. S. Barlow and Sons' new bunkers. The company handled building materials, sand and gravel, metal sash, and mixed concrete. The dome at Union Station is in the background. When the company was acquired by Graystone, Inc. of Seattle in 1959, it was the oldest company in Tacoma still under the original ownership. The company was founded the same year that Tacoma elected its first mayor, 1882, under the name Tacoma Trading and Transportation Co. Its business was trading, building supplies and maritime commerce. C.S. Barlow changed the name of the company when it sold off its shipping interests. Barlow came to Tacoma in the early 80's before it was a city. He was a Northwest original, born near Longview and the son of Oregon trail pioneers. His grandsons would remain with the company after its sale to manage for the new owners. (TNT 6/8/1959, pg. 1)

Building materials industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Building materials; C.S. Barlow & Sons, Inc. (Tacoma); Concrete mixers--Tacoma; Trucks--Tacoma--1950-1960;

This October, 1952, view of C. S. Barlow and Sons' facilities shows the belt fed batching plant. The company handled building materials, sand and gravel, metal sash, and mixed concrete. Here a cement truck is being loaded with cement. The company was proud to have been in operation in Tacoma for seventy years. (TNT, 11/1/1952, p.C-15)

Building materials industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Building materials; C.S. Barlow & Sons, Inc. (Tacoma); Concrete mixers--Tacoma; Trucks--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Pennsylvania Salt Manufacturing Co. of Washington had its headquarters in Tacoma. Despite its name, Pennsalt did not produce table salt but instead was a basic manufacturer of chemicals from salt. It, along with Hooker Electrochemical, supplied caustic soda and chlorine to the Pacific Northwest's pulp and paper industry. View of some of the machinery used by Pennsalt in their Tideflats plant; these are believed to be rotary converters used to convert AC power to direct current. Photograph ordered by Edwin Cliffe, supt. of Pennsylvania Salt Manufacturing Co. of Washington. (Additional information provided by a reader)

Pennsylvania Salt Manufacturing Co. of Washington (Tacoma); Chemical industry--Tacoma--1950-1960; Machinery;

Pennsylvania Salt Manufacturing Co. of Washington had long been established in Tacoma; it was to celebrate its 25th anniversary locally in 1954. It started with a 40 acre tract of land on the Hylebos Waterway and has steadily expanded, adding new buildings and machinery, to fill the needs of the pulp and paper industry. View of machinery in Pennsalt plant; this may be a large burner. Photograph ordered by Edwin Cliffe.

Pennsylvania Salt Manufacturing Co. of Washington (Tacoma); Chemical industry--Tacoma--1950-1960; Machinery;

Exterior of Industrial Rubber & Supply. Ralph J. Smalling was the owner of Industrial Rubber & Supply Co. located at 301 Puyallup Avenue, wholesale dealers in rubber goods. A sign in the building's window indicates that Foamex & Firestone "gives you more relaxing comfort". Two large signs on the storefront inform passersby of the business' name; building itself appears to be constructed of dark stucco with plywood entry. Built in 1924 by Charles Davidson, contractor, it had previously housed several service stations. Photograph ordered by R. J. Smalling.

Industrial Rubber & Supply Co. (Tacoma); Storefronts--Tacoma--1950-1960; Signs (Notices);

Vats at Cammarano Brothers. The Cammarano Brothers were bottlers of beer and other carbonated beverages. Four brothers owned and operated the facility, Phillip J., James J., and William B., and Edward J. Cammarano. (filed with Argentum)

Bottling industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Cammarano Bros. (Tacoma);

Birchfield Boiler Inc.; interior shots of the largest boilers built on the coast. These two were a pair of modern school house boilers designed and built by Birchfield for Reynolds High School in Troutdale, Oregon. They were fully automatic and rated at over 300 horsepower each. Each boiler weighed over 15 tons. (TNT 9-3-1956)

Boiler industry--Tacoma--1950-1960; Machinery; Birchfield Boiler, Inc. (Tacoma);

Birchfield Boiler Inc.; interior shots of the largest boilers built on the coast. Worker seems diminutive beside the massive boilers. These two are the largest of their type ever built on the west coast. They are modern school house boilers designed and built for Yakima Junior and Senior High School. Each is 18 feet high, rated at 400 horse power and weighs 15 tons. (TNT 9/3/1956)

Boiler industry--Tacoma--1950-1960; Machinery; Birchfield Boiler, Inc. (Tacoma);

Women are pictured hard at work at their sewing machines in this undated photograph by photographer Chapin Bowen of the Shull-Day, later Day's Tailor-d, Clothing Co. They are surrounded by piles of the finished product, men's trousers. The company, founded by Frank Eugene Day in 1902, became the Northwest's largest manufacturer of trousers. The company perfected the assembly line where over 33 different types of sewing machine performed one function each, with the pants product being passed between the machines until completed. TPL-9501, BOWEN 2657

This photograph from the 1940s shows a man welding a seam in a large pipe section. He is inside the open pipe. Neither the man's name nor his employer's was given. TPL-9514

ca. 1936. Walker Cut Stone Co. outcropping, Wilkeson, Washington, circa 1936. Walker Cut Stone operated a sandstone quarry in Wilkeson from 1914-1959. Sandstone was commonly used in building and paving projects. The Walker company used Wilkeson sandstone in constructing the major state Capitol buildings in Olympia. Walker Cut Stone's offices and plant were located in Tacoma at 2403 Center St. (photograph copied for TPL by Mary Randlett)

Tacoma photographer Chapin Bowen described Luther "Dad" Sullins as "a real silk salesman" when he took this portrait of Sullins in Wright Park. Silk was a multi-million dollar business on Puget Sound, as well as in Vancouver, B. C., starting around 1913 and still active in 1927. Raw silk from Japan and China arrived on cargo ships. The delicate raw silk bales were immediately transferred to railroad cars pulled by steam locomotives. The silk trains, carrying multi-million dollar cargos and displaying white flags, had the track right-of-way as they traveled at 80-mile-an-hour speeds to New York and eastern mills. BGN 092.

ca. 1932. South end of Pacific Ave. just south of the Union Station. Goodrich Silvertown, Inc. (1955 Pacific ) and the Bone-Dry Shoe Co. (2113-15 Pacific) are neighbors as evidenced in this circa 1932 photograph. The tire store, Goodrich Silvertown, utilized Hollowstone concrete and tile in its construction. Throngs visited the store when it opened in June of 1931. The Bone-Dry Shoe factory was designed by architects Hill, Mock & Griffin and opened in 1919. It manufactured top quality boots for nearly 40 years mostly handcrafted by skilled workers.

Undated photograph of the Port of Tacoma grain elevators, taken for the Tacoma Chamber of Commerce.

ca. 1908. Northern Pacific shops in South Tacoma.

ca. 1910. G. W. O'Brien, contractor, and men laying pipe in South Tacoma.

ca. 1908. Garret W. O'Brien, contractor, and men laying pipe in South Tacoma.

ca. 1908. Garret W. O'Brien, contractor, and men laying pipe in South Tacoma.

ca. 1908. Water rushing though power generator at Electron Dam.

On Monday, December 2, 1940 at 7:11a.m., the Columbia Powder Co., located at Frederickson 10 miles southeast of Tacoma, was rocked by a devastating explosion as 2,000 pounds of dynamite ignited. The explosion killed four workers and reduced the two story frame mixing shed of the plant to splinters. The blast was felt for 30 miles. Luckily more workers were not on site at the time of the explosion; a crew of 65 men was due to report to work at 8 a.m. The plant was new, having been built 6 years prior, and barricades built within the plant as safety measures prevented the plant from being completely leveled. It would be after the New Year before the plant could resume operations as the mixing plant provided the raw materials for the other plant processes. Colombia was one of four powder plants in the state. (T. Times 12/2/1940, pg. 1)

Industrial facilities--Frederickson; Nitrates; Chemical industry--Frederickson; Explosions--Frederickson; Disasters--Frederickson; Columbia Powder Co. (Frederickson);

Workers stand outside the gates of the Columbia Powder Co. in Frederickson rather than reporting to work on the morning of December 2, 1940. Much of the plant had been leveled when, at 7:11a.m., 2,000 pounds of dynamite exploded in the mixing shed of the plant. Four plant employees were killed, but the time of the explosion prevented a greater loss of life. A crew of 65 was due to report to work at 8 a.m. Plant employees would be out of work until the beginning of the year as the mixing plant furnished the raw materials needed for the other plant processes. (T. Times 12/2/1940, pg. 1)

Industrial facilities--Frederickson; Nitrates; Chemical industry--Frederickson; Explosions--Frederickson; Disasters--Frederickson; Columbia Powder Co. (Frederickson);

An Aaberg's employee appears to be in the process of removing a cleaning filter from his truck in an April 9, 1957, photograph. He may be preparing to clean this customer's ductwork. Aaberg's provided Desert Dry fuel oil delivery with their radio-dispatched trucks on a 24 hour phone service basis. Aaberg's, located at 1713 Puyallup Ave., also provided furnace cleaning with the same quick service. View of new Chevrolet truck with cleaning supplies in back. Photograph ordered by Aaberg's. TPL-10243

Aaberg's Fuel Co., Inc. (Tacoma); Chevrolet trucks; Fuel trade--Tacoma--1950-1960;

New fence around Air Reduction Company and old Peterman Manufacturing Company fence. In June of 1942, Peterman Co. moved to Garibaldi, Oregon, when their Tacoma site was taken over by the government for the expansion of the Seattle Tacoma Shipbuilding Co. In May of 1942, construction began on the Air Reduction Co., an oxygen producing plant. The oxygen was used in the production of vessels.

Factories--Tacoma; Air Reduction Sales Co. (Tacoma); Peterman Manufacturing Co. (Tacoma);

Photograph of the new storage tanks at the Air Reduction Co., an oxygen producing plant. The plant opened around May of 1942 at 702 Alexander Ave. In June of 1942, Peterman Manufacturing was forced out of its location by the government. The land was needed for the expansion of the Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Co. and its many defense contracts. Peterman, originally at 600 Alexander Ave., relocated to Garibaldi Oregon.

Factories--Tacoma; Air Reduction Sales Co. (Tacoma); Peterman Manufacturing Co. (Tacoma); Storage tanks;

New fence around Air Reduction Company and old Peterman Manufacturing Company fence. In May of 1942, construction was begun on the Air Reduction Company, an oxygen manufacturing company, located at 702 Alexander Ave. Peterman Manufacturing had been located at 600 Alexander Ave. but in June of 1942 they moved to Garibaldi, Oregon. Their location had been taken over by the government for expansion of the Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Co., 100 Alexander Ave. The expansion was needed due to the increase of wartime contracts during World War II. Oxygen gas was used in large quantities for cutting steel plates in ship building and was also used in welding. The Air Reduction plant was able to support the war effort by producing the chemical necessary for building government vessels, and making it available locally.

Factories--Tacoma; Air Reduction Sales Co. (Tacoma); Peterman Manufacturing Co. (Tacoma);

Photograph of the new storage tanks at the Air Reduction Co., an oxygen producing plant. The plant opened around May of 1942 at 702 Alexander Ave. In June of 1942, Peterman Manufacturing was forced out of its location by the government. The land was needed for the expansion of the Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Co. and its many defense contracts. Peterman, originally at 600 Alexander Ave., relocated to Garibaldi Oregon.

Factories--Tacoma; Air Reduction Sales Co. (Tacoma); Peterman Manufacturing Co. (Tacoma); Storage tanks;

A Towmotor forklift operator keeps his eye on the plywood pallet on which several large bags of Mariposa brand products are being transported in this August 9, 1961, photograph. This portion of the General Mills warehouse appears loaded with bags of White Rose and other brands of flour. Photograph ordered by Cole & Weber.

Industrial facilities--Tacoma; Hoisting machinery; Flour & meal industry--Tacoma;

Peggy Robinson, Washington Natural Gas Co. home economist, happily prepares a meal on an up-to-date efficient gas stove on August 27, 1963. Two of the burners are being used at the moment. This stove typically would have automatic burners, instant controls and smokeless broiling. Natural gas vied with electricity for dominance in the home market with both claiming low costs and clean, efficient appliances. Peggy (Mrs. Clifford) Robinson was known professionally as June Holladay and was the Washington Natural Gas Southern Division home economist. Photograph ordered by Bozell & Jacobs Advertising. (TNT 9-10-63, B-15, TNT 9-20-64, D-11)

Washington Natural Gas Co. (Tacoma); Stoves--Tacoma; Cookery--Tacoma; Robinson, Peggy;

The Washington Natural Gas Company was preparing to host a four-day open house to be held on September 11-14, 1963, when this late August photograph of their new headquarters building was taken. The new headquarters was built on the grounds of the old Cheney Field/Tiger Field on South 38th Street. Designed by Robert Evans/Swedberg & Associates architects, the modernistic building was constructed of pre-cast concrete, utilizing the "hy-urly" method. It featured a unique towering walkway and adjoining water fountains. Nelson Construction were the contractors. Guided tours would be offered during the open house. Photograph ordered by Bozell & Jacobs Advertising. (TNT 9-10-63, B-1,2)

Washington Natural Gas Co. (Tacoma); Gas industry--Tacoma--1960-1970;

Built on the site of the old Cheney Field/Tiger Field, the new Washington Natural Gas Co. building is ablaze with light on a late summer evening in 1963. This picture was taken from across the road on So. 38th St.; the symmetry of construction with its two wings adjoining the massive walkway and two shimmering fountains is readily apparent. The fountains were lit with underground lights. Photograph ordered by Bozell & Jacobs Advertising.

Washington Natural Gas Co. (Tacoma);