Pennsylvania Salt Manufacturing Company. Two men stand by a large control panel. One of the men is turning a valve. Dials are displayed on the large metal face of the panel.

Pennsylvania Salt Manufacturing Co. of Washington (Tacoma); Chemical industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Factories--Tacoma; Industrial facilities--Tacoma;

Pennsylvania Salt Manufacturing Company. An interior view of the plant showing a line of very large storage tanks along the left side. On the right are stacks of bagged materials.

Pennsylvania Salt Manufacturing Co. of Washington (Tacoma); Chemical industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Tanks (Storage); Factories--Tacoma;

Pennsylvania Salt Manufacturing Company. A large room filled with rows and rows of tanks in the electrolytic cell department. Two men are walking along the aisles to assure all is well. This electro-chemical company manufactured chlorine, caustic soda, sodium hypochlorite, bleaching powder, hydrogen and sodium arsenate among other substances. (TNT, 2/15/1949, p.A-6)

Pennsylvania Salt Manufacturing Co. of Washington (Tacoma); Chemical industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Tanks (Storage); Factories--Tacoma; Laborers--Tacoma--1940-1950; Industrial facilities--Tacoma;

In November of 1947, Robert Breskovich (left), President of Pacific Boat Building Company, and Ray M. McCarty, General Manager of the company's Pleasure Boat Division were photographed while inspecting a section of the hull of a new "Holiday" aluminum cruiser. Pacific Boat intended to build about 1,000 of these boats in 1948. The two men were working hard to insure the boat would be the best of its type in both design and construction. The "Holiday" was expected to be a popular and affordable model, selling at only $2,500 (P.M.B., 1/48, p. 51).

Industrial facilities--Tacoma; Construction industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Motorboats--Tacoma; Product inspection--Tacoma; Pacific Boat Building Co. (Tacoma); Breskovich, Robert; McCarty, Ray M.;

Robert Breskovich, President of Pacific Boat Building Company, and Ray M. McCarty (foreground), General Manager of the Pleasure Boat Division are inspecting the new "Holiday" aluminum cruiser. "Holiday" aluminum cruisers are 23 feet, all welded mass produced aluminum, 65 horse power marine engine, will perform at 25 mph, 8 foot beam and 24 inch draft. The boat will have sleeping accommodations for 2, a small galley and bathroom (P.M.B., 1/48, p. 51).

Industrial facilities--Tacoma; Construction industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Motorboats--Tacoma; Product inspection--Tacoma; Pacific Boat Building Co. (Tacoma); Breskovich, Robert; McCarty, Ray M.;

New store building, Industrial Equipment Company, Harry Andrews. This photograph was used in a newspaper advertisement inviting people to attend a Rototiller demonstration held at the newly opened Tacoma Industrial Equipment Company on January 24, 1948. It was located one-half mile east of Fife on the Tacoma-Seattle Highway. Free coffee and chicken sandwiches were served and guests were invited to guess how many minutes the rototiller would run on one gallon of gas. First prize was $150 credit on the purchase of a rototiller. (T.Times, 1/23/1948, p.12)

Industrial Equipment Co. (Tacoma); Agricultural machinery & implements--Tacoma--1940-1950; Stores & shops--Tacoma--1940-1950; Lease & rental services--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Holroyd Company specialized in manufacturing concrete blocks, but also manufactured other types of building materials. Concrete was in great demand because of its strength and durability. Holroyd was a leader in the building materials industry. Exterior view of Lakewood Cleaners and Lakewood Hardware store with cars parked outside of business entrances; concrete foundation by Holroyd Company.

Concrete--Tacoma; Concrete products industry--Tacoma; Reinforced concrete construction--Tacoma; Foundations--Tacoma; Lakewood Cleaners (Lakewood); Lakewood Hardware (Lakewood); Holroyd Co. (Tacoma);

Holroyd Company's Tacoma site was located in the South Tacoma industrial area at 5047 South Washington Street, they also had another manufacturing site in Meadow Park. Exterior view of house, double car garage, two fireplaces and concrete foundation; photo ordered by Holroyd Company, manufacturers of concrete blocks and other building materials.

Concrete--Tacoma; Reinforced concrete construction--Tacoma; Concrete products industry--Tacoma; Foundations--Tacoma; Neighborhoods--Tacoma; Houses--Tacoma--1940-1950; Holroyd Co. (Tacoma);

Schorn Paints of Tacoma was located at 922 Commerce Street, Sigurd Scheine, a painter, lived at 2903 North Warner Street. Exterior view of business, with Schorn Paints display, Sigurd Scheine's name is painted on front of building; concrete foundation by Holroyd Company. Photo ordered by Holroyd Company, manufacturers of concrete blocks and other building materials.

Concrete--Tacoma; Reinforced concrete construction--Tacoma; Concrete products industry--Tacoma; Foundations--Tacoma; Signs (Notices); Schorn Paints of Tacoma (Tacoma); Holroyd Co. (Tacoma);

The Bechtel Corporation from California was the company working on the General Mills Sperry Division flour mills expansion project. The project was approved in 1947 and was expected to be completed in 1948. Exterior view of Sperry plant, Bechtel sign advertising their services is on top of office building. The safety signs indicates building construction is in progress.

Industrial facilities--Tacoma; Building construction--Tacoma; Construction industry--Tacoma; Engineering--Tacoma; Remodeling--Tacoma; General Mills, Inc., Sperry Division (Tacoma); Bechtel Corp. (Tacoma);

Birchfield Boiler Company was currently working on cutting steel for the construction of a new fishing boat, a 57 foot seiner, "Alaska Limit". Birchfield was expanding their shipbuilding and conversion department. View of workman using machinery manufactured by Rud Engineering Company at Birchfield Boiler Company, possibly for new fishing boat (T. Times, 6/21/48, p. 5).

Boiler industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Laborers--Tacoma; Machinery; Rud Engineering Co. (Tacoma); Boat & ship industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Birchfield Boiler, Inc. (Tacoma);

General Mills Sperry Division flour mills was remodeling and expanding their facilities. The Bechtel Corporation of California was in charge of the building construction project. View of equipment, possibly a control panel.

Industrial facilities--Tacoma; Grain industry--Tacoma; Engineering--Tacoma; Remodeling--Tacoma; Machinery; Equipment; General Mills, Inc., Sperry Division (Tacoma); Bechtel Corp. (Tacoma);

St. Regis was one of the largest industries in Tacoma and was located in Tacoma's Tide Flats industrial area. The company was undergoing a big expansion project in 1948. This building, currently under construction, would be used to manufacture pulp. Exterior view of St. Regis Paper Company--Kraft Pulp Division industrial plant (T. Times, 8/31/48, p. 22).

Industrial facilities--Tacoma; Aerial photographs; Waterfronts; Paper industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; St. Regis Paper Co. (Tacoma)--1940-1950;

Permanente Metals approaching the end of their first year of operations in Tacoma, which proved to be quite successful. Permanente's new research lab will be looking for ways to improve uses of this lightweight metal, increase aluminum production and the development of new products and product applications. Exterior view of Permanente Metals Corporation, laborer in foreground is hauling aluminum pigs using a forklift, workmen are walking by in background (T. Times, 8/23/48, p. 5)

Industrial facilities--Tacoma; Laborers--Tacoma; Research facilities--Tacoma; Hoisting machinery; Aluminum industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Permanente Metals Corp. (Tacoma);

Washington Steel and Welding Company's officers were, Albert E. McIntosh, President, James O. Hoy, Vice President, Robert B. VanDeMark, Secretary-Treasurer. The company was a leader in steel fabrication and welding industry in Tacoma. View of large "Oshkosh" truck with newly fabricated steel logging equipment at Washington Steel and Welding Company, they are likely ready to deliver the new equipment to a Tacoma lumber yard.

Industrial facilities--Tacoma; Machinery; Steel industry--Tacoma; Metalworking--Tacoma; Welding--Tacoma; Washington Steel & Welding Co. (Tacoma);

Permanente Metals of Tacoma was setting up a new metallurgical research lab, it was expected to be in full operation this fall. The Tacoma plant was one of the newest and most modern aluminum reduction plants in the country. The research facilities would serve the Tacoma and Spokane plants and would focus on aluminum reduction questions and research. Exterior view of Permanente Metals Corporation industrial plant (T. Times, 8/23/48, p. 5).

Industrial facilities--Tacoma; Research facilities--Tacoma; Railroad freight cars--Tacoma; Aluminum industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Permanente Metals Corp. (Tacoma);

Pennsalt; 8 people at a desk. The man in the lab coat holds a glass bottle with a grainy substance inside.

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

Seven Up Bottling Co. A breakfast for twenty featuring the bubbling soda. 7UP's slogan at this time was "You like it, it likes you." The breakfast was part of the meetings scheduled around the 37th annual convention of the Washington Bottlers of Carbonated Beverages held in Tacoma at the Winthrop Hotel. The three day run of meetings had its kickoff on Sunday, 2/7/1954, with a reception and smorgasbord at the hotel. Over 250 bottlers and their families were expected to attend. (TNT 2/7/1954)

Washington Bottlers of Carbonated Beverages (Wa.); Meetings--Tacoma--1950-1960; Carbonated beverages;

Caught in mid-song are four members of a Pennsalt barbershop quartet in March, 1954. They are clutching top hats and dressed in the Gay 90's style, complete with false mustaches. Pennsylvania Salt Manufacturing Co. of Washington was a major producer of caustic soda and chlorine for several decades.

Pennsylvania Salt Manufacturing Co. of Washington (Tacoma)--People; Singing--Tacoma--1950-1960; Barbershop quartets; Mustaches;

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);

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;

Pennsylvania Salt Manufacturing Co. Family Day; employees' picnic and open house. Photograph labelled, left to right, Sgt. Bob Marshall, Mr. Fred Shanaman & Ed Sorger. Sgt. Marshall was the head of the Tacoma Police Department's Safety Division, Fred Shanaman was president and general manager of the company and Ed Sorger was Washington State's Safety Supervisor. The trio stand in front of a display case containing a trophy, certificates and memorabilia of the company's safety record. In 1950 & 52, Pennsalt won the National Safety Council's Award of Merit for no "lost time accidents" and the Pennsalt national award for best yearly safety record. Pennsalt opened on the Tideflats in June of 1929. The 40 acre plant manufactured industrial chemicals. (TNT 9/6/1953, pg. A-12)

Pennsylvania Salt Manufacturing Co. of Washington (Tacoma)--Employees; Chemical industry--Tacoma--1950-1960; Factories--Tacoma--1950-1960; Marshall, Bob; Sorger, Ed; Shanaman, Frederick Charles, 1901-1982;

Pennsylvania Salt Manufacturing Co. Family Day; employees' picnic and open house. An unidentified group of employees stands in front of a display case set up for the open house. Wives, husbands and children of employees were invited on this day to tour the plant. A brief program was devoted to safety measures practiced at the plant. Lunch for 300 employees and their visitors was followed by a tour of the plant. The manufacturing facility opened on the Tideflats in June of 1929 as Tacoma Electro-Chemical Co. Despite its deceptive name, Pennsalt manufactured industrial chemicals, some of which were used in the manufacture of pulp and paper. (TNT 9/6/1953, pg. A-12)

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

Philip H. Fisher received a four-year scholarship of $300 annually to the University of Washington based on his scholastic record in August of 1952. The scholarship was provided by Fred C. Shanaman, president of Pennsylvania Salt Manufacturing Company, to a son or daughter of a company employee. Congratulating Philip at the Tacoma Club are, L-R, Fred C. Shanaman, Philip H. Fisher, Harry S. Fisher, Philip's father, and Kenneth C. Jones, superintendent of Federal Way High School where Philip was a student. (TNT, 9/12/1952, p.A-8)

Pennsylvania Salt Manufacturing Co. of Washington (Tacoma)--People; Shanaman, Frederick Charles, 1901-1982; Men--Tacoma--1950-1960; Tacoma Club (Tacoma); Fisher, Philip H.; Fisher, Harry S.; Beitzel, George B.;

This group of workers from the American Rock Wool Corporation posed in front of bags of insulation at their Tideflats plant located at 2301 Taylor Way in late September of 1952. John S. Tillman was manager of the Tacoma plant at this time. American Rock Wool Corporation bought the Feltrok Insulation Manufacturing Company in 1952. It, in turn, was purchased by US Gypsum in 1959, who bought all eight American Rock Wool plants nationwide. American Rock Wool manufactured rock wool insulation from slag obtained from the Tacoma smelter. The rock wool was used for home and industrial installation. (TNT 4-24-59, p. 1-article on US Gypsum purchase)

American Rock Wool Corp. (Tacoma)--People; Laborers--Tacoma--1950-1960; Factories--Tacoma--1950-1960; Building materials;

One of the groups of workers pose together at American Rock Wool Corporation. John S. Tillman was manager of the Tacoma plant at this time. American Rock Wool Corporation bought the Feltrok Insulation Manufacturing Company in 1952. In 1959, American Rock Wool was purchased by the US Gypsum Co. The Tacoma company was located on 15 acres on the Tideflats and employed 70 workers in its six buildings. The Tacoma plant was one of 8 American Rock Wool plants in the US. (TNT 4/24/1959, pg. 1)

American Rock Wool Corp. (Tacoma)--People; Laborers--Tacoma--1950-1960; Factories--Tacoma--1950-1960;

One of the groups of workers pose together at American Rock Wool Corporation. John S. Tillman was manager of the Tacoma plant at this time. American Rock Wool Corporation bought the Feltrok Insulation Manufacturing Company in 1952. American Rock Wool was purchased in 1959 by the US Gypsum Co. The company manufactured rock wool from slag obtained from the Tacoma smelter. The rock wool was used as home and industrial insulation. American Rock Wool had 8 plants in the United States, including its 15 acre site on the Tideflats. (TNT 4/24/1959, pg. 1)

American Rock Wool Corp. (Tacoma)--People; Laborers--Tacoma--1950-1960; Factories--Tacoma--1950-1960;

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;