Coal yard pictures, Aaberg Fuel Company, Johnson. A view of the machinery used to fill the coal delivery trucks at Aaberg's. A bull-dozer fitted with a scoop loads coal into a hopper which drops the coal onto a conveyor system which in turn lifts the coal over the truck and drops it in. One of the drivers watches to know when to stop moving coal into the truck. When the company was moved from McKinley Avenue, Herbert Johnson, Jr., decided to change the name of the company from McKinley Coal Company. He thought the name Johnson's Fuel might be encountered too often so he chose another Scahdinavian name he ran across, Aaberg. It was catchy and intriguing. (TNT, 12/14/1949, p.11, 12, & 13)

Aaberg's Fuel Co., Inc. (Tacoma); Coal--Tacoma; Fuel--Tacoma--1940-1950; Fuel trade--Tacoma--1940-1950; Conveying systems--Tacoma--1940-1950; Trucks--Tacoma--1940-1950;

New machinery went into operation in December 1949 at Aaberg Fuel Company's yard between East Bay Street and the Puyallup River, at the foot of Puyallup Avenue. When drivers backed their trucks into the coal filling stations at Aaberg's, the trucks were filled automatically. A system of long conveyors was used to move the coal into the hoppers that filled the trucks. The coveyors automatically sorted the coal by grade. Each hopper could hold from 25 to 40 tons of coal. The Aaberg system was the first of its kind in the world, and was designed by Herbert Johnson Jr., the head of the company. (TNT, 12/14/1949, p.11, 12 & 13)

Aaberg's Fuel Co., Inc. (Tacoma); Coal--Tacoma; Fuel--Tacoma--1940-1950; Fuel trade--Tacoma--1940-1950; Conveying systems--Tacoma--1940-1950; Trucks--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Coal yard pictures, Aaberg Fuel Company, Johnson. Mrs. Anna Johnson was president of the company and Herbert P. Johnson, Jr., served as secretary-treasurer at this time. Herbert P. Johnson, Jr., designed the system of machinery that moved coal from box cars to the delivery trucks run by electricity provided by more than 20,000 feet of electric control cable. The company, "guaranteed the best quality coal or oil in town at the lowest possible prices". Delivery drivers stand beside their six trucks in front of large piles of coal. (TNT,12/14/1949, p.11, 12 & 13) Format 5" x 14" TPL-10241

Aaberg's Fuel Co., Inc. (Tacoma); Coal--Tacoma; Fuel--Tacoma--1940-1950; Fuel trade--Tacoma--1940-1950; Trucks--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Coal yard pictures, Aaberg Fuel Company, Johnson. Mrs. Anna Johnson, president of Aaberg's Fuel Company, sits at a large work table with a hand full of notes. Controls that operated the mechanical systems in the yard are in front of her. She could cause cars to be unloaded, trucks filled, coal sorted and moved about. The large window allows a view of the outdoor facilities. The hoppers used to load trucks with coal can be seen through the window. (TNT, 12/14/1949, p.11, 12 & 13) TPL-10242

Aaberg's Fuel Co., Inc. (Tacoma); Coal--Tacoma; Fuel--Tacoma--1940-1950; Fuel trade--Tacoma--1940-1950; Johnson, Anna;

Coal yard pictures, Aaberg Fuel Company, Johnson. Aaberg's also handled fuel oil. A new tank is being delivered by Inter-City Auto Freight. Herbert Johnson, Sr., owned an interest in a small coal mine at Morton. Herbert Johnson, Jr., appointed himself "sales manager" for his father's small mine. With a three-ton truck, he "sold" the Morton district. He did so well he came to Tacoma looking for a new market. (TNT, 12/14/1949, p.11, 12 & 13)

Aaberg's Fuel Co., Inc. (Tacoma); Fuel trade--Tacoma--1940-1950; Trucks--Tacoma--1940-1950; Inter-City Auto Freight, Inc. (Tacoma);

Coal yard pictures, Aaberg Fuel Company, Johnson. A women signs for the fuel that has been delivered to her house by one of Aaberg's drivers. The hoses have been carefully rewound into their storage areas in the truck.

Aaberg's Fuel Co., Inc. (Tacoma); Fuel--Tacoma--1940-1950; Fuel trade--Tacoma--1940-1950; Trucks--Tacoma--1940-1950;