Puget Sound Shingle Co. (1889-1896)

Just west of the Jack Hyde Park (where the beach begins) sat the Puget Sound Shingle Co. Puget Sound Mill was headed up by the Prichard Bros.—Gilman H. and Anthony T. Although small, this mill turned out 50 million shingles its first year; it was only second, behind (New Tacoma’s) Wheeler-Osgood Co.

In 1892 it attained fame as “the greatest shingle production in the U.S.”. The depression of 1893 (and succeeding years) put an end to many businesses—including this mill. 

In 1893 Anthony Prichard leased the Idle Pacific Mill (west of the smelter) with plans to have both mills turn out a record number of shingles—making the combo the largest producer of shingles in the world; the depression years of the 1890s stopped this from happening. If the difficult times weren’t enough, some sabotage and fires at Puget Sound between 1894 and 1896 led to its closure. The damaged mill was purchased by E. J. McNeeley, who planned to completely remodel it. But in 1897, before completion of the work, the mill was completely destroyed by a fire. McNeeley had to go out of the Tacoma area to find a mill to purchase, but his ambition to become a major shingle producer in Tacoma continued. (More on McNeeley’s career and mills later, as we move west down the water front). No new mill was ever built on the Old Puget Sound Shingle Co. site.

The Prichards: Gilman W. (Father of Gilman H. and Anthony T.) came here in 1882 with great plans for the family in the shingle business. The senior Prichard died in Old Town in 1884; much of the inspiration needed by Gil H. and Anthony to continue during the tough times was no doubt lost with his passing, and probably contributed to the decision to give up by 1896. Gil H. and Anthony T. did not continue with any other shingle or lumber ventures in Old Town.

Nerheim, J. N.. The History of Lumber Mills in Old Town. Tacoma, WA. Self-published, 2004.