 Michaels
has teamed with the Tacoma Historical Society to mark the sawmills
that, for more than 100 years, dominated Old Tacoma's Ruston Way - a 2
mile drive west, along the south shore of Commencement Bay. This
stretch of shoreline, with it's deep moorage, offered perfect locations
for lumber and shingle mills. The area became Tacoma's first working
waterfront. 54 names of sawmill companies in Old Town have been found.
The names of some mills changed with different ownership. Others were
built on the ruins of previous mills. 25 sites have been identified. |
 The
shoreline along Ruston Way now features a beautiful promenade which
passes through public parks and by fine restaurants. There are very few
indications of the industrial past of this area. Six sites were marked
in 2004, and two more in the summer of 2005. Four more plaques will be
placed in 2006. Michaels and the Tacoma Historical Society hope to mark
the rest of the sawmill sites and perhaps the locations of Old Tacoma's
other industrial activity.  |
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While researching the history of the lumber industry of the area, Michaels became acquainted with a scholar specializing in the history of Old Tacoma. This guidebook to the Old Town sawmills is the result of their collaboration.  |
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