Arthur B. Pracna photograph collection, 1908-1914

Overview of the Collection

Creator
Pracna, Arthur B
Title
Arthur B. Pracna photograph collection
Dates
1908-1914 (inclusive)
Quantity
64 photographic prints, 64 photographic negatives (2 boxes)
Collection Number
PH1373
Summary
Photographs of mills designed by Arthur B. Pracna in various stages of completion and spanning Washington, Oregon, and British Columbia
Repository
University of Washington Libraries, Special Collections
Special Collections
University of Washington Libraries
Box 352900
Seattle, WA
98195-2900
Telephone: 2065431929
Fax: 2065431931
speccoll@uw.edu
Access Restrictions

Entire collection can be viewed on the Libraries’ Digital Collections website. Permission of Visual Materials Curator required to view originals. Contact Special Collections for more information.

Request at UW

Languages
English

Biographical NoteReturn to Top

Arthur B. Pracna was an architect who specialized in lumber and shingle mills in the Pacific Northwest during the early twentieth century. He was born in Minnesota in 1878 and began his business in Everett, Washington in 1902. He continued to work and live in the Seattle area until his death in 1948. He also designed and patented a swivel band-saw guide for use in these mills.

Historical BackgroundReturn to Top

Lumber milling began in the Pacific Northwest in 1828, but was at its peak from 1883 to 1940 due to the expansion of the national railroad system and advances in logging, milling, and other industry-specific technologies. Following the depletion of available timber in the Midwest and Great Lakes regions, the previous center of the lumber trade, the Pacific Northwest quickly became the focus of the industry, leading to boom times in the region. During and after World War II, the regional economy began to diversify and timber was no longer king. However, it remains an important component of the Pacific Northwest economy.

Content DescriptionReturn to Top

Photographs of lumber mills designed by Arthur B. Pracna in various stages of completion and spanning Washington, Oregon, and British Columbia. Includes some images of Sikh workers.

Use of the CollectionReturn to Top

Alternative Forms Available

View the digital version of the collection

Restrictions on Use

Status of creator's copyrights is unknown; restrictions may exist on copying, quotation, or publication. Users are responsible for researching copyright status before use. Contact University of Washington Libraries Special Collections for details.

Administrative InformationReturn to Top

Acquisition Information

Gift of Frank Pracna, February 3, 1959.

Processing Note

Processed by: Lauren Weidlich, 2016.

Separated Materials

Material Described Separately:

Arthur B. Pracna Papers (Manuscript Collection 0024)

Detailed Description of the CollectionReturn to Top

 

Arthur B. Pracna and his Swivel Band Saw GuideReturn to Top

Container(s) Description Dates
Box/Folder item
1/4 29-33
Pracna Swivel Band Saw Guide in a sawmill
Item 33 - scan from negative.
circa 1910
1/4 34 circa 1910
1/4 35 circa 1910
Container(s) Description Dates
Box/Folder item
1/5 36 circa 1910
1/5 37 circa 1910
1/5 38 circa 1910
1/5 39 circa 1910
1/5 40 circa 1910
1/5 41-42 circa 1910
1/5 43-44
Mill construction showing 2 boilers
Item 44 scan from negative.
circa 1910
1/5 45-49
Construction of a mill
Item 49 scan from negative.
circa 1910
1/5 50 June 30, 1908
1/5 51-52 June 30, 1908
1/5 53 circa 1908
1/5 54
Interior of mill building
Scan from negative. Image shows similar machinery as in item 51.
circa 1908
1/5 55-57 circa 1908
1/5 58 circa 1908
1/5 59-65
Mill under construction
Scan from negative.
circa 1908
1/5 66-71 circa 1910
1/5 72 circa 1910
1/5 73 circa 1910
1/5 74 circa 1910
1/5 75 circa 1910
1/5 76
Partially constructed log ramp
Scan from negative.
circa 1910
1/5 77
Mill with large log ramp
Scan from negative.
circa 1910
1/5 78-80 June 10, 1908
1/5 81 June 10, 1908
1/5 82 circa 1910
1/5 83-85 circa 1910
1/5 86 circa 1910
1/5 87 circa 1910
1/5 88 circa 1910
1/5 89 circa 1910
Container(s) Description Dates
Box/Folder item
1/6 90-91 June 12, 1908
1/6 92 circa 1908
1/6 93 circa 1908
1/6 94 circa 1908
1/6 95 circa 1908
1/6 96 circa 1908
1/6 97
Partially complete sawmill
Scan from negative.
circa 1908

Names and SubjectsReturn to Top

Subject Terms

  • Buildings--British Columbia--Photographs
  • Buildings--Oregon--Photographs
  • Buildings--Washington (State)--Marysville--Photographs
  • Cities and towns--Oregon--Photographs
  • Sawmills--Photographs
  • Sikhs--British Columbia--Photographs

Personal Names

  • Pracna, Arthur B.--Archives
  • Pracna, Arthur B.--Photographs

Form or Genre Terms

  • Negative (photographs)
  • Photographs

Names and SubjectsReturn to Top

Subject Terms

  • Visual Materials Collections (University of Washington)