The Foundry That Rose From Seattle’s Ashes
Burned out in the Great Seattle Fire, J. M. Frink’s iron works rebuilt on Grant Street and kept supplying the city’s machinery.
Almost the first foundry constructed in Seattle was originated by J. M. Frink and L. S. Tenny, at the corner of Jackson and South Second streets. For five years it was known by the company name of Tenny & Frink, when the business was enlarged by a reorganization with George Harris and J. M. Bendiman as members. The new company was thereafter known as the Washington Iron Works company.
The thorough experience and business ability of the organizers soon placed the institution on an equality with the best on the Pacific coast. In 1889 the valuable plant was burned to the ground by the great Seattle fire, being a total loss. Regardless of this, almost immediately new buildings were under construction on property owned by the company out on Grant Street bridge. Furnaces were at work in a remarkably short time, filling the numerous orders which were coming in. Today the Washington Iron Works company has a splendid plant with every modern convenience. The machinery is all of the latest improved make, which guarantees for all its patrons quick and efficient work. The plant consists of foundries, machine shops, blacksmith shops and boiler works in which a large amount of money is invested, the capital stock of the company being $100,000. An order of any description in the machinery line used in this section can be turned out from these shops. As manufacturers of mill, marine and mining machinery the institution has few equals and no superiors. The company makes a specialty of logging cars with patent steel-eye beams and bolsters, railroad and bridge castings, chilled car wheels. A fine stock of sheet and boiler steel, bar and pig iron is kept on hand and the outfit of tools is the most complete in the Northwest. Pattern work and architectural designs are also specialties which meet with prompt attention.
One by one the old members of the firm have dropped out, until now Mr. Frink stands alone. From the first organization in 1880 until the present time he has remained in active management. The following is the directory and officers, the result of a recent reorganization: J. M. Frink, P. W. Fuller and Egbert Frink, directors; J. M. Frink, president and manager, and Egbert Frink, treasurer and secretary.
“In 1889 the valuable plant was burned to the ground by the great Seattle fire, being a total loss. Regardless of this, almost immediately new buildings were under construction.”
The Washington Iron Works is long gone, but its path—destroyed by the 1889 fire and rebuilt within months—echoes how Seattle has repeatedly remade its industrial waterfront. The story also shows how a single fire could wipe out a company’s entire plant in a city built largely of wood.
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