HistoryLink Tours

Look west. This is approximately the location of the last shingle mill that operated on the 14th Street dock, closing in 1962. By about mid-century, the entire area north of the 14th Street Dock had been filled in with earthen material, and the landmark dock had all but disappeared.

Mike Willett and Fred Tilley, who had interest in the mill since the start of the mill in 1929, sold their Super Shingle Mill to Russ Farrington in 1947. Farrington changed the name of the mill to the Super Mill. Farrington became known around town as “Shingles,” though Everett City Commissioner Mildred Simpson called him “Mr. Cinders.” The mill employed 50 people working two shifts at peak production. In May of 1960, a major fire struck the mill. The dry kiln building burned causing $75,000 in damage. One hundred city firemen battled the blaze for three hours.

The old mill dirtied the air with smoke and cinders, and Farrington was under much pressure to close it. Finally, the mill closed and the site was sold to the Port of Everett in 1962.

Continue west and north along the waterfront promenade into Boxcar Park. Continue to the large ornate wooden Weyerhaeuser Office Building in the northern part of the park.