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Pierce Lumber: 1925

Washington, D.C., 1925. "Ford Motor Co. -- Pierce Lumber." An interesting mix of solid and pneumatic tires. National Photo glass negative. View full size.

Washington, D.C., 1925. "Ford Motor Co. -- Pierce Lumber." An interesting mix of solid and pneumatic tires. National Photo glass negative. View full size.

 

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The site today

The site here is now a bookstore attached to a smallish megachurch.

Piercing

Not only piercing for the driver of the truck, but for the driver of whatever is following the truck!

Piercing Lumber

@fishtrucker: Probably a good thing that rig didn't have too-good brakes. One short stop and Pierce Lumber becomes Piercing Lumber for the driver.

William A. Pierce Lumber Co.


Washington Post, May 28, 1914.

Lumber Company incorporated.

The W. A. Pierce Company was incorporated yesterday to engage in the wholesale and retail lumber business at 216 Fourteenth street northwest. The capital stock is $50,000, divided into 500 shares of par value of $100 each. The names of the trustees for the first year are William A. Pierce, S. Percy Thompson, and William A. Middleton.


Washington Post, August 11, 1937.

William Pierce Rites to Be at Silver Spring.

William A. Pierce, 83, former Washington lumber dealer, died yesterday at his home, 9210 Brookeville pike, Silver Spring Md., after a short illness. Until his retirement several years ago he had been president of the William A. Pierce Lumber Co., at 1616 Rhode Island avenue northeast, which he started 40 years ago.

Born in Deleware, Mr. Pierce spent the early part of his life there, receiving his education in the schools of that State. When he was 25 years old, he moved to Philadelphia, where he was associated with a large department store.

He came to Washington 45 years ago and opened a dry goods store on the site where Kahn's store now stands. Several years later he gave up the store and entered the lumber business. Before the days of the automobile, he was well-known as a horse fancier.


Washington Post, August 23, 1943.

Lightning Bolt Starts $50,000 Plant Blaze.

The old W. A. Pierce Lumber Co., 616 Rhode Island ave., ne., was virtually destroyed by a three-alarm spectacular blaze as a result of a bolt of lightning in last night's thunderstorm. Damage to five tenant companies was estimated at $50,000.

Holes in the tires

NPT or non-pneumatic tires are being re-introduced by Michelin and Goodyear.... but this photo pre-dates them by 90 years! And they were already around for at least ten years in 1921.... The modern versions have newer materials and some built-in give with spider webbing but they really are not new or innovative!

Interesting trailer

This is a typical 5th wheel setup still in use today.
What's a little different is the trailer is built for hauling lumber, the rear wheels can slide forward or back depending on how long the lumber is, the trailer weighs almost nothing (relatively speaking) so they can haul more wood.

Them's the brakes

The Ford TT truck tractor only had brakes on the rear wheels , either mechanical rods to the wheel hubs , or a clamp on the drive shaft . No brakes on the front wheels, or the trailer. Ford wouldn't introduce 4 wheel brakes until 1928 on the Model A

Pivoting load?

It appears that the load is supported at the rear by the trailer, but the front of the load is directly on the rear of the tractor? If so, the load will "pivot" on the tractor every time a turn is made.

pivoting

Hole(s) in Your Tires?

Interesting pair of steer tires on that tractor. I knew about solid rubber and steel tires and about pneumatic tires, but these are just strange. I'm guessing that the holes in what must be a solid rubber tires provide somewhat more cushioning than plain old solid rubber tires would?

Kind of curious to see tires that intentionally have holes in them.

Dangerous

Boy, if that contraption somehow got a little speed up and then stopped quick.

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