North End in Tacoma in Pierce County, Washington — The American West (Northwest)

Cutting Edge Technology

Photographed by Ian Lefkowitz, October 18, 2023

1. Cutting Edge Technology Marker

Inscription. This historic head saw is a unique artifact from the Dickman Mill. It was specially designed to handle enormous old-growth logs and it helped transform Tacoma into the Lumber Capital of America.

The head saw was installed in 1923. Today, it is the last surviving unmodified saw of its type in Washington State. It is a Tacoma Historic Landmark and is on the Washington State Heritage Register.

The head saw was manufactured at the Sumner Iron Works in Everett, Washington. It weighs 15 tons, is 34 feet high, and was powered by a Westinghouse 350 horse power 440v, 300 RPM type MR synchronous drive motor. The carriage, measuring 12 x 45 feet, could be adjusted with a saw guide at the front of the top wheel to account for the tapered shape of the logs.

Cambia
This restoration and expansion was made available thanks to a generous gift from Cambia Health Solutions. This was in honor of Cambia's centennial celebration (2017) and the company's founding 100 years ago in the logging camps of Tacoma.

Cambia, which means the rings of a tree, was founded on the idea of neighbor helping neighbor and a spirit of health care innovation that drives the company's focus on people and families today. This gift honors the shared history of hard work, innovation, hope, and courage.

Topics. This historical

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marker is listed in this topic list: Industry & Commerce. A significant historical year for this entry is 1923.

Location. 47° 16.652′ N, 122° 28.213′ W. Marker is in Tacoma, Washington, in Pierce County. It is in North End. It can be reached from Ruston Way, on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 2423 Ruston Way, Tacoma WA 98402, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Puget Sound Region

and in Greater Seattle.

It is also on the American Pacific Coast,

in the Pacific Northwest,

and in the Lewis & Clark Corridor.

Globally, it is in North America,

in the Cascade Range,

in the Inside Passage,

on the Ring of Fire,

in the Pacific Rim,

in the Western Hemisphere,

in the Western World,

and in the Anglosphere.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: People of the Water (a few steps from this marker); Restoring the Site (within shouting distance of this marker); Dickman Mill Park (within shouting distance of this marker); Top of the Ocean (approx. 0.2 miles away); First House in Tacoma (approx. 0.2 miles away); Ester Allstrum (approx. 0.2 miles away); Job Carr Cabin Museum (approx. 0.2 miles away); Tacoma City (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Tacoma.

Other markers no longer nearby. Community Life in Old Tacoma (was approx. 0.2 miles away but has been replaced with another marker now near it); Our First Settlers (was approx. 0.2 miles away but has been replaced with another marker now near it).

Photographed by Ian Lefkowitz, October 18, 2023

2. Cutting Edge Technology Marker

The historical marker is located in front of the head saw in Dickman Mill Park.

Photographed by Ian Lefkowitz, October 18, 2023

3. Ghost Log

The head saw is next to Ghost Log, a waterfront artwork by artist Mary Coss.

Credits. This page was last revised on April 10, 2025. It was originally submitted on April 6, 2025, by Ian Lefkowitz of New York, New York. This page has been viewed 127 times since then and 10 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on April 6, 2025, by Ian Lefkowitz of New York, New York. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.