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Construction on this large plant began at Glen Cove in 09/1927. The National Paper Products Company recognized that the economically depressed city, surpassed economically by Seattle, WA, could provide a reliable venue for its kraft paper factory. Negotiations began with city officials about the need for a larger supply of fresh water to be piped to the plant; in short order, the Port Townsend city government arranged to have a $600,000 bond issue put before voters to pay for a dam along the Big Quilcene River and a 30-mile pipeline to bring water to town. The Big Quilcene Water Extension Project passed and the dam and pipeline were built, allowing the plant to open initial operations on 10/06/1928. Zellerbach spent $5.5 million on a dock and the factory, opened in two stages. The main manufacturing building was a mammoth 850 feet long. The company became known as "Crown Zellerbach" after the San Francisco-based Zellerbach Corporation acquired the Crown Willamette Pulp and Paper Company of Camas, WA, in 04/1928. Crown Zellerbach sold the facility (after a long strike in 1978-1979) to a West German company, Haindl Papier GmbH on 12/20/1983. Haindl subsequently renamed the plant, the "Port Townsend Paper Corporation," but sold it in 12/1997 to Northwest Capital Appreciation, Incorporated. Northwest continues to employ 325 people in Port Townsend, producing 325,000 tons of unbleached paper and cardboard annually.

This paper mill was located at Glen Cove, the nineteenth century land claim of Albert Briggs, a Port Townsend pioneer settler. Approximately 600 workers constructed the building over a two-year span. At its opening in 1928, the factory sparked an economic revival for the city and has remained the largest employer in Jefferson County, WA, since then.

PCAD id: 14007