Carstens Packing Company Abattoir


Status: Demolished

Created: June 10, 1939
Address: 1623 E J ST, TACOMA


Series of 21 technical drawings for the Carstens Packing Company created by the Henschien, Everds & Crombie Architects & Engineers firm on June 10, 1939. The company was based in Chicago, Illinois at 59 East Van Buren St. and specialized in meat processing plants.


The Carstens Packing Company had been active since 1904. In 1954, the company was sold to an Eastern firm and renamed to the Hi-Grade Packing Co. In 1990, executives in Seattle closed the Tacoma processing plant and on October 24, 1996 the structure was destroyed by fire.

The location is now the site of the Tacoma Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention center. For more on the relationship between these two buildings which occupied this site, please visit The Tideflats.


Other records related to this location:
Carstens Packing Company Coolers and Shipping Office
Carstens Packing Company Pork House


View of the west side of the plant and nearby stockyards.
Carstens Packing Company "West Side of Plant"
General Photograph Collection (CARSTENS-003), c.a. 1909
Courtesy Tacoma Public Library Northwest Room

Technical Drawings:
Sheet 0092711
Sheet 1-1
Sheet 1-2
Sheet 1-3
Sheet 1-4
Sheet 1-5
Sheet 1-6
Sheet 1-10
Sheet 1-11
Sheet 1-12
Sheet 1-13
Sheet 1-14
Sheet 1-15
Sheet 1-16
Sheet 1-17
Sheet 1-18
Sheet 1-19
Sheet 1-20


Golden Jubilee Parade, Carsten's Packing Company float, on July 22, 1939. Man is holding huge carving knife in front of a model of large ham; little girls are sitting on float. Old Chamber of Commerce Building on Pacific Avenue in background.
Golden Jubilee Parade, Carstens Packing Company float
Photo by Richards Studio (D8652-33), 1939-07-22
Courtesy Tacoma Public Library Northwest Room
Portion of the large meat packing concern's stockyards was one of several compiled for a Carstens Packing Co. booklet dated Christmas, 1909.
Carstens Packing Company "Showing Port of Large Stockyards"
General Photograph Collection (CARSTENS-002), c.a. 1909
Courtesy Tacoma Public Library Northwest Room
Portion of the large meat packing concern's stockyards was one of several compiled for a Carstens Packing Co. booklet dated Christmas, 1909.
"Inedible Tank Rendering Room" at Carstens Packing Company
General Photograph Collection (CARSTENS-019), c.a. 1909
Courtesy Tacoma Public Library Northwest Room