More than a century ago most families would begin stocking up on coal or firewood long before fall weather arrived. That’s because most homes were heated by coal or firewood in the days before Thomas Edison developed direct current (DC) electricity, while George Edison and Nikola Tesla patented the more successful alternating current (AC) a type of electricity that could be transmitted long distances.
In growing and dense cities like Tacoma, entrepreneurs organized companies to deliver firewood since most homeowners, unlike their country cousins, didn’t have access to cut and split trees and logs or the means to haul it. Fred L. Griffin came west in 1889 to make his fortune in Tacoma. He first obtained a wagon and horse and started delivering fuel wood that he cut himself. After a few years of grueling work, he bought more horses and wagons, then hired employees, five of whom are seen in this circa 1910 photo at the company’s yard located at 1910 Commerce Street.
Fred named his firm Griffin Fuel and Transfer Company and added coal supplied primarily from Pierce County mines in Carbonado, Wilkeson, and Burnett. During summer months when fuel sales slowed, his company delivered ice in an era when few homes had refrigerators but instead relied on blocks placed in an icebox. Fred Griffin died in 1931, after which his son, Edwin assumed management of the family firm renaming it Griffin Fuel Company. Edwin Griffin expanded the business, which became the largest of its kind in Tacoma and one of the leading fuel dealers in the Northwest.
As late as 1940, 75% of homes still used wood or coal as their primary heating fuel, but times were changing as furnaces burning diesel fuel oil gained favor, particularly in urban areas. Griffin guided his firm towards an emphasis on fuel oil and by 1949, Griffin Fuel owned 100 trucks and pieces of equipment, promising prompt and speedy delivery 24 hours per day.
These days most homes, condos, and apartments use either natural gas or electricity. Those two fuels now account for over 90% of heating needs in Washington state. Yet, there are still many who heat with fuel oil, propane, or wood, plus the tiny slice using solar. This Richards Studio photo #C59-1 and background information come courtesy of the Northwest Room at the Tacoma Public Library.
