Dune Peninsula

It was a clear day in Tacoma on January 17, 1993. Commencement Bay was crowded with boats. Families gathered on boat decks and across North Tacoma sidewalks to watch the demolition of what was once the tallest smokestack in the world, the ASARCO smokestack that loomed over Tacoma’s waterfront for nearly 100 years.With the press of a button, a child, supervised by demolition experts, detonated the smokestack. People cheered, bought commemorative sweatshirts and Doug Taylor’s grandfather set off an air horn in celebration, nearly causing his father to topple off their boat.