Shingle Weavers: The Dangerous History of Early Roofing Production
In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the production of wooden roofing shingles was a cornerstone of the American building industry. Centered largely in Washington and Oregon, this trade relied on the abundance of Western Red Cedar to provide the essential roofing and siding for homes across the nation. However, behind the architectural charm of these homes lay a manufacturing process defined by extreme physical danger and intense labor struggles.
The Perilous Craft of the Shingle Weaver
The term "shingle weaver" describes a specialized worker who hand-fed raw wood into automated saws. The name is believed to derive from the nimble, rhythmic motion of the sawyers' hands as they worked around spinning blades, a skill level and manual dexterity likened to the operators of weaving looms.
The process was grueling and relentless. A weaver had to keep pace with the machinery; if a blade produced 50 shingles per minute, the worker had to reach over the teeth 50 times in 60 seconds. Their duties included turning the shingle, trimming edges, and quickly removing knot holes before tossing the finished board down a chute. This was performed in a thick cloud of sawdust, with workers often using wet sponges under their noses to filter the air.
The risks were two-fold: respiratory and physical. Workers suffered from cedar asthma, an occupational disease caused by inhaling cedar dust. More immediately, the "screeching steel" of the saws posed a constant threat. A single slip or a reach that was slightly too far often resulted in the loss of fingers, hands, or arms.
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Key Facts
- Industry Scale: By 1893, Washington state alone operated 150 mills converting Western Red Cedar into shingles and shakes.
- Occupational Hazard: Workers faced both "cedar asthma" and frequent, severe limb injuries from automated saws.
- Skill Requirement: The role required high manual dexterity, leading to the comparison between sawyers and loom weavers.
- Labor Conflict: The industry was marked by violent clashes, most notably the Everett massacre of 1916.
The Struggle for Unionization
The dangerous nature of the work and the demanding pace led workers to seek collective bargaining. The first attempt to unionize occurred in Michigan in 1886, though it lasted only a few years as the industry shifted westward toward Washington, which became the 42nd U.S. state in November 1889.
Early Efforts in the Pacific Northwest
By 1890, workers in the Puget Sound area established the West Coast Shingle Weavers’ Union, with locals forming in towns such as Ballard, Tacoma, Snohomish, Arlington, Chehalis, and Sedro-Woolley. This initial effort collapsed following an ill-timed strike during the economic downturn of 1893.
The Rise of International Organizing
A more sustainable movement began in 1901 with the creation of the International Shingle Weavers of America. To foster communication and solidarity, the union launched a journal called The Shingle Weaver in January 1903. Based initially in Ballard, the publication later moved to Everett and Seattle before being renamed The Timber Worker in February 1913.
Violence and the Everett Massacre
Labor tensions reached a breaking point in 1915 following wage cuts in the mills of Everett, Washington. This sparked a series of events leading to a strike in 1916 by the Industrial Workers of the World. The strike was met with force and violence, culminating on November 5, 1916, in a gun battle known as the Everett massacre. The conflict resulted in the deaths of five strikers and two "citizen deputies," with approximately 45 others wounded.
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Industry Summary
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Primary Material | Western Red Cedar |
| Major Hubs | Washington and Oregon (Pacific Northwest) |
| Key Health Risk | Cedar asthma and traumatic limb loss |
| Major Unions | West Coast Shingle Weavers’ Union; International Shingle Weavers of America |
| Significant Event | Everett massacre (November 5, 1916) |
Frequently Asked Questions
Why were shingle makers called "weavers"?
They were called weavers because the nimble, fast movements of their hands around the spinning saw blades resembled the skilled motions of operators working on weaving looms.
What was cedar asthma?
Cedar asthma was an occupational disease suffered by shingle weavers caused by the constant inhalation of fine cedar sawdust particles during the manufacturing process.
When did the shingle weaving industry peak in Washington?
The industry was very large in the late 19th century; by 1893, there were 150 mills in Washington state alone processing Western Red Cedar.
What was the Everett massacre?
The Everett massacre was a violent gun battle on November 5, 1916, between strikers from the Industrial Workers of the World and "citizen deputies," resulting in seven deaths and about 45 injuries.
What was the purpose of The Shingle Weaver newspaper?
Established in 1903, it served as the official journal of the International Shingle Weavers of America to support and inform union members.