For more than half a century, the Walker Cut Stone Company helped shape the architectural character of Tacoma and the Pacific Northwest. Today, that story is easier than ever to explore thanks to the Northwest Room’s newly added Walker Stone Company Records in the ORCA database. This newly added digital collection features photographs of the company’s quarry and shop operations, images of Walker stonework on local buildings such as the Bank of California and the Main Branch Library, and brochures documenting their craftsmanship. These materials offer a vivid entry point into the legacy of a business that once supplied stone for some of the region’s most iconic structures.
Founded in 1908 by English stonecutter Robert Walker, the company grew from a small shop on Puyallup Avenue into one of the region’s most important crafters of Wilkeson sandstone. Walker arrived in Tacoma in 1907 after stints in Winnipeg and Minnesota. He had already seen Wilkeson sandstone on an earlier visit and recognized its exceptional quality. After incorporating his company, he worked with stone from several local quarries, including Tenino brownstone used in the construction of the Chester Thorne residence at Thornewood.
Wilkeson sandstone itself has deep roots in the region’s history. First identified in 1869 by Northern Pacific Railroad secretary Sam Wilkeson, the stone was initially used as railroad ballast before contractors began adopting it for major building projects. By 1911, Walker had secured the quarry lease and proprietary rights, positioning his company to take on large‑scale commissions across Tacoma, Seattle, Spokane, and Portland.
One of Walker Cut Stone’s most significant achievements was its work on the Washington State Capitol in Olympia, constructed between 1911 and 1928. The
project required an astonishing 15,400 tons of Wilkeson stone. By then, Walker’s sons had joined the company, helping guide it through its most productive era.
After World War II, demand for cut stone declined, but the company continued to contribute to local projects into the 1950s. A notable example is the 1952 addition to the Tacoma Public Library's Main Branch, which features two carved city seals still visible today. In 1959, the Walker family sold both the business and the quarry. The quarry later earned a place on the National Register of Historic Places in 1978 before going bankrupt in 1982.
Though the company is gone, its legacy endures in the stonework that still stands across the Northwest, a testament to the craftsmanship and vision of Robert Walker and his family.
While Walker Cut Stone belongs to Tacoma’s past, the tradition of skilled stone carving continues in Washington, especially in Tenino, another community with deep ties to sandstone craftsmanship. In recent news, Tenino stonecutter Keith Phillips will receive the 2026 State Historic Preservation Officer’s Career Achievement Award. The honor recognizes his outstanding contributions to the craft of stone carving, his work preserving historic architecture, and his dedication to keeping traditional craftsmanship alive.
Phillips was nominated by Thurston County Commissioner and former Tenino Mayor Wayne Fournier, reflecting the deep respect he’s earned within his community. His recognition highlights how the region’s stone working traditions continue to evolve, carried forward by artisans committed to both heritage and craft.
If you would like to browse the Walker Cut Stone Company Records on ORCA (click here). To learn more about the buildings that Walker Cut Stone worked on, the Wilkeson quarry, or browse the Walker Cut Stone Company records (appointment only) visit us in the Northwest Room.
The Northwest Room's hours are:
Tuesday - Open 4:00-8:00
Wednesday - Appointment only from 5:00-7:00
Thursday - Open 10:00-6:00
Friday - Appointment only from 2:00-5:00
Saturday - Open 10:00-6:00
Visit this link to book a research appointment: https://www.tacomalibrary.org/visit-northwest-room/
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