The Auto Clinic, ordered by Bethlehem Pacific Coast Steel. This location combined an auto repair shop with a five story "pigeon hole" parking structure. A hydraulic lift was used to "park" the cars in their places.

Auto Clinic (Tacoma); Automobile repair--Tacoma--1950-1960; Automobile service stations--Tacoma--1950-1960; Parking garages--Tacoma--1950-1960;

The Auto Clinic, ordered by Bethlehem Pacific Coast Steel. This location combined an auto repair shop with a five story "pigeon hole" parking structure. A hydraulic lift was used to "park" the cars in their places.

Auto Clinic (Tacoma); Automobile repair--Tacoma--1950-1960; Automobile service stations--Tacoma--1950-1960; Parking garages--Tacoma--1950-1960;

ca. 1926. This photograph is captioned "Monty's (Garage). Wreck." There was a Monty's Garage Inc. at 1201 A. St. Monty Percival was president of the company. It appears that the truck is being hooked up to tow the automobile that has gone across the sidewalk and through the guard rail. (WSHS)

Monty's Garage (Tacoma); Automobiles--Tacoma--1920-1930;

The Auto Clinic at 1201 A St. celebrated the Grand Opening of its service center and 5 story steel and concrete parking structure on December 7, 1953. The parking structure contained pigeon holes where cars were deposited by a elevator that operated on a track that ran through the center of the pigeon hole spaces. This storage system eliminated the need to constantly move other cars to get to a single car. The pigeon hole section accommodated 120 cars, with the basement and top floor holding another 50, for a total 170 car capacity versus the 80 car capacity of the traditional form of parking. This parking method was invented in Spokane and designed to help reduce parking congestion in downtown areas. (TNT 12/6/1953, pg. A-10)

Auto Clinic (Tacoma); Elevators; Parking garages--Tacoma--1950-1960;

The Auto Clinic unveiled its new "pigeon hole parking garage" at South 12th & A Streets in December of 1953. Tacoma's first example of this unique parking plan, developed in Spokane, opened on December 7, 1953. This photograph taken from the corridor of the structure shows a car on the hoist as it is being taken to its pigeon hole. The hydraulic electric hoist operated on a track. Cars could be taken from the lower level on one side to the upper level on the far side in less than two minutes. The pigeon hole section could accomodate 120 cars in the five-story steel and concrete structure. This method of parking had already been installed in Los Angeles, Phoenix and Reno to help alleviate the problem of parking in congested downtown areas. The Auto Clinic was owned by Mrs. Lily Schweizer and John Long and offered complete automotive service including a repair shop, Associated Flying "A" gasoline, Tydol motor oils and Federal tires. (TNT 12/6/1953, pg. B-11)

Auto Clinic (Tacoma); Elevators; Parking garages--Tacoma--1950-1960; Automobiles--Tacoma--1950-1960;

The Auto Clinic would be having the Grand Opening December 7, 1953 of their new automotive service featuring the most modern and newest type of automotive parking, "pigeon hole parking." The company would have a full service repair shop, pump station, washing & polishing, auto accessories and parking at this one location . The pump and repair station with Flying A, Associated Gasoline, service can be seen to the left. The multi story parking structure can be seen to the right. The company, owned by John T. Long and Mrs. Lily Schweizer, had formerly operated a storage garage and repair business at this site for about 10 years. (TNT 12/6/1953, pg. B-11)

Auto Clinic (Tacoma); Automobile repair--Tacoma--1950-1960; Automobile service stations--Tacoma--1950-1960; Parking garages--Tacoma--1950-1960;

The "Auto Clinic" and its "pigeon hole" parking, for Bethlehem Steel Co. This unique parking plan, developed in Spokane, opened in Tacoma 12/7/1953. An hydraulic hoist operating on a track could move cars from level to level and side to side in the multi story parking garage in minutes. The company owned by John T. Long and Mr. Lily Schweizer also offered a full service repair shop, pump station, washing & polishing and auto accessories.

Auto Clinic (Tacoma); Automobile repair--Tacoma--1950-1960; Automobile service stations--Tacoma--1950-1960; Parking garages--Tacoma--1950-1960;