Construction is well under way in June of 1923 at the Wilkeson Garage in downtown Tacoma's auto row. Built of concrete and measuring 120 feet by 131 feet, it was declared the "largest of its kind on the Pacific Coast." All units of the big service station were completed by November of 1923. Built by L.E.Wilkeson, the new structure was to reflect the "department store idea for the motor car." A parking lot on top with room for 100 cars was finished in April of 1924. G18.1-089; BU14,356 (Tacoma Sunday Ledger, 4-29-23, C-1-article)

Wilkeson Garage & Service Station (Tacoma); Automobile service stations--Tacoma--1920-1930; Building construction--Tacoma--1920-1930;

In November of 1919, Marvin Boland photographed this elevated view of the triangular shaped block on the west side of Pacific Avenue bordered by Jefferson and South 17th. In the center of the photograph was the recently constructed Depot Service Station. A small wedge of a brick building was apparently still under construction to the right of the service station. Tires were on sale and Union gasoline could be purchased there. In the right background was the Carlton Hotel, 1552 Jefferson Ave., which was built in 1909. In the upper left corner was the Pacific Storage & Transfer Co., located in the Dougan Block at 1721-25 Jefferson Ave., whose ad in the 1920 City Directory stated that they were distributors of pool cars. Depot Service Station remained at this location, with various changes of ownership and remodeling, until it was demolished around 2002. TPL-244; G8.1-017

Depot Service Station (Tacoma); Automobile service stations--Tacoma--1910-1920; Commercial streets--Tacoma--1910-1920; Carlton Hotel (Tacoma); Pacific Storage & Transfer Co. (Tacoma);

In the summer of 1919 the building at 218-220 St. Helens Avenue was the home of Sam J. Kenyon's Marmon Service Station and Bartons Auto Laundry. Mr. Kenyon specialized in servicing and repairing luxury automobiles known for their speed and power. The Marmon was manufactured from 1903 - 1933. Signage on the glass window indicates that the Kenyon shop also serviced "Locomobiles." The Locomobile was also manufactured in the US, from 1899 (steam version) and 1902 for the gas engine version, until 1928. Both car companies also produced race cars. To provide maximum service to its customers, Barton's, in the same building, was open "day and night" according to their sign. BU-13095

Marmon Service Station (Tacoma); Barton's Auto Laundry (Tacoma); Automobile service stations--Tacoma--1910-1920; Vehicle maintenance & repair--Tacoma--1910-1920;

In September of 1955, three tow trucks and their drivers stand at the ready in front of Del's Service and Repair at 711 Tacoma Ave So. Del's was owned by Delbert Heim who took over Art's Auto Repair around 1953 and changed the name. The garage specialized in brake repair, and towing was available 24 hours a day. The building was originally constructed in 1929 for a cost of $38,000. The site includes the Washington Grocery (to the left) at 707 Tacoma Ave So. The same builder, Oscar Volk, built the 85 unit brick Washington Apartments to the left of the photograph at 7th and Tacoma Ave So. (actual address 518 So. 7th St.). Del moved his business to 224 St. Helens Ave. in the late 1950s.

Del's Service & Repair (Tacoma); Automobile repair--Tacoma--1950-1960; Wreckers (Vehicles);

Andy's Service Station, featuring Mobilgas, at 4801 So. Park Ave. Photos ordered by the General Petroleum Corp. Andy's was owned by Vincent M. Anderson. In addition to pumping Mobilgas, the station also sold tires and had a garage. One car can be seen on the lift in the garage. The winged horse logo of Mobil can be seen in several locations. According to the building index, the station was originally built in 1923.

Andy's Service Station (Tacoma); Automobile service stations--Tacoma--1950-1960; Automobiles--Tacoma--1950-1960; Gasoline pumps--Tacoma--1950-1960; Mobilgas--Tacoma;

Doug Garrett's Service station. Photos ordered by the General Petroleum Corp. The station was owned by Douglas E. Garrett, who had previously operated the station with a partner as Doug & Cliff's. The station sold Mobilgas and also had a repair garage.

Automobile service stations--Tacoma--1950-1960; Gasoline pumps--Tacoma--1950-1960; Automobiles--Tacoma--1950-1960; Doug Garrett's Service Station (Tacoma);

Standard Oil; opening of new service station. Richards appointment book gives the station's address as 9821 South Tacoma Way. Three gas station employees in sparkling white uniforms and caps kneel in front of five men in suits. The Standard Oil neon sign is emblazoned over all.

Automobile service stations--Tacoma--1950-1960; Standard Oil Co. of California (Tacoma);

Shell Oil Co. had a sales meeting on April 25, 1957, with approximately 100 people in attendance. Participants enjoyed a catered meal from Wellman's. These sales meetings were used to inform employees of new products and sales techniques. View of lecturer demonstrating the use of the new X-100 premium motor oil. The X-100 was a heavy duty oil which adjusted automatically to extreme temperature changes in modern engines. A nearby chart explains the contaminant balance for gasoline engines. Photograph ordered by Shell Oil Co.

Shell Oil Co., Inc. (Tacoma); Petroleum industry--Tacoma--1950-1960; Merchandise displays--Tacoma--1950-1960;

According to the 1958 City Directory, longtime Shell Oil district manager Lawrence Hausam had his offices on the Tideflats at 702 East D Street. The plant had been built in late 1949. All of Shell's receiving, packaging, and distribution facilities in the area were consolidated at the new waterfront terminal. View of exterior of plant; water transportation and rail facilities were close at hand. A warning sign posted on one building advised drivers to check the railroad tracks before backing up to prevent accidents. Photograph ordered by Shell Oil Co.

Shell Oil Co., Inc. (Tacoma); Industrial facilities--Tacoma--1950-1960; Petroleum industry--Tacoma--1950-1960; Railroad tracks--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Siphorus L. Gates opened Si's Super Service gas station at 524 South Stadium Way in 1959. The short-lived station was built into a notch in the high bluff on the west side of Stadium Way. To the left of Si's in this photograph from August of 1959 is the back of the University Union Club, 529 Broadway. The Union Club was built in 1888 with a Greco Colonial design by Whidden & Lewis. TPL-10142

Si's Super Service Gas Station (Tacoma); Automobile service stations--Tacoma--1950-1960; University Union Club of Tacoma (Tacoma);

New tire store. Baldwin Tire & Brake Service opened for business in September of 1969 in the old OK Tire Store building. It was located at 1922 Tacoma Ave. So. and offered both new tires and retreads, including El Dorado and Goodrich brands. Front end alignment and brake service were also provided. Owner and operator Leonard Baldwin was a former real estate salesman for Frank Russell & Associates and a retired Army sergeant. Mr. Baldwin is believed to be the second man to the right in this September 22, 1969, group photograph. He was the sixth in the nation to utilize funds available through the (then) eight-month old minority enterprise program of the Small Business Administration. The loan to purchase the tire store was made possible through a special partnership from tire dealers and the SBA to help minorities obtain and operate their own tire business. Photograph ordered by R.H. Gillette Distributors, Inc. (TNT 10-12-69, D-10)

Baldwin Tire & Brake Service (Tacoma); Tires; Signs (Notices);

Baldwin Tire & Brake Service. The large OK sign was still fastened to the roof of the tire store at 19th and Tacoma Ave So. now owned by Leonard Baldwin in September of 1969. Now called Baldwin Tire & Brake Service, the store sold new tires and retreads, emphasizing the El Dorado and Goodrich brands, and also fixed flats for 96 cents or tubeless tires for $1.25. A customer could also have his vehicle's front end aligned and brakes repaired. Store owner Leonard Baldwin, a former real estate salesman and retired Army sgt., was able to purchase the business with the help of a minority enterprise program. This September 22, 1969, general view also indicates the wooded and shrub-filled lot next to the tire store had recently been sold by Wm. C. Johnston, realtor. Photograph ordered by the R.H. Gillette Distributors, Inc. (TNT 10-12-69, D-10)

Baldwin Tire & Brake Service (Tacoma); Tires; Signs (Notices);

Richfield service station. This Richfield service station was located near Olympia next to an Armstrong Homes office. The service station, whose exact address was not identified, had at least six pumps and offered its customers S&H green stamps. Unlike gas stations of the past, this modern unit accepted Master Charge and Bankamericard for payment. Photograph ordered by Richfield Co., Seattle.

Automobile service stations--Olympia; Gasoline pumps--Olympia; Signs (Notices);

Interior- service station. Fort Lewis had a brand new service station in early 1969. The brightly lit interior had a number of products to serve automotive needs. A large sign informed customers that new AAFES consolidated procurement procedures enabled the post exchange to offer exceptional savings of quality merchandise. Shoppers were advised to look for the "gold shield" symbol on goods. Color photograph ordered by Northwest Area Exchange.

Automotive service stations--Fort Lewis; Merchandise displays--Fort Lewis; Signs (Notices);

Interior - service station. Servicemen and their families had a wide variety of merchandise to choose from in a new service station located on Fort Lewis. Brand name tires, car wax and oil were just a few of the many items sold at very reasonable prices. It would not be necessary to go off base to buy regularly used supplies. Color photograph ordered by the Northwest Area Exchange.

Automobile service stations--Fort Lewis; Merchandise displays--Fort Lewis; Tires;

Extended view of the Baza'r Discount Auto Center on an overcast day in May, 1972. Much like the Gov-Mart/Baza'r department store located in the same vicinity, the large auto center offered a "one-stop" shopping style. Customers could fill their tanks, buy Goodyear tires, and have maintenance performed on their vehicles. There were several bays and pumps in the auto center so waiting could be cut to a minimum. Photograph ordered by Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co., Seattle.

Baza'r Discount Auto Center (Lakewood); Automobile service stations--Lakewood--1970-1980; Gasoline pumps--Lakewood--1970-1980; Signs (Notices);

Baza'r Discount Auto Center. The Baza'r Discount Auto Center, featuring "lowest everyday prices," was part of the Gov-Mart Baza'r department store complex in the Ponders Corner area of Lakewood. Goodyear tires were sold here as well as brake service, mufflers, batteries and tune-ups. Customers could pull up to three separate rows of gas pumps for regular or premium gas. Photograph ordered by Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co., Seattle.

Baza'r Discount Auto Center (Lakewood); Automobile service stations--Lakewood--1970-1980; Gasoline pumps--Lakewood--1970-1980; Signs (Notices);

Post Exchange Service Station No. 1. 1970 Richards stock footage. View of Post Exchange Service Station No. 1 believed to be located on Fort Lewis. Multiple booths per rows of pumps. Snow-topped Mount Rainier provides a beautiful backdrop.

Automobile service stations--Fort Lewis; Rainier, Mount (Wash.);

Undated photograph by Chapin Bowen of Mobilgas station, seller of Norwalk Tires, located on Meridian Avenue South at Fourth Street, S. E., Puyallup. Mohr's Sausage truck is parked at the three pumps.

Undated photograph by Chapin Bowen of a Mobilgas station that also served lunches and where groceries could be purchased. The automobile service station was located in Riffe, Washington, southwest of Morton in south central Lewis County. The town of Riffe no longer exists. It was buried with the construction of Mossyrock Dam.

Undated photograph by Chapin Bowen of Mobilgas station, seller of Norwalk Tires, located on Meridian Avenue South at Fourth Street, S. E., Puyallup. Mohr's Sausage truck is parked at the three pumps.

Stan's Corner. Mobilgas. Waller Road at 96th Street, Tacoma. The service station, in this undated photograph, had three gas pumps. In addition, Stan's Corner sold groceries for the passing motorist.

Undated photograph by Chapin Bowen of a Mobilgas station that also served lunches and where groceries could be purchased. The automobile service station was located in Riffe, Washington, southwest of Morton in south central Lewis County. The town of Riffe no longer exists. It was buried with the construction of Mossyrock Dam.

Stan's Corner. Mobilgas. Waller Road at 96th Street, Tacoma. The service station, in this undated photograph, had three gas pumps. In addition, Stan's Corner sold groceries for the passing motorist.

Undated photograph of Mobilgas station located at Legion Way and Jefferson Street, Olympia, Washington. Two old cars parked near open bay. Norwalk tires were sold at this station. Ed Whitney was the independent dealer.

Undated photograph of Mobilgas station located at Legion Way and Jefferson Street, Olympia, Washington. Two old cars parked near open bay. Norwalk tires were sold at this station. Ed Whitney was the independent dealer.

Mobilgas station. Aberdeen Highway, Route 1, Olympia.

Mobilgas station.

Mobilgas station. Yelm, Washington.

Mobilgas, Maxwell station. Eastman's Grocery. Shelton Highway, Route 1, Box 88, Olympia, Washington.