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 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);

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 May of 1925, J.B. Ness posed with his new Overland Blue Bird touring car in front of his Ness Service Station No. 1, 3802 Pacific Ave. He recently purchased the auto from the Raudenbush Motor Co., Overland and Willys-Knight dealers, through their salesman W.A. Court. Mr. Court was pictured here beside an Overland coupe sedan. Mr. Ness tested the power of his new auto up the infamous South K St. hill climb from Center Street. Mr. Ness also operated a second service station at South 60th St. & Union Ave. (TDL 5/17/1925, pg. G-3)

Ness Service Station No. 1 (Tacoma); Automobile service stations--Tacoma--1920-1930; Overland automobile;

ca. 1926. Wilkeson Service Station interior showing Western Dri-Kure Vulcanizing Manufacturing tire machine. Should be A1815-1.

Wilkeson Garage & Service Station (Tacoma); Tires; Tire industry--Tacoma--1920-1930;

ca. 1926. Wilkeson Service Station, exterior. Large service station and auto service facility constructed in 1923. Signs advertising: General Gasoline, Goodyear Tires, Day and Night Storage, Packard Used Cars. For Western Dri-Kure Vulcanizing Manufacturing. (filed with Argentum)

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

Located at 7th & Broadway was the big Wilkeson Garage. The 120-feet by 131-feet concrete building was the largest of its kind on the Pacific Coast. The service station added a top level for parking in April of 1924, a few months after work was completed on the rest of the structure. Wilkeson Garage carried Goodyear Tires, General Gasoline, Watson Stabilators, Wold-Wilkeson Motor Oil. G59.1-026

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

Exterior view of Pinky Young's gas station in August of 1926. According to photographer Marvin Boland's notes, the business was located at South 72nd and Park Avenue. They guaranteed their repair work, sold tires and tubes, provided air and water and even had a supplemental business in soft drinks, groceries, cigars and school supplies. Jersey Milk products were also available.

Automobile service stations--Tacoma--1920-1930; Pinky Young's Station (Tacoma);

ca. 1927. Guy N. McCoy's Park Avenue Garage, service station at 56th & Park. Frame service station building, automobiles getting gas. The station was built in 1922. For Sperry & Hutchinson Trading Stamp Company. (filed with Argentum)

Park Avenue Garage (Tacoma); Automobile service stations--Tacoma--1920-1930;

Scotch Bloom Service Station & General Store. An unidentified couple stand with four children under the overhanging roof of the Scotch Bloom service station and general store in late May of 1927. The location of the facility was not given. A white picket fence adjoins the service station with openings so that customers could drive in and park or have their crankcase serviced. G48.1-120

Scotch Bloom; Automobile service stations; General stores; Fences; Signs (Notices);

The Otsuka Family opened the Panama Garage at 1320 Market Street in 1923. Roy, Eddie and Hidegoro Otsuka operated the repair shop, car wash and service station. The family posed for this photograph in front of their business in November of 1927. The business was later managed by Ted Semba and Ken Hayashi. It closed during World War II. TPL-6371; G48.1-042

Panama Garage (Tacoma); Japanese American families--Tacoma; Japanese Americans--Tacoma;

This is the Colonial Garage as pictured on December 20, 1927. It was operated by Frank J. Brennan and offered storage, repairs, simonizing and washing with day and night service. The garage was located in downtown Tacoma at 924 Court C. Part of the Rhodes Bros. Department Store is visible in the background.

Colonial Garage (Tacoma); Automobile service stations--Tacoma--1920-1930;

Sumner E. Orr and E.J. Gauthier, proprietors of Tacoma's all-night garage Gauthier & Orr, were photographed receiving leases for six Union Oil stations from company officials E.C. Wilson, Tacoma agent, and N.W. Watson, special agent, on July 17, 1928 (order of men in photo unknown). They exchanged the documents at Station #119 located at 601 No. 1st St. The new owners planned for Tacoma motorists to receive the best service possible. They intended to install lifts for grease work and to modernize the equipment at each station. The six stations leased by the pair were located at 58th & S. Union, 25th & Jefferson Ave., N. 1st & Tacoma Ave. (pictured), 21st & Pacific Ave., East 11th & St. Paul Ave. and 302 Puyallup. (Tacoma Sunday Ledger, 7-22-28, p. G-5) BU-13106, TPL-9637

Automobile service stations--Tacoma--1920-1930; Union Oil Co. of California (Tacoma); Orr, Sumner E.; Gauthier, E.J.; Wilson, E.C.; Watson, N.W.;

This view is that of the intersection of Meridian and Valley Road near Puyallup as it appeared on February 25, 1929. The Charles Service Station, dealer in Texaco products, is on the right. Photograph taken for court evidence. G73.1-044

Streets--Puyallup; Charles Service Station (Puyallup);

The Richfield Beacon Service Station opened at 8415 South Tacoma Way in July of 1930. The J.W. Feak Co. constructed the Normandy style building. Edward L. Roth managed the landmark $35,000 service station, which included a 125 ft. tower topped with two 8,000,000 candle power beacons. This Beacon service station was one of 24 operating between Tacoma and Mexico. Each was located on main highways and operated 24 hours a day. Mayor Melvin G. Tennent, pictured above, was the first to buy gas on opening day. TPL-3548; G48.1-019 (Tacoma Sunday Ledger, 7-13-30, E-3 -article & alternate photograph)

Richfield Beacon Service Station (Lakewood); Automobile service stations--Lakewood--1930-1940; Tennent, Melvin Green; Mayors--Tacoma--1930-1940;

ca. 1931. An automobile drives down the road in front of the Bar-B-Q Inn and Kennedy's Garage, probably in Tillicum (Lakewood), circa 1931.

Bar-B-Q Inn (Lakewood); Kennedy's Garage (Lakewood); Automobile service stations--Lakewood--1930-1940; Automobiles--1930-1940;

May Day celebrations at the College of Puget Sound. Jones Hall was the site of the annual May Festival, 1931 honoring the mothers of College of Puget Sound students. May Day Queen Lillian Boyd is pictured at center accompanied by Fred LePenske. Harry Brown and Julius Coplan were heralds announcing the arrival of the queen. Carrying bouquets of flowers were the queen's attendants Alice Berry and Bonita Reeder. Three small children, (L-R) Ralph Lemon, Yvonne Battin and Jimmy Davis, were added to delight the crowd. From L-R were students: Harry Brown, Alice Berry, Lillian Boyd, Fred LePenske, Bonita Reeder, Julius Coplan. (1931 Tamanawas yearbook, p. 53)

May Day--Tacoma; College of Puget Sound (Tacoma)--1930-1940; Students--Tacoma--1930-1940; Boyd, Lillian; LePenske, Fred; Brown, Harry; Berry, Alice; Reeder, Bonita; Coplan, Julius; Lemon, Ralph; Battin, Yvonne; Davis, James;

North Coast Service Garages on Cliff Ave., behind W. P. Fuller Co. (1117-1123 A St.), photographed in May of 1931. The ramp to the 11th Street Bridge can be seen in the background. Bowen # 310-207

ca. 1932. This is the Shaub-Ellison Building, 1902 Pacific Ave., circa 1932. The super-service station, a Goodyear franchise, opened at the beginning of the year. Partners Charlie Ellison and Roe Shaub started business in 1920 at 7th & Commerce before moving to the Pacific Avenue location. This was their only location throughout the Depression and WWll. The University of Washington would purchase the property in 1993 for their Tacoma campus and the Art Deco-styled building was demolished in 1995. (History of Pierce County, Washington, Vol. 1, p. 436)

ca. 1933. Uniformed service station attendants, in spotless white, standing outside of the Standard Station at 624 Puyallup Avenue. One of the men shakes hands with a man in a suit, center. Standard Grocery Co. at 614 Puyallup Ave. in the background. For Standard Stations Inc. (filed with Argentum)

Automobile service stations--Tacoma--1930-1940; Standard Grocery Co. (Tacoma); Gasoline pumps--Tacoma;

ca. 1933. The attendants at the Standard Station at 624 Puyallup Ave. pose for a formal group picture. This picture was probably taken in 1933. Standard Oil took over this station in 1931 and ran it until 1967 when the station closed. Standard Grocery Co. at 614 Puyallup Ave. can be seen in the background. For Standard Stations Inc.

Automobile service stations--Tacoma--1930-1940; Standard Grocery Co. (Tacoma); Gasoline pumps--Tacoma;

This photograph from 1935 shows the triangle shaped block on the west side of Pacific Avenue that is bounded by South 17th and Jefferson. The General Petroleum Corporation had recently purchased the Depot Service Station that had occupied the block since 1919. They remodeled the building, and put in new pumps - but they kept the name. The Depot Station went through the hands of a number of owners over the years, but it remained standing from 1919 until 2002. This photograph also shows the Carlton and Massasoit Hotels on Jefferson.

Depot Service Station (Tacoma); Commercial streets--Tacoma--1930-1940; Automobile service stations--Tacoma--1930-1940; Gasoline pumps--Tacoma--1930-1940; Carlton Hotel (Tacoma);

West side of Pacific Avenue near South Seventeenth Street and Jefferson Avenue. General Petroleum Company's Depot Service Station on triangle lot, Carlton Hotel in and Commerce Street buildings in background. (Argentum)

Depot Service Station (Tacoma); Commercial streets--Tacoma--1930-1940; Automobile service stations--Tacoma--1930-1940; Gasoline pumps--Tacoma--1930-1940; Carlton Hotel (Tacoma);

West side of Pacific Avenue near South 17th Street and Jefferson Avenue. General Petroleum Company's Depot Service Station on triangle lot with Buick billboard at extreme right. Commerce Street buildings, Hotel Lewis, 1522 Pacific Ave., in background. (Argentum)

Depot Service Station (Tacoma); Commercial streets--Tacoma--1930-1940; Automobile service stations--Tacoma--1930-1940; Gasoline pumps--Tacoma--1930-1940; Hotel Lewis (Tacoma);

ca. 1936. Exterior of Associated Oil service station. Station located at Sixth & Sprague, circa 1936. One island, three pumps, "Flying A" emblem. Automobile on lube rack. For Miller & Miller Advertising. (WSHS)

Automobile service stations--Tacoma--1930-1940; Associated Oil Service Stations (Tacoma); Gasoline pumps--Tacoma--1930-1940;

George Irey's Signal service station and Tacoma Radiator and Fender Works. Service station attendant standing at three-pump gasoline service island. Building in background was later remodeled into Mueller-Harkins Buick.

Business Enterprises - Automobile Service Stations - Signal Dealers - Tacoma - George Irey's Signal Service Station

South 38th and Pacific, showing gas station at 3800 Pacific Ave. with two boys on bicycles at pumps. The 1937 City Directory lists this location as vacant; in 1938, it is listed as Bert & Ray Service Station, owned by Bert Nielson & Rayfield Pierantozzi. Light snow on ground, large Victorian house and smaller one. Directional signs put up by AAA point to "National Park 54" (Mount Rainier Nat'l. Park 54 miles) and Tacoma "City Center 2."

Bert & Ray Service Station (Tacoma); Automobile service stations--Tacoma--1930-1940; Gasoline pumps--1930-1940;

Exterior view of George Irey's Signal service station and Tacoma Radiator and Fender Works. Building was later remodled into Mueller-Harkins Buick.

Business Enterprises - Automobile Service Stations - Signal Dealers - Tacoma - George Irey's Signal Service Station

Jerry Eaton's Service Station at Sixth Avenue and J Street. L-shaped stucco building with bracketed tile false shed roofs. Man standing near pumps, four service bays, two automobiles. Mobilgas, Mobiloil, General Petroleum Company and U.S.Tire signs

Jerry Eaton's Service (Tacoma); Automobile service stations--Tacoma--1930-1940;

ca. 1938. Beacon Service Station at 84th Street and South Tacoma Way. Attendant handing customer a spark plug, display of Richfield products. For Richfield Oil Corporation of California. (T. Times) (filed with Argentum)

Beacon Service Station (Tacoma); Automobile service stations--Tacoma--1930-1940; Automobile equipment & supplies;