Wreck of Gig Harbor bus. This undated photograph by Chapin Bowen shows that a bus has apparently swerved off the road and plunged through a wooden guardrail. The Gig Harbor bus' rear wheels remain on the road. (damaged negative) G72.1-138

Display of Maxwell automobiles. Hoisted on top of a small stage is a Maxwell touring car. The Maxwells were distributed in Southwest Washington by the American Automobile Co. The tops were removable if so desired and the new "California" or all weather top, dark maroon in color, was guaranteed to last the lifetime of the car. The Maxwell automobile also came in enclosed models. This display of automobiles may have been in preparation for the Wesern Washington Fair, October 2-9, where new 1923 cars would be exhibited at the Auto Show. G32.1-135 (Tacoma Sunday Ledger, 4-30-22, C-3-article; Tacoma Sunday Ledger 4-23-22, C-5-article)

Maxwell automobile; Automobile shows;

Three Nalley's delivery trucks are lined up outside the company plant on July 7, 1923. Two of the three drivers are visible behind the steering wheels. Nalley's trucks were decorated with the company's slogan, "If it's Nalley's it's Good." An uncropped version of this photograph ran in the Tacoma Sunday Ledger on July 15, 1923. Nalley's had added more Dodges to their fleet including a touring car and a panel business car (not pictured above) . They had accepted delivery from the Pierce County distributors of Dodge Bros. vehicles, Griffith Motor Co. Low upkeep expense and proven dependability were factors in choosing the Dodge Bros. brand. (print has been damaged) (Tacoma Sunday Ledger, 7-15-23, 6-G)

Trucks--Tacoma--1920-1930; Nalleys, Inc. (Tacoma);

An unidentified woman is pictured on March 23, 1924, hopping from one Rickenbacker coupe to another. The coupes came with 4-wheel brakes, a relatively new idea. Photograph ordered by Sound Motor Co. G32.1-065

Rickenbacker automobile;

A new Dodge delivery truck from Griffith Motor Co. has been purchased by the Tacoma Fish & Packing Co. in March of 1924. The Dodge was selected for its fine qualities of appearance, dependability and economy. Tacoma Fish & Packing was located at 1107 Dock St. and were wholesale dealers in fresh, smoked and frozen fish. The occupant in the vehicle was not identified. Photograph ordered by Griffith Motor Co., Dodge dealership. G34.1-056 (Tacoma Sunday Ledger, 4-13-24, G-7)

Dodge trucks; Tacoma Fish & Packing Co. (Tacoma);

Trucks parked by electric power plant. These trucks, probably White, were transporting equipment to this city power plant in late April of 1925. Four men are posed on or standing next to the vehicles. Photograph ordered by the Hickey Motor Co., local distributors of White trucks.

White trucks--Tacoma; Power plants--Tacoma;

Albert H. Gamin posed outdoors with his new Ford delivery truck decorated with a painted mural on May 11, 1925. He operated Mt. Tacoma Cleaners, 1138 Court C, which dealt in cleaning, pressing and dyeing. Mr. Gamin had been in the cleaning business for six years and this was his third Ford truck. He was well satisfied with the excellent job Ford had provided. Photograph ordered by R.E. Bennatts, Inc., Ford dealership. (Tacoma Sunday Ledger, 6-7-25, 2-G)

Ford trucks; Mt. Tacoma Cleaners (Tacoma); Gamin, Albert;

South Tacoma location of Dodge Brothers cars. Griffith Motor Co., Dodge Brothers dealership, opened a new outlet for Dodge vehicles at 5210-14 South Tacoma Way (then called South Union) in 1925. View of one-story concrete building originally constructed in 1924 and now housing the South Tacoma Home of Dodge Brothers Motor Cars. Recently opened next door was the San Tex Cigar Co. The South Tacoma location of Dodge Bros. paid special attention to parts and accessories for Dodge vehicles. 150 cars every month were sold along this automotive row by various dealerships. The 1926 Polk Directory showed new ownership of the Dodge Brothers dealerships, both at 728-30 Broadway and the South Tacoma location, with Fred B. Walker, Inc., replacing Griffith Motors. Griffith Motors had been purchased by Mr. Walker, former assistant general sales manager of Dodge Brothers, Inc., in January of 1926. G32.1-079 (TNT 9-16-25, p. 24; Tacoma Sunday Ledger, 1-17-26, G-2-article on Walker purchase) TPL-10452

Dodge automobile; South Tacoma Dodge Agency (Tacoma); Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1920-1930; San Tex Cigar Co. (Tacoma);

On July 14, 1926, Vaudeville performer "Countess Sonia," at the wheel of her new Hudson Brougham, posed with her fellow thespian Alex Sherer outside of the Pantages Theater, 901 Broadway. Their act entitled "Countess Sonia in the Revue Satiricon with Alex Sherer" was packing them in at the theater through Sunday. They purchased the Hudson in Seattle the previous week and continued the rest of their trip over the vaudeville circuit in it, ending up back in New York City in the fall. The 1926 Hudson sold over 228,000 units and was the first vehicle to introduce the starter button on the instrument panel. By 1929, the company was third in sales, behind General Motors and Ford. The local distributor for the Hudson was the Allen Motor Co. Photograph ordered by Allen Motor Co. (Tacoma Sunday Ledger 7/18/1926, pg. G-4) G67.1-140

Automobiles--1920-1930; Hudson automobile; Sherer, Alex; Pantages Theater (Tacoma);

Two C.S. Barlow & Sons Mack trucks parked at wooded site in Gig Harbor in August of 1926. Barlow & Sons was an old Tacoma firm, established in 1882, which dealt in building material and supplies including coal, sand, gravel and blasting powder. The sturdy Mack trucks were capable of heavy duty hauling work, which often included plowing through thick muddy terrain. G66.2-148

Mack trucks; C.S. Barlow & Sons, Inc. (Tacoma);

Old Mack truck at South 23rd and Pacific in August of 1926. This empty truck was probably used as a bus for the South Tacoma area. One of the front tires is flat. Another photograph of the same vehicle was taken a few days later at the same location, see Boland B15463. The tire has been repaired. Photograph ordered by Mack Truck. G66.1-027

Mack trucks; Buses--Tacoma--1920-1930;

On March 5, 1920, Dorothy (Mrs. Allen B.) Conrad and small son, Allen B., Jr., were prepared to take a spin in their new Stephens Six, purchased recently from the R.L. Stephens Motor Co. Mrs. Conrad, with fur stole, is seated behind the wheel of the roadster. The little boy is standing on the car's running board next to the open passenger door. Mr. and Mrs. Conrad were proprietors of the Blue Bird Electric Shop and resided at 3112 N. 17th St. (Tacoma Sunday Ledger, 3-21-20, C-4) G11.1-022

Automobiles--Tacoma--1920-1930; Conrad, Dorothy; Conrad, Allen B.; Families--Tacoma--1920-1930;

Parked outside the City Pound's office at So. 27th & D on February 18, 1922, is a new 1922 Dodge closed-car sedan with Walter Havelock Campbell Griffith, president of Griffith Motor Co., standing nearby. A sign fastened to the rather decrepit building warns of a "vicious dog" inside. Mr. Griffith had graciously donated use of his Dodge cars for photographers and writers to use that month in documenting animal care in Tacoma, focusing on the Tacoma Humane Society, a Tacoma Community Chest agency. G10.1-064 (Tacoma Sunday Ledger, 2-26-22, 1-C)

Griffith, Walter Havelock Campbell; Dodge automobile; Tacoma City Pound (Tacoma); Signs (Notices); Tacoma Community Chest (Tacoma); Charitable organizations--Tacoma--1920-1930;

The Wilson-Dawson-McFarland Co. Dodge van is parked outside of the two-story cottage at 514 North "G" St. on April 1, 1922. Four men, including the driver, solemnly gaze at the photographer. The painters have their ladders ready to possibly paint the cottage which was built circa 1890. Photograph ordered by the Griffith Motor Co. TPL-1842; BU10, 150; G37.1-098 (also the same as G28.1-172 and G66.2-121)

Dodge automobile; Houses--Tacoma--1920-1930; Painting--Tacoma--1920-1930;

Miss Vera Jedlick proudly posed on March 21, 1919 with her new Essex automobile. She boasted of being the first Essex owner in Tacoma. The Essex first appeared on the market in 1919 and Miss Jedlick thought it was the finest car around. It took her five minutes after driving the Essex five blocks to decide to buy it. The Essex was a lighter and less expensive Hudson auto and was sold in Tacoma by the Pacific Car Co., at No. 2nd and G St. Miss Jedlick donated her car and her considerable driving talents two days a week to the Red Cross Motor Corps. She is wearing the Motor Corps uniform; the long coat and overseas cap. In the background is the large stone drinking fountain donated by Mayor Angelo Vance Fawcett to the city of Tacoma in 1908. It was originally installed at the intersection of 9th, Broadway and St. Helens Ave., but was later moved by another administration to 8th and A St. on a corner of Fireman's Park. It eventually obtained the euphonious nickname "Fawcett's Faucet." TPL-1681; G11.1-071 (TDL 3/30/1919, pg. C-13; TDL 3-16-19, "Pacific Car Company Chatter," Automotive section-small article)

Automobiles--Tacoma--1910-1920; Jedlick, Vera; Essex automobile; Community service--Tacoma--1910-1920; American Red Cross Pierce County Chapter (Tacoma); Drinking fountains--Tacoma--1910-1920;

ca. 1919. Lindberg Grocery Co. delivery van circa 1919. The Lindberg Grocery Co. were wholesale distributors of "DelMonte," "Stadium," and "Linco" brands as well as cigars and candy. Their delivery van, parked along an unidentified street, had protective canvas over the sides and rear and the driver's cab was encased in tarp as well. Lindberg Grocery, owned and operated by Gustaf Lindberg, had been in Tacoma since about 1892. According to the 1920 City directory, the grocery store was located at South 23rd and "C" Streets and also imported Scandinavian specialties to serve the area's large Scandinavian population. TPL-1680; G34.1-141

Trucks--Tacoma--1910-1920; Lindberg Grocery Co. (Tacoma);

A man exits Tacoma Transit Co. bus #105 near the 900 block of Pacific Ave. on June 8, 1919. The bus ran on sturdy Goodyear Cord tires and was used on the Tacoma-Puyallup route. The Moose cigar and tobacco store is on the near left; the Eau-Claire Apartments and Auto Parts Supply Co. in right rear. Photograph ordered by Goodyear. G66.1-056, TPL-1630

Buses--Tacoma--1910-1920; Tacoma Transit Co. (Tacoma); Tires--Tacoma;

125 convalescents from the Camp Lewis hospital along with 125 girls journeyed in Army trucks as far up Mt. Tacoma (Rainier) as possible on Sunday, June 22, 1919, stopping to have their photograph taken in Ashford. The excursion was sponsored by the Tacoma Council of Knights of Columbus. Every soldier at Camp Lewis was given the chance to enjoy the beautiful mountain and national park that summer courtesy of the Knights of Columbus. Picnic lunches were provided and various activities such as tobogganing and snowballing were scheduled. Bu-12656 (TNT 6-25-19, p. 13)

Trucks--1910-1920; Sightseers; Military personnel--1910-1920;

1937 Ford Coupe, license A132701, at White Arrow Service Station on Seattle Highway for Loyalty Group, Seattle. Mr. Waters, attorney. 1937 Ford automobile heavily damaged on passenger side. Photograph taken on November 21, 1941.

Ford automobile; Traffic accidents; Wrecks;

Automobile at Stevens Motor Company for Morrell Pride Meats. Automobile Number 162.

Automobiles--Tacoma--1940-1950;

1942 Plymouth coupe from Steven Motor Company, Chrysler-Plymouth dealers, for Morrell Pride Meats. Automobile Number 162 is a two-door sedan. Photograph was taken outdoors on August 21, 1942. Cars were one of the items regulated by the War Price & Rationing Board during WWll and only a limited number of people were able to get permits to buy them. The News Tribune would publish the names and addresses of the lucky buyers which also included purchasers of bicycles, typewriters, passenger tires, passenger recaps and tubes. (TNT 8-26-42, p. 5-list of purchasers) This car is what has come to be called a "Black Out" model. The Federal Government mandated that after 12/15/1941 manufacturers had to replace most of the chrome trim and other parts due to war requirements. Trim was either painted or, if it was from chromed stockpiles, it was painted over. The only chrome parts allowed were bumpers and windshield wipers.

Automobiles--Tacoma--1940-1950; Steven Motor Co. (Tacoma);

Mack truck & trailer from Northwest Hauling Co. for Tacoma Truck Sales. Industrial Tacoma and Albers Mill in the background.

Northwest Hauling Co. (Tacoma); Trucks--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Scene of Accident. View of Pacific Avenue near South 19th Street taken on August 31, 1940 for United Pacific Insurance Company. Union Station on right, American Plumbing and Steam Supply, Shaub - Ellison Company and Garretson - Woodruff - Pratt Building on left. Wreckage of the fatal automobile-truck accident had already been cleared away by the time of this photograph. A Portland-Seattle Auto Freight truck had collided head-on with a Packard coupe the late evening of August 30th at South 19th & Pacific Ave. This caused the 11th traffic fatality of the year when Tacoma boilermaker Virgil Jones, along with his three passengers, was thrown from his vehicle. Although his passengers, and the truck's occupants, were injured, they did survived. A coroner's jury the following week found the accident to be "unavoidable" and no charges were filed against either driver. (T.Times 8-31-1940, p. 1+, article-only; T.Times 9-7-1940, p. 8-article only on coroner's inquest)

Traffic accidents--Tacoma--1940-1950; Commercial streets--Tacoma--1940-1950; Union Station (Tacoma); American Plumbing & Steam Supply Co. (Tacoma); Shaub-Ellison Co. (Tacoma); Garretson-Woodruff-Pratt Building (Tacoma); Street railroad tracks--Tacoma;

Scene of Accident. View of Pacific Avenue near South 19th Street. Union Station on right, Shaub - Ellison Company and Garretson - Woodruff - Pratt Building on left. Photographed on August 31, 1940 for United Pacific Insurance Company. Virgil Jones became the city's 11th traffic fatality on August 30th when his Packard coupe collided head-on with a Portland-Seattle Auto Freight truck. Mr. Jones, along with his three passengers, was hurled from his vehicle from the collision's impact. (T.Times 8-31-1940, p. 1+ -article-only)

Traffic accidents--Tacoma--1940-1950; Commercial streets--Tacoma--1940-1950; Union Station (Tacoma); Shaub-Ellison Co. (Tacoma); Garretson-Woodruff-Pratt Building (Tacoma); Street railroad tracks--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Griffin Fuel Company truck and employees. Coal bunkers, Snoqualmie Falls Power Company Transfer House, 250 So. 19th St., on right.

Griffin Fuel Co. (Tacoma); Trucks--Tacoma--1940-1950; Snoqualmie Falls Power Co. Transfer House (Tacoma);

Truck loaded with castings at Atlas Foundry.

Trucks--Tacoma--1940-1950; Atlas Foundry & Machine Co. (Tacoma); Foundries--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Flatbed truck with large casting on back in front of Atlas Foundry.

Trucks--Tacoma--1940-1950; Atlas Foundry & Machine Co. (Tacoma); Foundries--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Doug Oldershaw of the New York Giants football team (far left) was one of five professional football players who donated their time in February of 1941 to help raise money to buy ambulance planes for the Royal Air Force - the RAF. An unidentified member of the Tacoma chapter of the British-American War Relief Committee is pointing to an ambulance airplane on the poster being held by Doug in this photograph from February 10, 1941. Five ambulances comprising a "thumbs-up" cavalcade left San Francisco, each by a different route in a cross-county tour. The ambulance on display in Tacoma, driven by Doug Oldershaw, could be seen in front of the British American War Relief Office at 914 1/2 Broadway. (T. Times 2/8/1941, pg. 3)

Ambulances--1940-1950; World War, 1939-1945--Ambulances--Tacoma; British American War Relief Committee (Tacoma);

Small black automobile stopped at railroad crossing, sign and light, tall tower building at right, industrial area in background. Photograph taken on July 24, 1940.

Automobiles--Tacoma--1940-1950; Railroad crossings--Tacoma--1940-1950; Traffic signs & signals--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Truck and tractor, Buck & Bowers. A man wearing a soldier's uniform is driving a Ford tractor with a large blade on the front. Directly behind him is a flat bed truck with side. A sign for Ford Tractors-Ferguson System is painted on the side boards and Buck & Bowers is painted on the truck's door.

Trucks--Tacoma--1940-1950; Tractors--Tacoma--1940-1950;