Construction photo of Irwin-Jones Motor Company Dodge Truck dealership. A bulldozer is clearing the site of the future Irwin-Jones truck division. A sign announcing the construction, the rail rail line, Globe Ticket Company and other industrial buildings are shown with the north slope of Nalley Valley in background. TPL-9225
Dodge trucks; Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1940-1950; Irwin-Jones Motor Co. (Tacoma); Excavation--Tacoma--1940-1950; Construction--Tacoma--1940-1950; Nalley Valley (Tacoma);
West Coast Grocery was a wholesale grocery company with their large new offices and headquarters on East D Street. Charles H. Hyde was president of West Coast Grocery. Exterior view of West Coast Grocery Company's AMOCAT and Olympia Beer trucks, photo ordered by Condon Company, an advertising company (T. Times, 2/26/47, p. 12-B).
Trucks--Tacoma--1940-1950; Commercial facilities--Tacoma; Food industry--Tacoma; West Coast Grocery Co. (Tacoma); Condon Co., Inc. (Tacoma); Business enterprises--Tacoma--1940-1950; Storehouses--Tacoma;
Camp Fire Girls would learn about government offices, education and get a tour of the Capitol buildings on March 8, 1947. Camp Fire Girls was founded in 1910 and their slogan was "Be Friendly--Make Friends--Join Camp Fire Girls." View of 200 Camp Fire Girls and their chapter leaders prior to boarding North Coast buses for their "Going Places" trip to Olympia (T. Times, 3/5/47, p. 16).
Buses--Tacoma; Children--Clubs--Tacoma; Uniforms; Girls--Tacoma; Camp Fire Girls (Tacoma); North Coast Transportation Co. (Tacoma);
Alfred E. Hill, 22 years old, was killed instantly when his motorcycle hit the rear left fender of an on-coming car. Sergeant Andrew Prevuznak of Fort Lewis was turning onto Highway 99 from Sales Road, Hill's motorcycle collided with his automobile. View of blood stains on Highway 99 at Sales Road, scene of motorcycle and car accident; photo ordered by Farmers Insurance Company (T. Times, 6/17/48, p. 1).
Traffic accidents--Tacoma; Roads--Tacoma; Hill, Alfred E.--Death & burial; City & town life--Tacoma; Insurance companies--Tacoma; Farmers Insurance Group (Tacoma);
On September 16, 1946, a crew from the Tacoma Police Department, Department of Public Safety, was photographed while using a new street striper to paint traffic lane stripes on Pacific Avenue near the corner of South 84th Street. The traffic striping truck was designed and built by Carl Sohmer, a sergeant with the Tacoma Police Department. In 1951 Sgt. Sohmer took one of his highway striping vehicles to Los Angeles to demonstrate before the National Institute of Traffic Engineers. Two of businesses visible in the background are the Blue Moon Tavern, 8402 Pacific Avenue and Pacific Avenue Drugs, 8248 Pacific Avenue.
Truck, Titus Motor Co., Mr. Burkhalter. This Ford truck has been outfitted with a large crane shown here in an up position. Pulleys located just above and behind the cab could raise and lower the crane. Titus Motor Company was an authorized Ford automobile and truck distributor in Tacoma and Pierce County.
Trucks--Tacoma--1940-1950; Ford trucks; Hoisting machinery; Titus Motor Co. (Tacoma); Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1940-1950;
A Washington State Patrol 1946 Ford wagon is parked in front of the New China Cafe in this photograph from March, 1950. Owned by George Fong and Yee Look, the New China Cafe was at 111 2nd Ave. S. E. in Puyallup. The state patrol wagon has a siren mounted on its right front fender and is equipped with two search lights. TPL-9482
Trucks--Puyallup--1950-1960; Law Enforcement; New China Cafe (Puyallup)
Western Furnaces specialized in heating, insulation, fiberglass home insulation, air conditioning, furnace repairs and cleaning; they were distributors of General Electric oil heating equipment. View of Chevrolet delivery truck for Western Furnaces taken on August 19, 1949. According to a reader, this particular vehicle was a "pipe fitters" truck that had a large mechanical "pipe cutter/threader" on the back bumper. The cabinets on the sides contained the various fittings used by the mechanic during the installation of galvanized piping used in hydronic (boilers) heating systems. The employee at far right was not identified. (Additional information provided by a reader)
Trucks--Tacoma--1940-1950; Chevrolet trucks; Signs (Notices); Laborers--Tacoma--1940-1950; Furnaces--Tacoma; Commercial facilities--Tacoma; Western Furnaces, Inc. (Tacoma);
Sepic's first store was originally located on South 17th Street and Tacoma Avenue South, in 1945 the brothers purchased the K Street property and started building their new store location. Sepic Electric Company now has new modern quarters; they offer the highest quality known brand furniture. The company's new building has a durable concrete foundation and three times more space than the previous location. View of Sepic's delivery truck with delivery men unloading "Maytag" washing machines from a freight train.
Trucks--Tacoma--1940-1950; Railroad freight cars--Tacoma; Home furnishings stores--Tacoma; Furniture stores--Tacoma; Appliance stores--Tacoma; Washing machines; Sepic Electric Co. (Tacoma);
Frank J. Bigman was driving south on Jefferson Avenue at 5:40 pm on November 28, 1949 when he "blacked out" behind the wheel of his car. The car ripped through a pipe-fence railing at South 27th Street and plunged 32 feet to the Northern Pacific right-of-way below. Mr. Bigman was saved by the sturdy construction of his 1941 model car, receiving only bruises to his left leg and minor cuts to his mouth, cheeks and ears. (TNT, 11/29/1949, p.1)
Accidents--Tacoma--1940-1950; Automobiles--Tacoma--1940-1950; Bigman, Frank J.; Embankments--Tacoma;
ca. 1950. Front grille and driver's side of delivery van with signs on it. This Chevrolet van is a vehicle used by Don Rohan, a brewer's agent. There is a large sign promoting Schlitz beer, "The Beer That Made Milwaukee Famous", on the vehicle's side . According to the 1951 City Directory, Mr. Rohan has his office at 420 E. 25th St.
Chevrolet automobile; Rohan, Don; Alcoholic beverages;
This wrecked automobile sustained heavy damage in August, 1950. The top had been ripped open and caved in and the tires on the passenger's side are missing. It appears that impact to the vehicle may have been on the passenger's side as one of the doors is chained on and the frame is severely buckled. Photograph commissioned by Crippen & Flynn, attorneys.
Exterior of bulk feed truck, labelled Larro Feeds, at General Mills, on Schuster Parkway near 6th. The truck is a White Truck 3000. The long protruding arm is possibly used for loading and/or discharging the grain. It appears to extended with the use of the cable in the man's hands. General Mills grain elevators can be seen in the background. TPL-4480
General Mills, Inc., Sperry Division (Tacoma); White trucks--Tacoma; Trucks--Tacoma--1950-1960; Flour & meal industry--Tacoma--1950-1960; Shipping--Tacoma--1950-1960; Grain elevators--Tacoma--1950-1960; Grain industry--Tacoma--1950-1960;
Two City Fuel Company GMC delivery trucks are parked outside the Coffee House Roasters, Inc. at 3700 Center Street in October of 1955. They were probably not stopping for a cup of coffee. City Fuel was at 3702 Center and the two businesses shared the building. Owned by Douglas O. Howe, City Fuel had been in the business of delivering fuel oil to customers for thirty years. Their slogan "When it's cool call City Fuel" was painted on their trucks. City Fuel had moved into their Robert Billsbrough Price-designed new building at 3702 Center St. in August of 1953. They advertised a complete one-package heating program including automatic metered fill-up service, Winkler heating equipment and Mobilheat stove and furnace oils. Coffee House Roasters, Inc. opened in 1955 and was in business in Tacoma for over 20 years. Photograph ordered by City Fuel and used in the News Tribune's 10-31-55 issue with slight modification. (TNT 10-31-55, p. 2-ad)
City Fuel Co. (Tacoma); Fuel trade--Tacoma--1950-1960; Trucks--Tacoma--1950-1960; Signs (Notices); Coffee House Roasters, Inc. (Tacoma);
A new Dodge delivery truck is on display at the Puyallup Fair. The names of Carman Manufacturing Company and Spring Air Mattresses have been painted on the covered back end of the truck. Joseph L. Carman, Jr., was president of the bedding manufacturing company located at 801 East 25th Street in Tacoma.
Trucks--Puyallup--1950-1960; Dodge trucks; Carman Manufacturing Co. (Tacoma); Western Washington Fair (Puyallup); Exhibit booths--Puyallup;
The past meets up with the future in this December, 1952, photograph, as an antique automobile pauses to make a deposit at North Pacific Bank's new drive-up teller window. The two men are dressed appropriately for the brisk winter weather as they sit in the roofless vehicle. Another man standing outside the car assists in completing the banking transaction. The antique automobile has a plate attached to the grill indicating that it belongs to City Motor Co. and South Tacoma Motor Co. Photograph ordered by South Tacoma Motor Co.
Automobiles--Tacoma--1950-1960; Banking--Tacoma--1950-1960; Banks--Tacoma--1950-1960; North Pacific Bank (Tacoma); South Tacoma Motor Co. (Tacoma);
White truck with special equipment in front of White Trucks offices. The White Company of Cleveland, Ohio began manufacturing large trucks in the 1900's. Frank Buchanan was president of the Tacoma White Trucks.
Trucks--Tacoma--1950-1960; White trucks; Tacoma White Trucks, Inc. (Tacoma); Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1950-1960;
White truck with special equipment in front of White Trucks offices. The White Company of Cleveland, Ohio began manufacturing heavy duty trucks in 1900.
Trucks--Tacoma--1950-1960; White trucks; Tacoma White Trucks, Inc. (Tacoma); Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1950-1960;
Ace Furnace & Steel Co., truck loaded with two boilers, a fan and tanks. Ace Furnace was located at 3740 So. Union Ave. and was owned by Alvin T. Davies. Davies was also president of Birchfield Boilers. Ace manufactured industrial products out of steel. Their product list included boilers, furnaces, tanks and pre-fabricated gas stations.
Ace Furnace & Steel Co., truck loaded with two boilers, a fan and tanks. Ace Furnace was located at 3740 So. Union Ave. and was owned by Alvin T. Davies. Davies was also president of Birchfield Boilers. Ace manufactured industrial products out of steel. Their product list included boilers, furnaces, tanks and pre-fabricated gas stations.
Each new Arden Milk truck is matched with its own driver on February 21, 1953. Arden Farms had just received four new refrigerated Ford trucks for use in delivering their milk and other dairy products. Arden drivers were neat in appearance with striped overalls, white shirts, ties and company caps. TPL-8083
ca. 1953. Three cars are parked next to the Winthrop Hotel, 773 Broadway, in the fall of 1953. An ornate marquee extending over the sidewalk would help to protect exiting car occupants and passersby from inclement weather. The elegant hotel was built in 1925 with funds supplied by a local subscription drive. It was named after explorer and author Theodore Winthrop who helped popularize the Northwest. BU-12138
Automobiles--Tacoma--1950-1960; Hotels--Tacoma--1950-1960; Hotel Winthrop (Tacoma);
One obviously happy lady is reaching for the set of car keys from a grinning man as she and four other women enjoy a new automobile on May 30, 1968. The women have just picked up the new vehicle. Two other women stand outside the two-door sedan, one holds a small dog. Photograph ordered by Vanda Cosmetics Co., Orlando, Florida.
A large Dodge truck carrying a load of wooden crates covered with chicken wire is parked in front of a line of Pederson's Fryer Farms delivery vans. The driver's door is held open by Jack F. Kidd Sr. (left) while he has a discussion with Joseph (Jack) M. Pederson Jr. They may be talking about the chickens on board. Pederson's employed 88 people, including fifteen delivery drivers. The company, owned by J.M. (Jody) and Dorothy Pederson, had opened a newly enlarged fryer plant in June, 1958. It was a thriving business for many years; later the firm was sold to the Foster Farms Company in 1996. Photograph ordered by Pederson's Fryer Farms. (TNT 6-19-58, A-4, TNT 6-22-58, B-13)
Pederson's Fryer Farms (Tacoma); Chicken industry--Tacoma; Dodge trucks; Crates--Tacoma; Kidd, Jack F.; Pederson, Joseph M.;
A look at the new lighted car lot belonging to Walker Chevrolet on April 24, 1964. The 40,000 sq.ft. lot is packed with Chevrolet trucks and automobiles, both new and used. Walker Chevrolet would be welcoming the Tacoma Giants with a "giant" opening celebration. A half-page ad in the May 1, 1964, News Tribune indicated that autographed free baseballs as well as many other prizes would be given away. Walker Chevrolet had been at its Division Ave. location since 1934. In the picture's background are the Tacoma Bible Presbyterian Church and on Tacoma Ave. So., the Romanesque First Presbyterian Church. (TNT ad 5-1-64, p. A-4, B-2)
Walker Chevrolet Co. (Tacoma); Chevrolet trucks; First Presbyterian Church (Tacoma); Tacoma Bible Presbyterian Church (Tacoma);
Two men and a woman pose in a Jaguar roadster in front of Washington Sports Shop during appearence by the Esther Williams Girls. Automobiles in background are Austin-Healeys and MGs supplied by Imported Motors. The Washington Sports Shop had been selected as the metropolitan Tacoma dealer for the "Esther Williams Living Pool." The Esther Williams Girls were in Tacoma to publicize the pools, available for as low as $58.50 per month. Pictured are the three principals responsible for the introduction of the pools, left to right: Nelson H. Van De Mark, general manager of Washington Sports Shop, Pat Martin, president of Scott-Martin Inc., Washington distributor of Esther Williams pools and Joel Hayes, Esther Williams executive. (TNT 8/2/1959, pg A-10)
Sports cars--English; Publicity; Bathing beauties; Esther Williams Girls; Washington Sports Shop (Tacoma); Sporting goods stores--Tacoma--1950-1960; Van De Mark, Nelson; Martin, Pat; Hayes, Joel;
A load of White Satin Sugar is ready to be delivered to the American Biscuit Co. of Tacoma in this August 22, 1961, photograph. Three men, one with small clipboard, pose at the rear of the large delivery truck. American Biscuit & Cracker Co. was located at 8510 So. Durango and as the sign on back of the truck indicated, were makers of "Delicious ABC Cookies." TPL-10577
Trucks--Tacoma--1960-1970; Signs (Notices); American Biscuit & Cracker Co. (Tacoma);
Pacific Northwest Bell's General Motors box truck and a GMG cabover-type semi- tractor parked in front of Irwin - Jones Motor Co. on June 6, 1969. The firm, located at 309 Puyallup Avenue, was owned by W.H. and Grace Dunlap of Lakota Beach. It provided sales and service of GMC trucks. Color photograph ordered by Irwin-Jones Motor Co.
Trucks--Tacoma--1960-1970; Irwin-Jones Motor Co. (Tacoma);
C.E. Crippen, president of the Milwaukee Road, was present at the viewing of the Vert-A-Pak, a 30-car bulk compact carrier, on August 17, 1970 at the Kent Auto Marshaling area. He may have been one of the those examining the careful packaging of new automobiles. The old method of transporting automobiles was to move them in freight cars on 2-3 levels which were capable of holding 8-15 automobiles depending on size. The new Vert-A-Pak is limited at present to carrying only compact cars due to size requirements. The Milwaukee Road and Union Pacific had opened this multi-million dollar automobile unloading complex 10 months ago. Photograph ordered by the Milwaukee Road. (TNT 8-23-70, A-19) TPL-7937
