An automobile collided with a Northern Pacific train near the Shaffer Terminals. Two people were seriously injured and rushed to Tacoma General Hospital. The train engineer stated the train was travelling 20 miles per hour, the driver of the car must have felt they had plenty of time to cross tracks. The car was pushed by train for about 32 paces, before it came to a stop. View of train tracks (T. Times, 4/2/46, p. 1).

Traffic accidents--Tacoma; Railroad accidents--Tacoma; Railroad tracks--Tacoma;

Commercial Distributing Co. made five daily trips from Tacoma to Seattle, they transported machinery to many industrial facilities throughout the Tacoma and Seattle area. They were fully insured and bonded and provided their customers with fast and reliable shipping. View of Commercial Distributing Co. truck driver delivering the stern section of a tuna boat to Marvin Marine (T. Times, 6/26/46, p. 5).

Trucks--Tacoma--1940-1950; Shipping--Tacoma; People associated with transportation; Commercial Distributing Co. (Tacoma);

Lowell T. Murray. A side view of a very elegant four-door, hard-top automobile. The wide-wall tires and spare tire tucked in against the driver's side fender add to the handsome exterior of this fine automobile. Lowell T. Murray, Sr., a prominent Tacoma industrialist and civic leader, came to Tacoma as a young man from Ohio in 1908 and established the West Fork Timber Company. The Murray's residence on Gravelly Lake was called "Madera". It was the scene of a summer ball honoring house guests Elaine Schultz and Peter Strong August 17, 1946. (T.Times, 8/24/1946, p.7; TNT, 4/30/1958) TPL-8480

Automobiles--Tacoma--1940-1950; Gardens--Tacoma;

Lowell T. Murray. The back door of this automobile is open inviting us to view the elegant interior, upholstered in leather with armrests and interior lights. A lap robe hangs from the back of the front seat. Passengers could step down to the running board before stepping to the street level. The back doors open from the middle. These were later called "suicide doors". A crank handle raises and lowers the window.

Automobiles--Tacoma--1940-1950;

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.

Trucks--Tacoma--1940-1950; Painting--Tacoma--1940-1950; Automobiles--Tacoma--1940-1950; Commercial streets--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Carl Sohmers. The new street striper built and designed by Carl Sohmers for the Tacoma Police Department, Department of Public Safety. A side view of the vehicle. The machine has made painting traffic stripes on streets efficient and has speeded up painting of traffic lines through the city. Three men man the outfit. One drives the vehicle and the other two operate the stripers.

Trucks--Tacoma--1940-1950; Painting--Tacoma--1940-1950; Tacoma Police Department (Tacoma);

On December 20, 1946, Loretta Boehm (later Griffin) of the Sanford-Nash, Inc. automobile dealership in Tacoma was sent to rouse Santa from a sound sleep so he could hand out the presents at the company's Christmas party. Santa had a comfortable bed in the convertible back seat of a 1946 Nash Ambassador on the dealership's showroom floor. After the party, Santa was allowed to resume his sleep, undisturbed, until Christmas eve. Sanford-Nash, Inc. was at 445-51 Tacoma Avenue South. (Photo ordered by O'Connell and Ragan, an advertising company.) TPL-9842

Automobiles--Tacoma--1940-1950; Santa Claus--Tacoma; Sleeping; Sanford-Nash, Inc. (Tacoma); O'Connell-Ragan Co. (Tacoma); Boehm, Loretta;

ca. 1936. An O. B. King company truck loaded with large logs waits by the railroad tracks at the edge of the commercial district of a small town. A young woman, holding school books and reaching up to a log, stands beside the unattended truck.

Lumber industry--Tacoma--1930-1940; Trucks--Tacoma--1930-1940; O.B. King Co. (Tacoma); Logs;

Three unidentified Tacoma Camp Fire Girls were photographed on March 8, 1947 as they boarded a chartered North Coast Transportation bus to a day trip to Olympia. About 200 Camp Fire Girls and their chaperones were taking part in the special "Going Places" visit to the state capitol. The "Going Places" project was organized to celebrate the birthday of the Camp Fire Girls organization. The Olympia trip was planned to teach the girls about good government. The participants were scheduled to eat their bag lunches in the capitol cafeteria. (T. Times, 3/5/47, p. 16).

Buses--Tacoma; Bus drivers--Tacoma; Children--Clubs--Tacoma; Uniforms; Camp Fire Girls (Tacoma); North Coast Transportation Co. (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);

Lt. Col. Tex Robert's pit crew surround race car 76, the "Gordy", and its driver Gordy Livingston. Robert's team made a "clean sweep" at the first meet of the racing season which opened at Athletic Park at the end of April. Weekly midget car races are held on Saturdays at the park which is located at South 14th and Sprague Streets. (T.Times, 5/2/1947, p.15) TPL-5482

Automobiles--Tacoma--1940-1950; Racing automobiles--1940-1950; Automobile racing--Tacoma--1940-1950; Racetracks--Tacoma--1940-1950; Livingston, Gordy;

Exp of truck loaded with lumber at St. Paul & Tacoma Lumber Company. The driver has his door open and is seen through the open window. The truck is loaded with plywood. The grill on the Mack truck is elaborate, the fenders curved up over the front tires and the headlights sit above the curved metal next to the hood.

Trucks--Tacoma--1940-1950; St. Paul & Tacoma Lumber Co. (Tacoma); Plywood; Lumber industry--Tacoma--1940-1950;

New crash car at Police Garage, Times, Paul Lantz. The City of Tacoma Police Department purchased a new accident prevention car which was placed in service September 17, 1947, by Safety Commissioner, Robert S. Temme. Sgt. Bob Marshall shows the batteries for the electric flares that are part of the special equipment on the car. Other special equipment included: a first aid kit, drawing board, steel measuring line and a $300 camera and loud speaker. Dammeier Printing (811 Pacific Ave.) and Hotel Olympus (815 Pacific Ave.) can be seen further down the street. (T.Times, 9/17/1947, p.1)

Automobiles--Tacoma--1940-1950; Tacoma Police Department (Tacoma); Police--Tacoma--1940-1950; Temme, Robert S.; Marshall, Bob;

New crash car at the Police Garage. The Tacoma Police Department had just received its new accident prevention car. Known as a "crash car" in most cities where they had already been used successfully, the car and driver will visit the scene of all accidents and make a detailed investigation. L-R, Patrolman Emil Smith (who has been assigned to duty in the crash car), Sergeant Bob Marshall and Safety Commissioner Robert S. Temme. Photo taken for Paul Lantz for the Tacoma Times. (T.Times, 9/17/1947, p.1) TPL-2516

Automobiles--Tacoma--1940-1950; Tacoma Police Department (Tacoma); Police--Tacoma--1940-1950; Temme, Robert S.; Marshall, Bob; Smith, Emil; Tacoma Police Department Garage (Tacoma);

Model Saree Scott, dressed in black with a pillbox-styled hat, enjoys a bottle of Coca-Cola while standing next to a Chevrolet delivery truck in October of 1947. The smiling Coca-Cola delivery man standing in the back of the truck was not identified. The Coca-Cola Chevrolet truck had a famous valve-in-head truck engine. The new modern "Advance Design" truck had stronger frames to carry greater loads at a greater distance for a longer time. The longer wheelbases also provided better load distribution. Photo ordered by South Tacoma Motor Co. TPL-10574

Chevrolet trucks; Trucks--Tacoma--1940-1950; Coca-Cola Bottling Co. (Tacoma); Carbonated beverages; Bottles; Scott, Saree; Women--Clothing & dress--Tacoma--1940-1950; Hats--1940-1950; Fashion models--Tacoma--1940-1950;

The new Chevy Coca-Cola truck had a stronger, sturdier, all-steel constructed cab. The truck had an amazing flexi-mounted system that absorbed most road shocks, providing a smooth ride. The large load space was ideal for Coca-Cola vending machines. View of model Saree Scott holding a bottle of Coca-Cola, while resting on top of the new Chevy truck, photo ordered by South Tacoma Motor Co.

Trucks--Tacoma--1940-1950; Bottles; Coca Cola Bottling Co. (Tacoma); South Tacoma Motor Co. (Tacoma); Posing; Scott, Saree; Chevrolet trucks;

Griffin Fuel Company was started by Fred Griffin more than fifty years ago. Today the company's President and General Manager is Edwin Griffin, Fred's son. Griffin delivered stove, diesel and burner fuel oils, stoker coals, wood and sawdust. Griffin Fuel had the largest and most modern fleet of delivery trucks in the Northwest, prompt and dependable fuel delivery was assured. View of delivery trucks at the Griffin Fuel garage.

Trucks--Tacoma--1940-1950; Garages--Tacoma; Fuel trade--Tacoma; Fuel--Tacoma; Industrial facilities--Tacoma; Griffin Fuel Co. (Tacoma);

Titus Ford were the only official Ford engine rebuilders in Tacoma. They had rebuilt more than 20,000 Ford engines, using only Ford authorized parts. Titus rebuilding department had grown significantly since 1946, they had over 65 qualified mechanics employed full time. Interior view of Titus service department, mechanics have an assembly line set up to expedite the rebuilding process of Ford engines.

Ford automobile; Engines; Mechanics (Persons)--Tacoma; Automobile equipment & supplies stores--Tacoma; Vehicle maintenance & repair--Tacoma--1940-1950; Titus Manufacturing Co. (Tacoma);

Antonsen Painting Company had remodeled their workshop in 1946 and had added an automobile sand blasting department. Antonsen was one of the few painting companies that had sand blasting available on site. They had contracts with many of the automobile painting companies to do the sand blasting for them prior to the painting. Exterior view of Antonsen taken on November 8, 1947 with trucks parked along the front of the building.

Trucks--Tacoma--1940-1950; Paint industry--Tacoma; Vehicle maintenance & repair--Tacoma; Industrial facilities--Tacoma; Painting--Tacoma; Antonsen Painting Co. (Tacoma);

Dickman Lumber Company officers were: Ralph L. Dickman, President, John R. Wiburg, Treasurer and Office Manager, Elizabeth I. Gaylord, Secretary, the company's facilities were located along Tacoma's waterfront at 2423 Ruston Way. Dickman Lumber Company was a lumber sawmill, exterior view of four Ford trucks at Dickman Lumber, part of their truck fleet, photo ordered by Titus Motor Company, Ford truck dealership.

Trucks--Tacoma--1940-1950; Lumber industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Mills--Tacoma; Industrial facilities--Tacoma; Ford trucks; Dickman Lumber Co. (Tacoma); Titus Motor Co. (Tacoma);

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);

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;

Jack Evans, adjuster, insurance, Highway 99 and Rainier Ord. intersection. Pontiac B-51385 and Plymouth B-5639. A view of the intersection where an automobile crash occurred used for insurance evaluation of claims. Telephone poles line the right hand side of the highway, a stop light hangs over the intersection and railroad tracks run parallel to the highway on the right.

Traffic accidents--Puyallup; Roads--Puyallup; Traffic signs & signals--Puyallup; Signal lights--Puyallup; Utility poles--Puyallup; Railroad tracks--Puyallup;

In May of 1948, Leo Dobry posed in his Champ car, the "City of Tacoma," parked in front of its windowed traveling trailer. Dobry, a racing enthusiast, had the maroon and cream car built at the Kurtis-Kraft plant in South Gate, California, to exacting specifications. After six months and an expenditure of approximately $20,000, the car was ready to run in the Indianapolis 500 race on Memorial Day. The racer was on display April 28, 1948, on the "island" at 9th and Broadway and April 30th at the midget auto races at Athletic Park, South 14th Street and Sprague Avenue. The Champ car was much larger and more powerful than a midget. It ran the 500 twice, finishing sixth in 1948 and qualifying outside the front row in 1949 before mechanical problems forced it out of the race. (T.Times, 4/27/1948, p.1; TNT, 4/27/1948, p.15) TPL-5446

Dobry, Leo; City of Tacoma (Race car); Racing automobiles--1940-1950; Automobile racing--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Champ car. Leo Dobry was a racing enthusiast. He not only had the "City of Tacoma" built to exacting specifications by the Kurtis-Kraft plant, South Gate, California, but he also had a trailer with windows to tow the race car. In May, 1948, the race car is seen hitched to a Chevy pickup truck, ready for probable transport to the Indianapolis 500 over Memorial Day. The Champ car was much larger and more powerful than a midget. It ran the 500 twice, finishing sixth in 1948 and qualifying outside the front row in 1949 before mechanical problems forced it out of the race. (T.Times, 4/27/1948, p.1) TPL-5445

Dobry, Leo; City of Tacoma (Race car); Racing automobiles--1940-1950; Automobile racing--Tacoma--1940-1950; Chevrolet trucks; Trailers--Tacoma--1940-1950;

View of Bechtel Corporation employees reviewing the building plans for the General Mills Sperry flour plant expansion. The Bechtel Company was based out of California, they brought up their trucks and staff and would be here until the Tacoma project was completed.

Trucks--Tacoma--1940-1950; Construction workers--Tacoma; Construction industry--Tacoma; Engineering--Tacoma; Remodeling--Tacoma; General Mills, Inc., Sperry Division (Tacoma); Bechtel Corp. (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);

Alfred E. Hill of Olympia was thrown 42 feet from his motorcycle, when he collided into the rear end of a vehicle driven by Fort Lewis soldier, Andrew Prevuznak at the Highway 99 and Sales Road intersection in June of 1948. Hill was rushed to Pierce County Hospital, but was pronounced dead on arrival; Prevuznak was not injured. View of motorcycle that was involved in the automobile accident; photo ordered by Farmers Insurance Company (T. Times, 6/17/48, p. 1).

Traffic accidents--Tacoma; Motorcycles--Tacoma; Hill, Alfred E.--Death & burial; Vehicle maintenance & repair--Tacoma; City & town life--Tacoma; Insurance companies--Tacoma; Farmers Insurance Group (Tacoma);

View of large "Oshkosh" truck getting ready to transport newly fabricated steel logging equipment from Washington Steel and Welding Company, two unidentified men seem to be checking the machinery and the making sure it is securely loaded on truck.

Trucks--Tacoma--1940-1950; Oskosh trucks; Industrial facilities--Tacoma; Machinery; Steel industry--Tacoma; Welding--Tacoma; Shipping--Tacoma; Metalworking--Tacoma; Washington Steel & Welding Co. (Tacoma);

Washington Steel and Welding Company advertised steel ship building, tanks, ornamental work, acetylene welding, electric welding, portable welding and steel fabricating. The company had two plants, the main plant was located at 701 East D Street, their other plant was at 1601 Taylor Way. View of large "Oshkosh" truck with logging equipment at Washington Steel and Welding Company.

Trucks--Tacoma--1940-1950; Oskosh trucks; Industrial facilities--Tacoma; Machinery; Equipment; Steel industry--Tacoma; Metalworking--Tacoma; Welding--Tacoma; Washington Steel & Welding Co. (Tacoma);