Schumm's Associated Service, self service gas station. Four sets of two pumps with building at rear of lot, Miller Tire and oil display. Trailers in extreme background. Ordered by Fletcher Oil Company.

Business Enterprises - Automobile Service Stations - Associated Dealers - Tacoma - Schumm's Associated Service

Mueller- Harkins Buick Agency. Advertising on tower, 35th Anniversary signs in windows, two automobile visible in showroom. Ordered by Bethelhem Steel Pacific Coast Steel Corporation.

Business Enterprises - Tacoma - Automobile Dealers - New Automobile Dealers - Buick Dealers - Mueller-Harkins Motor Company

In 1948 Mueller-Harkin Buick moved into their new building at 455 Saint Helens Ave. They officially opened at their new address on December 6, 1948. This building was large enough to supply the public with all their automotive needs, from selling new and used vehicles to repairing and replacing automobile parts. The 1951 Tacoma City Diretory list Rudolph Mueller as President and John Mueller as Vice-President. In 1953 Rudolph Mueller retired and the Buick agency was sold to Brus Buick.

Mueller-Harkins Motor Co. (Tacoma); Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1950-1960; Automobile equipment & supplies stores--Tacoma;

Close up of Ernie's Lakewood Center Service with a Union 76 station. Photograph was taken on Halloween, 1951, of the service station located at 9404 Gravelly Lake Dr. S.W. Operated by Ernie Eichler, it celebrated its grand opening on December 3, 1949.

Lakewood Center Service Co. (Lakewood); Automobile service stations--Lakewood--1950-1960;

Ernie's Lakewood Center Service, a Union 76 gas station. Man servicing automobile at left. The Lakewood Center Service was located at 9404 Gravelly Lake Dr. S.W. and was operated by Ernie Eichler.

Lakewood Center Service Co. (Lakewood); Automobile service stations--Lakewood--1950-1960;

Mueller-Harkins Motor Company opened a new automobile accessories store in late 1951. View of exterior of store showing Firestone neon sign; store is lighted from within to show tires, sample material for seat covers, and batteries on sale. Signs on the windows promote Firestone tires; one offers to trade in old worn-out tires for Firestone replacements while another sign advertises Firestone polar grip winter treads. Photograph ordered by Condon Co.

Mueller-Harkins Motor Co. (Tacoma); Signs (Notices); Electric signs--Tacoma--1950-1960; Tires; Condon Co., Inc. (Tacoma);

The Mueller-Harkins Motor Company opened a new accessories store in their Saint Helens Avenue building in late 1951. Sepia photograph shows three men examining products for sale; Firestone tires were prominently featured along with Prestone anti-freeze and seat cover materials. A prudent shopper could purchase tire chains in preparation for icy roads for a cost between $10 and $14. The store even provided a Coca-Cola machine where thirst could be quenched for a mere nickel. Photograph ordered by Condon Co.

Mueller-Harkins Motor Co. (Tacoma); Signs (Notices); Tires; Condon Co., Inc. (Tacoma);

A group portrait of the employees at Tacoma Auto Sales. This photograph was part of a one-page advertisement in the Tacoma News Tribune in which Tacoma Auto Sales' president, E.A. Riebe, wished everyone a, "Merry Christmas from the men and women of the company who sell and service Pontiac and Cadillac passenger cars" and thanking customers for their support during 1951. (TNT, 12/25/1951, p.B-12)

Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1940-1950; Tacoma Auto Sales Co. (Tacoma)--Employees;

ca. 1951. Self-service gas stations, although relatively rare in the early 1950's, were starting to make their mark in the Puget Sound area. This photograph, taken probably in the late summer of 1951, announced the grand opening of a Serve-Ur-Self type of service station. Four uncovered gas pumps wait for the incoming motorist. Quaker State Motor Oil and Miller tires could be purchased as well. Free gifts were also promised to all who stopped by during the grand opening.

Automobile service stations; Automobile equipment & supplies; Gasoline pumps;

A crowd is admiring the 1952 Chevrolets at South Tacoma Motor Company. Banners promoting Ride Control suspension and Powerglide (automatic) transmission hang from columns. Styling refinements for 1952 presented a fresh, fleet appearance with Bodies by Fisher. You had a choice of 26 sparkling solid tone and two-tone color combinations. Eleven body types comprised the passenger car line for 1952 ranging from the ultra-practical business coupe to the swank Bel Air. New and improved shock absorber action presented a smoother, softer ride. A combination of Powerglide Automatic Transmission and 105-hp engine was optional on DeLuxe models. (TNT, 1/19/1952, p.10, 11) TPL-5868

Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1950-1960; South Tacoma Motor Co. (Tacoma); Chevrolet automobile; Showrooms--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Showroom at South Tacoma Motor Company. People viewing new Chevrolet, two-door sedan with rear skirts. Sign on wall: " America's Best Seller. Chevrolet. America's Best Buy."

Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1950-1960; South Tacoma Motor Co. (Tacoma); Chevrolet automobile; Showrooms--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Mobilgas Station, automobile by gas pumps, Coke Machine. For West Marquis Inc., Dexter Horton Inc., Seattle Account of General Petroleum.

Business Enterprises - Automobile Service Stations - Mobil Oil Dealers - Tacoma

250 feet of property on South Tacoma Way. A Dairy Queen is on the left. Serve UR Self Gas Station and George Dayton Auto Parts are further along South Tacoma Way on the right. Ordered by Queen Petroleum Company. Queen Petroleum Company was owned by F.H. and Paul Lucien, E.W. Bittner and A.J. Brenninger.

Automobile service stations--Tacoma; Queen Petroleum Co. (Tacoma); George's Car Market (Tacoma); Automobile repair--Tacoma; Drive-in restaurants--Tacoma; Dairy Queen (Tacoma); Commercial streets--Tacoma--1950-1960;

A view of the exterior of Titus Motor Company's showroom where the new 1952 Fords were available for viewing. Ford Motor Company was designing the "Car of Tomorrow" while presenting the finest line of cars they had yet produced in the company's 48-year history. Ford automobiles would feature a 6-cylinder, 101 hp, overhead-valve engine and Lincolns would have a new 160-hp, overhead-valve V-8 engine. A banner spans Broadway advertising the "Big, New '52 Ford." (TNT, 1/20/1952, p.C-16)

Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1950-1960; Titus Motor Co. (Tacoma);

National Auto Parts celebrated the grand opening their third auto parts and accessories store in and near Tacoma in early 1952. The firm had been established in 1938. National Auto Parts was one of the largest distributorships of automobile parts, accessories and rebuilt engines in the Northwest and carried a full line of original equipment parts. During the grand opening the store showed free movies of the 1951 Indianapolis race and a film containing "Colonel Lindbergh's Takeoff Flight to Paris" and others. (TNT, 1/5/1952, p.8)

Automobile equipment & supplies stores--Tacoma; National Auto Parts, Inc. (Tacoma);

On February 11, 1952 two of the mechanics at Big 6 Service Station were photographed while lubricating a Cadillac while it was up on the hoist in the garage at Sixth and Proctor. The mechanic at the far right has been identified as Paul Eaton. TPL-7181

Big Six Service (Tacoma); Automobile service stations--Tacoma--1950-1960; Vehicle maintenance & repair--Tacoma; Cadillac automobile; Mechanics (Persons)--Tacoma--1950-1960; Eaton, Paul;

The interior of the Big 6 Service Station at Sixth and Proctor showing the lubricating equipment as photographed in February of 1952. The hoist for an automobile is lying flat against the floor. Stacks of supplies are stacked neatly on shelves against the rear wall. Large containers of motor oil with pumps showing at the top are seen against the wall on the left.

Big Six Service (Tacoma); Automobile service stations--Tacoma--1950-1960; Vehicle maintenance & repair--Tacoma;

A woman bends over to look under her car as one of the mechanics at the Shell station at Division and Yakima lubricates it while the car is up on the rack. Tires, belts and other supplies are stored along the back line.

Shell Oil Co., Inc. (Tacoma); Automobile service stations--Tacoma--1950-1960; Mechanics (Persons)--Tacoma--1950-1960;

The Steven Motor Company occupied two buildings in downtown Tacoma on Broadway in 1952. They sold new Chrysler Corporation cars from 734 Broadway, which also had an entrance at 733 St. Helens; and used cars from 738 Broadway. The showroom was open evenings until 9:00 Thursday, Friday and Saturday. The Steven Motor Company was founded by Everett T. Steven who started in the automobile business while still a youngster polishing the brass on new cars. The Steven Motor Company left downtown South Tacoma Way in 1959. These buildings are still standing in the heart of Tacoma's Antique Row.(TNT, 3/14/1952, p.B-2)

Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1950-1960; Chrysler automobile; Plymouth automobile; Steven Motor Co. (Tacoma);

On June 6, 1952, National Auto Parts at 4001 Pacific Ave. was photographed at night with an advertisement for "Miracle Power" in their well lit window. The automotive store had a second location at 8215 South Tacoma Way. William C. Johnston was president- manager of National Auto Parts, Inc. and Merle C. Johnston was secretary-treasurer. Robert M. Johnston managed the South Tacoma store. National sold parts for all makes of car. Miracle Power was added to gas and oil and according to their slogan "puts the pur-r-r in engine performance." It was intended to be used every 1,000 miles.

Automobile equipment & supplies stores--Tacoma; National Auto Parts, Inc. (Tacoma); Electric signs--Tacoma--1950-1960;

National Auto Parts, night exposure of window display. Sign advertising new engines; tires, batteries, and other accessories.

Automobile equipment & supplies stores--Tacoma; National Auto Parts, Inc. (Tacoma); Electric signs--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Mallon Motor Company, Used Car Department lot and building. For newspaper advertising.

Automobile dealerships--Tacoma; Mallon Motors, Inc. (Tacoma);

Mallon Motors announced the opening of their used car outlet in September of 1952. Three men stand in front of the used car lot and building. A variety of automobiles and a pick-up truck are shown facing South Tacoma Way. (TNT, 9/4/1952, p.26)

Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1950-1960; Mallon Motors, Inc. (Tacoma);

The exterior of Titus Motor Company with vehicles on street and in the showroom. There are many neon and painted signs. The company's 1906 Ford Model N is parked at the far right. The Elizabethan-style brick building was designed by Roland Borhek, Architect, and built circa 1926.

Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1950-1960; Titus Motor Co. (Tacoma); Ford automobile;

In October of 1952 Nelson Auto Parts opened their new facilities in the Normanna Hall Building, 1502 Martin Luther King Jr. Way, with a three-bay storefront that extended across the front of the building. Nelson Auto Parts was owned by Lee A. Nelson who had until recently operated an automobile parts store at Fort Lewis. The new automobile parts store featured a complete line of genuine replacement parts and accessories, had an exchange service on many automotive parts and offered a 24-hour machine shop service. The cornerstone for Normanna Hall was laid on October 1, 1922 and the building was dedicated in March, 1923. (TNT, 10/9/1952, p.13) TPL-3144

Automobile equipment & supplies stores--Tacoma; Nelson Auto Parts (Tacoma);Fraternal lodges--Tacoma; Normanna Hall (Tacoma); Storefronts--Tacoma--1950-1960; Facades--Tacoma--1950-1960;

The exterior of Mulligan Pontiac Cadillac Company recently opened by Andrew E. Mulligan shows their new car showroom on the left and used car sales area on the right. The service area for the dealership was entered from Commerce Street, one block below, in the same building. Andrew E. Mulligan purchased the interests of E.A. Riebe in the Tacoma Auto Sales Company, Pontiac and Cadillac dealership, in September 1952. Neon signs advertise "Pontiac Cadillac" and "Used Cars" from signs perpendicular to the building with other signs painted on the building facade and attached flat to the building. The City Hall tower can be seen over the building. (TNT, 9/28/1952, p.B-16)

Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1950-1960; Mulligan Pontiac-Cadillac Co. (Tacoma); Electric signs--Tacoma--1950-1960;

A man behind the sales room counter at Nelson Auto Parts' new store is looking at an automobile parts books. The room is adorned with congratulatory floral arrangements. Rows of shelves are filled with automobile parts and accessories and fan belts hang above the windows. Nelson Auto Parts was located on the ground floor of Normanna Hall.

Automobile equipment & supplies stores--Tacoma; Nelson Auto Parts (Tacoma);

The counter at Nelson Auto Parts new store shows the parts book and bouquets of congratulation. Rows of shelves filled with tools and automobile parts are behind the sales counter.

Automobile equipment & supplies stores--Tacoma; Nelson Auto Parts (Tacoma);

Mulligan Pontiac-Cadillac Company sales floor and office. 1952 Cadillac convertible is on view in the showroom. Pontiac assessories are on display, and banners and signs proclaim Cadillac's 50th anniversary, V-8 engines and 1952 Pontiacs. Glassed-in offices are seen in the far corner.

Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1950-1960; Mulligan Pontiac-Cadillac Co. (Tacoma); Cadillac automobile; Convertible automobiles--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Mulligan Pontiac-Cadillac's service department where Pontiacs and Cadillacs are being serviced. The mechanics' work stations have signs bearing their names with Earl Jansen at the right. A Sun Motor Tester stands between the first two cars. A Green Cross safety banner and advertising signs have been posted and the cashier's counter is in the rear.

Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1950-1960; Mulligan Pontiac-Cadillac Co. (Tacoma); Vehicle maintenance & repair--Tacoma; Mechanics (Persons)--Tacoma;