A carpenter works on building the canopy that covered the pumps at Nienaber's Texaco Service Station. Nienaber's was at the corner of Center and K Streets. In the background is Wyman & Kravik Refrigeration.

Automobile service stations--Tacoma--1950-1960; Carpenters--Tacoma--1950-1960

New Shell Station at 6th and Mason, Shell Oil Co., Mr. Holm. A day-time view of the new service station from the corner highlighting the "Shell" sign hanging from the light pole. The gasoline station is on the corner of Sixth Avenue and Mason Street. Residential property is seen in the background while other commercial property is seen further along Sixth Avenue with billboards.

Marty's Shell Service (Tacoma); Automobile service stations--Tacoma--1940-1950; Gasoline pumps--Tacoma--1940-1950; Vehicle maintenance & repair--Tacoma--1940-1950;

New Shell Station at 6th and Mason, Shell Oil Co., Mr. Holm. A night-time view of the new Shell service station with three automobiles in line for service. There are two service attendants at the drivers' side windows asking how they can be of service. In these days a fill-up of gasoline included a free window washing, oil check and possibly a check of water in the cooling system.

Marty's Shell Service (Tacoma); Automobile service stations--Tacoma--1940-1950; Gasoline pumps--Tacoma--1940-1950; Vehicle maintenance & repair--Tacoma--1940-1950;

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;

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;

An elevated view of the large service area at the 72nd Street Serve & Save gasoline station. Attendants are busy with three automobiles at the two gasoline pump islands while many more automobiles and their drivers wait their turn. Ordered by Time Oil.

Automobile service stations--Tacoma--1940-1950; Gasoline pumps--Tacoma--1940-1950; Time Oil Co. (Tacoma); Seventy-Second Street Serve & Save (Tacoma); Automobiles--Tacoma--1950-1960;

The Shell Oil service station at Airport Road and Pacific. Ordered by Cliff Olson.

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

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);

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;

Santa Claus and his reindeer are lit up by spot lights as they fly over the roof of the National Auto Parts store at 4001 Pacific Ave. This photograph was taken December 21, 1950. William C. Johnston was president and sales manager at this time. They advertised that they handled auto parts for all makes of cars, retail and wholesale. TPL-8108

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

Interior of South Tacoma Motor Co. parts department. Workers stand behind a glass fronted service counter. Arched doorways lead to the parts storage area beyond.

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

An unusual sight in the early 1950's was a self-service gas station. Instead of having an attendant come out and pump the gas, the customer would do the work himself. As the large sign on the light pole proclaims, it would be possible to "save" money if you were willing to "serve-ur-self". Photograph ordered by Fletcher Oil Company.

Automobile service stations--Tacoma; Signs (Notices); Fletcher Oil Co. (Tacoma);

Three men stand by the Hawkinson General Motors panel delivery truck in front of Hawkinson Tire Tread Service recapping facility. One holds a General Tire with advertising in the middle. Ordered by Mattoon-Laverne Tire Company. TPL-6381

Tire industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Hawkinson Tire Tread Service (Tacoma); Tires; General Motors trucks;

ca. 1943. Titus Motor Company reconditioning room. An unidentified employee is pictured steam cleaning an engine block in deep wash tubs. The engine is then lifted on a chain pulley above the sink. Photograph taken circa 1943.

Titus Motor Co. (Tacoma); Titus Motor Co. (Tacoma)--Employees;

In October of 1942, the Railway Express Agency office on the track level of the Union Depot was swamped as motorists complied with the Office of Price Administration (OPA) and turned in all tires in excess of 5 per vehicle. F. W. Steere, left, foreman of the Agency and B.A. Benton, superintendent of the agency, compare two tires. One is almost new and the other good only for scrap. About 5% of the over 500 tires turned in the last few days were new, 70 % were usable and 25% were good only for scrap. (T. Times 10/19/1942, pg. 1)

Tires--Tacoma--1940-1950; Railway Express (Tacoma); Union Station (Tacoma); Railroad stations--Tacoma--1940-1950; Steere, F.W.; Benton, B.A.;

Standard Oil service stations - Dravis Service Station, for Mr. Evans. This side view of the garage (the side away from the street) shows a second set of garage doors. Three gasoline pumps stand in the front of the one story building. A two-door automobile is parked next door. Dravis Service Station was located at 5602 South Park Avenue. It was formerly McCoy's Park Avenue Garage. TPL-1885.

Automobile service stations--Tacoma--1940-1950; Standard Oil Co. of California (Tacoma); Dravis Service Station (Tacoma); Automobiles--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Standard Oil service stations - Dravis Service Station, for Mr. Evans. This side view of the garage shows the garage doors boarded up and the grass overgrown. Three gasoline pumps stand in the front of the one story building. TPL-1884.

Automobile Service Stations--Tacoma--1940-1950; Standard Oil Co. of California (Tacoma); Dravis Service Station;

General Petroleum exterior of 3 plants. V. A. Bellman, Resident Manager of General Petroleum Corp. and H. D. Maxwell of Maxwell Petroleum Co. announced in January 1944 the merger between these two companies. Headquarters will be at the Maxwell office at 721 Alexander Ave. Exterior view of Maxwell Station, said to be one of the most modern gasoline retail outlets on the Pacific Coast.

Automobile service stations--Tacoma; General Petroleum Corp. (Tacoma); Maxwell Petroleum Co. (Tacoma);

Group for Christmas ad in newspaper, Tacoma Auto Sales, Llewellyn Advertising Agency, Mr. Van Meter. A group portrait of 22 of the administrative and sales personnel from Tacoma Auto Sales. The men all wear business suits and the women wear either suits, or a sweater and skirt or blouse and skirt. This photograph was used in a Tacoma News Tribune ad December 26, 1949. (TNT, 12/26/1949, p.10)

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

Painted window, Tacoma Auto Sales, Buck Gardner. The 1950 Pontiacs went on display at Tacoma Auto Sales the last week of November 1949. The Chieftain and Streamliner lines were continued with standard and de luxe styling, six- or eight-cylinder engines (up to 108 h.p.) and Hydra-matic or Synchro-Mesh transmissions. This General Motors make was named after the intelligent and formidable leader of the Ottawa Tribe, Chief Pontiac, who united four tribes to fight against the British army during the French and Indian War in 1763.

Automobile dealerships--Tacoma; Tacoma Auto Sales Co. (Tacoma); Window displays--Tacoma--1940-1950; Advertising--Tacoma--1940-1950;

A new Chevrolet panel truck for Nalley's, Inc. was on display at South Tacoma Motor Company. This advertising car for Nalley's, Inc. carries the company logo, "If It's Nalley's, It's Good," on both sides and the rear door. This view shows advertising for Lumber Jack Syrup and Tang.

Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1950-1960; South Tacoma Motor Co. (Tacoma);Food industry--Tacoma; Nalley's, Inc. (Tacoma); Chevrolet trucks; Advertising--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Ed Lee's new Shell Oil station at Division and Yakima before opening.The station had a garage for car repairs and fuel islands with gasoline pumps. Firestone tires and automotive parts and accessories were on display in front of the station office. The station's Grand Opening was March 31- April 1, 1950 and featured prize drawings and giveaways.

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

Interior of the Gambles Western Auto Supply Co. store at 8104 South Tacoma Way during their Grand Opening. In addition to auto supplies, the store also has wheelbarrows, bicycles, and refrigerators for sale along the front walls. The store also offers housewares for sale, including lightbulbs and kitchen canisters. Automobile batteries, belts and a toy car occupy the foreground of the picture.

Gambles Western Auto Supply Co. (Tacoma); Automobile equipment & supplies stores--Tacoma--1950-1960; Stores & shops--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Lions' Club annual dance at Rehn Motor Company, Mr. Harold Rehn, Gig Harbor. Players at Lion's Club Bingo Night at the Chevrolet dealership in Gig Harbor.

Automobile dealerships--Gig Harbor--1940-1950; Rehn Motor Co. (Gig Harbor); Clubs--Tacoma--1940-1950; Lions Club (Tacoma); Bingo--Gig Harbor;

Lions' Club annual dance at Rehn Motor Company, Mr. Harold Rehn, Gig Harbor. People are standing outside Rehn Motor Company's showroom during the Lion's Club Bingo Night at the Chevrolet dealership in Gig Harbor.

Automobile dealerships--Gig Harbor--1940-1950; Rehn Motor Co. (Gig Harbor); Clubs--Tacoma--1940-1950; Lions Club (Tacoma); Bingo--Gig Harbor;

Group of 12 men, Shell Oil Company, Miss Schumacher. Three men in the front row are holding radios, probably a sales or service award. Their names were not provided.

Shell Oil Co., Inc. (Tacoma); Radios; Business people--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Shell Oil Company, Miss Schumacher. Three men hold new radios, possibly an award from the Shell Oil Company, as they each cup an ear in this photograph dated May 9, 1949. The man on the far left attempts to adjust the volume on a black radio.

Shell Oil Co., Inc. (Tacoma); Radios; Business people--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Several shots of visit by Miss Washington to Tacoma, Tacoma Auto Parts, Sam LeBid. Grand Opening of Tacoma Auto Parts. Mayor Val Fawcett with Miss Washington 1949, Libby Aldrich of Kelso, wearing a floor-length gown and crown during drawing for door prizes which included a television set, car radio and an automobile sun shield. Boxes of "Hot Water Auto Heaters" stacked under tarp. Crowd in background, banners in windows. (TNT, 7/1/1949, p.B-4)

Automobile equipment & supplies stores--Tacoma;Tacoma Auto Parts (Tacoma);Mayors--Tacoma--1940-1950; Fawcett, Clarence Valdo, 1900-1965; Aldrich, Libby;

Several shots of visit by Miss Washington to Tacoma, Tacoma Auto Parts, Sam LeBid. Grand Opening of Tacoma Auto Parts. Mayor Val Fawcett, left in photo, with Miss Washington 1949, Libby Aldrich of Kelso, and an unidentified man. Miss Washington wears a floor-length gown, a crown and a corsage. A crowd stands in the background and banners have been hung in the windows. (TNT, 7/1/1949, p.B-4)

Automobile equipment & supplies stores--Tacoma;Tacoma Auto Parts (Tacoma);Mayors--Tacoma--1940-1950; Fawcett, Clarence Valdo, 1900-1965; Beauty contestants--Washington; Aldrich, Libby;