The newest in automotive beauty and power was posed with the old in this photograph taken in front of the Mueller-Harkins Buick dealership at 455 Saint Helens Avenue on May 4, 1950. The car on the left is a 1950 Buick Eight sporting a "bumper guard grill"; the car to the right is a Model 31 Buick that was manufactured in 1912. The vintage Buick had been driven to Tacoma from Olympia during Olympia Centennial Week by its owner Cecil Barker, a Buick dealer in Olympia. The modern Mueller-Harkins dealership on St. Helens had opened at the end of 1948; today it is home to the U.S.A. of Yesterday Motor Car Company. (Ordered by the Condon Company, K. Shinn.)

Automobile Dealerships--Tacoma; Mueller-Harkins Motor Co. (Tacoma); Centennial celebrations--Olympia; Buick automobile; Automobile radiator ornaments;

An antique 1913 Buick touring car representing the City of Olympia's Centennial was driven to Mueller-Harkins Buick dealership in Tacoma. The people are L-R, Charles Barker, Mrs. Cecil Barker, Cecil Barker, R.A. Mueller and Mrs. Charles Barker. The 1913 Buick has spoked wheels, a windshield that was split horizontally and could be folded into either an up or down position, and a fabric top that may be removable. It took one and three-quarters hours to travel the 30 miles from Olympia to Tacoma in the old automobile. (TNT, 5/8/1950, p.2) TPL-6589

Automobile Dealerships--Tacoma; Mueller-Harkins Motor Co. (Tacoma); Centennial celebrations--Olympia; Buick automobile; Barker, Cecil--Family; Barker, Charles--Family; Mueller, Rudolph A.;

Smith's Shell Station is shown with a separate building for automobile repairs. Gasoline pumps stand in front of the sales booth. A gasoline service station had been at this location since 1929. A billboard advertising Shell products stands along the property line on the right. Ordered by Shell Oil Company, Mr. Holms.

Automobile service stations--Tacoma--1940-1950; Smith's Shell Station (Tacoma); Gasoline pumps--Tacoma--1940-1950; Billboards--Tacoma; Vehicle maintenance & repair--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Nez DuCharme & Sons Depot Service Station at its new location 1548 Pacific Avenue. A gas station attendant services a car in the driveway; filling the car with gas, checking under the hood, and cleaning the windows. The station was large and had a repair shop and oil change location to the right. A weathervane checks the direction of the wind from atop the gable of this unique building. (Ad TNT 4/14/1950, pg. 27)

Automobile service stations--Tacoma--1950-1960; Gasoline pumps--Tacoma--1950-1960; Nez DuCharme & Sons Depot Service Station (Tacoma); Automobiles--Tacoma--1950-1960;

The Mueller-Harkins Buick dealership added a new used car sales building on Saint Helens next to their large display and service facilities in 1950. The used automobiles are nosed towards the street to show passers-by the current inventory. Condon Company, Kay Shinn.

Mueller-Harkins Motor Co. (Tacoma); Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1950-1960; Buick automobile;

Lee's Shell Oil station at Division and North Yakima. A Shell Oil Company service station had been at this location since 1929. Ed Lee opened his Shell Service across from Wright Park April 1, 1950. He celebrated his opening with free gardenias for the ladies and free balloons for the kiddies and he was open until 11 pm. Apartments buildings, the Rutland at 115 No. Yakima and the Casablanca at 117 No. Yakima, can be seen on the right and single-family residences behind the service station on the left. Ordered by Shell Oil Company, Ivar Holms. (TNT, 4/3/1950, p.8)

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

Front and side, Western Auto, Herb Sturtridge. A view of the Dr. Bostwick Building, front, and the Cornell House, rear, from across 8th Street. The site includes 111-19 South 8th Street and 715-17 Pacific Avenue. The building at 715-17 Pacific Avenue was built c. 1884 as the Dr. Bostwick Building. The separate building at 111-15 South 8th Street was built c. 1892-1910. The two buildings were later combined. North Pacific Bank Note Company purchased the building in 1919. The entrance to North Pacific Bank Note Company is shown on South 8th Street. Western Auto Supply Co, managed by Herb Sturtridge, occupies the street level storefronts.

Western Auto Supply Co. (Tacoma); Commercial facilities--Tacoma--1940-1950; Automobile equipment & supplies; North Pacific Bank Note Co. (Tacoma); Financial facilities--Tacoma--1940-1950; Buildings--Tacoma--1940-1950;

The new full service Buick Center had just opened up in Tacoma in late 1948. Mueller-Harkins Motor Company was offering their customers a one-stop automotive center. Exterior view of Texaco service station, this service station was part of the new Mueller-Harkins Motor Company facilities; view of four Texaco gas pumps; Firestone tires and automotive supplies in store (T. Times, 12/3/48, p. 8-9).

Buick automobile; Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1940-1950; Vehicle maintenance & repair--Tacoma; Automobile service stations--Tacoma--1940-1950; Texaco (Tacoma); Mueller-Harkins Motor Co. (Tacoma);

On-the-spot photographs at new Mueller-Harkins Building, Condon Co., Kay Shinn. An interior view of the service department at Mueller-Harkins showing the several service bays available and the ramp up to street level on the far right. Several cars can be parked under cover until their owners return for them.

Mueller-Harkins Motor Co. (Tacoma); Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1940-1950; Vehicle maintenance & repair--Tacoma--1940-1950;

On-the-spot photographs at new Mueller-Harkins Building, Condon Co., Kay Shinn. An interior view of the service department at Mueller-Harkins. An employee is painting the exterior body of an automobile. The windows and other vulnerable parts of the car have been covered with paper.

Mueller-Harkins Motor Co. (Tacoma); Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1940-1950; Vehicle maintenance & repair--Tacoma--1940-1950;

On-the-spot photographs at new Mueller-Harkins Building, Condon Co., Kay Shinn. An interior view of the service department at Mueller-Harkins.

Mueller-Harkins Motor Co. (Tacoma); Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1940-1950; Vehicle maintenance & repair--Tacoma--1940-1950;

On-the-spot photographs at new Mueller-Harkins Building, Condon Co., Kay Shinn. An interior view of the service department at Mueller-Harkins where Joe Elliott is taking notes from a display that is coming from the "Visualiner". This modern device gave a graphic picture of the front-end alighment of vehicles connected to it. See A37167-1. (T.Times, 12/26/1948, p.28)

Mueller-Harkins Motor Co. (Tacoma); Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1940-1950; Vehicle maintenance & repair--Tacoma--1940-1950; Elliott, Joe;

On-the-spot photographs at new Mueller-Harkins Building, Condon Co., Kay Shinn. An interior view of the parts department at Mueller-Harkins. Two men stand at the counter asking for help with parts while two men behind the counter assist them. Two more men are working in the shelving area and several more are seen in the background behind glass windows.

Mueller-Harkins Motor Co. (Tacoma); Automobile dealerships--Tacoma; Vehicle maintenance & repair--Tacoma--1940-1950; Automobile equipment & supplies stores--Tacoma;

South Tacoma Motor Company, Mr. Sheehan. A model stands next to a 1949 Chevrolet DeLuxe Styleline convertible, framed by showroom window that is decorated with slogans. TPL-5872

Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1940-1950; South Tacoma Motor Co. (Tacoma); Chevrolet automobile; Convertible automobiles; Showrooms--Tacoma--1940-1950;

South Tacoma Motor Company, Mr. Sheehan. A general view of the newly remodeled showroom. The new 1949 Chevrolet 4-door Styleline sedan is seen in the foreground with black tires. The 2-door Fleetline fastback is seen at the right background with a pickup truck at the far right. The 1949 Styleline Convertible is in the showroom window at left center. Desks are along the wall on the left in case anyone wanted to make a deal. A freestanding display board shows the available accessories. (T.Times, 1/20/1949, p.13)

Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1940-1950; South Tacoma Motor Co. (Tacoma); Chevrolet automobile; Convertible automobiles; Showrooms--Tacoma--1940-1950;

South Tacoma Motor Company. Crowd viewing a 1949 Chevrolet. People look under the hood, inside the driver's side door and in the trunk of this two-door Fleetline model. The 1949 models represented three-year's development. They were completely restyled: they were lower, wider and more distinctive. (T.Times, 1/20/1949, p.13)

Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1940-1950; South Tacoma Motor Co. (Tacoma); Chevrolet automobile; Showrooms--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Service area at Mueller- Harkins Buick Agency. Elevated " Service Master " command post overlooking the bays. Pneumatic tubes for delivery of service orders, control panels with many lights and switches, digital clock and microphone. Man at controls.

Automobile dealerships--Tacoma; Mueller-Harkins Motor Co. (Tacoma);

The new Mueller-Harkins Buick center provided their customers with all of their automotive needs, the new building was officially opened to the public on December 6, 1948. Interior view of Mueller-Harkins Buick Agency; showroom features 1949 Buick Roadmaster on display, architect's model of building in left foreground. Model still exists inside the building, which now houses USA of Yesteryear Motor Car Company (T. Times, 12/26/48, p. 28).

Buick automobile; Automobile dealerships--Tacoma; Automobile equipment & supplies stores--Tacoma; Showrooms--Tacoma; Merchandise displays--Tacoma; Mueller-Harkins Motor Co. (Tacoma);

The new Buick building for Mueller-Harkins was designed by Silas E. Nelsen, a local Tacoma architect. Interior view of service area at Mueller- Harkins Buick Agency; machine shop area, work benches with grinders, a drill press and other power tools, roll-away tool boxes, two unidentified mechanics working on Buicks (T. Times, 12/26/48, p. 28).

Buick automobile; Automobile dealerships--Tacoma; Mechanics (Persons)--Tacoma; Vehicle maintenance & repair--Tacoma; Automobile equipment & supplies; Mueller-Harkins Motor Co. (Tacoma); Silas E. Nelsen Architects (Tacoma);

Mueller-Harkins Buick dealership had just moved into their new building and had officially opened to the public on December 6, 1948. View of the service area at Mueller-Harkins Buick Agency, station #23, steering service, late 1940s Buick with whitewall tires on elevated rack, Joe Elliot is standing beside "Visualiner" front end alignment machine (T. Times, 12/26/48, p. 28).

Buick automobile; Automobile dealerships--Tacoma; Mechanics (Persons)--Tacoma; Vehicle maintenance & repair--Tacoma; Automobile equipment & supplies stores--Tacoma; Automobile equipment & supplies; Mueller-Harkins Motor Co. (Tacoma);

The new Mueller-Harkins Buick center had a staff of 80 people, they were proud to deliver fast and efficient service. Interior view of service area at Mueller- Harkins Buick Agency, engine diagnostic area, station #2 in foreground; Sun Equipment Co. testing equipment, glass partitions, Delco industrial battery on floor. unidentified men are working on Buick automobiles (T. Times, 12/26/48, p. 28).

Buick automobile; Automobile dealerships--Tacoma; Mechanics (Persons)--Tacoma; Vehicle maintenance & repair--Tacoma; Automobile equipment & supplies stores--Tacoma; Automobile equipment & supplies; Mueller-Harkins Motor Co. (Tacoma);

The new Mueller-Harkins building was constructed in joint slab construction style and has 30 foot spans; all fixtures are made of aluminum. Interior view of service area at Mueller- Harkins Buick Agency; "Heavy Repair" area for body work, unidentified man is stripping smashed parts off a late 1940s Buick, placing the scrap in a GMC pickup, another mechanic inspects the passenger side of a Buick of similar vintage (T. Times, 12/26/48, p. 28).

Buick automobile; Automobile dealerships--Tacoma; Mechanics (Persons)--Tacoma; Vehicle maintenance & repair--Tacoma; Automobile equipment & supplies stores--Tacoma; Automobile equipment & supplies; Mueller-Harkins Motor Co. (Tacoma);

The main showroom at Mueller-Harkins had twin turn tables with windows surrounding the huge display room, two new 1949 Buicks were currently being displayed. Interior view of service area at Mueller-Harkins Buick Agency; painting or detail area, unidentified man inspects a late 1940's Buick Special, another looks on and a third polishes a car in the background; container of "Nason Thinner" on shelf, "Quaker State Motor Oil" on bench (T. Times, 12/26/48, p. 28).

Buick automobile; Automobile dealerships--Tacoma; Mechanics (Persons)--Tacoma; Vehicle maintenance & repair--Tacoma; Automobile equipment & supplies stores--Tacoma; Automobile equipment & supplies; Mueller-Harkins Motor Co. (Tacoma);

The Mueller-Harkins building included a collision and paint room, upholstery shop, regular service department, Texaco Station, Firestone store, used cars, new cars, new car delivery service and many other unique automotive features. Interior view of service area at Mueller-Harkins Buick; motor overhaul stations 11 through 13, "Straight-eight" engine head on bench, automobile with canvas on fenders, hood removed and propped against stub wall, unidentified mechanic reads service order at station 11 (T. Times, 12/26/48, p. 28).

Buick automobile; Automobile dealerships--Tacoma; Mechanics (Persons)--Tacoma; Vehicle maintenance & repair--Tacoma; Automobile equipment & supplies stores--Tacoma; Automobile equipment & supplies; Mueller-Harkins Motor Co. (Tacoma);

The new Mueller-Harkins building was one finest and most modern sales and service centers in the United States. Interior view of service area at Mueller- Harkins Buick, elevated "Service Master" command post with customer waiting room below, parts counter, lighted overhead chart of stations/services available, Quaker State clock, two Buick convertibles at stations 17 & 18 (T. Times, 12/26/48, p. 28).

Buick automobile; Automobile dealerships--Tacoma; Showrooms--Tacoma; Vehicle maintenance & repair--Tacoma; Automobile equipment & supplies stores--Tacoma; Automobile equipment & supplies; Mueller-Harkins Motor Co. (Tacoma);

Associated Oil Service Stations, Omundson & Crosby Station #633. This October, 1948 view of the service station shows the service garage with the double doors open. The station advertises Veedol Lubrication. A drinking fountain is located on the front of the building. Three gasoline pumps are available at the service island.

Associated Oil Service Stations (Tacoma); Automobile service stations--Tacoma--1940-1950; Omundson & Crosby Gas Station (Tacoma); Automobiles--Tacoma--1940-1950; Electric signs--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Associated Oil Service Stations, Charlie Walker's Associated Service, station #634. This view of the station clearly shows the two separate buildings for the garage where repairs were performed and the gasoline pumping area. The company advertises Veedol Lubrication and Motor Oil. An automobile is parked for gasoline.

Associated Oil Service Stations (Tacoma); Automobile service stations--Tacoma--1940-1950; Walkers Associated Service Station (Tacoma); Electric signs--Tacoma--1940-1950; Gasoline pumps--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Interior at new location, Irwin-Jones, Walt Dunlap. The interior of the lower level of the new truck division of the Dodge dealership. The building was designed using concrete arch-type construction which was widely used in Sweden at this time. This was one of the first buildings using this construction in the United States. The six entrances and exits were installed to speed truck servicing. (T.Times, 10/7/1948, p.13) TPL-9228

Irwin-Jones Motor Co. (Tacoma); Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Interior at Mueller-Harkins, new service center. Douglas Fir Plywood Association, Mrs. Link. W.C. McKewen is seen from behind while he is at work in the "Service Master" command post. Mr. McKewen is able to see the automobiles as they are driven in for servicing and he uses the microphone to communicate with other workers in the area. Pneumatic tubes are over his left shoulder for special orders and he has a full console of communication controls in front of him.

Mueller-Harkins Motor Co. (Tacoma); Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1940-1950; Communication devices; Signal lights--Tacoma;

Tacoma Auto Sales, new 1949 Pontiacs, Mr. Bryson Gardner. A night view of the agency with a 1949 Pontiac parked at curb including the neon signs on the facade, showroom windows painted over with a scene of a fence and barn with characters taking a look at the new 1949 Pontiacs.

Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1940-1950; Pontiac automobile; Tacoma Auto Sales Co. (Tacoma); Electric signs--Tacoma--1940-1950;