In June of 1927, Seattlite and frequent Tacoma visitor Esther Landstrom (in coat) was pictured with her new Willys-Knight 70-A coupe in front of the First Presbyterian Church at 20 Tacoma Avenue South. Her small dog stands on the running board. Her friend Dolly Wescott, a bookkeeper at Manley Motors, was at the wheel. Mrs. Landstrom had recently purchased her car from Manley Motor Company, 956-58 Fawcett Avenue, in Tacoma. Manley Motors were the authorized dealers of Overland, Willys-Knight, and Whippet automobiles. (TDL 6/19/1927, pg. G2) (WSHS)

Automobiles--Tacoma--1920-1930; Presbyterian churches--Tacoma; First Presbyterian Church (Tacoma); Landstrom, Esther; Wescott, Dolly; Willys-Knight automobile; Dogs--Tacoma--1920-1930;

Ace Furnace & Steel Company. A truck, stacked with tanks, is parked in a warehouse. The name painted on the truck's door is Birchfield Boiler, Inc., Shipbuilding Division. Ace Furnace's major output was tanks, large and small, making 400-800 per month. It was owned and operated by Alvin T. Davies who also operated Birchfield Boiler and Tacoma Boiler Works Company. (T.Times, 9/4/1946)

Trucks--Tacoma--1940-1950; Birchfield Boiler, Inc. (Tacoma); Ace Furnace & Steel Co. (Tacoma); Storage tanks--Tacoma; Warehouses--Tacoma; Loading docks--Tacoma;

West Coast Grocery had just recently moved into their new offices on East D Street. Mutual Fruit Company was a subsidiary of West Coast Grocery. Exterior view of West Coast Grocery Company's AMOCAT, Mutual Fruit Company 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;

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;

ca. 1947. Both the woman and the automobile appear tiny while compared to the towering trees in this circa 1947 photograph. Location was not identified.

Automobiles--1940-1950; Trees;

Columbia Sausage Company trucks for Irwin-Jones. The company's fleet of Dodge trucks is parked outside the company's facilities.

Trucks--Tacoma--1940-1950; Dodge trucks; Columbia Sausage Co. (Tacoma); Sausages--Tacoma--1940-1950; Meat; Meat industry--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Coca-Cola Company in Tacoma had just purchased a new Chevrolet truck with new "Advance Design" features from South Tacoma Motor Company. The new modern truck had an "Advance Design" streamlined body, cab, fenders and hood. Chevrolet had increased the load space, which made it more efficient for commercial uses. View of Coca-Cola vending machines being delivered, possibly to a college dormitory. Photo ordered by South Tacoma Motor Co.

Trucks--Tacoma--1940-1950; Vending machines--Tacoma; Coca Cola Bottling Co. (Tacoma); South Tacoma Motor Co. (Tacoma); Chevrolet trucks;

The Commercial Distributing Company at 301 E. 25th St. specialized in hauling heavy machinery, houses, boats, steel and iron between Tacoma and Seattle. The firm was founded in 1928 and was owned and operated by Joe Sunnen. The firm had a staff of twenty five men. Commercial had recently purchased four new Diamond T truck tractors from Winthrop Motors, these four new trucks joined a fleet of thirty six other pieces of equipment. Exterior view of plant and six trucks (T. Times, 10/27/47, p. 2). TPL-10054

Trucks--Tacoma--1940-1950; Shipping--Tacoma; Industrial facilities--Tacoma; Commercial Distributing Co. (Tacoma); Diamond T trucks;

Commercial Distributing Company had its own complete machine shop and they did their own rigging, painting and steam cleaning. Their hauling equipment included: semi-flat bed trucks, flat beds, semi-vans, vans and four different types of trucks with mounted cranes. Exterior view of facilities and the four trucks with the different types of hoisting machinery available through Commercial Distributing (T, Times, 10/27/47, p. 2).

Trucks--Tacoma--1940-1950; Shipping--Tacoma; Industrial facilities--Tacoma; Hoisting machinery; Commercial Distributing Co. (Tacoma);

Excavating at South Tacoma Way and Chandler Street, Irwin Jones, Truck Division, Walt Dunlap. A line-up of eight Dodge dump trucks are ready to haul away extra fill from the construction site of the new Irwin Jones facility. A bulldozer stands behind the trucks and a crane is busy with its scoop, ready to fill another truck.

Trucks--Tacoma--1940-1950; Dodge trucks; Construction--Tacoma--1940-1950; Bulldozers; Steam shovels; Excavation--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Truck at plant, Standard Oil, Mr. Wiegle. A side view of the Studebaker delivery truck for Chevron Gasoline. The hood is long and the windshield has a split-glass. Rear-view mirrors are added on both sides of the cab. She has her spare tire hung from the back portion of the side panels. Painted in two tones and she is parked outside a garage for delivery trucks.

Studebaker trucks; Petroleum industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Gasoline--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Shipping scenes at Port Piers, Studio Spec. Bob. Ships at Baker and Weyerhaeuser Docks. A view looking across the City Waterway west towards Tacoma. Ships are tied at the Baker Dock Company and the Weyerhaeuser Line, a steamship line that ran from Shaffer Terminals at the foot of Division Avenue. Barrels lie of the dock in the foreground.

Cargo ships--Tacoma--1940-1950; Steamboats--Tacoma--1940-1950; City Waterway (Tacoma); Piers & wharves--Tacoma--1940-1950; Baker Dock Co. (Tacoma); Weyerhaeuser Line (Tacoma); Shaffer Terminals, Inc. (Tacoma); Cityscapes;

Shipping scenes at Port Piers, Studio Spec. Bob. Ships at Baker and Weyerhaeuser Docks at the foot of Division Avenue. Cargo ships are docked at the Baker Dock Company and Shaffer Terminal while buildings along the bluffs of Tacoma face outwards over Commencement Bay.

Cargo ships--Tacoma--1940-1950; Steamboats--Tacoma--1940-1950; City Waterway (Tacoma); Piers & wharves--Tacoma--1940-1950; Baker Dock Co. (Tacoma); Weyerhaeuser Line (Tacoma); Shaffer Terminals, Inc. (Tacoma); Cityscapes;

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);

Kelly Furniture Company built their store building in 1924 with a warehouse added in 1940, they were located at 5428 South Tacoma Way and were owned by L. Q. Kelly and Robert D. Kelly. Kelly's advertised Hotpoint appliances, Simmons Beautyrest mattresses, Sealy mattresses, Zenith radios and many other items. View of Kelly Furniture Company employees standing in front of their new delivery truck. The two gentlemen in the dark suits are (from left to right) Robert D. Kelly and Laurence Q. Kelly, owners of the company. The gentleman in the white coverall to the right of Laurence Kelly is James Gunther, Laurence's brother-in -law. Additional information provided by patron.

Trucks--Tacoma--1940-1950; Business people--Tacoma--1940-1950; Furniture stores--Tacoma; Home furnishings stores--Tacoma; Kelly Furniture Co. (Tacoma)--Employees;

Jensen Fuel Co.at 6238 South Tacoma Way and its fleet of modern oil delivery trucks. Jensen Fuel was founded in 1891 by Robert Jensen and was run in the 1950s by his son Everett Jensen, who took over management in 1934. Jensen's first delivery service was a small wagon and a single team of horses. The company first supplied wood, followed successively by coal, sawdust and fuel oil. In early 1950, the company became a pioneer in radio dispatched fuel oil delivery. (TNT 3/2/1950 pg. 33)

Trucks--Tacoma--1950-1960; Fuel supply; Jensen Fuel Co. (Tacoma);

Two loaded Chevrolet trucks at General Beer Distributing Company. Tacoma was a leading distribution center for the Pacific Northwest. Ordered by Clark Richardson Advertising Agency.

Trucks--Tacoma--1950-1960; Chevrolet trucks; General Beer Distributing Co. (Tacoma); Columbia Breweries, Inc. (Tacoma)--1950-1960; Richardson Advertising Agency (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;

ca. 1950. Exposure of truck at Walker Chevrolet with two men in suits by door. Sign on side says "Don Rohan - fine beverages - Schlitz."

Chevrolet automobile; Rohan, Don--Associated objects; Alcoholic beverages;

ca. 1950. Two men, one in suit, one in casual dress, standing by door of delivery van. "Don Rohan - Fine Beverages - Schlitz." A Chevrolet van, with signs advertising Schlitz beer and brewer's agent, Don Rohan, is parked in front of a grove of trees. The man in the light colored suit is leaning against the vehicle with his elbow propped inside the open window. The man in the hat has one hand behind his back and the other hand placed on the van's door.

Chevrolet automobile; Rohan, Don--Associated objects; Alcoholic beverages;

A new Dodge truck is on display at the Irwin-Jones Motor Company's truck department at 1625 South Tacoma Way. The Dodge is emblazed with the A.J. Corwin Dist. Co.'s name on the driver's door and Stordor Wholesale on the side panel. The Dodge was one of several new trucks ordered for the Corwin Company in the summer of 1950.

Dodge trucks; Automobile dealerships--Tacoma; Irwin-Jones Motor Co. (Tacoma); Trucks--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Griffin Fuel Co. delivery truck in front of company headquarters at 1910 Commerce St. Fred L. Griffin began business in Tacoma with a horse and wagon hauling wood, ice, furniture, pianos and other commodities. The senior Griffin did most of the wood cutting and hauling himself; even after the business expanded he continued to work with the hired hands. In 1904, the company moved from 15th and Dock St. to 1910 Commerce Street and gradually ceased all sidelines and concentrated on fuel dealing. By the 1950s, the firm was the oldest and largest exclusive fuel dealing concern west of Chicago and operator of the largest and most modern fleet of trucks on the West Coast. TPL-9961

Griffin Fuel Co. (Tacoma); Trucks--Tacoma--1950-1960; Fuel--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Bread delivery truck outside of Jordan's Bakery, the state's largest independent bakery, serving Tacoma and surrounding areas. Arthur K. Jordan began his company in 1937 when he purchased the Bert Nichols plant in Old Tacoma and opened it under the Jordan name on May 16 with six employees and one delivery truck. The bakery quickly outgrew this location and opened at 54th and Washington in 1939. The company expanded in 1941 when it purchased Apex Bakery in Bremerton. In 1950, the company won the "First Prize for Quality" in the Better Bread contest staged by the Quality Bakers of America. The competition featured bread baked by over 100 bakeries nationwide. By 1950, the company employed 131 people in Tacoma with a payroll of a half million a year. The bakery bought and used a million dollars worth of ingredients a year. Art Jordan maintained ownership and control of the company.

Jordan Baking Co. (Tacoma); Trucks--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Photo of Griffin Fuel Co.'s new bulk storage station in Lakewood. After the company's move to its headquarters on Commerce St. in the early 1900's, the company ceased all sidelines and expanded its fuel service to include sawdust, coal and fuel oil. Coal bunkers and fuel oil storage moved throughout the city, until only coal storage and company headquarters were located on Commerce. This photo was used in an ad stating "You can be sure of instant delivery service from Griffin's huge new storage plant in Lakewood." Griffin took calls at anytime and made deliveries night, day, Sundays and holidays.They made a considerable investment in new trucks with a ratio of maximum gallons to minimum weight, insuring immediate delivery over any type of road. The company made sure its trucks and mobile machinery received the best possible care by fully staffing its own repair shop and garages. (TNT 2/16/1951, pg. 13)

Griffin Fuel Co. (Tacoma); Trucks--Tacoma--1950-1960; Fuel--Tacoma--1950-1960; Fuel trade--Tacoma--1950-1960; Fuel tanks;

A double truck labelled Cooney Transfer Co., for Rucker Bro. TPL-8360

Trucks--Tacoma--1950-1960; Trailers--Tacoma--1950-1960;

A driver is backing Tacoma-Fort Lewis Auto Freight Company's new Diamond T truck to a loading dock. A long trailer makes the job of backing more difficult. A man can be seen on the loading dock providing hand signals. TPL-8361

Trucks--Tacoma--1950-1960; Tacoma-Fort Lewis Auto Freight Co. (Tacoma); Diamond T trucks;

General Beer Distributors truck advertising Heidelberg beer in front of the Poodle Dog restaurant in Fife. The driver is unloading cases of beer from the back of the company's new Diamond T truck.

Trucks--Fife--1950-1960; Electric signs--Fife--1950-1960; Restaurants--Fife; Poodle Dog (Fife); Columbia Breweries, Inc. (Tacoma)--1950-1960; Diamond T trucks;

General Beer Distributors truck advertising Heidelberg beer is parked in front of the Poodle Dog restaurant in Fife. The company chose a Diamond T truck for the newest addition to their fleet. TPL-8193

Trucks--Fife--1950-1960; Electric signs--Fife--1950-1960; Restaurants--Fife; Poodle Dog (Fife); Columbia Breweries, Inc. (Tacoma)--1950-1960; Diamond T trucks;

General Beer Distributing Company had painted signs for Heidleberg Beer on this truck. They chose a Diamond T truck for this new addition to their fleet.

Trucks--Fife--1950-1960; Electric signs--Fife--1950-1960; Restaurants--Fife; Poodle Dog (Fife); Columbia Breweries, Inc. (Tacoma)--1950-1960; Diamond T trucks;

Cab and bed of Lige Dickson truck in front of Lige Dickson Company. The company have added a White truck to their fleet of vehicles for their construction and excavation operations Ordered by Lige Dickson Co. General Contractors. TPL-9824

Trucks--Tacoma--1950-1960; White trucks; Lige Dickson Co. (Tacoma);