Titus Motor Company, exterior of building with vehicles parked on street. Many neon and painted signs, "We give you More ..trade now" posters in windows. Elizabethan-style brick building by Roland Borhek, Architect, circa 1926. (filed with Argentum)

Automobile dealerships--Tacoma; Automobile equipment & supplies; Electric signs--Tacoma--1930-1940; Automobile equipment & supplies stores--Tacoma; Titus Motor Co. (Tacoma);

Titus Motor Company, exterior of building with vehicles parked on street. Many neon and painted signs, "We give you More ..trade now" posters in windows. Elizabethan-style brick building by Roland Borhek, Architect, circa 1926.

Automobile dealerships--Tacoma; Automobile equipment & supplies; Electric signs--Tacoma--1930-1940; Automobile equipment & supplies stores--Tacoma; Titus Motor Co. (Tacoma);

This May 1939 advertising photograph shows the wide range of Ford commercial vehicles sold by Titus Motor Co. on display in front of the Victorian style Seymour Conservatory at Wright Park. The glass conservatory, one of only three on the West Coast, was a gift to the citizens of Tacoma by Tacoman businessman William W. Seymour. The building, designed by I.J. Knapp, opened in November of 1908 and gave the average Tacoman their first glance at the foliage of the tropics. In 1938, Leon Titus, a 25 year veteran in the automotive sales business, got his foot in the door in Tacoma by being awarded the downtown dealership of Ford, Ford Mercury and Lincoln Zephyr. The dealership moved into the old Pacific Car Co. building at 618-624 Broadway, where they remained until the mid 1960's. As a boy, Leon Titus had worked for the Marmon-Nordyke Co., manufacturer of the Marmon automobile. The Titus family is still heavily involved in the automotive business today. (TNT 12/15/1938, pg. 11)

Titus Motor Co. (Tacoma); Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1930-1940; Ford trucks; Seymour Conservatory (Tacoma); Wright Park (Tacoma); Greenhouses--Tacoma--1930-1940; Parks--Tacoma--1930-1940;

Titus Motor Company, exterior of building with parked automobiles and double-parked service truck. Many neon and painted signs, "We give you More ..trade now" posters in windows. Elizabethean style brick building by Roland Borhek, Architect, c.1926.

Titus Motor Co. (Tacoma); Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1930-1940;

Automobile in service department at Titus Motor Company.

Titus Motor Co. (Tacoma); Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1930-1940;

This Elizabethan-style brick building at 616-24 Broadway in downtown Tacoma was designed by Roland Borhek. Built for the Pacific Car Co. in 1919, it was taken over in 1938 by the Titus Motor Co. In recent years it has been home to several car rental dealers. Roland E. Borhek was the primary architect for many Tacoma buildings including the Rialto Theater and Jason Lee Intermediate School.

Automobile dealerships--Tacoma; Automobile equipment & supplies; Electric signs--Tacoma--1930-1940; Automobile equipment & supplies stores--Tacoma; Titus Motor Co. (Tacoma);

Service department at Titus Motor Company. Mercury sedan over greasepit, mechanic working under automobile.

Titus Motor Co. (Tacoma); Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1930-1940; Mercury automobile;

Repair shop at Titus Motor Co. (filed with Argentum)

Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1930-1940; Ford automobile; Automobile equipment & supplies stores--Tacoma; Titus Motor Co. (Tacoma);

Repair shop at Titus Motor Co. (filed with Argentum)

Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1930-1940; Ford automobile; Automobile equipment & supplies stores--Tacoma; Titus Motor Co. (Tacoma);

Titus Motor Company staff and two State Troopers pose with a fleet of new Fords purchased by the Washington State Patrol in June 1939. The Patrol had converted the old Interurban Terminal at 702 A Street (seen at right) into their headquarters in 1937. Leon Titus is third from right.

Titus, Leon E.; Titus Motor Co. (Tacoma); Washington State Patrol (Tacoma); Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1930-1940;

Titus Motor Company staff and two troopers with fleet of new Washington State Patrol Fords in front of Patrol offices by old Interurban Terminal at So. 7th & A St. Leon Titus at far right. Western Auto Supply/North Pacific Bank Note Co. at rear. (filed with Argentum)

Titus, Leon E.; Titus Motor Co. (Tacoma); Washington State Patrol (Tacoma); Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1930-1940;

Titus Motor Company staff and two troopers with fleet of new Washington State Patrol Fords in front of Patrol offices by old Interurban Terminal at So. 7th & A St. Leon Titus at far right. Western Auto Supply/North Pacific Bank Note Co. at rear. TPL-7997

Titus, Leon E.; Titus Motor Co. (Tacoma); Washington State Patrol (Tacoma); Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1930-1940;

On October 2, 1939, Clara Thorsen is receiving the title from an unidentified member of the Ray Roberts Post 969 VFW for the new 1939 Studebaker Champion that she won. On winning, Miss Thorsen confided to the members that she is to be married the following month to Earl Heltsley, a driver for the Municipal Belt Bus Line. The pair will use the new vehicle to take a honeymoon trip to California. Allen Motor Co. building in background. Studebaker logo on storefront windows. Miss Thorsen is 24 years old and resides at 3623 McKinley Ave. She is a clerk at Fishers Department Store. (T. Times 10/5/1939, pg. 16)

Allen Motor Co. (Tacoma); Automobile dealerships--Tacoma; Studebaker automobile; Thorsen, Clara; Veterans of Foreign Wars, Ray C. Roberts Post # 969 (Tacoma);

On October 2, 1939, Clara Thorsen received her title to a new 1939 Studebaker Champion from an unidentified VFW member. She won the car at a Ray C. Roberts Post 969, VFW benefit ball. Miss Thorsen confided that she was getting married the following month and planned on using the vehicle for a honeymoon trip to California. The lucky young lady was 24 years old and a clerk at Fishers Department Store. She picked up her car at the Allen Motor Co. building, which advertised itself as being "opposite the Temple Theater". (T. Times 10/5/1939, pg. 16)

Allen Motor Co. (Tacoma); Automobile dealerships--Tacoma; Studebaker automobile; Thorsen, Clara; Veterans of Foreign Wars, Ray C. Roberts Post # 969 (Tacoma);

Showing of the new 1940 Fords at Titus Motor Company. Man handing a ribbon to another man across the hood of a 1940 Ford. Men, some wearing "It's Ford in '40" caps, mingle around the showroom. The new 1940 Fords were being described as big, substantial and powerful, with a modern front end design and streamlined body.

Titus Motor Co. (Tacoma); Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1930-1940; Ford automobile;

The pristine repair shop at Titus Motor Co. Shiny Fords line the right side, one on a lift at the rear. On the left front is a motorcycle.

Titus Motor Co. (Tacoma); Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1930-1940; Ford automobile;

Showing of new 1940 Fords at Titus Motor Company. Sales meeting, man in "It's Ford in '40" hat and white coat on stage, man with ribbon on coat and holding a package giving a third man an award. Over 50 men seated, many in "It's Ford in '40" hats. The meeting looks like it is being held in the service department of Titus Motor Co. (filed with Argentum)

Titus Motor Co. (Tacoma); Ford automobile;

Titus Motor Company throws a party celebrating the new 1940 Fords. A line has formed to receive free hot dogs and sodas at the celebration. Many of the attendees wear "It's a Ford in '40" caps.

Titus Motor Co. (Tacoma); Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1930-1940; Ford automobile;

Sunshine Service, new General Petroleum Company Mobil station at South 48th and Park. Five automobiles at gasoline pump and two attendants.

Sunshine Service (Tacoma); Automobile service stations--Tacoma--1930-1940;

Sunshine Service, new General Petroleum Company Mobil station at South 48th and Park. Two automobiles at gasoline pumps and one in garage.

Sunshine Service (Tacoma); Automobile service stations--Tacoma--1930-1940;

Sunshine Service, new General Petroleum Company Mobilgas station at So. 48th and Park. Night time view of quartet singing in the doorway of the MobiLubrication garage. For Smith and Drum, J.J. Miller.

Business Enterprises - Automobile Service Stations - Mobil Oil Dealers - Tacoma - Sunshine Service Station Music Ensembles - QuartetsMusic - SingingPeople - Men - Singers

Sunshine Service, new General Petroleum Company Mobilgas service station at So. 48th and Park. Night time view with several automobiles receiving service. For Smith and Drum, J.J. Miller.

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

ca. 1939. This elegant, Elizabethan style building at 618-24 Broadway was built in 1919 for the Pacific Car Company from a design by Roland Borhek, who also drew the plans for the Rialto Theater. The Titus Motor Company, dealers for Ford vehicles, took over the building in December of 1938. As Titus Motor Company, and later as Titus - Will Ford, they occupied this building until the mid-1960s when they moved from downtown Tacoma to 3606 South Sprague.

Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1930-1940; Titus Motor Co. (Tacoma);

Winner of Mercury Automobile Contest in front of Titus Motor Company. Man hands envelope to another man across the hood of a 1940 Mercury. Leon Titus at far right. Titus Motor Co. was offering a special prize for gasoline economy. Beginning January 27, 1940, contestants could drive a special Mercury 8 equipped with a gasoline meter. First prize in the contest, 50 gallons of gasoline, would be awarded to the driver with the best mileage. The new Mercury 8 averaged 20 miles per gallon.

Titus Motor Co. (Tacoma); Titus, Leon E.; Mercury automobile; Contests;

Ask us to show you how the Biggest Ford in 38 Years out-measures the 'other two'. Leon Titus, the president of the Titus Motor Company (kneeling, 3rd from left), and his sales crew used specially made "yardsticks" to measure a brand new 1941 Ford V-8 in December of 1940. The "yardsticks" are considerably more than 36 inches long. The 1941 model was claimed by Ford to be the biggest car in its price class. From left to right are Bill Holmes, Arnie Colby, Leon Titus, Harold Davies, Norm Arndt, Fred Hess, John Mamoliti, Del Sprague, Hans Malcom and Jim Will. (T. Times 12/18/1940, pg. 13)

Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1940-1950; Titus Motor Co. (Tacoma); Ford automobile; Will, James W.; Titus, Leon E.;

The 1941 Ford V8 was advertised as the biggest, roomiest Ford in 38 years. Ford representatives and Tacoma Mayor Harry Cain have out their yardsticks to see if the new Ford measures up to its claims. Mayor Harry Cain, 3rd from left in photo, Leon Titus, president of Titus Motor Co. 4th from right, Jim Will, far right. (T.Times 12/18/1940 p.13)

Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1940-1950; Titus Motor Co. (Tacoma); Ford automobile; Titus, Leon E.; Will, James W.; Mayors--Tacoma--1940-1950; Cain, Harry P., 1906-1979;

Titus Motor Company, service department. Ford sedan parked on lowered lift rack, man appears to be checking headlight alignment with an adjustable screen on a post. Man in automobile, another giving him instructions. Parts delivery van at rear.

Business Enterprises - Tacoma - Automobile Dealers - New Automobile Dealers - Ford Dealers - Titus Motor Company Tacoma Streets - Broadway

Titus Motor's gift for the first born baby in Tacoma in 1941 was a ride home for mother and child in a 1941 Super Deluxe Ford. The 9 pound 3 ounce baby boy arrived at 12:08 a.m. at the County Hospital to Mr. and Mrs. Herbert Parham of 6002 So. Mason making them winners of the Tacoma News Tribune Stork Derby for 1941.

Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1940-1950; Ford automobile; Titus Motor Co. (Tacoma); Pierce County Hospital (Tacoma); Hospitals--Tacoma--1940-1950; Infants--Tacoma--1940-1950; Parham, Herbert--Family;Holidays--Tacoma--1940-1950;

The winner of the Tacoma News Tribune Stork Derby for 1941, the first baby of the year, was a 9 pound, 3 ounce baby boy born to Mr. and Mrs. Herbert Parham at 12:08a.m. on January 1, 1941. One of the prizes was a ride home from the County Hospital in a 1941 Super DeLuxe Ford for the new family. The vehicle was supplied by Titus Motors. (TNT 1/2/1941, pg. 1)

Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1940-1950; Ford automobile; Titus Motor Co. (Tacoma); Pierce County Hospital (Tacoma); Hospitals--Tacoma--1940-1950; Infants--Tacoma--1940-1950; Parham, Herbert--Family;Holidays--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Ford Good Drivers League publicity for Titus Motor Company. Lincoln Delux sedan with logo on door in front of Public Safety Building. L to R: Leon Titus, unknown, Public Safety Commissioner Holmes Eastwood, Police Chief Einar Langseth.

Business Enterprises - Tacoma - Automobile Dealers - New Automobile Dealers - Ford Dealers - Titus Motor Company Advertising and Promotion Law Enforcement - Police Agencies - Tacoma Police Department