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;

In April of 1950 Nezzer J. "Nez" DuCharme (far right) took over the service station at 1548 Pacific Avenue and opened a new Mobiloil Station. His new station was 10 blocks north of the station that he opened just after WWII at 2601 Pacific. Helping to man the pumps were: (l to r) Bud DuCharme, Bob Morgan and Bob Bender, advertised as the "Busy B's." The station sold a full line of Mobil products including gas, tires, tubes, batteries, accessories. The "Busy Bs" also did tire repairs, battery charging, and car washing and polishing with pick up and delivery service. (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); Uniforms; DuCharme, Nezzer J.; DuCharme, Bud; Morgan, Bob; Bender, Bob;

An interior view of the showroom at B.F. Goodrich Company's Tacoma store looking towards the front of the store. They feature a wide variety of home appliances, bicycles, tricycles, wagons, and lawn mowers in addition to automobile tires, batteries and accessories.

B.F. Goodrich Co. (Tacoma); Automobile equipment & supplies stores--Tacoma; Appliance stores--Tacoma;

Service area of Steven Motor Company, Chrysler and Plymouth dealers showing maple floor treated with Lastincote sealer. Several late 1940s Chrysler Corporation automobiles are shown parked in the background. Banners overhead advertise available services. The floor coating was installed by West Disinfecting Company of Seattle.

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

Copy of customer's retouched print, Mueller-Harkins used car building, Condon Co., a/c Mueller-Harkins.

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

Exterior of new Maxwell station at Lakewood Center, Maxwell Petroleum, 520 E. D St.

Automobile service stations--Lakewood--1950-1960; Gasoline pumps--Lakewood--1950-1950;

Exterior of new Maxwell station at Lakewood Center, Maxwell Petroleum, 520 E. D St.

Automobile service stations--Lakewood--1950-1960; Gasoline pumps--Lakewood--1950-1950;

Art Swenning, owner of Art's Glass and Upholstery Shop, commissioned this studio photograph taken in September, 1950, of seat covers. It is uncertain whether the seat is to be used in a vehicle or in a home. Art's Glass and Upholstery Shop was located at 814-816 Tacoma Avenue South.

Art's Glass & Upholstery Shop (Tacoma); Upholstery;

Emerging from the Tacoma White Trucks dealership is a Griffin Fuel Company truck in a photograph taken on August 28, 1950. The White Company of Cleveland, Ohio began building heavy duty trucks and buses in 1900. The Tacoma White Trucks dealership was located at 2719 South Tacoma Way. Frank Buchanan was the president and manager from 1949 until 1954 according to the Tacoma city directory.

Tacoma White Trucks, Inc. (Tacoma); Griffin Fuel Co. (Tacoma); Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1950-1960;

A few self-service stations were starting to appear in the early 1950's in the Puget Sound area; however, it was still an unusual sight. A customer would pump his own gas rather than waiting patiently in his car for an attendant to do so. As this gas station's large sign advertised, you could "save $$" by doing the work yourself. Photograph ordered by Fletcher Oil Company.

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

Footprints on the sidewalk lead people to South Tacoma Motor Company to see the 1951 Chevrolets. Fourteen passenger body types were included in the 1951 line. Two- and four-door sedans were available in the Styleline and Fleetline series. All sedans and the sport coupe came in de luxe or special trim. A convertible coupe, all-steel station wagon and the Bel Air were exclusively in the de luxe series. The business coupe was only available in the Special series. (TNT, 12/9/1950, p.13)

Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1940-1950; South Tacoma Motor Co. (Tacoma); Chevrolet automobile; Showrooms--Tacoma--1950-1960;

December was the month to showcase the upcoming year's new automobile models. Here the 1951 Chevrolets, including the Bel Air, are gleaming under the overhead lights of South Tacoma Motor Company at 5602 South Tacoma Way. The Bel Air's white-wall tires set off its new styling, where improvements and changes were featured in both the chassis and body for 1951. Model changes ranged from the "biggest brakes in the low-price field" to longer and lower design innovations. The Powerglide automatic transmission, optional on the deluxe models only, was also refined. Both South Tacoma Motor Co. and Walker Chevrolet would open their showrooms at night during part of December to highlight the impressive catalog of new cars. (TNT, 12/8/1950, p.13-article )

Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1940-1950; South Tacoma Motor Co. (Tacoma); Chevrolet automobile; Showrooms--Tacoma--1950-1960;

A general view of the South Tacoma Motor Company at night. The 1951 Chevrolets are seen through the showroom windows. A neon sign is elevated from the corner of the building and a banner promoting "America's Largest and Finest Low-Priced Car" is seen on the transom.

Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1940-1950; South Tacoma Motor Co. (Tacoma); Chevrolet automobile; Showrooms--Tacoma--1950-1960; Electric signs--Tacoma--1950-1960;

In December of 1950, passersby could pause in their nightly stroll downtown to peer through the curved windows into the festive showroom at the Mueller-Harkins Buick dealership, 455 Saint Helens Ave. The showroom was decorated for Christmas and featured two new 1950 Buicks on display. A neon sign promoting "Buick Dynaflow Drive" (automatic transmission) hung in the showroom window. Buick sold over half a million of their 1950 models using the slogan "Better Get a Buick." Prices in December 1950 in Tacoma ranged from $2256 for a Buick Special to $3157 for the Roadmaster. TPL-5045

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

A night view of Mueller-Harkins Buick dealership decorated for Christmas. A Buick has been placed on top of the roof of the service marquee with trees and "Make this a Buick Christmas" banner. Glass-topped Texaco gas pumps, a Firestone neon sign, US Royal Master tire banner, and a motor oil display are also shown. The dealership's neon sign advertising Buick shines brightly on the vertical sign. TPL-10295

Mueller-Harkins Motor Co. (Tacoma); Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1950-1960; Buick automobile; Christmas decorations; Window displays--Tacoma--1950-1960; Electric signs--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Firestone celebrated a grand opening of their facility in the Villa Plaza Shopping Center in 1957. Besides tires, the firm offered complete car service including brake relining, free brake adjustments and new batteries. In addition, lawn and garden supplies and housewares were available for purchase. It was the first Firestone store in the nation to to offer more than just automotive services and supplies. The modern one-story store was built using concrete block with a shed-type roof. Total square footage was 12,472. (TNT 4-7-57, B-9-article)

Firestone Store (Lakewood); Automobile equipment & supplies stores--Lakewood; Villa Plaza Shopping Center (Lakewood); Shopping centers--Lakewood--1950-1960;

Rowland Pontiac-Cadillac opened a used car center near their dealership on South Tacoma Way in July, 1957. Several late model vehicles are angle parked close to the building. Rowland Pontiac-Cadillac's dealership, owned and operated by Don Rowland, was formerly the location of Irwin-Jones Motor Co., dealers in Pontiacs and Dodges. View of used car lot and building; large signs inform drivers on busy South Tacoma Way of the company's phone number, address, and purpose of business. Photograph ordered by Rowland Pontiac-Cadillac.

Rowland Pontiac-Cadillac Used Car Center (Tacoma); Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1950-1960; Signs (Notices);

Crowds gather in the sales room of Mallon Motor Company to admire the new 1957 Fords. The car in the right front of the photo is a '57 model Ford Fairlane. What appears to be a station wagon can be seen in the background. Long and sleek and sized for comfort in these days of inexpensive gasoline, the back of the cars still have fins, the fronts are long and house V-8 engines. The passenger cars of 1957 represented the biggest change in the modern history of the Ford car. The new cars were longer and lower and for the first time offered in two basic sizes, the Fairlane and the custom. Nineteen different models were offered. The Fairlanes were 9 inches longer and 4 inches lower than the 1956 model with increased head room. Other basic changes were wide hooded headlights, forward slanting grille, windshields that wrapped farther around the sides and the distinctive rear fender fins slanting slightly outward to emphasize contoured sides. Also, for the first time the high performance V-8 engine was available as an optional power plant on all Ford cars. (TNT 10/1/1956, pg. 3; 10/2/1956, pg. 4)

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

Shell Oil Co. had a sales meeting on April 25, 1957, with approximately 100 people in attendance. Participants enjoyed a catered meal from Wellman's. These sales meetings were used to inform employees of new products and sales techniques. View of lecturer demonstrating the use of the new X-100 premium motor oil. The X-100 was a heavy duty oil which adjusted automatically to extreme temperature changes in modern engines. A nearby chart explains the contaminant balance for gasoline engines. Photograph ordered by Shell Oil Co.

Shell Oil Co., Inc. (Tacoma); Petroleum industry--Tacoma--1950-1960; Merchandise displays--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Titus Motor Company, exterior of building with 13 men and one woman posing by fleet of new "Ranch Wagon" 2 door station wagons. Neon and painted signs on facade of Elizabethan style brick building by Roland Borhek, Architect, circa 1926. TPL-10140

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

Television host and columnist Ed Sullivan met with Tacoma heavyweight boxer Pat McMurtry and his brother, Mike (far right), outside Ray Ridge Lincoln-Mercury at 124 Tacoma Avenue on June 9, 1954. Mr. Sullivan was in town to help lay the cornerstone for the new Mary Bridge Children's Hospital at 311 South L Street. He was guest speaker at the ceremony and later attended a large celebratory luncheon at the Masonic Temple. ALBUM 7.

Sullivan, Ed, 1902-1974; Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1950-1960; Ray Ridge Motors, Inc. (Tacoma); McMurtry, Pat; McMurtry, Mike;

Russ Dunmire Oldsmobile, general view of agency building from across rain soaked South Tacoma Way. Two men are picketing the dealership at left center in July of 1969. Several 1950s and 60s automobiles, trucks and vans parked at curb. Although this photograph was taken in July, a large sign remained in the dealership's window advertising "Olds Spring Fashion Show." Photograph ordered by General Motors, Portland.

Russ Dunmire Oldsmobile, Inc. (Tacoma); Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1960-1970; Signs (Notices); Pickets--Tacoma--1960-1970;

James Will at the Titus-Will Ford dealership. Jim Will and Leon Titus were co-founders of the dealership in 1938. Awards and plaques on wall behind him. Photograph ordered by Ford Motor Co., Dearborn, Michigan.

Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1960-1970; Awards; Titus-Will Ford (Tacoma); Will, James W.;

Ball joint press and gauge in use at Bohannon's Bridgeport Service Station, 11026 Bridgeport Way S.W., Lakewood on September 29, 1969. Stress placed on ball joints made them one of the most common suspension parts to wear out. Bohannon's Bridgeport Service was owned and operated by James Bohannon. Photograph ordered by Lomac, Inc., Seattle.

Automobile equipment & supplies; Tires;

New tire store. Baldwin Tire & Brake Service opened for business in September of 1969 in the old OK Tire Store building. It was located at 1922 Tacoma Ave. So. and offered both new tires and retreads, including El Dorado and Goodrich brands. Front end alignment and brake service were also provided. Owner and operator Leonard Baldwin was a former real estate salesman for Frank Russell & Associates and a retired Army sergeant. Mr. Baldwin is believed to be the second man to the right in this September 22, 1969, group photograph. He was the sixth in the nation to utilize funds available through the (then) eight-month old minority enterprise program of the Small Business Administration. The loan to purchase the tire store was made possible through a special partnership from tire dealers and the SBA to help minorities obtain and operate their own tire business. Photograph ordered by R.H. Gillette Distributors, Inc. (TNT 10-12-69, D-10)

Baldwin Tire & Brake Service (Tacoma); Tires; Signs (Notices);

Baldwin Tire & Brake Service. The large OK sign was still fastened to the roof of the tire store at 19th and Tacoma Ave So. now owned by Leonard Baldwin in September of 1969. Now called Baldwin Tire & Brake Service, the store sold new tires and retreads, emphasizing the El Dorado and Goodrich brands, and also fixed flats for 96 cents or tubeless tires for $1.25. A customer could also have his vehicle's front end aligned and brakes repaired. Store owner Leonard Baldwin, a former real estate salesman and retired Army sgt., was able to purchase the business with the help of a minority enterprise program. This September 22, 1969, general view also indicates the wooded and shrub-filled lot next to the tire store had recently been sold by Wm. C. Johnston, realtor. Photograph ordered by the R.H. Gillette Distributors, Inc. (TNT 10-12-69, D-10)

Baldwin Tire & Brake Service (Tacoma); Tires; Signs (Notices);

Frank Kimmerly, an employee of Sam's Tire Service, operates a Bean Visualiner on January 24, 1960, to align the front end of one of a fleet of trucks belonging to the Cammarano Brothers bottlers. The devise shows, by means of an optical light ray system, a graphic picture of the exact wheel alignment of a car or truck. Sam's Tire Service had a huge covered work area for truck tire service. Several of the largest trucks and trailers could be worked on at the same time. Sam's Tire Service had been at its 120 Puyallup Avenue address for many years. They celebated the grand opening of a new brake and front end service building and the modernization of the entire plant in early 1960. Owned by Sam Pupo and managed by his son, Frank, Sam's was well known for its tire and recapping service. (TNT 2-25-60, B-5-article, B-6-photograph)

Sam's Tire Service (Tacoma); Vehicle maintenance & repair--Tacoma--1960-1970; Kimmerly, Frank; Trucks--Tacoma--1960-1970;

Osborne-McCann Pontiac-Cadillac, general view of dealership. This September, 1962, photograph shows new Pontiacs in showroom, Cadillacs and other automobiles in carport area. Chair-link fencing set up in front of showroom windows. The 1625 South Tacoma Way address had previously been the location of the Irwin-Jones Motor Co. Truck Department until 1954 and the Rowland Pontiac Cadillac Center until 1957. Osborn-McCann moved to Fife in 2004 after 46 years in Tacoma. TPL-9230

Osborn-McCann Pontiac-Cadillac, Inc. (Tacoma); Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1960-1970; Pontiac automobile; Electric signs--Tacoma--1960-1970;

The Esther Williams Girls are in Tacoma for publicity arranged by Ernie Grindley, advertising manager for the Washington Sports Shop. The bathing beauties also showcased foreign automobiles at the new showroom of Tom Carstens' Imported Motors, dealer for the Austin-Healey, MG. Jaguar, Porsche, and Morris 1000. Leaning against the sports car is believed to be Joel Hayes, Esther Williams executive. (TNT 8/2/1959, pg. A-10)

Automobile dealerships--Tacoma; Sports cars--English; Imported Motor Cars, Inc. (Tacoma); Publicity; Bathing beauties; Esther Williams Girls;

Steven Motor Company, Plymouth and Valiant dealers, general view of their new location. New Plymouths can be seen in the showroom window and on the lot. Owner Everett Steven had over 50 years in the automotive business, beginning in 1916 as a partner to Harold Gilliam of Gilliam & Steven.

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