Lowell T. Murray. A side view of a very elegant four-door, hard-top automobile. The wide-wall tires and spare tire tucked in against the driver's side fender add to the handsome exterior of this fine automobile. Lowell T. Murray, Sr., a prominent Tacoma industrialist and civic leader, came to Tacoma as a young man from Ohio in 1908 and established the West Fork Timber Company. The Murray's residence on Gravelly Lake was called "Madera". It was the scene of a summer ball honoring house guests Elaine Schultz and Peter Strong August 17, 1946. (T.Times, 8/24/1946, p.7; TNT, 4/30/1958) TPL-8480
On September 16, 1946, a crew from the Tacoma Police Department, Department of Public Safety, was photographed while using a new street striper to paint traffic lane stripes on Pacific Avenue near the corner of South 84th Street. The traffic striping truck was designed and built by Carl Sohmer, a sergeant with the Tacoma Police Department. In 1951 Sgt. Sohmer took one of his highway striping vehicles to Los Angeles to demonstrate before the National Institute of Traffic Engineers. Two of businesses visible in the background are the Blue Moon Tavern, 8402 Pacific Avenue and Pacific Avenue Drugs, 8248 Pacific Avenue.
Carl Sohmers. The new street striper built and designed by Carl Sohmers for the Tacoma Police Department, Department of Public Safety. A side view of the vehicle. The machine has made painting traffic stripes on streets efficient and has speeded up painting of traffic lines through the city. Three men man the outfit. One drives the vehicle and the other two operate the stripers.
Trucks--Tacoma--1940-1950; Painting--Tacoma--1940-1950; Tacoma Police Department (Tacoma);
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)
On December 20, 1946, Loretta Boehm (later Griffin) of the Sanford-Nash, Inc. automobile dealership in Tacoma was sent to rouse Santa from a sound sleep so he could hand out the presents at the company's Christmas party. Santa had a comfortable bed in the convertible back seat of a 1946 Nash Ambassador on the dealership's showroom floor. After the party, Santa was allowed to resume his sleep, undisturbed, until Christmas eve. Sanford-Nash, Inc. was at 445-51 Tacoma Avenue South. (Photo ordered by O'Connell and Ragan, an advertising company.) TPL-9842
Automobiles--Tacoma--1940-1950; Santa Claus--Tacoma; Sleeping; Sanford-Nash, Inc. (Tacoma); O'Connell-Ragan Co. (Tacoma); Boehm, Loretta;
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;
Close up of crumpled and twisted Medosweet Dairy truck after impact with a train on February 27, 1947. A police car, 1946 Ford model, can be seen in the background. The accident occurred at 10:05 in the morning on a private crossing opposite the entrance to Chicago Ave. in the Lakeview district south of the Tacoma city limits. This photograph was taken minutes after the accident. Medosweet route supervisor Alex McBeath Jr, 32, was killed while riding in the passenger seat. Driver William J. Velacich was seriously injured. (T.Times 2/27/1947, pg. 1; 2/28/47, pg 3-picture)
Wrecks; Traffic accidents--Tacoma--1930-1941; Medosweet Dairies, Inc. (Tacoma); Trucks--Tacoma--1930-1940;
On February 27, 1947, photographs were taken of this wrecked and twisted Medosweet Dairy truck moments after it was hit by a four car southbound train at 10:05 am. The accident took place at a private road crossing 3.5 miles south of the city limits. The truck was carried over 150 feet down the tracks, leaving milk, crunched cartons and broken bottles in its wake. Route supervisor Alex McBeath Jr. was killed in the accident and driver William J. Velacich was seriously injured. (T. Times 2/28/1947, pg. 3- picture, 2/27/47, pg.1)
Wrecks; Traffic accidents--Tacoma--1930-1941; Medosweet Dairies, Inc. (Tacoma); Trucks--Tacoma--1930-1940;
On February 27, 1947 at 10:05a.m., a southbound Northern Pacific train plowed into a Medosweet milk delivery truck on a private road crossing three and one half miles south of the Tacoma city limits. The crumpled truck lies a distance from the tracks and delivery cartons are scattered about the area. The truck was carried over 150 feet down the tracks. One Medosweet employee, supervisor Alex McBeath Jr., was killed and another seriously injured. (T Times 2/28/1947, pg. 3 - picture, 2/27/1947, pg. 1- story)
Wrecks; Traffic accidents--Tacoma--1930-1941; Medosweet Dairies, Inc. (Tacoma); Trucks--Tacoma--1930-1940;
Three unidentified Tacoma Camp Fire Girls were photographed on March 8, 1947 as they boarded a chartered North Coast Transportation bus to a day trip to Olympia. About 200 Camp Fire Girls and their chaperones were taking part in the special "Going Places" visit to the state capitol. The "Going Places" project was organized to celebrate the birthday of the Camp Fire Girls organization. The Olympia trip was planned to teach the girls about good government. The participants were scheduled to eat their bag lunches in the capitol cafeteria. (T. Times, 3/5/47, p. 16).
Buses--Tacoma; Bus drivers--Tacoma; Children--Clubs--Tacoma; Uniforms; Camp Fire Girls (Tacoma); North Coast Transportation Co. (Tacoma);
Camp Fire Girls would learn about government offices, education and get a tour of the Capitol buildings on March 8, 1947. Camp Fire Girls was founded in 1910 and their slogan was "Be Friendly--Make Friends--Join Camp Fire Girls." View of 200 Camp Fire Girls and their chapter leaders prior to boarding North Coast buses for their "Going Places" trip to Olympia (T. Times, 3/5/47, p. 16).
Buses--Tacoma; Children--Clubs--Tacoma; Uniforms; Girls--Tacoma; Camp Fire Girls (Tacoma); North Coast Transportation Co. (Tacoma);
Lt. Col. Tex Robert's pit crew surround race car 76, the "Gordy", and its driver Gordy Livingston. Robert's team made a "clean sweep" at the first meet of the racing season which opened at Athletic Park at the end of April. Weekly midget car races are held on Saturdays at the park which is located at South 14th and Sprague Streets. (T.Times, 5/2/1947, p.15) TPL-5482
Automobiles--Tacoma--1940-1950; Racing automobiles--1940-1950; Automobile racing--Tacoma--1940-1950; Racetracks--Tacoma--1940-1950; Livingston, Gordy;
Exp of truck loaded with lumber at St. Paul & Tacoma Lumber Company. The driver has his door open and is seen through the open window. The truck is loaded with plywood. The grill on the Mack truck is elaborate, the fenders curved up over the front tires and the headlights sit above the curved metal next to the hood.
Trucks--Tacoma--1940-1950; St. Paul & Tacoma Lumber Co. (Tacoma); Plywood; Lumber industry--Tacoma--1940-1950;
New crash car at Police Garage, Times, Paul Lantz. The City of Tacoma Police Department purchased a new accident prevention car which was placed in service September 17, 1947, by Safety Commissioner, Robert S. Temme. Sgt. Bob Marshall shows the batteries for the electric flares that are part of the special equipment on the car. Other special equipment included: a first aid kit, drawing board, steel measuring line and a $300 camera and loud speaker. Dammeier Printing (811 Pacific Ave.) and Hotel Olympus (815 Pacific Ave.) can be seen further down the street. (T.Times, 9/17/1947, p.1)
Automobiles--Tacoma--1940-1950; Tacoma Police Department (Tacoma); Police--Tacoma--1940-1950; Temme, Robert S.; Marshall, Bob;
New crash car at the Police Garage. The Tacoma Police Department had just received its new accident prevention car. Known as a "crash car" in most cities where they had already been used successfully, the car and driver will visit the scene of all accidents and make a detailed investigation. L-R, Patrolman Emil Smith (who has been assigned to duty in the crash car), Sergeant Bob Marshall and Safety Commissioner Robert S. Temme. Photo taken for Paul Lantz for the Tacoma Times. (T.Times, 9/17/1947, p.1) TPL-2516
Automobiles--Tacoma--1940-1950; Tacoma Police Department (Tacoma); Police--Tacoma--1940-1950; Temme, Robert S.; Marshall, Bob; Smith, Emil; Tacoma Police Department Garage (Tacoma);
Model Saree Scott, dressed in black with a pillbox-styled hat, enjoys a bottle of Coca-Cola while standing next to a Chevrolet delivery truck in October of 1947. The smiling Coca-Cola delivery man standing in the back of the truck was not identified. The Coca-Cola Chevrolet truck had a famous valve-in-head truck engine. The new modern "Advance Design" truck had stronger frames to carry greater loads at a greater distance for a longer time. The longer wheelbases also provided better load distribution. Photo ordered by South Tacoma Motor Co. TPL-10574
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 new Chevy Coca-Cola truck had a stronger, sturdier, all-steel constructed cab. The truck had an amazing flexi-mounted system that absorbed most road shocks, providing a smooth ride. The large load space was ideal for Coca-Cola vending machines. View of model Saree Scott holding a bottle of Coca-Cola, while resting on top of the new Chevy truck, photo ordered by South Tacoma Motor Co.
Trucks--Tacoma--1940-1950; Bottles; Coca Cola Bottling Co. (Tacoma); South Tacoma Motor Co. (Tacoma); Posing; Scott, Saree; 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
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).
Griffin Fuel Company was started by Fred Griffin more than fifty years ago. Today the company's President and General Manager is Edwin Griffin, Fred's son. Griffin delivered stove, diesel and burner fuel oils, stoker coals, wood and sawdust. Griffin Fuel had the largest and most modern fleet of delivery trucks in the Northwest, prompt and dependable fuel delivery was assured. View of delivery trucks at the Griffin Fuel garage.
Titus Ford were the only official Ford engine rebuilders in Tacoma. They had rebuilt more than 20,000 Ford engines, using only Ford authorized parts. Titus rebuilding department had grown significantly since 1946, they had over 65 qualified mechanics employed full time. Interior view of Titus service department, mechanics have an assembly line set up to expedite the rebuilding process of Ford engines.
Ford automobile; Engines; Mechanics (Persons)--Tacoma; Automobile equipment & supplies stores--Tacoma; Vehicle maintenance & repair--Tacoma--1940-1950; Titus Manufacturing Co. (Tacoma);
Antonsen Painting Company had remodeled their workshop in 1946 and had added an automobile sand blasting department. Antonsen was one of the few painting companies that had sand blasting available on site. They had contracts with many of the automobile painting companies to do the sand blasting for them prior to the painting. Exterior view of Antonsen taken on November 8, 1947 with trucks parked along the front of the building.
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.
Dickman Lumber Company officers were: Ralph L. Dickman, President, John R. Wiburg, Treasurer and Office Manager, Elizabeth I. Gaylord, Secretary, the company's facilities were located along Tacoma's waterfront at 2423 Ruston Way. Dickman Lumber Company was a lumber sawmill, exterior view of four Ford trucks at Dickman Lumber, part of their truck fleet, photo ordered by Titus Motor Company, Ford truck dealership.
Trucks--Tacoma--1940-1950; Lumber industry--Tacoma--1940-1950; Mills--Tacoma; Industrial facilities--Tacoma; Ford trucks; Dickman Lumber Co. (Tacoma); Titus Motor 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.
Construction photo of Irwin-Jones Motor Company Dodge Truck dealership. A bulldozer is clearing the site of the future Irwin-Jones truck division. A sign announcing the construction, the rail rail line, Globe Ticket Company and other industrial buildings are shown with the north slope of Nalley Valley in background. TPL-9225
Dodge trucks; Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1940-1950; Irwin-Jones Motor Co. (Tacoma); Excavation--Tacoma--1940-1950; Construction--Tacoma--1940-1950; Nalley Valley (Tacoma);
Truck, Titus Motor Co., Mr. Burkhalter. This Ford truck has been outfitted with a large crane shown here in an up position. Pulleys located just above and behind the cab could raise and lower the crane. Titus Motor Company was an authorized Ford automobile and truck distributor in Tacoma and Pierce County.
Trucks--Tacoma--1940-1950; Ford trucks; Hoisting machinery; Titus Motor Co. (Tacoma); Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1940-1950;
