13 National Park buses parked compactly inside Stadium Bowl in June of 1925, just in time for the 26th opening season of Mount Tacoma and Rainier National Park. Each vehicle had four rows of seats where passengers could get plenty of fresh air and unrestricted views of The Mountain. The park buses were equipped with General Tires. Photograph ordered by General Tires. TPL-6199; G70.1-130

Buses--Tacoma--1920-1930; Stadium Bowl (Tacoma);

South Tacoma location of Dodge Brothers cars. Griffith Motor Co., Dodge Brothers dealership, opened a new outlet for Dodge vehicles at 5210-14 South Tacoma Way (then called South Union) in 1925. View of one-story concrete building originally constructed in 1924 and now housing the South Tacoma Home of Dodge Brothers Motor Cars. Recently opened next door was the San Tex Cigar Co. The South Tacoma location of Dodge Bros. paid special attention to parts and accessories for Dodge vehicles. 150 cars every month were sold along this automotive row by various dealerships. The 1926 Polk Directory showed new ownership of the Dodge Brothers dealerships, both at 728-30 Broadway and the South Tacoma location, with Fred B. Walker, Inc., replacing Griffith Motors. Griffith Motors had been purchased by Mr. Walker, former assistant general sales manager of Dodge Brothers, Inc., in January of 1926. G32.1-079 (TNT 9-16-25, p. 24; Tacoma Sunday Ledger, 1-17-26, G-2-article on Walker purchase) TPL-10452

Dodge automobile; South Tacoma Dodge Agency (Tacoma); Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1920-1930; San Tex Cigar Co. (Tacoma);

Staff Sgt. Nicoll (no first name given in Tacoma Sunday Ledger article) posed with his two-door Ford coupe near the gates of Camp Lewis in June of 1926. He is standing with one foot on the running board and partially concealed by the open driver's door. Sgt. Nicoll had bought his car from the Edward P. Leonard Co., South Tacoma Ford dealers, and had recently completed a 6000 mile trip to San Antonio. He camped out nightly and slept in his car, removing the back cushion for a comfortable resting spot. A new timer was the only repair needed for the entire trip. G69.1-158 (Tacoma Sunday Ledger, 7-11-26, 10-G) TPL-10314

Ford automobile; Military personnel--Camp Lewis; Camp Lewis (Wash.);

Four of Dairy & Producers Market fleet of "Step-In-And-Shop" trucks on display on July 6, 1926. The market itself was located at 1117 Market St. in downtown Tacoma but these rolling stores would "Stop-At-Ur-Door" for more convenient shopping. Customers would find the some of the same items on sale as in the market itself. G6.1-074

Trucks--Tacoma--1920-1930; Dairy & Producers Market (Tacoma);

Unidentified Carstens Packing Co. employee stands in front of a heavy duty truck with trailer on July 10, 1926, at the company plant, 1623 East J St. in the Tideflats. The truck and accompanying trailer are labeled "Carstens Products" and state that the U.S. government has inspected meats processed by the firm. Customers could be assured that the meat was safe to eat, no small worry after the horrors of the meat packing industry uncovered decades before by novelist Upton Sinclair.

Trucks--Tacoma--1920-1930; Carstens Packing Co. (Tacoma); Meat industry--Tacoma--1920-1930;

On July 14, 1926, Vaudeville performer "Countess Sonia," at the wheel of her new Hudson Brougham, posed with her fellow thespian Alex Sherer outside of the Pantages Theater, 901 Broadway. Their act entitled "Countess Sonia in the Revue Satiricon with Alex Sherer" was packing them in at the theater through Sunday. They purchased the Hudson in Seattle the previous week and continued the rest of their trip over the vaudeville circuit in it, ending up back in New York City in the fall. The 1926 Hudson sold over 228,000 units and was the first vehicle to introduce the starter button on the instrument panel. By 1929, the company was third in sales, behind General Motors and Ford. The local distributor for the Hudson was the Allen Motor Co. Photograph ordered by Allen Motor Co. (Tacoma Sunday Ledger 7/18/1926, pg. G-4) G67.1-140

Automobiles--1920-1930; Hudson automobile; Sherer, Alex; Pantages Theater (Tacoma);

Two C.S. Barlow & Sons Mack trucks parked at wooded site in Gig Harbor in August of 1926. Barlow & Sons was an old Tacoma firm, established in 1882, which dealt in building material and supplies including coal, sand, gravel and blasting powder. The sturdy Mack trucks were capable of heavy duty hauling work, which often included plowing through thick muddy terrain. G66.2-148

Mack trucks; C.S. Barlow & Sons, Inc. (Tacoma);

Old Mack truck at South 23rd and Pacific in August of 1926. This empty truck was probably used as a bus for the South Tacoma area. One of the front tires is flat. Another photograph of the same vehicle was taken a few days later at the same location, see Boland B15463. The tire has been repaired. Photograph ordered by Mack Truck. G66.1-027

Mack trucks; Buses--Tacoma--1920-1930;

A Tacoma bus, utilizing a Mack body, is parked near the North Star Mfg. Co., 2317-19 Pacific Ave., on August 13, 1926. A sign on the bus indicates that it travels to South Tacoma. Some of the windows are open on the steel bus; the driver does not appear to be present. Photograph ordered by Mack Truck. G66.1-028

Buses--Tacoma--1920-1930; Mack trucks;

Shown at the rear of their two-ton White truck with attached 800-gallon tank are Thompson Lubricating Co.'s owners, H.E. Thompson (left) and his father H.A. Thompson, on August 31, 1926. The delivery truck was built 18 months ago for the firm and purchased from the J.F. Hickey Motor Co., the second White owned by the Thompsons. The company used Red Hat Gasoline for its customers and a retouched photograph of this gasoline truck with heavy use of emblems was used for national advertising. In 1926, Thompson Lubricating had four service stations in Tacoma. G35.1-043 (T.Times, 9-4-26, p. 10)

Thompson Lubricating Co. (Tacoma); Fuel trade--Tacoma--1920-1930; Trucks--Tacoma--1920-1930; White trucks; Thompson, H.E.; Thompson, H.A.;

On October 17, 1926, the Tacoma Sunday Ledger ran a picture of the Peninsula Stage Company's 17-passenger coach parked outside the First Baptist Church, 902 Market St. The new bus chassis was built by the Studebaker Company which already had a fine reputation in passenger cars. The Peninsula Stage Company had three buses on the Bremerton-Tacoma run, with stops in Gig Harbor, Purdy, Burley, and Port Orchard. Owner R.L. Stubbs indicated that his prior experience with Studebaker cars prompted him to purchase the new bus. Photograph ordered by the B.H. Kennedy Co. (Tacoma Sunday Ledger, October 17, 1926, G-7) G66.1-078

Buses--Tacoma--1920-1930; Studebaker automobile; First Baptist Church (Tacoma);

The Tacoma Grain Co. had recently taken delivery of a new Reo two-ton heavy duty Speed Wagon. The vehicle, advertising Pyramid Flour, was parked outside of local Reo dealer Winthrop Motor Co., 201-07 Saint Helens Ave. on October 1, 1926. The Speed Wagon had a special body built by Standard Auto Works of Tacoma. Tacoma Grain superintendent P.W. Jochimsen (seated behind the wheel) stated that his company had used Reo equipment for years and when it became necessary to purchase another delivery truck, the firm chose this capable vehicle. The man standing behind the vehicle was not identified. TPL-239; G34.1-131 (Tacoma Sunday Ledger, 10-10-26, 6G)

Trucks--Tacoma--1920-1930; Winthrop Motor Co. (Tacoma); Pyramid Flour (Tacoma); Jochimsen, Peter;

This couple seem to be enjoying their new automobile parked outside a wooded area, perhaps South Park, in early October of 1926. The vehicle, with the woman behind the wheel, is a roomy four-door. G11.1-077

Automobiles--Tacoma--1920-1930;

Side view of stage from the Motor Transit Co. as photographed on October 8, 1926. Called a "chain car," it provided transportation from LaGrande to Enterprise to Wallowa Lake. Luggage may have been carried on top of the vehicle with a tarp for protection from the weather. Photograph ordered by Modern Auto Body. G66.1-032

Buses--1920-1930;

A Blue Line Stage Co. bus is parked outside the Washington Dye Works, located downtown about 9th & Pacific, in March of 1919. The vehicle had tarp-like material covering one side of the windows and tires apparently manufactured by the U.S. Rubber Co. According to Bonney's History of Pierce County, the Blue Line Stage was established by William Hummon, Sumner resident, who had previously operated a livery business. The Blue Line Stage ran between Sumner and Tacoma. Two months later in May of 1919, there would be a new big White bus on this route. The Blue Line Stage would add a new 20-passenger car, mounted on a 2-ton White chassis, to its service. G66.1-025 (Bonney: History of Pierce County, Washington, Vol. III, p. 133-34; TDL 5-25-19, 4C-article & picture of new bus)

Buses--Tacoma--1910-1920; Blue Line Stage;

Miss Vera Jedlick proudly posed on March 21, 1919 with her new Essex automobile. She boasted of being the first Essex owner in Tacoma. The Essex first appeared on the market in 1919 and Miss Jedlick thought it was the finest car around. It took her five minutes after driving the Essex five blocks to decide to buy it. The Essex was a lighter and less expensive Hudson auto and was sold in Tacoma by the Pacific Car Co., at No. 2nd and G St. Miss Jedlick donated her car and her considerable driving talents two days a week to the Red Cross Motor Corps. She is wearing the Motor Corps uniform; the long coat and overseas cap. In the background is the large stone drinking fountain donated by Mayor Angelo Vance Fawcett to the city of Tacoma in 1908. It was originally installed at the intersection of 9th, Broadway and St. Helens Ave., but was later moved by another administration to 8th and A St. on a corner of Fireman's Park. It eventually obtained the euphonious nickname "Fawcett's Faucet." TPL-1681; G11.1-071 (TDL 3/30/1919, pg. C-13; TDL 3-16-19, "Pacific Car Company Chatter," Automotive section-small article)

Automobiles--Tacoma--1910-1920; Jedlick, Vera; Essex automobile; Community service--Tacoma--1910-1920; American Red Cross Pierce County Chapter (Tacoma); Drinking fountains--Tacoma--1910-1920;

ca. 1919. Lindberg Grocery Co. delivery van circa 1919. The Lindberg Grocery Co. were wholesale distributors of "DelMonte," "Stadium," and "Linco" brands as well as cigars and candy. Their delivery van, parked along an unidentified street, had protective canvas over the sides and rear and the driver's cab was encased in tarp as well. Lindberg Grocery, owned and operated by Gustaf Lindberg, had been in Tacoma since about 1892. According to the 1920 City directory, the grocery store was located at South 23rd and "C" Streets and also imported Scandinavian specialties to serve the area's large Scandinavian population. TPL-1680; G34.1-141

Trucks--Tacoma--1910-1920; Lindberg Grocery Co. (Tacoma);

A long parade of Washington Co-operative Association trucks is making a turn onto what is believed to be the Western Washington Fairgrounds on September 22, 1927. Advertising on the vehicles state that the co-op sells food, and buys feed. G6.1-092

Trucks--1920-1930; Washington Co-op Egg & Poultry Association (Tacoma);

Gesturing toward an oval advertisement on the back of a parked sedan in April of 1928 are three well known hotel managers: (l-r) Emerson Wakefield of the Carlton Hotel, A.C.C. ("Al") Gamer of the Olympus and Ray Clark of the Winthrop. The sign invites "Hotel-men" to convene in Tacoma, the "Lumber Capitol of the World," May 8-9th. "Al" is the "official scout." He would be making a tour throughout California in the vehicle to invite other hotel managers to the convention. The gathering will take place at the Winthrop Hotel. G31.1-103 (Tacoma Sunday Ledger, 5-6-28, 4-A)

Automobiles--Tacoma--1920-1930; Signs (Notices); Gamer, Albert C.C.; Wakefield, Emerson; Clark, Ray; Meetings--Tacoma--1920-1930;

A cordial invitation for "Hotel-Men" to meet in Tacoma, the "lumber capitol of the world," on May 8-9, 1928, was attached to the rear of a black sedan in early April of 1928. "Al" (Albert C.C. Gamer) was listed as the "official scout" and was preparing to depart for California to invite other hotel executives to the two-day convention at the Winthrop. The 20th annual convention of the Washington State Hotel Association with Oregon State Hotel Association participating, opened on Tuesday, May 8th. Pointing to the vehicle's advertisement are managers: (l-r) Ray Clark of the Winthrop Hotel, A.C.C. Gamer of the Olympus Hotel, and Emerson Wakefield of the Carlton Hotel. G24.1-026 (for another view of men and car, see Boland B18312) (Tacoma Sunday Ledger, 5-6-28, 4-A, article & alternate photograph)

Automobiles--Tacoma--1920-1930; Signs (Notices); Gamer, Albert C.C.; Wakefield, Emerson; Clark, Ray;

Fageol truck at Atlas Foundry. An unidentified driver sits behind the wheel of a Fageol Flyer truck on April 9, 1928 at the Atlas Foundry & Machine Co. plant, 3012 South Wilkeson St. in Tacoma. Fageol trucks were first manufactured in 1917 in Oakland, California. The models ranged from 1.5 tons to 10 tons. Fageol had recently opened a branch at 503 Puyallup Avenue to handle sales and service of their trucks. The Atlas Foundry truck shown above is believed to be a Fageol Flyer 6. It was light but built using heavy truck design. (TDL 4-17-1928, p. 5-full page ad, no photo)

Fageol trucks; Trucks--Tacoma--1920-1930; Atlas Foundry & Machine Co. (Tacoma);

A Dodge Victory Six from Burns-Campbell Motors, South Tacoma dealers, is parked adjacent to a Bergen Bromley Flying Service airplane on June 23, 1928 that had Tommy Burns in the rear cockpit. The other man was not identified but may have been Harold Bromley, Mr. Burns' flight instructor. Tommy Burns had just completed his solo flight that day. The Bergen Bromley Flying Service operated out of the Tacoma Municipal Airport in Lakewood. TPL-1667; G12.1-040 (Tacoma Sunday Ledger, 7-8-28, 2-G)

Dodge automobile; Airplanes--Tacoma--1920-1930; Bergen Bromley Flying Service (Tacoma); Burns, Tommy;

Mack truck and trailer on display. This Mack truck had recently been put into service by the Olympia-Tacoma Auto Freight Co. in July of 1928 for quick freight service to Seattle-Tacoma-Olympia-Aberdeen and Shelton. The heavy duty Mack truck had a sterling reputation for reliability and durability. Trucking goods was becoming more popular and the Mack company, who had already received accolades during WWI, was at the foreground in developing larger capacity vehicles capable of higher highway speeds. The Olympia-Tacoma Auto Freight Co., bonded carrier and member of the Washington Motor Freight Assn., had a large trailer hitched to the main truck body. Both the truck and trailer were equipped with Booster brakes in addition to regular braking equipment. Goodyear balloon tires provided extra carrying capacity. G66.2-105 (www.macktrucks.com) (Tacoma Sunday Ledger, 7-22-28, 4-G)

Mack trucks; Olympia-Tacoma Auto Freight Co.; Shipping--1920-1930;

Trucking of goods by highway was another method of shipping that became popular in the 1920's as roads and vehicles improved. Mack trucks, already known for their durability and reliability pre-and-post WWI, were used for quick delivery of freight. The company realized the demand for larger capacity and higher speed haulage and firms like the Olympia-Tacoma Auto Freight Co. were starting to use the sturdy Mack trucks for business. This Mack truck shown above on July 6, 1928, had an attached trailer, doubling the amount of goods that could be transported. For additional safety, both truck and trailer were equipped with Booster brakes to supplement regular braking equipment. G66.2-106B (www.macktrucks.com) (Tacoma Sunday Ledger, 7-22-28, 4-G, alternate photograph & article)

Mack trucks; Olympia-Tacoma Auto Freight Co.; Shipping--1920-1930;

75-year-old James Mayne, a pioneer lumberman, posed proudly with a new Graham-Paige four-passenger coupe on July 12, 1928. He selected the "614" recently from Angle-Mulligan Motor Co. Mr. Mayne, a 50-year local resident, was very active and used his car to cover his entire southwest Washington territory. G11.1-047 (Tacoma Sunday Ledger, 7-22-28, G-7)

Graham-Paige automobile; Mayne, James;

A tow truck from the Rialto Garage is prepared to haul away a small airplane on July 19, 1928, from the Fircrest golf course. It was apparently the first wrecked airplane transported by an auto wrecker locally. The biplane from Victoria, B.C., was damaged when it made a forced landing. The plane, piloted by A.H. Wilson and accompanied by Ernest Eve, president of British Columbia Airway, Ltd, was northbound following the national air tour stop here. It is unknown how badly the airplane was damaged. L-R are pilot Wilson, Gordon Hager and Lawrence Aus of the Rialto Garage, and Mr. Eve. TPL-2023; G12.1-026 (Tacoma Sunday Ledger, 8-12-28, G-3)

Wreckers (Vehicles)--Fircrest; Towing--Fircrest; Rialto Garage (Tacoma); Airplanes--Fircrest; Aircraft accidents; Wilson, A.H.; Hager, Gordon; Aus, Lawrence; Eve, Ernest; Fircrest Golf Club (Fircrest);

A man exits Tacoma Transit Co. bus #105 near the 900 block of Pacific Ave. on June 8, 1919. The bus ran on sturdy Goodyear Cord tires and was used on the Tacoma-Puyallup route. The Moose cigar and tobacco store is on the near left; the Eau-Claire Apartments and Auto Parts Supply Co. in right rear. Photograph ordered by Goodyear. G66.1-056, TPL-1630

Buses--Tacoma--1910-1920; Tacoma Transit Co. (Tacoma); Tires--Tacoma;

125 convalescents from the Camp Lewis hospital along with 125 girls journeyed in Army trucks as far up Mt. Tacoma (Rainier) as possible on Sunday, June 22, 1919, stopping to have their photograph taken in Ashford. The excursion was sponsored by the Tacoma Council of Knights of Columbus. Every soldier at Camp Lewis was given the chance to enjoy the beautiful mountain and national park that summer courtesy of the Knights of Columbus. Picnic lunches were provided and various activities such as tobogganing and snowballing were scheduled. Bu-12656 (TNT 6-25-19, p. 13)

Trucks--1910-1920; Sightseers; Military personnel--1910-1920;

Prominent businessman John S. Baker has bought the first set of General dual balloon tires from the Sutherland Co., local General distributors, for his 1928 Packard "8" sedan. Mr. Baker was reportedly pleased with the smooth ride and enhanced appearance of his already striking automobile. Previous tires on the car only lasted 6,000 miles before showing extensive wear. Photograph ordered by the Sutherland Co. G11.1-033 (Tacoma Sunday Ledger, 11-25-28, 4-G)

Packard automobile; Tires; Baker, John S.--Associated objects;

Twenty-four years and going strong ran the headline in the Tacoma Sunday Ledger on May 12, 1929, referring to this 1905 five-passenger Reo touring car. Although the vehicle was certainly "old enough to vote," it performed well with a full load, pulling up steep Saint Helens Avenue in high gear. Mayor James G. Newbegin (standing left) shook hands with driver George W. Miller, vice-president of Winthrop Motor Co. The Reo's passengers included salesman Oscar Seabloom, Reo truck department assistant manager Jimmy Gilchrist, and salesman Bob Scott. The car had been on display in the showrooms of the Winthrop Motor Co., local Reo distributors, and inspected by many Tacomans who had fond memories of the car. Photograph ordered by Winthrop Motor Co. (Tacoma Sunday Ledger, 5-12-29, p. 13) G32.1-087

Reo automobile; Newbegin, James G.; Mayors--Tacoma--1920-1930; Miller, George W.; Signs (Notices); Shaking hands--Tacoma; Winthrop Motor Co. (Tacoma);