Wrecked semi-truck at 19th and Pacific Avenue. Goodyear Tire sign and gas pumps of Shaub - Ellison Company in background. The 25-ton truck had been involved in a fatal car-truck head-on collision at 19th & Pacific on late Friday evening, August 30, 1940. It had skidded to the north entrance of Shaub-Ellison Co., remained upright, and landed on the sidewalk. Killed was the Packard coupe driver, 35-year-old Virgil Jones, a Tacoma boilermaker with Seattle-Tacoma Shipyards. Injured were his three passengers as well as the truck driver, M.L. Burr and Mr. Burr's passenger. Virgil Jones was the city's 11th death in 1940. Photograph taken for the United Pacific Insurance Co. (T.Times 8-31-1940, p. 1+, article-only)

Traffic accidents--Tacoma--1940-1950; Trucks--Tacoma--1940-1950; Portland-Seattle Auto Freight, Inc. (Seattle); Shaub-Ellison Co. (Tacoma); Death--Tacoma;

Scene of Accident. View of Pacific Avenue near South 19th Street taken on August 31, 1940 for United Pacific Insurance Company. Union Station on right, American Plumbing and Steam Supply, Shaub - Ellison Company and Garretson - Woodruff - Pratt Building on left. Wreckage of the fatal automobile-truck accident had already been cleared away by the time of this photograph. A Portland-Seattle Auto Freight truck had collided head-on with a Packard coupe the late evening of August 30th at South 19th & Pacific Ave. This caused the 11th traffic fatality of the year when Tacoma boilermaker Virgil Jones, along with his three passengers, was thrown from his vehicle. Although his passengers, and the truck's occupants, were injured, they did survived. A coroner's jury the following week found the accident to be "unavoidable" and no charges were filed against either driver. (T.Times 8-31-1940, p. 1+, article-only; T.Times 9-7-1940, p. 8-article only on coroner's inquest)

Traffic accidents--Tacoma--1940-1950; Commercial streets--Tacoma--1940-1950; Union Station (Tacoma); American Plumbing & Steam Supply Co. (Tacoma); Shaub-Ellison Co. (Tacoma); Garretson-Woodruff-Pratt Building (Tacoma); Street railroad tracks--Tacoma;

Scene of Accident. View of Pacific Avenue near South 19th Street. Union Station on right, Shaub - Ellison Company and Garretson - Woodruff - Pratt Building on left. Photographed on August 31, 1940 for United Pacific Insurance Company. Virgil Jones became the city's 11th traffic fatality on August 30th when his Packard coupe collided head-on with a Portland-Seattle Auto Freight truck. Mr. Jones, along with his three passengers, was hurled from his vehicle from the collision's impact. (T.Times 8-31-1940, p. 1+ -article-only)

Traffic accidents--Tacoma--1940-1950; Commercial streets--Tacoma--1940-1950; Union Station (Tacoma); Shaub-Ellison Co. (Tacoma); Garretson-Woodruff-Pratt Building (Tacoma); Street railroad tracks--Tacoma--1940-1950;

A heavy-duty flatbed truck with a large Wendell Willkie sign rolls slowly down Commerce Street prior to Election Day, 1940. The sign questions FDR's decision to seek a third term, comparing him to Hitler, Stalin and Mussolini. The Republicans were having a rally at the Jason Lee Auditorium; trucks were on parade to urge voters to turn out and listen to the party message. The Democrats countered with rallies and parades of their own: they also traveled through residential and downtown streets on the final drive for election votes. The rain and wind that evening did not keep party members away; an estimated 1500 attended the two rallies. TPL-1975 (T. Times 11-1-40, p. 1, T. Times 11-2-40, p. 12) ALBUM 2.

Trucks--Tacoma--1940-1950; Signs (Notices); Presidential elections--Tacoma--1940-1950;

The wet streets of downtown Tacoma did not hinder the procession of the Willkie-McNary campaign trucks prior to Election Day in November of 1940. The trucks were photographed in front of the Roxy (Pantages) Theater as loudspeakers and a large sign urged voters to attend a rally of Republicans at the Jason Lee Auditorium. Arthur Langlie, gubernatorial candidate, and Stephen Chadwick, candidate for the U.S. Senate, were scheduled to speak at the gathering. The Democrats chose the same evening for their parade and rally. Candidates Mon Wallgren (for senator), C.C. Dill (for governor) and John Coffee (re-election to Congress) spoke at the Lincoln High School Democratic rally. Franklin Roosevelt carried the presidential election, beginning his third term with a popular vote of 54.7 % and an electoral landslide of 84.6%. Republican Arthur Langlie was elected governor. ALBUM 2. (T.Times, 11-1-40, p. 1, T. Times 11-2-40, p. 12)

Trucks--Tacoma--1940-1950; Signs (Notices); Presidential elections--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Consolidated Freightways Building, trucks parked at rear of building.

Consolidated Freightways, Inc. (Tacoma); Shipping--Tacoma--1940-1950; Loading docks--Tacoma; Trailers; Trucks--1940-1950;

In February of 1941, a British American War Relief Committee ambulance was on display in front of the Beverly Theater, at 916-18 Broadway. The offices of the British American War Relief Headquarters can be seen upstairs at 914 1/2 Broadway. The ambulance was on a fund raising tour prior to being shipped to Britain. (T. Times 2/8/1941, pg. 3)

Ambulances--1940-1950; World War, 1939-1945--Ambulances--Tacoma; British American War Relief Committee (Tacoma); Beverly Theater (Tacoma);

Doug Oldershaw of the New York Giants football team (far left) was one of five professional football players who donated their time in February of 1941 to help raise money to buy ambulance planes for the Royal Air Force - the RAF. An unidentified member of the Tacoma chapter of the British-American War Relief Committee is pointing to an ambulance airplane on the poster being held by Doug in this photograph from February 10, 1941. Five ambulances comprising a "thumbs-up" cavalcade left San Francisco, each by a different route in a cross-county tour. The ambulance on display in Tacoma, driven by Doug Oldershaw, could be seen in front of the British American War Relief Office at 914 1/2 Broadway. (T. Times 2/8/1941, pg. 3)

Ambulances--1940-1950; World War, 1939-1945--Ambulances--Tacoma; British American War Relief Committee (Tacoma);

It's "Thumbs up" all around as the British American War Relief Committee poses with a new ambulance in February of 1941. The ambulance, destined for Great Britain, was on display in front of the British American War Relief office at 914 1/2 Broadway. The "Thumbs up" Cavalcade of ambulances was on a three month tour of the U.S. with five members from professional football driving the vehicles. Doug Oldershaw of the NY Giants, believed fourth from left, was the driver of the ambulance that traveled to Tacoma from San Francisco. Each ambulance took a different route from California on the cross-country trip. Money was being raised during the tour to purchase airplane ambulances for the Royal Air Force. Names of the other individuals in the photograph were not provided. (T. Times 2/8/1941, pg. 3-article)

Ambulances--1940-1950; World War, 1939-1945--Ambulances--Tacoma; British American War Relief Committee (Tacoma);

In April of 1941, Fuel Oil Service Corp. celebrated their 10th anniversary by moving to their new business location, 816 A St. The company that specialized in fuel oils was completely Tacoma owned and operated. It was founded by Mark Dolliver and Roger Stewart. The company was the local distributor for Standard Burner Oil and had a fleet of five delivery trucks, the most modern in the west. Picture in front of their new location are, left to right, A.W. Taylor (District Mgr.), Roger Stewart (Sec.), Rena Skreen (bookkeeper), Robert Jackson (salesman), Mark C. Dolliver (president), Fred Grimm, William Baker, Earl Tillman and Roy Boblet (drivers.) (T. Times 4/1/1941, pg 4)

Trucks--Tacoma--1940-1950; Fuel Oil Service (Tacoma);

Two new International Harvester trucks used by Tacoma City Light on display on March 29, 1941.

International Harvester Co. (Tacoma); Trucks--Tacoma--1940-1950; Tacoma City Light (Tacoma);

Mack truck & trailer from Northwest Hauling Co. for Tacoma Truck Sales. Industrial Tacoma and Albers Mill in the background.

Northwest Hauling Co. (Tacoma); Trucks--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Model Bakery's new truck in front of Olympic Ice Cream Store. Publicity for Titus Motor Company.

Business Enterprises - Food Industry - Bakers - Model Bakery Confectionaries - Olympic Ice Cream Store Truck Dealers - Ford Dealers - Titus Motor Company

Cab and trailer built by Highway Truck Equipment for Mr. Honeycup from Nalley's. Photograph taken on June 2, 1941.

Highway Truck Co. (Tacoma); Nalleys, Inc. (Tacoma); Trucks--1940-1950;

A dripping automobile is salvaged by the Coast Guard with grappling hooks on June 24, 1941, about two hours after it crashed through the guardrail on the 15th Street Bridge and sank in 30 feet of water. The lone occupant, Mrs. Bertha Woodard of Milton, drowned. A witness to the accident said that she had swerved to avoid hitting a pedestrian. The police and fire departments were unable to bring the vehicle to the surface until the arrival of the Coast Guard. (T. Times 6/25/1941, pg. 1)

Accidents--Tacoma; Automobiles--Tacoma--1940-1950; Bridges--Tacoma--1940-1950;

1937 Ford Coupe, license A132701, at White Arrow Service Station on Seattle Highway for Loyalty Group, Seattle. Mr. Waters, attorney. 1937 Ford automobile (same vehicle as D12209 image 3), damage photographed from the driver's side on November 21, 1941.

Ford automobile; Traffic accidents; Wrecks;

1937 Ford Coupe, license A132701, at White Arrow Service Station on Seattle Highway for Loyalty Group, Seattle. Mr. Waters, attorney. 1937 Ford automobile heavily damaged on passenger side. Photograph taken on November 21, 1941.

Ford automobile; Traffic accidents; Wrecks;

Wood paneled station wagon w/fire hydrant on left. The vehicle is parked in what appears to be a vacant lot.

Automobiles--Tacoma--1940-1950; Station wagons--Tacoma; Fire hydrants;

ca. 1941. Abbott Petroleum Co.'s "Deluxe Gasoline" truck parked in front of company offices circa 1941. The Abbott Co. were distributors of Sunset Oil Co. products.

Trucks--Tacoma--1940-1950; Fuel trade--Tacoma--1940-1950; Abbott Petroleum Co. (Tacoma);

Automobile at Stevens Motor Company for Morrell Pride Meats. Automobile Number 162.

Automobiles--Tacoma--1940-1950;

1942 Plymouth coupe from Steven Motor Company, Chrysler-Plymouth dealers, for Morrell Pride Meats. Automobile Number 162 is a two-door sedan. Photograph was taken outdoors on August 21, 1942. Cars were one of the items regulated by the War Price & Rationing Board during WWll and only a limited number of people were able to get permits to buy them. The News Tribune would publish the names and addresses of the lucky buyers which also included purchasers of bicycles, typewriters, passenger tires, passenger recaps and tubes. (TNT 8-26-42, p. 5-list of purchasers) This car is what has come to be called a "Black Out" model. The Federal Government mandated that after 12/15/1941 manufacturers had to replace most of the chrome trim and other parts due to war requirements. Trim was either painted or, if it was from chromed stockpiles, it was painted over. The only chrome parts allowed were bumpers and windshield wipers.

Automobiles--Tacoma--1940-1950; Steven Motor Co. (Tacoma);

Automobile at Stevens Motor Company for Morrell Pride Meats. Automobile Number 162.

Automobiles--Tacoma--1940-1950;

A photograph is taken on September 5, 1942 of the Buick Eight ambulance, purchased for the American Red Cross with the proceeds of the "Victory Varieties," parked at 11th and Yakima. Three men watch as Marjorie Cain, wife of Mayor Harry Cain, hands key to to Jessie (Mrs. Clinton) Reynolds of the Red Cross Motor Corps. The three men are, left to right, Al Copp, Irving Thomas and Ed Michlitsch. The $1600 vehicle was purchased with only a portion of the Varieties $6,000 in ticket sales. Funds also went to the purchase of blood plasma and blood donation equipment, first aid equipment and the Tacoma Public School immunization program. Armory and Pierce County Courthouse in background. (TNT 9/5/1942, pg. 1- picture, T. Times 9/5/1942, pg. 3)

Ambulances--1940-1950; American Red Cross Pierce County Chapter (Tacoma); Cain, Marjorie Dils, 1908-1994; Reynolds, Jessie; World War, 1939-1945--Civil defense--Tacoma; Charitable organizations--Tacoma--1940-1950;

The keys to the $1,600 Buick Eight ambulance, purchased for the Red Cross Motor Corps with proceeds of the "Victory Varieties" show, were presented by show director Al Copp to Mrs. Clinton S. (Jessie) Reynolds of the Motor Corps in September of 1942. Mrs Marjorie Cain, the show's producer and wife of the mayor, is looking on. The other men attending the ceremony are business manager Irving Thomas and Ed Michlitsch of the Tacoma Central Labor Council. The "Victory Varieties" was a Red Cross benefit show given several weeks earlier in the Temple Theater. Ticket sales raised over $6,000. The proceeds were also used to purchase blood plasma and equipment, first aid equipment, and assist the Tacoma Public Schools immunization program. The ambulance was to remain permanently in the hands of the local motor corps to be used to transport materials and people for the Red Cross and Civilian Defense work. Armory and Pierce County Courthouse in background. (T. Times 9/5/1942, pg. 3; TNT 9/5/1942, pg. 1)

Ambulances--1940-1950; American Red Cross Pierce County Chapter (Tacoma); Cain, Marjorie Dils, 1908-1994; Reynolds, Jessie; World War, 1939-1945--Civil defense--Tacoma; Charitable organizations--Tacoma--1940-1950; State Armory (Tacoma);

In December of 1942, the defense industries on the Tideflats were running 24/7 and mass transportation had come to a standstill. Eight diesel-electric busses were leased from the Navy to improve the situation. Standing in front of the leased bus were, left to right, Walter Frankland (local transportation Administrator), Amos Booth (Beltline Superintendent), and R.D. O'Neil (Works Commissioner). The new buses seated 43 passengers and were expected to carry 95 with the additional people standing in the wide aisles. (T. Times 12/28/1942, pg. 1)

Mass transit--Tacoma; Buses--Tacoma; World War, 1939-1945--Transportation--Tacoma; ONeil, Robert D.; Booth, Amos; Frankland, Walter;

Robert D. O'Neil, Tacoma Utilities Commissioner, Amos Booth, the Beltline superintendent, and Walter Frankland, local transportation administrator (l to r) were photographed in December of 1942 inside one of the U.S. Navy busses that had just been brought from Bremerton to be used on the Tacoma tideflats. At the end of 1942, Tacoma did not have enough busses to efficiently move all the employees working at the various businesses located on the tideflats; and they didn't have sufficient parking if all the employees drove their own cars. Mr. Frankland made arrangements with the Navy to lease eight diesel-electric busses each of which could carry 43 seated passengers - or 95 passengers if riders stood in the extra wide aisles. (T. Times 12/28/1942 p.1)

Mass transit--Tacoma; Buses--Tacoma; World War, 1939-1945--Transportation--Tacoma; ONeil, Robert D.; Booth, Amos; Frankland, Walter;

In February of 1943, the Tacoma Transit Co. parked one of its buses in front of the Modern Auto Works at 1401-09 A St. for a photo opportunity. The photo was used in a February 25 advertisement in the Tacoma Times asking people to use the rear door of the bus for exiting, leaving the front entrance for loading.. (T Times 2/25/43 Pg. 25)

Mass transit--Tacoma; Buses--Tacoma--1940-1950; Tacoma Transit Co. (Tacoma);

In 1943, Tacoma was bustin' at the seams with war workers, most of whom used mass transit. The Tacoma Transit Co. took this opportunity to run an advertisement in the Tacoma Times asking people to be courteous and exit through the back door of the bus, leaving the front door for entering passengers. (T.Times 2/25/1943, pg. 25)

Mass transit--Tacoma; Buses--Tacoma--1940-1950; Tacoma Transit Co. (Tacoma);

Blue Gray bus accident. Automobile and bus crash along two-lane rural road. Several other automobiles including a police vehicle are shown.

Buses--Tacoma--1940-1950; Automobiles--1940-1950; Traffic accidents--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Army bus accident causing injuries to seven. Large bus turned on its side on an angular piece of land at Wakefield Drive and C Street. Small Art Deco style building designed by Bresemann. Brown & Haley and Armour buildings in background. (T. Times,).

Traffic accidents--Tacoma; Buses--Tacoma;