Located at 7th & Broadway was the big Wilkeson Garage. The 120-feet by 131-feet concrete building was the largest of its kind on the Pacific Coast. The service station added a top level for parking in April of 1924, a few months after work was completed on the rest of the structure. Wilkeson Garage carried Goodyear Tires, General Gasoline, Watson Stabilators, Wold-Wilkeson Motor Oil. G59.1-026

Wilkeson Garage & Service Station (Tacoma); Automobile service stations--Tacoma--1920-1930;

Scotch Bloom Service Station & General Store. An unidentified couple stand with four children under the overhanging roof of the Scotch Bloom service station and general store in late May of 1927. The location of the facility was not given. A white picket fence adjoins the service station with openings so that customers could drive in and park or have their crankcase serviced. G48.1-120

Scotch Bloom; Automobile service stations; General stores; Fences; Signs (Notices);

Donoghue Chevrolet was located at 824 Martin Luther King Jr. Way (then known as South "K" St.), the former home of Mutual Motors, in 1931. This interior view of Donoghue's focuses on the repairs section of the facility with its display of tools and machinery. Fred W. Donoghue was the president of the company. G36.1-189

Donoghue Chevrolet (Tacoma); Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1930-1940; Hand tools; Machinery; Vehicle maintenance & repair--Tacoma--1930-1940;

Automobile supplies were on display at the Donoghue Chevrolet facility located at 824 Martin Luther King Jr. Way (then called South "K" St.) in April of 1931. Genuine Chevrolet parts and other quality equipment were for sale at the former home of Mutual Motors. G32.1-134

Donoghue Chevrolet (Tacoma); Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1930-1940; Vehicle maintenance & repair--Tacoma--1930-1940; Automobile equipment & supplies; Merchandise displays--Tacoma--1930-1940;

Seeking to make the car-buying experience as pleasant as possible, Titus-Will Ford built its salesman closing office with ceiling-to-floor windows to bring in natural light and provide unobstructed views of the outdoor landscaping. The customer was positioned so that he could rest his eyes on the trees and shrubbery beyond the salesman; lower windows could also be opened to let in fresh air. A salesman is shown on September 16, 1969, pointing out the details of a new Ford in a glossy magazine to a prospective client. Photograph ordered by the Ford Motor Co., Dearborn, Michigan, for a "dealers publication."

Titus-Will Ford (Tacoma); Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1960-1970; Sales personnel--Tacoma--1960-1970;

ca. 1969. South Tacoma Motor Company, exterior view into Service Entrance, during the summer of 1969. A Chevrolet Suburban is parked in front of Credit Manager Lloyde Holstrom's office door. Master Charge sign at top right, Coca-Cola machine with service awards hanging above inside building. South Tacoma Motor Co. was an authorized Chevrolet dealer and was proud to offer qualified technicians. Fast, expert and low-cost, the South Tacoma Motor Co. guaranteed its work. "It's the 'Know-How' that Counts" was used as their motto in the 1969 City Directory. Photograph ordered by Harry S. Pearson, Seattle.

Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1960-1970; South Tacoma Motor Co. (Tacoma); Signs (Notices);

National Auto Parts opened a new store in the Fife Square in the summer of 1951. It apparently was the second National Auto Parts store in Pierce County. As the large sign painted on the building indicated, National Auto Parts carried "Everything for Your Car", including Valvoline motor oil, Wagner brake parts, and Perfect Circle piston rings. The 6000 square foot store would also feature precision built engines. According to W.C. Johnston, president of National Auto Parts, the new store would fill the needs of customers in the southern portion of Pierce County. View of storefront; appears to have been made of brick with large picture windows. Photograph ordered by Mr. Johnston, National Auto Parts, Tacoma office. (TNT 8-8-51, A-10)

Automobile equipment & supplies; Business enterprises--Fife; Storefronts--Fife--1950-1960; National Auto Parts, Inc. (Fife);

Grand opening of the Shell Oil station at Center and Union, Earl Moon's Shell Service, 3520 Center St. Three employees service a car in the right foreground, checking under the hood and cleaning windows. Another employee gases up a car at the pumps. The Shell oil delivery truck can be seen beside the station. A paneled station wagon is at the other side of the station. The skyline of residential Tacoma can be seen in the background. Owner Earl J. Moon ran an ad in the January 25, 1951 News Tribune the grand opening of his Shell Service Station. The ad promoted Goodyear tires and batteries, Shell gas and "Shellubrication." Free balloons and candy would be available for the kids and one prize of four free tires for adults. (TNT 1-25-1951, p. 28-advertisement)

Automobile service stations--Tacoma--1950-1960; Gasoline pumps--Tacoma--1950-1960; Automobiles--Tacoma--1950-1960; Trucks--Tacoma--1950-1960; Earl Moon's Shell Service (Tacoma);

This is how the interior of South Tacoma Motor Company shop and service department appeared in February of 1951 when Chevrolets were being serviced throughout the warehouse. The Union Street Livery operated at this location in the late 1800s, but with the growing popularity of automobiles in the 1900s the owners combined the livery business with a garage. Pete Wallerich acquired the company in 1919. In 1924, South Tacoma Motors began selling Chevrolets at this location, making it the oldest Chevrolet dealer in the US owned continuously by the same family. Three generations of the Wallerich family sold Chevys until 1988, when the dealership became Gilchrist Chevrolet. ("South on the Sound" Murray and Rosa Morgan) TPL-9160

Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1950-1960; Automobile equipment & supplies stores--Tacoma--1950-1960; South Tacoma Motor Co. (Tacoma); Chevrolet automobile;

In July 1946, as the engine rebuilding demand and production increased, Titus Motor Company had to restructure the engine rebuilding department which became Titus Manufacturing Company. They are now a permanent growing industry in Tacoma. Interior view of engine rebuilding plant; two unidentified mechanics are working on Ford engines.

Automobile dealerships--Tacoma; Automobile equipment & supplies stores--Tacoma; Vehicle maintenance & repair--Tacoma--1940-1950; Engines; Mechanics (Persons)--Tacoma--1940-1950; Titus Manufacturing Co. (Tacoma);

Tacoma Auto Sales, new 1949 Pontiacs, Mr. Bryson Gardner. A general view of the showroom at Tacoma Auto Sales Company, Pontiac and Cadilac dealers, with customers admiring the 1949 Pontiacs. Tacoma Auto Sales reported that more than 7,500 persons had visited the showroom during the first four days of the initial showing of the new 1949 Pontiacs. (TNT, 2/3/1949, p.12)

Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1940-1950; Pontiac automobile; Tacoma Auto Sales Co. (Tacoma);

Tacoma Auto Sales, new 1949 Pontiacs, Mr. Bryson Gardner. A night view of the exterior of Tacoma Auto Sales Company, Pontiac and Cadillac dealers, with a four-door 1949 Pontiac Chieftain Sedan parked at an angle in front. Neon signs are placed on the facade and the showroom windows have been painted over with a scene of a fence and barn with characters "peeking" at the new 1949s. New models were to be kept secret until they were revealed at the same time all over the United States. (TNT, 2/3/1949, p.12)

Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1940-1950; Pontiac automobile; Tacoma Auto Sales Co. (Tacoma); Electric signs--Tacoma--1940-1950;

A group portrait of the employees at Tacoma Auto Sales. This photograph was part of a one-page advertisement in the Tacoma News Tribune in which Tacoma Auto Sales' president, E.A. Riebe, wished everyone a, "Merry Christmas from the men and women of the company who sell and service Pontiac and Cadillac passenger cars" and thanking customers for their support during 1951. (TNT, 12/25/1951, p.B-12)

Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1940-1950; Tacoma Auto Sales Co. (Tacoma)--Employees;

In September of 1955, three tow trucks and their drivers stand at the ready in front of Del's Service and Repair at 711 Tacoma Ave So. Del's was owned by Delbert Heim who took over Art's Auto Repair around 1953 and changed the name. The garage specialized in brake repair, and towing was available 24 hours a day. The building was originally constructed in 1929 for a cost of $38,000. The site includes the Washington Grocery (to the left) at 707 Tacoma Ave So. The same builder, Oscar Volk, built the 85 unit brick Washington Apartments to the left of the photograph at 7th and Tacoma Ave So. (actual address 518 So. 7th St.). Del moved his business to 224 St. Helens Ave. in the late 1950s.

Del's Service & Repair (Tacoma); Automobile repair--Tacoma--1950-1960; Wreckers (Vehicles);

Mallon Motor Company, staff banquet held at the Tacoma Club celebrating the dealership's receipt of Ford Motor Company's "4 Letter Award" for the 1955 model year. The award was presented each year to the dealer that qualified in the following classifications: sound finances, management efficiency and completely modern facilities. The dinner was hosted by Robert Mallon who served as Master of Ceremonies. Tommy Mallon, the President of Mallon Motors, is seated to the far right of the picture; to his left is Abel Rigney, Mallon Sales Manger; to his left is J.C. Hogue, Ford's Field Manager; standing directly behind Mallon is C.J. Powell, Ford's District Sales Manager. The man standing third from the right in the back row has been identified as Harold Nutley. (TNT 3/11/1956, pg. A-6)

Automobile dealerships--Tacoma; Mallon Motors, Inc. (Tacoma); Mallon, Thomas; Rigney, Abel;

Television host and columnist Ed Sullivan is welcomed to Ray Ridge Lincoln-Mercury on Tacoma Avenue South after his arrival on June 9, 1954, for the laying of the cornerstone on the new Mary Bridge Children's Hospital. Mr. Sullivan received a TPD motorcycle escort and a ride in a new convertible courtesy of Mr. Ridge's dealership. Ray Ridge is on the right in the light suit; man shaking hands with Mr. Sullivan is tentatively identified as Judge George Boldt. Mr. Ridge, Mr. Sullivan and Judge Boldt would be among the honored guests at a 1500 person celebration of the new hospital held at the Masonic Temple's Fellowship Hall. ALBUM 7.

Sullivan, Ed, 1902-1974; Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1950-1960; Ray Ridge Motors, Inc. (Tacoma); Ridge, Ray; Shaking hands--Tacoma;

Exterior of new service station, Friendly Franks Serv-Ur-Self, ordered by Fletcher Oil Co. The station is offering free gas for its Grand Opening Friday & Saturday. The brand of the gasoline is Veltex. Uncommon in the fifties, the self service station kept prices low by offering no attendants to pump gas.

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

Exterior of new service station, Friendly Franks Serv-Ur-Self, ordered by Fletcher Oil Co. The station is offering free gas for its Grand Opening Friday & Saturday. The brand of the gasoline is Veltex. The larger building at the rear was most probably the automotive shop. The smaller unit in the center of the pumps most probably held a cashier. Flag streamers flap in the air to call attention to the Grand Opening. Not yet a common sight in the fifties, self service stations were making their mark by offering lower prices.

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

A packed house at the Temple Theatre awaited Monk Watson's magic show on April 14, 1954. The evening's entertainment was sponsored by Miracle Power, an engine performance lubricant. Here Monk Watson gleefully holds a hand of playing cards while four others, possibly associated with National Auto Parts, display posters advertising Miracle Power's potency. A box full of Miracle Power cans is to the foreground along with the magician's props. Photograph ordered by National Auto Parts.

Automobile equipment & supplies; Posters; Watson, Monk; National Auto Parts, Inc. (Tacoma);

250 feet of property on South Tacoma Way. A Dairy Queen is on the left. Serve UR Self Gas Station and George Dayton Auto Parts are further along South Tacoma Way on the right. Ordered by Queen Petroleum Company. Queen Petroleum Company was owned by F.H. and Paul Lucien, E.W. Bittner and A.J. Brenninger.

Automobile service stations--Tacoma; Queen Petroleum Co. (Tacoma); George's Car Market (Tacoma); Automobile repair--Tacoma; Drive-in restaurants--Tacoma; Dairy Queen (Tacoma); Commercial streets--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Irwin-Jones Motor Company is ready to deliver a new Dodge ice cream truck to Medosweet Dairies. The van on the back has been completed with a refrigerated unit.

Irwin-Jones Motor Co. (Tacoma); Dodge trucks; Trucks--Tacoma--1950-1960; Medosweet Dairies, Inc. (Tacoma);

South Tacoma Motor Company was co-sponsor of the 1951 Tacoma Soap Box Derby in Tacoma with Walker Chevrolet and The News Tribune. The first place winner of the derby, Richard Johnson of Sumner, represented Tacoma at the national finals in Akron, Ohio, August 12th, and won an all-expense paid trip to Akron plus a $5,000 four-year college scholarship. The race was held July 15, 1951, on Derby Hill, South 38th Street, just east of the baseball park. Duane Hopper came in second and Paul Meyer was third. Duane and Paul won Schwinn bicycles. (TNT, 7/15/1951, p.1; TNT, 7/17/1951, p.1) TPL-7910

Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1950-1960; South Tacoma Motor Co. (Tacoma); Racing--Tacoma; Coaster cars--Tacoma; Equipment; Awards; All-American Soap Box Derby (Tacoma);

Mulligan Pontiac-Cadillac Company, service area. Several 1940s and early 1950s Pontiacs and Cadillacs undergoing repair. The man on the left is working on the brakes of an automobile.

Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1950-1960; Mulligan Pontiac-Cadillac Co. (Tacoma);

Mulligan Pontiac-Cadillac Company's body shop area. Several 1940's and early 1950's Pontiacs are undergoing body damage repair by staff.

Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1950-1960; Mulligan Pontiac-Cadillac Co. (Tacoma); Vehicle maintenance & repair--Tacoma;

The exterior of Titus Motor Company with vehicles on street and in the showroom. There are many neon and painted signs. The company's 1906 Ford Model N is parked at the far right. The Elizabethan-style brick building was designed by Roland Borhek, Architect, and built circa 1926.

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

Five new Buicks, part of a fleet of nine for the Murphy-Campbell Co., Caterpiller distributors of Tacoma and Centralia, are parked in front of Mueller-Harkins Buick Agency at 455 Saint Helens Avenue in November of 1952. Murphy-Campbell leased the new Buicks through the Coast Driv-Ur-Self Company, who bought Buicks from Mueller-Harkins. The automobiles would be used by the company's salesmen and executives to service their customers in Pierce, Thurston, Lewis, Mason, Grays Harbor and Pacific Counties. (TNT, 11/23/1952, p.B-8-ads)

Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1950-1960; Mueller-Harkins Motor Co. (Tacoma); Buick automobile; Murphy-Campbell Co. (Tacoma);

Murphy-Campbell Caterpiller Company, the new Southwest Washington distrubutor for Caterpillar Tractor, was one of the many progressive firms in Tacoma leasing cars through Coast Driv-Ur-Self Company. To help salemen and executives cover territories with speed, comfort and efficiency, Murphy-Campbell chose nine Buicks from Mueller-Harkins Buick Agency and two Cadillacs. Frank J. Murphy was president of Murphy-Campbell. Bernard C. Campbell was vice president and Robert L. Brown served as secretary. (TNT, 11/23/1952, p.B-8)

Buick automobile; Murphy-Campbell Co. (Tacoma); Business enterprises--Tacoma;

Ray Ridge Motors, Lincoln/Mercury dealer. New automobiles in showroom windows. Ford station wagon, Oldsmobile, 1958 Mercury, Chevrolet, small foreign car, likely a Simca, and Ford pickup truck at curb. From series, customers of KTVW-TV, Ch. 13.

Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1950-1960; Ray Ridge Motors, Inc. (Tacoma); Television advertising;

Esther Williams Girl poses on top of a sports car in front of Imported Motors Cars, Inc. The automobile is a Jaguar. Although the bathing beauty is not named; the driver of the Jaguar is Pat Martin, president of Scott-Martin, Inc. Scott-Martin was the Washington distributor of the "Esther Williams Living Pool" that the bathing beauties were in Tacoma to publicize. (TNT 8/2/1959, pg. A-10)

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

Dick Lewis Pontiac-Cadillac agency, Olympia, general view of dealership. Shed-roofed service wing with Pontiac and Cadillac in the bays and abstract mural on exterior wall to left in photo, A-frame showroom with two 1964 Pontiacs in windows at right. Photograph ordered by the Weyerhaeuser Co.

Automobile dealerships--Olympia--1960-1970; Automobiles--Olympia--1960-1970; Dick Lewis Pontiac-Cadillac (Olympia)