Sumner E. Orr and E.J. Gauthier, proprietors of Tacoma's all-night garage Gauthier & Orr, were photographed receiving leases for six Union Oil stations from company officials E.C. Wilson, Tacoma agent, and N.W. Watson, special agent, on July 17, 1928 (order of men in photo unknown). They exchanged the documents at Station #119 located at 601 No. 1st St. The new owners planned for Tacoma motorists to receive the best service possible. They intended to install lifts for grease work and to modernize the equipment at each station. The six stations leased by the pair were located at 58th & S. Union, 25th & Jefferson Ave., N. 1st & Tacoma Ave. (pictured), 21st & Pacific Ave., East 11th & St. Paul Ave. and 302 Puyallup. (Tacoma Sunday Ledger, 7-22-28, p. G-5) BU-13106, TPL-9637

Automobile service stations--Tacoma--1920-1930; Union Oil Co. of California (Tacoma); Orr, Sumner E.; Gauthier, E.J.; Wilson, E.C.; Watson, N.W.;

This is the Colonial Garage as pictured on December 20, 1927. It was operated by Frank J. Brennan and offered storage, repairs, simonizing and washing with day and night service. The garage was located in downtown Tacoma at 924 Court C. Part of the Rhodes Bros. Department Store is visible in the background.

Colonial Garage (Tacoma); Automobile service stations--Tacoma--1920-1930;

The Otsuka Family opened the Panama Garage at 1320 Market Street in 1923. Roy, Eddie and Hidegoro Otsuka operated the repair shop, car wash and service station. The family posed for this photograph in front of their business in November of 1927. The business was later managed by Ted Semba and Ken Hayashi. It closed during World War II. TPL-6371; G48.1-042

Panama Garage (Tacoma); Japanese American families--Tacoma; Japanese Americans--Tacoma;

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);

ca. 1927. Guy N. McCoy's Park Avenue Garage, service station at 56th & Park. Frame service station building, automobiles getting gas. The station was built in 1922. For Sperry & Hutchinson Trading Stamp Company. (filed with Argentum)

Park Avenue Garage (Tacoma); Automobile service stations--Tacoma--1920-1930;

Exterior view of Pinky Young's gas station in August of 1926. According to photographer Marvin Boland's notes, the business was located at South 72nd and Park Avenue. They guaranteed their repair work, sold tires and tubes, provided air and water and even had a supplemental business in soft drinks, groceries, cigars and school supplies. Jersey Milk products were also available.

Automobile service stations--Tacoma--1920-1930; Pinky Young's Station (Tacoma);

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;

ca. 1926. Wilkeson Service Station interior showing Western Dri-Kure Vulcanizing Manufacturing tire machine. Should be A1815-1.

Wilkeson Garage & Service Station (Tacoma); Tires; Tire industry--Tacoma--1920-1930;

ca. 1926. Wilkeson Service Station, exterior. Large service station and auto service facility constructed in 1923. Signs advertising: General Gasoline, Goodyear Tires, Day and Night Storage, Packard Used Cars. For Western Dri-Kure Vulcanizing Manufacturing. (filed with Argentum)

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

In May of 1925, J.B. Ness posed with his new Overland Blue Bird touring car in front of his Ness Service Station No. 1, 3802 Pacific Ave. He recently purchased the auto from the Raudenbush Motor Co., Overland and Willys-Knight dealers, through their salesman W.A. Court. Mr. Court was pictured here beside an Overland coupe sedan. Mr. Ness tested the power of his new auto up the infamous South K St. hill climb from Center Street. Mr. Ness also operated a second service station at South 60th St. & Union Ave. (TDL 5/17/1925, pg. G-3)

Ness Service Station No. 1 (Tacoma); Automobile service stations--Tacoma--1920-1930; Overland automobile;

Construction is well under way in June of 1923 at the Wilkeson Garage in downtown Tacoma's auto row. Built of concrete and measuring 120 feet by 131 feet, it was declared the "largest of its kind on the Pacific Coast." All units of the big service station were completed by November of 1923. Built by L.E.Wilkeson, the new structure was to reflect the "department store idea for the motor car." A parking lot on top with room for 100 cars was finished in April of 1924. G18.1-089; BU14,356 (Tacoma Sunday Ledger, 4-29-23, C-1-article)

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

In November of 1919, Marvin Boland photographed this elevated view of the triangular shaped block on the west side of Pacific Avenue bordered by Jefferson and South 17th. In the center of the photograph was the recently constructed Depot Service Station. A small wedge of a brick building was apparently still under construction to the right of the service station. Tires were on sale and Union gasoline could be purchased there. In the right background was the Carlton Hotel, 1552 Jefferson Ave., which was built in 1909. In the upper left corner was the Pacific Storage & Transfer Co., located in the Dougan Block at 1721-25 Jefferson Ave., whose ad in the 1920 City Directory stated that they were distributors of pool cars. Depot Service Station remained at this location, with various changes of ownership and remodeling, until it was demolished around 2002. TPL-244; G8.1-017

Depot Service Station (Tacoma); Automobile service stations--Tacoma--1910-1920; Commercial streets--Tacoma--1910-1920; Carlton Hotel (Tacoma); Pacific Storage & Transfer Co. (Tacoma);

In the summer of 1919 the building at 218-220 St. Helens Avenue was the home of Sam J. Kenyon's Marmon Service Station and Bartons Auto Laundry. Mr. Kenyon specialized in servicing and repairing luxury automobiles known for their speed and power. The Marmon was manufactured from 1903 - 1933. Signage on the glass window indicates that the Kenyon shop also serviced "Locomobiles." The Locomobile was also manufactured in the US, from 1899 (steam version) and 1902 for the gas engine version, until 1928. Both car companies also produced race cars. To provide maximum service to its customers, Barton's, in the same building, was open "day and night" according to their sign. BU-13095

Marmon Service Station (Tacoma); Barton's Auto Laundry (Tacoma); Automobile service stations--Tacoma--1910-1920; Vehicle maintenance & repair--Tacoma--1910-1920;

Undated photograph by Chapin Bowen of Mobilgas station, seller of Norwalk Tires, located on Meridian Avenue South at Fourth Street, S. E., Puyallup. Mohr's Sausage truck is parked at the three pumps.

Undated photograph by Chapin Bowen of a Mobilgas station that also served lunches and where groceries could be purchased. The automobile service station was located in Riffe, Washington, southwest of Morton in south central Lewis County. The town of Riffe no longer exists. It was buried with the construction of Mossyrock Dam.

Undated photograph by Chapin Bowen of Mobilgas station, seller of Norwalk Tires, located on Meridian Avenue South at Fourth Street, S. E., Puyallup. Mohr's Sausage truck is parked at the three pumps.

Stan's Corner. Mobilgas. Waller Road at 96th Street, Tacoma. The service station, in this undated photograph, had three gas pumps. In addition, Stan's Corner sold groceries for the passing motorist.

Undated photograph by Chapin Bowen of a Mobilgas station that also served lunches and where groceries could be purchased. The automobile service station was located in Riffe, Washington, southwest of Morton in south central Lewis County. The town of Riffe no longer exists. It was buried with the construction of Mossyrock Dam.

Stan's Corner. Mobilgas. Waller Road at 96th Street, Tacoma. The service station, in this undated photograph, had three gas pumps. In addition, Stan's Corner sold groceries for the passing motorist.

Undated photograph of Mobilgas station located at Legion Way and Jefferson Street, Olympia, Washington. Two old cars parked near open bay. Norwalk tires were sold at this station. Ed Whitney was the independent dealer.

Undated photograph of Mobilgas station located at Legion Way and Jefferson Street, Olympia, Washington. Two old cars parked near open bay. Norwalk tires were sold at this station. Ed Whitney was the independent dealer.