Turner Garage and Towing Co., 1222 Tacoma Ave So., photographed in September of 1945. The garage offered 24 hour towing as well as Standard Oil gasoline. It was located in the building built in 1925 for the Olympic Garage. In 2007, the building, now located next to the parking lot for the Tacoma Public Library, is vacant. It was previously home to Candid Photo Service from 1964 to 1995 and later Labor Ready.

Turner Towing Co. (Tacoma); Automobile repair--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Titus Motor Company, showing of 1946 automobiles. Two men and two women look at board explaining "self centering brakes". Flowers, other people in background.

Titus Motor Co. (Tacoma); Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1940-1950; Ford automobile;

Titus Motor Company, showing of 1946 automobiles. People looking at two 1946 Ford sedans. Neon signs in windows, art deco light fixtures, tile floor, double interior doors with stained glass. Plaque with names of employees who served in WWII.

Titus Motor Co. (Tacoma); Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1940-1950; Ford automobile;

Titus Motor Company, showing of 1946 automobiles. People looking at two 1946 Ford sedans. Art deco light fixtures, tile floor, double interior doors with stained glass. WWII employees plaque, signboard on "Engineering Advancement" in background..

Titus Motor Co. (Tacoma); Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1940-1950; Ford automobile;

Tacoma Auto Sales Company, Pontiac and Cadillac dealers, exterior. Showroom windows painted over with cartoon of fence and various characters "peeking", trying to glimse the 1946 Pontiacs, which sign on the door says will be on display Wed, Nov 14th. According to the Tacoma Times prices permitted on new automobiles were to be announced by the OPA by November 7, 1945, for the new 1946 models. Automobiles were not manufactured during the war so these models were greatly anticipated. (T.Times, 11/2/1945, p.15) TPL-9277

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

Interior at opening of Western Auto on South 38th Street for Mr. Brewer. The display counters are loaded with automotive supplies, and more. Lightbulbs, gardening tools, women's and infant's clothing and stuffed animals are added to the supply of seat covers, batteries, cleaning supplies and other auto supplies.

Automobile equipment & supplies stores--Tacoma; Western Auto Supply Co. (Tacoma);

Central Motors building shots. One story building showing both service and body shop entrances. The overhead sign indicated automobiles are "bought, sold and serviced". Over the door is painted, "Thru this door you'll Find the Best Used Cars in Town". TPL-1727.

Automobile repair--Tacoma--1940-1950; Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1940-1950; Central Motors (Tacoma);

Central Motors building shots. The front of the building with at least three stories is shown. Automobiles are seen through the windows and the front garage doors are open. They advertise that their "motive is service". TPL-1759.

Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1940-1950; Central Motors (Tacoma);

Puget Sound Auto Electric offered automobile radio installation, repairs, engine tune-ups, carburetor repairs and electrical servicing. They were a progressive and fast growing firm. Exterior view of Puget Sound Auto located at the corner of South 7th Street and Pacific Avenue, Nesbitt's orange soda billboard on right side.

Automobile equipment & supplies stores--Tacoma; Storefronts--Tacoma; Signs (Notices); Vehicle maintenance & repair--Tacoma; Puget Sound Auto Electric Co. (Tacoma);

Standard Oil Co. started doing business in Tacoma in 1886, by shipping oil from Cleveland, Ohio to Tacoma in box and tank cars. They have grown and expanded and now have new offices and tanks on the Tideflats.View of new Standard Oil service station in Tacoma and Tahoma Motor Court on left side. TPL-3543

Automobile service stations--Tacoma; Building construction--Tacoma; Standard Oil Co. of California (Tacoma);

Ballou and Wright offered everything a motorist could need. They had been in Tacoma for over fifteen years, always having one of the best selections of automotive parts. Ballou & Wright were one of the few auto supply stores carrying "Champion" auto parts. Interior view of store with "Champion" and "Century" auto parts posters.

Automobile equipment & supplies stores--Tacoma; Vehicle maintenance & repair--Tacoma; Advertisements--Tacoma; Ballou & Wright Wholesale Auto Parts (Tacoma);

Ballou and Wright offered everything a motorist could need. They had been in Tacoma for over fifteen years, always having one of the best selections of automotive parts. Ballou & Wright were one of the few auto supply stores carrying "Champion" auto parts. Exterior view of store, located at the corner of South 9th Street and Tacoma Avenue South.

Automobile equipment & supplies stores--Tacoma; Vehicle maintenance & repair--Tacoma; Show windows--Tacoma; Ballou & Wright Wholesale Auto Parts (Tacoma);

Interior view of Ballou and Wright Wholesale Auto Parts and Industrial Supply.

Business Enterprises - Automobile Equipment and Supplies Stores - Tacoma - Ballou and Wright

Individual picture of employees at Ballou & Wright. Ballou & Wright offered motorists everything they might need. They had been in Tacoma for over fifteen years. View of unidentified employee from Ballou & Wright standing in front of McQuay-Norris valve springs and other automotive products.

Automobile equipment & supplies; Employees--Tacoma; Automobile equipment & supplies stores--Tacoma; Ballou & Wright Wholesale Auto Parts (Tacoma);

Individual picture of employees at Ballou & Wright. Ballou & Wright always had one of the best selections of automotive parts. They had been in Tacoma for over fifteen years. View of unidentified employees from Ballou & Wright standing behind an Allen battery charger.

Automobile equipment & supplies; Employees--Tacoma; Automobile equipment & supplies stores--Tacoma; Ballou & Wright Wholesale Auto Parts (Tacoma);

Central Motors bought, sold and serviced cars. They were about to move into this building, where they would offer their customers a wide selection of used cars and more extended services. Interior view of Central Motors.

Automobile dealerships--Tacoma; Vehicle maintenance & repair--Tacoma; Showrooms--Tacoma; Central Motors (Tacoma);

Buck & Sons was owned and operated by Parker J. Buck. They were remodeling this building, which would house their business. Buck and Sons manufactured farm machinery, sold Ford tractors, repaired tractors and sold tractor tires. View of Floyd's Service Station featuring Signal products (Also see D21760-2). TPL-6410

Automobile service stations--Tacoma; Gasoline pumps--Tacoma; Vehicle maintenance & repair--Tacoma; Buck & Sons Tractor & Implement Co. (Tacoma);

This was how Buck Morgan & Son's Autotorium at 632 Broadway appeared in June of 1946. The station was located at the corner of 7th and Broadway, across the street from the Elks Temple. The one-stop service and repair station was owned and operated by William "Buck" Morgan and his son Jack W. Morgan. "Buck," who had over 20 years in the automobile repair business, ran the repair shop. They specialized in Buick repair, since "Buck" had spent the previous 16 years working at Mueller-Harkins. Aside from the repair business, they also offered fuel and auto supplies and did lubrication, washing, polishing, storage and parking of automobiles. The second floor was a parking garage accessible by the alley between St. Helens & Broadway. The building at 632 Broadway was sold in the late 1960s and "Buck" Morgan retired. Jack Morgan continued in the automobile business, selling Buicks instead of servicing them. (TNT 12/1/1946, pg. A-18 picture and ad, TNT 10/24/1940, pg. 15- article) (Additional information provided by a reader)

The A.E. Mulligan Company offered Tacoma customers a conveniently located dealership featuring Studebaker models. Customers admire the new 1946 Studebaker. Neon in windows of showroom and on signs for Temple Theater and Bonneville Hotel visible through glass in background.

Automobile dealerships--Tacoma; Showrooms--Tacoma; Consumers--Tacoma; Studebaker automobile; A.E. Mulligan Co. (Tacoma);

A.E. Mulligan Company, Studebaker dealers. Customers admire the 1946 Studebaker, "First by Far with a Postwar Car" reads banner on wall in background. Hood of one automobile is up displaying engine, photos of other Studebakers hang on walls. Customers browse through the dealership.

Automobile dealerships--Tacoma; Showrooms--Tacoma; Consumers--Tacoma; Studebaker automobile; A.E. Mulligan Co. (Tacoma);

Ray Ridge Motors for Robert Sconce Advertising. Crowd admires the 1946 Mercurys at Ray Ridge Motors. Night view from outside showroom through plate glass windows. Convertible, sedan and "woody" wagon are visible.

Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1940-1950; Ray Ridge Motors, Inc. (Tacoma); Automobiles--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Ray Ridge Motors for Robert Sconce Advetising. Crowd admires the 1946 Mercurys at Ray Ridge Motors. Night view from outside showroom through plate glass windows. Convertible, sedan and "woody" wagon are visible. Neon signs in windows.

Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1940-1950; Ray Ridge Motors, Inc. (Tacoma); Automobiles--Tacoma--1940-1950; Mercury automobile; Showrooms;

Ray Ridge Motors for Robert Sconce Advertising. Crowd admires the 1946 Mercurys at Ray Ridge Motors. Night view from outside showroom through plate glass windows. Convertible, sedan and "woody" wagon are visible. Neon signs in windows.

Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1940-1950; Ray Ridge Motors, Inc. (Tacoma); Automobiles--Tacoma--1940-1950; Showrooms;

Ray Ridge Motors for Robert Sconce Advertising. The new 1946 Mercurys at Ray Ridge Motors are being insected closely by several men while women catch up on their most recent activities at the Lincoln-Mercury showroom.

Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1940-1950; Ray Ridge Motors, Inc. (Tacoma); Automobiles--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Ray Ridge Motors for Robert Sconce Advetising. During the open house over 8,000 visitors crowded the showroom. Five new Mercurys were displayed. Ford, Lincoln and Mercury dealers drom around the state welcomed Ray Ridge, the newly named Mercury and Lincoln dealer for Tacoma and Pierce County. Mr. Ridge is standing on the far left. (T.Times, 7/18/1946, p.7 & 7/23/1946, p.14)

Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1940-1950; Ray Ridge Motors, Inc. (Tacoma); Automobiles--Tacoma--1940-1950; Showrooms; Ridge, Ray;

Munson-Smith Motors was appointed as associated Dodge and Plymouth passenger car dealer and Dodge job-rated truck dealer in South Tacoma. A four-day grand opening was held July 30 - August 3, 1946. The dealership will have a large 140 ft. by 140 ft. service area in the back of the building. L-R, W.M. Dunigan, H.G. Schreiber, Helen Jones, Alberta Smith, co-owner, Major George C. Yates, S.E. "Ed" Munson, co-owner; kneeling, Don Munson and Sam LeCrone.

Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1940-1950; Munson-Smith Motors (Tacoma); Smith, Alberta; Munson, S.E.;

Munson - Smith Motor Company, Dodge and Plymouth dealers, interior view of staff, seven men and two women, gathered around a 1946 Dodge. One man in US Army Major or Lt. Colonel's uniform. Glassed in offices in background.

Business Enterprises - Tacoma - Automobile Dealers - New Automobile Dealers - Dodge / Plymouth Dealers - Munson - Smith Motor Company

Interior of a Lincoln-Mercury dealership service area for Standard Oil. A portion of an automobile can be seen on the far right. Motor oil in large containers stand along the wall on the right. A hoist and lubricating cannisters can be seen towards the left.

Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1940-1950; Automobile repair--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Standard Oil. Two women compare notes about a photograph. They are standing in front of shelves full of auto care products. RPM Motor Oil is stacked on the bottom shelves. Customers are admonished, "Don't wax it! Mac's it!".

Automobile equipment & supplies; Women--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Rehn Motor Company. Several men enjoy each others company in the service area of the Chevrolet dealership.

Automobile dealerships--Gig Harbor--1940-1950; Rehn Motor Co. (Gig Harbor);