ca. 1935. Griffin Fuel Company. Two men loading wood onto truck in wood storage yard. In the background, Griffin's stock of over 7,000 cords of wood can be seen. The company was celebrating its 46th year in business and the gradual recovery from the Depression. The company began business in 1889 as a horse drawn moving company for any kind of commodities. By 1904, Griffin Fuel had moved to this location and focused in on the fuel business. In 1935, they delivered and sold fuel in the forms of oil, coal, wood and sawdust. (T. Times 12/10/1935, pg. 5)

Griffin Fuel Co. (Tacoma); Trucks--Tacoma--1930-1940; Fuel--Tacoma--1930-1940; Fuel trade--Tacoma--1930-1940; Fuelwood;

ca. 1937. Griffin Fuel Company truck and driver in front of loading chute of coal bunkers. These are automatic gravity bunkers filled with coal. (filed with Argentum)

Griffin Fuel Co. (Tacoma); Trucks--Tacoma--1930-1940; Fuel--Tacoma--1930-1940; Fuel trade--Tacoma--1930-1940;

Griffin Fuel Company. Man standing next to fuel truck. Snoqualmie Falls Power Company Transfer House, 250 So. 19th St., in background. For Harmon Miller. In February of 1939, Griffin Fuel Co. celebrated its 50th anniversary. The company was founded in 1889 by Fred L. Griffin. Griffin started his business with one horse, one wagon and fuel logs, which he cut himself. (filed with Argentum)

Griffin Fuel Co. (Tacoma); Trucks--Tacoma--1930-1940; Snoqualmie Falls Power Co. Transfer House (Tacoma);

ca. 1935. Trucks parked in front of Griffin Fuel Company, 1910 Commerce St. Snoqualmie Falls Power Company Transfer House, 250 So. 19th St., in background right. (filed with Argentum)

Griffin Fuel Co. (Tacoma); Fuel--Tacoma--1930-1940; Fuel trade--Tacoma--1930-1940; Trucks--Tacoma--1930-1940; Snoqualmie Falls Power Co. Transfer House (Tacoma);

Olga Maijala (later Massie), a Griffin Fuel Company office worker, is busy filing customer account information into a new lockable file cabinet in December of 1948. The cabinet was purchased from the local distributer of cabinets and safes manufactured by Diebold, Incorporated. In the pre-computer, pre-"paperless" age roll-top cabinets like this were used to keep accounts in order and under lock and key. Besides the main lock on the rolling top, each separate drawer had its own lock. Griffin Fuel was a major local fuel delivery company in business since 1889. Photo ordered by Diebold, Inc. (Additional identification provided by a reader)

Fuel supply; Fuel--Tacoma; Offices--Tacoma--1940-1950; Safes; Locks (Hardware); Office equipment & supplies; Office furniture; Office workers--Tacoma--1940-1950; Fuel trade--Tacoma; Griffin Fuel Co. (Tacoma); Diebold, Inc. (Tacoma); Maijala, Olga;

Four uniformed drivers stand beside their Griffin-Galbraith Fuel Co. delivery trucks outside company headquarters days before Christmas, 1965. Advertised as Tacoma's complete heating specialists, Griffin-Galbraith Fuel provided oil, coal and wood heating oils in addition to furnace sales and service. The company's radio dispatched fuel oil trucks could be utilized for speedier service. Established in 1889 as Griffin Transfer Co., and later known as Griffin Fuel Co., by 1965, the company was listed in the City Directory as Griffin-Galbraith Fuel Co. It maintained a fleet of fuel trucks and well trained service specialists. Photograph ordered by Griffin-Galbraith Fuel Co.

Griffin-Galbraith Fuel Co. (Tacoma); Fuel trade--Tacoma; Fuel--Tacoma; Trucks--Tacoma--1960-1970;

ca. 1935. Griffin Fuel Company. Man above cab with tool loading Griffin Fuel Company truck inside shed. It appears that the man is loading the truck with sawdust, one of the forms of fuel offered by the 46 year old company.

Griffin Fuel Co. (Tacoma); Trucks--Tacoma--1930-1940; Fuel--Tacoma--1930-1940; Fuel trade--Tacoma--1930-1940;

Post War Celebration at Griffin Fuel Company. A large group of the employees at the company. Some of the drivers sit on top of their trucks.

Griffin Fuel Co. (Tacoma)--Employees; Griffin, Edwin L., 1908-1955;

Post War Celebration at Griffin Fuel Company. Ed Griffin, president and manager of the company, third from the left, with his brother, Fredric P., on the right. The man at the far left is acting-Mayor Val Fawcett.

Griffin Fuel Co. (Tacoma); Griffin, Edwin L., 1908-1955; Griffin, Frederic P.; Business people--Tacoma--1940-1950; Fawcett, Clarence Valdo, 1900-1965; Mayors--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Post War Celebration at Griffin Fuel Company. A large group of men associated with the company stand outside by the delivery trucks. Post-war plans for the company were announced with an emphasis on expansion. Ed Griffin, president and manager of the company, is standing in the middle of the back row, without a hat, in a light suit. Note the cobble-stone street. The Snoqualmie Falls Power Co. Transfer House, 250 So. 19th St., can be seen in the background right.

Griffin Fuel Co. (Tacoma); Griffin, Edwin L., 1908-1955; Business people--Tacoma--1940-1950; Snoqualmie Falls Power Co. Transfer House (Tacoma);

Post War Celebration at Griffin Fuel Company. Ed Griffin, president and manager of the company, congratulates Ruth Ziemer on her 14 years with the company. Ruth Ziemer started with Griffin Fuel in 1932 and was secretary-treasurer and general manager of the company. T.A. Stevenson, Russell Barrow, president of the Chamber of Commerce, and Fredric Griffin look on.

Griffin Fuel Co. (Tacoma); Griffin, Edwin L., 1908-1955; Business people--Tacoma--1940-1950; Ziemer, Ruth; Stevenson, T.A.; Barrow, Russell; Griffin, Frederic P.;

Employees and friends of the Griffin Fuel Co., 1910 Commerce St., gathered outside the business on September 1, 1945, to celebrate the end of World War II. Griffin Fuel was a longtime Tacoma institution as it was founded in 1889 as the Griffin Transfer Co. Ed Griffin, manager and president of the firm, is shown in the foreground gesturing; his brother Fred (with bold print tie) is standing next to acting Tacoma mayor, Val Fawcett. The City Powerhouse is in the background. Photograph donated by Mrs. John Flynn.

Griffin Fuel Co. (Tacoma); Griffin, Edwin L., 1908-1955; Griffin, Frederic P.; Fawcett, Clarence Valdo, 1900-1965; Mayors--Tacoma--1940-1950; Business people--Tacoma--1940-1950;

A dapper 80-year-old Sam Perkins poses with a line of Griffin Fuel Company employees on September 1, 1945 at company offices on Commerce St. Behind them is a row of Griffin delivery trucks, part of the 50 owned by the firm. Mr. Perkins was a well known Tacoma businessman and former owner of the Tacoma Daily Ledger and the News. He had apparently stopped by Griffin's to celebrate, along with the many employees and other dignitaries, the ending of World War ll. The Japanese would be signing official surrender papers the following day aboard the US battleship Missouri.

Perkins, S.A.; Griffin Fuel Co. (Tacoma); Trucks--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Acting Tacoma Mayor Val Fawcett in conversation at the Post War Celebration held at Griffin Fuel Co., 1910 Commerce St., on September 1, 1945. Standing with Mayor Fawcett are an unidentified woman and the Griffin brothers, Ed and Fred. Ed Griffin was manager and president of Griffin Fuel. His brother Fred would serve with similar title at the Seattle Griffin Fuel Co. Photograph donated by Mrs. John Flynn.

Griffin Fuel Co. (Tacoma); Fawcett, Clarence Valdo, 1900-1965; Mayors--Tacoma--1940-1950; Griffin, Edwin L., 1908-1955; Griffin, Frederic P.;

Post War Celebration at Griffin Fuel Company. This view shows the delivery trucks and staff from slightly above. People are gathering in small groups and returning to their work locations. The company's storage areas for fuel are shown behind the fencing.

Griffin Fuel Co. (Tacoma); Griffin, Edwin L., 1908-1955;

Griffin Fuel Co. president Ed Griffin joins his large contingent of employees and friends at a Post War celebration on September 1, 1945. Several men are also perched on top of delivery trucks. Since the end of the war also meant that there might be volatile changes to fuel supply, the company promised to have sufficient oil to their customers for next winter. Griffin Fuel sold stove, diesel and fuel oils and had been part of the Tacoma business scene since 1889. Photograph donated by Mrs. John Flynn.

Griffin Fuel Co. (Tacoma); Griffin, Edwin L., 1908-1955; Business people--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Post War Celebration at Griffin Fuel Company. Fifty delivery trucks for the company are lined up outside the company. They carried fuel oils, coal, sawdust, coke and blacksmith coal, petroleum briquets, prest-to-logs, and charcoal briquets. Ed Griffin was adamant that no truck be left standing outside overnight and a fully staffed repair shop and garages were provided. (T.Times, 9/8/1945, p.4)

Griffin Fuel Co. (Tacoma); Griffin, Edwin L., 1908-1955; Trucks--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Post War Celebration at Griffin Fuel Company. Two motor cycle policemen have stopped to look at one of Ed Griffin's antique cars. One of the police motorcycles stands next to the car with its top down. The steering wheel of the car is on the left side. Ed Griffin is president and manager of Griffin Fuel Company.

Griffin Fuel Co. (Tacoma); Motorcycles--Tacoma--1940-1950; Traffic police--Tacoma--1940-1950;

ca. 1935. Griffin Fuel Company. Man pulling lever on coal chute to release coal into truck. These are automatic gravity bunkers filled with coal. The company was begun by Fred L. Griffin Sr. in 1889 as a horse drawn delivery company. It was called Griffin Transfer in the early days. By 1904, they moved to Commerce Street and concentrate solely on fuel deliveries. (T. Times 12/10/1935, pg. 5)

Griffin Fuel Co. (Tacoma); Trucks--Tacoma--1930-1940; Fuel--Tacoma--1930-1940; Fuel trade--Tacoma--1930-1940;

ca. 1935. Griffin Fuel Company. Three men loading oil into tank trucks. Railroad tank cars in background behind covered fuel transfer structure. Griffin was celebrating its 46th year anniversary. They had laid in the largest fuel order in Tacoma history for area residents to purchase this winter.

Griffin Fuel Co. (Tacoma); Trucks--Tacoma--1930-1940; Fuel--Tacoma--1930-1940; Fuel trade--Tacoma--1930-1940; Fuel tanks; Railroad cars--Tacoma--1930-1940;

ca. 1933. Griffin Fuel Company. Ed Griffin, left, and unidentified man, possibly brother Fredric, holding piece of paper. The two are standing in front of door of Griffin Fuel office, 1910 Commerce with Griffin logo on glass panel door. (WSHS)

Griffin Fuel Co. (Tacoma); Griffin, Edwin L., 1908-1955; Business people--Tacoma--1930-1940;

ca. 1910. Copy of an old photograph for Griffin Fuel Company. Five men pose in front of a wagon and piles of fuel wood. The company was organized by entrepreneur Fred L. Griffin. He came west in 1889 to make his fortune and obtained first a wagon and horse. He started out delivering fuel wood that he cut himself. After a few years of grueling work, he had the need for more wagons and employees and began to do general hauling and transfer. Aside from delivering coal and wood, the company began the delivery of ice for local consumption. The company settled at 1910 Commerce in 1904 and began to focus on supplying fuel. (Argentum)

Carts & wagons--Tacoma--1890-1900; Griffin Fuel Co. (Tacoma); Trucks--Tacoma--1900-1910; Fuel--Tacoma--1900-1910; Fuel trade--Tacoma--1900-1910; Fuelwood;

ca. 1935. Griffin Fuel Company, founded in 1889. Two men beside truck in driveway. Snoqualmie Falls Power Company Transfer House, 250 So. 19th St., in background. Griffin Fuel was celebrating its 46th anniversary.

Griffin Fuel Co. (Tacoma); Fuel--Tacoma--1930-1940; Fuel trade--Tacoma--1930-1940; Trucks--Tacoma--1930-1940; Snoqualmie Falls Power Co. Transfer House (Tacoma);

ca. 1940. Griffin Fuel Company, coal bins with sign "McKay Stoker Coal." Loading bays and trucks, employees in group out front. Griffin Fuel had been in business for over 50 years at the time of this circa 1940 photograph.

Griffin Fuel Co. (Tacoma); Griffin Fuel Co. (Tacoma)--Employees; Fuel trade--Tacoma--1940-1950; Trucks--Tacoma--1940-1950;

This new oil delivery truck, with Clifford Griffin at the wheel, had just been purchased by the Griffin Fuel Company in August of 1940. It was made especially for quick small deliveries and had a visible recording meter. The Griffin Fuel Co. was a pioneer Tacoma firm founded in 1889. The truck is parked outside the company offices at 1910 Commerce Street. The building to the right was the Snoqualmie Falls Power Company Transfer House, 250 South 19th Street. The Transfer House is now part of the Library at the University of Washington Tacoma; the Griffin Fuel Co. building has been demolished. (T.Times 8-15-40, p. 4) (Additional identification provided by a reader)

Griffin, Clifford; Griffin Fuel Co. (Tacoma); Trucks--Tacoma--1940-1950; Snoqualmie Falls Power Co. Transfer House (Tacoma);

Two unidentified employees of the Griffin Fuel Company, 1910 Commerce Street, were photographed in September of 1945 with three of Ed Griffin's antique cars. A member of the Horseless Carriage Club, Ed Griffin, the president and manager of the company, had been collecting rare and unusual cars for a number of years. At that time the Griffin Fuel Co. had already been in business for over 55 years. Ed Griffin died in March of 1955 at the age of 46. TPL-9958

Griffin Fuel Co. (Tacoma); Automobiles--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Post War Celebration at Griffin Fuel Company. A large group of men associated with the company. Ed Griffin, president and manager of Griffin Fuel Company, is the ninth from the left, standing, shaking hands with another man.

Griffin Fuel Co. (Tacoma); Griffin, Edwin L., 1908-1955; Business people--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Post War Celebration at Griffin Fuel Company. L-R, Dan O'Leary, Fredric Griffin, Ed Griffin, Ernest Columbus, Adolph Traverjo, George Maurer and Graham Steel stand outside the Tacoma company. Fred Griffin, Ed's brother, became president and manager of the Seattle Griffin Fuel Company, and the gentlemen here are with the Seattle company with the exception of Ed Griffin and Graham Steel. Mr. Steel is with the Seattle Chamber of Commerce.

Griffin Fuel Co. (Tacoma); Griffin, Edwin L., 1908-1955; Business people--Tacoma--1940-1950; O'Leary, Dan; Griffin, Frederic P.; Columbus, Ernest; Traverjo, Adolph; Maurer, George; Steel, Graham;

Edwin L. Griffin at his desk. Mr. Griffin is president and general manager of the Tacoma Griffin Fuel Company. The company delivers coal, oil, wood, and charcoal to the Pierce County area. He took over the business his father, Fred Griffin, started at the turn of the century. Ed Griffin was born and lived all his life in Tacoma. He attended Stadium High School , the University of Washington and the Harvard School of Business. He died in March of 1955 at the age of 46. TPL-6573

Griffin, Edwin L., 1908-1955; Griffin Fuel Co. (Tacoma); Business people--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Griffin Fuel Co. delivery truck in front of company headquarters at 1910 Commerce St. Fred L. Griffin began business in Tacoma with a horse and wagon hauling wood, ice, furniture, pianos and other commodities. The senior Griffin did most of the wood cutting and hauling himself; even after the business expanded he continued to work with the hired hands. In 1904, the company moved from 15th and Dock St. to 1910 Commerce Street and gradually ceased all sidelines and concentrated on fuel dealing. By the 1950s, the firm was the oldest and largest exclusive fuel dealing concern west of Chicago and operator of the largest and most modern fleet of trucks on the West Coast. TPL-9961

Griffin Fuel Co. (Tacoma); Trucks--Tacoma--1950-1960; Fuel--Tacoma--1950-1960;