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 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
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);
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);
