Representatives of Murphy-Campbell Caterpiller Company of Tacoma and Centralia accept the keys to their fleet of nine new Buicks from Mueller-Harkins Buick Agency. The Buicks were purchased by the Coast Driv-Ur-Self Company and leased by Murphy-Campbell. A Texaco sign can be seen on the roof of Mueller-Harkins' service marquee. (TNT, 11/23/1952, p.B-8)
Automobile dealerships--Tacoma; Mueller-Harkins Motor Co. (Tacoma); Buick automobile; Murphy-Campbell Co. (Tacoma); Business enterprises--Tacoma;
The newest in automotive beauty and power was posed with the old in this photograph taken in front of the Mueller-Harkins Buick dealership at 455 Saint Helens Avenue on May 4, 1950. The car on the left is a 1950 Buick Eight sporting a "bumper guard grill"; the car to the right is a Model 31 Buick that was manufactured in 1912. The vintage Buick had been driven to Tacoma from Olympia during Olympia Centennial Week by its owner Cecil Barker, a Buick dealer in Olympia. The modern Mueller-Harkins dealership on St. Helens had opened at the end of 1948; today it is home to the U.S.A. of Yesterday Motor Car Company. (Ordered by the Condon Company, K. Shinn.)
An antique 1913 Buick touring car representing the City of Olympia's Centennial was driven to Mueller-Harkins Buick dealership in Tacoma. The people are L-R, Charles Barker, Mrs. Cecil Barker, Cecil Barker, R.A. Mueller and Mrs. Charles Barker. The 1913 Buick has spoked wheels, a windshield that was split horizontally and could be folded into either an up or down position, and a fabric top that may be removable. It took one and three-quarters hours to travel the 30 miles from Olympia to Tacoma in the old automobile. (TNT, 5/8/1950, p.2) TPL-6589
Holroyd Company, exterior at Mueller-Harkins showing concrete blocks, Mr. Holroyd. A view of the new Mueller-Harkins Buick Agency under construction. The dealership will have an ultra modern showroom. Two workmen on scaffolding, another inside building. This wall separates the showroom, which will be to the left, from the offices and service department.
Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1940-1950; Mueller-Harkins Motor Co. (Tacoma); Building construction--Tacoma--1940-1950; Progress photographs; Holroyd Co. (Tacoma); Building materials;
Motors Insurance Co., several different views at Mueller-Harkins Motor Company, Mr. Mueller. Two men are seated in one of the offices at Mueller-Harkins. On the right is Rudolph A. Mueller, president of Mueller-Harkins Motor Company. The man on the left is not identified. At this time John A. Mueller served as vice-president and treasurer of the company and Elsie Mueller served as secretary.
Mueller-Harkins Motor Co. (Tacoma); Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1940-1950; Mueller, Rudolph A.; Offices--Tacoma--1940-1950;
Sunnen Hauling Company specialized in auto freight and heavy hauling, the company was fully insured and bonded. Sunnen had recently worked on the new gymnasium at College of Puget Sound and was currently working with Mueller-Harkins Motor Company. View of large Sunnen crane at the new Mueller-Harkins Buick Center; the crane is placing a portion of the structure, which will hold the "Buick" sign on the roof of the new building.
Hoisting machinery; Pulleys; Lifting & carrying--Tacoma; Automobile dealerships--Tacoma; Show windows--Tacoma; Buick automobile; Sunnen Auto Freight & Heavy Hauling Co. (Tacoma); Mueller-Harkins Motor Co. (Tacoma);
The new Mueller-Harkins Buick center was designed by architect, Silas E. Nelsen, the building was constructed in joint slab construction style with 30 foot spans. Interior view of new Mueller-Harkins Buick building; showroom at night, looking north. Architect's model of building at center, model still exists inside the building, which now houses USA of Yesteryear Motor Car Company (T. Times, 12/26/48, p. 28).
Anyone interested in a full service automotive center had to go to Mueller-Harkins Buick Motor Company where they offered all types of services and the fastest, most efficient customer service. Mueller-Harkins also had the modern dynamometer, which reproduced actual road conditions that helped vehicle testing. Interior view of service area at Mueller-Harkins Buick Agency where a Buick is being washed by the "Washmobile" which was a "De Luxe Car Wash." An unidentified dealership employee is operating the equipment. (T. Times, 12/26/48, p. 28)..
Buick automobile; Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1940-1950; Vehicle maintenance & repair--Tacoma; Car washes--Tacoma; Automobile equipment & supplies; Mueller-Harkins Motor Co. (Tacoma);
Interior view of the new Mueller-Harkins Motor Company building, the company was having an "Open-House" to celebrate the near completion of the new facilities; people are gathered around the new 1949 Buick automobiles in the Mueller-Harkins new car showroom. Mueller-Harkins Motor Company's new service center is being referred to as "America's Finest Automotive Service Center" (T. Times, 12/3/48, p. 8-9).
Mueller-Harkins has been an authorized Buick dealership in Tacoma since 1916. The new Mueller-Harkins Buick Service Center was a one-stop-shop for all your Buick automotive needs. The new facilities offered their customers: a waiting room, inter-com system, new car showroom, used car showroom, used car reconditioning shop, super service station, retail store catering to car and home owners, and a large top floor parking area. View of 1917 D-45 Buick automobile at the new Mueller-Harkins Buick dealership, photo ordered by Condon Company Incorporated, an advertising agency (T. Times, 12/3/48, p. 8-9).
Business people--Tacoma--1940-1950; Buick automobile; Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1940-1950; Advertising agencies--Tacoma--1940-1950; Condon Co., Inc. (Tacoma); Mueller-Harkins Motor Co. (Tacoma);
The new Buick Service Center was celebrating their grand opening with an open house. The new 1949 Buicks would be on display, this center was being called "America's Finest Automotive Service Center". Left to right, unidentified man, W. C. Baldwin, R. A. Mueller and J. A. Mueller; photo ordered by Condon Company Incorporated, an advertising agency (T. Times, 12/3/48, p. 8-9).
Business people--Tacoma--1940-1950; Offices--Tacoma--1940-1950; Buick automobile; Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1940-1950; Advertising agencies--Tacoma; Condon Co., Inc. (Tacoma); Mueller-Harkins Motor Co. (Tacoma);
Turntable at Mueller-Harkins, DFPA, Edith Leik. A view of the motor and assembly for the display turntables at the new Mueller-Harkins Buick dealership. The building was to have floor-to-ceiling windows in the showroom and two turntables to highlight two of the current automobile models.
Mueller-Harkins Motor Co. (Tacoma); Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1940-1950; Construction--Tacoma--1940-1950;
Turntable at Mueller-Harkins, DFPA, Edith Leik. Men are laying a large, circular piece made of plywood that will be the base for one of the turntables under highlighted automobiles at the new Mueller-Harkins Buick dealership. This turntable is seated in the circular showroom window.
Mueller-Harkins Motor Co. (Tacoma); Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1940-1950; Construction--Tacoma--1940-1950; Laborers--Tacoma--1940-1950;
Model of new Mueller-Harkins Buick showroom. A view of the architectural model of the new automobile dealership that was being built at Sixth Avenue and Saint Helens Avenue. Toy automobiles, gasoline pumps and people are included to show how the new facility was to be used. This model still exists inside the building on Saint Helens Avenue in Tacoma, which now houses USA of Yesteryear vintage automobile sales (1998).
Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1940-1950; Mueller-Harkins Motor Co. (Tacoma); Architectural models; Toys; Model cars;
Mueller-Harkins Building was expanding and modernizing their automotive service center. Construction had started in the summer and the building was expected to be completed by spring 1948. Mueller-Harkins was the only authorized service center in Tacoma for Buick automobiles. View of laborers working on the new plywood foundations and the roof, photo ordered by Douglas Fir Plywood Association.
Roofs--Tacoma; Remodeling--Tacoma; Automobile dealerships--Tacoma; Progress photographs; Plywood; Building construction--Tacoma; Mueller-Harkins Motor Co. (Tacoma);
New location Mueller-Harkins Service Center showing foundation forms, Douglas Fir Plywood Association, Mr. O'Brien. New construction at 6th and Saint Helens Ave. The already existing service center can be seen adjacent to this construction. The Tacoma tideflats are in the distance.
Mueller-Harkins Motor Co. (Tacoma); Vehicle maintenance & repair--Tacoma--1940-1950; Building construction--Tacoma--1940-1950; Progress photographs;
New location Mueller-Harkins Service Center showing foundation forms, Douglas Fir Plywood Association, Mr. O'Brien. New construction at 6th and Saint Helens Ave. Mueller-Harkins advertised that they maintained Tacoma's only authorized Buick service department.
Mueller-Harkins Motor Co. (Tacoma); Building construction--Tacoma--1940-1950; Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1940-1950; Progress photographs;
Mueller-Harkins Buick Agency, retouched view from north featuring Used Car Department. Available automobiles include a De Soto, an Oldsmobile, a Chrysler, several Buicks, a Jeep, several Fords, a Plymouth and a Hudson.
Business Enterprises - Tacoma - Automobile Dealers - New Automobile Dealers - Used Automobile Dealers - Buick Dealers - Mueller-Harkins Motor Company
Copy of four views of communications equipment installed in Mueller-Harkins. Studio, Nelson. Service area at Mueller- Harkins Buick Agency. Elevated " Service Master " command post overlooking the bays. Pneumatic tubes for service orders, panels with lights and switches, service chart and microphone are shown. Mr. W.C. McKewen is at the controls.
Mueller-Harkins Motor Co. (Tacoma); McKewen, W.C.; Control rooms--Tacoma; Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1940-1950; Vehicle maintenance & repair--Tacoma--1940-1950;
Copy of four views of communications equipment installed in Muller-Harkins. Studio, Nelson. Mueller-Harkins was nearly ready to open their new Buick showroom and service department. Mr. W.C. McKewen was the company's service coordinator working in the dealership's control tower. He lost his arm during military service in World War II and now works with an artificial arm. (T.Times, 12/12/1948, p.8)
Mueller-Harkins Motor Co. (Tacoma); McKewen, W.C.; Control rooms--Tacoma; Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1940-1950; Vehicle maintenance & repair--Tacoma--1940-1950; Artificial limbs;
Mueller-Harkins Buick Agency. Staff group photo on roof parking lot; building's pylon sign in background. Medical Arts, now Tacoma Municipal, building visible at far left in photo. In October of 1953, The Muellers retired and sold their company to E.H. (Gene) Brus from Seattle. The other founding owner Leo W. Harkins had retired in 1931. There was no change in personnel or policies, but the company now became Brus Buick Co. Brus would also take over the used car lot at 8th and Tacoma Ave. (TNT 10/4/1953, pg. B-6 - B-7)
Automobile dealerships--Tacoma; Mueller-Harkins Motor Co. (Tacoma)--Employees; Brus Buick Co. (Tacoma);
Mueller-Harkins Motor Co. exterior, for the Condon Co. This facility was considered to be one of the most complete automotive centers in the U.S. Founded in 1916 at 8th and A, the company was still run by the Mueller family. In September of 1953, negotiations were underway to sell the family owned business to a Seattle automobile man. Effective October 1, 1953, the new owner was identified as E.H. (Gene) Brus, a prominent Seattle automobile man since 1921. (TNT 9/14/1953, pg. 1 & TNT 10/4/1953, pg. B5-B7)
The Buick Product School is in session at Mueller-Harkins in the glassed-in round room on their building's top level in November, 1952. Several men learn about the new Buick V8 by watching a demonstration using a partly disassembled motor on an engine stand. Sun Equipment Company's test equipment lines the curved wall.
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)
The Mueller-Harkins Motor Company opened a new accessories store in their Saint Helens Avenue building in late 1951. Sepia photograph shows three men examining products for sale; Firestone tires were prominently featured along with Prestone anti-freeze and seat cover materials. A prudent shopper could purchase tire chains in preparation for icy roads for a cost between $10 and $14. The store even provided a Coca-Cola machine where thirst could be quenched for a mere nickel. Photograph ordered by Condon Co.
Mueller-Harkins Motor Co. (Tacoma); Signs (Notices); Tires; Condon Co., Inc. (Tacoma);
Mueller-Harkins Motor Company opened a new automobile accessories store in late 1951. View of exterior of store showing Firestone neon sign; store is lighted from within to show tires, sample material for seat covers, and batteries on sale. Signs on the windows promote Firestone tires; one offers to trade in old worn-out tires for Firestone replacements while another sign advertises Firestone polar grip winter treads. Photograph ordered by Condon Co.
Mueller-Harkins Motor Co. (Tacoma); Signs (Notices); Electric signs--Tacoma--1950-1960; Tires; Condon Co., Inc. (Tacoma);
Mueller- Harkins Buick Agency. Advertising on tower, 35th Anniversary signs in windows, two automobile visible in showroom. Ordered by Bethelhem Steel Pacific Coast Steel Corporation.
Business Enterprises - Tacoma - Automobile Dealers - New Automobile Dealers - Buick Dealers - Mueller-Harkins Motor Company
