Sunshine Service, new General Petroleum Company Mobil station at South 48th and Park. Five automobiles at gasoline pump and two attendants.

Sunshine Service (Tacoma); Automobile service stations--Tacoma--1930-1940;

Lloyd Suiter Tire Company. Percy Dunlop, a representative of the National Institute of Treading Standards, explains that "instrument tests show this to be a perfect section cure". L-R, Lloyd Suiter, Rudy Searle, shop foreman, and Percy Dunlop. (T.Times, 6/6/1945, p.10)

Tires; Lloyd Suiter Tire Co. (Tacoma); Suiter, Lloyd; Searle, Rudy; Dunlop, Percy;

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);

The view from Court C of Mueller Harkins, 722-26 Broadway, photographed in September of 1945. This appears to be the entrance to the automotive shop. To the far right of the photograph is the Irwin-Jones Motor Co., at 728 Broadway.

Automobile dealerships-Vehicle maintenance & repair--Tacoma; Mueller-Harkins Motor Co. (Tacoma);

This is the Valley Forge Service Station as viewed in September of 1945. It was located in Fife, at the SW corner of the intersection of Hwy 99 and 54th Ave., directly east of Andre's Market and across the highway from the Poodle Dog restaurant. The service station offered Standard Oil products and did automobile repairs. Its owners were Henry and Francis Hubbert. The service station was destroyed by fire circa 1948 or 1949. After the fire the service station at the NE corner of the intersection became known as the Valley Forge once the Hubbert's station was no longer in existence. Frank and Richard Spear and another unidentified person would manage the new Valley Forge. (Additional information provided by a reader).

Automobile service stations--Fife--1940-1950; Valley Forge Service Station (Fife);

The One-Stop Market, which also had gasoline pumps, was photographed in September of 1945. The owners' names are printed on the building, Williams and Schrader, but the address is unknown. Signs for Coca-Cola and 7up ("It Likes You") adorn the roof of the covered pumping area.

Automobile service stations--Pierce County--1940-1950; One Stop Market (Pierce County);

The One-Stop Market, which also had gasoline pumps, was photographed in September of 1945. The owners' names are printed on the building, Williams and Schrader, but the address is unknown. Signs for Coca-Cola and Pepsi-Cola adorn the roof of the covered pumping area.

Automobile service stations--Pierce County--1940-1950; One Stop Market (Pierce County);

Picton's Garage and automobile service station; photograph taken in September of 1945 at an unknown location.

Automobile service stations--Pierce County; Picton's Garage (Pierce County);

A Standard Oil service station, location unknown. The pumping station in the front has three gasoline pumps available. The ground around the station is covered with gravel, not pavement. This is the same station as image #70.

Automobile service stations--Pierce County; Standard Oil Co. of California (Tacoma);

The Standard Oil gas station located at the Camp Tahoma Auto Camp cabins, 3836 South Tacoma Way. Located next to the cabins was Interstate Motor Sales at 3826 South Tacoma Way. The sign in the background over the auto sale building is for Ace Furnace and Steel at 3740 So. Union.

Automobile service stations--Tacoma--1940-1950; Tourist camps & hostels--Tacoma; Motels--Tacoma--1940-1950; Camp Tahoma (Tacoma); Interstate Motor Sales (Tacoma);

Washburn's Service Station, 3402 Pacific Ave. The mission style station was built in 1924 by William F. Washburn. Mr. Washburn and his wife Genevieve lived nearby at 224 So. 34th, which they purchased around 1920.

Automobile service stations--Tacoma--1940-1950; Washburn's Service Station (Tacoma);

J. Thomas Standard Oil Service Station, photographed in November of 1945. Owned by Joseph & Loretta Thomas. Located at 27th and West Grandview in University Place.

Automobile service stations--University Place--1940-1950; J. Thomas Standard Oil Service Station (University Place);

In 1945, Daley's Garage occupied part of the ground floor of 1411-17 Pacific Ave, the home of the Schoenfeld annex and Bargain Loft. Schoenfelds had expanded into this site around 1940. Daley's Garage, owned by John J and John M Daley, offered the consumer a place to park and also gas up. The actual street address for the garage was 1415 Pacific Ave.

Daley's Garage (Tacoma); Schoenfelds Bargain Loft (Tacoma);

This is the Turner Garage & Towing Company at 1222 Tacoma Ave South as 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. The brick building to the right in the photograph was 1218-20 Tacoma Ave. So., the F.N. Wolf building, built in 1890. It had previously housed the Tacoma Athletic Club and Tait's Business College, but in 1945 it was home to Hansen Auto Repairs and the Wakefield Apartments. The sign on the side of the building states that the Wakefield has single and housekeeping rooms for $100 a week and up. The building has since been demolished and the site is now the parking lot for the Main branch of the Tacoma Public Library. The building housing the Turner Garage & Towing Co. subsequently contained the Tacoma Tent & Awning Co., Candid Photo Service and Labor Ready.

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

Central Motors interior of garage. A view of a very large, open service garage with wooden floor. The foreground shows a hoist and in the rear an automobile is parked in a separate work area.

Automobile dealerships; Garages; Vehicle maintenance & repair;

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);

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

Rehn Motor Company. Staff photo in front of the Chevrolet dealership in Gig Harbor.

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

Allen Motor Company, Studebaker dealership. An Open House was held at the new Allen Motor Company Building at 6004 So. Tacoma Way exhibiting the new 1947 Studebaker passenger car and used car premises. The new building was built for $80,000, and was 130 feet by 100 feet. It had a service entrance on South 60th Street as well as an exit onto South Tacoma Way. Allen Motors was an old and established firm in Tacoma. J.K. Gordon was president at this time, James M.H. Gilchrist was vice president and general manager. 7" x 11" format. (T.Times, 10/2/1946, p.2)

Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1940-1950; Allen Motor Co. (Tacoma);

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;

Interior of Pease Brothers Garage. The building was originally built in 1913, and the Pease family took over in 1926. They renovated the garage and added an automotive maintenance center, which included repairs and washing, in the basement. Pease Bros. offered a full service auto shop. Interior view of auto parts section of Pease Bros.

Automobile equipment & supplies; Mechanics (Persons)--Tacoma; Maintenance & repair--Tacoma; Pease Brothers (Tacoma);

Standard Oil service stations - Steilacoom Garage, for Mr. Evans. This side view of the garage shows the doors open, cars parked in the front by the gasoline pumps and a tow truck and one other truck parked along the side. This service station was built and owned by George Kuper. Later the station was bought from Mr. Kuper by Edward "Whitey" Faulk. TPL-5737b

Automobile Service Stations--Steilacoom--1940-1950; Standard Oil Co. of California (Tacoma); Steilacoom Garage (Steilacoom);

Richfield Oil Corp. Richfield Service Station. A car is up on a hoist. One attendant is lubricating a rear wheel, one is checking on the oil drain and one is getting equipment.

Automobile service stations--Tacoma--1940-1950; Richfield Oil Corp. (Tacoma);

The American Automobile Association made a stop in Tacoma in February of 1944 as part of its around-the-nation Synthetic Tire Caravan tour. AAA officials were testing the evenness of tire wear on synthetic and recapped tires when driven at 35 miles per hour, the official maximum wartime speed. Tires manufactured by 15 different companies were being tested. Figures were to be made available to the public once testing was completed. Two Pontiac automobiles used in the tests are shown in the foreground. (T. Times, 3/3/44, p. 3).

Automobile equipment & supplies; Tire industry; Pontiac automobile; Testing--Tacoma--1940-1950;

General Petroleum exterior of 3 plants. In January 1944 General Petroleum Corp. and Maxwell Petroleum Co. merged, becoming the exclusive distributor, in this region, of Mobil products. Exterior view of Maxwell Station No. 43.

Automobile service stations--Tacoma; General Petroleum Corp. (Tacoma); Maxwell Petroleum Co. (Tacoma);

General Petroleum exterior of 3 plants. Maxwell Petroleum Co has been in Tacoma for just eight years, and since then it has become the largest independent wholesaler and retailer of petroleum products in the State of Washington. The recent merger with General Petroleum Corp. will make them one of the largest gasoline distributors in the United States. Exterior view of a Maxwell station.

Automobile service stations--Tacoma; General Petroleum Corp. (Tacoma); Maxwell Petroleum Co. (Tacoma);

The Steven Motor Company occupied two buildings in downtown Tacoma on Broadway in 1952. They sold new Chrysler Corporation cars from 734 Broadway, which also had an entrance at 733 St. Helens; and used cars from 738 Broadway. The showroom was open evenings until 9:00 Thursday, Friday and Saturday. The Steven Motor Company was founded by Everett T. Steven who started in the automobile business while still a youngster polishing the brass on new cars. The Steven Motor Company left downtown South Tacoma Way in 1959. These buildings are still standing in the heart of Tacoma's Antique Row.(TNT, 3/14/1952, p.B-2)

Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1950-1960; Chrysler automobile; Plymouth automobile; Steven Motor Co. (Tacoma);

A group of employees at Tacoma Auto Sales. This photograph was used in a one-page Christmas message to Tacoma Auto Sales' customers for their support during 1950. The automobile dealership also thanked their employees who made it possible to serve their customers so well during 1950. Ordered by Brick Gardner. (TNT, 12/26/1950, p.10)

Automobile dealerships--Tacoma; Automobile equipment & supplies; Vehicle maintenance & repair--Tacoma--1940-1950; Tacoma Auto Sales Co. (Tacoma)--Employees;