A Blue Line Stage Co. bus is parked outside the Washington Dye Works, located downtown about 9th & Pacific, in March of 1919. The vehicle had tarp-like material covering one side of the windows and tires apparently manufactured by the U.S. Rubber Co. According to Bonney's History of Pierce County, the Blue Line Stage was established by William Hummon, Sumner resident, who had previously operated a livery business. The Blue Line Stage ran between Sumner and Tacoma. Two months later in May of 1919, there would be a new big White bus on this route. The Blue Line Stage would add a new 20-passenger car, mounted on a 2-ton White chassis, to its service. G66.1-025 (Bonney: History of Pierce County, Washington, Vol. III, p. 133-34; TDL 5-25-19, 4C-article & picture of new bus)

Buses--Tacoma--1910-1920; Blue Line Stage;

By the end of 1920 the Matthaei Bread Company located at 703 South Sprague Avenue had five White trucks and five "Dodge Brothers motor cars" in its fleet of delivery vehicles. The Matthaei Bread Company opened their bakery on South Sprague in April of 1913. Their building was known as "the plant of 150 windows". The Continental Baking Company moved into the building in 1930, and for over 70 years it was the home of Wonder Bread in Tacoma. BU-12471,

Matthaei Bread Co. (Tacoma); White trucks; Dodge automobile; Bakeries--Tacoma;

An unidentified woman, foot on the running board, prepares to enter a closed coupe parked on the circular driveway outside Capt. Olaf Olson's home at 223 North Yakima Ave. on December 18, 1922. The brick Spanish-Colonial home, originally built for lumberman E.J. McNeeley in 1906, was designed by the Tuttle Brothers architectural firm. In the photograph's background are the Lewis & Clark Apartments, 717-719 North 3rd St. G11.1-040

Automobiles--Tacoma--1920-1930; Olson, Olaf--Homes & haunts; Lewis & Clark Apartments (Tacoma);

A new Dodge sedan is parked on an unpaved road next to a wood framed home on March 26, 1923. Neither the man standing next to the vehicle nor the house, with partial address of 3718, was identified. Photograph ordered by Griffith Motor Co.

Dodge automobile; Houses--1920-1930;

ca. 1923. A sturdy GMC truck served as the Yakima stage in 1923 with stops in Prosser and Toppenish. It was parked outside of a Tacoma Standard Oil Co. station at the time of this Boland photograph. A large multi-business billboard is in the background featuring a clothing store and the Washington Cycle & Supply Co. Photograph ordered by Pioneer Auto Works. G66.1-031

Trucks--Tacoma--1920-1930; Buses--Tacoma--1920-1930; Billboards--Tacoma--1920-1930;

Tacoma Gas & Fuel Co. Two Tacoma Gas delivery trucks were photographed, possibly at the company's plant near 22nd and Dock St., in June of 1923. The Chevrolet trucks have advertising for "Smoothtop" gas stoves posted on the sides. Tacoma Gas & Fuel Co. had recently taken delivery of the two trucks from Wallace Chevrolet Co., local Chevrolet distributors. The company had used Chevrolet vehicles in the past and praised their economical features. G35.1-045 (Tacoma Sunday Ledger, 7-1-23, 4-G)

Tacoma Gas & Fuel Co. (Tacoma); Chevrolet trucks;

Model T Ford parked outside building believed to be located on Wheeler-Osgood Co. property, 1216 Saint Paul Ave., on October 30, 1923. The side of the car has been marred with letters either printed in the dust or scratched in the paint. G11.1-058

Ford automobile;

Model Bakery's motto was "Where Quality and Purity Counts." Their delivery truck and driver are pictured on a foggy November day in 1923. Model Bakery was located at the corner of So. 38th & Yakima Ave. It was owned by Gust and Thora Westerdale. Because the bakery had previously been pleased with other dependable Dodge commercial vehicles, they decided to purchase a new model due to its improved appearance, larger seats, and easier riding. TPL-951; G33.1-002 (Tacoma Sunday Ledger, 11-18-23, 8-G)

Trucks--Tacoma--1920-1930; Dodge trucks; Model Bakery (Tacoma);

Parked on a gravel roadway on May 6, 1924, is a Dodge sedan with two women and an infant inside. The industrial Tideflats are in the background. Photograph ordered by Griffith Motor Co., Dodge dealership. G11.1-023

Dodge automobile;

In June of 1924, this Puget Sound Electric Railway bus, that traveled between Tacoma and Olympia, provided every comfort that a discriminating rider could demand. Quality features in the new bus included a hot water heating system that provided odorless heat (and eliminated the chance of burned shoes and clothing), extra lighting, ventilation, safety signals for the driver, and high back seats that could be tilted for extra comfort. The body, mounted on a White 50 chassis, was built by the Modern Auto Body Works at 2357 Fawcett Avenue in Tacoma. The bus, with its sleek lines and multiple passenger doors, sported a distinctive gray and green exterior with a crimson stripe. (Tacoma Sunday Ledger, 6-15-24, 12-G) G66.1-021

Buses--Tacoma--1920-1930; Puget Sound Electric Railway (Tacoma);

Rickenbackers on display. On September 12, 1924, a fleet of five Rickenbacker automobiles are photographed lined up alongside an unidentified street. Their drivers are casually posed next to them. Each vehicle has a "Defender" sign on the front windshield. September 12th was declared "Defenders' Day, " a legal holiday, by Governor Louis F. Hart. The date had been set aside nationally for citizens' response to national defense. 6000 people would march and otherwise take part in a parade from Pacific Avenue to Stadium Bowl. Photograph ordered by Sound Motor Co., Tacoma Rickenbacker dealership. TPL-8092; G11.1-045 (TNT 8-27-24, p. 1-article; TDL 9-4-24, p. 1-article; TNT 9-12-24, p. 3; TDL 9-13-24, p.1-article)

Rickenbacker automobile;

City of Tacoma Light Department's "Trouble Car" parked outside Griffith Motor Co., 728 Broadway, in early August of 1920. Griffith Motors was a Dodge dealership. The newly purchased Dodge automobile would probably be used to transport utility workers to locations experiencing problems. It was one of many Dodges placed in public service. TPL-6701; G43.1-028 (Tacoma Sunday Ledger, 8-22-20, C-8)

Dodge automobile; Griffith Motor Co. (Tacoma); Tacoma City Light (Tacoma);

A new Dodge coupe, with Tacoma businessman H.J. Salmela at the wheel, is parked on the brick roadway outside the Griffith Motor Co., 728-30 Broadway, on February 11, 1922. Griffith Motors was the authorized dealer for Dodge Brothers motor cars. A new car was still a relative rarity back in the early 20s and local newspapers often ran photographs of happy customers with their new purchases. Mr. Salmela was already the owner of three six-cylinder cars but chose the Dodge coupe for a practical purpose, as best suited for a motor trip to San Diego and a tour of the entire state of California. (Tacoma Sunday Ledger, 2-26-22, 4-C)

Salmela, H.J.; Dodge automobile; Griffith Motor Co. (Tacoma); Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1920-1930;

This stray dog eyes the new 1922 Dodge sedan driven by Griffith Motor Co. president, Walter Havelock Campbell Griffith, as it is parked by the City Pound Office at South 27th & "D" on February 18, 1922. The man holding onto the excited dog is unidentified. The Community Chest was gearing up for its annual fund raiser in support of 28 relief agencies including the Tacoma Humane Society. Mr. Griffith had donated the use of several of his new Dodges to transport photographers and writers in order that the need for animal care could be better publicized. (Tacoma Sunday Ledger, 2-26-22, 1-C)

Griffith, Walter Havelock Campbell; Dodge automobile; Dogs--Tacoma--1920-1930; Tacoma Community Chest (Tacoma); Charitable organizations--Tacoma--1920-1930;

This couple seem to be enjoying their new automobile parked outside a wooded area, perhaps South Park, in early October of 1926. The vehicle, with the woman behind the wheel, is a roomy four-door. G11.1-077

Automobiles--Tacoma--1920-1930;

A cordial invitation for "Hotel-Men" to meet in Tacoma, the "lumber capitol of the world," on May 8-9, 1928, was attached to the rear of a black sedan in early April of 1928. "Al" (Albert C.C. Gamer) was listed as the "official scout" and was preparing to depart for California to invite other hotel executives to the two-day convention at the Winthrop. The 20th annual convention of the Washington State Hotel Association with Oregon State Hotel Association participating, opened on Tuesday, May 8th. Pointing to the vehicle's advertisement are managers: (l-r) Ray Clark of the Winthrop Hotel, A.C.C. Gamer of the Olympus Hotel, and Emerson Wakefield of the Carlton Hotel. G24.1-026 (for another view of men and car, see Boland B18312) (Tacoma Sunday Ledger, 5-6-28, 4-A, article & alternate photograph)

Automobiles--Tacoma--1920-1930; Signs (Notices); Gamer, Albert C.C.; Wakefield, Emerson; Clark, Ray;

Mack truck and trailer on display. This Mack truck had recently been put into service by the Olympia-Tacoma Auto Freight Co. in July of 1928 for quick freight service to Seattle-Tacoma-Olympia-Aberdeen and Shelton. The heavy duty Mack truck had a sterling reputation for reliability and durability. Trucking goods was becoming more popular and the Mack company, who had already received accolades during WWI, was at the foreground in developing larger capacity vehicles capable of higher highway speeds. The Olympia-Tacoma Auto Freight Co., bonded carrier and member of the Washington Motor Freight Assn., had a large trailer hitched to the main truck body. Both the truck and trailer were equipped with Booster brakes in addition to regular braking equipment. Goodyear balloon tires provided extra carrying capacity. G66.2-105 (www.macktrucks.com) (Tacoma Sunday Ledger, 7-22-28, 4-G)

Mack trucks; Olympia-Tacoma Auto Freight Co.; Shipping--1920-1930;

Prominent businessman John S. Baker has bought the first set of General dual balloon tires from the Sutherland Co., local General distributors, for his 1928 Packard "8" sedan. Mr. Baker was reportedly pleased with the smooth ride and enhanced appearance of his already striking automobile. Previous tires on the car only lasted 6,000 miles before showing extensive wear. Photograph ordered by the Sutherland Co. G11.1-033 (Tacoma Sunday Ledger, 11-25-28, 4-G)

Packard automobile; Tires; Baker, John S.--Associated objects;

Twenty-four years and going strong ran the headline in the Tacoma Sunday Ledger on May 12, 1929, referring to this 1905 five-passenger Reo touring car. Although the vehicle was certainly "old enough to vote," it performed well with a full load, pulling up steep Saint Helens Avenue in high gear. Mayor James G. Newbegin (standing left) shook hands with driver George W. Miller, vice-president of Winthrop Motor Co. The Reo's passengers included salesman Oscar Seabloom, Reo truck department assistant manager Jimmy Gilchrist, and salesman Bob Scott. The car had been on display in the showrooms of the Winthrop Motor Co., local Reo distributors, and inspected by many Tacomans who had fond memories of the car. Photograph ordered by Winthrop Motor Co. (Tacoma Sunday Ledger, 5-12-29, p. 13) G32.1-087

Reo automobile; Newbegin, James G.; Mayors--Tacoma--1920-1930; Miller, George W.; Signs (Notices); Shaking hands--Tacoma; Winthrop Motor Co. (Tacoma);

Standard Fuel Co. recently added the Model A Ford truck and the Ford coupe shown above to their fleet of vehicles. The firm's proprietors, Bernard F. and R.B. Christian, purchased the vehicles from Leonard's, a South Tacoma Ford dealer. Their sister Mary, a bookkeeper for the company, posed between the two Fords on May 17, 1929. She is in the industrial Tideflats around E. 11th St., near Standard Fuel operations. Photograph ordered by Leonard's of South Tacoma, authorized dealers of Ford and Fordson. TPL-2693; G35.1-071 (T.Times, 5-25-29, p. 20)

Ford automobile; Ford trucks; Christian, Mary; Standard Fuel Co. (Tacoma);

Theatrical performers, the Maylon Players, pose with a new Reo Flying Cloud from the Winthrop Motor Co. on June 19, 1929. The car silently appeared on the Heilig Theater stage while the actors were rehearsing and they could not resist remarking about its fine features. They are: Maurice Penborn (on car), Will Maylon at the wheel, Joyce Booth (in car), Margaret Nixon, Paul Bardsley, Caroline Edwards and Arthur Siegrist, seated. G11.1-060 (Tacoma Sunday Ledger, 9-23-29, 8E)

Reo automobile; Maylon Players (Tacoma); Actors--Tacoma--1920-1930; Winthrop Motor Co. (Tacoma); Penborn, Maurice; Maylon, Will; Booth, Joyce; Nixon, Margaret; Bardsley, Paul; Edwards, Caroline; Siegrist, Arthur;

Storefront window featuring Plymouth accolades. On August 23, 1929, the large glass window of this automobile dealership was plastered with complimentary remarks about the smooth performance of Plymouth cars. The dealership welcomed passersby to stop and read what people had to say about the Chrysler Motors product. Photograph ordered by A. H. McConnell, Plymouth distributor in Tacoma and Pierce County. He also represented the Dodge Bros. line. The Plymouth agency and Dodge Bros. agency were once under the same roof but the Plymouth agency had recently moved to separate quarters adjacent to its former home. (Tacoma Sunday Ledger, 8-18-29, 4-E-article on Plymouth distributorship)

Plymouth automobile; Merchandise displays--Tacoma--1920-1930; Window displays--Tacoma--1920-1930; Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1920-1930;

A shining black hearse from the Allen Motor Co. was parked in front of the Mellinger funeral home on April 17, 1931. A black-clad driver is waiting patiently at the wheel of the sleek Studebaker. The C.C. Mellinger Co. colonial-styled mortuary, located at 510 Tacoma Avenue South, was built in 1909 for $65,000 by noted architects Heath & Twichell. The firm was established by Ohio native Charles C. Mellinger who first began on a small scale in Tacoma in 1897. The company grew quickly to become one of the largest in the city. G26.1-135; TPL-1743 Hunt: "Charles C. Mellinger," History of Tacoma, p. 580-582)

C.C. Mellinger Funeral Directors (Tacoma); Morgues & mortuaries--Tacoma--1930-1940; Hearses--Tacoma--1930-1940; Studebaker automobile;

S. Shumate & Sons of Olympia lined up a small fleet of Kenworth trucks plus a trailer while in Tacoma on April 18, 1932. The trucking firm's drivers carried along a small dog as a passenger in truck #4. Photograph ordered by Tacoma Kenworth. G66.2-103

Trucks--1930-1940; S. Shumate & Sons (Olympia); Dogs--Tacoma--1930-1940;

On October 17, 1926, the Tacoma Sunday Ledger ran a picture of the Peninsula Stage Company's 17-passenger coach parked outside the First Baptist Church, 902 Market St. The new bus chassis was built by the Studebaker Company which already had a fine reputation in passenger cars. The Peninsula Stage Company had three buses on the Bremerton-Tacoma run, with stops in Gig Harbor, Purdy, Burley, and Port Orchard. Owner R.L. Stubbs indicated that his prior experience with Studebaker cars prompted him to purchase the new bus. Photograph ordered by the B.H. Kennedy Co. (Tacoma Sunday Ledger, October 17, 1926, G-7) G66.1-078

Buses--Tacoma--1920-1930; Studebaker automobile; First Baptist Church (Tacoma);

Gesturing toward an oval advertisement on the back of a parked sedan in April of 1928 are three well known hotel managers: (l-r) Emerson Wakefield of the Carlton Hotel, A.C.C. ("Al") Gamer of the Olympus and Ray Clark of the Winthrop. The sign invites "Hotel-men" to convene in Tacoma, the "Lumber Capitol of the World," May 8-9th. "Al" is the "official scout." He would be making a tour throughout California in the vehicle to invite other hotel managers to the convention. The gathering will take place at the Winthrop Hotel. G31.1-103 (Tacoma Sunday Ledger, 5-6-28, 4-A)

Automobiles--Tacoma--1920-1930; Signs (Notices); Gamer, Albert C.C.; Wakefield, Emerson; Clark, Ray; Meetings--Tacoma--1920-1930;

A Dodge Victory Six from Burns-Campbell Motors, South Tacoma dealers, is parked adjacent to a Bergen Bromley Flying Service airplane on June 23, 1928 that had Tommy Burns in the rear cockpit. The other man was not identified but may have been Harold Bromley, Mr. Burns' flight instructor. Tommy Burns had just completed his solo flight that day. The Bergen Bromley Flying Service operated out of the Tacoma Municipal Airport in Lakewood. TPL-1667; G12.1-040 (Tacoma Sunday Ledger, 7-8-28, 2-G)

Dodge automobile; Airplanes--Tacoma--1920-1930; Bergen Bromley Flying Service (Tacoma); Burns, Tommy;

Fleischmann's Yeast vehicle parked outside of Mutual Motors, then at 816-24 South "K," on May 8, 1929. The shiny Ford, recently purchased from the agency, was decorated with the familiar yeast box as advertisement along with the saying "Eat it for health." Photograph ordered by Mutual Motors. G11.1-017

Ford automobile; Mutual Motors (Tacoma); Fleischmann's Yeast (Tacoma);

In September of 1928 the Tacoma News Tribune in partnership with the Colonial and Rialto Theaters sponsored a promotional contest in conjunction with the release of Bebe Daniels newest movie, "Hot News." Nine pretty young Tacoma misses posed with a new Durant-Star coupe, one of the contest prizes, in front of the Central Motors building at 605 Saint Helens Avenue. Prizes in the contest totaled $2,600, a tidy sum in 1928. The girl standing in the rumble-seat of the new car (third from the left) has her hand on the crank of a newsreel movie camera. As a side note, a new 2-door Durant Star could be purchased in 1928 from Central Motors, a Star and La Salle dealership, for $628 with delivery in Tacoma.

Automobiles--Tacoma--1920-1930; Signs (Notices); Contests--Tacoma--1920-1930;

Legendary fighter pilot and race car driver, Eddie Rickenbacker, established his own automobile manufacturing company for a short time which produced coupes and sedans named after himself. To drum up publicity for his new car, three local women drivers were used to handle a seven-day continously run endurance marathon as pictured above in December of 1923. Margaret Hickey was the first driver when the endurance run began at 12:31 p.m. in front of City Hall on December 3, 1923. Irma Mottau and Helen Selden would take over at 4-hour intervals. The women did not break speed limits and were not limited to particular routes so drove from Des Moines to Olympia and points between in often rough weather. To ensure that the motor was not tampered with, and not turned off, Sheriff Tom Desmond and Police Captain Fred Gardner sealed the hood of the Rickenbacker coupe prior to the start of the run. The seal would not be broken until the end of the run, at 12:31 p.m. on December 10th. The three women, with Helen Selden as the finishing driver, were greeted at the finish line by over 500 people at the conclusion of the 2,642 mile marathon. A classic 4-passenger coupe like the above sold for $2325 at the time of the race. Local distributor of the Rickenbacker was the Sound Motor Co., Sixth & Tacoma, who sponsored the race. G11.1-006 (photograph is also labeled B9060) (TDL 12-11-23, p. 5)

Rickenbacker automobile; Signs (Notices);