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TPL-1126

ca. 1906. Interior showroom of the Washington Automobile Co., 710-12 Pacific Avenue, circa 1906. It was the first automobile dealership in Tacoma and remained at this location until from approximately 1905-1909. Most of the gleaming cars shown were roofless although those on the left side had softcover tops that could be attached in case of rain.


Washington Automobile Co. (Tacoma); Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1900-1910; Ford automobile;

TPL-4262

ca. 1911. The Ford Automobile Agency was apparently only at 1210-16 Tacoma Ave. So. for one year, 1911, with Egbert M. Streeter as proprietor. It is not certain which, if any, of the above photographed men, was Mr. Streeter. He would pass away on May 21, 1939. The 1912 City Directory shows the Ford Automobile Agency had relocated to 223 So. "K" (Martin Luther King Jr. Way), a newly built facility. W. C. Baldwin was listed as manager.


Ford Automobile Agency (Tacoma); Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1910-1920; Ford Automobile Agency (Tacoma)--Employees;

BOLAND-B1221

In the summer of 1919 the building at 218-220 St. Helens Avenue was the home of Sam J. Kenyon's Marmon Service Station and Bartons Auto Laundry. Mr. Kenyon specialized in servicing and repairing luxury automobiles known for their speed and power. The Marmon was manufactured from 1903 - 1933. Signage on the glass window indicates that the Kenyon shop also serviced "Locomobiles." The Locomobile was also manufactured in the US, from 1899 (steam version) and 1902 for the gas engine version, until 1928. Both car companies also produced race cars. To provide maximum service to its customers, Barton's, in the same building, was open "day and night" according to their sign. BU-13095


Marmon Service Station (Tacoma); Barton's Auto Laundry (Tacoma); Automobile service stations--Tacoma--1910-1920; Vehicle maintenance & repair--Tacoma--1910-1920;

BOLAND-B2495

In November of 1919, Marvin Boland photographed this elevated view of the triangular shaped block on the west side of Pacific Avenue bordered by Jefferson and South 17th. In the center of the photograph was the recently constructed Depot Service Station. A small wedge of a brick building was apparently still under construction to the right of the service station. Tires were on sale and Union gasoline could be purchased there. In the right background was the Carlton Hotel, 1552 Jefferson Ave., which was built in 1909. In the upper left corner was the Pacific Storage & Transfer Co., located in the Dougan Block at 1721-25 Jefferson Ave., whose ad in the 1920 City Directory stated that they were distributors of pool cars. Depot Service Station remained at this location, with various changes of ownership and remodeling, until it was demolished around 2002. TPL-244; G8.1-017


Depot Service Station (Tacoma); Automobile service stations--Tacoma--1910-1920; Commercial streets--Tacoma--1910-1920; Carlton Hotel (Tacoma); Pacific Storage & Transfer Co. (Tacoma);

BOLAND-B7457

S-T-U-D-E-B-A-K-E-R! Salesmen Tommy Burns, Tom Lea and Ben Johnson (l-r) are in fighting mode as they prepare to set Studebaker sales records for the month of March, 1923. The men were employed by the pioneer automobile dealership, B.H. Kennedy Company, located at 753 Broadway. Owned and operated by Burton "Bert" Kennedy, the firm had an up-to-date service department and competent Studebaker mechanics. The B.H. Kennedy Co. had sold $27,000 of Studebakers in February of 1923 and were confident of repeating their successful month. (Tacoma Sunday Ledger, 3-11-23, C-1)


B.H. Kennedy Co. (Tacoma); Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1920-1930; Burns, Tommy; Lea, Tom; Johnson, Ben;

BOLAND-B8219

Construction is well under way in June of 1923 at the Wilkeson Garage in downtown Tacoma's auto row. Built of concrete and measuring 120 feet by 131 feet, it was declared the "largest of its kind on the Pacific Coast." All units of the big service station were completed by November of 1923. Built by L.E.Wilkeson, the new structure was to reflect the "department store idea for the motor car." A parking lot on top with room for 100 cars was finished in April of 1924. G18.1-089; BU14,356 (Tacoma Sunday Ledger, 4-29-23, C-1-article)


Wilkeson Garage & Service Station (Tacoma); Automobile service stations--Tacoma--1920-1930; Building construction--Tacoma--1920-1930;

BOLAND-B11507

Inexperienced safecrackers failed to blow open the massive safe at Bye Thompson Motor Sales, 3320 South G Street, on early Friday morning, December 5, 1924. The thieves abandoned their efforts when the explosives they used broke the windows in front of the safe and threw the office into disarray, but only succeeded in blowing off the combination dial on the safe's door, not in releasing the bars holding the door in place. This was the second time in less than a year that Bye Thompson Motors had been robbed; on December 18, 1923, thieves somehow carried away the company's 1000 pound safe and blew it open several blocks away. That robbery netted the thieves $362. This photograph was taken at the scene of the crime on December 5, 1924. G24.1-056 (TNT 12-5-24, p. 1)


Safes; Robberies--Tacoma; Bye Thompson Motor Sales Co. (Tacoma);

BOLAND G19.1-070

Automobile dealers of the 1920s built palaces of prestige to showcase their latest models. Architect C.F. W. Lundberg designed the Mutual Motors Building for pioneer Tacoma automobile dealer Edward P. Leonard. The Lincoln dealership opened in June 1925. Later, a giant milk bottle was installed on the building's roof to identify it as the Olympic Dairy Products plant. As of 2000, Washington Tent & Awning, Inc. occupies this building on Martin Luther King Way. B12455, BU-10023, TPL-5683


Automobile dealerships--Tacoma; Mutual Motors (Tacoma); Building construction;

A1226-0

In May of 1925, J.B. Ness posed with his new Overland Blue Bird touring car in front of his Ness Service Station No. 1, 3802 Pacific Ave. He recently purchased the auto from the Raudenbush Motor Co., Overland and Willys-Knight dealers, through their salesman W.A. Court. Mr. Court was pictured here beside an Overland coupe sedan. Mr. Ness tested the power of his new auto up the infamous South K St. hill climb from Center Street. Mr. Ness also operated a second service station at South 60th St. & Union Ave. (TDL 5/17/1925, pg. G-3)


Ness Service Station No. 1 (Tacoma); Automobile service stations--Tacoma--1920-1930; Overland automobile;

A906-1

ca. 1925. Winthrop Motor Company, REO automobile dealership, general view of building from northwest. Brick structure with overhanging shed roof and exposed beam ends. Garage doors on both elevations, automobile visible in showroom window. (WSHS)


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

BOLAND-B15198

Located at 7th & Broadway was the big Wilkeson Garage. The 120-feet by 131-feet concrete building was the largest of its kind on the Pacific Coast. The service station added a top level for parking in April of 1924, a few months after work was completed on the rest of the structure. Wilkeson Garage carried Goodyear Tires, General Gasoline, Watson Stabilators, Wold-Wilkeson Motor Oil. G59.1-026


Wilkeson Garage & Service Station (Tacoma); Automobile service stations--Tacoma--1920-1930;

BOLAND-B15471

Exterior view of Pinky Young's gas station in August of 1926. According to photographer Marvin Boland's notes, the business was located at South 72nd and Park Avenue. They guaranteed their repair work, sold tires and tubes, provided air and water and even had a supplemental business in soft drinks, groceries, cigars and school supplies. Jersey Milk products were also available.


Automobile service stations--Tacoma--1920-1930; Pinky Young's Station (Tacoma);

BOLAND-B15586

On September 11, 1926, Allen Motor Co. salesmen paid special attention to a new Hudson coach parked outside their new quarters built on the site of the old Annie Wright Seminary. Allen Motors were Hudson-Essex distributors. From L-R: Blaine Ramey, Andy Mulligan, Carl Jensen, George Ford and seated behind the wheel, Allen Motor Co.'s cashier/bookkeeper, Agnes Schober. The men were inspecting the new and improved intake manifold and carburetor, some of the features of the new Hudson four-door. G32.1-075 (Tacoma Sunday Ledger, 9-19-26, 6G)


Allen Motor Co. (Tacoma); Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1920-1930; Hudson automobile; Ramey, Blaine; Mulligan, Andrew E.; Jensen, Carl; Ford, George; Schober, Agnes;

BOLAND-B15822

Centralia Motors celebrated its opening in mid-October of 1926. This interior view of the business is of the office staff at work. The office was situated so that workers were in clear view of any potential customer who could then be helped immediately. G75.1-015


Centralia Motors (Centralia); Office workers--Centralia; Automobile dealerships--Centralia;

A1649-0

ca. 1926. Automobile involved in accident in front of Western Auto Supply Company circa 1926. Large crowd gathered at scene. An overturned vehicle is pictured on the left, while a damaged vehicle is pictured to the right. Western Auto Supply opened a store in the Cornell House in 1922. (filed with Argentum)


Western Auto Supply Co. (Tacoma); Traffic accidents--Tacoma--1920-1930; Automobiles--Tacoma--1920-1930; Automobile equipment & supplies stores--Tacoma--1920-1930;

A1815X-1

ca. 1926. Wilkeson Service Station interior showing Western Dri-Kure Vulcanizing Manufacturing tire machine. Should be A1815-1.


Wilkeson Garage & Service Station (Tacoma); Tires; Tire industry--Tacoma--1920-1930;

A1816-1

ca. 1926. Wilkeson Service Station, exterior. Large service station and auto service facility constructed in 1923. Signs advertising: General Gasoline, Goodyear Tires, Day and Night Storage, Packard Used Cars. For Western Dri-Kure Vulcanizing Manufacturing. (filed with Argentum)


Wilkeson Garage & Service Station (Tacoma); Automobile service stations--Tacoma--1920-1930;

A1169-1

ca. 1926. In 1926 a new Jubilee Moon 6-60 from the Bye Thompson Motor Sales Company located at 3320 South G Street took on the steep K Street hill. The K Street hill between Center Street and South 27th had such a steep grade that it was used as a testing ground for the power of new cars. The Jubilee Moon was produced to celebrate 20 years of manufacturing by the Moon Motor Co. (1905-1929) of St. Louis, MO. The car, which sold for under $1,000, was reported to be of European design adapted to American traffic needs. The Moon and Diana motor car agent in Tacoma was the Bye Thompson Motor Sales Company; Bye Thompson was president of the company which sold and serviced the vehicles. This steep, rugged portion of K St. closed about 1960. Holy Rosary Church can be seen in the background. (filed with Argentum) (information on the Moon Jubilee from an August 7, 1926 ad in the Saturday Evening Post)


Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1920-1930; Bye Thompson Motor Sales Co. (Tacoma); Automobiles--Tacoma--1920-1930; Moon automobiles; Dirt roads--Tacoma--1920-1930;

A-2227

On April 22nd-23rd 1927, the Daimler-Knight limousine, once owned by England's King George V was on display at Manley Motor Co., 956-58 Fawcett Ave. The vehicle had been built especially for King George V in England in 1910. He used it until 1924. After its 14 years of service, it was being driven across the US in a cross country tour. It could reach speeds of up to 52mph, got 6 1/2 miles per gallon of gas and carried 35 gallons. Alongside the Daimler is a Willys Knight 70 sedan. Standing in the front, left to right, are James Teale (driver of the car on its US tour,) Harry Manley (pres. Manley Motors,) Capt. Gardner of the Tacoma Police Dept. at the wheel, Chief of Police M.D. Guy and Joe Willits (shop superintendent Manley Motors.) (TDL 4/24/1927, pg. G-7) TPL-7179


Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1920-1930; Willys-Knight automobile; Daimler-Knight automobile; Manley Motor Co. (Tacoma); Manley, Harry;

A2228-1

The Daimler-Knight limousine in the center of this photograph was once owned by England's King George V. It was met at Tacoma's city limits by Harry Manley and two local police officers who escorted it to the Manley Motor Company at South 9th and Fawcett where it was to be on display April 22-23, 1927. The vehicle had been built for the King in 1910 at a price tag of $17,000 and had been used continuously for 14 years. It was still capable of doing 60 mph and had 174,000 miles while in service to the king. The odometer on it had over 196,000 miles by the time it reached Tacoma. Behind the limo is a Willys-Knight 66-A "foursome." Pictured left to right are Sgt. Charles Rhors and Officer Harold Thornberg on motorcycles, R.J. Tarte (Motor Transport Co.- Seattle), Capt. Fred Gardner, Police Chief M.D. Guy, Harry Manley, James Teale (Willys-Knight) and shop foreman Joe Willett. (T.Times 4/23/1927, pg. 9) (Argentum)


Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1920-1930; Willys-Knight automobile; Daimler-Knight automobile; Manley Motor Co. (Tacoma); Manley, Harry; Rhors, Charles; Thornberg, Harold; Tarte, R.J.; Gardner, Fred; Guy, M.D.; Teale, James; Willett, Joe;

BOLAND-B16902

Scotch Bloom Service Station & General Store. An unidentified couple stand with four children under the overhanging roof of the Scotch Bloom service station and general store in late May of 1927. The location of the facility was not given. A white picket fence adjoins the service station with openings so that customers could drive in and park or have their crankcase serviced. G48.1-120


Scotch Bloom; Automobile service stations; General stores; Fences; Signs (Notices);

A2226-1

As more people sought to own their own automobiles, the staff of Manley Motor Co., 956-58 Fawcett Ave., grew in the same proportion. The president of the company was Harry R. Manley. They were the authorized dealers for Overland, Willys-Knight and Whippet automobiles. Pictured in the top row, left to right in May of 1927, are Harry Manley, Dolly Wescott, Lloyd Munter, J.B. Clausen, N.W. Powers, K. McDonald and Ray Coops. Front row: Joe Willett, Art Lee, Phil Service, Omar Ferris, E.J. Atchinson, J.T. Owens, Herman Riggins, F.R. Grimm, Harold Hayden, Art Rossell and Leo Bauer. (TDL 5/22/1927, pg. G3) (WSHS)


Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1920-1930; Manley Motor Co. (Tacoma);

BOLAND-B17623

The Otsuka Family opened the Panama Garage at 1320 Market Street in 1923. Roy, Eddie and Hidegoro Otsuka operated the repair shop, car wash and service station. The family posed for this photograph in front of their business in November of 1927. The business was later managed by Ted Semba and Ken Hayashi. It closed during World War II. TPL-6371; G48.1-042


Panama Garage (Tacoma); Japanese American families--Tacoma; Japanese Americans--Tacoma;

BOLAND-B17770

This is the Colonial Garage as pictured on December 20, 1927. It was operated by Frank J. Brennan and offered storage, repairs, simonizing and washing with day and night service. The garage was located in downtown Tacoma at 924 Court C. Part of the Rhodes Bros. Department Store is visible in the background.


Colonial Garage (Tacoma); Automobile service stations--Tacoma--1920-1930;

A1912-1

ca. 1927. Guy N. McCoy's Park Avenue Garage, service station at 56th & Park. Frame service station building, automobiles getting gas. The station was built in 1922. For Sperry & Hutchinson Trading Stamp Company. (filed with Argentum)


Park Avenue Garage (Tacoma); Automobile service stations--Tacoma--1920-1930;

A-2232

ca. 1927. A woman steps into a car in front of what appears to be Manley Motor Co., official dealer for Overland and Willys-Knight automobiles. (WSHS)


Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1920-1930; Manley Motor Co. (Tacoma);

A1911-1

ca. 1927. Whippet Automobile on Coast to Coast trip in front of Manley Motor Company Inc. Manley was the official dealer for Overland and Willys-Knight automobiles. The Whippet automobile was manufactured from 1926-1931 by Willys Overland. The Whippet was an affordable vehicle designed to compete with Ford's Model T. (filed with Argentum)


Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1920-1930; Manley Motor Co. (Tacoma); Whippet automobile;

BOLAND G48.1-027

Sumner E. Orr and E.J. Gauthier, proprietors of Tacoma's all-night garage Gauthier & Orr, were photographed receiving leases for six Union Oil stations from company officials E.C. Wilson, Tacoma agent, and N.W. Watson, special agent, on July 17, 1928 (order of men in photo unknown). They exchanged the documents at Station #119 located at 601 No. 1st St. The new owners planned for Tacoma motorists to receive the best service possible. They intended to install lifts for grease work and to modernize the equipment at each station. The six stations leased by the pair were located at 58th & S. Union, 25th & Jefferson Ave., N. 1st & Tacoma Ave. (pictured), 21st & Pacific Ave., East 11th & St. Paul Ave. and 302 Puyallup. (Tacoma Sunday Ledger, 7-22-28, p. G-5) BU-13106, TPL-9637


Automobile service stations--Tacoma--1920-1930; Union Oil Co. of California (Tacoma); Orr, Sumner E.; Gauthier, E.J.; Wilson, E.C.; Watson, N.W.;

BOLAND-B20388

This view is that of the intersection of Meridian and Valley Road near Puyallup as it appeared on February 25, 1929. The Charles Service Station, dealer in Texaco products, is on the right. Photograph taken for court evidence. G73.1-044


Streets--Puyallup; Charles Service Station (Puyallup);

BOLAND-B22684

The Richfield Beacon Service Station opened at 8415 South Tacoma Way in July of 1930. The J.W. Feak Co. constructed the Normandy style building. Edward L. Roth managed the landmark $35,000 service station, which included a 125 ft. tower topped with two 8,000,000 candle power beacons. This Beacon service station was one of 24 operating between Tacoma and Mexico. Each was located on main highways and operated 24 hours a day. Mayor Melvin G. Tennent, pictured above, was the first to buy gas on opening day. TPL-3548; G48.1-019 (Tacoma Sunday Ledger, 7-13-30, E-3 -article & alternate photograph)


Richfield Beacon Service Station (Lakewood); Automobile service stations--Lakewood--1930-1940; Tennent, Melvin Green; Mayors--Tacoma--1930-1940;

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