Identity elements
Reference code
Name and location of repository
Level of description
Item
Title
M84-2
Date(s)
- 1937-11-29 (Creation)
Extent
Name of creator
Content and structure elements
Scope and content
In 1937 and 1938 there was a major battle in Tacoma about parking and parking meters. The issue split both the downtown merchants and the city council, with pro and con voices in each camp. One strong advocate for meters was the local Red Spot Electric Company - they made meters. This photograph, taken for Red Spot Electric, shows a Tacoma driver parking his 1937 Ford next to a demonstration model of one of their meters. It was temporarily installed in front of the Western Auto Supply Company building at 717 Pacific Avenue. After several more years of contentious "discussion," 1,200 meters were installed in the shopping district of downtown Tacoma in 1941. The meters were covered in 1976 and removed in 1977. (filed with Argentum)
Parking--Tacoma--1930-1940; Western Auto Supply Co. (Tacoma); Pontiac automobiles--1930-1940;