1950 Chevrolet Sedan Delivery truck, "Nalley's Inc. Advertising Car LA-63" on display in South Tacoma Motor Company's showroom. Slogan "If It's Nalley's It's Good" and product names "Treasure Pickles" and "Beef Stew" are painted on this side.

Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1950-1960; South Tacoma Motor Co. (Tacoma);Food industry--Tacoma; Nalley's, Inc. (Tacoma); Chevrolet trucks;

Gasoline was selling at 25.2-27.2 cents per gallon at Ed Lee's new Shell Oil Station at Division and Yakima. Cars were waiting in line to gas up at these prices, and receive a free set of drinking glasses. Klieg lights and banners also helped to announce the station's March 31st Grand Opening. Several Shell servicemen were waiting on each car in turn, checking under the hood and filling up the tank. The billboard to the left of the station was an advertisement for Shell Oil.

Shell Oil Co., Inc. (Tacoma); Automobile service stations--Tacoma--1950-1960; Automobiles--Tacoma--1950-1960; Gasoline pumps--Tacoma--1950-1960; Searchlights; Billboards--Tacoma;

Ed Lee's new Shell Oil station at Division and Yakima before opening.The station had a garage for car repairs and fuel islands with gasoline pumps. Firestone tires and automotive parts and accessories were on display in front of the station office. The station's Grand Opening was March 31- April 1, 1950 and featured prize drawings and giveaways.

Shell Oil Co., Inc. (Tacoma); Automobile service stations--Tacoma--1950-1960; Gasoline pumps--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Ed Lee's new Shell Oil station at the intersection of Division and No. Yakima was photographed just before its Grand Opening on March 31st, 1950. The station, at 102 No. Yakima Ave., had a garage for car repairs and new gasoline pumps. For the Grand Opening, 32 hourly drawings were held for prizes, with the grand prize being a set of four Firestone Champion tires. The signpost in front pointed out the directions to the Fox Island and Bremerton ferries and the Stadium city center.The billboard to the left of the station was an advertisement for Shell Oil. Gas at the Grand Opening sold for between 25.2 and 27.2 cents per gallon. TPL-10300

Shell Oil Co., Inc. (Tacoma); Automobile service stations--Tacoma--1950-1960; Gasoline pumps--Tacoma--1950-1960; Billboards--Tacoma;

In April of 1950 Nezzer J. "Nez" DuCharme (far right) took over the service station at 1548 Pacific Avenue and opened a new Mobiloil Station. His new station was 10 blocks north of the station that he opened just after WWII at 2601 Pacific. Helping to man the pumps were: (l to r) Bud DuCharme, Bob Morgan and Bob Bender, advertised as the "Busy B's." The station sold a full line of Mobil products including gas, tires, tubes, batteries, accessories. The "Busy Bs" also did tire repairs, battery charging, and car washing and polishing with pick up and delivery service. (Ad TNT 4/14/1950, pg. 27)

Automobile service stations--Tacoma--1950-1960; Gasoline pumps--Tacoma--1950-1960; Nez DuCharme & Sons Depot Service Station (Tacoma); Uniforms; DuCharme, Nezzer J.; DuCharme, Bud; Morgan, Bob; Bender, Bob;

Nez DuCharme & Sons Depot Service Station at its new location 1548 Pacific Avenue. A gas station attendant services a car in the driveway; filling the car with gas, checking under the hood, and cleaning the windows. The station was large and had a repair shop and oil change location to the right. A weathervane checks the direction of the wind from atop the gable of this unique building. (Ad TNT 4/14/1950, pg. 27)

Automobile service stations--Tacoma--1950-1960; Gasoline pumps--Tacoma--1950-1960; Nez DuCharme & Sons Depot Service Station (Tacoma); Automobiles--Tacoma--1950-1960;

J.F. Shank's Shell station at South 38th and Thompson Avenue is shown with a separate building for automobile repairs. Gasoline pumps stand in front of the sales booth where tires have been hung in the windows. A very small, square-backed vehicle is parked by the sales booth. Ordered by Shell Oil Company, Mr. Holms.

Automobile service stations--Tacoma--1940-1950; J.F. Shank's Shell Station (Tacoma); Automobiles--Tacoma--1950-1960; Gasoline pumps--Tacoma--1940-1950; Vehicle maintenance & repair--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Smith's Shell Station is shown with a separate building for automobile repairs. Gasoline pumps stand in front of the sales booth. A gasoline service station had been at this location since 1929. A billboard advertising Shell products stands along the property line on the right. Ordered by Shell Oil Company, Mr. Holms.

Automobile service stations--Tacoma--1940-1950; Smith's Shell Station (Tacoma); Gasoline pumps--Tacoma--1940-1950; Billboards--Tacoma; Vehicle maintenance & repair--Tacoma--1940-1950;

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

Automobile Dealerships--Tacoma; Mueller-Harkins Motor Co. (Tacoma); Centennial celebrations--Olympia; Buick automobile; Barker, Cecil--Family; Barker, Charles--Family; Mueller, Rudolph A.;

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.)

Automobile Dealerships--Tacoma; Mueller-Harkins Motor Co. (Tacoma); Centennial celebrations--Olympia; Buick automobile; Automobile radiator ornaments;

Shell Oil station at Sixth & Sprague. This photograph of Wolford & Brazeau's Shell station was taken on August 2, 1950. The gas station, located at 1720 Sixth Avenue, was owned by A.H. Wolford and E.F. Brazeau. It competed for business with Les Knutsen's Associated Service located across the street. TPL-9907

Shell Oil Co., Inc. (Tacoma); Automobile service stations--Tacoma;

This photograph from August of 1950 shows the west side of Tacoma Avenue South looking north from South 10th Street. Bill Leedom's Shell Service station was located on the corner, at 922 Tacoma Avenue South. In November of 1952 the voters approved the construction of a new County-City Building on this block. All the buildings on the west side of Tacoma Avenue South from South 9th to South 11th were demolished and South 10th Street was closed to traffic. The Tacoma School District's Central School can be seen further up the road at 601 South 8th Street.

Shell Oil Co., Inc. (Tacoma); Automobile service stations--Tacoma; Central School (Tacoma); Commercial streets--Tacoma--1950-1960; Streets--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Shell Oil station at 37th & Pacific. Fred's Shell Service station, owned by Fred Styf, was located at 3640 Pacific Avenue. Mr. Styf also owned another Shell station at 2523 Pacific Avenue. Pierce County Hospital (later Puget Sound General Hospital) is shown a block away.

Shell Oil Co., Inc. (Tacoma); Fred's Shell Service (Tacoma); Styf, Fred; Automobile service stations--Tacoma;

View of Shell station #982. This photograph of Shell Oil station #982 in Auburn was taken on August 2, 1950. According to the White River Historical Society, Louie's Shell Service was located at 103 Auburn Avenue, at the corner of Auburn Avenue and 1st Street N.E. Drivers in the small town could choose to gas up at either the Mobil, Louie's, or the Richfield stations on Auburn Avenue, as they were all in a row. The flat roofed building next to the large tree towards the rear of the Louie's Shell was the Auburn General Hospital.

Shell Oil Co. (Auburn); Automobile service stations--Auburn; Louie's Shell Service (Auburn);

Exterior view of George Irey's Signal service station and Tacoma Radiator and Fender Works. Building was later remodled into Mueller-Harkins Buick.

Business Enterprises - Automobile Service Stations - Signal Dealers - Tacoma - George Irey's Signal Service Station

George Irey's Signal service station and Tacoma Radiator and Fender Works. Service station attendant standing at three-pump gasoline service island. Building in background was later remodeled into Mueller-Harkins Buick.

Business Enterprises - Automobile Service Stations - Signal Dealers - Tacoma - George Irey's Signal Service Station

An unusual sight in the early 1950's was a self-service gas station. Instead of having an attendant come out and pump the gas, the customer would do the work himself. As the large sign on the light pole proclaims, it would be possible to "save" money if you were willing to "serve-ur-self". Photograph ordered by Fletcher Oil Company.

Automobile service stations--Tacoma; Signs (Notices); Fletcher Oil Co. (Tacoma);

A few self-service stations were starting to appear in the early 1950's in the Puget Sound area; however, it was still an unusual sight. A customer would pump his own gas rather than waiting patiently in his car for an attendant to do so. As this gas station's large sign advertised, you could "save $$" by doing the work yourself. Photograph ordered by Fletcher Oil Company.

Automobile service stations--Tacoma; Signs (Notices); Fletcher Oil Co. (Tacoma);

The new 1951 Chevrolets were available at South Tacoma Motor Company. The new models featured fresh styling. Design improvements accentuated a longer, lower appearance. Radiator grills had been simplified, the decorative body moulding lowered and the rear fender crowns raised. Soldiers are checking out the interior while a young couple tries to make a decision near the trunk. (TNT, 12/9/1950, p.13)

Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1940-1950; South Tacoma Motor Co. (Tacoma); Chevrolet automobile;

South Tacoma Motor Company. View of dealership in rain. 1951 Chevrolets in showroom, neon sign at corner, banner promoting "America's Largest and Finest Low-Priced Car" on transom, painted footprints bearing word "Chevrolet" on sidewalk, man on bicycle.

Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1940-1950; South Tacoma Motor Co. (Tacoma); Chevrolet automobile;

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;

Exterior exposure Porter-Griffith Shell Oil Station.

Automobile service stations--Tacoma--1950-1960; Gasoline pumps--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Grand opening of the Shell Oil station at Center and Union, Earl Moon's Shell Service, 3520 Center St. Three employees service a car in the right foreground, checking under the hood and cleaning windows. Another employee gases up a car at the pumps. The Shell oil delivery truck can be seen beside the station. A paneled station wagon is at the other side of the station. The skyline of residential Tacoma can be seen in the background. Owner Earl J. Moon ran an ad in the January 25, 1951 News Tribune the grand opening of his Shell Service Station. The ad promoted Goodyear tires and batteries, Shell gas and "Shellubrication." Free balloons and candy would be available for the kids and one prize of four free tires for adults. (TNT 1-25-1951, p. 28-advertisement)

Automobile service stations--Tacoma--1950-1960; Gasoline pumps--Tacoma--1950-1960; Automobiles--Tacoma--1950-1960; Trucks--Tacoma--1950-1960; Earl Moon's Shell Service (Tacoma);

Exterior of new Maxwell station at Lakewood Center, Maxwell Petroleum, 520 E. D St.

Automobile service stations--Lakewood--1950-1960; Gasoline pumps--Lakewood--1950-1950;

Exterior of new Maxwell station at Lakewood Center, Maxwell Petroleum, 520 E. D St.

Automobile service stations--Lakewood--1950-1960; Gasoline pumps--Lakewood--1950-1950;

Rainier Auto Sales lot and cars at 2220 South Tacoma Way. Rainier sold used cars and their street side sign says "STOP and sell us your car." They arranged their own auto loans and insurance and were open evenings and Saturdays. Clyde E. Engoe was the owner of the lot which bought, sold and traded used cars.

Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1950-1960; Rainier Auto Sales (Tacoma); Automobiles--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Five workers from the 72nd Street Serve & Save gasoline station pose for their portrait. A Conoco sign is seen to the left of the gasoline pump and a rack of Valvoline oil is below the sign. Ordered by Time Oil.

Automobile service stations--Tacoma--1940-1950; Gasoline pumps--Tacoma--1940-1950; Time Oil Co. (Tacoma); Seventy-Second Street Serve & Save (Tacoma);

An elevated view of the large service area at the 72nd Street Serve & Save gasoline station. Attendants are busy with three automobiles at the two gasoline pump islands while many more automobiles and their drivers wait their turn. Ordered by Time Oil.

Automobile service stations--Tacoma--1940-1950; Gasoline pumps--Tacoma--1940-1950; Time Oil Co. (Tacoma); Seventy-Second Street Serve & Save (Tacoma); Automobiles--Tacoma--1950-1960;

South Tacoma Motor Company was one of the sponsors of the 1951 Tacoma Soap Box Derby. The racer, plaque, shirt and helmet of the 1950 winner, Harold Jardeen, were on display with the Stanley Tools official derby tool kit and Schwinn bicycles that would be given to the winners of the 1951 soap box derby in Tacoma. The tool board included 19 first quality carpenter's tools on a board measuring about three feet square. It was awarded to Glen Swanson for the best constructed car in the 1951 derby held July 15. The bicycles were the second and third place prizes in the local contest, donated by Walker Chevrolet and South Tacoma Motor company, co-sponsors with the News Tribune, of the race. Ordered by Shell Oil, Mr. Perry. (TNT, 7/5/1951, p.10; 7/17/1951, p.1) TPL-9437

Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1950-1960; South Tacoma Motor Co. (Tacoma); Racing--Tacoma; Coaster cars--Tacoma; Equipment; Awards; All-American Soap Box Derby (Tacoma);

South Tacoma Motor Company was co-sponsor of the 1951 Tacoma Soap Box Derby in Tacoma with Walker Chevrolet and The News Tribune. The first place winner of the derby, Richard Johnson of Sumner, represented Tacoma at the national finals in Akron, Ohio, August 12th, and won an all-expense paid trip to Akron plus a $5,000 four-year college scholarship. The race was held July 15, 1951, on Derby Hill, South 38th Street, just east of the baseball park. Duane Hopper came in second and Paul Meyer was third. Duane and Paul won Schwinn bicycles. (TNT, 7/15/1951, p.1; TNT, 7/17/1951, p.1) TPL-7910

Automobile dealerships--Tacoma--1950-1960; South Tacoma Motor Co. (Tacoma); Racing--Tacoma; Coaster cars--Tacoma; Equipment; Awards; All-American Soap Box Derby (Tacoma);