Rebuilding Ford engine at Titus Motor, Times, Buzz. A man is operating one of the machines at Titus Manufacturing Company. During the past summer at least four motors a day were reconditioned at the facility. (T.Times, 2/20/1949, p.3)

Titus Manufacturing Co. (Tacoma); Gasoline engines; Vehicle maintenance & repair--Tacoma--1940-1950; Mechanics (Persons)--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Rebuilding Ford engine at Titus Motor, Times, Buzz. Two men are shown rebuilding Ford engines at the Titus Manufacturing Company. The plant was one of two in the northwest which Ford Motor Company had authorized to recondition Ford motors. Skilled mechanics put new life in old motors restoring them to factory-new shape. (T.Times, 2/20/1949, p.3)

Titus Manufacturing Co. (Tacoma); Gasoline engines; Vehicle maintenance & repair--Tacoma--1940-1950; Mechanics (Persons)--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Firefighters from eight companies labored nearly four hours on the evening of November 9, 1949, combating the stubborn 2-11 fire which gutted the one-story brick facilities of the Avenue Tire Shop, located at 2311 Pacific Avenue. Loss to the tire shop, principally in ruined tires and damaged machinery, was estimated at $35,000. Adjacent properties, including Willner Clothing Company, also suffered damage. No injuries were reported. (TNT,11/10/1949, p.1-alt. photograph) TPL-9144

Avenue Tire Shop (Tacoma); Fires--Tacoma--1940-1950; Fire fighting--Tacoma--1940-1950; Fire engines & equipment--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Firestone Auto Supply is providing a free brake inspection to automobile owners. A wrecked car with two large signs above is used to advertise the special. A police car used for accident investigation is parked next to the wreck where five men are looking at one of the front wheels where the brakes may have been the cause of the crash. TPL-9367

Firestone Store (Tacoma); Automobiles--Tacoma--1940-1950; Automobile equipment & supplies stores--Tacoma; Wrecks; Police--Tacoma--1940-1950; Investigation--Tacoma;

Exterior of new building at Center and Lawrence, Titus Manufacturing Company, Mr. Leon Titus. When demand for rebuilt engines increased in July 1946, Titus Motor Company restructured their engine rebuilding department which became Titus Manufacturing Company. They had continued at 624 Broadway until 1949 but now have moved into their new facilities at Center and Lawrence Streets in Nalley Valley. A large Ford truck is parked in front of the loading dock.

Titus Manufacturing Co. (Tacoma); Vehicle maintenance & repair--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Tacoma Auto Parts celebrated the Grand Opening of their new store at the corner of South 25th Street and Pacific Avenue with drawings for door prizes which included a television set, car radio and an automobile sun shield. (TNT, 7/1/1949, p.B-4) TPL-6383

Automobile equipment & supplies stores--Tacoma; Tacoma Auto Parts (Tacoma);

Several shots of visit by Miss Washington to Tacoma, Tacoma Auto Parts, Sam LeBid. Grand Opening of Tacoma Auto Parts. Mayor Val Fawcett with Miss Washington 1949, Libby Aldrich of Kelso, during drawing for door prizes. Boxes of "Hot Water Auto Heaters" stacked under tarp. A crowd looks on from the background. (TNT, 7/1/1949, p.B-4)

Automobile equipment & supplies stores--Tacoma;Tacoma Auto Parts (Tacoma);Mayors--Tacoma--1940-1950; Fawcett, Clarence Valdo, 1900-1965; Beauty contestants--Washington; Aldrich, Libby;

Several shots of visit by Miss Washington to Tacoma, Tacoma Auto Parts, Sam LeBid. Grand Opening of Tacoma Auto Parts. Mayor Val Fawcett with Miss Washington 1949, Libby Aldrich of Kelso, wearing a floor-length gown and crown during drawing for door prizes which included a television set, car radio and an automobile sun shield. Boxes of "Hot Water Auto Heaters" stacked under tarp. Crowd in background, banners in windows. (TNT, 7/1/1949, p.B-4)

Automobile equipment & supplies stores--Tacoma;Tacoma Auto Parts (Tacoma);Mayors--Tacoma--1940-1950; Fawcett, Clarence Valdo, 1900-1965; Aldrich, Libby;

Several shots of visit by Miss Washington to Tacoma, Tacoma Auto Parts, Sam LeBid. Grand Opening of Tacoma Auto Parts. Mayor Val Fawcett, left in photo, with Miss Washington 1949, Libby Aldrich of Kelso, and an unidentified man. Miss Washington wears a floor-length gown, a crown and a corsage. A crowd stands in the background and banners have been hung in the windows. (TNT, 7/1/1949, p.B-4)

Automobile equipment & supplies stores--Tacoma;Tacoma Auto Parts (Tacoma);Mayors--Tacoma--1940-1950; Fawcett, Clarence Valdo, 1900-1965; Beauty contestants--Washington; Aldrich, Libby;

Two unidentified employees of Sam's Tire Service are hard at work in the tire recapping department in August, 1950. The man on the left appears to be examining a retreaded tire. Sam's was owned and operated by Samuel Pupo and located at 120 Puyallup Avenue. According to an ad that ran in the News Tribune on September 10, 1950, Mr. Pupo had 31 years of experience in the tire business in Tacoma. His company had added new molds for recapping the new low pressure tires. Sam's Tire Service also offered custom recapping for truckers. (TNT 9-10-50, p. C-14)

Sam's Tire Service (Tacoma); Tires; Tire industry--Tacoma;

Art Swenning, owner of Art's Glass and Upholstery Shop, commissioned this studio photograph taken in September, 1950, of seat covers. It is uncertain whether the seat is to be used in a vehicle or in a home. Art's Glass and Upholstery Shop was located at 814-816 Tacoma Avenue South.

Art's Glass & Upholstery Shop (Tacoma); Upholstery;

The exterior of Gambles Western Auto Supply Company for advertisement. Western Auto Supply Company had four outlets in Tacoma in 1951: 917 Commerce Street, 5234 and 8104 South Tacoma Way, and 809 South 38th Street. Signs in the windows of this location advertise their Grand Opening. Appliances can be seen in the display windows as well as automobile supplies and accessories. Ordered by Mr. Plaine.

Gambles Western Auto Supply Co. (Tacoma); Automobile equipment & supplies stores--Tacoma--1950-1960;

An interior view of the showroom at B.F. Goodrich Company's Tacoma store looking towards the front of the store. They feature a wide variety of home appliances, bicycles, tricycles, wagons, and lawn mowers in addition to automobile tires, batteries and accessories.

B.F. Goodrich Co. (Tacoma); Automobile equipment & supplies stores--Tacoma; Appliance stores--Tacoma;

An interior view of the showroom at B.F. Goodrich Company's Tacoma store. They feature a wide variety of home appliances, bicycles, tricycles, wagons, and lawn mowers in addition to automobile tires, batteries and accessories. Banners span the ceiling and a sign in the back announces their "Grand Opening".

B.F. Goodrich Co. (Tacoma); Automobile equipment & supplies stores--Tacoma; Appliance stores--Tacoma;

The interior view of the drive-thru tire service area at B.F. Goodrich Company's Tacoma store. A large Buick is parked to the left. Tires fill bins and are stacked along both sides of the drive way. A vending machine on the left is stamped "Canteen" along the top.

B.F. Goodrich Co. (Tacoma); Automobile equipment & supplies stores--Tacoma; Tires; Automobiles--Tacoma--1950-1960; Buick automobile;

Interior of Gambles Western Auto Supply Co. store at 8104 South Tacoma Way during their Grand Opening. In addition to auto supplies, the store also sold housewares and appliances, such as the wringer washer on the right hand side. Flexible flyer wagons line up under the windows. Prominent in the foreground of the picture are kitchen aids- mixers, irons, hot plate, pans and baking pans.

Gambles Western Auto Supply Co. (Tacoma); Automobile equipment & supplies stores--Tacoma--1950-1960; Stores & shops--Tacoma--1950-1960;

The sales room at Mayberry Auto Parts, 1934 Market St., the "Tool House." Mayberry Auto Parts was both a wholesale and retail seller of auto parts, tools and equipment with a complete machine shop. A complete line of auto tools, including Bonney and Herbrand brands, are displayed behind and in front of the display cases.

Automobile equipment & supplies stores--Tacoma--1950-1960; Automobile equipment & supplies; Mayberry Motor Parts, Inc. (Tacoma);

Ray W. Perkins and his son, John Bachmann, celebrated the Grand Opening of the new Gambles Western Auto Supply Co. store at 8104 South Tacoma Way in March of 1950. Mr. Perkins, a veteran of WWI and free-lance writer, had moved to Pierce County in the early 1940s. By the time of his death in 1981, Mr. Perkins and his wife had reared 23 foster children.

Gambles Western Auto Supply Co. (Tacoma); Automobile equipment & supplies stores--Tacoma--1950-1960; Stores & shops--Tacoma--1950-1960;

The sales room at Mayberry Auto Parts, 1934 Market St., "The Tool House." The service counter displays an advertisement for Brolite paints. Stored behind the counter are boxes containing auto parts. Seated on the curve of the counter is a cash register.

Automobile equipment & supplies stores--Tacoma--1950-1960; Automobile equipment & supplies; Mayberry Motor Parts, Inc. (Tacoma);

Interior of the Gambles Western Auto Supply Co. store at 8104 South Tacoma Way during their Grand Opening. In addition to auto supplies, the store also has wheelbarrows, bicycles, and refrigerators for sale along the front walls. The store also offers housewares for sale, including lightbulbs and kitchen canisters. Automobile batteries, belts and a toy car occupy the foreground of the picture.

Gambles Western Auto Supply Co. (Tacoma); Automobile equipment & supplies stores--Tacoma--1950-1960; Stores & shops--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Santa Claus and his reindeer are lit up by spot lights as they fly over the roof of the National Auto Parts store at 4001 Pacific Ave. This photograph was taken December 21, 1950. William C. Johnston was president and sales manager at this time. They advertised that they handled auto parts for all makes of cars, retail and wholesale. TPL-8108

Automobile equipment & supplies stores--Tacoma; National Auto Parts, Inc. (Tacoma); Christmas decorations;

National Auto Parts opened a new store in the Fife Square in the summer of 1951. It apparently was the second National Auto Parts store in Pierce County. As the large sign painted on the building indicated, National Auto Parts carried "Everything for Your Car", including Valvoline motor oil, Wagner brake parts, and Perfect Circle piston rings. The 6000 square foot store would also feature precision built engines. According to W.C. Johnston, president of National Auto Parts, the new store would fill the needs of customers in the southern portion of Pierce County. View of storefront; appears to have been made of brick with large picture windows. Photograph ordered by Mr. Johnston, National Auto Parts, Tacoma office. (TNT 8-8-51, A-10)

Automobile equipment & supplies; Business enterprises--Fife; Storefronts--Fife--1950-1960; National Auto Parts, Inc. (Fife);

National Auto Parts, night exposure of window display. Sign advertising new engines; tires, batteries, and other accessories.

Automobile equipment & supplies stores--Tacoma; National Auto Parts, Inc. (Tacoma); Electric signs--Tacoma--1950-1960;

On June 6, 1952, National Auto Parts at 4001 Pacific Ave. was photographed at night with an advertisement for "Miracle Power" in their well lit window. The automotive store had a second location at 8215 South Tacoma Way. William C. Johnston was president- manager of National Auto Parts, Inc. and Merle C. Johnston was secretary-treasurer. Robert M. Johnston managed the South Tacoma store. National sold parts for all makes of car. Miracle Power was added to gas and oil and according to their slogan "puts the pur-r-r in engine performance." It was intended to be used every 1,000 miles.

Automobile equipment & supplies stores--Tacoma; National Auto Parts, Inc. (Tacoma); Electric signs--Tacoma--1950-1960;

National Auto Parts celebrated the grand opening their third auto parts and accessories store in and near Tacoma in early 1952. The firm had been established in 1938. National Auto Parts was one of the largest distributorships of automobile parts, accessories and rebuilt engines in the Northwest and carried a full line of original equipment parts. During the grand opening the store showed free movies of the 1951 Indianapolis race and a film containing "Colonel Lindbergh's Takeoff Flight to Paris" and others. (TNT, 1/5/1952, p.8)

Automobile equipment & supplies stores--Tacoma; National Auto Parts, Inc. (Tacoma);

A display of Mobil tire products was set up at the New Yorker in early January, 1953. Specific tires for snow, truck & bus, commercial and consumer usage were labeled for easy differentiation. A poster indicating that no money down was required at the time of purchase; a customer could take up to six months to pay off the tires. At least four chairs are facing the display; presumably, there would be a presentation extolling the virtues of Mobil products. Photograph ordered by General Petroleum Corp.

Tires; Tire industry--Tacoma; Merchandise displays--Tacoma--1950-1960; Signs (Notices); New Yorker Cafe (Tacoma); General Petroleum Corp. (Tacoma);

A man behind the sales room counter at Nelson Auto Parts' new store is looking at an automobile parts books. The room is adorned with congratulatory floral arrangements. Rows of shelves are filled with automobile parts and accessories and fan belts hang above the windows. Nelson Auto Parts was located on the ground floor of Normanna Hall.

Automobile equipment & supplies stores--Tacoma; Nelson Auto Parts (Tacoma);

The counter at Nelson Auto Parts new store shows the parts book and bouquets of congratulation. Rows of shelves filled with tools and automobile parts are behind the sales counter.

Automobile equipment & supplies stores--Tacoma; Nelson Auto Parts (Tacoma);

In October of 1952 Nelson Auto Parts opened their new facilities in the Normanna Hall Building, 1502 Martin Luther King Jr. Way, with a three-bay storefront that extended across the front of the building. Nelson Auto Parts was owned by Lee A. Nelson who had until recently operated an automobile parts store at Fort Lewis. The new automobile parts store featured a complete line of genuine replacement parts and accessories, had an exchange service on many automotive parts and offered a 24-hour machine shop service. The cornerstone for Normanna Hall was laid on October 1, 1922 and the building was dedicated in March, 1923. (TNT, 10/9/1952, p.13) TPL-3144

Automobile equipment & supplies stores--Tacoma; Nelson Auto Parts (Tacoma);Fraternal lodges--Tacoma; Normanna Hall (Tacoma); Storefronts--Tacoma--1950-1960; Facades--Tacoma--1950-1960;

National Auto Parts north show window after dark, featuring products manufactured by General Motors. Pictured are products with the brand names of Hyatt, Delco, Moraine, Rochester, Saginaw and Packard.

Automobile equipment & supplies stores--Tacoma; National Auto Parts, Inc. (Tacoma); Window displays--Tacoma--1950-1960;