New Aberdeen Garage and Western Auto Supply Co. exterior — 6/19/1941 — #18424_1
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Photograph Copyright Anderson & Middleton Company
United States — Washington (State) — Aberdeen
Arthaud, Paul
Location is corner of Broadway and Market Streets looking south. Image includes Western Auto Supply Co. and New Aberdeen Garage. Thanks to Susan Larson for contributing information.
The Jones Photo Collection features an interesting series of pictures of this Aberdeen landmark. When it first opened in about 1925, this building was known as the New Aberdeen Garage and featured fireproof storage. A sign in image no. 6130_1, taken ca. 1928 confirms this. For another comparison, see image no. 18424_1, taken in 1941, which shows the Becker Building in the background with the streetcar tracks on Broadway abandoned and filled in. Those tracks are clearly visible in image no. 10318_5, taken in 1925.
Before the building was remodeled and operated under new management, it had become known locally as the old Aberdeen Garage, but soon reclaimed its original name. The 1951 Polk's Directory lists the "New Aberdeen Garage (Charles E. Laying, Carl A. Schaffer) Open Day and Night, Ambulance Service, Storage, Washing, Wrecker Service, Gas and Oils, 107 Market at Broadway". Image no. 34712_1, taken in 1959 clearly shows the tow truck and ambulance portions of the business. There was a vehicle ramp on the inside that went up to a second floor where the ambulances were kept.
Terri Middleton notes: "My grandmother used to take her car in there for service and occasionally we’d see an ambulance, full lights and sirens, tearing down the ramp and out the door. Pretty hairy stuff for a kid!" Later, the garage was demolished and in 2008, the Bank of America on Broadway occupies the old garage’s footprint. Thanks also to Mickey Thurman and Steve Leeson for contributing additional information.
Thanks to Jim Kite who adds: “My grandpa, I.N. Kite owned this.”
