5210-14 South Tacoma Way (1924)

This building was constructed in the year 1924 specifically to house a Dodge automotive dealership. In the year 1928 the dealership was taken over by "Tommy" E. Burns and Walter M. Campbell. The business partnership only lasted a few years and by 1930 the company was known as Burns Autos.

This building was constructed in 1924 specifically to house a Dodge automotive dealership. In 1928 the dealership was taken over by "Tommy" E. Burns and Walter M. Campbell. Burns. The business partnership only lasted a few years and by 1930 the company was known as Burns Autos. The following year Tommy Burns relocates his business to 728 Broadway. Another auto dealership, Feutz's Garage Economy Motors opened at 5212, while Northwest Printing Company occupied 5214. While the businesses at 5210 and 5214 frequently change, Feutz's automobile dealership remains at this location for most of the decade. This building maintains the five distinct bays of the original structure, although the individual bay layout has been altered due to current tenant requirements. When used as an auto dealership the building had multiple "storefronts" to accommodate the different functions of a dealership. The second bay from the southern end was completely open to allow automobiles access for entering and exiting the site. Each end of the storefront had a recessed entry, and the top part of the window glazing had transom windows, which were typical of the period. As remodeled for new uses the structure now has doors in the center bays, while the two bays on either side are almost completely glazed with large sheets of plate glass.

Historic South Tacoma Way. Tacoma, WA. Historic Tacoma Press, 2011.