Archives West Finding Aid
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William O. McKay Companies and Pacific Lincoln Mercury Collection, circa 1922-1990
Overview of the Collection
- Creator
- McKay, William O., 1887-1956
- Title
- William O. McKay Companies and Pacific Lincoln Mercury Collection
- Dates
- circa 1922-1990 (inclusive)19221995
- Quantity
- 1 box, (.42 cubic feet)
- Collection Number
- 2007.11
- Summary
- Ledger books, photographs, certificates, correspondence and clippings relating to William O. McKay Company, McKay Finance Company and Pacific Lincoln-Mercury-Nissan
- Repository
-
Museum of History & Industry, Sophie Frye Bass Library
P.O. Box 80816
Seattle, WA
98108
Telephone: 2063241126 x102
library@mohai.org - Access Restrictions
-
The collection is open to the public by appointment.
- Languages
- English.
Biographical NoteReturn to Top
William O. McKay (1887-1956) was born in California and arrived in Seattle with his family in 1898. McKay attended the University of Washington, but left before graduating to begin a career in the automobile business. During World War I he fought in France as a Marine Corps infantry officer. After the war, McKay worked as a sales representative for Ford Motor Company.
In 1922, he formed the William O. McKay Company. His quick success enabled him to move from a leased lot on Capitol Hill to his own building located at Westlake Avenue and Mercer Streets. Built in 1922, the South Lake Union Ford Showroom was adjacent to the Ford Assembly Plant, where cars were assembled for local sale. Three years later, he built an ornate, one-story terra cotta showroom to display the line of luxury Lincolns he added to his inventory. Created by architects Harlan Thomas and Clyde Grainger, designers of Seattle’s Sorrento Hotel, the showroom entrance had an elaborate carved wooden archway and featured a large chandelier and Ionic columns. In 2006, the Seattle Landmarks Preservation Board designated the South Lake Union showroom as a city landmark.
McKay was a life-long civic leader, active in the Seattle Chamber of Commerce, Community Fund drives and various automotive organizations. He was a visionary for the Seattle Seafair celebration, and in 1951 was crowned Neptune Rex II, the second Seafair king. An avid Seattle booster, he predicted the rapid expansion of the automobile industry. He died in 1956, while cruising with his wife in the Fiji Islands.
Ralph Grossman (1913-1996) was born in Chicago. He went to work at age 9 to support his family, and by age 22 he was the youngest district manager in the Walgreens Drug store chain. He moved to Seattle in 1939, where he first operated a theater. He began selling cars for William O. McKay in 1949, and the dealership often loaned Lincolns to visiting politicians and celebrities. At the time of his death at age 83, he was the vice president at the 58-year old Pacific Lincoln-Mercury-Nissan dealership, formerly William O. McKay Ford. He was active in civic affairs, helping to launch the Seattle Civic Christmas Ship and the Variety Club Telethon, which raised money for Children’s Hospital. After World War II, he and William O. McKay organized a victory parade featuring community leaders called the “Seattle Salts.” In 1956, the group evolved into the first Seafair festival. Grossman was later referred to as the “Father of Seafair.” Grossman ran for Congress in 1948 and Seattle City Council in 1956.
Content DescriptionReturn to Top
The collection of photographs, color snapshots and postcards include various models of Lincoln cars, views of the Pacific Lincoln Mercury showroom and service entrance, and images of Ralph Grossman with visiting politicians. The correspondence, certificates and published articles relate primarily to the sales career and civic activities of Ralph Grossman. Newspaper clippings include car advertisements for the Pacific Lincoln-Mercury-Nissan dealership. The bound business ledger books for McKay Finance Company, Motors Finance Company and William O. McKay Company contain articles of incorporation, business licenses, meeting minutes, correspondence, shareholder notices and certificates of voluntary dissolution.
Use of the CollectionReturn to Top
Alternative Forms Available
View selections from the collection in digital format by clicking on the camera icons in the inventory below.
Restrictions on Use
The Museum of History & Industry is the owner of the materials in the Sophie Frye Bass Library and makes available reproductions for research, publication, and other uses. Written permission must be obtained from MOHAI before any reproduction use. The museum does not necessarily hold copyright to all of the materials in the collections. In some cases, permission for use may require seeking additional authorization from the copyright owners.
Preferred Citation
William O. McKay Companies and Pacific Lincoln Mercury Collection , Museum of History & Industry, Seattle
Administrative InformationReturn to Top
Detailed Description of the CollectionReturn to Top
Photographs and postcardsReturn to Top
Description | Dates |
---|---|
2007.11.4: Ralph Grossman shaking hands with German consul, with Howard Parish and
Mrs. O.M. Lamson looking on
Gene Weber from
Fred Carter Photographer, Seattle (photographer)
1 black & white photograph8 x 10 in.
This photo was probably taken after the "Christmas Ship" relief drive distributed food, clothing and
other supplies collected in the Pacific Northwest to American-occupied Germany and Austria. Ralph Grossman and Fire
Chief Howard Parish were co-chairs of the Christmas Ship drive, and Mrs. O.M. Lamson was on the Washington state
committee. The three were among a group of seven representatives who traveled to Europe to the meet the Christmas Ship
on its arrival in Bremen in March 1948.
|
1948 |
2007.11.5: Lincoln convertible and riders in a parade
Central Studios, Atlantic City, NJ (photographer)
1 black & white photograph8 x 10 in.
Written on door of car: "Commander-in-Chief Byron B. Gentry." Gentry was elected Commander-in-Chief of
the Veterans of Foreign Wars in 1962
|
circa 1962 |
2007.11.6: Lincoln cars parked in front of Lincoln High School, with four men and
four women posing with "Lincoln" sign
1 black & white photograph8 x 10 in.
|
circa 1965 |
2007.11.7: Ralph Grossman and unidentified man with March of Dimes child
1 black & white photograph8 x 10 in.
|
circa 1960 |
2007.11.8: 1966 Lincoln Continental convertible at auto show
1 black & white photograph8 x 10 in.
|
1965 November |
2007.11.9: Adlai Stevenson, Don Magnuson, Al Rossellini, Henry Scoop Jackson, Max
Antin seated in a Lincoln, with four policemen looking on
Walters Studio (photographer)
1 black & white photograph8 x 10 in.
|
circa 1955 |
2007.11.10: Lincoln Continental 4-door sedan
Postcard
|
1975 |
2007.11.11: Lincoln Continental Mark III
Postcard
|
1971 |
2007.11.12: Lincoln Continental Mark IV
Postcard
|
1973 |
2007.11.13: Lincoln Continental Mark IV
Postcard
|
1972 |
2007.11.14: Lincoln Town Car in parking lot
Color snapshot
|
1978 |
2007.11.15: Lincoln showroom with Chinese customers
Color snapshot
Handwritten on photo: China bound Lincoln
|
circa 1980 |
2007.11.16: 1965 Lincoln parked outdoors
Color snapshot
|
circa 1980 |
2007.11.17: Pacific Lincoln Mercury storefront
Color snapshot
Sign in window: Happy Birthday to Ralph. The Grandest Gentleman of the Century!
|
circa 1970 |
2007.11.18: Three men near Lincoln in parking lot
Color snapshot
|
circa 1978 |
2007.11.19: Pacific Lincoln Mercury service entrance
Color snapshot
|
circa 1975 |
Ralph Grossman correspondence and ephemeraReturn to Top
Description | |
---|---|
2007.11.20: Letter of thanks from labor leader Dave Beck
Probably related to Beck's election as president of the Teamsters.
|
1952 November 14 |
2007.11.21: Letter of thanks from Mayor William Devin
For Grossman's work in helping to welcome the "Merci Car." The Merci Car, a 48-car train, was a gift
from Europe in thanks for relief supplies sent to France and Italy by the US in 1947.
|
1949 March 16 |
2007.11.22: Letter from Warren Magnuson to Max Silver regarding Ralph
Grossman
Regarding the post of Regional Director of the Office of Price Stabilization.
|
1950 December 26 |
2007.11.23: Letter from Henry Jackson to Ralph Grossman
Regarding the post of Regional Director of the Office of Price Stabilization.
|
1950 December 18 |
2007.11.24: Letter from Henry Jackson to Ralph Grossman
Regarding the post of Regional Director of the Office of Price Stabilization.
|
1950 December 20 |
2007.11.25: Letter from International Shipping Company to Ralph Grossman regarding
Northwest Christmas Ship |
1948 February 20 |
2007.11.26: Lincoln Mercury Sales Council Inner Circle certificate for Ralph
Grossman |
1963 |
2007.11.27: Industrial College of the Armed Forces National Security Seminar
certificate of course completion for Ralph Grossman |
1970 |
2007.11.28: State of Washington certificate of appreciation for Ralph
Grossman
"For your contribution to the funding and restoration of this state's historical seal."
|
1988 |
2007.11.29: State of Washington Distinguished Citizen certificate for Ralph
Grossman |
1972 February 22 |
2007.11.30: Ralph Grossman for City Council, election flier |
1956 |
2007.11.31: Ralph Grossman for U.S. Congress, election flier |
1948 |
2007.11.32: Pacific Lincoln advertisement clipping featuring Ralph
Grossman |
circa 1970 |
2007.11.33:
Seattle Business issue, listing the nominees (including Grossman) for
vacancies on the Seattle Chamber of Commerce board |
1965 May 11 |
2007.11.34:
Seattle Business issue, Chamber of Commerce profile on Ralph
Grossman |
1969 |
2007.11.35: Ralph Grossman Pacific Lincoln-Mercury Nissan business card |
circa 1975 |
2007.11.36: Ralph Grossman business letterhead, Pacific Lincoln
Continental |
circa 1975 |
William O. McKay companies business recordsReturn to Top
Description | Dates |
---|---|
2007.11.1-.2: Stock certificates, McKay Appliance Company |
1945 |
2007.11.3: Stock certificate, TAM Engineering Corporation |
1946 |
2007.11.58: McKay Finance Company ledger book
Articles of incorporation, business licenses, meeting minutes, correspondence, certificate of voluntary
dissolution.
|
1926-1940 |
2007.11.59: Motors Finance Corporation ledger book
Articles of incorporation, by-laws, stockholder meeting notices, minutes, correspondence.
|
1926-1946 |
2007.11.60: William O. McKay Company, Inc. ledger book
Articles of incorporation, business licenses, meeting minutes, shareholder notices, certificate of
voluntary dissolution.
|
1922-1946 |
Newspapers clippingsReturn to Top
Most of the newspapers clippings are photocopies of the original clippings.
Description | Dates |
---|---|
2007.11.38-.43: Pacific Lincoln Mercury newspaper advertisements |
1986-1996 |
2007.11.44-.46:
Seattle Post Intelligencer, Emmett Watson column and photographs of
Lincoln being loaded on a Boeing plane |
1973 |
2007.11.47: Newspaper photograph of Ralph Grossman presenting a check to the
Children's Orthopedic Board |
circa 1975 |
2007.11.48-.52:
Seattle Times newspaper articles about Ralph Grossman |
1971-1978 |
2007.11.53-.57: Pacific Lincoln Mercury newspaper advertisements and sales
brochure |
circa 1990 |
Names and SubjectsReturn to Top
Subject Terms
- Automobile dealerships--Washington (State)--Seattle
- Business enterprises--Washington (State)--Seattle
- Lincoln automobile
Personal Names
- Grossman, Ralph, 1913-1996
Geographical Names
- Seattle (Wash.)
Form or Genre Terms
- Business records
- Photographic prints
Other Creators
-
Corporate Names
- Pacific Lincoln Mercury (Seattle, Wash.) (creator)