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.
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.
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The collection is open to the public by appointment.
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.
William O. McKay Companies and Pacific Lincoln Mercury Collection , Museum of History & Industry, Seattle
Gift of Seattle Jaguar/Land Rover, received in 2007.
The collection was acquired from Seattle Jaguar employees when they were vacating the building on Westlake Avenue that had housed William O. McKay and Pacific Lincoln Mercury.
This collection is indexed under the following headings in the online catalog. Researchers desiring materials about related topics, persons, or places should search the catalog using these headings.
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.
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
Postcard
Postcard
Postcard
Postcard
Color snapshot
Color snapshot
Handwritten on photo: China bound Lincoln
Color snapshot
Color snapshot
Sign in window: Happy Birthday to Ralph. The Grandest Gentleman of the Century!
Color snapshot
Color snapshot
Probably related to Beck's election as president of the Teamsters.
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.
Regarding the post of Regional Director of the Office of Price Stabilization.
Regarding the post of Regional Director of the Office of Price Stabilization.
Regarding the post of Regional Director of the Office of Price Stabilization.
"For your contribution to the funding and restoration of this state's historical seal."
Articles of incorporation, business licenses, meeting minutes, correspondence, certificate of voluntary dissolution.
Articles of incorporation, by-laws, stockholder meeting notices, minutes, correspondence.
Articles of incorporation, business licenses, meeting minutes, shareholder notices, certificate of voluntary dissolution.
Most of the newspapers clippings are photocopies of the original clippings.