Before it was Eatonville Auto Center (on Mashell Ave. and Carter Street) it was Van Eaton’s garage. Here’s a great picture from the 50s. The cars have changed a bit and there aren’t any gas pumps, but you can still recognize the building.
To see some pictures of the building of the 1946 construction, just click HERE.
Pat Van Eaton says, “This was taken around 1947. Left to right is Bill Brainard, John Van Eaton, (unknown) and Clyde Williams. It was the Van Eaton and Brainard Kaiser Frazer dealership. They also sold Studebaker trucks, rototillers, Alice Chalmers farm tractors and Superior fire place inserts along with a Shell Oil gas distribution plant. Later they had a Union 76 distribution. Bill Brainard sold his interest in 1953 for $50,000 or about $447,000 in today’s dollars. WWII was over and people wanted everything.”
Photo courtesy of Pat Van Eaton.
Click on image to enlarge.
Eatonville To Rainier 
7 responses to “Van Eaton’s Garage (ca.1947)”
Ask Chuck Mctee he would know.
LikeLike
Thanks!
LikeLike
The year was about 1947 from left to right Bill Brainard , John Van Eaton,?? and Clyde Williams. It was Van Eaton & Brainard Kaiser Frazer dealership. They also sold Studebaker trucks, rototillers, Alice Chalmers farm tractors & Superior fire place inserts along with a Shell Oil gas distribution plant & later they had the Union 76 distributorship. Bill Brainard sold his interst in 1953 for $50,000.00 or about $447,000.00 in todays dollars.WW11 was over & pepole wanted everything.
LikeLike
Thanks!!
LikeLike
Hi Diane,
The people sitting in the Kaiser are my grandfather Clyde Williams and my oldest cousin Jim Duke (son of Clyde and Hettie’s oldest daughter Fay (Williams) Duke). I believe this was the first Kaiser sold by the Van Eaton dealership. Later Clyde also bought the first Corvair from the Van Eaton’s in 1961. My father, Cecil Williams, also bought a Frazer from the Van Eaton’s that same year. Clyde’s car was a deep red and my father’s Frazer was blue.
Rich
LikeLike
Thanks!!!
LikeLike
I remember Jeff Morrow owned either a Kaiser or Frazer, I’m leaning toward a Frazer from weak memory. I do remember he parked it by the curb in front of his Barbershop and it was quite the sensation. Maybe someone can recall his car also. Dick Logston
LikeLike