January 5, 2012 - Pink Elephant

To Seattle residents, this pink elephant is as much a symbol of Seattle as the Space Needle, Pike Place Market or Mount Rainier.  The first Elephant Car Wash location in downtown Seattle was opened in 1952. This location closer to Seattle Center was opened in 1956.  Automatic car washes have been around since at least the late 1930s, but Elephant Car Wash is believed to be the first one in Seattle.  There are several locations in the greater Seattle area as well as eastern Washington, Arkansas and California.

June 9, 2011 - Add it to your gas. Add it to your oil.

Add Bardahl.  Add it to your gas.  Add it to your oil. (The L is currently burned out.)

Ballard, a neigborhood northwest of downtown Seattle, is known for its Scandinavian heritage.  One of the landmarks there is this large neon sign that has been standing over the headquarters of the Bardahl Oil Company since 1953.  The founder, Ole Bardahl, was a Norwegian immigrant to the US in 1922.  As with many such stories, he came to the country poor and without knowing the language.  During the Great Depression he built a successful business as a residential general contractor.  By 1939 he had enough money to start what was to become Bardahl Oil Company.  It was reported that he was a millionaire by the time he was 39.  In the 1950s Bardahl was the leading brand of motor oil and additives and the brand continues today as a small multi-national company that is one of the top 10 in oil industry sales in the world.  About 50 employees work at their offices in Ballard.

If you are a fan of motorsports you have likely seen the name of Bardahl or one of their products.  They are involved in everything from unlimited hydroplane racing to CART and NASCAR racing.  If you grew up during the 1950s and watched any TV, chances are probably good that you once saw a Bardahl commercial in which an animated engine problem like "Sticky Valves" or "Gummy Rings" was solved with Bardahl.

August 10, 2010 - (Almost) Last Call

Catch it while you can! The Buckaroo Tavern, established in 1938, will be closing their doors and turning off the quaint neon sign on September 17th.


The neighborhood bar is located on the northern edges of Fremont, a Seattle neighborhood that claims to be "The Center of the Known Universe". The eclectic neighborhood is home to the world headquarters of Getty Images, a statue of Lenin, a Volkswagon crushing troll, nude bicyclists and was where Nirvana's "Bleach" was recorded.