Hover cursor over images for captions. Click images to enlarge & see captions
T.G. Heuser Compnay - Expert historical inquiry
1
T.G. Heuser Co. Encyclopedia
Cordes Auto Repair (and Garage) - Seattle, WA
By Tom Heuser, August 7, 2016
In September 1862, Prussia’s newly appointed Minister of Foreign Affairs, Otto Von Bismarck, made his most famous speech to the Prussian assembly. Seeking approval for military reform, he said “not through speeches and majority decisions will the great questions of the day be decided… but by iron and blood.” A rather ironic thing to say in a speech of all things, but it worked. Bismarck went on to unify Germany in under a decade after cunningly instigating three short wars with Denmark, Austria, and France making him undisputed champion of European geopolitical strategy. He undoubtedly inspired Germany’s burgeoning youth generation and one Martin G. Cordes (1861-1945) who was a part of that Generation.
.png)
2
Cordes Auto Repair and Garage
Martin was just 10 years old when Bismarck (pictured here) became Chancellor of the German Empire in 1871. And judging from the life Martin lived, he took Bismarck’s words and actions to heart. Now Bismarck obviously meant weapons and soldiers, but for Martin, as a machinist and mechanic who raised his kids to be the same, iron and blood meant work and family and the two were united. And when he brought these to Seattle where he founded Cordes Auto Repair and Garage, he, like Bismarck, often had to perform some geopolitical strategy (and some globe trotting) of his own.
Background
Martin G. Cordes was born in 1861 in what was then the independent city-state of Hamburg (pictured below). As the terminus of Germany’s central rail line and the home of the Hamburg-America Line shipping company, it was a major industrial and international trading center. So chances are that Martin’s father worked on trains and/or steamships and introduced Martin to the profession as soon as he came of age. However, the timing couldn’t have been worse. The panic of 1873 put the post-unification boom economy (aka Gründerzeit) into a tailspin. Heavy industries and their workers were hit hardest leading more of them to push for socialist reform. In response, the ruling class started cracking down and outright banned the socialist party in 1878. Martin, none too pleased, left for the U.S. on September 10, 1879. Germany didn’t appear to be a place for a young worker hoping to catch a break and over the next 30 years he would try to catch one.
3
T.G. Heuser Co. Encyclopedia
Arrival
Martin arrived in New York City on September 23, 1879 via the steamship Westphalia. The temperature range that day was between a comfortable 51 to 71 degrees, though it would likely have been a bit cooler on the water coming in. The sight would have been much different from how we know/imagine it today.
The sight would have been much different from how we know/imagine it today. Immigrants would not have seen the Statue of Liberty nor would they have disembarked at Ellis Island because neither had been built yet. Rather they would have disembarked at Castle Garden and seen a New York like the one depicted below.
Now unfortunately, after disembarking there, Martin's first decade in the U.S. remains untraceable. It isn't until 1889 that available public records place him at 314 Folsom Street, San Francisco, where he was living with his then recent wife Katherine Hunter. He worked as a machinist at Golden State & Miners' Iron Works, a manufacturer of mining machinery located on 1st Street between Howard and Folsom (currently a vacant lot). It was just a short walk from their home (see map below). It used to be two separate entities that merged in the late 1870s. When originally founded, both were co-operatives in which workers shared profits with the owners. So it is not surprising Martin ended up there and probably did so fairly early on—assuming it was still a co-operative after the merger. However it played out though, by 1889 he would have been a very skilled machinist perhaps even earning a decent enough wage to settle down and start a family. So that year, he and Katherine had a son and named him August.
4
Cordes Auto Repair and Garage
Strike!
However trouble was afoot. On March 2, 1890, the 300-member Iron Molders' Union, on whose work 700 others depended, including machinists like Martin, went on strike affecting fourteen iron works in the city. Apparently the owners of all these Iron Works were collectively planning to reduce the minimum wage from $3.50 to $2.50 and had started hiring non-union workers in direct violation with union rules. Many of the machinists met that night to discuss the strike and while initially hesitant, for fear of losing their jobs, ultimately chose to endorse it a few days later, but only through financial support. Otherwise, it seems they continued to work whenever work was available.
And so for nearly two years The Molders' Union were gripped in a gut-wrenching standoff with the Engineers and Foundrymen's Association. On numerous occasion mob beatings of non-union “scabs”, who were shipped in from the east, erupted on the streets in broad daylight. By the summertime, tensions were at their highest when, on the night of August 3rd, 1890, a shower of shotgun fire poured into the apartment windows of some non-union workers. So just imagine the horror of this scene for Martin and his family who would have lived within earshot of it. Their young son August and their second son Otto, who by the way, had just been born 5 days before this event, would likely have woken up screaming and in fear for their lives.
So Martin was obviously in a difficult position. While likely in agreement with his fellow machinists who supported the strikers, he had the well-being and safety of his family to consider now. And so it seems for the good of his family, he and Katherine may have left for nearby Oakland to lay low for a while as evidenced by the Oakland Tribune's announcement of the birth of their third son Walter in March of 1892. This was about four months after the strike ended in defeat for the Molders. Either unable or not desiring to return to the Iron Works, Martin and his family moved to nearby San Jose where Martin took up machine work with the San Jose Fruit Packing Company (pictured here).
5
T.G. Heuser Co. Encyclopedia
False Hopes and Longing for Home
The first several months or so in San Jose was a welcome relief for the Cordes family. The fruit company had just opened their new state of the art facility in 1893 and that spring, demands for their product were coming in from as far away as Copenhagen, Denmark. However, the excitement proved only temporary as global markets crashed that same year and the San Jose Fruit Packing Company's exports dropped by 90% the following year. Furthermore, the credit crunch at the banks meant the company couldn't borrow money to pay their idle workers. They had to issue scrip instead.
So after a year or so of these conditions, it seems Martin was beginning to wonder why he ever left Germany in the first place. He'd likely been hearing about how much more influence the Social Democratic party had recently gained there and how much Germany's industrial economy had grown since he left. He must have also had a sense of pride and nostalgia for his homeland that he wanted to share with his family. So in 1895 they moved to Germany after the birth of a fourth son Martin Jr. Just in case it didn't work out though, Martin became a U.S. citizen before he and his family left.
6
Cordes Auto Repair and Garage
Old Gray Germany Ain't What She Used To Be
Other than four more children, Mathias, Herman, Katherine, and Henry, joining the Cordes family while in Germany, their activities there remain unknown. Now, not having the time to get too deep into the weeds, it should suffice to say that it was vastly different Germany than it was in Bismarck's time. Large industrial conglomerates were emerging and colluding with government for greater control. Toxic patriotism, militarism, and imperialism were on the rise. Political rivalries intensified and Germany became more isolated going into the 20th century. Though there really is no way to know, disillusionment with these changes combined with the hardship of yet another economic panic in 1901 may ultimately have been what lead the Cordes family to return to the U.S. in October 1903. Departing yet again via Hamburg to New York City.
Back to the United States
Not long after their arrival they headed for Auburn, WA a small suburb of Seattle that was booming at the time. In 1902, the Puget Sound Traction, Light & Power company built the Seattle-Tacoma Interurban line passing right through Auburn. This, and the Northern Pacific Rail, made Auburn an excellent shipping locale. Such that it enticed companies like Borden's Condensed Milk of New York to build a new factory there in 1903. So when Martin arrived late that year, his prior experience with canning machinery in San Jose made him a shoe-in. Henceforth, they enjoyed much greater stability than they had in California and Germany, especially since the panic of 1907 seemed to hardly even phase them. In fact, while still working at Borden's, Martin started a side business in 1909 with his eldest son August. They called it The Auburn News & Stationary Company.
7
T.G. Heuser Co. Encyclopedia
An Ephipany
Now keep in mind this was Martin's first business venture and for the preceding 20 years he had always worked under the employ of others so one can imagine the profound effect this would have had on him. A new perspective like this could easily have lead him to reflect on it all—his life, his family, and his work. Martin was a machinist, he and his son Walter worked side-by-side at Borden's and the rest of the kids were taking an interest in machinery and probably auto mechanics as well. So Martin, perhaps after paying one of many visits to Seattle via the interurban and seeing all the convergence of machine and automotive talent on Capitol Hill realized something. If he could start his own business, why not do so there and join the fray of automotive pioneers where he and his family could work together and each could fully reap the fruits of their labor? Because in retrospect working for the benefit of others clearly wasn't the answer. Rather, “Iron and Blood” was the answer, remember? And with those he could forge his own empire, just like Bismarck. And the fortune and glory would far outstrip any gained from a mere newsstand and machine shop in a cannery. It was no contest. They moved to Seattle in 1912 (pictured below) and never looked back.
8
Cordes Auto Repair and Garage
Setting Up Shop
Martin, Katherine, and their younger children moved into 1148 Broadway (currently Stoup Brewing): right on the doorstep of auto-row while some of the older children shared a place at 1013 ½ E Pike st (currently Bimbos and Cha Cha Lounge). From here, they took their time getting the lay of the land and opened their first shop at 1112 E Madison st in 1914. They called it Cordes & Sons and a few years later they moved to 1827 Broadway after a grocery concern called Getz & Lewis went out of business. The existing design of 1827 wasn’t quite to their needs, so they hired Henrikson & Company to raise the ceiling by two feet among other things. Their new name would be Cordes Auto Repair and within a year, they made national headlines. Martin Cordes Jr built the first 8-cylinder automobile engine by simply connecting two 4-cylinder engines in tandem on a standard Ford chassis. At 50 Horsepower, a Phoenix newspaper called it an “8-valve demon.”
Martin Sr., obviously proud, became all the more so the following year when everyone was working in the family business. A dream come true. However, this period of national fame and unity proved brief, necessitating Martin to start channeling his Bismarckian side.
The Geopolitics of Broadway and Denny
Like any brilliant Prussian geopolitical strategist, Martin sought out ways to expand his sphere of influence. 1830 Broadway (pictured below), a larger facility across the street with a showroom, repair shop, and lower garage on a double-corner, appealed to him immensely. It was currently Alfred G. Ayerst’s Ford dealership and anyone who understood Fords as well as the Cordes family did, probably knew Ford was destined for bigger and better things. Sure enough, in October 1921, Ayerst announced his departure from 1830 Broadway in the Seattle Times to a sprawling two-story mega dealership at Third and Stewart. Martin, jumped at the opportunity and set up shop at 1830, but alas, it was too good to be true.
9
T.G. Heuser Co. Encyclopedia
Ayerst’s opulent new facility induced one of the largest Ford dealers in the country to buy Ayerst out in February of 1922. Ayerst, now a rich man, decided he wanted his old place back so he could sell Rickenbackers instead. Although, Martin didn't have to outright leave. Instead, it appears he shared influence over this highly coveted piece of real-estate while splitting his time between it and 1827. That is, Ayerst, in a sense, was the Austria to his Germany. Meanwhile, trouble was brewing in the House of Cordes.
%20(resized)_edited_edited.jpg)
1830 Broadway when it was the Rothweiler dealership from 1915-1918 which is before Ayerst (Seattle Times, June 27, 1915).
1830 Broadway after Ayerst switched from ford to Rickenbaker (Seattle Times, Oct 29, 1922).
Treason, Rebellion, and Death in the House of Cordes
Martin’s son Mathias had accumulated a debt of $540.90 (worth about $7,750 today) while working in the family business and quit before Martin could deduct it from his wages. Martin, wasn’t having it. So he sued Mathias in court and won the case. However, in a stroke of poetic justice, Mathias went to work for Ayerst selling Rickenbackers just a few months later. Don’t worry though, Martin eventually got the last laugh. But first, the next trial for the family came when Martin’s youngest son Henry had a rebellious streak. In 1925 he almost landed himself in jail after getting drunk with a friend, stealing a car, and crashing it into a telephone pole on Westlake avenue. Luckily, he avoided jail time by promising to pay for the car. Finally, in June 1926 came the ultimate tragedy: death. Martin’s wife Katherine, passed at the age of 60. The 1920s were obviously a heavy period in the personal lives of the Cordes’. So Martin’s children started taking an on-again off-again approach to working at the family business. They all probably just needed a little space. Nevertheless, the business moved forward.
The Geopolitics of Broadway and Denny, Round 2
In 1926, Martin got another shot at 1830. Ayerst’s decision to throw his weight behind the Rickenbacker proved disastrous. Eddie Rickenbacker, the overzealous WWI ace who founded the company, kept pushing for evermore luxurious and powerful automobile designs until prices skyrocketed and sales nosedived. Luckily for Ayerst, he bailed before Rickenbacker went bankrupt and eventually started a finance and warehousing business. (Martin’s last laugh!) From here on out 1830 would remain under Martin’s control until his retirement. Otherwise, 1827 would effectively function as a protectorate where Martin could install one of his many vassals. One of which was the House of Quinlan.
10
Cordes Auto Repair and Garage
House of Quinlan, Vassal to the House of Cordes
Johnny “Second-Chance” Quinlan, as I like to call him, gets the name because of all the chances he gave and received. For example, he took a fancy to giving failing towing garages a second chance by taking them over and rescuing them. One of them was Nagle Place Garage at 1831 Nagle Place, which is on the rear side of 1830 Broadway.
He eventually renamed it “Utility Towing Service Inc”. with his wife Helen as a trustee and bookkeeper. The timing was good. As cars were both aging and growing more plentiful, towing and emergency roadside services were in ever greater demand. Further, it appears Seattle Police first started having cars towed and impounded for traffic violations in 1925. Meaning, anyone with a tow truck and garage could potentially reap considerable profits. This meant that the Quinlans really needed a larger space. So when Martin Cordes took over 1830 Broadway in 1926, he had just the place for them: 1827 Broadway, right under his watchful eye. Now, despite John and Helen having a rocky relationship, their business carried on through the 1920s, but by 1930, it was over. Apparently they had mortgaged their towing equipment to Helen’s father to secure a $1300 loan from him (worth $18,000 today). When they couldn’t repay it, Helen’s father foreclosed on the mortgage in July of 1930 and auctioned off the equipment. Don’t worry though, some years later, they got a second chance.
House of Miller, Second Vassal to the House of Cordes
Martin, no doubt displeased, decided he couldn’t leave 1827 Broadway vacant, so he installed another business there called A C Garage. Martin had taken over the A C Garage after the original owners failed to pay their rent at 1831 Nagle place in 1928. He managed it himself for a while, but decided to pass it off to a couple named Otto and Katherine Miller somewhere between late 1930 to early 1931. Unfortunately, the Millers hardly got a chance to prove their worth. In February of 1931, they were wrongfully arrested for holding 12 gallons of moonshine in a padlocked truck that a couple of bootleggers had towed over to their garage. The Superior Court dismissed the Millers nine months later when authorities found the original bootleggers. Left with the bad taste of moonshine in their mouths, the Millers decided to leave the garage to Martin.
Retirement
At this point, Martin was pushing 70 and probably looking to retire soon. He couldn’t keep up all this maneuvering and clearly having strangers manage the garage business just wasn’t working. So he must have then remembered those iconic words “iron and blood” and knew what to do.
11
T.G. Heuser Co. Encyclopedia
In 1933, he passed the whole business, repair shop and garage, to his son Walter. Walter renamed the A C Garage to “Cordes Garage” (see title photo above) and brought it back over to 1831 Nagle Place in 1935 effectively cutting 1827 Broadway loose for good. Martin handled the bookkeeping for a while before retiring and died on December 2, 1945. The repair shop ran until 1951 at its final location of 101-109 Broadway. Its remnants were briefly exposed. Thereafter, Walter and his brother Herman appear to have focused solely on their towing business into the 1960s. After jockeying with other towing companies for the highly coveted city towing contract, they eventually became one of two companies to claim the prize. A towing empire of sorts. And thus Martin Cordes’ original dream of “iron and blood” at least in some form anyway, carried on and became a legacy that lasted over a hundred years.
12
Cordes Auto Repair and Garage
Last updated: November 29, 2024.
To cite this article:
CMS Bibliography:
Heuser, Tom G. “Cordes Auto Repair (and Garage) - Seattle, WA.” In T.G. Heuser Company Encyclopedia of Pacific Northwest History. Seattle, WA: T.G. Heuser Company, August 7, 2016. https://www.tgheuser.co/cordes-auto-repair.
CMS Footnote:
Tom G. Heuser, “Cordes Auto Repair (and Garage) - Seattle, WA,” in T.G. Heuser Company Encyclopedia of Pacific Northwest History, (Seattle, WA: T.G. Heuser Company, August 7, 2016). https://www.tgheuser.co/cordes-auto-repair.
SAA Bibliography:
Heuser, Tom G. 2016. "Cordes Auto Repair (and Garage) - Seattle, WA." In T.G. Heuser Company Encyclopedia of Pacific Northwest History. Seattle, WA. 7 August. https://www.tgheuser.co/cordes-auto-repair.
Note: This article is a combination of two articles. The first was published on Capitol Hill Seattle Blog on August 7, 2016 under the title "1827 Broadway Part 2: A Story of Iron and Blood." The second was published at the same time on my own blog under the title "1827 Broadway: A Prequel of Iron and Blood." This second article consisted of all the history I documented about the Cordes family leading up to their arrival in Seattle. At that time it was intended to serve as bonus material since it was not relevant to the building or the Capitol Hill neighborhood.