THE DUARTE GARAGE &
LINCOLN HIGHWAY MUSEUM
Corner of Pine and North L Streets -
Open on Third Sundays, 10am - 2pm Contact and Garage Curator: Will Bolton
Frank H. Duarte built what is now the north half of this garage in 1915, facing the Lincoln Highway. This was the USA's first transcontinental Highway, dedicated in 1913 as our nation's first monument to Abraham Lincoln. There were many modifications through the years, and when the Carquinez Bridge opened in 1927, the local section of the highway was re-routed to the north. In Livermore, the old route is today contained in segments of Portola Avenue, Junction Avenue and First Street.
Duarte sold Associated brand gasoline and oil products and performed repairs on cars as well as farm and agricultural equipment. In 1923, he added the south half as a car dealership, selling Durant Star and Flint models. Local legends hold that one of Robert Livermore's descendants was a salesmen at the garage in the 1920s. In the 1950s, ownership transferred to Frank's son Fran and much of his business was repairing winery and farm equipment, though he still worked on autos as well.
During the 1970s, the City of Livermore took the Garage, Cottage, and surrounding land through eminent domain, intending to demolish the Garage and Cottage to create a large park.
The Livermore Heritage Guild persuaded City Council not to destroy these two historic structures and signed a lease in 1976 to restore and maintain the garage for use as a museum and the cottage as caretaker's residence. The remaining land is now Portola Park.
The Duarte Garage hosts events throughout the year, including the Guild's own Annual General Meeting and Annual Auction. Car clubs, murder mysteries, scout groups and school classes are among the others who have made use of the site.
See more at [[ Garage Playlist ]]Car of the Month
See external photo galleries of showpiece automobiles visiting the Garage
10/17/2010 - 1923 Seagrave Engine Turnover
(Photographer: Dick Jones of Altamont Cruisers)
06/23/2013 - Lincoln Highway Association Convoy
09/19/2021 - 1967 Pontiac GTO Convertible
03/20/2022 - 1969 Chevrolet Corvette
07/17/2022 - 1967 Ford Mustang Fastback
05/21/2023 - 1966 Shelby Mustang
08/20/2023 - 1958 Chevrolet Impala
09/17/2023 - 1956 Chevrolet Custom Pickup
10/15/2023 - 1950 Chevrolet Pickup
01/21/2024 - 1969 Pontiac GTO
02/18/2024 - 1926 Star Pickup and Machine Shop
03/17/2024 - 1965 Chevrolet C-10 Pickup
04/21/2024 - 1962 Chevrolet Impala SS
05/19/2024 - 1972 Chevrolet Racing Nova SS
06/16/2024 - 1964 Chevrolet Corvair Spyder
07/21/2024 - 1960 VW Karman Ghia
08/18/2024 - 1961 Lincoln Continental
09/15/2024 - 1968 Chevrolet Camero RS/SS
10/20/2024 - 1965 Ford Mustang (convertible)
11/17/2024 - 1941 Willys Coupe
01/19/2025 - 1950 Buick RoadMaster
02/16/2025 - 1976 Corvette Stingray
03/16/2025 - 1965 Ford Mustang (hardtop) and 1965 GTO Tri-Power
04/20/2025 - 1947 Willys "Jeep"
05/18/2025 - 1965 Pontiac GTO
06/07/2025 - Firetruck Club
07/20/2025 - 1947/97 Dodge Power Wagon
08/17/2025 - 1970 Chevrolet Chevelle SS
09/21/2025 - 1963 Buick Riviera
10/19/2025 - Red Monster Chevrolet
11/16/2025 - 1959 Studebaker Silver Hawk
02/15/2026 - 1997 BMW Z3 Roadster
02/20/2026 - LHG HistoryMobile
VIDEO - Hand Cranked Display of Star W-4 Engine Block
We are a member of the Lincoln Highway Association, California Chapter
Document Links:
100th Anniversary of Duarte Garage (The Independent, 12/2015)
Edmund & Jones "Bullet" Headlights (2018)
Oil Cans displays (2018)
Highway Side (R.Finn, 2015) - - - Sample display(2005)Multiple events feature antique/classic automobiles such as a 2006 visit by a Studebaker Club.
The garage with authentic Coca Cola sign on the northeast corner offer unique photo opportunities.
