Elephant Car Wash
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Automobile cleaning service |
| Founded | 1951 |
| Founder | Eldon Anderson, Archie Anderson, Dean Anderson |
| Headquarters | Seattle , United States |
Area served | Seattle, Washington |
| Products | Car wash services |
Elephant Car Wash is a Seattle-based automobile cleaning service chain located in Seattle, Washington.
History
The inaugural Elephant Car Wash was established in 1951 by Eldon Anderson along with his brothers, Archie and Dean, at the intersection of Fourth and Lander. Eldon, who had earlier co-founded Five Minute Car Wash—recognized as one of the pioneering semi-automated car wash operations in the United States—went on to create what is regarded as the "first fully hands-free car washing system." The second outlet commenced operations in 1956 on Battery Street in downtown Seattle. By 2016, the enterprise had expanded to encompass 14 locations.
Towards the end of 2020, plans were made to close and demolish the Battery Street facility, with its distinctive signage being donated to MOHAI.
Signs
The two pink elephant signs at the Battery Street site have become notable symbols within the local community. The larger sign, a rotating pink neon elephant, has been featured in films, music videos, and advertisements, drawing visitors ranging from Secret Service agents to Elvis Presley. It ranks among Seattle’s most frequently photographed icons. There are intentions to transfer this sign to the Museum of History & Industry, though this proposal has faced opposition from a preservation organization.
In November 2020, Bob Haney, the owner, gifted the smaller pink elephant sign to Amazon. This sign is presently displayed in a public plaza near Amazon’s headquarters campus, situated just two blocks from the original Elephant Car Wash location.