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 the north half of this garage in 1915, facing the old Lincoln Highway. This was the USA's first transcontinental Highway, dedicated in 1913 as our nation's first monument to Abraham Lincoln with many later modifications. When the Carquinez Bridge opened in 1927, the local section of the highway was re-routed to the north. In Livermore, the former route is contained in segments of Portola Avenue, Junction Avenue and First Street.
Duarte sold Associated brand gasoline and oil products and performed repairs on cars and farm equipment. In 1923, he added the south half as a car dealership, selling Durant, Star, and Flint models.
In the early 1940's he converted the garage into a machine shop for rebuilding machinery. In the 1950s, ownership transferred to Frank's son Fran with much of his business repairing winery and farm equipment, though he worked on autos as well.
During the early 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. They 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 Guild arranged for painting, paving, landscaping, and installation of a heater, new wiring, a new roof, and a new floor in the south end of the garage.
The Duarte Garage hosts a monthly Open House (except in December). Car clubs, scout groups and school classes have also used the site. Be sure to enjoy the north end of the garage with the Fire Engines and the Coca-Cola sign on the outside northeast corner.
(Updated text 11/2026 from Tim Sage's original flyer in 6/2002.)
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
03/15/2026 - 1963 Studebaker Gran Tourismo
04/19/2026 - 1964 Chevrolet C20 Pickup
05/17/2026 - 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air Nomad
06/21/2026 - 1953 MGTB
07/19/2026 - 1967 Corvette Stingray
08/15/2026 - 1970 Chevy El Camino SS 454
09/20/2026 - 1929 Ford Model 'A' Cabriolet
10/18/2026 - 1965 Shelby Cobra Replica
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.
