Built in 1919

This building, designed by Preston Bradshaw, Architect, exemplifies the turmoil and rapid changes, during the years when the automobile was revolutionizing the lives of St. Louisans. Between 1919 and 1935, this building was the home of ten different auto dealerships.

Initially, the east side of this building was occupied by the Cole Motor Co. and the west side was occupied by Standard Automotive Corporation. Cole Motor Co., under the leadership of Joseph J. Cole of Indianapolis, Ind., produced a highly respected, large, 8 cylinder car. The Standard, also a large 8 cylinder car, was produced by a railroad car manufacturer, the Standard Steel Car Co., of Butler Penn.

In 1921 and 1922, the west side of the building also sold Holmes automobiles, which were well designed and built, air-cooled cars. Holmes Automobile Co. was established in 1918, by the former chief engineer for Franklin, air-cooled automobiles.

In 1923, the east side of the building sold Cunningham automobiles. Cunninghams were massive cars, built in Rochester, N.Y., with unusually powerful motors, and considered by many to be the finest luxury cars of that time.

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