Midtown in St. Louis, Missouri — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)
Cole-Standard Building
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.
Erected by The Horseless Carriage Club of Missouri and Hilliker Corporation.
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Location. 38° 38.131′ N, 90° 13.261′ W. Marker is in St. Louis, Missouri. It is in Midtown. Marker is on Locust Street east of North Garrison Avenue, on the right when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 2924 Locust Street, Saint Louis MO 63103, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Cadillac Building (within shouting distance of this marker); Ford Building (within shouting distance of this marker); Nash Building (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Locomobile Building (about 600 feet away); Stearns-Knight Building (about 600 feet away); Stutz Building (about 600 feet away); Dodge-Reo Building (about 700 feet away); Long Roads To Freedom (about 800 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in St. Louis.
Credits. This page was last revised on January 30, 2023. It was originally submitted on April 29, 2019, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 193 times since then and 11 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on April 29, 2019, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
