Downtown West in St. Louis, Missouri — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)

Peerless Building

Built in 1914

Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), April 22, 2019

1. Peerless Building Marker

Inscription. This building, designed by Jacob Hirshstein, was, from 1916 to 1918, home of Phillips Motor Co., dealers for Detroit Electric autos. From 1918 to 1922, Murphy Machinery and Equip. Co. sold, in this building, Premier and Skelton autos, as well as Glen and Studebaker trailers and Allis Chalmers tractors. From 1923 through 1926 this building was the home of Park Automotive Co., the St. Louis distributor of the Peerless auto. From 1927 to 1932, Oldsmobile and Viking autos were sold in this building by Lambert-Graves Motor Co.

Skeltons, powered by Lycoming motors, were built in St. Louis during 1921 and 1922, by St. Louis Car Co.

The Peerless, built in Cleveland, from 1900 to 1931 was a leading luxury car of its day. Peerless' were known for their aluminum bodies and exceptional quality. The Peerless autos distributed from this building, sold for up to over $4,000.00 in standard trim and had six cylinder and V-8 motors, with up to 133 inch wheel bases.

Oldsmobile Motor Vehicle Co. was established in Lansing, Michigan, by Ransom E. Olds in 1893, and was acquired by General Motors in 1908. The Oldsmobiles sold in this building had 47 HP to 87 HP, six and eight cylinder engines and, in 1931, for the first time, offered syncromesh transmissions. The Viking autos sold in the building were slightly more expensive

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cars, built and sold by Oldsmobile in 1929 and 1930.

Erected by The Horseless Carriage Club of Missouri and Hilliker Corporation.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Roads & Vehicles. A significant historical year for this entry is 1916.

Location. 38° 38.03′ N, 90° 12.72′ W. Marker is in St. Louis, Missouri. It is in Downtown West. It is at the intersection of Locust Street and North 23rd Street, on the right when traveling west on Locust Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 416 North 23rd Street, Saint Louis MO 63103, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the American Midwest,

in the Lewis & Clark Corridor,

in the Corn Belt,

and in the Great River Road Region.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

the Louisiana Purchase,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Willys Building (within shouting distance of this marker); Mendenhall Building (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Packard Building (about 300 feet away); Golden Lane (about 600 feet away); Lambert-Deacon-Hull Printing Company Building (about 700 feet away); 2635 Locust Street (approx. 0.2 miles away); Virginia Minor (approx. ¼ mile away); Scott Joplin Residence (approx. ¼ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in St. Louis.

Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), April 22, 2019

2. Peerless Building Marker

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 422 times since then and 15 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on April 29, 2019, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.