Morgan Ford Road and Hartford Street

Year built: 1929

I don't really know the story of this place. The lovely "Garage" in the stonework above is a dead giveaway. For at least the past 15 years, it's been owned by the Salvation Army.

The "In" and "Out" are rather interesting – I suppose it means that customers were supposed to drive their vehicles into the building. There wouldn't be much point in those permanent signs if employees drove the cars in – they would know the routine well.

Judging by the number of pictures, you can probably tell I had a good time getting pictures of this place.

Joins the house next door.

There was an odd, flag-less flagpole mounted on the side of the building. Given the overcast sky, my pictures of it didn't turn out too well (and yes, we did have lots of clouds! but it hasn't rained much yet).

Click the "More" for the rest of the pictures. I can't find a way to make that "More" link any bigger.

Vandeventer and Chouteau

Year built: 1972

Perhaps better than any other place, this one just hid in plain sight for me. Now a locksmith's. This is a long post because I had so much fun taking photos of this place.

This picture came from another of my "from the hip" shots where I'd just point the camera and take a photo. I decided that this joint made a great subject, and took more like it. 

Obviously, the building behind is a big part of what makes this such a fun picture.

American Automotive, Vandeventer and Boyle

Year Built: 1956

Still in operation, looks like it still sells some cars.

One of the few pictures (the only one?) I've posted here with multiple human beings in it.

Corner of Klemm and Shaw

Year built: 1924

Another mundane-looking place. With, of all things, the gate from a fence on the top corner of the building. Apparently that was a cheap sign prop.

Note the gate up there on the roof.

"NO PARKING IN DRIVEWAY"

Somewhere near Dad's Cookies

I couldn't remember exactly where this was, and combing the nearby area with Google Maps didn't help either. Perhaps it is a strange Twilight-zone sort of garage, that only appears when you are lost, then disappears before you can go back to get good photos. Or perhaps I was just looking in the wrong place on Google Maps. Either way, here's some photos I got.

Old car seats: an interesting idea for low-cost benches. Perhaps not the most sanitary one.

Outdated political poster on the building behind. Perhaps this place was open in 2008?

Russell Blvd. and Thurman Ave.

Year Built: 1960

An old combination gas station and auto repair. Currently awaiting development. A sign out front now calls for it to be returned to "neighborhood use"–a restaurant or grocery store, for instance. That would be a nice improvement.

Photo taken from hip-level. For some reason, these often turn out better than the ones I actively think about.

There used to be a lot of raggedy-looking shrubs along the side here, but it seems that the City people came and cut most of them down.

Delor Street and Nebraska Avenue

The lot at Crawford Tire & Auto was certainly empty, but there was a ceiling fan and light on inside. I didn't poke my head in, but I felt fairly certain that someone was indeed at work.

Wait a minute, "Computer Diagnostics?" Could that be, like, onboard car computers? Or is it an additional source of income for them?

Broken lamps–always a dependable subject for amateur photographers.

Rich's Automotive Repair, Michigan Ave. and Winnebago Street

Year built: 1925

"Tell the CIA that I said I love them!" –Shouted at me by a strange, shirtless, muscular man wearing feathered armbands at the corner of Winnebago and Michigan. I was too freaked out by his talking to me and walking towards me to pay attention to anything else I said. I stuffed my camera in my pocket and scooted off on my bike. Needless to say, I did not return to try taking any more pictures.

Maybe one day I will get up the courage to return and get a few more shots of this place.

Morgan Ford and Bates

Year built: 1931

The Bates location appears very much open. Also, a nice subject for photos.

It looks to be an old place–the door at the far left says "Auto Laundry." Could that be the old term for a car wash?

It was closed–when I was there, at least.

Tower Grove Garage Duo


There's a pair of old garages along Tower Grove. Again up comes the pattern of people putting auto repair shops very close to each other. Why, I don't know. Actually, research on the city's Geo St. Louis website tells me the first one was never a garage. I decided not to delete it anyway.

Garage No. 1: Tower Grove and McRee
Year Built: 1935

This was NOT a garage. It was a warehouse, according to the old record I have. Someone is bothering to turn this place into a wine bar! Good for them, I guess.

Not a garage! But it had a garage door. Could've fooled anyone.

Garage No. 2: Gregg Auto Body. (Also Tower Grove and McRee [right next door, literally.])

Year Built: 1925

This one's still open. I found that out while taking photos, as a woman came up to the door. That effectively frightened me away from taking any more photos.

Lots of ivy. Or maybe grapes? No, just ivy.

I didn't see any dogs. Doesn't mean there weren't any, of course.

Roger Place: Three Garages

I biked down Roger at the urging of a resident who mentioned the high concentration of current and former auto body places there. I wasn't disappointed.
Garage No. 1: Roger and Humphrey (Carl's)
Built 1935

A place that really seems to be open, which might also have been a gas station at some point. Also, one of my favorite places to photograph so far.

Garage No. 2: Roger Place and Parker Ave.
Older Building–1925, Newer–1940 (I would guess the smaller building is the older one)

"Hollywood Auto" seems to be open as well. How it deals with competition from Carls, I don't know. It must be tough.

Hollywood Automotive

I am not the only person who bikes around these places.

Garage No. 3: Roger Place and Miami Street
Year Built: 1939

A few short blocks down from the other two is this place; unlike the other two it is terribly dull and nondescript.

Is that a church steeple in the background? I can't remember. I'm not very proud of this picture. It's mostly here to get some context for the other pictures.

Steeply sloped hill. Of course.

Tower Grove and Gibson

  Yet another easily-missed place. Nothing that really stands out about it.

Now that I look at it, those weeds add a nice green texture to the picture.