Period Photo - Early Carwash?

[Tim Rogers]

[Mark Gregush]

Pumping the basement out after a flood, maybe?

[mtntee20]

I'll bet they didn't have to pay for the vacuum cleaner!

[TRDxB2]

Its a Drive-thru gas station. Billboard atop building is "Pierce Oil Corporation" in St Louis MO
From flicker.com "Automobile fueling at one of the first gas stations in St. Louis, operated by the Pierce Oil Company at 4614 Washington Boulevard, 1916. Photograph by Charles Holt, 1916. Missouri History Museum Photograph and Print Collection. Swekosky Notre Dame College Collection. Image Number: 25989"
The photo from http://theoldmotor.com/?p=160521 The wet pavement appears to be melted snow, look at the steps in the middle doorway. Can't tell if the long hose end is resting on the curb behind the guy checking the tire or what the gentleman in the gray coat is doing behind the light post but it looks like he is wetting the pavement

[Rich Eagle]

Nice job finding the answer Frank.

[John kuehn]

For vintage sign collectors the drive in and drive out signs would be a real find! Probably went to the local junkyard though like the rest of what’s there after urban renewal or whatever.

[Kaiser]

Have a look at all that gaudy new fangled electrical lighting ! they really went all th way with that