Minute Service Station: 1925

Is that a cable car track in the foreground?

[No, they're for electric streetcars with third-rail power. - Dave]

It is amazing to compare the modernity of this service station with others recently posted to Shorpy
http://www.shorpy.com/node/3535
http://www.shorpy.com/node/3510
http://www.shorpy.com/node/3515

The roof over the pumps is a feature greatly replicated in modern stations both for the function (protection from the elements) as well as style.

Robert Beresford, a local architect, designed many residences as well as contributing to the Mayflower hotel.

"Robert F. Beresford spoke on "Colonial Architecture." Beresford designed hundreds of Colonial style homes in the Washington area. In 1923 and 1924 he worked with the New York firm of Warren & Wetmore (architects of New York's Grand Central Terminal) on the design of the Hotel Walker [now the Mayflower Hotel]. In 1927 and 1928 he designed Washington's only Art Deco office building, the Tower Building at 1401 K Street, N.W."

http://users.starpower.net/oshel/H05.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mayflower_Hotel
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Warren_and_Wetmore

That sort of barrel tile roof isn't uncommon in buildings from the twenties and thirties. There seems to have been a Spanish influenced design craze in this period. I know of several buildings here in Saskatoon from this period that have exactly that type of roof.

I'm surprised to see that tile roof over the filling station. That style is everywhere here in Southern California, looking almost exactly the same.

Washington Post Oct 8, 1922

Extensive improvements have just been completed at the Automotive Accessories Company which conducts a large filling station and accessory business at Tenth and E streets northwest.

A large tile canopy has been placed over the pump platform and several oil and gasoline pumps have been added. Driveways have been widened and other improvements made to facilitate service. The downtown station is in [the] charge of Henry J. Sterzer. William T. and C.E. Calliher and Allan E. Walker are the proprietors.

Washington Post May 25, 1924

Modern Gas Tanks Give Real Service, Sterzer Declares

Founder of "Minute Stations" Says Public Appreciates Saving of Time.

Present Plants Represent an Investment of $1,000,000 in District Alone.

The fine, modern filling station, conveniently located and well managed, renders a real service to the motoring public. It is a highly specialized business, requiring intelligent study, progressive methods and large investment.

This is the opinion of Henry J. Sterzer, general manager of the Minute service stations, which have been pioneers in placing the sales of gasoline, oils, filling station service and accessories on a higher plane in the National Capitol.

Mr Sterzer says the prime requisite for a site for a modern filling station, is not only location on a prominent thoroughfare, but the use of sufficient ground space to permit the construction of very wide driveways and the placing of pumps sufficient distances apart. The combination of wide driveways and multiple pumps permits easy entrance and exit, makes blockades impossible and difficult maneuvering with danger to fine cars unnecessary.

"Robert F. Beresford, architect of the Minute service stations, has made wide driveways and numerous pump locations a feature of his plans at all the stations," said Mr. Sterzer.
...
"Experience has taught us that the average motorist appreciates the definite knowledge that he is receiving the exact amount of gasoline or oil that he pays for. For that reason all of our stations are equipped with Fry visible measure pumps, which not only give absolutely accurate measurements mechanically, but which measurement can be checked visually."
...
The minute service stations, which represent an investment considerably in excess of $1,000,000 include the following: American Accessories company at Georgia avenue and Upshur streets northwest; the Automotive Accessories Company at Tenth and E streets northwest; the Automotive Supply Company at Twenty-First and Pennsylvania avenue northwest; the L Street Garage at 1705 L street northwest; the Linworth Auto Supply company at Linworth and C sreets southwest and the Washington Accessories company at Seventeenth and L streets northwest.

That's the current site of the Hard Rock Cafe.

That small building next to the station is now incorporated into Ford's Theater as the ticket booth, and at one time was the Star Saloon.

The larger building is Ford's Theater, and I believe the building with the fire escapes is the rear of the Atlantic building. You can barely make out the roof of the National Union Fire Insurance building at 918 F St. in the back.

Ah, that corner is now right across from the FBI's Hoover Building, and of course, just up the block from there is Ford's Theatre, where the infamous play "Our American Cousin" once played. In fact, if this is a northeast-facing view, then wouldn't that be the rear of the theatre building at upper left?