This amazing view of 12th & State St. is from 1923, two years before the construction of the Erie Trust Company Building on the SE corner of 10th & State in 1925 (now known as the Renaissance Center).

It must have been tricky to cross the street with all the trolleys in motion, a transportation option which lasted until 1935.

You can tell this was pre-airconditioning with so many windows open in the Commerce Building at 12th & State Sts.

The next tallest structure visible in the distance is the Palace Hardware building, on the east side of State between 9th & 10th Streets.

Photo credit: unknown