The area of prospect between 56th and 58th streets seems to have been heavily influenced by both the past commerce of the area, as well as the city’s development as a whole. In the 1937 Sandborn Map, one of the only businesses shown was a garage for vehicles. Now in the present day, almost the entirety of this stretch has been dedicated in some way to the automotive industry. The original garage is still standing, and many of the structures have been removed or replaced with either used car lots, repair shops, or some other automotive based company. Many of the residential areas are no longer being used, I believe that this is due to the removal of a portion of the once adjacent street, Montgall, in order for interstate 71 to be installed. This has led to this portion of Prospect Ave being less used for residential purposes and led way for more businesses to move in and take the space.
