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Archives for November 2012

Chana Illinois Post Office

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Chana Illinois Post Office 61015
Chana Illinois Post Office 61015

ADDRESS: 300 Main St., Unit A, Chana, Illinois 61015

When a post office address includes a unit or suite number on an old building you wonder how many tenants occoupy the same building. Then  you start to wonder if anyone actually lives in the same building as the post office.  The Chana post office is a perfect example of this. When you look at the building it looks like someone took a regular house and place it on top of the post office. Maybe the postmaster, maybe the baker or, candlestick maker, who knows?

Today I bring you the Chana, Illinois post office. The story goes something like this. It was early Saturday morning and we were driving to a family party at Timber Lake Resort. Well, I really had to use the facilities. It’s a long drive and I had a lot of coffee to drink that morning. So we pulled into Chana so I could find a place. Nothing, but I quickly shot pictures of the post office and was on my way. Sadly, I didn’t get to look around much, but I’m sure I’ll be back out this way. Maybe this is much more than you really wanted to know, but I tell it like it is, while on the road, photographing our Nation’s post offices.

Thanks,

David W. Gates Jr.

Sources

  • Personal visit on 8/22/2012 by David W. Gates Jr.
  • United States Postal Service

Caratunk Maine Post Office

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Caratunk Maine Post Office 04925
Caratunk Maine Post Office 04925

ADDRESS: 172 Main St., Caratunk, Maine 04925

Caratunk was another stop during my 2007 Appalachian Trail hike. There wasn’t much to Caratunk as it’s a rather small town. I remember being pretty anxious to hike so I didn’t spend much time here.

Thanks,

David W. Gates Jr.

Sources

  • Personal visit on 9/21/2007 by David W. Gates Jr.
  • United States Postal Service

Park Falls Wisconsin Post Office

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Park Falls WI Post Office 54552
Park Falls WI Post Office 54552

ADDRESS: 109 1st St. Park Falls, Wisconsin 54552
ARTIST: James Watrous
TITLE: Flambeau River Fight
MEDIUM: Oil on canvas (mural)
STATUS:  The Park Falls Post Office is still active and the mural decoration remains viewable by the public. It resides in the lobby on the wall above the postmaster’s door.
YEAR: 1938

Park Falls is another post office gem. It has also been dedicated a National Historical Site in 1996. The building itself is quite impressive standing several stories. I was told by the friendly postal working that it also housed several government offices when it as first built.

Park Falls also houses one of the largest murals I’ve seen. (See Photographs) Legend has it two logging company’s fought each other for the privilege of driving their logs down the Flambeau river.

As I visited I was also greeted by a very friendly postal worker. I started asking about the mural and he proceeded to tell me all about the mural and the artist. Even before I read the mural description, he was quick to tell me about the legend of the two logging companies.  He mentioned back in those days being the first down the river could possibility mean the difference of getting paid or not getting paid. I guess back in those days the wood mills only took in so much wood and thus only paid for so much lumber. If you were last to get to the mill you may not get paid. This is the story I heard from the postal worker. Whether this is legend or fiction I’m unknown but a great story.

The postal worker I met also mentioned that a previous postmaster at some point wanted to paint over or have the mural taken down because it was so violent. I’m certainly glad he or she changed their minds. Although it is a violent depiction of our past it’s still a wonderful painting and is also a reminder of the way life used to be.

Thanks,

David W. Gates Jr.

Lumberjack Fight on the Flambeau River by James Waltrous, photo credit David W. Gates Jr.

Park Falls Wisconsin Post Office 54552
Park Falls Wisconsin Post Office 54552
Park Falls Wisconsin Post Office 54552
Park Falls Wisconsin Post Office 54552
Park Falls Wisconsin Post Office Artifacts
Park Falls Wisconsin Post Office Boxes
Park Falls Wisconsin Post Office Cornerstone
Park Falls Wisconsin Post Office Mural Right Side bottom
Park Falls Wisconsin Post Office Mural Left Side
Park Falls Wisconsin Post Office Mural Description 54552
Park Falls Wisconsin Post Office Mural Center
Park Falls Wisconsin Post Office Lobby Bulletin
Park Falls Wisconsin Post Office Historical Plaque
Park Falls Wisconsin Post Office Historical Award 1996
Park Falls Wisconsin Post Office Mural Right Side
Park Falls Wisconsin Post Office, Artists James Watrous Signature
Park Falls Wisconsin Post Office 54552 Old Photos
Park Falls Wisconsin Post Office 54552 Old Photos
Park Falls Wisconsin Post Office 54552 Old Photos
Park Falls Wisconsin Post Office 54552
Park Falls Wisconsin Post Office Mural 54552

“Used with the permission of the United States Postal Service®. All rights reserved.”

Sources