Archives for September 2013

ADDRESS: 210 Dodge St., Janesville, Wisconsin, 53545
ARTIS: Boris Gilbertson
TITLE: Wild Ducks
MEDIUM: Aluminum (stamped) 4 individual panels
STATUS:  The aluminum panels made for Janesville by Gilbertson are now in the newer post office where they are only available for viewing during business hours. The lobby has a locked retail section where the panels are located.
YEAR: 1940

Well there use to be artwork here. But the United States Post Office out-grew this building and moved to a new location on Milton Ave. They took the 4 aluminum panels with them to the newer building on Milton. I had to find the original building and that was exactly what I ended up doing one weekend in August of 2013. I met two friendly ladies working at the Arrowhead Library System. They informed me the panels were moved to the newer bundling on Milton Ave.

I was slightly confused because I had visited this one before but never noticed the panels. Confused I ended up visiting again and as it turns out the panels are inside of the retail counter area. When I initially visited, I never checked the inside of the retail section because the light was off and it was dark in that part of the building. I’ve outlined this visit on the active Janesville Wisconsin Post Office article.

What a great building, I love the look and lights along the steps. The corner-stone is in the lower right corner of the building and of course like a curious neighbor, I snooped around the bushes to get the photographs you see below. I wasn’t the only one looking for a post office the day I visited. I think because the building still has the letters United States Post Office on the exterior of the building people still stop in looking to mail stuff. When I was visiting there must have been 3 or 4 people who walked into to the building in the 10 or 20 minutes I was there.

So if the postal service ever reads this article. Would it be possible to at least place a mailbox out front? Maybe this would be confusing to people, but just a thought.

Thanks to the Arrowhead Library System Staff, working the day I visited. I appreciated your time and chatting with you both.

12/15/2020 Update

I’m told the Arrowhead Library System no longer operates out of this building. It appears vacant. Does anyone else have the current scope on this beautiful building?

David W. Gates Jr.

Sources

• Personal visit on 8/9/2013 by David W. Gates Jr.
• Wisconsin Post Office Murals by David W. Gates Jr.
• Wisconsin Post Office Mural Guidebook by David W. Gates Jr.