Archives for 2013

Rockwood Tennessee Post Office

July 6, 2013 By David W. Gates Jr.

ADDRESS: 340 W. Rockwood St., Rockwood, Tennessee, 37854
ARTIST: Christian Heinrich
TITLE: Wild Life
MEDIUM: Terra-cotta (relief)
STATUS: The Rockwood post office is still an active, operating facility, and the relief can be viewed by interested members of the public. It resides in the lobby on the wall above the postmaster’s door.
YEAR: 1939

It’s not often that I get to showcase artwork other than murals. So when I come across something different like the terra-cotta reliefs get excited. The Rockwood Tennessee post office is one example of this wonderful find.

Calling all Rockwood Tennessee historians. I’ve been trying to find more historical information regarding this building and the artwork in the building. Other than some general google searching nothing of relevant is appearing. Does anything have more information regarding when the post office was built? Any historical pictures or post cards? Did you know the artist? Where you there when it was installed? So many questions.

Thanks,

David W. Gates Jr.

Rockwood Tennessee Post Office Cornerstone

Rockwood Tennessee Post Office Terra Cotta Relief

Rockwood Tennessee Post Office Terra Cotta Relief Artist Signature

Rockwood Tennessee Post Office Terra Cotta Relief Artwork

Rockwood Tennessee Post Office Terra Cotta Relief Detail

Rockwood Tennessee Post Office Terra Cotta Relief Left Side

Rockwood Tennessee Post Office Terra Cotta Relief Right Side

Sources

Personal visit on 4/02/2013 by David W. Gates Jr.
Tennessee Post Office Murals by David W. Gates Jr.
Tennessee Post Office Mural Guidebook by David W. Gates Jr.
United States Postal Service
(affiliate link) Democratic Vistas: Post Offices and Public Art in the New Deal: [Hardcover] Marlene Park, Gerald E. Markowitz
(affiliate link): Tennessee Post Office Murals: Howard Hull
National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places, Reference Number (99001621).
National Archives Records and Administration Identifier Number (135819460).
City of Rockwood Tennessee Rockwood Post Office – City Of Rockwood

Sweetwater Tennessee Post Office

July 5, 2013 By David W. Gates Jr.

ADDRESS: 701 N. Main St., Sweetwater, Tennessee, 37874
ARTIST: Thelma Martin
TITLE: Wild Boar Hunt
MEDIUM: Egg tempera (mural)
STATUS: The Sweetwater post office is still an active, operating facility, and the mural can be viewed by interested members of the public. It resides in the lobby on the wall above the postmaster’s door.
YEAR: 1942

I had friendly visit to Sweetwater Tennessee. It was a slow day so I was able to chat with the workers. I over heard one of them talking about being a Jr. I had to chime in and mentioned I’m a Jr too. It was comical, but friendly. I was able to take my time and get some good close-ups of this mural.

This mural is unique in that it’s not just rectangle in shape. The side of the mural drape down around the postmasters office door. An interesting touch for this nice post office.

Thanks,

David W. Gates Jr.

Sweetwater Tennessee Post Office Cornerstone

Sweetwater Tennessee Post Office Mural Center

Sweetwater Tennessee Post Office Mural Detail

Sweetwater Tennessee Post Office Mural Full

Sweetwater Tennessee Post Office Mural Left Side

Sweetwater Tennessee Post Office Mural Right Side

Sources

Personal visit on 4/02/2013 by David W. Gates Jr.
Tennessee Post Office Murals by David W. Gates Jr.
Tennessee Post Office Mural Guidebook by David W. Gates Jr.
United States Postal Service
(affiliate link) Democratic Vistas: Post Offices and Public Art in the New Deal: [Hardcover] Marlene Park, Gerald E. Markowitz
(affiliate link): Tennessee Post Office Murals: Howard Hull

Lenoir City Tennessee Post Office

July 4, 2013 By David W. Gates Jr.

ADDRESS: 217 E. Broadway St., Lenoir City, Tennessee, 37771
ARTIST: David Stone Martin
TITLE: Electrification
MEDIUM: Oil on canvas (mural)
STATUS: The Lenoir City post office is still an active, operating facility, and the mural can be viewed by interested members of the public. It resides in the lobby on the wall above the postmaster’s door.
YEAR: 1940

HAPPY 4th of July Everyone!!!

I hope everyone is enjoying their day. I wanted to thank everyone for following and being fans of the United States Post Office. Of course I need to put my two cents in and hope the sell off and plundering of our National Post Office buildings slows or stops. Today we celebrate our freedom, even as one of our nations institutions continues to struggle. Let’s hope the powers that be will take time to reflect on this situation and take action to protect our post office buildings.

Starting today in honor of our Nations Celebration, I’m posting 4 in a row. Yes, you read that right, Four Tennessee post offices that were built under the Roosevelt administration. Just my small way of celebrating our independence. I hope you enjoy the next few days.

July 4th Lenoir City Tennessee

July 5th Sweetwater Tennessee

July 6th Rockwood Tennessee

July 7th Dayton Tennessee

You know you hit the jackpot when you leave a post office having taken 40 photographs. But just check out that mural! How cool is that? But wait there’s more, check out the old photographs in lobby and news clippings. What a treat that someone took the time to save these wonderful treaures and artifacts.

Were you a part of preserving the news clippings displayed here? Are there other historical stuff somewhere in a local library that I don’t know about? Will you be the first to enlighten me?

Thanks,

David W. Gates Jr.