Archives for 2013

Merrimac Wisconsin Post Office

April 1, 2013 By David W. Gates Jr.

ADDRESS: 110 School St., Merrimac, Wisconsin 53561

So this one visit caught me off guard. I pulled up to the building right as young man was riding his bike down the street. He observed me taking pictures of the post office and asked me if I was a photographer? I said yes. He asked why I was taking pictures of the post office, and I responded that it’s a hobby of mine and enjoy them. He sort of shrugged his shoulder and was on keep riding along.

Funny the short conversations you have with locals. I’m glad he asked. I just wished I had one of my business cards on me to hand him. I’ve got to start remembering that.

Thanks,

David W. Gates Jr.

Sources

Personal visit on 9/20/2012 by David W. Gates Jr.
United States Postal Service

West Bend Wisconsin Post Office

March 31, 2013 By David W. Gates Jr.

ADDRESS: 607 Elm St. West Bend, Wisconsin 53095
ARTIST: Peter Rotier
TITLE: The Rural Mail Carrier
MEDIUM: Oil on canvas (mural)
STATUS: The West Bend Post Office is still active and the mural viewable by the public. It resides in the lobby on the wall above the post- master’s door.
YEAR: 1937

Happy Easter everyone!

I hope everyone is enjoying their holiday weekend. Today’s post office of the day is West Bend, Wisconsin. In August of last year I took a road trip and stopped in to see the artwork. I’m really glad I did as the mural here is quite beautiful. This is also one very large building. I choose to use this picture you see above as it shows the mighty building standing predominately on the corner overlooking the neighborhood across the street and the downtown area off to the left.

I have to say I’m really drawn to the simplicity of the painting and the clean lines. The buildings look almost too perfect and the people in the painting clean and orderly.

What do you like about this painting?

Thanks,

David W. Gates Jr.

West Bend Wisconsin Post Office Cornerstone 53095

West Bend Wisconsin Post Office Mural 53095 Detail

West Bend Wisconsin Post Office Mural 53095 Full

West Bend Wisconsin Post Office Mural 53095 Left Side

West Bend Wisconsin Post Office Mural 53095 Right Side

West Bend Wisconsin Post Office Mural 53095 Signature

Sources

Personal visit on 8/17/2012 by David W. Gates Jr.
Wisconsin Post Office Murals by David W. Gates Jr.
Wisconsin 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
National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places, Reference Number (00001254).
National Archives Records and Administration Identifier Number (106779631).
Washington County Insider https://www.washingtoncountyinsider.com/depression-era-2-2/

Kaukauna Wisconsin Post Office

March 30, 2013 By David W. Gates Jr.

ADDRESS: 120 Doty St. Kaukauna, Wisconsin 54130
ARTIST: Vladimir Rousseff
TITLE: Augustin Grignon Trading with the Indians
MEDIUM: Oil on canvas (mural)
STATUS: The mural no longer resides in the original building and has since been moved to the new post office building located here on Dotty Street. The mural is in the main lobby.
YEAR: 1938

Lots going on with this featured post office of the day. As I mentioned yesterday my initial research indicated the Kaukauna post office was an older WPA era building. And yes, I did eventually find the former building. Today I bring you the newer Kaukauna, Wisconsin Post Office complete with dedication plaque and mural from the old building. Exciting stuff, take a look

Thanks,

David W. Gates Jr.