Archives for October 2014

ADDRESS: 42 Stephen Street, Lemont, Illinois 60439
ARTIST: Charles Turzak
TITLE: Canal Boats
MEDIUM: Oil on canvas (mural)
STATUS: The Lemont 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: 1938

My first attempt at photographing this building last year didn’t end well. By the time we arrived the weather had turned for the worst, and we found ourselves in a downpour. To add to this disappointment we were also late for a party. So needless to say I took the pictures through the car window, and repeated to myself. I’ll be back” much like Arnold Schwarzenegger’s famous line from the Terminator.

So fast forward to May of 2014 and my second attempt at photographing and document this post office. I had great weather and was able to enjoy my visit. Lemont is not entirely far from where I live but, on the particular Saturday I visited the traffic was horrendous. I was hopping for a quick trip but this turned out to be an entire morning.

As for the building it self, I have a few things to mention, first is the corner-stone. I was shocked when I observed the lack of detail or attention given to the corner-stone of this building. I completely understand the ADA requirement of having the building accessible for all. But come on!,  I’ve seen other buildings without the ramp right up against the building. I’m betting with a little more thought and effort the corner-stone could have been saved. Who knows maybe some time in the future the building will be remodeled and the corner-stone will be restored and made viewable as it was meant to be.

Maybe it’s a good thing I didn’t create this article until now. During another recent road trip I met an employee that mentioned a few interesting facts about this building. As it turns out the Lemont building as has a firing range in the basement. This particular employee recalled that in order to deliver mail to certain locations employees needed to be certified in carrying a hand gun. Employees are no longer required to carry hand guns, but what an interesting fact. Discovering and learning these bits of information are all part of what makes this so rewarding. I’m hope you enjoy the photos below.

What are you thoughts about the Lemont, Illinois Post Office? Were you gun certified to carry mail at this facility? What do you know about the mural? The artists or the history of this great building? Please comment below.

Thanks for stopping by.

UPDATE 01/10/2022 – adding a photo from my first visit in 2013 when it was down-pouring. I also looks like I overlooked adding the cornerstone image to the gallery. I’m adding that one also. I think because the date was covered up I decided it wasn’t worth adding this image back in 2013. Fast forward to today in 2022, I think it is important to show how the cornerstones have been overlooked.

David W. Gates Jr.

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Sources

• Personal visit on 5/10/2014 & 10/05/2013 by David W. Gates Jr.
• Illinois Post Office Mural Guidebook 
• United States Postal Service
• Democratic Vistas: Post Offices and Public Art in the New Deal: [Hardcover]  Marlene Park, Gerald E. Markowitz
• Let’s Look for Mail Delivery in Illinois Post Offices: [Soft Cover] Mary Emma Thompson, PH. D.