Archives for 2016

Belding Michigan Post Office

May 28, 2016 By David W. Gates Jr.

ADDRESS: 201 E. Main St., Belding, Michigan, 48809
TITLE: Belding Brothers and Their Silk Industry
ARTIST: Marvin Beerbohm
MEDIUM: Oil on canvas (mural)
STATUS: The Belding post office is still an active, operating facility and the mural can be viewed by interested members of the public. The mural resides in the lobby on the wall above the postmaster’s door.
YEAR: 1943

I’m guessing the Belding Brother’s were in the silk industry? I’m just guessing here but if you know more about this by all means please comment and share below.

We visited Belding during the summer of 2015. We had great weather and I’m pleased with the images.

I was not pleased with how many times I needed to photograph the signature. The bright shiny brass plate made photographing it difficult. It didn’t matter what angle I tried to photograph it, I kept getting a reflection or the images were dark. I think this is the first mural signature I took more than a few pictures. Not one turned out exactly how I wanted so I just posted all the ones you see below, which show what is written on the brass plate.

This building is very handsome and well maintained. What do you think of this one? Please comment and share below.

Thanks,

David W. Gates Jr.

Belding Michigan Post Office 48809 Cornerstone

Belding Michigan Post Office 48809 Lobby

Belding Michigan Post Office Mural 48809 Center

Belding Michigan Post Office Mural 48809 Detail

Belding Michigan Post Office Mural 48809 Signature

Belding Michigan Post Office Mural 48809 Right Side

Belding Michigan Post Office Mural 48809 Left Side

Belding Michigan Post Office Mural 48809 Full

Sources

Personal visit on 8/06/2015 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
Parma Conservation (https://parmaconservation.com)

Marissa Illinois Post Office

May 24, 2016 By David W. Gates Jr.

ADDRESS: 114 N. Main St., Marissa, IL 62257

Welcome to Marissa Illinois. This is a picture of the post office on main st. Any thoughts or comments?

Thanks,

David W. Gates Jr.

Sources

Personal visit on 8/11/2015 by David W. Gates Jr.
United States Postal Service

Terre Haute Indiana Former Post Office & Courthouse

May 21, 2016 By David W. Gates Jr.

ADDRESS: 30 N. 7th St., Terre Haute, Indiana, 47802
TITLE: The Signing of the Magna Carta
ARTIST: Frederick Webb Ross
TYPE: Oil on canvas (murals)
STATUS: The Terre Haute post office and courthouse is no longer an active postal facility. The building was purchased by Indiana State University. The mural is located in the former courtroom. This enormous murals resides on a wall behind the former judges desk.
YEAR: 1935

I had no idea I would be able to view this one. But luckily during our visit the building was open and we were able to walk right in.

I dragged the wife and kid along for this trip. I think they enjoyed seeing it.

I’m completely blow away at the beauty of these old buildings. The long ornate lobby reminds me of the of the downtown Nashville building.

You have to really be on the look out for the cornerstone. It is really hard to read and its off on the side of the building. I often wonder what is going through people’s minds as they observe me casing out the building? At any rate, I mean no harm, just looking for the cornerstone.

To be honest I had to look up what the Magna Charta was. I know we talked about it in history class because the name is familiar. But to be honest I didn’t remember and had to look it up.

Were you like me? Did you have to look it up? Come on be honest. Maybe you are already a history buff and knew it. Please comment and share below.

Thanks,

David W. Gates Jr.