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Bloomfield Indiana Post Office

October 23, 2021 By David W. Gates Jr.

ADDRESS: 55 N. Washington St., Bloomfield, Indiana 47424
ARTIST: Lilian Swann Saarinen
TITLE: Waiting for the Mail
MEDIUM: Terra-cotta (relief)
STATUS: The Bloomfield post office is still an active, operating facility, and the relief can be viewed by interested members of the public. It resides in the retail section of the lobby on a wall above the postmaster’s door.
YEAR: 1941

Bloomfield was the perfect visit in terms of lighting, timing, no cars or people and for external images. That red and tan against the deep blue skies made for some amazing photos.

This my friends is my ideal picture of a classic post office building photo. I wish every image I had was this perfect.

Update:

I’m grateful to have been able to re-visit this one during business hours and get better photos of the relief. I’m a happy guy now!

David W. Gates Jr.

Bloomfield IN Post Office 47424 Cornerstone

Bloomfield IN Post Office 47424 Artifact

Sources

Personal visit on 10/17/21 about 2:50 PM and 02/23/2022 about 10:55 AM by David W. Gates Jr.
Indiana Post Office Mural Guidebook by David W. Gates Jr.
(affiliate link) Democratic Vistas: Post Offices and Public Art in the New Deal: [Hardcover] Marlene Park, Gerald E. Markowitz
United States Postal Service
Lynn’s Stamp News: Artwork Surprise at Rural Post Office.

Boonville Indiana Post Office

October 22, 2021 By David W. Gates Jr.

ADDRESS: 214 W. Locust St., Boonville, Indianna 47601
ARTIST: Ida Abelman
TITLE: Boonville Beginnings
MEDIUM: Tempera (mural)
STATUS: The Boonville 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 a wall above the postmaster’s door.
YEAR: 1941

The goal of my second trip to Indiana was to get the southern tip post offices. This was a long drive for a day-trip, but I managed to get Boonville and Tell City. Both were on my list for October 17, 2021.

It was just after noon when I arrived, and the sun was behind the building. This made for some darker images of the front of the building then I like. But I’ll take what I can get. The lobby was open and I was able to enjoy the wonderful mural by Ida Abelman.

Note to self, if you find yourself here in the early morning, that would be the better time for exterior images.

UPDATE:

I was able to visit Boonville again during a cloudy day. I should be able to get one that works for the book.

UPDATE:

Another visit during the Canadian wild fires in the summer of 2023.

David W. Gates Jr.

Boonville IN Post Office 47601 Cornerstone

Boonville IN Post Office 47601 Mural Center

Boonville IN Post Office 47601 Mural Signature

Boonville IN Post Office 47601 Mural Right

Boonville IN Post Office 47601 Mural Left

Boonville IN Post Office 47601 Mural Detail

Sources

Personal visit on 10/17/21 about 12:25 PM & 02/23/2022 about 3:28 PM and 06/28/2023 about 4:57 PM by David W. Gates Jr.
Indiana Post Office Mural Guidebook by David W. Gates Jr.
(affiliate link) Democratic Vistas: Post Offices and Public Art in the New Deal: [Hardcover] Marlene Park, Gerald E. Markowitz
United States Postal Service
(affiliate link) A Simple and Vital Design: The Story of the Indiana Post Office Murals: John C. Carlisle

Danville Indiana Former Post Office

October 21, 2021 By David W. Gates Jr.

ADDRESS: 101 W. Marion St., Danville, Indiana 46122
ARTIST: Gail Wycoff Martin
TITLE: Filling the Water Jugs — Haymaking Time
MEDIUM: Oil on canvas (mural)
STATUS: The Danville post office is no longer an active, operating postal facility. Interested members of the public should contact the Hendricks County Probation for hours and availability. The mural resides in the lobby on a wall above the former postmaster’s door.
YEAR: 1939

My second road trip to Indiana involved stopping at the former Danville building. It was a Sunday so I had no hopes of getting inside the building. My research revealed the mural is still in the building.

I arrived early in the morning and the sun was just rising off to the left side of the building. I think the afternoon would be the best time to photograph this one when I return. The images here are darker then I would like.

David W. Gates Jr.

Danville IN Former Post Office 46122 Cornerstone

Danville IN Former Post Office 46122 Mural Left

Danville IN Former Post Office 46122 Mural Center

Danville IN Former Post Office 46122 Train

Danville IN Former Post Office 46122 Ship

Danville IN Former Post Office 46122 Plane

Danville IN Former Post Office 46122 Mural Right

Danville IN Former Post Office 46122 Mural Signature

Danville IN Former Post Office 46122 Mural

Danville IN Former Post Office 46122 Lobby

Sources

Personal visit on 10/17/21 about 7:44 AM and 3/9/22 at 2:56 PM and 06/27/2023 about 7:51 PM by David W. Gates Jr.
Indiana Post Office Mural Guidebook by David W. Gates Jr.
The Republican Newspaper: New Deal Mural Remains Example of Public Art. January 4, 2023, accessed January 31, 2023.
(affiliate link) Democratic Vistas: Post Offices and Public Art in the New Deal: [Hardcover] Marlene Park, Gerald E. Markowitz
United States Postal Service
(affiliate link) A Simple and Vital Design: The Story of the Indiana Post Office Murals: John C. Carlisle

Tell City Indiana Post Office

October 20, 2021 By David W. Gates Jr.

ADDRESS: 444 Main St, Tell City, Indiana 47586
ARTIST: Laci de Gerenday
TITLE: The Noon Mail
MEDIUM: Wood (relief)
STATUS: The former Tell City post office is no longer an active, operating facility The relief was moved to the newer building shown here. It can be viewed by interested members of the public during business hours. It resides in the retail section of the lobby behind the retail counter.
YEAR: 1938

The former Tell City post office is now The Post restaurant & Grill. The wooden relief that was once house in the older building is now located in this one.

However, the relief is in the retail section of the lobby. Not only that but it is also located behind the retail counter, which makes it difficult to view and enjoy.

I had to peek through the windows to even see a little of it, when I visited. I’ll need to make another trip, kudos that I know of a good place to eat while in town.

David W. Gates Jr.

Sources

Personal visit on 10/17/21 about 5:10 PM and 02/23/2022 about 2:01 PM by David W. Gates Jr.
Indiana Post Office Mural Guidebook by David W. Gates Jr.
(affiliate link) Democratic Vistas: Post Offices and Public Art in the New Deal: [Hardcover] Marlene Park, Gerald E. Markowitz
United States Postal Service

Tell City Indiana Former Post Office

October 20, 2021 By David W. Gates Jr.

ADDRESS: 516 Main St, Tell City, Indiana 47586
ARTIST: Laci de Gerenday
TITLE: The Noon Mail
MEDIUM: Wood (relief)
STATUS: The Tell City post office is no longer an active, operating facility. The relief once housed here was moved into the newer building. The relief can be viewed by interested members of the public. It resides in the retail section of the lobby on a wall behind the retail counter. It is only viewable during business hours.
YEAR: 1936

During my October 17th road trip my goal was to get to southern Indiana and to visit the building. I knew ahead of time it was a restaurant and my plan to end my trip here and head back home.

I wanted to sit inside and enjoy the building, but that whole COVID thing forced me to order takeout. I ate in the parking log and enjoyed the building and quiet downtown area.

The Post Bar and Grill offers a lot of items on their menu, but I went with the Post Burger. It was a good burger, but I think I would have liked it with lettuce, tomato and onion. It was kind of plain with just the burger, cheese and bun. I’m sucker for chips so, that was an easy decision.

Next time I’m here, I think I’ll go with the Tell City Burger, I like the idea of having someone more on my burger. That tree makes for a photographic challenge. I think if it gets any bigger it will block out the entire front of the building.

David W. Gates Jr.

Tell City IN Former Post Office 47586 Cornerstone

Sources

Personal visit on 10/17/21 about 5:03 PM and 06/28/2023 about 1:53 PM by David W. Gates Jr.
Indiana Post Office Mural Guidebook by David W. Gates Jr.
(affiliate link) Democratic Vistas: Post Offices and Public Art in the New Deal: [Hardcover] Marlene Park, Gerald E. Markowitz

West Baden Springs Indiana Post Office

October 19, 2021 By David W. Gates Jr.

ADDRESS: 8182 IN-56, West Baden Springs, Indiana 47469

As I drove through West Baden Springs, I observed this giant domed building. I had no idea what it was until I came home and did some research. Apparently, I drove right by the historic French Lick Resort. Even from the road it seems like an impressive building.

Had it not been so late in the evening, I might have stopped in, but that will have to wait until another time.

David W. Gates Jr.

Sources

Personal visit on 9/26/21 about 7:17 PM by David W. Gates Jr.
United States Postal Service

Spencer Indiana Post Office

October 18, 2021 By David W. Gates Jr.

ADDRESS: 30 S. Washington St., Spencer, Indiana 47460
ARTIST: Joseph Meert
TITLE: Harvesting
MEDIUM: Oil on canvas (mural)
STATUS: The Spencer 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 a wall above the postmaster’s door.
YEAR: 1938

What a treat to have blue skies and great weather. I’m delighted to have visited and acquired great images fro this Indiana post office beauty.

David W. Gates Jr.

Sources

Personal visit on 9/26/21 about 3:06 PM by David W. Gates Jr.
Indiana Post Office Mural Guidebook by David W. Gates Jr.
(affiliate link) Democratic Vistas: Post Offices and Public Art in the New Deal: [Hardcover] Marlene Park, Gerald E. Markowitz
United States Postal Service
(affiliate link) A Simple and Vital Design: The Story of the Indiana Post Office Murals: John C. Carlisle

Rockville Indiana Post Office

October 17, 2021 By David W. Gates Jr.

ADDRESS: 102 N. Market St., Rockville, Indiana 47872
ARTIST: Milton Avery
TITLE: Landscape
MEDIUM: Oil on canvas (mural)
STATUS: The Rockville 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 a wall above the postmaster’s door.
YEAR: 1939

Another stop during my September 2021 road trip. Unfortunately the lobby was closed so I was not able to see the mural. However, the weather was beautiful and photographing the exterior was a pleasure. Love the blue skies and green grass.

Update: re-visited in February 2022 for mural images. Enjoy!

David W. Gates Jr.

Columbus Wisconsin Post Office 53925 Cornerstone

Columbus Wisconsin Post Office Mural 53925 Full

Columbus Wisconsin Post Office Mural 53925 Center

Columbus Wisconsin Post Office Mural 53925 Left Side

Columbus Wisconsin Post Office Mural 53925 Right Side

Columbus Wisconsin Post Office Mural 53925 Detail

Oconomowoc Wisconsin Post Office Mural 53066 Full

Oconomowoc Wisconsin Post Office Mural 53066 Left Side

Oconomowoc Wisconsin Post Office Mural 53066 Right Side

Oconomowoc Wisconsin Post Office Mural 53066 Center

Oconomowoc Wisconsin Post Office Mural 53066 Detail

Sources

Personal visit on 9/26/21 about 11:57 AM & 2/19/2022 about 9:08 AM by David W. Gates Jr.
Indiana Post Office Mural Guidebook by David W. Gates Jr.
(affiliate link) Democratic Vistas: Post Offices and Public Art in the New Deal: [Hardcover] Marlene Park, Gerald E. Markowitz
United States Postal Service
(affiliate link) A Simple and Vital Design: The Story of the Indiana Post Office Murals: John C. Carlisle

Paoli Indiana Post Office

October 16, 2021 By David W. Gates Jr.

ADDRESS: 202 N. Gospel St., Paoli, Indiana 47454
ARTIST: Tom Rost
TITLE: Rural Mail Carrier
MEDIUM: Oil on canvas (mural)
STATUS: The Paoli 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 a wall above the postmaster’s door.
YEAR: 1937

It was getting late by the time I arrived in Paoli. I was pleased with he setting sun behind me as I was photographing the building. The deep blue skies also makes a more colorful image. Its photographs like these that really show off the building.

David W. Gates Jr.