Artist

ADDRESS: 1111 South Lincoln Avenue, O´Fallon, Illinois, 62269
ARTIST: Merlin F. Pollock
TITLE: John Mason Peck, First Postmaster Handing Out Mail – 1830
MEDIUM: Oil on canvas (mural)
STATUS:  The former O´Fallon post office building was razed. However, the mural can be viewed in the new building shown here on Lincoln Ave. by interested members of the public. It resides on the wall above the retail counter.
YEAR: 1939

Looks like I might have skipped over this one while I was going through my final audit of Illinois New Deal Buildings. I tried really hard to find the original building, but was not successful. Here is what I did learn.

When I visited O´Fallon, I walked into bar and was greeted by two friendly locals. We I inquired about the old building the owner mentioned it had been demolished. When I asked what was in its place he mentioned a parking lot. I have not been able to officially confirm this but at lease I was able to find out a little bit about O´Fallon history.

The the conversation turned toward wanting to see the mural. The gentlemen told me the mural had been moved to the new building on Lincoln Ave. This sort of confirmed the creditability of his words as I already knew this piece of information.

When I returned home I spent some more time searching for the old building but came up empty-handed. I eventually contacted the local historical society. Low and behold one of the workers confirm the original building had been razed. He also mentioned their little museum has pictures of the old building.

Now I just need to visit O´Fallon again so I can visit their museum. Does anyone else out there have original pictures of the O´Fallon, Illinois building. I’ve love to hear from you. Please comment and share below.

Thanks,

David W. Gates Jr.

Sources

• Personal visit on 8/10/2015 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