Artist

ADDRESS: 801 North Broadway, Melrose Park, Illinois, 60160
ARTIST: Edwin Boyd Johnson
TITLE: Air Mail
MEDIUM: Fresco (mural)
STATUS: The Melrose Park post office closed in the 1960’s. The mural was hidden by a drop ceiling for years. The public library purchased and remodeled the building considerably. The mural was also restored and now resides in the adult services section for all to enjoy.
YEAR: 1937

Another beautiful restored mural. I had a hard time looking for this one. At first I was looking for the old building. What I’ve learned over the years is they tend to be the boxy style buildings. So I was a bit baffled when I came upon the Melrose Park library. This one has large green awnings and looked nothing like your typical New Deal building.

I needed confirmation this was indeed the original post office. So I send an email to the library inquiring about the mural and the building. Sure enough I received a response that indeed this was the original location of the building and that mural was indeed located here.

Yes, you are correct on both counts. I am attaching a document which outlines the story of the Fresco and its rediscovery and renovation.

 

Adult Services Department
Melrose Park Public Library

After careful examination of the building you can see the old brick vs the new brick on the side of building. Which begs me to wonder, what happened to the corner-stone? Does it still exist behind the new addition or was it somehow destroyed as part of the remodel?

I’d also love to see original photos of the building when it was still a post office. The staff didn’t seem to know any other history other than it was the original post office.

Thanks,

David W. Gates Jr.

Sources

• Personal visit on 9/29/2015 and 10/02/2015 by David W. Gates Jr.
• Illinois Post Office Mural Guidebook 
• Democratic Vistas: Post Offices and Public Art in the New Deal: [Hardcover]  Marlene Park, Gerald E. Markowitz
• Melrose Park Public Library
• Parma Conservation