Artist

Park Ridge Illinois Former Post Office

July 4, 2015 By David W. Gates Jr.

Former Park Ridge IL PO 60068 — Park Ridge IL Former PO 60068

ADDRESS: 164 South Prospect Avenue, Park Ridge, Illinois, 60038
ARTIST: George Melville Smith
TITLE: Indians Cede the Land
MEDIUM: Oil on canvas (mural)
STATUS: The former Park Ridge post office is now owned by the local school district. The mural was restored and relocated to the local Park Ridge public library where it can be viewed by interested members of the public.
YEAR: 1937

I’ve always had this one in the back of my mind. When I realized there was a mural in the old building I often wondered where it was located. See I had originally visited the building on Busse Hwy but didn’t find the mural. So I made a mental note to research it someday. Well that “someday” finally arrived as I was visiting Mary Emma Thompson back in October of 2014 during one of her book signings.

As we were chatting we ended up talking about the mural in Park Ridge and she commented that it had been moved to Park Ridge Public Library. So naturally after I learned of this, I put it on my “to do” list. In March of this year we had a nice clear day and I decided to visit Park Ridge. During this visit I was able to photograph the old building on Prospect Ave and the mural.

What a great job Parma Conservation did restoring the mural, I wish I would have been around for the unveiling of the it back in 2013. But alas here it is and I’m finally able to share it with you. Thanks to all who made restoring this mural possible and making it available to the public once again.

So after re-reading this again, just to clarify the mural no longer resides in the original building. It has been moved to the local library. The original building is now home to the Park Ridge – Niles School District 64, Raymond E. Hendee Educational Services Center.

What do you think? Did you make it to the unveiling of the mural at the library? What was it like? Please comment and share below.

Thanks,

David W. Gates Jr.

Former Park Ridge Illinois Post Office 60068

Former Park Ridge Illinois Post Office Mural 60068

Former Park Ridge Illinois Post Office Mural 60068 Full

Former Park Ridge Illinois Post Office Mural 60068 Left Side

Former Park Ridge Illinois Post Office Mural 60068 Center

Former Park Ridge Illinois Post Office Mural 60068 Right Side

Former Park Ridge Illinois Post Office Mural 60068 Detail

Former Park Ridge Illinois Post Office 60068 Cornerstone

Former Park Ridge Illinois Post Office Mural 60068 Plaque

Former Park Ridge Illinois Post Office Mural 60068 Signature

Sources

Personal visit on 3/28/2015 and 3/30/2023 by David W. Gates Jr.
Illinois Post Office Mural Guidebook
Smithsonian National Postal Museum (Indians Cede the Land | National Postal Museum (si.edu)
Democratic Vistas: Post Offices and Public Art in the New Deal: [Hardcover] Marlene Park, Gerald E. Markowitz
Park Ridge Public Library, Park Ridge, Illinois
Parma Conservation
Chicago Tribune: Park Ridge Library mural’s move put on hold due to concerns about sun, visibility.
Patch Illinois: Progress on Park Ridge Post Office Mural Restoration.

Chattanooga Tennessee Post Office and Courthouse

June 20, 2015 By David W. Gates Jr.

ADDRESS: 910 Georgia Ave., Chattanooga, Tennessee, 37402
ARTIST: Leopold Scholz
TITLE: The Mail Carrier
MEDIUM: Silver plated bronze (sculpture)
STATUS: The bronze sculpture resides in the lobby near the staircase and can be viewed by interested members of the public during business hours.
YEAR: 1938

ARTIST: Hilton Leech
TITLE: Allegory of Chattanooga
MEDIUM: Oil on canvas (mural)
Status: The mural resides in a courtroom and is not easily accessible to the public.
YEAR: 1938

I may need your assistance with this one. The name of the artists from any of my sources mentions Leopold Scholz as the artists. However, I personally visited and took all the images you see below. What or who is the name Herodotus is engraved below the mail carriers motto. Are you more familiar with this than me? What do you make of the engraved name on the bronze?

Please comment and share below.

Thanks,

David W. Gates Jr.

Chattanooga Tennessee Post Office 37402 Cornerstone

Chattanooga Tennessee Post Office 37402 Sculpture

Sources

Personal visit on 12/22/2014, 10/21/2019 by David, Post Office Fans
Tennessee Post Office Murals by David W. Gates Jr.
Tennessee Post Office Mural Guidebook 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
(affiliate link): Tennessee Post Office Murals: Howard Hull
General Services Administration
National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places, Reference Number (80003827).
National Archives Records and Administration Identifier Number (135816768).
Eastern District of Tennessee (0398history.pdf (uscourts.gov)

Former Johnson City Tennessee Post Office

June 6, 2015 By David W. Gates Jr.

Former Johnson City TN Post Office 37601

ADDRESS: 338 E. Main St., Johnson City, Tennessee, 37601
ARTIST: Wendell Jones
TITLE: Farmer Family
MEDIUM: Oil on canvas (mural)
STATUS: The mural no longer reside in the original building shown here. It was moved to the Charles C. Sherrod Library on the campus of Eastern Tennessee University. The mural is on display in the testing center room and is accessible to members of the public.
YEAR: 1940

When I arrived in Johnson City I headed over to the new post office building. I found myself asking a postal employee where the original building was located. It was difficult to follow the directions I was given. The one-way streets added to the difficult in navigating around the area.

I eventually found the building on main street. There wasn’t a lot of parking so, I was forced to drive around the block several times before settling on spot a few blocks away. I took my photos of the exterior of the building. When I was finished I walked up to the front door thinking it was open and I’d able to see the lobby. Unfortunately, the doors were locked, and I was met with skepticism as the lady inside did not buzz me in. Instead she approached the front door and just cracked it open enough to inquire what I wanted. This seemed a bit odd to me but I guess I hadn’t shaved and looked a bit out of character with my camera, tripod, wrinkly cloths and unshaven appearance. I wasn’t able to get inside the lobby and was told to visit the library for more information on the building.

Since I knew the artwork wasn’t here I wasn’t entirely disappointed. I’ve got to believe there are other people out there that are interested in this old building. I find it hard to believe I’m be the only one who has inquire about it just walking up to the front door. Maybe the lady at the door was unaware of the significance or history.

The building is now owed by a local TV station. It appears they may be trying to “hide” or cover up that it was once a post office. If you view the photos below you can see how they covered the engraved stone at the top of the building. It’s kinda funny but for some reason it wasn’t entirely covered and you can still see the “Office” towards the top right of the facade.

Can anyone shed some light on this? Why the mystery and cover up? Maybe the TV station is tired of getting people looking for the post office? Maybe the public still think it’s still a post office? Strange! What do you think? Please comment and share below.

Thanks,

David W. Gates Jr.

Former Johnson City Tennessee Post Office 37601

Former Johnson City Tennessee Post Office 37601 Corner Stone

After further research I’ve discovered the mural that once resided here has been moved to the Eastern Tennessee State University Charles C. Sherrod Library. So after a bit of driving around and trying to find a parking spot again. I found myself roaming the library. This is a really big place and I didn’t feel like aimlessly walking around with equipment so I asked at the front desk. I met a wonderful lady who graciously tried to find out more about the mural. I was also informed the mural now resides in the testing center.

One thing that struck me right away was how relative everything is. The Johnson City Post Office Mural is big, and I can only imagine how this must have looked inside the old building. However, after viewing this mural on the HUGE wall of the library, it also seemed small. This is what I mean when I mention how relative the setting makes when viewing art of this size. I’m sure the mural appeared large on the wall of the post office. Viewing it displayed on the wall in the library it almost seems small because of the massive space in the room. Does that make any sense? This is a big mural and I took a lot of photographs to get as much of the details as I could. I’m delighted the mural has been saved and protected within the confines of the University.

Charles C. Sherrod Library on the campus of Eastern Tennessee University. The mural resides on the first floor testing center towards the back as you enter the building. Please comment and share your impressions of this mural below.