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Rock Falls Illinois Post Office

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Rock Falls IL Post Office 61071
Rock Falls IL Post Office 61071

ADDRESS: 210 2nd Avenue, Rock Falls, Illinois, 61071
ARTIST: Curt Drewes
TITLE: Farming by Hand, and The Manufacture of Farm Implements
MEDIUM: Plaster (reliefs)
STATUS: The Rock Falls post office is still an active, operating facility, and the reliefs can be viewed by interested members of the public. They reside in the lobby on the same wall as the postmaster’s door.
YEAR: 1939

Welcome to another Saturday edition. Saturday’s I like to highlight older post office buildings most often these were created during the depression era of the 1930’s. My favorites have murals in the lobby or some other form of artwork. The Rock Falls is special in that it does not have a mural but rather plaster cast reliefs as artwork.

I’m not sure what to make of this one? I’m happy to see an older building but the front Blue Shade just doesn’t do anything for me. It almost looks as if this was an afterthought to get the name of the post office out in front where people can see it.

I also remember this being a challenge to photograph. One of the reasons for this is because the sun was setting behind the building, so naturally this sort of block out the front of the building and makes it darker and more difficult to see. What I end up doing is walking closer to the building and try to cut out the sun so it does not shine right into the camera. I think it turned out pretty good. What do you think?

Thanks,

David W. Gates Jr.

Rock Falls Illinois Post Office 61071 Art "Farming by Hand"j Close up Curt Drewes
Rock Falls Illinois Post Office 61071 Art "Farming by Hand" Curt Drewes Plaster Cast
Rock Falls Illinois Post Office 61071
Rock Falls Illinois Post Office 61071 Art "The Manufacture of Farm Implements" Curt Drewes Plaster Cast
Rock Falls Illinois Post Office 61071 Art "The Manufacture of Farm Implements" Close up Curt Drewes
Rock Falls Illinois Post Office 61071
Rock Falls Illinois Post Office 61071 Cornerstone

“Used with the permission of the United States Postal Service®. All rights reserved.”

Sources

Lafayette Indiana (Downtown Station) Post Office

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Lafayette (Downtown) IN Post Office 47901
Lafayette (Downtown) IN Post Office 47901

ADDRESS: 230 N. 4th St., Lafayette, Indiana 47901
ARTIST: Henrik Martin Mayer
TITLE: Rural Delivery and Sad News
MEDIUM: Oil on canvas (murals) 2 panels
STATUS: The Lafayette Post Office is still active and the two murals are viewable. Both resides on the wall in the main lobby of the building. One resides behind the guard station and is somewhat difficult to view.
YEAR: 1939

More than just the post office. This is a federal building with many other offices. I got here late so I was not able to get inside. Judging by the exterior this is a great building.

Update March 16, 2014

After reading and editing this older article I noticed I never checked for a cornerstone. Anyone know if there is one on this building? Just curious!

Update September 2021

Drove through Lafayette again on my way to Indianapolis. Took my time and found the cornerstone of the building.

Update February 19, 2022

Re-visited during business hours and was able to enjoy and photograph the two murals in the lobby. Updated photo gallery below. A bit disappointed to see the guard station blocking one of the murals. I was also able to see the Charles A. Halleck plaque, which in a previous visit had to photograph through the window.

Thanks.

David W. Gates Jr.

Lafayette (Downtown) Indiana Post Office 47901
Lafayette (Downtown) Indiana Post Office 47901
Lafayette (Downtown) Indiana Post Office 47901
Lafayette (Downtown) Indiana Post Office 47901
Lafayette (Downtown) Indiana Post Office 47901
Lafayette (Downtown) IN Post Office 47901 Cornerstone
Lafayette (Downtown) IN Post Office 47901
Lafayette (Downtown) IN Post Office 47901
Lafayette (Downtown) IN Post Office 47901 Mural2 Full
Lafayette (Downtown) IN Post Office 47901 Mural1 Detail
Lafayette (Downtown) IN Post Office 47901 Mural1 Detail
Lafayette (Downtown) IN Post Office 47901 Mural1 Full
Lafayette (Downtown) IN Post Office 47901
Lafayette (Downtown) IN Post Office 47901 Mural2 Detail
Lafayette (Downtown) IN Post Office 47901 Mural2 Detail
Lafayette (Downtown) IN Post Office 47901 Plaque
Lafayette (Downtown) IN Post Office 47901 Charles A Halleck
Lafayette (Downtown) IN Post Office 47901 Mural2 Full

Sources

Mount Morris Illinois Post Office

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Mt Morris IL Post Office 61054
Mt Morris IL Post Office 61054

ADDRESS: 21 W. Main St., Mount Morris, Illinois, 61054
ARTIST: Dale Nichols
TITLE: The Growth of Mount Morris
MEDIUM: Oil on canvas (mural)
STATUS: The Mount Morris 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 the wall above the postmaster’s door.
YEAR: 1939

Mount Morris, was another stop during an early 2012 road trip. I met two really nice people in the lobby. I was also told I was not the first one to photograph and visit this post office. The USPS worker mentioned of a lady that was visiting old post offices as well and taking pictures of the murals. I wonder who it was? Do any of my readers know? I’d love to connect with this person.

Thanks,

David W. Gates Jr.

Mt Morris Illinois Post Office 61054
Mt Morris Illinois Post Office 61054 Corner Stone
Mt Morris Illinois Post Office 61054
Mt Morris Illinois Post Office Mural 61054
Mt Morris Illinois Post Office Mural 61054 Full
Mt Morris Illinois Post Office Mural 61054 Left Side
Mt Morris Illinois Post Office Mural 61054 Right Side
Mt Morris Illinois Post Office Mural 61054

“Used with the permission of the United States Postal Service®. All rights reserved.”

Sources