Post offices with artwork.

Knightstown Indiana Post Office

November 12, 2021 By David W. Gates Jr.

ADDRESS: 37 N Jefferson St, Knightstown, Indiana 46148
ARTIST: Raymond L Morris
TITLE: The Evening Mail
MEDIUM: Oil on canvas (mural)
STATUS: The Knightstown 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

The reason I prefer to personally visit sites is to see the entire setting for myself. Take this one for instance. I had no idea it was behind glass and even if someone told me I wouldn’t quit get the entire feeling of time and place.

I’m a bit disappointed it is covered as that makes for darker images with glare, but in this case that is what you get. I’m wondering what the reason was for covering it up. I’m think it could be protected with modern chemicals. IDK let me know in the comments below.

David W. Gates Jr.

Knightstown IN Post Office 46148 Mural Signature

Knightstown IN Post Office 46148 Mural Left

Knightstown IN Post Office 46148 Mural Center

Knightstown IN Post Office 46148 Cornerstone

Knightstown IN Post Office 46148 Mural Detail

Sources

Personal visit on 11/7/21 about 3:20 PM by David W. Gates Jr.
Indiana 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): A Simple and Vital Design: The Story of the Indiana Post Office Murals: John C. Carlisle

Pendleton Indiana Post Office

November 11, 2021 By David W. Gates Jr.

ADDRESS: 137 W State St, Pendleton, Indiana 46064
ARTIST: William Kaeser
TITLE: Loggers
MEDIUM: Oil on canvas (mural)
STATUS: The Pendleton 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 historical plaque is what stood out for me when I visited Pendleton. It was getting late and it wasn’t even 5:00 PM. The days are getting shorter.

This is a well maintained building, which also has a nice historical picture of the building in the lobby. There are two medallions on the wall in the lobby.

David W. Gates Jr.

Pendleton IN Post Office 46064 Mural Right

Pendleton IN Post Office 46064 Mural damage

Pendleton IN Post Office 46064 Mural Center

Pendleton IN Post Office 46064 Cornerstone

Pendleton IN Post Office 46064 Mural Signature

Pendleton IN Post Office 46064 Mural Left

Sources

Personal visit on 11/7/21 about 4:17 PM and 06/29/2023 about 4:07 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
(affiliate link): A Simple and Vital Design: The Story of the Indiana Post Office Murals: John C. Carlisle
Parma Conservation (https://parmaconservation.com)

Aurora Indiana Post Office

November 11, 2021 By David W. Gates Jr.

ADDRESS: 501 3rd St, Aurora, Indiana 47001
ARTIST: Henrik Martin Mayer
TITLE: Down to the Ferry
MEDIUM: Oil on canvas (mural)
STATUS: The Aurora 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

Photograph in the fall is always a challenge. My visit to Aurora demonstrates the conditions I face during this time. I arrived in Aurora about 11:26 AM. The sun was low on the horizon and slightly behind the building.

Why does this matter? Well, the images turn out darker than I’d like. My preference would be to have the sun shinning brightly on the front of the building with deep blue skies in the background and no clouds. But, I’ll take what I can get.

There are some great historical construction photos in the lobby along with a beautiful mural. Enjoy!

David W. Gates Jr.