Former post office buildings or locations.

Indianapolis Former Post Office and Courthouse Birch Bayh Federal Building

October 4, 2021 By David W. Gates Jr.

ADDRESS: 46 E. Ohio St., Indianapolis, Indiana 46204
ARTIST: Grant Wright Christian & Reynold Selfridge
TITLE: Mail, Transportation and Delivery, Culture & Education, Safety Patrol, To Those Who Served, Early & Present Day Indianapolis Life
MEDIUM: Oil on canvas (murals) 9 panels
STATUS: The Indiana Post Office and Courthouse no longer houses the United States Postal Service. However, the building is still an active Federal building with GSA, Marshall and Courtrooms present.
YEAR: 1936

ADDRESS: 46 E. Ohio St., Indianapolis, Indiana 46204
ARTIST: David K. Rubins
TITLE: Distribution of the Mail
MEDIUM: Limestone (reliefs)
STATUS: The Indiana Post Office and Courthouse no longer houses the United States Postal Service. However, the building is still an active Federal building with GSA, Marshall and Courtrooms present.
YEAR: 1936

My recent visit to Indianapolis was to visit the Indiana Historical Society. I was looking to get some preliminary research done for the Indiana post office murals. The historical society is only open until 5:00 PM which left me time to walk over the Birch Bayh Federal building.

This is a great looking building and it also have some great statutes on the exterior of the building. Since it was a weekend, I didn’t even try to get inside to view the murals, and since that wasn’t the purpose of my trip anyway.

I’ll plan another trip to Indianapolis in the future, but for now here are some exterior images of this magnificent Building.

David W. Gates Jr.

Indianapolis Birch Bayh 46204 Agriculture

Indianapolis Birch Bayh 46204 Cornerstone

Indianapolis Birch Bayh 46204 Bill of Rights Plaque

Indianapolis Birch Bayh 46204 Literature

Indianapolis Birch Bayh 46204 Literature Plaque

Indianapolis Birch Bayh 46204 Justice Plaque

Indianapolis Birch Bayh 46204 Industry Plaque

Indianapolis Birch Bayh 46204 Agriculture Plaque

Sources

Personal visit on 9/18/21 about 5:05 PM by David W. Gates Jr.
Indiana Post Office Mural Guidebook by David W. Gates Jr.
U.S. General Services Administration (Birch Bayh Federal Building and U.S. Courthouse | GSA)
Birch Bayh Federal Building and U.S. Courthouse, Indianapolis, IN | GSA
(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
Indy Star: https://www.indystar.com/story/news/history/retroindy/2019/09/26/retroindy-depression-era-wpa-created-indianapolis-landmarks-and-put-hoosiers-work-fdr/2377606001/

Bedford Indiana Former Post Office

October 3, 2021 By David W. Gates Jr.

ADDRESS: 1324 K St #130, Bedford, Indiana 47421

Thanks to the kind lady who rescued me and personally brought me to the former Bedford, Indiana post office. Often times the words POST OFFICE are engraved in the building, but I did not see this when I drove by the building.

Luckily, a local familiar with the area was able to inform me that — indeed, this is the original building.

Thank you,

David W. Gates Jr.

Bedford IN Former Post Office 47421 Cornerstone

Bedford IN Former Post Office 47421 Survey Marker

Sources

Personal visit on 9/26/21 about 5:56 PM and 06/28/2023 about 12:18 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
Pittman Law Firm http://www.jgpittmanlaw.com/history.html

Franklin Indiana Former Post Office

September 22, 2021 By David W. Gates Jr.

ADDRESS: 55 W Madison St, Franklin, Indiana 46131
ARTIST: Jean Swiggett
TITLE: Local Industry
MEDIUM: Oil on canvas (mural)
STATUS: The former Franklin, Indiana post office is no longer an operating postal facility. It was purchased by the local town of Franklin and served as its city hall for a number of years. The building was eventually sold again and converted to a beautiful restaurant: RFD Franklin is the name of the restaurant, and the owners have done a fantastic job preserving the building and its historic charm.
YEAR: 1936

What a wonderful treat to see this building re-purposed and preserved so beautifully. I visited Franklin on a Saturday night and the whole downtown area was busy. Unfortunately, I didn’t not have a reservation. I had a long drive home, but will be back again.

I’m told the mural which was originally housed in this building has been moved to the newer postal facility on Main St. However, I have not been able to verify this or visit the newer building yet. I guess that means I will need another trip to Franklin. Next time I’ll make reservations.

David W. Gates Jr.