Former post office buildings or locations.

Former Morrilton Arkansas Post Office

August 3, 2018 By David W. Gates Jr.

Morrilton Arkansas Former Post Office 72110

ADDRESS: 112 South Moose St., Morrilton, Arkansas, 72110
ARTIST: Richard Sergent
TITLE: Men at Rest
MEDIUM: Oil on canvas (mural)
STATUS: The mural no longer resides here. It was moved to local courthouse.
YEAR: 1939

Another one lost to growth and progress. This is the former Morrilton Arkansas post office. When I visited in April of 2018, there was a sign on the door that read:

Emergency Services entrance is on the north side of building, down the ramp. Thank you

At the time I didn’t realize this one had moved. When I peered through the front window, I noticed the mural had been removed from the wall.

A quick research on my phone reveled the mural resided in the Conway County Court House, luckily it was a weekday and we were able to visit the court house and photograph the mural.

The mural is directly above the staircase when you walk in the front entrance of the court house. It’s not the best location, as it was very difficult to photograph, but I’m delighted to say is in good condition.

Thanks,

David W. Gates Jr.

Former Morrilton Arkansas Post Office 72110 Mural Right Side

Former Morrilton Arkansas Post Office 72110 Mural Left Side

Former Morrilton Arkansas Post Office 72110 Mural Full

Morrilton Arkansas Former Post Office 72110 Mural Center

Morrilton Arkansas Former Post Office 72110 Cornerstone

Former Morrilton Arkansas Post Office 72110 Mural Signature

Former Morrilton Arkansas Post Office 72110

Former Morrilton Arkansas Post Office 72110 Mural Detail

Sources

Personal visit on 4/24/2018 by David W. Gates Jr.
University of Central Arkansas (https://uca.edu/postofficemurals/home/)
National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places, Reference Number (98000921).
National Archives Records and Administration Identifier Number (26139375).

Former Benton Arkansas Post Office

July 21, 2018 By David W. Gates Jr.

ADDRESS: 129 North Main, Benton, Arkansas, 72015
ARTIST: Julis Woeltz
TITLE: Bauxite Mining
MEDIUM: Oil on canvas (mural)
STATUS: The mural no longer resides in this building. It was moved to the local courthouse.
YEAR: 1942

FOR SALE? What??

That was my response when I learned the status of this historic building. Luckily, they moved the mural to the court-house. The plaque next to the mural reads:

Julis Woeltz was born in San Antonio, Texas in 1911, and studied at the Art Institute of Chicago. He later traveled to France and Mexico to continue his artistic training. Woeltz became a teacher at the New Orleans Art School, won prizes in Mississippi at the Jackson Art Association in 1935, the Artists Club in New Orleans in 1936 and exhibited his work at the 1939 New York Worlds Fair.

This work was commissioned by the Federal Government under the auspices of the Works Progress Administration, and was designed for, and originally installed in, the United States Post Office of Benton, Arkansas in 1942.

Woeltz chose to depict the importance of the mining of bauxite and its relation to the social indemnity of the surrounding community. Central Arkansas is the only place in the continental United States where it has been economically feasible to commercially mine bauxite ore, which is used in the making of Aluminum. Mining of Bauxite began in 1899 and increased each year, reaching its peak during World War II. It was during this time that Woeltz painted this tribute to the Bauxite miners.

Collection of Fine Arts
General Services Administration

After I learned the mural moved it was time to head over to the court-house. I’m torn when this happens. I’m delighted the mural was saved and accessible to the public. But it is such a large mural that is seems awkward in the space in the court-house.

We had a nice chat with the guard. What a great perk to your job watching over historic murals. Very cool.

David W. Gates Jr.

Benton Arkansas Former Post Office 72015 Cornerstone

Benton Arkansas Former Post Office 72015

Benton Arkansas Former Post Office 72015 Mural

Sources

Personal visit on 4/24/2018 by David W. Gates Jr.
MySaline.com (https://www.mysaline.com/hope-po/?unapproved=272943&moderation-hash=65f1ef9c8ebb89341d709601d6874f1c#comment-272943)
University of Central Arkansas (https://uca.edu)
Hope Consulting, new owners as of 01/01/2022. http://hopeconsulting.com/?fbclid=IwAR1fx2xvuQ-tink2rzVGEgDBDi4CwlDsS4WiODmxOEu5mAvhwogwJKgEj-0

Terre Haute Indiana Former Post Office & Courthouse

May 21, 2016 By David W. Gates Jr.

ADDRESS: 30 N. 7th St., Terre Haute, Indiana, 47802
TITLE: The Signing of the Magna Carta
ARTIST: Frederick Webb Ross
TYPE: Oil on canvas (murals)
STATUS: The Terre Haute post office and courthouse is no longer an active postal facility. The building was purchased by Indiana State University. The mural is located in the former courtroom. This enormous murals resides on a wall behind the former judges desk.
YEAR: 1935

I had no idea I would be able to view this one. But luckily during our visit the building was open and we were able to walk right in.

I dragged the wife and kid along for this trip. I think they enjoyed seeing it.

I’m completely blow away at the beauty of these old buildings. The long ornate lobby reminds me of the of the downtown Nashville building.

You have to really be on the look out for the cornerstone. It is really hard to read and its off on the side of the building. I often wonder what is going through people’s minds as they observe me casing out the building? At any rate, I mean no harm, just looking for the cornerstone.

To be honest I had to look up what the Magna Charta was. I know we talked about it in history class because the name is familiar. But to be honest I didn’t remember and had to look it up.

Were you like me? Did you have to look it up? Come on be honest. Maybe you are already a history buff and knew it. Please comment and share below.

Thanks,

David W. Gates Jr.