Celebrating our Nation's Post Offices
Former post office buildings or locations.
ADDRESS: 109 N. Main St., Benld, Illinois 62009
I’m trying to remember how I ended up here. I think the address must have still been showing up in the results on my GPS. When I arrived I found it closed and all indications this may be for good.
The note on the window mentions all services have been transferred to Gillespie, IL.
Thanks,
David W. Gates Jr.
ADDRESS: 801 North Broadway, Melrose Park, Illinois, 60160
ARTIST: Edwin Boyd Johnson
TITLE: Air Mail
MEDIUM: Fresco (mural)
STATUS: The Melrose Park post office closed in the 1960’s. The mural was hidden by a drop ceiling for years. The public library purchased and remodeled the building considerably. The mural was also restored and now resides in the adult services section for all to enjoy.
YEAR: 1937
Another beautiful restored mural. I had a hard time looking for this one. At first I was looking for the old building. What I’ve learned over the years is they tend to be the boxy style buildings. So I was a bit baffled when I came upon the Melrose Park library. This one has large green awnings and looked nothing like your typical New Deal building.
I needed confirmation this was indeed the original post office. So I send an email to the library inquiring about the mural and the building. Sure enough I received a response that indeed this was the original location of the building and that mural was indeed located here.
Yes, you are correct on both counts. I am attaching a document which outlines the story of the Fresco and its rediscovery and renovation.Adult Services Department
Melrose Park Public Library
After careful examination of the building you can see the old brick vs the new brick on the side of building. Which begs me to wonder, what happened to the corner-stone? Does it still exist behind the new addition or was it somehow destroyed as part of the remodel?
I’d also love to see original photos of the building when it was still a post office. The staff didn’t seem to know any other history other than it was the original post office.
Thanks,
David W. Gates Jr.
: [Hardcover] Marlene Park, Gerald E. Markowitz
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.
: [Hardcover] Marlene Park, Gerald E. Markowitz