Former post office buildings or locations.

Former Duluth Minnesota Post Office & Custom House

October 5, 2012 By David W. Gates Jr.

ADDRESS: 515 W. 1st St., Duluth, Minnesota 55802

So the inscription on this building indicate this was at one time the Post Office, Court House and Customs House. The building is very large. As I walked around I found the entrance labeled US Post Office.

Does anyone else have any more information on this one? I know very little about it. Is it still used as a post office? The address and location still shows up on the USPS website but there is no other indication that this one is still in use.

Thanks,

David W. Gates Jr.

Sources

Personal visit on 5/29/2012 by David W. Gates Jr.
US General Services Administration

Former Hamilton Montana Post Office

September 29, 2012 By David W. Gates Jr.

ADDRESS: 150 N. 4th St., Hamilton, Montana, 59840
TITLE: Flat Head War Party
ARTIST: Henry Meloy
MEDIUM: Oil on canvas (mural)
STATUS: The mural resides in the original building. It’s in the lobby above the postmaster’s door. Note this section of the post office is no longer used, it was turned into museum. Hours are limited.
YEAR: 1942

I was super excited when I finally made it to the Hamilton MT Post Office. My initial research revealed it is a WPA era post office and contained a mural inside. The sign on the front door mentioned the hours of the museum as 10:00AM. “Museum” I told myself”, I didn’t know there was a museum here. I just though it had a mural. So you could imagine my surprise when I found out it was a museum.

I waited around for an hour for it to open. When 10:00 rolled around I walked right up and the door was still locked. Hum! I said to myself, Maybe they are just running late so I waited around for about 15 minutes. When nobody showed up I went around to the new post office right behind the old one. The man at the counter called for someone to assist me. Since I had not shaven or done laundry since I finished hiking a few days ago I’m sure I looked homeless.

When I inquired about the museum, the postal employee explained he would open the front door but the interior vestibule doors would be locked. Hum, I thought to myself. I was really hoping to get inside of the lobby in order to get a good picture of the mural and the rest of the artifacts. But I guess I’ll take what I can get. The postal employee disappeared and went to open the front door of the old building. I had to exit the newer building and walk around to the front door. By the time I got there the postal worker was already gone and the only views I had were from the small vestibule.

I was disappointed I had to photograph the mural from behind glass and at a distance but at least I’m able to bring you this amazing mural. I’m glad the town of Hamilton has decided to preserve this building and mural. The additional artifacts through-out the lobby were a real treat to see.

Thanks,

David W. Gates Jr.

Hamilton (Former) Montana Post Office 59840

Former Hamilton Montana Post Office Historic Plaque

Hamilton (Former) Montana Post Office 59840 Corner Stone

Hamilton (Former) Montana Post Office 59840 Artifacts

Hamilton (Former) Montana Post Office Mural Center 59840

Hamilton (Former) Montana Post Office Mural 59840

Hamilton (Former) Montana Post Office Mural Left 59840

Hamilton (Former) Montana Post Office Mural Right 59840

Sources

Personal visit on 6/22/2012 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

Former Fond du Lac Wisconsin Post Office

July 21, 2012 By David W. Gates Jr.

Fond Du Lac (Former) WI 54935 — Fond du Lac (Former) WI 54935

ADDRESS: 19 E. 1st St. Fond du Lac, Wisconsin 54935
ARTIST: Boris Gilbertson
TITLE: Birds and Animals of the Northwest
MEDIUM: Limestone (Reliefs) 11 individual reliefs
STATUS: The original building is no longer the post office. The 11 lime- stone reliefs are on the exterior of the building and can be ob- served by interested parties.
YEAR: 1937

On Saturday’s I like to highlight some of the older buildings and their artwork. The former Fond du Lac post office is a perfect example of a building with interesting artwork. The difference about this building is that the artwork is on the exterior for all to enjoy 24×7.

The old post office building is massive. I briefly stopped inside to take a look at the lobby, but there really wasn’t anything noticeable since the new owners have purchased the building.

There are eleven reliefs and I’m wondering if anyone knows if each one has a specific name? Do you have any more info regarding these? What have you read or seen in regards to them?

Thanks,

David W. Gates Jr.