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Post offices that have historical plaques or historical designation.

Post offices that have historical plaques or historical designation.

Neillsville Wisconsin Post Office

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Neillsville WI Post Office 54456
Neillsville WI Post Office 54456

ADDRESS: 619 Hewett St. Neillsville, Wisconsin 54456
ARTIS: John Van Koert
TITLE: The choosing of the county seat
MEDIUM: Mural
STATUS: The Neillsville Post Office is still active and the mural is view- able by the public. It resides in the lobby on the wall above the postmaster’s door.
YEAR: 1940

Today we feature the historic Neillsville Wisconsin Post Office. As indicated by the plaque on the front of the building this one has been added to the National Register of Historic Places.

The story goes like this; many years ago I traveled to Costa Rica with some friends. As we were touring around the country I ended up running into some other tourist. The funny thing is that after talking to them for a while, I found out they lived two towns away from where I was living at the time.

Fast forward to summer 2013 and what happens again? I’m living in the Chicago-Land area. I drive to Wisconsin to bring you these great post offices and who do I meet?  Someone that grew up and lived in the same town as I do now? How funny or ironic is that?

Moral of the story, These day you may go weeks, months or years not ever knowing who lives in the same neighborhood as you do. When you travel in search of adventure, I end up meeting people who I may have run past on any day or evening in my own town and not even know it. Funny  how that works.

December 23, 2013 – Update

My apologies to the folks of Neillsville. When I initially created this post I misspelled the name of your city. Recently, I’ve taking the time to re-visit and edit some my articles. I made the correction. Lesson learned. Slow down and check your spelling.

Thanks,

David W. Gates Jr.

Choosing of the County Seat by John Van Koert, photo credit David W. Gates Jr.

Neillsville Wisconsin Post Office 54456
Neillsville Wisconsin Post Office 54456
Neillsville Wisconsin Post Office 54456
Neillsville Wisconsin Post Office 54456
Neillsville Wisconsin Post Office 54456 Artifacts
Neillsville Wisconsin Post Office 54456 Corner Stone
Neillsville Wisconsin Post Office 54456 Historic Plaque
Neillsville Wisconsin Post Office Mural Artists Signature
Neillsville Wisconsin Post Office Mural Center
Neillsville Wisconsin Post Office Mural Detail
Neillsville Wisconsin Post Office Mural Detail
Neillsville Wisconsin Post Office Mural Detail
Neillsville Wisconsin Post Office Mural Detail
Neillsville Wisconsin Post Office Mural Full
Neillsville Wisconsin Post Office Mural Left Side
Neillsville Wisconsin Post Office Mural Right Side

“Used with the permission of the United States Postal Service®. All rights reserved.”

Sources

Glen Ellyn Illinois Downtown Post Office

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Glen Ellyn IL Downtown Post Office 60137
Glen Ellyn Illinois Downtown Post Office 60137

ADDRESS: 528 Pennsylvania Avenue, Glen Ellyn, Illinois, 60137
ARTIST: Dan Rhodes
TITLE: Settlers
MEDIUM: Oil on canvas (mural)
STATUS: The Glen Ellyn 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 the wall above the postmasters door.
YEAR: 1937

WOW! Check out the building and mural? See the funny thing is, we visited the newer post office first before heading to the downtown area to visit this one. So as you can imagine the contrast between the two buildings, is really is quit amazing.

Thanks for stopping by

David W. Gates Jr.

Glen Ellyn Illinois Downtown Post Office 60137
Glen Ellyn Illinois Downtown Post Office 60137 Lobby
Glen Ellyn Illinois Downtown Post Office 60137
Glen Ellyn Illinois Downtown Post Office Mural Full
Glen Ellyn Illinois Downtown Post Office Mural Center
Glen Ellyn Illinois Downtown Post Office Landmark Plaque
Glen Ellyn Illinois Downtown Post Office Cornerstone
Glen Ellyn Illinois Downtown Post Office 60137
Glen Ellyn Illinois Downtown Post Office Mural Left Side
Glen Ellyn Illinois Downtown Post Office Mural Right Side
Glen Ellyn Illinois Downtown Post Office Mural Detail
Glen Ellyn Illinois Downtown Post Office Mural Detail
Glen Ellyn Illinois Downtown Post Office Mural Detail

“Used with the permission of the United States Postal Service®. All rights reserved.”

Sources

Park Falls Wisconsin Post Office

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Park Falls WI Post Office 54552
Park Falls WI Post Office 54552

ADDRESS: 109 1st St. Park Falls, Wisconsin 54552
ARTIST: James Watrous
TITLE: Flambeau River Fight
MEDIUM: Oil on canvas (mural)
STATUS:  The Park Falls Post Office is still active and the mural decoration remains viewable by the public. It resides in the lobby on the wall above the postmaster’s door.
YEAR: 1938

Park Falls is another post office gem. It has also been dedicated a National Historical Site in 1996. The building itself is quite impressive standing several stories. I was told by the friendly postal working that it also housed several government offices when it as first built.

Park Falls also houses one of the largest murals I’ve seen. (See Photographs) Legend has it two logging company’s fought each other for the privilege of driving their logs down the Flambeau river.

As I visited I was also greeted by a very friendly postal worker. I started asking about the mural and he proceeded to tell me all about the mural and the artist. Even before I read the mural description, he was quick to tell me about the legend of the two logging companies.  He mentioned back in those days being the first down the river could possibility mean the difference of getting paid or not getting paid. I guess back in those days the wood mills only took in so much wood and thus only paid for so much lumber. If you were last to get to the mill you may not get paid. This is the story I heard from the postal worker. Whether this is legend or fiction I’m unknown but a great story.

The postal worker I met also mentioned that a previous postmaster at some point wanted to paint over or have the mural taken down because it was so violent. I’m certainly glad he or she changed their minds. Although it is a violent depiction of our past it’s still a wonderful painting and is also a reminder of the way life used to be.

Thanks,

David W. Gates Jr.

Lumberjack Fight on the Flambeau River by James Waltrous, photo credit David W. Gates Jr.

Park Falls Wisconsin Post Office 54552
Park Falls Wisconsin Post Office 54552
Park Falls Wisconsin Post Office 54552
Park Falls Wisconsin Post Office 54552
Park Falls Wisconsin Post Office Artifacts
Park Falls Wisconsin Post Office Boxes
Park Falls Wisconsin Post Office Cornerstone
Park Falls Wisconsin Post Office Mural Right Side bottom
Park Falls Wisconsin Post Office Mural Left Side
Park Falls Wisconsin Post Office Mural Description 54552
Park Falls Wisconsin Post Office Mural Center
Park Falls Wisconsin Post Office Lobby Bulletin
Park Falls Wisconsin Post Office Historical Plaque
Park Falls Wisconsin Post Office Historical Award 1996
Park Falls Wisconsin Post Office Mural Right Side
Park Falls Wisconsin Post Office, Artists James Watrous Signature
Park Falls Wisconsin Post Office 54552 Old Photos
Park Falls Wisconsin Post Office 54552 Old Photos
Park Falls Wisconsin Post Office 54552 Old Photos
Park Falls Wisconsin Post Office 54552
Park Falls Wisconsin Post Office Mural 54552

“Used with the permission of the United States Postal Service®. All rights reserved.”

Sources