Illinois Post Offices

ADDRESS: 901 Lake Street, Oak Park, Illinois, 60301
ARTIST: John Theodore Johnson
TITLE: LaSalle’s Search for Tonti 1680
MEDIUM: Oil on canvas (mural)
STATUS: The Oak Park post office is still an active, operating facility, and the mural can be viewed by interested members of the pubic. The murals reside in the lobby and are viewable to the public.
YEAR: 1939

Welcome to our fifth and final post featuring the Oak Park, Illinois Post Office. For the past few days we’ve been touring this wonderful building. Part one featured the building and artifacts housed here in Oak Park. Part 2-5 featured the four individual murals in the lobby.

There is a lot to see here, I really enjoyed my visit and even had one gentlemen approach me and comment. “They don’t make them like this anymore”. I agreed and respond with something to the effect, “they sure don’t”. I probably never would have know how wonderful this building was had our fan Deb not pointed it out to me.

I’ve hoped your enjoyed this series. What was your favorite part of the series? Do you have a favorite mural? Did you like the Rural Delivery buggy? the photographs in the lobby? Please comment below with your favorite part of the series.  And I must ask, what other post offices do would you like to see here on Post Office Freak?

Thanks,

David W. Gates Jr.

Sources

• Personal visit on 11/02/2013 by David W. Gates Jr.
• Illinois Post Office Mural Guidebook 
• United States Postal Service
• Democratic Vistas: Post Offices and Public Art in the New Deal: [Hardcover]  Marlene Park, Gerald E. Markowitz

ADDRESS: 901 Lake Street, Oak Park, Illinois, 60301
ARTIST: John Theodore Johnson
TITLE: The Pioneer – First Train West of Chicago to Oak Ridge
MEDIUM: Oil on canvas (mural)
STATUS: The Oak Park 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 and is viewable to the public.
YEAR: 1939

Welcome to part three in our five-part series featuring the Oak Park Illinois Post Office. Yesterday we featured the second mural in the Oak Park Lobby. Today we feature the third mural.

Now on the good stuff, let’s continue our tour of the murals. The following is a collection of photographs from the third panel. How have you liked this series so far? Did you learn something new? What else do you know about it? Have you ever found yourself in a conversation with some and said to yourself….”Man you should really see the Oak Park Illinois Post Office” They have some really neat stuff there? That’s exactly what happen to me. And thanks to Deb she enlighten me to this great building.

Thanks,

David W. Gates Jr.

Sources

• Personal visit on 11/02/2013 by David W. Gates Jr.
• Illinois Post Office Mural Guidebook 
• United States Postal Service
• Democratic Vistas: Post Offices and Public Art in the New Deal: [Hardcover]  Marlene Park, Gerald E. Markowitz

ADDRESS: 901 Lake Street, Oak Park, Illinois, 60301
ARTIST: John Theodore Johnson
TITLE: The Oscelo – First Shipmen of Wheat From Chicago – 1839
MEDIUM: Oil on canvas (mural)
STATUS: The Oak Park post office is still an active, operating facility, and the mural can be viewed by interested members of the public. It mural resides in the lobby and is viewable to the public.
YEAR: 1939

Welcome to part 3 of our 5 part series featuring the murals and art in the Oak Park Illinois Post Office. Yesterday we featured the first mural and today we featured the second mural. For those just joining us. The Oak Park Illinois Post Office has 4 great murals in the lobby. Today’s post features just one of the four great murals.

It’s hard to believe this kind of work was done back in the 1930’s. It really is impressive. Where you a part of the history of this building? Were your parents? Do they have stores or interesting facts about it? Please share by entering your comments below.

Thanks,

David W. Gates Jr.

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

Sources

• Personal visit on 11/02/2013 by David W. Gates Jr.
• Illinois Post Office Mural Guidebook 
• United States Postal Service
• Democratic Vistas: Post Offices and Public Art in the New Deal: [Hardcover]  Marlene Park, Gerald E. Markowitz