Illinois Post Offices

ADDRESS: 211 South Clark Street, Chicago, Illinois 60604
ARTIST: Gustaf Dalstrom
TITLE: Great Indian Council, Chicago – 1833
MEDIUM: Oil on canvas (mural)
STATUS: The mural on display here was originally installed in the Chicago-Chestnut Station post office. The historic Chestnut building was razed in 2003. The mural was relocated here, to the Chicago-Loop station. The mural resides on a wall  in the lobby.
Year: 1938

A recent trip to the Chicago and I couldn’t help myself, I had to stop and photograph a few post offices. We were visiting for a wedding and I was trying to leave my work behind, but when you love what you do and the opportunity is right there. It is impossible to pass up. I enlisted the help of my girlfriend to photograph me in front the Chicago Loop Post Office.

I have to say it was very difficult to see the letters, but at the same time I loved the reflection of the Flamingo sculpture by Calder in front. We also made our way over to Millennium Park to visit the Cloud Gate, otherwise known as the big shiny bean. I almost forgot how many wonderful sights there are in Chicago.

Thanks,

David W. Gates Jr.

Chicago Illinois Post Office Loop Station 60604

Chicago Illinois Post Office Loop Station 60604

Chicago Illinois Post Office Loop Station 60604

Update October 2015

• $16.50 for a Metra round trip ticket from Crystal Lake, IL.
• $1.65 for a small coffee from Traks cafe
• $4.00 for a breakfast sandwich from McDonalds
• $22.15 total for my trip to Chicago to photograph the mural.

Hello everyone, I finally made it downtown to the Chicago Loop Station during business hours to get photos of this one. It has always bothered me that I posted the Loop Station with-out having images of the mural. On Friday October 23, 2015 I was able to get down there and photograph it. My timing and efforts were rewarded with a pleasant visit and an easy time photographing this mural.

This mural was once located in the Chestnut street station, (830 N. Clark Street, Chicago, Illinois 60610) but according to my research the Chestnut street station was demolished a number of years ago. Apparently there were two murals in the Chestnut street station. One of the murals was moved here to the Loop location and the other one was moved to the Cardiss Collins Processing Center on Harrison Street.

I was a bit disappointed to observe the condition issues of this one but I image over time it will be restored. I wonder if Parma Conservation knows about this one? I wonder what has to  happen in order to start the process of evaluating, funding and then restoring of a piece of work like this? Anyone know how this works?

Please comment and share below. I’d love to hear from you. Enjoy the photos below.

Thanks,

David W. Gates Jr.

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I was recently downtown and happened to walk past the Loop Station. I was shocked to see the second mural through the windows of the building. I have no idea when the mural was moved, but it appears both former Chestnut murals are now located in the Loop Station.

Since it was a Sunday, the building was closed. I’ll need to return during business hours for some better pictures.

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

Sources

• Personal visit on 6/19/2014 and 10/23/2015 & 3/27/2022 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. Markowit
• Cinema Treasures (Chestnut Station)