ADDRESS: 101 S. Market St., Scottsboro, Alabama, 35768
ARTIST: Constance Ortmayer
TITLE: Alabama Agriculture
MEDIUM: Plaster (cast/relief)
STATUS: The Scottsboro post office is still an active, operating facility, and the relief can be viewed by interested members of the pubic. The relief resides in the lobby above the postmaster’s door.
Year: 1940
David,
The current Scottsboro, Alabama post office is a nice example of a New Deal post office. Section of Fine Arts three section plaster relief entitled “Alabama Agriculture” installed in 1940 by Constance Ortmayer. The building was completed in 1938. The folks at the post office had some great photographs of the building being constructed. Some say the early spark of the Civil Rights movement started at the Scottsboro Courthouse during the trials of The Scottsboro Boys in the 1930s. The Courthouse is located a short walk from the post office.
The juxtaposition of the horse & cart with the automobile is a good example of the ongoing growth of the automobile in the 1930s.
Best regards,
Roger
Sources
- Personal visit by Roger
- United States Postal Service
HELLO DAVID:
THATS A GREAT PHOTO OF THE HORSE AND WAGON / AUTO. PERHAPS THE WAGON WAS USED TO DELIVER THE BRICKS WE SEE PILED UP IN THE PHOTO. GREAT JOB WITH THE CONSTRUCTION PROGRESS PHOTOS ALSO. KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK DAVID !!!!
ROBERT MIS
Thanks Mr. Mis.
My favorite image from Rogers collection is the one with the Treasury Sign announcing the project. I think it just adds to to the image so folks know what they are looking at. Very cool indeed.
Thanks Roger, Thanks, Robert
This is an exceptional post office mural….I wonder if originally, the wood trim in the building was dark and heavily varnished, like in so many small post offices. It would have set the low-relief sculpture off better, though I must admit, the white on white is impressive, too.
Walt,
I was thinking the same thing when I first view this one. It would be great to see if others have period photos of the lobby.
Thanks for the comment