Fay Elizabeth Davis

ADDRESS: 1321 Swanwick Street, Chester, Illinois 62233
ARTIST: Fay Elizabeth Davis
TITLE: Loading the Packet
MEDIUM: Tempera (mural)
STATUS: The Chester 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 postmaster’s door.
YEAR: 1940

Sometimes when I’m in the zone I often think about other things. It’s about this time that I just become a machine and go through the motions during my visits. Often times I find myself on autopilot not thinking of the task at hand.

While I’m writing up this article, I have little recollection of my visit in Chester. I’m digging in the back of my mind to come up with what this visit was like or how it felt. I’m drawing a blank and the only explanation I can come up with is that I must have been so absorbed in my work.

It also appears I liked the lobby as I took several more photos that usual of the Chester building. What do you think of this mural? I’m guessing the Packet was the name of the boat? Can anyone confirm of dispute this?

Thanks,

David W. Gates Jr.

Chester Illinois Post Office 62233 Cornerstone

Chester Illinois Post Office 62233 Lobby

Chester Illinois Post Office Mural 62233 Detail

Chester Illinois Post Office Mural 62233 Center

Chester Illinois Post Office Mural 62233 Right Side

Chester Illinois Post Office Mural 62233 Full

Chester Illinois Post Office Mural 62233 Left Side

Chester Illinois Post Office Mural 62233 Signature

Sources

Personal visit on 5/2/2015 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
Parma Conservation

ADDRESS: 203 West Walnut Street, Oglesby, Illinois, 61348
ARTIST: Fay Elizabeth Davis
TITLE: The Illini and Pottawatomies Struggle at Starved Rock
MEDIUM: Oil on canvas (mural)
STATUS: The Oglesby 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 on the wall above the postmaster’s door.
YEAR: 1942

This happens to be a larger example of the murals found in our Nation’s post offices. It represents the struggle between the Illini and Pottawatomies at Starved Rock. If you ever get the chance to visit Starved Rock, I’d recommend stopping in for a quick look at this treasure.

I took a lot of detail pictures of this one. I really wanted to give you a feel/view of what this looks like. In doing this I also discovered the mural is starting to warp in a few places. I wonder if this one will ever be repaired or restored? If you have any information in regards to this mural, I’d like to hear from you. Please comment below.

Thanks,

David W. Gates Jr.