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Frances Foy

Post offices that have artwork by the artists Frances Foy

Chicago Illinois (Cardiss Collins) Post Office

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Cardis Collins (Chicago) IL Post Office 60699
Cardiss Collins (Chicago) IL Post Office 60699

ADDRESS: 433 W., Harrision St., Chicago, Illinois, 60699
ARTIST: Frances Foy
TITLE: Advent of The Pioneer – 1851
MEDIUM: Oil on canvas (mural)
STATUS: The mural on display here was originally installed in the Chicago-Chestnut Station. The Chestnut Station post office. The historic Chestnut building was razed in 2003. The mural was relocated here, to the Cardiss Collins Station. The mural resides on a wall  in the 1st floor  lobby. No longer at the Cardiss Collins Postal Station.
YEAR: 1938

My initial visit to the Cardiss Collins post office was back in 2003.  At the time I was just getting familiar with artwork and murals. When I first saw this one I was like wow! this is one big post office. It also appeared to me like it was a newer building. Naturally, I was surprised to find not only a mural in the lobby but also an old rural buggy. I was really excited and stayed to read the plaque and signs.

Fast forward to 2012 and a lot has happened since I first visited the Cardiss Collins center. The postal service has been studying ways to decrease cost and the Cardiss Collins could possibility be one processing center affected in this study.  Only the future will tell what becomes of this location.

I’m thankful that I was able to visit and observe the mural and buggy. I hope you enjoy the pictures as much as I enjoyed visiting.

Thanks,

David W. Gates Jr.

UPDATE

I was recently downtown and noticed this mural was hanging in the downtown-loop post office. I’m unsure when it was moved, but it was after I had posted this article.

Chicago IL Post Office Loop Station 60604 P9 copy
Chicago IL Post Office Loop Station 60604

Cardis Collins (Chicago) Illinois Post Office 60699 Mural Full
Cardis Collins (Chicago) Illinois Post Office 60699 Mural Description
Cardis Collins (Chicago) Illinois Post Office 60699 Mural Left Side
Cardis Collins (Chicago) Illinois Post Office 60699 Mural Right Side
Cardis Collins (Chicago) Illinois Post Office 60699 Buggy Artifacts
Cardis Collins Chicago Illinois Post Office Mural & Buggy
Cardis Collins (Chicago) Illinois Post Office 60699

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

Sources

Gibson City Illinois Post Office

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Gibson CIty IL Post Office 60936
Gibson CIty IL Post Office 60936

ADDRESS: 127 East 9th Street, Gibson City, Illinois, 60936
ARTIST: Frances Foy
TITLE: Hiawatha Returning with Minnehaha
MEDIUM: Oil on canvas (mural)
STATUS: The Gibson City post office is still an active, operating facility and the mural can be view by interested members of the public. It resides in the lobby on the wall above the postmaster’s door.
YEAR: 1940

My travels today brought me through Gibson City. I will be honest I did not research this post office and had no idea what it looked like. When I finally spotted it, I was excited because it had the appearance of an older building.

I started taking pictures of the exterior, when a postal worker spotted what I was doing. He paused a few times and walked back into the building.

I continued to take pictures and then headed inside. As I was walking through the front door a man stopped me in the entrance and asked what I was doing. He had a worried look on his face, but because I was caught off guard the only thing I could come up with is that I’m just visiting and taking pictures. He asked what for and I just mentioned I’m a fan of older post offices and I’m interested in the mural.

After I regained my thoughts I introduced myself and I think this set him at ease. Once he understood I wasn’t a threat he proceeded to show me the writeup on the wall regarding the mural and artist. I never asked but he appeared to be the postmaster as he headed back into the office with the postmaster sign on the door.

While we were taking he mentioned several other people have been by to photograph the mural. He even mention one lady had written a book about the mural. I proceeded to inquire about the book and he ran and got it for me to look at. This was really exciting to me and I’m so grateful I met him and learned something new.

The name of the book is “Let’s Look for Transportation in Illinois Post Offices” by: Mary Emma Thompson, Ph.D

I look forward to looking for this book later when I have time to reflect more on this visit. Has anyone else read or seen this book in print somewhere?

Thanks,

David W. Gates Jr.

Gibson CIty Illinois Post Office 60936 Artifacts
Gibson CIty Illinois Post Office Mural 60936 Full
Gibson CIty IllinoisPost Office 60936 Corner Stone
Gibson CIty Illinois Post Office 60936
Gibson CIty Illinois Post Office 60936
Gibson CIty Illinois Post Office Mural 60936 Signature
Gibson CIty Illinois Post Office 60936 Ship
Gibson CIty Illinois Post Office 60936 Train
Gibson CIty Illinois Post Office 60936 Airplane

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

Sources