Post Office Fans

Celebrating our Nation's Post Offices

You are here: Home / Archives for Illinois

Illinois Post Offices

Illinois Post Offices

Kankakee Illinois Post Office

By

Kankakee IL Post Office 60901
Kankakee IL Post Office 60901

ADDRESS: 475 East Court Street, Kankakee, Illinois, 60901
ARTIST: Edouard Chassaing
TITLE: Farming
MEDIUM: Wood (carvings)
STATUS: The Kankakee post office is still an active, operating facility and the carvings can be viewed by interested members of the public. They reside in the lobby on the wall above the postmasters door.
YEAR: 1943

The Kankakee, Illinois post office is a large building. When I’m driving around photographing post offices, most often the buildings are the small square one’s you see below in related post. So naturally it was a big surprised when I arrived in Kankakee to find such a large building.

Not one, not two but three wood carvings grace the lobby in Kankakee. Although the title of the wood carving is “Farming” it encompass the three separate pieces you see below.

I found it really difficult to photograph and get good quality images. The lobby lights hang low and get in the way of shooting directly in front of the entire wall. I did my best, and took over 40 photos. How did I do? What do you think? Do you like the wood carvings? Are you more of a mural person or plaster cast artwork fan? Please comment and share below.

Thanks,

David W. Gates Jr.

Kankakee Illinois Post Office 60901
Kankakee Illinois Post Office 60901
Kankakee Illinois Post Office 60901
Kankakee Illinois Post Office 60901
Kankakee Illinois Post Office 60901 Cornerstone
Kankakee Illinois Post Office Wood Carving 60901 Full
Kankakee Illinois Post Office Wood Carving 60901 Center
Kankakee Illinois Post Office Wood Carving 60901 Left Side
Kankakee Illinois Post Office Wood Carving 60901 Right Side
Kankakee Illinois Post Office Wood Carving 60901 Detail
Kankakee Illinois Post Office Wood Carving 60901 Detail
Kankakee Illinois Post Office Wood Carving 60901 Detail
Kankakee Illinois Post Office Wood Carving 60901 Detail
Kankakee Illinois Post Office Wood Carving 60901 Detail
Kankakee Illinois Post Office Wood Carving 60901 Detail
Kankakee Illinois Post Office Wood Carving 60901 Detail
Kankakee Illinois Post Office Wood Carving 60901 Detail
Kankakee Illinois Post Office Wood Carving 60901 Detail
Kankakee Illinois Post Office Wood Carving 60901 Full

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

Sources

Marseilles Illinois Post Office

By

Marseilles IL Post Office 61341
Marseilles IL Post Office 61341

ADDRESS: 100 Washington Street, Marseilles, Illinois 61341
ARTIST: Avery Fischer Johnson
TITLE: Industrial Marseilles
MEDIUM: Oil on canvas (mural)
STATUS: The Marseilles 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: 1938

Often times when I visit and inquire about the mural or art the folks working at the counter are clueless. My visit to Marseilles, Illinois was an exception. I met a wonderful lady who was very interested in their mural and was able to provide me with a bunch of details about it. Now that’s awesome I said to myself. Here are a few of details I remember from this conservation.

The mural is called “Industrial Marseilles”, It was meant to represent the industries at the time when it was painted around 1938. The lady at the counter also mentioned that all but one of the buildings have disappeared from the Marseilles landscape. The only one that remains today is the large brick building in the center for the painting. Now that is information I wouldn’t have gotten if I had not taken the time to ask . If I also remember correctly the lady was also able to recall the date and artist of the painting. She was aware that it was commissioned during the depression.

It was really a delight to hear someone speak of it and share in the history of the mural. It’s not often that I find USPS employees interested in the art on the wall and this was a real treat to find. Your name escapes me today but rest assured you made my day and my visit enjoyable to Marseilles.

Thanks,

David W. Gates Jr.

Marseilles Illinois Post Office 61341
Marseilles Illinois Post Office 61341
Marseilles Illinois Post Office 61341
Marseilles Illinois Post Office 61341
Marseilles Illinois Post Office 61341
Marseilles Illinois Post Office 61341 Corner Stone
Marseilles Illinois Post Office Mural 61341 Detail
Marseilles Illinois Post Office Mural 61341 Detail
Marseilles Illinois Post Office Mural 61341 Detail
Marseilles Illinois Post Office Mural 61341 Center
Marseilles Illinois Post Office Mural 61341 Full
Marseilles Illinois Post Office Mural 61341 Detail
Marseilles Illinois Post Office Mural 61341 Detail
Marseilles Illinois Post Office Mural 61341 Detail
Marseilles Illinois Post Office Mural 61341 Signature
Marseilles Illinois Post Office Mural 61341 Full

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

Sources

Former Charleston Illinois Post Office

By

Former Charleston IL Post Office 61920
Former Charleston IL Post Office 61920

ADDRESS: 320 Sixth St., Charleston, Illinois 61920

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to visit your local post office and find out it’s a pet store? Welcome to Charleston, Illinois. I visited in October for a book signing event at the local book store. It was a very long drive on a Saturday with an infant, but we made it and I was able to get my books signed. I was also told there is a nice historic old post office building in Charleston so naturally I had to find it. The folks at the book store also mentioned it had been converted to a pet store. Older buildings like this are pretty easy to spot but the new owners also had a nice big sign indicating they are now open for business. See images below.

Since I was with the family, I needed to get my photos and get moving. It baffles me why I never stepped inside to look around. I guess I knew this particular building didn’t have a mural or artwork so I guess I must have justified this in my head and moved quickly back to the car so we could get on the road. These are just some of the stories from my adventures taking pictures. It’s hard to slow down sometimes and just enjoy the process when you are trying to make as many stops and you can.

We were a long way from home, but sometimes that’s what it takes. During this visit was I also able to get a few other nice older buildings. Stay tuned for those.

Do you remember when this building was the old post office? Maybe you were there for the dedication back in 1917? What do you remember? Do you have pictures or newspaper articles from this time? Please comment and share below.

Thanks,

David W. Gates Jr.

Sources

  • Personal visit on 10/18/2014 by David W. Gates Jr.
  • Fetchers Pet Store