Post offices with murals, includes new deal and non-new deal art.

Former Melrose Park Illinois Post Office

November 26, 2015 By David W. Gates Jr.

Former Melrose Park IL Post Office 60160

ADDRESS: 801 North Broadway, Melrose Park, Illinois, 60160
ARTIST: Edwin Boyd Johnson
TITLE: Air Mail
MEDIUM: Fresco (mural)
STATUS: The Melrose Park post office closed in the 1960’s. The mural was hidden by a drop ceiling for years. The public library purchased and remodeled the building considerably. The mural was also restored and now resides in the adult services section for all to enjoy.
YEAR: 1937

Another beautiful restored mural. I had a hard time looking for this one. At first I was looking for the old building. What I’ve learned over the years is they tend to be the boxy style buildings. So I was a bit baffled when I came upon the Melrose Park library. This one has large green awnings and looked nothing like your typical New Deal building.

I needed confirmation this was indeed the original post office. So I send an email to the library inquiring about the mural and the building. Sure enough I received a response that indeed this was the original location of the building and that mural was indeed located here.

Yes, you are correct on both counts. I am attaching a document which outlines the story of the Fresco and its rediscovery and renovation.

Adult Services Department
Melrose Park Public Library

After careful examination of the building you can see the old brick vs the new brick on the side of building. Which begs me to wonder, what happened to the corner-stone? Does it still exist behind the new addition or was it somehow destroyed as part of the remodel?

I’d also love to see original photos of the building when it was still a post office. The staff didn’t seem to know any other history other than it was the original post office.

Thanks,

David W. Gates Jr.

Former Melrose Park Illinois Post Office 60160

Former Melrose Park Illinois Post Office Mural 60160 Center

Former Melrose Park Illinois Post Office Mural 60160 Detail

Former Melrose Park Illinois Post Office Mural 60160 Left Side

Former Melrose Park Illinois Post Office Mural 60160 Full

Former Melrose Park Illinois Post Office Mural 60160 Plaque

Former Melrose Park Illinois Post Office Mural 60160 Right Side

Sources

Personal visit on 9/29/2015 and 10/02/2015 by David W. Gates Jr.
Illinois Post Office Mural Guidebook
Democratic Vistas: Post Offices and Public Art in the New Deal: [Hardcover] Marlene Park, Gerald E. Markowitz
Melrose Park Public Library
Parma Conservation

East Alton Illinois Post Office

November 21, 2015 By David W. Gates Jr.

ADDRESS: 200 Smith Avenue, East Alton, Illinois 62024
ARTIST: Frances Foy
TITLE: The Letter
MEDIUM: Oil on canvas (mural)
STATUS: The East Alton post office is still an active, operating facility, and the mural can be viewed by interested members of the public. It resides in the retail section of the lobby above the postmaster’s door.
YEAR: 1936

I had awesome weather in early May of 2015. I decided to head out and grab a few Illinois post offices. The best part about the East Alton building is that it’s right in the middle of the neighborhood.

To be honest it almost threw me off as I was driving around to find it. The majority of the time buildings like this are in business districts or on a main road through town. Not the case for the East Alton building.

Prior to visiting I did a little research about the mural. In fact it’s one of the smaller murals I’ve come across. Typically you see murals that span the width of the lobby in a building of this size.

In fact I have a hard time calling this one a mural. I would describe it more as a painting than an actual mural, due to its physical size.

Additional notes, the retail lobby was closed when I visited. The images below were taken through the glass doors. I think they turned out pretty good.

I really like the light colors and nature feeling this mural gives exhibits. What do you like about this painting/mural? Please comment and share below.

Thanks,

David W. Gates Jr.

East Alton Illinois Post Office 62024 Lobby

East Alton Illinois Post Office Mural 62024 Bottom

East Alton Illinois Post Office Mural 62024 Detail

East Alton Illinois Post Office Mural 62024 Full

East Alton Illinois Post Office Mural 62024 Middle

East Alton Illinois Post Office Mural 62024 Signature

East Alton Illinois Post Office Mural 62024 Top

East Alton Illinois Post Office 62024 Cornerstone

Sources

Personal visit on 5/03/2015 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
Illinois Country Living

Elmhurst Illinois Post Office

November 14, 2015 By David W. Gates Jr.

ADDRESS: 154 West Park Avenue, Elmhurst, Illinois, 60126
ARTIST: George Melville Smith
TITLE: There Was Vision
MEDIUM: Oil on canvas (mural)
STATUS: The Elmhurst 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

I had a wonderful sunny day for my visit to Elmhurst. I woke up early on a Saturday so I could be down there when they opened. I was happy to see a plaque in the lobby describing the mural, although it was high up on wall making it hard to read.

I will say this, the lighting in the lobby is ideal. It doesn’t block the mural in any way and provides enough light to see the entire piece. Often times I see lights that hang down and obstruct the view of the murals. I just visited some more buildings this past weekend and this was exactly what I ran into. So now that I’m looking back on this article I can honestly say some thought was put into the lighting and its nice to see it does not get in the way of viewing this piece.

What are your thoughts regarding this mural? What do you like about it?

Thanks,

David W. Gates Jr.