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

Lemont Illinois Post Office

October 4, 2014 By David W. Gates Jr.

ADDRESS: 42 Stephen Street, Lemont, Illinois 60439
ARTIST: Charles Turzak
TITLE: Canal Boats
MEDIUM: Oil on canvas (mural)
STATUS: The Lemont 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

My first attempt at photographing this building last year didn’t end well. By the time we arrived the weather had turned for the worst, and we found ourselves in a downpour. To add to this disappointment we were also late for a party. So needless to say I took the pictures through the car window, and repeated to myself. I’ll be back” much like Arnold Schwarzenegger’s famous line from the Terminator.

So fast forward to May of 2014 and my second attempt at photographing and document this post office. I had great weather and was able to enjoy my visit. Lemont is not entirely far from where I live but, on the particular Saturday I visited the traffic was horrendous. I was hopping for a quick trip but this turned out to be an entire morning.

As for the building it self, I have a few things to mention, first is the corner-stone. I was shocked when I observed the lack of detail or attention given to the corner-stone of this building. I completely understand the ADA requirement of having the building accessible for all. But come on!, I’ve seen other buildings without the ramp right up against the building. I’m betting with a little more thought and effort the corner-stone could have been saved. Who knows maybe some time in the future the building will be remodeled and the corner-stone will be restored and made viewable as it was meant to be.

Maybe it’s a good thing I didn’t create this article until now. During another recent road trip I met an employee that mentioned a few interesting facts about this building. As it turns out the Lemont building as has a firing range in the basement. This particular employee recalled that in order to deliver mail to certain locations employees needed to be certified in carrying a hand gun. Employees are no longer required to carry hand guns, but what an interesting fact. Discovering and learning these bits of information are all part of what makes this so rewarding. I’m hope you enjoy the photos below.

What are you thoughts about the Lemont, Illinois Post Office? Were you gun certified to carry mail at this facility? What do you know about the mural? The artists or the history of this great building? Please comment below.

Thanks for stopping by.

UPDATE 01/10/2022 – adding a photo from my first visit in 2013 when it was down-pouring. I also looks like I overlooked adding the cornerstone image to the gallery. I’m adding that one also. I think because the date was covered up I decided it wasn’t worth adding this image back in 2013. Fast forward to today in 2022, I think it is important to show how the cornerstones have been overlooked.

David W. Gates Jr.

Lemont Illinois Post Office Mural 60439 Center

Lemont Illinois Post Office Mural 60439 Artist Plaque

Lemont Illinois Post Office Mural 60439 Detail

Lemont Illinois Post Office Mural 60439 Full

Sources

Personal visit on 5/10/2014 & 10/05/2013 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
Let’s Look for Mail Delivery in Illinois Post Offices: [Soft Cover] Mary Emma Thompson, PH. D.

McLeansboro Illinois Post Office

September 26, 2014 By David W. Gates Jr.

ADDRESS: 211 South Jackson Street, Mc Leansboro, Illinois, 62859
ARTIST: Dorothea Mierisch
TITLE: First Official Air Mail Flight
MEDIUM: Oil on canvas (mural)
STATUS: The Mc Leansboro 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: 1941

I get excited when I find additional information regarding the art I find. Upon my return from my visit to Mc Leansboro, I did some research and found further information on the Smithsonian American Art Museum website. It turns out, I’m not the only one interested in this mural.

I initially discovered this mural through the Parma Conservation. Apparently it was cleaned a number of years ago. It’s a great example of work done to preserve these pieces of art.

I love the colors and the subject of the piece. It brings the viewer back to a time when such events were celebrated with gusto and class. Times back then were just different. Today we have festivals and celebrations but the feeling, the atmosphere is much different from what it used to be. It’s a great reminder and something that should be cherished for future generations to enjoy. That feeling is what drives me to continue visiting these buildings.

Tell me your feeling of this mural? What does it reminds you of? What sticks out to you? Please comment below. Can you tell me why I choose today to post this one?

David W. Gates Jr.

McLeansboro Illinois Post Office Mural 62859 Detail

McLeansboro Illinois Post Office Mural 62859 Right Side

McLeansboro Illinois Post Office Mural 62859 Left Side

McLeansboro Illinois Post Office Mural 62859 Center

McLeansboro Illinois Post Office Mural 62859 Full Left

McLeansboro Illinois Post Office 62859 Cornerstone

Sources

Personal visit on 5/24/2014 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
Smithsonian American Art Museum
Parma Conservation
Discover Downstate Illinois

Bluffton Ohio Post Office

August 9, 2014 By David W. Gates Jr.

ADDRESS: 132 South Main Street, Bluffton, Ohio, 45817
ARTIST: Sante Graziani
TITLE: Joseph Deford and His Friends Building the First Cabin in Bluffton
MEDIUM: Oil on canvas (mural)
STATUS: The Bluftton 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: 1941

When people ask me what my favorite post office is it’s really hard to answer. I admit, the New Deal buildings are among my favorites but to me it goes deeper than this. What I constitute as my favorite post office is everything surrounding the entire visit. What stands out for me, as a favorite, or what I would call, “quality” visit, would be the photograph’s I’m able to get.

The visit to Bluffton is a perfect example of this. The sunlight sort of just glowed from the orange brick of the building making a great photograph. The clear deep blue sky in the background adds the perfect touch to the photograph. Take all this and add a great mural and you have what I like to refer to as “one of my favorites”. So to all those who ask me the question, “What is your favorite”, it’s the ones I get a great photograph of. See it’s not always about the building, or the content. Sometimes its just that I nailed the perfect shot.

Thanks,

David W. Gates Jr.