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New Deal buildings or New Deal murals or artwork.

New Deal buildings or New Deal murals or artwork.

Decatur Illinois Post Office

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Decatur IL PO 62523
Decatur IL PO 62523

ADDRESS: 214 North Franklin Street, Decatur, Illinois, 62523
ARTIST: Edward Millman
TITLE: Early Pioneer, Social Consciousness, and Growth of Democracy
MEDIUM: Fresco (murals)
STATUS: The Decatur post office is still and active, operating facility and the murals can be viewed by interested members of the public. They reside in the lobby in multiple locations.
YEAR: 1938

ARTIST: Edgar Britton
TITLE: Natural Resources of Illinois – Frank Lloyd Wright and Carl Sandburg,  Natural Resources of Illinois – John Deere and Colonel Francis Parker,’ and Development of Illinois
MEDIUM: Fresco (murals)
YEAR: 1938

ARTIST: Mitchell Siporin
TITLE: Fusion of Agriculture and Industry
MEDIUM: Fresco (murals)

My road trip in early February took me to the Decatur Illinois area. Since this was a last minute road trip I did not make any plans on where I was going to stay for the night. By the time the evening rolled around I was getting a bit anxious. I really did not feel like paying for an expensive hotel. I also was not able to find a campground in this area.

What I did find was an excellent Bed & Breakfast. I was really excited that I was able to get in touch with the owner, as it turned out I was the only guest for the night. I had this great big old Victorian house all to myself. Wow! what a way to live it up for the night. It was really a treat to have friendly personal service. The next morning I was served an excellent breakfast with eggs, waffle, toast, juice the whole works. If you haven’t figured out yet another one of my favorite things to do is eat.

If you are ever in the Decatur area and in need of a place to stay I highly recommend the Victoriana Bed & Breakfast Inn. The post office is another highlight in Decatur. Here are some more Decatur Illinois Post Office pictures.

UPDATE September 2015

So when I initially visited Decatur, I was unaware and hand not done my homework prior to making my site visit. After several years of working on this project I’ve discovered there are three artists who have done work here. It is my intention to re-visit this post office and take more detail pictures of this one.

I will also be creating three seperate articles one for each artists. I think to include them all here in one article would be too much information. So there you have it. I’m not perfect nor do I claim to be perfect. But after studying this one more in-depth, I’ve come to realize how important it is to be more accurate in my reporting and discovery. For now please enjoy the photos I do have.

Thanks,

David W. Gates Jr.

Decatur Illinois Post Office 62523
Decatur Illinois Post Office 62523
Decatur Illinois Post Office 62523
Decatur Illinois Post Office 62523
Decatur Illinois Post Office 62523
Decatur Illinois Post Office 62523 Cornerstone
Decatur Illinois Post Office 62523
Decatur Illinois Post Office 62523
Decatur Illinois Post Office Mural 62523
Decatur Illinois Post Office Mural 62523
Decatur Illinois Post Office Mural 62523
Decatur Illinois Post Office Mural 62523
Decatur Illinois Post Office Mural 62523 Signature
Decatur Illinois Post Office Mural 62523
Decatur Illinois Post Office Mural 62523
Decatur Illinois Post Office Mural 62523
Decatur Illinois Post Office Mural 62523 Detail
Decatur Illinois Post Office Mural 62523 Detail
Decatur Illinois Post Office Mural 62523 Detail
Decatur Illinois Post Office Mural 62523
Decatur Illinois Post Office Mural 62523
Decatur Illinois Post Office 62523
Decatur Illinois Post Office Mural 62523 Center
Decatur Illinois Post Office Mural 62523 Signature

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

Sources

Elkhorn Wisconsin Post Office

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Elkhorn WI Post Office 53121
Elkhorn WI Post Office 53121

ADDRESS: 102 E. Walworth St. Elkhorn, Wisconsin 53121
ARTIST: Tom Rost
TITLE: Pioneer Postman
MEDIUM: Mural
STATUS: The Elkhorn Post Office is still active up to this day and the mu- ral viewable by members of the public. It resides in the lobby on the wall above the postmaster’s door.
YEAR: 1938

My initial visit to the Elkhorn post office was back in 2003. During this first visit I was only concerned with getting a picture of the building and one with me in front. Little did I know at the time that this one also has a mural inside. In 2003 I never investigated as thourghly as I do today.

In December 2010 while driving around we ended up stopping again in Elkhorn. This time I only took a picture of me in front of the building. For one reason or another I did not go inside, for reasons I can’t explain. I guess I was just looking for a better exterior picture. But after further thought, it must have been a Sunday and the lobby must have been closed is the only reason I could come up with.

In early 2012 after doing some research I realized this one indeed has a mural. So during another road trip I visited again. I took my time and even walked around the down town area for bit. The Elkhorn post office has a wonderful mural and I can officially check this one-off my list. After 3 different visits I’d say I’m happy with my photo collection.

What do you think about this one? Did you know the artists? Have you been asking “Who painted the Elkhorn Wisconsin Post Office Mural?” Don’t worry you are not alone. I’ve asked this question myself and even created this nice little article about it. Please comment below.

Thanks for reading

David W. Gates Jr.

Pioneer Postman by Tom Rost, photo credit David W. Gates Jr.

 

Elkhorn Wisconsin Post Office 53121
Elkhorn Wisconsin Post Office 53121
Elkhorn Wisconsin Post Office 53121
Elkhorn Wisconsin Post Office 53121
Elkhorn Wisconsin Post Office 53121
Elkhorn Wisconsin Post Office 53121 Cornerstone
Elkhorn Wisconsin Post Office 53121 Tom Rost 1938
Elkhorn Wisconsin Post Office Mural 53121 Full

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

Sources

Clinton Illinois Post Office

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Clinton IL Post Office 61727
Clinton IL Post Office 61727

ADDRESS: 105 North Quincy Street, Clinton, Illinois 61727
ARTIST: Aaron Bohrod
TITLE: Clinton in Winter
MEDIUM: Oil on canvas (mural)
STATUS: The Clinton 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: 1939

In early February 2012 I decided to take another road trip. The Clinton, IL Post Office is one stop during this trip.

For my new readers, these are some of my favorite post offices. Take a look at the photos and you will see why. The artwork is amazing and the actual building has “Character”.  So you want to know why I visit post offices and take photographs? This is a prime example.

Not only does this one have art, but it is also named in honor of Gene Vance.  Clinton was the hometown of Gene and in 2006 congress named this post office in honor of him. Talk about being up to date with my post. Apparently he recently passed according the article.

I’m glad I visited during regular business hours as the mural is above the sales counter. This section of the lobby is locked and closed during non-business hours. The lady at the counter was very pleasant and allow me to photograph the mural.

Thanks,

David W. Gates Jr.

Clinton Illinois Post Office 61727
Clinton Illinois Post Office Mural 61727 Full
Clinton Illinois Post Office 61727
Clinton Illinois Post Office 61727
Clinton Illinois Post Office 61727 Cornerstone
Clinton Illinois Post Office 61727
Clinton Illinois Post Office 61727 Honor Plaque
Clinton Illinois Post Office 61727

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

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