Parma Conservation

Yellow Springs Ohio Post Office

March 29, 2014 By David W. Gates Jr.

ADDRESS: 120 Corry Street, Yellow Springs, Ohio, 45387
ARTIST: Axel Horn
TITLE: Yellow Springs – Preparation for Lifework
MEDIUM: Oil on canvas (mural)
STATUS: The Yellow Springs post office is still an active, operating facility and the mural can be viewed by interested members of the public. The mural resides in the lobby on the wall above the postmaster’s door.
YEAR: 1940

Today’s featured post office is Yellow Springs. This was a visit back in November of 2013. I remember this town bustling with people shopping. It was difficult to get external photos of the building.

It seemed I was the only one interested in the post office. I went inside to observe the mural. What struck me first was the single person in the piece. Then upon further observation you notice the young man is reading a book. Not only is he reading a book, but also reading it outside. This one happens to strike a chord with me as I really enjoy the outdoors. It also reminds me of hiking and camping.

So what do you like about this mural? What history or facts do you know about it?

Thanks for stopping by

David W. Gates Jr.

Yellow Springs Ohio Post Office 45387 Artifacts

Yellow Springs Ohio Post Office 45387 Cornerstone

Yellow Springs Ohio Post Office 45387 Lobby

Yellow Springs Ohio Post Office Mural 45387 Full

Yellow Springs Ohio Post Office Mural 45387 Center

Yellow Springs Ohio Post Office Mural 45387 Detail

Yellow Springs Ohio Post Office Mural 45387 Right Side

Yellow Springs Ohio Post Office Mural 45387 Left Side

Sources

Personal visit on 11/29/2013 by David W. Gates Jr.
United States Postal Service
(affiliate link) Democratic Vistas: Post Offices and Public Art in the New Deal: [Hardcover] Marlene Park, Gerald E. Markowitz
Parma Conservation (https://parmaconservation.com)

Montpelier Ohio Post Office

January 18, 2014 By David W. Gates Jr.

ADDRESS: 209 Empire Street, Montpelier, Ohio, 43543
ARTIST: Leonard Ahneman
TITLE: Harvest the Annal of America
MEDIUM: Oil on canvas (mural)
STATUS: The Montpelier post office is still an active, operating facility and the mural can be viewed by interested members of the public. The mural resides in the lobby on a wall above the postmaster’s door.
YEAR: 1941

Today’s featured post office is Montpelier Ohio. What a great looking mural. We visited Montpelier on the way home from the in-laws back in November of 2013. Since it was a Sunday I was really hoping the lobby would be open. Boy did I luck out, the place was very quiet, no cars out front and the lobby was open for viewing the mural. This was a perfect visit for a freak like me. I was able to get great photos with no obstructions. I was able to stand back and really enjoy this mural. Actually it was almost like I was in a museum. The only thing I could have asked for was blue sky for the exterior photos.

I really like the feel of this one. To me the horses almost have a glowing look to them. Maybe this is just because of the golden fields surrounding them. What do you like about this one? Have you ever wondered about it? Have you ever put much thought into it? Montpelier is a smaller town I wonder if they appreciate what they have? Please leave your comments below.

Thanks for stopping by

David W. Gates Jr.

Montpelier Ohio Post Office Mural 43543 Detail

Montpelier Ohio Post Office Mural 43543 Signature

Montpelier Ohio Post Office Mural 43543 Right Side

Montpelier Ohio Post Office Mural 43543 Center

Montpelier Ohio Post Office Mural 43543 Left Side

Montpelier Ohio Post Office Mural 43543 Full

Montpelier Ohio Post Office 43543 Cornerstone

Sources

Personal visit on 12/01/2013, and 5/14/2023 by David W. Gates Jr.
United States Postal Service
(affiliate link) Democratic Vistas: Post Offices and Public Art in the New Deal: [Hardcover] Marlene Park, Gerald E. Markowitz.
Parma Conservation (https://parmaconservation.com)

Springfield Ohio Post Office

January 4, 2014 By David W. Gates Jr.

ADDRESS: 150 North Limestone Street, Springfield, Ohio 45501
ARTIST: Herman Henry Wessel (H. H. Wessel)
TITLE: Printing in Springfield and Manufacture of Farm Implements
MEDIUM: Oil on canvas (murals)
STATUS: The Springfield post office is still an active, operating facility, and the murals can be viewed by interested members of the public. They resides on the wall in the main lobby.
YEAR: 1933

The story goes like this. It was late November and I was driving around Ohio to get as many post offices as I could. It was getting late and I was hours away from the in-laws house. I waited and I waited some more to get an un-obstructed view of this building. I’ll just tell you now, it never happened. The image you see above was the closest I got to a full building photo.

The sun was setting and my light was getting to be a challenge. One thing you don’t see or may realize, is just how cold it was during this photo shoot. In addition to the cold it was windy making standing outside waiting an uncomfortable situation. I sat in my car and waited for people and cars to clear from the front of the building. I stood outside with my tripod and camera hoping people might see what I was trying to do. But not one single car moved or attempted to get out-of-the-way. I guess they all had important things to mail. I’m not complaining, it’s great for the post office. But it sure does make my job much more challenging.

One great discovery I found was the historical sign on the outside of the building. To be honest I didn’t even look at it until now in late December, which is more than a month after my initial visit. I did however, use my phone an QR reader and was immediately taken to the website dedicated for this historical building. The page mentions the two murals still exist here but during my visit was not able to see them.

What struck me as odd is that I did go into the lobby and looked for them. The historical page created for this mentioned the restoration efforts uncovered the murals. So that begs the question. Where are they located inside the building? The retail counter area was closed so I’m wondering if the murals are located in the retail section of the lobby? I guess I’ll have to plan another visit to Springfield Ohio. What do you know about the murals here? Are they inside the retail section of the lobby? Are they in a different room of his massive building?

So that’s the story, I grabbed what photos I could and jetted back to in-laws house several hours away. Did some research for this article and included some additional sources below. I hope you’ve enjoyed the Springfield Ohio Post Office.

Thanks,

David W. Gates Jr.

Springfield Ohio Post Office 45501 Cornerstone

Update October 2022

During a road trip in October of 2022, I swung by the Springfield, post office. My first visit was after hours and the building was closed. This time around I visited during business hours and was able to get inside the building. In addition I was also able to see the small museum they have set aside off to the right of the retail section. What a treat, especially since it was rainy and close this day.