Post office buildings with geological survey markers.

Bedford Indiana Former Post Office

October 3, 2021 By David W. Gates Jr.

ADDRESS: 1324 K St #130, Bedford, Indiana 47421

Thanks to the kind lady who rescued me and personally brought me to the former Bedford, Indiana post office. Often times the words POST OFFICE are engraved in the building, but I did not see this when I drove by the building.

Luckily, a local familiar with the area was able to inform me that — indeed, this is the original building.

Thank you,

David W. Gates Jr.

Bedford IN Former Post Office 47421 Cornerstone

Bedford IN Former Post Office 47421 Survey Marker

Sources

Personal visit on 9/26/21 about 5:56 PM and 06/28/2023 about 12:18 PM by David W. Gates Jr.
Indiana Post Office Mural Guidebook by David W. Gates Jr.
(affiliate link) Democratic Vistas: Post Offices and Public Art in the New Deal: [Hardcover] Marlene Park, Gerald E. Markowitz
Pittman Law Firm http://www.jgpittmanlaw.com/history.html

Elkton Maryland Post Office

August 27, 2021 By David W. Gates Jr.

ADDRESS: 137 W Main St, Elkton, Maryland 21921
ARTIST: Alexander B. Clayton
TITLE: Arrival of the Post, 1780
MEDIUM: Oil on canvas (mural)
STATUS: Unknown, The Living New Deal mentions the mural was restored and resided in the basement. However, when I visited in August 2021, the current postmaster had no clue as to the whereabouts of the mural. Yes, I did speak to him twice during this visit.
YEAR: 1939

I specifically stopped din Elkton as I knew this was one building that had a mural at one time. After some basic research I discovered the mural is not currently on display. I wanted to visit during business hours to inquire about it.

Turns out the postmaster had no idea where the mural was. He also mentioned nothing in the basement. This is all curious as LND has it listed as having been restored but not on display.

As info, I visited on August 10, 2021 about 1:25 PM. You will also notice from various photos the landscaping in front of the building. I’ve got this one on my radar to do more research. However, if you have further information regarding this one please comment below.

David W. Gates Jr.

Sources

Personal visit on 8/10/21 about 1:25 PM by David W. Gates Jr.
United States Postal Service

Bordentown New Jersey Post Office

May 27, 2021 By David W. Gates Jr.

ADDRESS: 14 Walnut St., Bordentown, New Jersey 08505
ARTIST: Avery Fischer Johnson
TITLE: Skating on Bonaparte’s Pond
MEDIUM: Oil on canvas (mural)
STATUS: The Bordentown 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. The Bordentown mural was the winner in the 48 state mural competition.
YEAR: 1938

Last week from May 18th through the 23rd 2021, I took a road trip to New Jersey. My goal was to visit the Fort Lee building and meet with the mayor to help convince him not to demolish their historic post office.

In addition I also stop at 46 other buildings, Bordentown was another visit during my trip to New Jersey. They don’t keep the lobby open after hours and by the time I made it here on the 19th, it was closed. Wonderful sunny weather for outside photographs.

This is another example where I think the lights should be brought up flush with the ceiling for a better, unobstructed view of the mural.

I ended up heading back to Bordentown two days later to get inside mural images you see below. This is a very nice mural and the 48 state mural competition winners for New Jersey.

UPDATE

I didn’t have to re-visit the Bordentown building, but I wanted a better early morning photograph. Back in May, I visited late in the afternoon and the sun sets behind the building. The photographs I had were dark and not what I wanted since I’m using this one as the cover of the guidebook. So in August I re-visited and the weather was perfect for new photographs. I’m satisfied.

David W. Gates Jr.