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Post office buildings with geological survey markers.

Post office buildings with geological survey markers.

Eldorado Illinois Post Office

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Eldorado IL Post Office 62930
Eldorado IL Post Office 62930

ADDRESS: 900 4th Street, Eldorado, Illinois, 62930
ARTIST: William Schwartz
TITLE: Mining in Illinois
MEDIUM: Oil on canvas (mural)
STATUS: The Eldorado 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: 1937

Today’s feature post office is Eldorado, Illinois. I had no idea there was mining activity in Illinois until I viewed the mural inside the lobby of Eldorado post office.

When I think of Illinois, mining is not an industry that comes to mind. When I describe Illinois to people from out-of-state, I often find myself talking about flat land with lots of corn fields. So needless to say I was a bit shocked to see mining as the subject of this mural.

The piece itself is on the darker side, and the subject is from a different time in our nation’s history. I’m unsure what to make of it. I’m drawn to the color and window to past of Eldorado, but I’m also at a loss for words to adequately describe it. What are your thoughts? Please comment below.

David W. Gates Jr.

Eldorado Illinois Post Office Mural 62930 Full
Eldorado Illinois Post Office 62930
Eldorado Illinois Post Office 62930
Eldorado Illinois Post Office 62930
Eldorado Illinois Post Office Mural 62930 Center
Eldorado Illinois Post Office Mural 62930 Detail
Eldorado Illinois Post Office Mural 62930 Detail
Eldorado Illinois Post Office Mural 62930 Detail
Eldorado Illinois Post Office Mural 62930 Detail
Eldorado Illinois Post Office Mural 62930 Signature
Eldorado Illinois Post Office Mural 62930 Full
Eldorado Illinois Post Office Mural 62930 Left Side
Eldorado Illinois Post Office Mural 62930 Right Side
Eldorado Illinois Post Office Mural 62930 Detail
Eldorado Illinois Post Office 62930 Survery Marker
Eldorado Illinois Post Office 62930
Eldorado Illinois Post Office 62930
Eldorado Illinois Post Office 62930
Eldorado Illinois Post Office 62930

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

Sources

Fairfield Illinois Post Office

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Fairfield IL Post Office 62837
Fairfield IL Post Office 62837

ADDRESS: 220 East Delaware Street, Fairfield, Illinois 62837
ARTIST: William Samuel Schwartz
TITLE: Old Settlers
MEDIUM: Oil on canvas (mural)
STATUS: The Fairfield post office is still an active, operating facility and the mural can be viewed by interested members of the pubic. It resides in the lobby on the wall above the postmaster’s door.
YEAR: 1936

I bet you thought this was going to be a large mural? I guess you are also asking why I called this a painting and not a mural for the type? Well, I’m not the official word, but the physical dimensions of this artwork seems more like a painting than a mural. When I think of the term mural, I have an image in my mind of something large. I didn’t feel comfortable calling this one a mural, this is the reason for the classification of “painting” rather than mural. I’m so used to seeing large murals span the entire wall so it was quite different to see something smaller.

Regardless of classification type, it’s a neat very colorful piece. The subject matter is another highlight of the painting. The artist depicts an actual post office for one of the buildings. I’m guessing this may be the original post office in Fairfield. Does anyone know more about the subject matter of this painting? Have you done research on the artists? Please comment below. I’d love to hear more about it.

Thanks,

David W. Gates Jr.

Fairfield Illinois Post Office Mural 62837 Signature
Fairfield Illinois Post Office 62837 Cornerstone
Fairfield Illinois Post Office 62837 Cornerstone
Fairfield Illinois Post Office 62837
Fairfield Illinois Post Office 62837
Fairfield Illinois Post Office Mural 62837 Signature
Fairfield Illinois Post Office Mural 62837 Full
Fairfield Illinois Post Office Mural 62837 Detail
Fairfield Illinois Post Office Mural 62837 Detail
Fairfield Illinois Post Office Mural 62837 Detail
Fairfield Illinois Post Office 62837 Survey Marker
Fairfield Illinois Post Office Mural 62837 Full
Fairfield Illinois Post Office Mural 62837 Detail
Fairfield Illinois Post Office Mural 62837 Detail
Fairfield Illinois Post Office Mural 62837 Detail
Fairfield Illinois Post Office 62837
Fairfield Illinois Post Office 62837
Fairfield Illinois Post Office 62837
Fairfield Illinois Post Office 62837

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

Sources

Tipp City Ohio Former Post Office

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Former Tipp City OH Post Office 45371
Former Tipp City OH Post Office 45371

ADDRESS: 29 West Main St., Tipp City, Ohio 45371
TITLE: Construction of Miami-Erie Canal in Miami City
ARTIST: Herman Zimmerman
MEDIUM: Oil on canvas (Mural)
STATUS: The former Tipp City post office is no longer an active, operating facility. The mural was relocated to the newer post office on Hyatt street where it can be viewed by interested members of the public. It resides in the lobby above the retail counter.
YEAR: 1940

If you are looking for the artwork that once resided here, it’s now located in the newer building on Hyatt St.

Today’s featured building is the former Tipp City Post Office. Where do I begin to talk about this one? What an absolutely wonderful visit I had back in November of 2013. To be honest I had no idea the building was sold and now privately owned. So you could imagine my surprise when I found out a new business had moved in.

I was also delighted as I entered and found two enthusiastic owners who showed me around the building. It was a real treat to see the work they have done to preserve this historical treasure.  I learned so much as we visited, and ended up spending much more time here than I planned, but it was definitely worth it.

The historical plaque on front of the building reads:

Dedicated on January 19, 1939, and served as the area’s Post Office until 1991. Dedication was preceded by the 1938 city name change from Tippecanoe City to the present Tipp City due to identification with another Ohio City. This building was completed at a cost of $43, 210 and contains oak floors, quarry tile flyer, original fixtures, walk in vault, and “secret” look-out-room used by postal inspectors. Due to its sturdy masonry and concrete construction, the basement served as the city’s civil defense shelter in the Cold War era. The U.S. Coast & Geological Survey medallion located on the northwest corner of the building benchmarks the area’s sea level elevation.

Tipp City’s legendary Civil Ware battle horse is buried in the northwest corner of this lot. The horse was ridden by Col. Daniel M. Rouze (44th Ohio Infantry and 8th Ohio Mounted Calvary) during the war. A statue commemorates the grave of this fateful horse.  Today, this grand old building is privately owned and serves as a commerce center for the community. It is part of Tipp City’s proud history.

If I had not stopped and taken the time to walk inside, I would never had known all the little details that makes this building so special. I can’t thank you enough for taking time out of your day to visit with me. I hope all owners of former post office buildings take as much interest in their buildings as you have.

Thanks,

David W. Gates Jr.

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