The U.S. Post Office in Phoenix, Arizona, also known as Federal Building-U.S. Post Office, is a building of the United States federal government that is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It currently is part of Arizona State University at the Downtown Phoenix campus.
Significance
The Federal Building-U.S. Post Office in Phoenix, Arizona is significant on a local level in two areas: architecture and politics/government. A good example of federal architecture adapted to a regional tradition, in this case the Spanish Colonial Revival, the building was erected during the years 1932 to 1936. Part of an extensive federal building program initiated in the late 1920s, it housed the main post office of Phoenix for over thirty years, as well as the offices of the judiciary and several federal agencies. A few years after opening, murals commissioned by Treasury Department were installed in the lobby. Substantially intact, the Federal Building-Post Office continues to function as a post office branch and its tenants include the United States Tax Court and assorted federal entities.[2]
The construction of the Post Office marked Phoenix's rapid growth and its important position as the state capital. Founded in 1870-71, Phoenix had a series of post office facilities until 1913, when the U. S. Treasury Department built the Phoenix Post Office and Courthouse. By 1930, the city had outgrown the building, and Congress appropriated the funds for a new building. The Phoenix Federal Building would be one of the results of the massive federal building program underway at the time, partially in an attempt to combat the deepening Depression.[2]
A site was chosen in 1931 and Phoenix architects Lescher and Mahoney were commissioned to design a six story building that was intended to house all of the federal services in the city. Construction was begun on the foundations. For a variety of reasons, including the unexpectedly high cost of land acquisition, the design for a three story rather than a six story building was submitted to the Treasury Department for review. By the time construction bids were again sought, the building had assumed a Spanish Colonial Revival appearance and two story height. The building opened on September 29, 1936 of that year when the post office began operations in its new home.
A landmark in central Phoenix, the Federal Building-Post Office was symbolic of the federal presence in the City and a focus of local pride. It continues today in those capacities, although construction of a new post office in 1968 absorbed several of its tenants. The only federal building from the period remaining in the city, the Post Office possesses substantial architectural merit as an example of Spanish Colonial Revival design.[2]
Progress of the Pioneer, Crossing the Desert by La Verne Nelson Black
Progress of the Pioneer, the Arrival of the U.S. Mail Coach by La Verne Nelson Black
Murals
In 1938, the Fine Arts Section of the Treasury Department commissioned artists La Verne Black and Oscar E. Berninghaus to paint two murals each to embellish the public space of the office.[2]
Spanish Explorers and American Indians by Oscar Berninghaus
Architectural description
The Post Office is located several blocks north of the center of downtown Phoenix. It occupies a large parcel bounded on the east by North Central Avenue, on the north by West Fillmore Street, on the west by North First Avenue, and on the south by the post office driveway and receiving area. It was designed with three principal elevations. While the Fillmore street elevation is technically the front of the building, the east and west elevations are mirror images of each other and contain the public entries.[2]
A Spanish Colonial Revival theme, influenced by the proportions and symmetry of the Italian Renaissance, was chosen for the building. In plan, the building consists of a two story rectangular mass 193 feet wide by 165 feet deep, with a second, smaller rectangular wing, 127 feet by 60 feet, centered on the rear elevation. A tiled hip roof crowns the main wing while the rear wing is flat-roofed. A frieze containing attic vents bands the entire structure. The building has a full basement, illuminated on the principal elevations by large light wells bordered by wrought iron railings. Cement stucco sheathes the exterior above a rusticated concrete plinth which simulates granite in its appearance. Trim is primarily cast stone and concentrated around the entries on the east and west and the end bays on the north, each of which is distinguished by ornate, Classical treatments. Bays are defined solely by the fenestration.[2]
The building has a composite type structural system which utilizes steel framing for beams and columns and poured reinforced concrete for floor slabs and fireproofing around the steel. It rests upon three-tiered spread footings of reinforced concrete, large enough to carry additional stories. Foundation walls are of poured reinforced concrete while the exterior walls above the foundation are constructed of brick masonry. Interior walls are generally hollow terra cotta tile.[2]
In plan and in architectural character, the three floors of the building are generally quite distinct from each other. The basement is utilitarian, with an L-shaped corridor providing access to various storage, service, and mechanical areas. As the main public level, the first floor contains the most architecturally detailed space, the post office lobby which runs the width of the building. Suites of offices occupy the space north of the lobby while bays of post office boxes and the post office workroom are located to the south. Additional office space is arranged around the generally F-shaped corridor of the second story. Light courts fill in the open spaces of the "F."[2]
Architectural integrity of the Federal Building-Post Office is generally quite high on the exterior but somewhat impaired on the interior. The most significant alterations include the replacement of the original entry doors; painting of the cast stone exterior trim; installation of wood entry vestibules and new post office box vestibules in the post office lobby; closure of several original post office service window bays; and remodeling of many of the offices.[2]
Arizona State University
The building currently is part of Arizona State University at the Downtown Phoenix campus. It houses such functions as student organizations, counseling services, administrative offices and the ASU Police Department. A USPS location is located on the first floor of the old post office.[3]
References
Attribution
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- Alabama
- United States Post Office (Albertville, Alabama)
- United States Post Office (Anniston, Alabama)
- Old Athens, Alabama Main Post Office
- United States Post Office (Attalla, Alabama)
- Auburn City Hall
- Robert S. Vance Federal Building and United States Courthouse
- United States Post Office (Demopolis, Alabama)
- Federal Building and United States Courthouse (Dothan, Alabama)
- United States Post Office (Fairhope, Alabama)
- United States Post Office (Gadsden, Alabama)
- Post Office Historic District
- United States Courthouse and Post Office (Huntsville, Alabama)
- Frank M. Johnson Jr. Federal Building and United States Courthouse
- United States Post Office (Opelika, Alabama)
- United States Post Office Building (Selma, Alabama)
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- California
- United States Post Office (Berkeley, California)
- Beverly Hills Main Post Office
- James R. Browning United States Court of Appeals Building
- Chico Midtown Station
- El Viejo Post Office
- United States Post Office and Courthouse (Eureka, California)
- Federal Building (Sacramento)
- Long Beach Main Post Office
- Terminal Annex
- United States Post Office (Hollywood, California)
- United States Post Office (Merced, California)
- United States Post Office (Napa, California)
- Old Post Office (Santa Rosa, California)
- United States Post Office (Palo Alto, California)
- United States Post Office (Petaluma, California)
- United States Post Office (Porterville, California)
- United States Post Office (Redlands, California)
- United States Post Office (San Pedro, California)
- Rincon Center
- San Bernardino Downtown Station
- United States Post Office-Santa Barbara Main
- United States Post Office (Stockton, California)
- United States Post Office-Visalia Town Center Station
- United States Post Office (Willows, California)
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- New York
- United States Post Office (Akron, New York)
- Old Post Office (Albany, New York)
- United States Post Office (Albion, New York)
- United States Post Office (Amsterdam, New York)
- United States Post Office (Angola, New York)
- United States Post Office (Attica, New York)
- Old Post Office and Courthouse (Auburn, New York)
- United States Post Office (Ballston Spa, New York)
- Bangall Post Office
- United States Post Office (Bath, New York)
- United States Post Office (Bay Shore, New York)
- United States Post Office (Beacon, New York)
- United States Post Office (Boonville, New York)
- United States Post Office (Bronxville, New York)
- Old Post Office (Buffalo, New York)
- United States Post Office (Canajoharie, New York)
- United States Post Office (Canandaigua, New York)
- United States Post Office (Canastota, New York)
- United States Post Office (Canton, New York)
- United States Post Office (Carthage, New York)
- United States Post Office (Catskill, New York)
- Chelsea Grammar School
- United States Post Office (Clyde, New York)
- United States Post Office (Cooperstown, New York)
- United States Post Office (Corning, New York)
- United States Post Office (Cortland, New York)
- United States Post Office (Dansville, New York)
- United States Post Office (Delhi, New York)
- United States Post Office (Delmar, New York)
- United States Post Office (Depew, New York)
- United States Post Office (Dobbs Ferry, New York)
- United States Post Office (Dolgeville, New York)
- United States Post Office (Dunkirk, New York)
- United States Post Office (East Rochester, New York)
- United States Post Office (Ellenville, New York)
- United States Post Office (Endicott, New York)
- United States Post Office (Fort Plain, New York)
- United States Post Office (Frankfort, New York)
- United States Post Office (Fredonia, New York)
- United States Post Office (Freeport, New York)
- United States Post Office (Fulton, New York)
- United States Post Office (Garden City, New York)
- United States Post Office (Geneva, New York)
- United States Post Office (Glen Cove, New York)
- United States Post Office (Goshen, New York)
- United States Post Office (Gouverneur, New York)
- United States Post Office (Granville, New York)
- United States Post Office (Great Neck, New York)
- United States Post Office (Hamilton, New York)
- United States Post Office (Harrison, New York)
- United States Post Office (Haverstraw, New York)
- United States Post Office (Hempstead, New York)
- United States Post Office (Herkimer, New York)
- United States Post Office (Homer, New York)
- United States Post Office (Honeoye Falls, New York)
- United States Post Office (Hoosick Falls, New York)
- United States Post Office (Hornell, New York)
- United States Post Office (Hudson Falls, New York)
- United States Post Office (Hudson, New York)
- United States Post Office (Hyde Park, New York)
- United States Post Office (Ilion, New York)
- United States Post Office (Ithaca, New York)
- United States Post Office (Johnson City, New York)
- United States Post Office (Johnstown, New York)
- United States Post Office (Lake George, New York)
- United States Post Office (Lake Placid, New York)
- United States Post Office (Lancaster, New York)
- United States Post Office (Larchmont, New York)
- United States Post Office (Le Roy, New York)
- United States Post Office (Little Falls, New York)
- United States Post Office (Little Valley, New York)
- United States Post Office (Lockport, New York)
- United States Post Office (Long Beach, New York)
- United States Post Office (Lyons, New York)
- United States Post Office (Malone, New York)
- United States Post Office (Medina, New York)
- United States Post Office (Middleburgh, New York)
- United States Post Office (Middleport, New York)
- United States Post Office (Mineola, New York)
- United States Post Office (Mount Vernon, New York)
- United States Post Office (New Rochelle, New York)
- United States Post Office (Newark, New York)
- United States Post Office (Newburgh, New York)
- United States Post Office (Newtonville, New York)
- United States Post Office (Niagara Falls, New York)
- United States Post Office (North Tonawanda, New York)
- United States Post Office (Northport, New York)
- United States Post Office (Norwich, New York)
- United States Post Office (Nyack, New York)
- United States Post Office (Ogdensburg, New York)
- Old Glen Cove Post Office
- Old Platte Clove Post Office
- Old Wappingers Falls Village Hall
- United States Post Office (Olean, New York)
- United States Post Office (Oneida, New York)
- Old Post Office (Oneonta, New York)
- United States Post Office (Owego, New York)
- United States Post Office (Oxford, New York)
- United States Post Office (Oyster Bay, New York)
- United States Post Office (Painted Post, New York)
- United States Post Office (Patchogue, New York)
- United States Post Office (Pearl River, New York)
- United States Post Office (Peekskill, New York)
- United States Post Office (Penn Yan, New York)
- United States Post Office (Port Chester, New York)
- United States Post Office (Port Jervis, New York)
- United States Post Office (Potsdam, New York)
- United States Post Office (Poughkeepsie, New York)
- United States Post Office (Rhinebeck, New York)
- United States Post Office (Richfield Springs, New York)
- United States Post Office (Riverhead, New York)
- United States Post Office (Rockville Centre, New York)
- United States Post Office (Rye, New York)
- United States Post Office (Saratoga Springs, New York)
- United States Post Office (Scarsdale, New York)
- United States Post Office (Schenectady, New York)
- United States Post Office (Scotia, New York)
- United States Post Office (Seneca Falls, New York)
- United States Post Office (Spring Valley, New York)
- United States Post Office (Springville, New York)
- United States Post Office (St. Johnsville, New York)
- United States Post Office (Suffern, New York)
- United States Post Office (Ticonderoga, New York)
- United States Post Office (Tonawanda, New York)
- United States Post Office (Troy, New York)
- United States Post Office (Walton, New York)
- United States Post Office (Warsaw, New York)
- United States Post Office (Waterloo, New York)
- United States Post Office (Watkins Glen, New York)
- United States Post Office (Waverly, New York)
- United States Post Office (Wellsville, New York)
- United States Post Office (Westhampton Beach, New York)
- United States Post Office (Whitehall, New York)
- United States Post Office (Yonkers, New York)
- City Hall Post Office and Courthouse (New York City)
- O'Brien General Store and Post Office
- Plandome (LIRR station)
- United States Post Office (Akron, New York)
- United States Post Office (Angola, New York)
- United States Post Office (Depew, New York)
- United States Post Office (Lancaster, New York)
- United States Post Office (Springville, New York)
- United States Post Office (Tonawanda, New York)
- United States Post Office–Bronx Central Annex
- United States Post Office (Far Rockaway, Queens)
- United States Post Office (Flatbush, Brooklyn)
- United States Post Office (Flushing, Queens)
- United States Post Office (Forest Hills, Queens)
- United States Post Office (Jackson Heights, Queens)
- United States Post Office (Jamaica, Queens)
- United States Post Office (Kensington, Brooklyn)
- United States Post Office (Long Island City, Queens)
- United States Post Office (Morrisania, Bronx)
- United States Post Office (Bensonhurst, Brooklyn)
- United States Post Office (Williamsburg, Brooklyn)
- United States Post Office (Canal Street Station)
- 90 Church Street
- United States Post Office (Cooper Station)
- United States Post Office (Inwood Station)
- James A. Farley Post Office Building
- United States Post Office (Knickerbocker Station)
- United States Post Office (Lenox Hill Station)
- United States Post Office (Madison Square Station)
- United States Post Office (Old Chelsea Station)
- North Carolina
- Former United States Post Office (Belmont, North Carolina)
- United States Post Office (Boone, North Carolina)
- United States Post Office (Burlington, North Carolina)
- Cana Store and Post Office
- United States Post Office (Fayetteville, North Carolina)
- Federal Building (Raleigh, North Carolina)
- United States Post Office (Greenville, North Carolina)
- Kings Mountain Historical Museum
- United States Post Office (Lumberton, North Carolina)
- United States Post Office (Monroe, North Carolina)
- United States Post Office (Mount Olive, North Carolina)
- Penland Post Office and General Store
- United States Post Office and Federal Building (Rockingham, North Carolina)
- Salvo Post Office
- Former United States Post Office (Smithfield, North Carolina)
- United States Post Office and County Courthouse (Statesville, North Carolina)
- United States Post Office and Courthouse (New Bern, North Carolina)
- United States Post Office (Wadesboro, North Carolina)
- Waynesville Municipal Building
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- Wyoming
- United States Post Office (Basin, Wyoming)
- United States Post Office (Buffalo, Wyoming)
- United States Post Office (Douglas, Wyoming)
- Evanston Main Post Office
- United States Post Office-Green River
- United States Post Office (Greybull, Wyoming)
- Sussex Post Office and Store
- United States Post Office (Kemmerer, Wyoming)
- United States Post Office and Courthouse (Lander, Wyoming)
- United States Post Office (Newcastle, Wyoming)
- United States Post Office (Powell, Wyoming)
- United States Post Office (Thermopolis, Wyoming)
- United States Post Office (Torrington, Wyoming)
- United States Post Office (Yellowstone National Park)
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