Beverly Hills Main Post Office facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Paula Kent Meehan Historic Building |
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in 2015, as an arts center
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| Former names | Beverly Hills Main Post Office |
| General information | |
| Architectural style | Italian Renaissance Revival |
| Address | 469 N. Crescent Dr. |
| Town or city | Beverly Hills, California |
| Country | USA |
| Current tenants | Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts |
| Opened | April 28, 1934 |
| Cost | $300,000 |
| Landlord | City of Beverly Hills |
| Design and construction | |
| Architect | Ralph C. Frewelling and Allison & Allison |
| Engineer | C.A. Sanborn |
| Main contractor | Sarver and Zoss |
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U.S. Post Office - Beverly Hills Main Post Office
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in 2007, with old sign still intact
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 Location in the Los Angeles metropolitan area
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| NRHP reference No. | 85000126 |
The Paula Kent Meehan Historic Building is a famous old building in Beverly Hills, California. It used to be the main post office for the city. This beautiful building is part of the Beverly Hills Civic Center. It has two addresses: 469 North Crescent Drive and 470 North Canon Drive. Built in the 1930s, it served as a post office until the 1990s. Today, it is home to the Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts.
Contents
History of the Building
How the Post Office Began
In the 1930s, the city of Beverly Hills planned a new Civic Center. They bought the land for the post office in 1930. This land used to be a train station.
The building was designed by architect Ralph C. Frewelling. He worked with Allison & Allison as helpers. They used a style called Italian Renaissance Revival. This style looks like grand old buildings from Italy.
The post office was built as a project during the Great Depression. This was a time when the government created jobs to help people. Sarver and Zoss of Los Angeles were the builders. The post office officially opened its doors on April 28, 1934.
Building Entrances
The building was designed with its main entrance facing north. This was towards Santa Monica Boulevard. However, train tracks were still on both the north and south sides. Because of this, most people used the east and west entrances. These entrances were on Crescent Drive and Canon Drive.
Changes Over Time
In 1960, the people who delivered mail moved to a different building. This new place was called the Post Office Annex. It was located at 325 North Maple Drive. But, you could still get your mail from post office boxes. You could also get help at the service windows in the old building.
The old Main Post Office on Crescent Drive is very important. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1985. This means it's a special building that should be protected.
Becoming an Arts Center
In 1990, a new main post office was built at 325 North Maple Drive. Most of the mail services moved there. In March 1999, the old Main Post Office closed completely. All its post office boxes also moved to the new location.
The City of Beverly Hills bought the old Post Office building back in 1999. The city then made a long-term agreement with the Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts. This group turned the old post office into a beautiful arts center. They named the building the Paula Kent Meehan Historic Building.
Images for kids
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The building in 2007, when it was still a post office.
