Old Post Office (Augusta, Maine) facts for kids
The Old Post Office and Court House is a historic building located at 295 Water Street in downtown Augusta, Maine. Built between 1886 and 1890, it is a great example of Romanesque Revival architecture in Maine. This building was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1974 because of its important history and design.
Quick facts for kids |
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Old Post Office
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The Old Post Office in 2013
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 Location in Maine
Location in the United States
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| Location | 295 Water St., Augusta, Maine |
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| Built | 1886-1890 |
| Architect | Mifflin Bell |
| Architectural style | Romanesque Revival |
| NRHP reference No. | 74000172 |
| Added to NRHP | July 18, 1974 |
Contents
Building the Old Post Office
The Old Post Office and Court House stands on the east side of Water Street. This street is a main road in Augusta's downtown area. The building is a large, symmetrical structure made of granite. It has a central tower with smaller towers on each side.
Who Designed It?
The building was designed by Mifflin E. Bell (1846-1904). He was the main architect for government buildings in the United States at the time. This job was called the Supervising Architect of the US Treasury Department. Bell's time in this role ended in July 1887. His replacement, William Alfred Freret, finished the project.
When Did It Open?
The building officially opened in January 1890. It cost about $178,281 to build. The building was very large, with 427,600 cubic feet of space. It was heated by steam and had a special hydraulic freight elevator. This elevator was used to move mail and other items for the post office. The building was made even bigger sometime between 1897 and 1912. This happened when James Knox Taylor was the treasury architect.
History of the Building
The Old Post Office served as both a courthouse and a post office for many years. It was used for these important government services until the 1960s. At that time, a new and larger federal building was built in Augusta. This new building took over the jobs of the Old Post Office.
What Happened Next?
After the new building was ready, the Old Post Office was no longer needed by the government. It was sold to a private owner. The new owner changed the building to be used for different things. It became a bank, a restaurant, and office spaces. Even with these changes, the outside of the building was mostly kept the same. This helped to preserve its historic look.
See also
In Spanish: Old Post Office para niños
