Old Post Office (Liberty, Maine) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Old Post Office
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 Location in Maine
Location in the United States
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| Location | Main St. (SR 173), Liberty, Maine |
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| Built | 1870 |
| Architect | Carter, Rufus A. |
| Architectural style | Octagon Mode |
| NRHP reference No. | 73000149 |
| Added to NRHP | June 19, 1973 |
The Old Post Office, also called the Old Octagonal Post Office, is a special building in Liberty, Maine. It used to be a U.S. post office. What makes it unique is its octagon shape, meaning it has eight sides!
This building was built way back in 1870. People in Liberty are proud that it might be "the only octagonal post office in the United States." Today, it's home to the Liberty Historical Society. They open it to visitors on Saturdays during the summer. On June 19, 1973, this historic building was added to the National Register of Historic Places. This means it's recognized as an important place in American history.
Contents
About the Building
The Old Post Office is right in the middle of Liberty's village. You can find it on the south side of Main Street (Maine State Route 173), not far from the public library. It's a small building with just one floor.
It's made of wood and has eight sides, just like a stop sign! The roof is also octagonal and not very steep. The outside walls are covered with clapboard siding, which are long, flat pieces of wood.
How It Was Built
The building doesn't have a deep foundation like many modern buildings. Instead, it sits on some large, hand-sawn wooden beams. These beams are about 6 by 18 inches (15 by 46 cm) thick. There's also a small amount of rough stone underneath to help keep it level.
The main door is on the side that faces the street. Each of the other seven sides has a window. These are "sash windows," which means they slide up and down to open.
A Look Back in Time
This unique building has an interesting history. It wasn't always a post office!
From Harness Shop to Post Office
A local person named Rufus Carter built this octagonal building in 1870. He was a harness maker, and he used the building as his shop. A harness is a set of straps and fittings used to attach an animal, like a horse, to a cart or plow.
In 1878, a man named G.H. Cargill bought the building. He was the town's postmaster at the time. A postmaster is the person in charge of a post office. Mr. Cargill decided to use the octagonal building as the local post office. It served the town as a post office until 1960.
Today's Museum
After it stopped being a post office, the building was taken care of by the local historical society. Now, it's a museum where you can learn about the history of Liberty, Maine. It's still believed to be the only octagonal post office building in the entire country!
See also
- National Register of Historic Places listings in Waldo County, Maine
- List of United States post offices
