United States Post Office (Belvidere, Illinois) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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United States Post Office-Belvidere
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 Location in Illinois
Location in the United States
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| Location | 200 S. State St., Belvidere, Illinois |
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| Area | less than one acre |
| Built | 1911 |
| Architect | James Knox Taylor |
| Architectural style | Classical Revival |
| NRHP reference No. | 00000473 |
| Added to NRHP | May 11, 2000 |
The Belvidere U.S. Post Office is an old and important building in the heart of Belvidere's downtown area. It was built in 1911 and shows off a beautiful style called Classical Revival architecture. This building was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2000, recognized as the United States Post Office-Belvidere.
A Look Back: History of the Post Office
The Belvidere U.S. Post Office was built in 1911. A contractor named E. Maffioli from Rockford handled the construction.
The building project was overseen by A.N. Eason from the Treasury Department. Everything went according to plan. The building was finished on time and opened on October 11, 1911. A big crowd came to celebrate its opening day.
This building served as the city's main post office for many years. In 1997, it was put up for sale. It was sold to a private owner in 1998.
Building Style: Classical Revival Architecture
The Belvidere U.S. Post Office was designed in the Classical Revival style. This style was popular for important buildings. The main architect was James Knox Taylor, who worked for the U.S. Treasury.
Classical Revival buildings often mix ideas from ancient Greek and Roman designs. This post office has several features that show this style.
Inside, there is a dome. Outside, above the main entrance, you can see a "broken pediment". This is a triangle-shaped decoration that looks like it's split in the middle. The building also has finely carved stone work. Its large size and detailed stone decorations are typical of Classical Revival buildings.
Why This Building is Special
The Belvidere Post Office is a great example of how the U.S. government designed post offices in the early 1900s. It stands out as one of Belvidere's most detailed Classical buildings.
Because of its special design and history, the U.S. Post Office in Belvidere, Illinois, was added to the National Register of Historic Places on May 11, 2000. This means it's recognized as an important historical place.
