United States Post Office (Burlington, North Carolina) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
|
|
US Post Office
|
|
|
U.S. Historic district
Contributing property |
|
 |
|
 Location in North Carolina
Location in the United States
|
|
| Location | 430 S. Spring St., Burlington, North Carolina |
|---|---|
| Area | 0.8 acres (0.32 ha) |
| Built | 1936 |
| Architect | Louis A. Simon; R. Stanley Brown |
| Architectural style | Classical Revival, Moderne |
| NRHP reference No. | 88001594 |
| Added to NRHP | September 23, 1988 |
The former US Post Office in Burlington, North Carolina, is a special historic building. It is made of red brick and stands at 430 South Spring Street in the city center. Built in 1936, this building once served as the main post office for the area.
It was designed by architects R. Stanley Brown and Louis A. Simon. They combined two popular styles of the time: Classical Revival and Moderne, also known as Art Deco.
Contents
A Look at the Historic Burlington Post Office
This building is officially known as the US Post Office/Federal Building. It was an important place for sending and receiving mail in Burlington for many years. Post offices are places where people can send letters and packages. They also buy stamps and other mailing supplies.
In 1987, the building was bought by Roche Biomedical Laboratories, Inc. This company is part of a larger group called Hoffmann-La Roche, Inc..
Designed with Style: Classical and Modern Looks
The building's design mixes two interesting styles. Classical Revival architecture uses ideas from ancient Greek and Roman buildings. You might see tall columns or grand entrances. The Moderne or Art Deco style was popular in the 1920s and 1930s. It features sleek lines, geometric shapes, and often decorative details.
The architects, R. Stanley Brown and Louis A. Simon, blended these styles. This makes the Burlington Post Office unique. Simon was the head of the Office of the Supervising Architect. This office was in charge of designing many government buildings across the United States.
Art Inside: Murals and History
Inside the building's lobby, you can find two amazing wall murals. A mural is a large painting on a wall. These murals were created by artist Arthur L. Bairnsfather. He was part of the Works Progress Administration (WPA).
The WPA was a government program during the 1930s. It helped many people find work during a tough economic time. This included artists, who created public art like these murals. Bairnsfather's murals show Burlington's history. They highlight its past as a major center for making textiles. Textiles are fabrics and cloths.
A Place on the National Register
On September 23, 1988, the former US Post Office was added to the National Register of Historic Places. This is a special list of buildings, sites, and objects. They are important because of their history, architecture, or what they represent.
Being on the National Register helps protect these places. It means they are recognized as valuable parts of American heritage. The building is also located within the Downtown Burlington Historic District. This district is another area recognized for its historical importance.
