United States Post Office (Middleport, New York) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
|
|
U.S. Post Office
|
|
East elevation, 2009
|
|
 Location in New York
Location in the United States
|
|
| Location | Middleport, New York |
|---|---|
| Nearest city | Lockport |
| Area | less than one acre |
| Built | 1940 |
| Architect | Louis Simon; Marianne Appel |
| Architectural style | Colonial Revival |
| MPS | US Post Offices in New York State, 1858-1943, TR |
| NRHP reference No. | 88002353 |
| Added to NRHP | May 11, 1989 |
The U.S. Post Office in Middleport, New York, is a special building. It's located where Main Street (Highways 31E and 271) meets Church Street. This brick building was built in the late 1930s. It serves the 14105 ZIP code, which includes the village of Middleport and nearby areas.
This post office is unique because it's one of only three in New York State with this specific design. It mixes modern styles with older Colonial Revival architecture details. Inside, you can find a beautiful mural, a painting on the wall, that was ordered by the government. In 1989, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places. This means it's an important historical site. It's the only building in Middleport on this list.
Contents
Exploring the Post Office Building
The Middleport Post Office stands on the northwest corner of Main and Church streets. It's close to the south end of Middleport's small downtown area. Across the street, you can see an old church made of cobblestones from the 1840s. There's also an old bank and a house from the 1800s nearby.
The post office building is one story tall. It's made of brick and has a strong steel frame. The front of the building has a special section that sticks out. This part has a sloped roof covered in slate. The rest of the roofs are flat. There's a stone border around the top of the whole building. A parking lot is located behind the building.
Front Entrance and Design Details
The front of the building has angled corners. The main entrance is in the middle, shaped like an arch. It has brick around it and a special stone at the top. A metal eagle sits above the door. The words "UNITED STATES POST OFFICE" are written in bronze letters across the top. Below that, it says "MIDDLEPORT NEW YORK" in smaller letters.
Three granite steps lead up to the entrance from the sidewalk. There's also a ramp for wheelchairs. Old iron railings and lanterns stand on either side of the steps.
Inside the Lobby
When you go inside, you enter a small wooden area called a vestibule. Beyond that is the main lobby. The floor is made of terrazzo, which is a mix of stone chips and concrete. The lower part of the walls is covered in white marble with oak trim. Most of the furniture inside is original. There have been some small changes, like new lighting.
Above the door to the postmaster's office, you'll see a mural called Rural Highway. It was painted by an artist named Marianne Appel. The mural shows a farm scene from that time period.
A Look at History
Middleport's first post office opened around 1825. This was when the Erie Canal was finished in the area. For many years, the post office moved between different rented buildings on Main Street. The village itself grew and changed its name from Tea-Pot Hollow to Middleport.
Building the New Post Office
In 1939, during the Great Depression, the government decided to build a new post office in Middleport. This was part of a plan to create jobs. The government bought the land for $8,950. They tore down an old trolley stop, a church hall, and a house to make space.
Construction started in May 1940. The new building officially opened in January 1941. It was one of the last new post offices built before the country started focusing on preparing for World War II.
Architectural Style and Art
Louis Simon was the main architect for the Treasury Department at that time. He often used the Colonial Revival style for new post offices in small towns. This was part of the government's effort to make its buildings look similar.
The Middleport Post Office shares its design with two other post offices in New York: one in Frankfort and another in Lake George. These buildings combine the older Georgian style with newer Art Deco elements. You can see this in the angled corners and large brick areas above the windows.
Marianne Appel, an artist from New York City, won a competition to paint the mural inside. Her murals from the Depression era are known for their unique design. The building has changed very little since it was first built.
