United States Post Office (Phoenix, Arizona) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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U.S. Post Office
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The US Post Office building in downtown Phoenix
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 Location in Arizona
Location in the United States
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| Location | 522 N. Central Ave., Phoenix, Arizona |
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| Area | 1.8 acres (0.73 ha) |
| Built | 1931 |
| Architect | Lescher and Mahoney |
| Architectural style | Mediterranean |
| NRHP reference No. | 83002993 |
| Added to NRHP | February 10, 1983 |
The U.S. Post Office in Phoenix, Arizona, also known as the Federal Building-U.S. Post Office, is a historic building. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, which means it's a very important building in American history. Today, it is part of the Arizona State University at the Downtown Phoenix campus.
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A Special Building in Phoenix
The Federal Building-U.S. Post Office in Phoenix is important for two main reasons: its amazing design and its role in government. It's a great example of how federal buildings were built to fit local styles. This building uses the Spanish Colonial Revival style. It was built between 1932 and 1936.
Why This Building Matters
This building was part of a big plan to construct federal buildings in the late 1920s. For over 30 years, it was the main post office in Phoenix. It also held offices for judges and other federal groups. A few years after it opened, beautiful paintings called murals were added to the lobby. The building still looks much like it did when it was new. It still has a post office branch, and some federal offices are still there.
The construction of this Post Office showed how fast Phoenix was growing. It also showed Phoenix's important role as the state capital. Phoenix started around 1870-71 and had several post offices. By 1930, the city had grown too much for its old post office. So, Congress approved money for a new, bigger building. This new building was part of a huge federal building program. This program also helped create jobs during the Great Depression, a tough economic time.
A spot for the new building was chosen in 1931. Local architects, Lescher and Mahoney, were hired to design it. They first planned a six-story building to hold all federal services. But because buying the land was very expensive, they changed the design. They submitted a plan for a three-story building instead. By the time construction bids were ready, the building became a two-story design. It also took on its Spanish Colonial Revival look. The building officially opened on September 29, 1936. That's when the post office started working from its new home.
The Federal Building-Post Office is a landmark in central Phoenix. It shows the federal government's presence in the city. It was, and still is, a source of local pride. Even though a new post office was built in 1968, this old building remains important. It is the only federal building from that time period left in the city. Its Spanish Colonial Revival design makes it very special.
Amazing Murals Inside
In 1938, a special art group from the Treasury Department hired artists. Their names were La Verne Black and Oscar E. Berninghaus. They were asked to paint two murals each for the public area of the post office. These murals make the building even more beautiful.
Building Design and Look
The Post Office is a few blocks north of downtown Phoenix. It sits on a large piece of land. North Central Avenue is to its east, and West Fillmore Street is to its north. North First Avenue is to its west. The post office driveway is to its south. The building has three main sides that people see. The side facing Fillmore Street is technically the front. However, the east and west sides look the same and have the public entrances.
The building's design uses a Spanish Colonial Revival style. This style was also influenced by the balanced look of the Italian Renaissance. The main part of the building is a two-story rectangle. It is about 193 feet wide and 165 feet deep. There's a smaller, rectangular section at the back. The main part has a tiled hip roof. The back section has a flat roof. A decorative band with vents goes around the whole building.
The building has a full basement. Large open areas with wrought iron fences let light into the basement. The outside walls are covered in cement stucco. This is above a rough-looking concrete base that looks like granite. Decorative stone is used around the entrances on the east and west sides. It's also used on the ends of the north side. These areas have fancy, classic designs.
The building's structure uses a mix of materials. Steel frames are used for beams and columns. Reinforced concrete is used for floors and to protect the steel from fire. The building rests on strong concrete foundations. These foundations are big enough to hold more stories if needed. The outside walls above the foundation are made of brick. Inside walls are mostly hollow terra cotta tiles.
The three floors of the building are quite different. The basement is for practical things like storage and machinery. The first floor is the main public area. It has the post office lobby, which stretches across the whole building. Offices are to the north of the lobby. Post office boxes and the workroom are to the south. The second floor has more offices arranged around an F-shaped hallway. Open spaces in the "F" shape let in light.
The outside of the Federal Building-Post Office still looks very original. However, some parts of the inside have changed. For example, the original entrance doors have been replaced. The stone trim outside has been painted. New wooden entryways and post office box areas were added in the lobby. Some original service windows have been closed. Many offices have also been updated.
Now Part of Arizona State University
Today, this historic building is part of the Arizona State University at the Downtown Phoenix campus. It is used for many different things for students. It houses student groups, counseling services, and administrative offices. The ASU Police Department is also located here. A USPS branch still operates on the first floor of the old post office.
