United States Post Office and Federal Building (Wichita, Kansas) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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US Post Office and Federal Building-Wichita
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U.S. Courthouse
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 Location in Kansas
Location in the United States
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| Location | 401 N. Market, Wichita, Kansas |
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| Area | less than one acre |
| Built | 1936 |
| Architect | Haines, Richard; Et al. |
| Architectural style | Moderne |
| MPS | Kansas Post Offices with Artwork, 1936--1942 MPS |
| NRHP reference No. | 89000792 |
| Added to NRHP | July 18, 1989 |
The U.S. Courthouse in Wichita, Kansas is a very old and important building. It used to be a post office and a federal office building. Today, it serves as a courthouse for the United States District Court for the District of Kansas. This historic building is found in Wichita, a city in Sedgwick County, Kansas.
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History of the Courthouse Building
The U.S. Courthouse in Wichita was first known as the U.S. Post Office and Courthouse. It stands out because of its modern look and the special paintings inside. These paintings were created during the Great Depression, a tough time in history. The building is officially listed in the National Register of Historic Places. It is part of a group of Kansas Post Offices famous for their artwork.
The building mixes two styles: Art Deco and classical design. It has the balanced look of classical buildings. But it also uses modern decorations on the outside. A person named Louis A. Simon helped design many government buildings like this one. The courthouse was built between 1930 and 1932. It cost about $1.2 million to build.
This building was very important for Wichita as the city grew. The post office was always a key part of the community. When the post office moved, the downtown area often grew around it. The new courthouse and post office helped businesses move north along Main Street. It became a central point for development in the city.
Cool Architecture and Design
The U.S. Courthouse looked very modern when it was built. It has a U-shape and a flat roof. The building is made with a steel frame and covered in light brown limestone. It is about 224 feet long and 157 feet wide. Most of the building has three floors. Some parts have four or even five floors, like the towers.
The towers make the building look tall. But the long walls make it seem wide. All the windows are set back a little. There are tall, flat columns between the windows. The way the windows are spaced and the rough stone on the first floor are common in classical buildings. The main doors have fancy frames and decorations. Above the doors, you can see two stone lions with wings. They are holding a special plaque.
The stone carvings on the outside are very interesting. They are mostly around the entrances and near the top of the towers. These carvings mix classical, Art Deco, and local Kansas designs. You can see winged lions, eagles, and buffalo. There are also images of Native Americans, wheat, and corn. These symbols show Wichita's history and culture. A decorative band with a stylized bird design runs across the building.
The styles you see outside continue inside the building. Local designs blend with classical looks. The main entrances open into lobbies covered in marble. The inside doors are made of bronze. They have a fancy bronze and glass frame. A bronze border with four bronze eagles sits at the top of this frame. The plaster ceiling has square sections with egg-and-dart molding and a star pattern inside.
The main hallways on the second floor are covered in cream-colored marble. Two sets of double wooden doors lead into the District Courtroom. These doors have oval windows. The ceilings in the courtroom also have decorative plaster work.
The outside of the courthouse still looks much like it did when it was new. The most impressive inside areas, like the lobbies and courtrooms, are also still beautiful. In 1986, the Postal Service moved out. The U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) then fixed up the main lobby. They turned the old postal workroom into two new courtrooms. They carefully matched the original marble. They also recreated the first paint colors. Light fixtures, wood panels, and judges' benches were copied exactly. The GSA did more updates in 1998.
Amazing Murals Inside
Two large oil paintings on canvas are found on the east and west walls of the lobby. These paintings were made in 1935-1936. Artists J. Ward Lockwood and Richard Haines were chosen to create them. They got these jobs through a special post office mural project. This project was run by the U.S. Treasury Department.
One mural is called "Pioneers in Kansas" by J. Ward Lockwood. He was from Kansas. This painting shows many images related to the postal service. It shows how mail was delivered when the western United States was being settled. A stagecoach full of mail and people is in the middle. Other images spread out from it. On the left, a Pony Express rider and a Native American are fighting. A vulture flies above the rider, showing danger. On the right, a pioneer couple stands, and the woman is reading a letter. A black steam engine appears behind them, showing how the West continued to grow.
The other mural is called "Kansas Farming" by Richard Haines. This painting shows different parts of farm life. It focuses on how cities, factories, and new technology helped the area grow. Rolling hills with a fall harvest make up the beautiful farm scene. Tall corn and sunflowers frame the middle of the painting. In the center, a farmer on horseback visits his neighbors. Nearby, a young girl holds mail. A boy waves to a mail plane that you cannot see. A farmer feeds corn to his pigs. He looks toward a group of people packing produce. Far in the background, a small town with a train station and grain silo shows how industry became important in farming.
Important Dates for the Building
- 1930-1931: The U.S. Courthouse, originally named the U.S. Post Office and Courthouse, is built.
- 1935-36: The beautiful lobby murals are painted and put in place.
- 1968: The Post Office moves to a new building.
- 1986: The old postal workroom is changed into two courtrooms.
- 1989: The U.S. Courthouse is added to the National Register of Historic Places.
- 1998: The GSA does more renovations to the Courthouse.
Quick Facts About the Courthouse
- Architects: James A. Wetmore and Louis A. Simon
- Built: 1930-1932
- Special Recognition: Listed in the National Register of Historic Places
- Location: 401 North Market Street
- Building Style: Art Deco
- Main Material: Bedford limestone
- Most Famous Feature: The lobby murals, "Pioneers in Kansas" by J. Ward Lockwood, and "Kansas Farming" by Richard Haines.
