Washtenaw County Administration Building facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Main Street Post Office
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| Location | 220 N. Main St., Ann Arbor, Michigan |
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| Area | less than one acre |
| Built | 1906 |
| Built by | C. Hoertz & Son; Rice Construction Co. |
| Architect | Fremont Ward, US Treasury Department |
| Architectural style | Neoclassical, Second Renaissance Revival |
| NRHP reference No. | 78001512 |
| Added to NRHP | May 22, 1978 |
Imagine a building that has served its community for over a hundred years! The Washtenaw County Administration Building in Ann Arbor, Michigan, is one such place. It used to be a busy post office where people sent and received mail. Today, it holds the offices for Washtenaw County, Michigan, helping to run local government. This important building was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1978. This means it's a special place recognized for its history and unique design.
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A Look at the Building's Past
This grand building has a long and interesting story. It started with an idea to build a new post office for Ann Arbor.
How the Building Got Started
In 1903, the United States Congress, which makes laws for the country, decided that Ann Arbor needed a new post office. They approved the idea to spend money on it. However, the actual money wasn't set aside until 1906.
The spot chosen for the new building was where an old stable, called Polhemus Livery Stable, used to be. This stable was torn down to make space for the new post office. The building's design came from the US Treasury Department, a part of the government. An architect named Fremont Ward made sure the building was constructed correctly.
Who Built It and When
The company C. Hoertz & Son from Grand Rapids, Michigan, was in charge of building the post office. It took a few years to finish, and the building was finally ready in 1909.
Later, the building needed more space. A small brick section was added in 1928. Then, between 1932 and 1933, a much bigger addition was built by Rice Construction Co. from Chicago. This new part was designed so well that it looked exactly like the original building. You can barely tell where the old part ends and the new part begins!
Its Many Uses Over Time
For many years, this building was Ann Arbor's main post office. It was a central spot for sending letters and packages until 1959. That's when a new, larger post office opened on West Stadium Boulevard.
Even after that, the building continued to serve as a smaller branch post office. It kept helping people with their mail until 1977. At that time, the postal services moved to an even newer federal building. After the post office moved out, Washtenaw County bought the building. Now, it's filled with offices that help manage the county's daily business.
What the Building Looks Like
The Washtenaw County Administration Building is a beautiful example of older architecture. It's a single-story building, meaning it has one main floor.
Its Unique Design Features
The building is made from smooth, gray limestone, which gives it a strong and elegant look. If you look closely at the front of the building, you'll see it's perfectly balanced, with both sides looking the same. This is called being "symmetrical." The front is divided into seven sections, or "bays."
You'll also notice cool designs carved into the stone. These "sculpted motifs" add a lot of detail and beauty to the building's outside. The original building from 1906 was a bit smaller, with only five bays. The addition built in 1932 was carefully planned to match the original style perfectly. This made the whole building look like one complete design.
Images for kids
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The Washtenaw County Administration Building
