Photo: Miscellaneous Items in High Demand, PPOC, Library of Congress · Public domain · via Library of Congress via Wikimedia Commons
Post office · Washington, D.C., United States
Old Post Office
- Dated
- Dated 1892–99
- Declared purpose
- City post office and Post Office Department headquarters
- Today
- Survives, now a hotel
- Build time
- About 7 years (1892–99)
- Region
- United States
- Architect of record
- Willoughby J. Edbrooke, architect: about 48 when credited (1891, born 1843). Build time on record: about 7 years (1892–99).All architects of record →
- On the list as
- Documented
Hidden history
Found, Not Built
A granite Romanesque Revival tower on Pennsylvania Avenue, credited to Willoughby J. Edbrooke. It was nearly torn down more than once.
Almost demolished
Plans in the 1920s, 30s and 70s called for its demolition. It survived each time.
A clock tower for a post office
Its 315-foot clock tower rises over Pennsylvania Avenue. Researchers ask why post offices and customs houses were built like palaces.
Architect of record
Willoughby J. Edbrooke (born 1843) was about 48 when credited with the design in 1891. The Architects of Record page asks how often a young or little-known name delivers a landmark.
Questions worth asking
- Why so much granite for a post office?
Possible original uses
- Post office or civic hall
- Signal or bell tower
What the photos show
Exterior of Old Post Office, Washington, D.C. and surrounding buildings on south side of 1000 block of Pennsylvania Ave. N.W. LCCN925011391910 · Public domain
Post Ofc. Dept. LCCN2016821062between 1909 and 1919dat · Public domain
Post Office, Washington, D.C. LCCN2016820496between 1909 and 1923dat · Public domain
Freedom Plaza and the U.S. Capitol at Golden Hour - Washington D.C. (53767257839)2024-05-31 20:10 · CC BY 2.0
.jpg)
Sources
Further viewing
Episodes from My Lunch Break (Michael Kruse), the main lens for this app. They open on YouTube.
