Illinois Post Offices

Illinois Post Office Mural Guidebook Map

Oglesby Illinois Post Office

January 31, 2015 By David W. Gates Jr.

ADDRESS: 203 West Walnut Street, Oglesby, Illinois, 61348
ARTIST: Fay Elizabeth Davis
TITLE: The Illini and Pottawatomies Struggle at Starved Rock
MEDIUM: Oil on canvas (mural)
STATUS: The Oglesby post office is still an active, operating facility, and the mural can be viewed by interested members of the public. It mural resides in the lobby on the wall above the postmaster’s door.
YEAR: 1942

This happens to be a larger example of the murals found in our Nation’s post offices. It represents the struggle between the Illini and Pottawatomies at Starved Rock. If you ever get the chance to visit Starved Rock, I’d recommend stopping in for a quick look at this treasure.

I took a lot of detail pictures of this one. I really wanted to give you a feel/view of what this looks like. In doing this I also discovered the mural is starting to warp in a few places. I wonder if this one will ever be repaired or restored? If you have any information in regards to this mural, I’d like to hear from you. Please comment below.

Thanks,

David W. Gates Jr.

Oglesby Illinois Post Office 61348 Plane

Oglesby Illinois Post Office Mural 61348 Detail

Oglesby Illinois Post Office Mural 61348 Center

Oglesby Illinois Post Office 61348 Train

Oglesby IIllinoisL Post Office Mural 61348 Detail

Oglesby Illinois Post Office 61348 Cornerstone

Oglesby Illinois Post Office Mural 61348 Signature

Sources

Personal visit on 6/19/2014 by David W. Gates Jr.
(affiliate link) Illinois Post Office Mural Guidebook
United States Postal Service
(affiliate link) Democratic Vistas: Post Offices and Public Art in the New Deal: [Hardcover] Marlene Park, Gerald E. Markowitz
(affiliate link) Let’s Look for Cultures, Education and Such: [Soft Cover] Mary Emma Thompson, PH. D.

Kankakee Illinois Post Office

January 24, 2015 By David W. Gates Jr.

ADDRESS: 475 East Court Street, Kankakee, Illinois, 60901
ARTIST: Edouard Chassaing
TITLE: Farming
MEDIUM: Wood (carvings)
STATUS: The Kankakee post office is still an active, operating facility and the carvings can be viewed by interested members of the public. They reside in the lobby on the wall above the postmasters door.
YEAR: 1943

The Kankakee, Illinois post office is a large building. When I’m driving around photographing post offices, most often the buildings are the small square one’s you see below in related post. So naturally it was a big surprised when I arrived in Kankakee to find such a large building.

Not one, not two but three wood carvings grace the lobby in Kankakee. Although the title of the wood carving is “Farming” it encompass the three separate pieces you see below.

I found it really difficult to photograph and get good quality images. The lobby lights hang low and get in the way of shooting directly in front of the entire wall. I did my best, and took over 40 photos. How did I do? What do you think? Do you like the wood carvings? Are you more of a mural person or plaster cast artwork fan? Please comment and share below.

Thanks,

David W. Gates Jr.

Kankakee Illinois Post Office 60901 Cornerstone

Kankakee Illinois Post Office Wood Carving 60901 Full

Kankakee Illinois Post Office Wood Carving 60901 Center

Kankakee Illinois Post Office Wood Carving 60901 Left Side

Kankakee Illinois Post Office Wood Carving 60901 Right Side

Kankakee Illinois Post Office Wood Carving 60901 Detail

Sources

Personal visit on 10/18/2014 by David W. Gates Jr.
(affiliate link) Illinois Post Office Mural Guidebook
United States Postal Service
Democratic Vistas: Post Offices and Public Art in the New Deal: [Hardcover] Marlene Park, Gerald E. Markowitz

Marseilles Illinois Post Office

January 17, 2015 By David W. Gates Jr.

ADDRESS: 100 Washington Street, Marseilles, Illinois 61341
ARTIST: Avery Johnson
TITLE: Industrial Marseilles
MEDIUM: Oil on canvas (mural)
STATUS: The Marseilles post office is still an active, operating facility and the mural can be viewed by interested members of the public. It resides in the lobby on the wall above the postmaster’s door.
YEAR: 1938

Often times when I visit and inquire about the mural or art the folks working at the counter are clueless. My visit to Marseilles, Illinois was an exception. I met a wonderful lady who was very interested in their mural and was able to provide me with a bunch of details about it. Now that’s awesome I said to myself. Here are a few of details I remember from this conservation.

The mural is called “Industrial Marseilles”, It was meant to represent the industries at the time when it was painted around 1938. The lady at the counter also mentioned that all but one of the buildings have disappeared from the Marseilles landscape. The only one that remains today is the large brick building in the center for the painting. Now that is information I wouldn’t have gotten if I had not taken the time to ask . If I also remember correctly the lady was also able to recall the date and artist of the painting. She was aware that it was commissioned during the depression.

It was really a delight to hear someone speak of it and share in the history of the mural. It’s not often that I find USPS employees interested in the art on the wall and this was a real treat to find. Your name escapes me today but rest assured you made my day and my visit enjoyable to Marseilles.

Thanks,

David W. Gates Jr.