While US Postal Service buildings are some of Chicago’s most architecturally splendid, I’m guessing that most are undocumented because, for a variety of reasons, you’re not allowed to take photographs inside.
I discovered this recently when I went inside one of the best post offices in the city — the Logan Square/ Roberto Clemente branch at 2339 N California. It is probably the best small-scale example of the Art Moderne style in the city.
It’s not as if Chicago had lots of it that was demolished [as in Miami or LA or even Tulsa]. But the design for the 1935 post office, credited to the USPS architect Louis Simon and Chicago architect John C. Bollenbacher
would be right at home at the Century of Progress exhibition.
The interior is movie-set glamorous, with terrazzo floors, blondish paneled walls and great pendant fixtures [unclear whether they’re original].
The real reason to go inside, though, is the art piece — a metal sculpture that’s really more of a line drawing. Clearly an interpretation of the god Mercury — or Hermes, depending on your orientation.
Naturally, there is no sign that identifies the artist or the work. And the postal employee who came out to tell me I couldn’t take pictures didn’t know anything about it. I discovered, after calling upon the source of all knowledge — i.e. Tim Samuelson, the city’s Cultural Historian — that it was the work of Hildreth Meiere, a prominent Art Deco muralist who did decorative work at Radio City Music Hall and the Nebraska State Capitol, and was the subject of a 2009 National Building Museum exhibition. It’s called “The Post.”
I’m guessing I could be in violation of at least one federal statute by publishing these photos, but I’m also guessing the feds have better things to do than watch me.
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