Great American Post Offices

Great American Post Offices by Bruns, James H.. paperback edition. ISBN: 9780471143888.

Much of American life has passed through its many post offices—everything from newspapers and birthday cards to money, food, and clothing. Great American Post Offices traces the fascinating architectural and social history of these diverse buildings for the first time. From simple eighteenth-century taverns to todays high-tech, high-volume facilities, it charts the development of the postal service over 200 years of expansion, consolidation, and changing technology. The book contains an in-depth, state-by-state guide to 250 historic post offices nationwide—including many landmarked structures—and features vivid anecdotes about what took place within them. Inside you will find: Information on building location, architect, and date, plus architectural details, history, and current use Buildings by Daniel Burnham; McKim, Mead & White; William A. Potter; James Knox Taylor; and other leading architects Examples of many architectural styles, ranging from Greek Revival to Victorian Gothic and more Almost 200 photographs, historic postcards, engravings, and original architectural drawings—many published for the first time