The building that sits at the intersection of Olive and 8th Streets and seemingly in the middle of downtown has a lot more history than we all think. Perhaps you've mailed a letter there, or you've visited the library inside the building. Here's the facts:
- Originally called the U.S. Custom House and Post Office
- After the Civil War, five different custom houses were built in different cities (Boston, Cincinnati, New York, St. Louis and Philadelphia). All of them were built to last, but by 1942 they were all torn down except for the one in St. Louis.
- Designed by architects Alfred Mullett, William Appleton Potter and James G. Hill. Mullett was inspired to make the building look like the Louvre in France.
- It has been occupied by many tenants, most of them government-related, including the U.S. Circuit Court (until 1935) and the Post Office (until 1970).
- The building was at a time, considered for demolition during the 1960s and 1970s.
- Several tenants are currently in the Old Post Office: one of the branches of St. Louis Public Library, Missouri Attorney General, Missouri Secretary of State, Missouri Arts Council, as well as an office complex for Webster University
The Old Post Office on FB
Wikipedia link
Official website
815 Olive Street, ST. LOUIS, MO, 63101
Cake artist: Rich Brooks
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