Property Record
7 N SCHOOL ST
Architecture and History Inventory
| Historic Name: | U.S. POST OFFICE |
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| Other Name: | U.S. POST OFFICE |
| Contributing: | Yes |
| Reference Number: | 15280 |
| Location (Address): | 7 N SCHOOL ST |
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| County: | Dodge |
| City: | Mayville |
| Township/Village: | |
| Unincorporated Community: | |
| Town: | |
| Range: | |
| Direction: | |
| Section: | |
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| Year Built: | 1939 |
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| Additions: | |
| Survey Date: | 1991 |
| Historic Use: | post office |
| Architectural Style: | Art/Streamline Moderne |
| Structural System: | Unknown |
| Wall Material: | Brick |
| Architect: | Simon, Louis |
| Other Buildings On Site: | |
| Demolished?: | No |
| Demolished Date: |
| National/State Register Listing Name: | Main Street Historic District |
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| National Register Listing Date: | 4/14/1995 |
| State Register Listing Date: | 1/21/1995 |
| National Register Multiple Property Name: |
| Additional Information: | A 'site file' exists for this property. It contains additional information such as correspondence, newspaper clippings, or historical information. It is a public record and may be viewed in person at the Wisconsin Historical Society, State Historic Preservation Office. The P in the Photo Codes is short for PO. The building is an example of the Art Moderne Style. The plan is rectangular with the public entrance/lobby on the school street face. The elevation is organized symmetrically about the entry doors with the windows being almost the full height of the building. The structure is built of tan brick on a sandstone and granite base. It stands one story in height and has a flat roof. The window sills, fascia and other trim is all sandstone. There is an iron gate with an eagle at the transom panel over the entry door. The windows are not original. The entry stairs are granite with sandstone sides, and still visible are the original pole lamps. This structure is in good condition. The building cornerstone notes: "Henry Morgenthau, Jr., Secretary of the Treasury, James A. Farley, Postmaster General, Louis A. Simon, Supervising Architect, Neal A. Melick, Supervising Engineer, 1939." The interior of the building has the original terrazzo floor and marble wainscot. The walls and ceiling are of plaster. Original elements include the wood vestibule and trim in the lobby. There is a mural signed "Rotier 40" on one wall. The building is located on a street off the main thoroughfare of the city, on the edge of the business commercial district. Architectural/Engineering Significance: This post office and the one in Columbus are identical. The windows have been replaced, but the composition is otherwise intact. The condition of the exterior, when added to the intact interior with its WPA-era mural indicate this post office potentially meets criteria C for listing in the National Register. Historical Background: This building, which originally occupied in June of 1940, is the first federally-owned Post Office in Mayville. Prior to construction of this building, postal services were conducted in various locations selected by a series of local postmasters. Postal service in Mayville dates from 1847 and the first Postmaster was Thomas Palmer. This building was constructed for $75,000 in 1939. (See Bib. Ref. B). This Post Office was one of several constructed in Wisconsin by the federal Public Works Administration in the 1930's. There is a mural in the lobby of the building. |
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| Bibliographic References: | A. Date of construction source: Cornerstone. B. "The Mayville Story - One Hundreth Anniversary," July 18-27, 1947, Pamphlet. C. "News in Review," 3/29/1939. |
| Wisconsin Architecture and History Inventory, State Historic Preservation Office, Wisconsin Historical Society, Madison, Wisconsin |