Article by Loreal Monroe


History

The old Post Office, erected in 1857 and located on Weybosset Street, was deemed inadequate for the needs of a rapidly growing urban population. A larger building, with more room to accommodate more people, was proposed in early 1900. In 1904, after a donation by the city of Providence of the land on which the building now stands, the federal government agreed to put up $1 million for construction.

The local architectural firm of Clarke & Howe was awarded the commission by a federally organized competition that also drew entries from New York and Boston based firms. Though contemporary accounts do not ascribe any particular style to the design of the building, it is quite an example of the style we now know of today as Beaux Art Classicism.

The building was not strictly made for the use of the United States Postal Service, however. Other tenants included the Custom House, the Internal Revenue Service, Steamboat Inspectors, District Attorney's Office, and the Civil Service Commission.

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