The Flats in Beverly Hills in Los Angeles County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)
Beverly Hills Main Post Office
Photographed By Craig Baker, April 1, 2020
1. Beverly Hills Main Post Office Marker
This property has been placed on the National Register of Historic Places by the United States Department of the Interior.
Fresco Murals, 1936
Charles Kassler
United States (1897-1979)
During the Great Depression, the U.S. Federal Government initiated a series of programs to employ visual artists. Public buildings were enhanced by the revival of fresco art, especially in California.
The eight rare 'lunettes' in this Grand Hall are one of two remaining such murals in the state.
Artist Charles Kassler won a commission in 1936, supported by the "Public Works of Art Project” (PWAP), to create the Pony Express and Air Mail murals at either end of the Grand Hall. That success earned him the larger project of adding six additional murals depicting laborers of the era.
Erected by National Park Service. (Marker Number 5.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • Notable Buildings. A significant historical year for this entry is 1936.
Location. 34° 4.357′ N, 118° 24.111′ W. Marker is in Beverly Hills, California, in Los Angeles County. It is in The Flats. Marker is at the intersection of Santa Monica Boulevard and Crescent Drive, on the right
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Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Moreton Bay Fig (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Lily Pond (about 400 feet away); Morton Bay Fig (about 700 feet away); Beverly Hills 9/11 Memorial (approx. 0.2 miles away); Carroll and Company (approx. 0.2 miles away); The Luau (approx. ¼ mile away); Anderton Court (approx. 0.3 miles away); Romanoff’s/The Daisy (approx. 0.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Beverly Hills.
Regarding Beverly Hills Main Post Office. The post office was built in 1933 as a Works Progress Administration project, part of the new Civic Center next to the former Pacific Electric Railway station.
It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1985, and it is City of Beverly Hills Landmark No. 5.
The building was sold to the city in 1999 after the post office moved to a new location. The Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts opened in 2013.
When Congress originally refused to provide money to build this post office, Will Rogers wrote to the Secretary of the Treasury:
“We are getting a lot of mail out here now, and they are handling it in a tent. It is
Photographed By Craig Baker, April 1, 2020
2. Beverly Hills Main Post Office and Marker
The marker is to the right of the door.
Washington promptly allocated $300,000.
Photographed By Craig Baker, April 1, 2020
3. Beverly Hills Main Post Office
Photographed By Craig Baker, May 19, 2024
4. Fresco Murals, 1936
Located inside the Grand Hall.
Photographed By Craig Baker, May 19, 2024
5. Pony Express Mural
Photographed By Craig Baker
6. Laborers Mural
Photographed By Craig Baker, May 19, 2024
7. Grand Hall
Original Post Office lobby.
Photographed By Craig Baker, April 1, 2020
8. Beverly Hills City Hall
Located across the street, built in 1931. City Landmark No. 12.
Credits. This page was last revised on May 20, 2024. It was originally submitted on May 16, 2020, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. This page has been viewed 270 times since then and 39 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on May 16, 2020, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. 4, 5, 6, 7. submitted on May 20, 2024, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. 8. submitted on May 16, 2020, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.
