Hamilton in Ravalli County, Montana — The American West (Mountains)
United States Post Office
Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, May 11, 2018
1. United States Post Office Marker
When construction began on Hamilton’s post office in August 1940, the worst of the Depression was over. Nevertheless, the building is a legacy of the New Deal, when the number of federal construction projects soared to put people to work. Montana congressman Jerry O’Connell secured the $100,000 appropriation for the combined post office and federal building as part of a bill that authorized $130 million for “emergency construction” across the United States. Constructed from a standardized plan provided by the Public Works Administration, the building has a symmetrical and dignified design. The post office expanded in 1997. To preserve this historic structure, officials placed the addition, and the new main entrance, on North Fourth Street. The original building, including the mural, Flathead War Party, remains open for viewing. Commissioned as part of a national project to employ artists and bring art to the people, the mural by Montana-born artist Henry Meloy depicts Flathead Indians preparing to attack their traditional enemies, the Blackfeet. It is one of only six Depression-era post office murals in Montana.
Erected by Montana
this page online
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • Communications • Indigenous Peoples and Communities. In addition, it is included in the Montana National Register Sign Program, and the Postal Mail and Philately series lists.
Location. 46° 14.82′ N, 114° 9.582′ W. Marker is in Hamilton, Montana, in Ravalli County. It is on West Main Street (State Highway 531), on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 340 West Main Street, Hamilton MT 59840, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Western Montana, in Glacier Country, and in Greater Missoula. It is also in the American Mountain West and in the Lewis & Clark Corridor. Globally, it is in North America, the Rocky Mountains, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once Rupert’s Land and also the Louisiana Purchase.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker,
Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, May 11, 2018
2. United States Post Office and Marker
Also see . . . Flathead War Party. Smithsonian National Postal Museum website entry:
Indians at the Post Office - Native Themes in New Deal-Era Murals (Submitted on September 20, 2018, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.)
Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, May 11, 2018
3. United States Post Office
Photographed by National Postal Museum, August 12, 2015
4. Flathead War Party by Henry Melroy
Credits. This page was last revised on November 5, 2021. It was originally submitted on September 20, 2018, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 322 times since then and 16 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on September 20, 2018, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.
