Helper in Carbon County, Utah — The American Mountains (Southwest)

Helper Main Post Office

Helper Historic District

Photographed by Bill Kirchner, September 30, 2018

1. Helper Main Post Office Marker

Inscription. The Helper Main Post Office, built in 1937 by the Works Progress Administration (WPA), is significant for its association with the federal government's New Deal public arts programs. As one of only three Utah post offices that contain public art, it shows the depression era link between the federal government and the community. Built for less than $45,000, architect Louis Simon, engineer Neal Melick, and contractors Newstrom-Davis of Denver supervised the construction.
The interior mural hanging over the postmaster's door was painted by Jenne Magafan and represents a notable type, period, and style of artistic expression. The oil on canvas mural, entitled "A Typical Western Town," depicts a dusty main street of false front wooden buildings and two horsemen riding into a town. The design was the winner in a forty-eight state competition sponsored by the Fine Arts Section of the Federal Works Agency.

Erected 1997 by Division of State History. (Marker Number CR-07-729.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Notable Buildings. In addition, it is included in the Works Progress Administration (WPA) projects

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series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1937.

Location. 39° 41.194′ N, 110° 51.264′ W. Marker is in Helper, Utah, in Carbon County. It is on South Main Street, on the right when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 45 South Main Street, Helper UT 84526, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Canyon Country.

It is also in the American Mountain West,

in Colorado Plateau,

and at the Four Corners.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain

and also Mexico’s Alta California.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Helper Senior Citizens Park (within shouting distance of this marker); Helper's Rich History (within shouting distance of this marker); Standardville "Bandstand" (within shouting distance of this marker); The History of Big John (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Helper City Hall (about 300 feet away); Helper City (about 300 feet away); Helper Civic Auditorium

Photographed by Bill Kirchner, September 30, 2018

2. Helper Main Post Office Marker

(about 300 feet away); Spring Canyon Coal Company (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Helper.

Helper Main Post Office image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bill Kirchner, September 30, 2018

3. Helper Main Post Office

Post Office Mural image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Jeremy Snow, June 28, 2025

4. Post Office Mural

Mural described on the marker.

Credits. This page was last revised on July 2, 2025. It was originally submitted on April 15, 2020, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona. This page has been viewed 460 times since then and 17 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on April 15, 2020, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona. 4. submitted on June 28, 2025, by Jeremy Snow of Cedar City, Utah.