The Milton Post Office

The Milton Post Office. Milton Post Office. , The Milton Post Office on North Front Street is a truly unique building with an equally unique story. It was built in 1934 during the Great Depression, following several years of controversy the Milton community leaders and the U.S. Government. The post office was originally located on the west side of South Front Street south of Lincoln Park. At that time, it shared that building with numerous tenants including the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, a leading fraternal organization in the nineteenth century., Milton fought long and hard for nine years, beginning in 1925, before the new building became a reality. Once the building was approved in 1931 during President Herbert Hoover's administration, it wasn't until that point in time that detail designs for the "Art Deco" style building were negotiated and the battle began., Several Milton civic leaders, Penn Hastings, Harry Chamberlain and Walter Wilson represented the community in numerous trips to Washington D.C. to create a post office superior to that of any town in the country comparable in size to Milton. The architect, Harry Sternfeld, decided oversized custom made bricks, a quarter inch larger in all dimensions, would be used. It took some arguing, but the Postal Department gave in. Next, Sternfeld's design called for a unique plaque to be placed over the entrance doors. Once again, after a special trip to Washington, negotiators got their way and the plaque was commissioned. It includes a map of Milton, the West Branch of the Susquehanna, both islands, the great seal of the United States, the points of the compass, and two Indian heads. The words Milton, Pennsylvania, just over the revolving doorway and below the plaque, were not originally supposed to be there either. Again the Postal Department was talked into approving it., Next the architect reasoned that the history of mail service should be carved in stone on the parapet. He knew an Italian stone carver from Philadelphia who would do the job, thus another trip to Washington was arranged. This time the postal authorities fought and refused to budge. Apparently postal officials felt they had been talked into enough, especially since they didn't want to build the structure in the first place., Sensing that the government was soon going to pull the plug on the whole project, Walter Wilson personally paid for the custom carvings, which included the pony express, a truck, plane, locomotive, and ship., At the time the new post office was being planned, townspeople were divided over the location of the facility. One faction wanted it on Front Street and another wanted to see the post office built at the corner of Elm and Mahoning Streets where the new Acme Market store was eventually built., The Milton Post Office was built on the site of two homes and the former J.R. Smith building. Before the J.R. Smith building was erected, the Presbyterian Church and the Academy of Music were situated on the historic site, prior to the 1880 fire. Also prior to the fire, Gov. James Pollock's mansion stood at the site where the Elks Club is now located, to the right of the current post office., [Captions:] , Above left, the makeshift Post Office constructed in Lincoln Park within several days following the 1880 fire., Above right , an early 1900's "postcard" of the Milton Post Office and Odd Fellows Hall adjacent to Lincoln Park. In later years, the next building to the south was razed making way for the First National Bank. Today, both buildings are the home of Big Andy's Bar and Grill. The device on the curb is a drinking fountain for pedestrians on the sidewalk side and for horses on the street side., Below , this photo was taken in 1963, when the U.S. Postal Dept. was promoting the new "Zip Code" system. The 1963 Chevy is facing north because Front S. was a two-way street at that time., Above , R.F. Wilson and Company's Fly-Net Factory, located at the corner of South Front Street and Ferry Lane, was established in 1856 by Robert F. Wilson. Its product was the first patented "fly-net" in America, which was draped over horses and mules to distract flies. Wilson also originated the first machinery for the manufacture of leather fly-nets., Below , the "fly-net" was a series of leather strings draped over a horse or mule to distract flies. The Wilson family held patents for the device, which was distributed throughout the country., Above , Walter Wilson's 1909 Pierce Arrow parked in front of the Wilson Family mansion, which is now the Thomas R. Deans Associates professional building., Above , the Charles A. Godcharles mansion at the corner of Walnut and North Front Street. During World War I, most Milton industries were engaged in government contracts. Officials frequented Milton often and a personalized stay-over while in town was needed. The Manufacturers' Club was organized by the local industries and the Godcharles mansion was purchased. The property was completely remodeled and upstairs rooms were converted into comfortable suites. The Manufacturer's Club later became the Hotel Milton., Above , the J.R. Smith building, which was situated where the U.S. Post Office now stands, from 1880 to 1934. At one time it housed numerous occupants, included a furniture store, restaurant, hotel, the YMCA, and the Family Theater., Below , ruins of the 1880 fire. On the left, the Dr. McCleery mansion at the corner of Walnut and North Front Street. On the right, the Gov. James Pollock mansion, which was located where the Elks Club now stands.