Augusta in Kennebec County, Maine — The American Northeast (New England)

United States Post Office / La Poste des Etats-Unis

Augusta, Maine

— The Museum in the Streets® —

United States Post Office / La Poste des Etats-Unis Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., July 30, 2017

1. United States Post Office / La Poste des Etats-Unis Marker

Inscription. Click to hear the inscription.

Augusta's "Castle"! When first opened in 1890, the Portland Transcript called 295 Water Street "one of the most picturesque public buildings that the government has bestowed upon any city in the Union." Built of Hallowell granite and complete with a corner tower, Roman arches, a winding staircase, and 32,000 square feet of space, it was built in response to the growth of Augusta's publishing industry. It served as the city's main post office until the 1960s. The original building, a classic example of American architectural style Richardsonian Romanesque, was altered in 1910, making the tower the center point, then again in the mid-twentieth century, adding a south wing. Now known as The Olde Federal Building, it was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1974.

Le "Château" d'Augusta! Lorsqu'il ouvrit ses portes en 1890, le Portland Transcript appella 295 Water Street « l'un des bâtiments publics les plus grandioses que le gouvernement ait offert à une ville de l'Union. » C'était un bâtiment de 3 500 mètres carrés en granit de Hallowell orné d'une tour en coin,

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de voûtes romanes et d'un escalier tournant, qui fut construit pour répondre au développement des maisons d'édition à Augusta. Ce bâtiment servit de poste principale à Augusta jusque dans les années 1960. Le bâtiment original, un exemple classique d'architecture américaine de style Roman Richardsonien, fut réagencé en 1910. On y plaça la tour au centre, puis au milieu du vingtième siècle, on y ajouta une aile au sud. Maintenant connu sous le nom de Olde Federal Building, il a été classé dans le Registre National des Monuments Historiques en 1974.

Erected by The Museum in the Streets®. (Marker Number 21.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Communications. In addition, it is included in the Postal Mail and Philately, and the The Museum in the Streets®: Augusta, Maine series lists. A significant historical year for this entry is 1890.

Location. 44° 18.87′ N, 69° 46.478′ W. Marker is in Augusta, Maine, in Kennebec County. Marker is on Water Street south of Winthrop Street/Front Street, on the left when traveling north. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: Market Square, Augusta ME 04330, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Flag Protest ~ War of 1812 / Drapeau en berne - Guerre de 1812 (a few steps from this marker); Granite Block / Un Bâtiment en granit

United States Post Office / La Poste des Etats-Unis and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., July 30, 2017

2. United States Post Office / La Poste des Etats-Unis and Marker

(a few steps from this marker); Cornerstone Day / La pose des premières pierres (within shouting distance of this marker); Augusta's Publishing Empire / L'empire de l'édition à Augusta (within shouting distance of this marker); Market Square / La place du Marché (within shouting distance of this marker); Shipbuilding Days / L'époque des chantiers navals (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Steamboat Landing / L'embarquement des bateaux à vapeur (about 300 feet away); They Were Superior Buildings / Des bâtiments pittoresques (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Augusta.

Also see . . . The Museum in the Streets Tour Map, Augusta, Maine. (Submitted on December 6, 2017, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)

Old Post Office image. Click for more information.

Photographed By Larry Gertner, May 21, 2021

3. Old Post Office

National Register of Historic Places, Digital Archive website entry
Click for more information.

United States Post Office / La Poste des Etats-Unis image. Click for full size.

Photographed By William Fischer, Jr., July 30, 2017

4. United States Post Office / La Poste des Etats-Unis

Credits. This page was last revised on November 17, 2021. It was originally submitted on December 6, 2017, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 243 times since then and 13 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on December 6, 2017, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. 3. submitted on May 21, 2021, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. 4. submitted on December 6, 2017, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.