United States Customhouse and Post Office, Federal courthouse in downtown St. Louis, United States.
The United States Customhouse and Post Office is a grand granite structure in downtown St. Louis featuring a three-story Second Empire design with an ornate iron dome and intricately carved facades. The building's exterior showcases detailed stonework and decorative elements that reflect its importance as a federal institution.
The building was designed by architect Alfred B. Mullett between 1873 and 1884 to replace an older customs facility that became inadequate following the Civil War. Its construction represented the federal government's effort to establish proper oversight of commerce in the nation's western territories.
The sculpture 'America at War and America at Peace' by Daniel Chester French towers above the Olive Street entrance and shows two female figures representing conflict and peace. The artworks inside tell the story of how this building became a symbol of federal authority following the Civil War.
The building sits on Olive Street in the downtown area and is easy to spot from its distinctive architecture, though visitors should know it functions primarily as a courthouse. Public access may be limited to certain areas, so checking in advance about what spaces are open for viewing is helpful.
The building was equipped with a moat about 28 feet deep and iron shutters to protect the internal subtreasury and valuable assets within. These security features came from concerns about the nation's stability in the uncertain years immediately after the Civil War.
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