United States Post Office, United States historic post office
The Berkeley Post Office is a government building in downtown Berkeley constructed in 1914-1915 in Second Renaissance Revival style. It features terra cotta arches supported by Tuscan columns, a red tile roof with wide overhang, and a limestone facade with repeating classical motifs throughout its interior.
The building was designed in 1914-1915 by the Office of the Supervising Architect, a division of the U.S. Treasury Department, drawing inspiration from Italian classical styles such as Brunelleschi's Hospital of the Innocents in Florence. During the 1930s, it received murals by Suzanne Scheuer created through a New Deal art support program.
The interior features murals from the 1930s that depict scenes from California's Spanish and pioneer heritage, positioned above the original Postmaster's office door. These artworks connect the building's everyday function as a post office to the broader story of the region and its people.
The post office is located in Berkeley's downtown area and is easily accessible on foot or by public transportation. It operates during standard business hours to serve the local community with postal services, and visitors can enter freely to view the building and its interior artwork.
The building faced privatization threats in recent years until local residents and preservation groups fought to keep it open and protected as a historic site. Its designation on the National Register of Historic Places in 1984 and as a Berkeley Landmark secured its future as a public space.
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