United States Post Office, historic post office in Santa Barbara, California, USA
The United States Post Office is a federal building in Santa Barbara completed in 1937 that serves as the city's main postal center. The exterior displays white stuccoed walls and red tile roofs in Spanish Mission style, while the interior features geometric ornaments and Streamline Moderne details in Art Deco fashion.
The building was constructed in 1937 during the Great Depression as part of the New Deal program to create jobs. It was designed by Reginald D. Johnson from Pasadena, an architect who blended regional styles with modern geometric details.
The building's name reflects the federal system it serves, while its design echoes Santa Barbara's attachment to Spanish Mission architecture. Inside, the murals depicting mail delivery methods connect local identity with national purpose in a way that visitors can observe while moving through the space.
The building sits downtown on Anacapa Street and is easy to locate, as it is surrounded by shops and other offices. It remains in active use today and offers regular postal services along with access to the interior where visitors can view the murals and historic features.
The interior holds six murals titled 'The Transportation of the Mail' created by William Atkinson in 1937 that depict various methods of mail delivery through history. These artworks in Streamline Moderne style, made as part of a federal arts program during the economic crisis, are often overlooked despite representing an important visual record.
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