Old Post Office

The Old Post Office is a limestone and stucco structure with red clay tile roofing, heavy ornamental rafter ends, and cast iron balconies that reflect Spanish Colonial Revival design. The building stands at the corner of Fourth and Gold Streets as a notable example of federal architecture from that era.

The structure was built in 1908 under architect James Knox Taylor and served as a post office in downtown Albuquerque for many years. As mail volumes grew, the original building became too small, prompting the addition of a larger Federal Building nearby.

The building shows how Spanish Colonial style shaped public architecture in early 20th-century New Mexico. The design brings together local building traditions with the formal requirements expected of government structures.

The building sits at the corner of Fourth and Gold Streets in downtown Albuquerque and is easy to reach on foot. Keep in mind that it now functions as a school building, so public access may be limited depending on school hours and activities.

A 1930s addition was constructed to match the original design, but careful observers notice differences in roof coloring and carved details between the two sections. These subtle variations reveal two distinct building campaigns separated by time.

Location: New Mexico

Architects: James Knox Taylor

Architectural style: Spanish Colonial Revival architecture

GPS coordinates: 35.08400,-106.65200

Latest update: December 14, 2025 14:26