Universal York

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Old York Post Office (Federal Building), part four

Looking up the tower stairs to top landing
Looking up the tower stairs to top landing

Here are more photos from my tour several years ago of wonderful Federal Building at the corner of Philadelphia and Beaver streets. It was designed by nationally-known architect Willoughby Edbrooke, at that time Supervising Architect for the U.S. Treasury Department, to house the York Post Office and Internal Revenue Service. It opened in 1895, but was replaced as post office less than 20 years later by the classical revival building at the corner of George and Princess streets. Some sources say that increasing parcel post business spurred that new post offices with a different design.

Carved paneling with marble baseboards
Carved paneling with marble baseboards

As with the photos that I have previously posted, these photos show that many of the interior elements have been just been painted over, leaving them structurally intact. In some cases, such as the grand oval winding staircase in the corner tower, they haven’t even been painted, retaining much of their original finish. I would think, therefore, that restoration and retention of many of the features would be possible.

Back stairs with marble sill
Back stairs with marble sill

High interior windows for light
High interior windows for light

Carved newel post at bottom of tower stairs
Carved newel post at bottom of tower stairs

Arched brick vaulting in basement
Arched brick vaulting in basement

Interior door with barred window and counter, marble wainscot to left
Interior door with barred window and counter, marble wainscot to left

This link will take you to more photos of the building.

And this link has additional photos.