Historic Berkeley Post Office

Famous for protests, liberal politics, civil rights and the free speech movements, Berkeley, California was a place I had to visit.

As I wandered the streets to find the University campus I randomly stumbled upon Berkeley’s historic Post Office.

Architecture and Art

My rambling detour was rewarded with the sight of this Post Office and its beautiful architecture. Built in 1914 in Renaissance Revival style the Post Office is hard to miss.

From the very ornate wood trim around the elevator that takes one to the Post Master’s lair to the mural painted by artist Suzanne Scheuer depicting Native Americans, Spanish explorers, Californios, it is no wonder this Post Office has been designated a historic site.

Protest to save the historic Berkeley Post Office

In fact, in typical Berkeley style, when the United States Postal Service announced in 2013 they were going to sell the building, there was a 33 day encampment on the steps to protest this action.

Along with a “Save the Berkeley Post Office” website the Mayor and city council joined forces with the residents to block the sale. Subsquently, in 2018 the city of Berkeley won it’s case and the Historic Post Office remains.

Post box envy

It is a fully operational Post Office today. If you look closely in the photo above, you can see the mail that is still picked up by locals in these most beautiful post boxes.

I want one.

They reminded me of ones in the Post Office in Carmel, California.

Wall sculpture featuring mail

I almost missed seeing this work of art as it is is hung at the far end of the outside porch entrance to the building. I’m so glad I doubled back to get a closer look.

It was created by sculptor David Silvka in 1937. Carved in stone on the package the man (back to the viewer) is holding are the sculptor’s initials and the words: “From D.S., To: All Mankind, Truth Abode on Freedom Road.”

Anyone else love to wander aimlessly when in a new place?