This is the second post in our series on buildings around Public Square. Today we are looking at the old Post Office, Customs House and Court House Building. The building was the first building to be built as part of the Group Plan of 1903. It opened in 1910. The building was designed by Arnold W. Brunner of New York.
Eventually in 1930, the Post Office moved to behind Terminal Tower. The federal courts eventually took over all the space previously occupied by the old post office.
Inside the building you can find one of the two sets of murals by Francis Millet here in Cleveland. These 35 images on 23 canvas panels are titled “Mail Delivery”. They show the various forms of mail collection and delivery from around the world. They include images of dog sled’s in Alaska, camels in the Arabian desert and delivery on ski’s in Sweden to name a few.
Outside, on Superior Avenue, you can find two statues designed by Daniel Chester French entitled “Jurisprudence” and “Commerce.” Daniel also designed the statue of Abraham Lincoln that sits today inside the Lincoln Memorial in Washington D.C.
It is worth stopping by to see Millet’s work inside. Note because it is a Federal building you do have to go through security to enter the building.
