US Post Office--Ogallala - Ogallala, NE
N 41° 07.612 W 101° 43.162
14T E 271724 N 4556405
The Ogallala US Post Office is a Modernistic style building constructed in 1937-38 and placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1992.
Waymark Code: WMGB1T
Location: Nebraska, United States
Date Posted: 02/08/2013
Views: 2
The Ogallala United States
Post Office is an excellent example of the modernistic style buildings built from standardized plans in the 1930's. Construction began in August
1937 and the building was dedicated in March 1938. Two ornamental lamp posts and a flagpole are considered contributing objects to the site. Ornamental
concrete motifs of a locomotive, plane and ship are carved above the entrance along with the words, "United States Post Office, Ogallala, Nebraska."
The main historical significance, however, arises from a mural painted on the interior wall. The mural, entitled "Longhorns," was painted by Colorado Springs artist Frank Mechau in 1938 for a commission of $670 (over $10,000 in today's dollar) for the Treasury Department's Section of Fine Arts program. Eleven other post office murals are located throughout Nebraska. The mural measures 12 by 4 feet and depicts a cowboy driving a large herd of longhorn cattle. It was cleaned and restored in 1981 and is in excellent condition.
Sources: Nebraska State Historical Society & NRHP Registration Form