Post Office, 7th and Thompson photo: Ben Leech
New Deal mural in the Spring Garden Post Office at 7th and Thompson. This is one of the neighborhood post offices on the proposed chopping block, and I think it’s the only proposed closure that has any New Deal art left. The artist was Walter Gardner, a local quasi-professional painter who moonlighted as a night watchman at the Philadelphia Bulletin Building. He also did murals for the Family Court Building. These were recently designated to the Philadelphia Register by the Preservation Alliance of Greater Philadelphia. Sadly ironic that the Great Depression led to the commission of pieces like this, and the Great Recession is leading to their disappearance today. That and email, I guess. Might be a good time to write a letter.
About the author
Ben Leech is a preservationist, architectural historian and illustrator based in Philadelphia and Lancaster, PA. Follow him on Instagram @bentleech and support his capitalist alter-ego at Archivolt Press
1 Comment
Leave a Reply
Recent Posts
Italian-American Heritage & Industrial Landmarks Go Under Review For Historic Designation Recommendation
Starr Herr-Cardillo has this roundup of local register nominations on the agenda at the June meeting of the Philadelphia Historical Commission's Designation Committee > more
Homeowners Pay The Price When New Construction Damages Neighboring Rows
Owners of row houses are left with little recourse when demolition and new construction causes structural damage to their homes. Starr Herr-Cardillo takes a look at a growing citywide problem > more
The Origins Of The Eagles On The Market Street Bridge
Ed Duffy rides the rails from Manhattan to Philadelphia to give us the backstory on the granite eagle sculptures that stand guard over the Schuylkill River > more
Tonight Is Forever Honors Stonewall Riots & Philly LGBT Activism History
A new art installation at William Way LGBT Community Center connects local and national moments in gay liberation history. Ali Roseberry-Polier takes a look > more
New Exhibit Invites Visitors Inside The Life Of Row Houses
"Rowhouse Workshop," an exhibition devoted to the culture of Philly’s most iconic residential form, opens on Friday, June 7 at Cherry Street Pier. Michael Bixler has the details > more
Introducing The “Mayor of Girard Avenue,” Larry Kane
In Francisville, a sharp spike in real estate development has triggered displacement and a shift in demographics. But Larry Kane, a longtime resident and fixture of the neighborhood, isn't going anywhere. Richelle Kota introduces us to one of North Philly's most beloved residents > more
© 2011-2016 Hidden City Philadelphia |
I used to pick up my mail there in the 90’s, and was always blown away by this mural. If I remember correctly, it’s a lot larger than this photo, and there’s a lot more to it (at least there was when I saw it). A damn, damn shame.