Old Post Office |
 When completed in 1899 it stood out as a
prestige symbol and technical innovation for the Federal
Post Office
Department. At the turn of the century, it
was the largest government building in Washington, D.C
.
and the first clock tower. An example of Richardsonian
Romanesque Revival, its courtyard remains one of the
largest uninterrupted interior spaces in the city (99 feet
wide by 184 feet long and 160 feet high). After the U.S.
Post Office moved out in 1934 the building was planned
for demolition but survived due to a lack of funds caused
by the Great Depression
. After the Postal Service's
departure the building was occupied by various government
agencies. After again being slated for demolition in the
late 1960's, a successful movement to save the building
resulted in it being adapted for use as both federal
offices and private businesses. The Old Post Office
Pavilion offers a variety of choices for meals and
includes both fast food and sit down dining, as well as
several shops. The Old Post Office Tower
operated by the
National Park Service
provides visitors with the history
of the building, a view of the city form the observation deck 270 feet above Pennsylvania Avenue and an
opportunity to walk down through the clock tower to see
the Congress Bells. Open: Summer: 8:00
a.m.-10:45 p.m. (Approx. Mid - April to Labor Day)
Winter: 10:00 a.m. - 5:45 p.m. (Tower) Pavilion hours
vary by vendor/restaurant. Admission: Free Metro:
Federal
Triangle Related Links: National Park Service - Old Post Office
Tower Site |
Corner of 12th Street
and
Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W.
Washington, DC.
202) 606-8691 (NPS-Tower)
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