My forays over the Four States have shown me many beautiful post offices, a lot of them dating from the WPA era. They are splenderous and hold many delights for one who appreciates the architecture of the time. Things were built to last, and indeed they have.

My grandfather, Ardro, helped build the Memorial Hall in Carthage, Missouri and it is a splendid example of the kinds of public service projects that highlighted the Works Progress Administration.  Many of the older post offices in the immediate area were also built in the WPA era, and that kind of beauty cannot (or would not) be built today. Most post offices I see today consist of refurbished businesses built for another purpose,  sheet metal buildings, old storefronts or trailer houses converted for business. It is a real treat to see a solid old walk-up post office such as the ones in Carthage, Webb City or Neosho.  Carthage marble was used in the construction of most of them-it was close and relatively cheap, and best of all, it stands up to time. I love the polished marble on the inside and the real wooden fixtures. Tables to sit at even, and finish your correspondence! Can you imagine that today? It'd never happen. 

Post offices in Kansas and Oklahoma I have been to have murals inside depicting local themes, and they are wonderful.