Study of the Historical Significance of the Old Post Office and Courthouse Exchange and Middle Streets

Kuehn, Daniel

The Old Post Office and Courthouse Building, Portland, Maine, has been studied through procedures established between the National Park Service and the General Services Administration, April 20, 1956, under the Act of August 27, 1935 (49 Stat. 885), as amended July 18, 1940 (54 Stat. 764; 40 U.S.C., 1952 ed., sec. 304a-2), for the review and evaluation of historic Federal Buildings which may possess national significance within the meaning of the Act of August 21, 1935 (49 Stat. 666; 16 U.S.C., 1952 ed., secs. 461-467), known as the Historic Sites Act. The Old Post Office and Courthouse building is located on a plot of ground bounded on the northeast 196 feet by Market Street, on the southeast 91 feet, 8 inches by Middle Street, on the southwest 80 feet by the post-office court, the main front being on Middle Street. The lot consists of 16,615 square feet of land. The building itself is constructed primarily of brick with white Vermont marble on the exterior. Its architectural style is Greek-revival, typical of its historical period with large Corinthian columns supporting the principal facade. The building is of the wall bearing type with average wall thickness of just over 3 feet. Its three stories make the building approximately 45 feet high. The ornate styling and white color of the Old Post Office is in sharp contrast to the plain red brick of the buildings which surround it.

Study of the Historical Significance of the Old Post Office and Courthouse Exchange and Middle Streets

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