United States Post Office Palo Alto California Overview

The United States Post Office in Palo Alto, California is a vital hub for mail and package delivery. Located at 3755 El Camino Real, this post office serves the local community with a range of services.

The post office is open Monday through Saturday from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, and is closed on Sundays.

The United States Post Office in Palo Alto, California, is a historic building that was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1981.

Located at 380 Hamilton Avenue, the post office was built between 1932 and 1933 and features a Mediterranean Revival architectural style.

Birge M. Clark was the architect behind the design of the post office. He was a Palo Alto architect who had a personal connection to President Herbert Hoover and his wife.

Clark's design was initially rejected by federal officials due to the name and style of the building. However, after possibly mentioning his luncheon engagement at the White House, his plans were accepted in June 1932.

The post office was the first purpose-built post office in Palo Alto, and it was constructed on a property owned by Stanford University. The government paid $49,805 for the property, although the actual price was $75,822. The difference was paid by subscription from 44 residents, churches, and businesses.

Here are some key dates related to the post office:

The post office's design features arched arcades, which provide shade from the strong summer sun. This design was influenced by Clark's work on the Quadrangle buildings at Stanford University.

The United States Post Office in Palo Alto, California, has a rich history dating back to 1931 when it was first built. The post office was constructed between 1931 and 1933, and it was designed by the renowned architect Birge M. Clark.

Birge Clark, a Palo Alto architect, was appointed as the post office architect in 1931. He had developed a personal connection with President Herbert Hoover and his wife, Lou Henry, which likely helped secure the federal commission.

The building's design is a perfect example of the Spanish Colonial Revival style, which was a popular architectural style at the time. This style was also used in nearby Stanford University's Quadrangle buildings, which feature arched arcades that provide shade from the strong summer sun.

The post office was the first purpose-built post office in Palo Alto, and it replaced seven smaller post offices that were located in stores or rented office space. The federal government finally allotted $180,000 for the building of Palo Alto's post office in 1929.

The government paid $49,805 for the Stanford-owned property, but the actual price was $75,822. The difference was paid by subscription from 44 residents, churches, and businesses.