Excavations for the new building began in 1883, and in April, 1886, the first foundation stone was laid. Isaac Hodgson, of Minneapolis, was the architect in charge from August 5, 1883, until August 10th, 1884. He was then succeeded by E. F. Bassford, of St. Paul, who had prepared new plans. On July 1st, 1889, he was succeeded by Frank Grygla, of Minneapolis, who served as superintendent until the completion of the building. James Bradley has filled the position as engineer since 1885. The whole amount of appropriations made for the building and site to completion is $641,614.56.
The building is in every way suitable and convenient for the purpose designed. In architectural appearance it is not imposing — indeed the limited space it occupies, and the very meager appropriations made by the government for the purpose, did not admit of any scope for display by the architect. He had to accommodate himself to the means at his command. He is not to be blamed. But al ready it is evident that the site selected was far too small. It apparently admits of no additions. And yet it is manifest that if the growth of the city continues in the next ten years in the same proportion as in the past ten, the present accommodations will be found quite inadequate.
The site on which the building stands is 150×125 feet, and the building itself is three and a half stories high, with a central tower on Third street front 152 feet in height, and smaller towers at the corners 88 feet high. A clock with a dial five feet in diameter is placed in the main tower. The style of architecture is Romanesque. The material used in the construction of the walls is Ohio sand stone, the foundation being of St. Cloud granite and Mankato limestone. Granite columns are used for trimmings. There are two public entrances, one on Third street, the other on First avenue.
The main portion of the first floor is devoted wholly to the working force of the post office. Here a room 100 feet square, and lighted by an immense sky light 50 feet square, is separated from the corridors by an elaborate and handsomely finished screen of red oak, some 10 feet high. In this screen are numerous windows for the use of the public in transacting business with the office.
The second story of the building is used for United States court rooms — two, “one 35×60 feet, and one 30×50, and also for offices for district attorney, United States marshal, and clerks and assist ants. The present district attorney is the Hon. Eugene Hay, appointed by President Harrison, and residing in Minneapolis. On the second floor are also the offices of the deputy collector of internal revenue and special agent of the United States treasury department.
On the third floor is the offices of deputy collector of customs and assist ants. Geo. W. Marchant, Esq., was ap pointed to this office (and custodian of the building) April 17th, 1890, and has been a resident of Minneapolis for many years and an active business man. He was appointed under the provisions of a special act of congress, approved March 8th, 1890, entitled “An Act to constitute Minneapolis a sub. port of entry and delivery in the collection district of Minnesota and for other purposes.” The office was opened for business September 1st, 1890. Before this the custom house business of Minneapolis was transacted at St. Paul, at great inconvenience to our merchants. During the first year after the opening of the office, the business receipts of the office fell little short of $100,000, and are rapidly increasing. It is not only a great convenience to our citizens, but will greatly aid in swelling the volume of business of this city. Mr. Marchant has seven assistants and employees under his charge.
On the fourth floor are the offices of signal service and of the railway mail service.
Edward P. Waite, special examiner of pensions, J. W. Lawrence, special agent of treasury department, and J. H. Harmon, weather observer, are all residents in Minneapolis.
Perhaps no statistics more correctly represent the growth of a city than those pertaining to the business of the post- office. In some one department of business in a city there might be for a year, or even series of years, a large increase, and yet it might be entirely fallacious to reason that there must be a corresponding increase in many other branches. Such large increase might even effect the postal business but slightly. But the post office in a business way reaches the whole community and represents its business activity and growth. While not affording an accurate measure of such growth in detail it fairly illustrates the aggregate. The condensed statement fol lowing will, therefore, be of interest. It has before been stated that the first quarter’s receipts of the office, after being established on the west side of the river
in 1854, were $7.79:
For the year 185+ $138.71
Fifth year, 1859 2,234.05
Tenth year. 1864- 4,467.33
Fifteenth year, 1869 18,882.64
Twentieth year, 1874 40,670.90
Twenty-fifth year, 1879 63,886.45
Thirtieth year, 1884 178,218.97
Thirty-fifth year, 1889 302,589.25
Thirty-seventh year, 1891 361,648.00
On February 1st, 1888, the post office department authorized the establishment of four postal stations or branch offices in this city with money order, registry and stamp selling facilities. The fifth one was also added to the list April 1st, 1891. The stations are advantageously located, with a view to accommodate suburban centers of business and population. The business transacted at these stations for the past year fully justifies their establishment.
The present force employed in the post- office consists of the postmaster and 65 clerks, including assistant postmaster, division superintendents and chief clerks. There are ninety carriers and ten substitute carriers. The entire business has been reduced to a complete system, affording as good postal facilities as those enjoyed by any city in the country, ( and far superior to many ) and is at present under the efficient management of Maj. W. D. Hale. It is not claimed that the system is perfect, but as nearly so as the exigencies of a government office will permit in as rapidly growing a city as this.
This passage has been excerpted from
History of the City of Minneapolis, Minnesota
Isaac Atwater, editor
New York : Munsell, 1893