Jun 07, 1974
Federal Building and U.S. Courthouse (Post Office) - National Register of Historic Places
Statement of Significance: The Federal Building and United States Courthouse in Savannah is prominently located on Wright Square in the downtown section. Although "historic" Savannah is identified generally with an earlier period, the Federal Building makes an important visual contribution to the city architecturally* A notable representation of its period and built in the Second Renaissance Revival style, it is one of the more distinguished and imposing structures of the late nineteenth and twentieth centuries in Savannah. The site of the Federal Building is historically important, James Edward Oglethorpe, the founder of Georgia, erected a courthouse on the site, where, among other events, John Wesley preached during 1736 and 1737. According to a government printed history, work on a post office at the corner of York and Abercon Streets had begun in 1889, but was suspended because Savannah citizens wanted "a more suitable structure," Congress was persuaded to appropriate more funds and on June l89ii> a local newspaper reported that excavations had begun the day before at the President Street site. It noted that local men were being employed for the project. On July 31, 1899, the paper announced that the following day all departments of the post office were to be in the "new government building," which is "an ornament and a pride to the city," It also housed the United States Courts, the United States Engineers, and the Weather Bureau. The building was probably designed in 1893-189^1 when W. J. Edbrooke was Supervising Architect. The building was enlarged between 1930 and 1932, when President Street was closed and the structure extended to include a full city block. Today, it serves as a postal station as well. as offices for numerous federal agencies.
Federal Building and U.S. Courthouse (Post Office) - National Register of Historic Places
Statement of Significance: The Federal Building and United States Courthouse in Savannah is prominently located on Wright Square in the downtown section. Although "historic" Savannah is identified generally with an earlier period, the Federal Building makes an important visual contribution to the city architecturally* A notable representation of its period and built in the Second Renaissance Revival style, it is one of the more distinguished and imposing structures of the late nineteenth and twentieth centuries in Savannah. The site of the Federal Building is historically important, James Edward Oglethorpe, the founder of Georgia, erected a courthouse on the site, where, among other events, John Wesley preached during 1736 and 1737. According to a government printed history, work on a post office at the corner of York and Abercon Streets had begun in 1889, but was suspended because Savannah citizens wanted "a more suitable structure," Congress was persuaded to appropriate more funds and on June l89ii> a local newspaper reported that excavations had begun the day before at the President Street site. It noted that local men were being employed for the project. On July 31, 1899, the paper announced that the following day all departments of the post office were to be in the "new government building," which is "an ornament and a pride to the city," It also housed the United States Courts, the United States Engineers, and the Weather Bureau. The building was probably designed in 1893-189^1 when W. J. Edbrooke was Supervising Architect. The building was enlarged between 1930 and 1932, when President Street was closed and the structure extended to include a full city block. Today, it serves as a postal station as well. as offices for numerous federal agencies.
Jun 07, 1974
Posted Date
Mar 28, 2022
Historical Record Date
Jun 07, 1974
Source Name
United States Department of Interior - National Park Service
