76 Forsyth St SW
Atlanta, GA, USA

National Register of Historic Places - U.S. Post Office and Courthouse (Old Post Office)

Statement of Significance:

The Old Post Office, or more officially, the United States Post Office and Courthouse in Atlanta is one of the most architecturally important and distinguished buildings of the early twentieth century remaining in the downtown area, and is one which makes a major visual contribution to the central city. Built in the Second Renaissance Revival style, the Old Post Office was first occupied in 1911 after taking over three years to build.

A government publication of 1901, pictures the previous Atlanta Post Office built of brick in 1876-1880, and later enlarged in 1889-1890. It was this structure which was replaced in the early twentieth century. Contemporary photographs taken during construction from 1907- 1910, show the foundation being dug by May, 1907. James Knox Taylor, Supervising Architect of the Treasury Department at the time, was responsible for the design of the building.

In 1931-1933, the building at 76 Forsyth Street became the "Old Post Office" when major postal services were moved to another newer structure. Presently, the Old Post Office is occupied primarily by a post office station and by the United States courts and related agencies.