This is the second site for the local Post Office,
being constructed as part of a Federal
movement in the early 1930s to fund rural
projects. Inside, there is original woodwork
and Depression-era artwork on display.
Number XX in the Colville Tour Booklet
This single storey brick post office was completed in 1938 on the southwest corner of Astor Avenue and Oak Street, west of the Court House and South of City Hall. Built by J. J. Lohrenz of Spokane, their bid of $51,058 having won them the contract, construction began in 1937. The Post Office opened for business on April 16th, 1938. The architect was Louis A. Simon, a Federal Government Architect.
Though not a WPA project, as were City Hall and the Court House, it is a legacy of the Federal public works and arts programs of the Depression era.
Based on standard plans developed by the Department of the Treasury, the building is the first Federally-constructed post office in Colville. The detailing of the front facade is somewhat unique in that there are no other duplicates in the state, however, thirteen or so state post offices have almost identical dimensions and entry/window bay arrangements.
The building is a City, State and National Historic site, having been placed on the National Register of Historic Places on August 7, 1991.
All Local Historic Plaque Recipients are entered in the Colville Heritage Register and receive one of these burnished copper plaques bearing the date of construction of the building. If you're wondering why the plaques are copper, and not the traditional bronze, it is because it was primarily copper, along with lesser amounts of associated metals, such as silver and gold, which created the impetus for settlement of this area.