Grayson County TXGenWeb

United States Post Office
Denison, Texas

ca 1917

Today, except for a few additions through the years, the building looks exactly the same way it did them. There is no doubt that it was built to last.

Evidently building at Woodard Street and Rusk Avenue was tedious business for the crew headed by Fell and Ainsworth, project contractors. In the attached photo a stonemason can be seen working in the center.

U.S. Post Office at Denison under construction
231 West Woodard Street
Munson Block at upper right
The post office was located there at 301 W. Woodard before its own building was built.

United States Government Building (Post Office)
Location: 231 West Woodard Street
Official Location: OTP Block 38, Lots 9-15
Year Erected: 1910-12
There was a commercial livery stable at the northeast corner of Woodard Street and Rush Avenue, across from the Munson Block as early as 1896. D. Osborne Fisher was operating his wagon yard here. He also sold wood and coal. Heavy traffic at this intersection made it a prime place to advertise products and coming events.
This two-story limestone building is an excellent example of the Spanish-Neoclassical Revival style. Rectangular in
plan with a red tile hipped roof, it has round-arched window openings with consoled keystones at the top of each one. Stone pilasters divide the facade into seven bays. The second-floor windows have wrought-iron balconets. There is a hitch in the roof where the flagpole used to be. The original multi-paned windows have been replaced. There is a 1965 addition to the east.
The building's design is attributed to James Knox Taylor, an architect in the employ of the federal government, who designed a very similar post office in neighboring Sherman in 1905.

Cast-iron light fixture outside U.S. Post Office
231 West Woodard Street
Photo by Rachel Willis, July 2010
Used by permission.

Denison Herald
29 August 1939
In 1912 the Federal Department moved into a building of its own at Woodward and Rusk. The garden club landscaped the grounds. M.O. Sharp was succeeded recently by Dr. F.B. Hughes as postmaster. Johnnie Williams is the oldest mail carrier, having served 18 years as a postman.

The Sunday Gazetteer
Sunday, February 25, 1912
pg. 4

THE NEW POST OFFICE
Postmaster W.J. Scott and his assistants now occupy the new $120,000 postoffice building. They moved Saturday, and by Monday morning had everything in fairly good shape, so that those who have boxes got their mail at the new building. This is not the largest postoffice building in the State, but it is one of the handsomest and best arranged. The structure covers a ground surface of 77 by 102 feet - two stories and basement. Total floor space, nearly 22,000 feet. The building is larger than originally provided for, the change being largely due to the good judgment and persistency of Postmaster Scott who went to Washington and had an interview with the postal authorities and convinced them that his recommendations were needed. He also saw the architect and pointed out modifications of the plans that would add to convenience and facilitate the work of the office, which were incorporated in the specifications. Every citizen of Denison should feel proud of the new postoffice.
By the courtesy of Postmaster Scott, the citizens of Denison had the privilege of going through the building Saturday evening and giving it a thorough inspection. A large number of ladies and a much less number of men availed themselves of the opportunity. The size of the building, when seen from the inside was a surprise, and the facilities afforded for handling mail a revelation. To the ladies especially the visit was a treat, and they are all ready to certify that Will Scott is the best postmaster Denison ever had.