Anoka Post Office
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Anoka Post Office | |
 The Anoka Post Office viewed from the north | |
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 Interactive map of Anoka Post Office | |
| Location | 300 E. Main Street, Anoka, Minnesota |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 45°11′51.5″N 93°23′13″W / 45.197639°N 93.38694°W |
| Area | Less than one acre |
| Built | 1916 |
| Architect | James Knox Taylor |
| Architectural style | Colonial Revival |
| NRHP reference No. | 79001180[1] |
| Added to NRHP | December 31, 1979 |
The Anoka Post Office is a former post office building in Anoka, Minnesota, United States. It was built in 1916 in a Colonial Revival design credited to architect James Knox Taylor. It remained in service as a U.S. Post Office until 1977, after which it has housed a variety of commercial tenants.[2] The building was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1979 for its local significance in the theme of architecture.[3] It was nominated for its status as Anoka's oldest surviving public building and most architecturally significant non-residential property.[4]
The Anoka Post Office exhibits features of Colonial Revival architecture such as its rectangular plan, a brick exterior, symmetrical façades, a hip roof, and a dentillated cornice. The doorway has a central pediment and is set in the middle of three arched openings topped with keystones.[4] Another key element of the style is the fanlight over the main entrance.[2]
History
In the early 20th century, Anoka's former postmaster Irving Caswell served as editor of the Anoka Herald newspaper and James Knox Taylor had recently returned to private practice after serving as head of the Office of the Supervising Architect for the U.S. Treasury. In 1911 Casswell encouraged Taylor to launch a series of newspaper articles lobbying for the construction of a post office in Anoka. Taylor prevailed, and construction of the post office began in 1916. During its service as Anoka's post office, the building reflected the steady growth of the community. By 1925, the number of addresses receiving deliveries inside the city surpassed 600. Consequently, the postal service added a second mail carrier to the staff and divided the delivery into two routes. They measured growth by the number of transactions logged.[2]
In 1933 the Anoka Post Office handled $23,193.80 in receipts (equivalent to $576,864 in 2025). Five years later that number increased to $60,000 (equivalent to $1,370,000 in 2025) and the facility employed eighteen workers. By 1954 the receipts totaled $103,055.94 (equivalent to $1,235,522 in 2025) and the facility's employment had nearly quadrupled.[2]
The post office weathered more than just growth and expansion. In 1939 it was one of the few public buildings to withstand a devastating tornado that ripped through the area and served as gathering place for survivors of the destruction.[2]
During World War II the office achieved a "first class" rating. The distinction made it a choice location to purchase not only postage stamps but also war bonds to support the U.S. military's efforts overseas. The facility also served as a place for those of eligible age to register for the draft.[2]
Post-war growth and the demands of a vibrant community led to the construction of a new postal facility on Seventh Avenue. On October 22, 1977, the old Anoka Post Office delivered its last parcel of mail.[2]
