Jackson Post Office

Jackson Post Office
U.S. National Register of Historic Places
Location	359 Broadway Street, at corner of Hawk and Broadway, Jackson, Kentucky
Coordinates	37°33′13″N 83°23′12″W
Area	less than one acre
Built	1916
Built by	J.S. Rogers Construction Company
Architect	Oscar Wenderoth
Architectural style	Late 19th and 20th Century Revivals
MPS	Jackson MRA
NRHP reference No.	90001087
Added to NRHP	July 23, 1990

The Jackson Post Office in Jackson, Kentucky, at the intersection of Hawk and Broadway, was built in 1916. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1990.

It is a three-story rectangular light brown brick building. The building, whose design is credited to Oscar Wenderoth, cost $85,000 to build. Besides the post office, it housed a federal courthouse, an Army Recruiting Station, and a county health board. The post office and federal court offices have since relocated away.

Now used as apartments.

Description

The Jackson Post Office is a three-story, rectangular structure with a hip roof, built primarily from light brown brick accented with white sandstone trim. The building’s roof features wide eaves supported by decorative wooden brackets, adding a touch of craftsmanship to its overall appearance. A prominent stone band runs along the building, separating the third floor from the lower one, creating a visual distinction.

The front of the building, which faces northeast, consists of seven sections (or bays) on the first level. Three of these bays house arched doorways, each accompanied by large arched windows and smaller rectangular windows. The sandstone trim highlights key architectural details, including the doorways and windows, drawing attention to their keystones and sills. Broad sandstone steps lead from the entrance down to the street. The second floor follows a similar layout, with seven windows matching the first-floor design, complemented by stone medallions between the windows that symbolize the state. The third floor’s windows are smaller and more square than those on the lower floors, giving the top of the building a more compact appearance.

At the rear, the building adjusts to the sloping ground, exposing the basement. This southwest side features five bays, with large windows on the first floor flanked by smaller ones. On the second floor, large arched windows are positioned above the first-floor windows, with smaller square windows on the third floor.

The building's sides, facing southeast and southwest, are five bays wide, with windows that reflect the design seen on the front and rear facades.

Inside, the first floor serves as the main lobby for postal services, with a tiled floor and dark marble baseboards. Above the service counters, there are transoms, allowing light to flow through. A grand granite staircase leads to the second floor, where a courtroom can be found, featuring oak-paneled walls, brass light fixtures, and a mix of marble and tile flooring. A slate staircase leads to the third-floor offices.

A metal fire escape, added to the southeast side in 1980, connects to the second and third floors through doors that were originally windows. Both the fire escape and doors are painted light brown to blend with the exterior of the building. A modern loading dock has also been added to the back of the building.

Over time, the Jackson Post Office has housed various facilities, including a federal courthouse, an Army recruiting station, and a county health office. However, the federal court offices have since relocated, and the post office has moved out of the city center.