Almost nothing about this building says "post office." I drove clear past it once, even knowing exactly where it was supposed to be. A modest etching in marble, "Federal Building," resides above the front door, and there's a snorkel mailbox in front. Aside from that and a cornerstone concealed by bushes at the left corner of the building, you'd barely know what this building is.
Sparta, GA: Yvonne Ingram-Ephraim Post Office Building
Sparta Federal Building: 1962 John F. Kennedy cornerstone
Long-time readers of this blog might know I'm really not a fan of cookie-cutter '60s federal buildings, but Sparta's and Milledgeville's were a bit different. First, they assimilate some vernacular architecture stylings from the romantic Deep South. Second, they actually have artwork inside, a throwback to FDR's New Deal and my favorite era of postal architecture, the grand buildings from the early 20th century. Also, nice black marble!
Sparta, GA Federal Building mural
Milledgeville, GA: United States Post Office and Federal Building
Milledgeville Federal Building: 1960 Dwight D. Eisenhower cornerstone
Milledgeville, GA Federal Building murals
The old post office building in Milledgeville was built during the early 20th century, and now houses the local Chamber of Commerce.
Milledgeville, GA: old post office
That Sparta building is a respectable building, though it doesn't look much like a post office. The Milledgeville building, on the other hand, is the cream of the poor crop of its era.
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