The United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida
Buildings
Post Offices
Miscellaneous
Two post cards of the U.S. Post Office in Sarasota, Fla. The Air Conditioned City. No. S-24. No. 57. No. 24939 N. The Federal Building at 111 South Orange Avenue was constructed as a US Post Office with a WPA federal subsidy of $175,000. It was designed in the Classical design of the Corinthian type although it is Neoclassical Revival in style. It was designed by George Albree Freeman. It was placed on the National Register of Historic Places on Mar. 22, 1984. It was never used as a courthouse only a post office and federal building. Tropical Sarasota, Florida, Center of Gulf Coast tourist activities, offers attractions such as the Ringling Art Museum, World's Largest Trailer Park, While Gulf Beaches and it is the Winter Home of Ringling Bros., Barnum and Bailey Circus. The Sarasota Post Office, located on Orange Avenue close to the down town section is one of the finest federal buildings in the State of Florida and was dedicated on Feb. 16, 1935. It was constructed at a cost of $165,000 of Treverstine Rock and Texas Sandstone. Message on back: R. 10/19/51. ans.12/13/51. Hi Fay! Thank you for your lovely cards. They've all been new to me. I hope this one is welcome. Love, Rosie. Mrs. R. Linjer, Wither Wis. To: Fay Beeching, Box 6, Galvin, Wash. Postmarked Oct. 16, 1951. Message on back: Sun. Jan. 28-48. Dear Mrs. NaPier. Just was over to call on Ollie & George. George was not home so we will go back before we leave. They are just fine and we are having a nice trip, but is terribly cold here! I am writing this with my coat on. We are staying at the Mira Mar hotel, We go to Miami more. Gail & Nathan. To: Mrs. Hilary NaPier. S. Elizabeth St., Sims, Ohio. Postmarked Jan. 29, 1940.
E.C. Kropp Co., Milwaukee, Wis. and M.W. Russell, Sarasota, Florida
St. Petersburg, FL, United States Post Office
Post card of the United States Post Office, St. Petersburg, Florida. No. FNC-4292. No. 46364. Located at 3135 First Avenue North, building one and two were built in 1956 and building three in 1984. It is still in use as a post office and has always been a post office. It was never used as a courthouse. Message on back: New modern post office - St. Petersburg Fla. For Evelyn - This is close to us. Color photo by Ted Lagerberg.
St. Petersburg, FL, US Open Air Outdoor Post Office
Three post cards of the U.S. Open Air Post Office in St. Petersburg, Florida. The Sunshine City. No. 57. No. 8311N. No. 27758-82. No. P-150. This post office located at 400 First Avenue North was built between 1916-1917 in the Mediterranean Revival Style. The architect was George W. Stuart who also drew the plans for the St. Petersburg Yacht Club. It was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1975. The people of St. Petersburg finally sold the government on the idea of building an open air postoffice which is sheltered only by a roof as all boxes, windows and writing tables are in the open. It is never uncomfortable even at the peak of the calendar winter. This post office has been in continuous use since 1916 and it has only been a post office.
Webbs, The world's most unusual drug store, and E.C. Robison, St. Petersburg, Florida.
Clearwater, FL, United States Post Office
Three post cards of the US Post Office in Clearwater, Fla. The Springtime City. No. C-65. No. 4A-H1086. This post office located at 650 Cleveland Street was built in 1933 in the Mediterranean style. It was placed on the National Register of Historic Places on Aug. 7, 1980, It was always a post office and never used as a courthouse. Message on back: Wed - 3- 19. Dear dad. Emily got PO - Has rained all day - Card to Elena gone to Ft. Myers for 2 days. Florida & the trip not so nice as in Autumn. Rossalind & Joe both looking thin & weary. Joe's job a hard one. Love. Fella. To: Mrs. C. L. Palmer. 709 10th St. Belle Plaine. Iowa. Postmarked Mar. 19, 1947 with a one cent stamp.
Orange County, FL, Orange County Court House
Courthouses
Orange County Court House
Post card of the Orange County Court House, Orlando, Fla. The City Beautiful. No. O-2. No. 8A-H1425. Located at 65 East Central Blvd. it was built between 1926 and 1927 with an annex added in 1960. Prior to this courthouse the county had one which was built in 1892 and demolished in 1957. This county courthouse held the trial of the notorious murderer, Ted Bundy, during which he carved his name into the table where he was sitting. This old county courthouse is now the Historical Society of Central Florida and the Orange County Regional History Center.
Post card of the U.S. Post Office in Kissimmee, Fla. No. K-2. No. 78-H1067. On October 9, 1914 the property on the corner of Church & Possell (later renamed Monument) was purchased by the federal government for $5000. On July 3, 1930 Congress passed a bill for the construction of federal buildings and $80,000 was allocated for construction of a post office in Kissimmee, FL. Construction started on March 27, 1930 and ended on February 25, 1932. The post office was dedicated on February 22, 1932 (Washington's birthday) and remained a post office until a new one was built in 1980 on Oak Street. This building was sold to Alan Helman in 1980 and to Sam Ackley in 1989. The building today is known as the Monument Building.
Two post cards of the U.S. Post Office in Daytona Beach, Florida and Waterfront Park. No. 2. No. 63488. No. D-42. No. 98-H445. Located at 220 North Beach Street, it was built in 1932 as a work project in the Depression. It was built in the Spanish Mediterranean Revival style and the architect was Harry M. Griffin. The new post office is built of Florida Key Stone in Spanish-Renaissance architecture. The lobby is of Tennessee marble and faces the mile-long Riverfront Park. It was placed on the National Register of Historic Places on Jun. 30, 1988.
Murrell Post Card Co., Daytona Beach, Fla. and Southern Card and Novelty Co., Holly Hill. Fla.
Post card of the U.S. Post Office in Cocoa, Florida. No. CA-9. No. E-7639. The US Post Office at 435 Brevard Avenue in Cocoa, Florida was built by the WPA between 1938-1939 in the Art Deco style. It stopped being used as a post office in 1965 and from 1965-1996 it was used as a non-court federal building. In 1996 the City of Cocoa bought the building and renovated it from 1997-2000. In 2000 The Florida Historical Society moved into the building.
Hartman Litho Sales Co., Box 697, Largo, Florida
Post card of the Post Office in Live Oak, Fla. This post office was built in 1915 with a structural addition added in early 1965. The Supervising Architect was Oscar Wentworth. It is in use today. It is in Suwanee County in the Middle District of Florida.
Custom House
Post card of the Post Office in Tampa, Florida. No. 67396. No. T-55. Tichnor Quality views by Tichnor Bros., Boston, Mass. Built between 1902-1904. This building was entered on the National Register of Historic Places on Jun. 7, 1974.
Post card of the post office and custom house in Tampa, FL. No. 26276-10. This building houses 15 U.S. Government activities including official headquarters of Collector of Customs and Immigration Service for the entire District of FL. The Post Office Department includes the Postal Savings Bank for Tampa and Postal Savings Depository for S. FL. Tampa is one of the 50 selected industrial cities in the U.S. rated by the U.S. Post Office Department.
U. S. Post Office and Cusom House Tampa, Florida. Lo' Keeds! Old Stomping Grouds Hows The young'uns? Awful hot + dry. Dad, M. L. +A 1401 Indiana Houston Texas
Tampa, FL, Federal building, Post office, Custom House
Post card of the post office and custom house, federal building in Tampa, Fla. No. 9. In this building are located all of the Federal Government Agencies embracing this territory. This is said to be one of the finest buildings in the south. Courtesy of the Tourist Information Bureau of the Tampa (Fla.) Board of Trade. By 1984 the court, its clerk, and the marshal service were the only tenants. After the court left, and after a $27 million dollar renovation, in 2014 the building became the Le Meridien Hotel.
Post card of the Post Office and Custom House, Tampa, Fla. No. A-51215. The U.S. District Court shared the third floor with the U.S. Weather Service. The Post Office moved to the basement in 1968. The Public Health Service moved into its first floor space.
Post card of the Custom House and Post Office in Tampa, Florida. No. 15509. The U. S. Post Office, Courthouse, and Custom House was placed on the National Register of Historic Places on June 7, 1974. Message on back: Will write you later. D. To. Mr. A. P. Tanner, New London, Postmarked Apr. 18, 1913 with a one cent stamp.
Post card of the Post Office and Custom House, Tampa, Fla. No. 9283. Located at 601 Florida Avenue, James Knox Taylor was the Supervising Architect, Message on back: Hello! How are you enjoying times now fine I know? I am still have a good time. Went to a picnic yesterday on the river had a good time. Would have enjoyed it better if you had been there. Say won't you send me one of your pictures? If you will I sure will appreciate it. Ans. Smore Friend. To Miss Seay Dormasy. Dade City Florida.
A.C. Bosselman & Co., New York (Germany)
Orlando, FL, U.S. Post Office in tropical Orlando
Post card of U.S. Post Office in tropical Orlando, Fla. The City Beautiful. No. OK. 20. US Post Office and Courthouse located at 51 East Jefferson St. had Louis A. Simon as the Supervising Architect. It is not on the National Register of Historic Places. The Southern District of Florida met here until the Middle District was created in 1962 which met here until 1974. The building was modified in the mid-2000s for a post office, retail space and Roman Catholic Chancery center.
Orlando, FL, US Post Office. The City Beautiful. and Federal Court House
Post card of the US Post Office, Orlando, FL. The City Beautiful. and Federal Court House. No. O-204. Almost in the geographical center of the state, Orlando is a fast-growing resort and distributing community. It is here that most of Florida's citrus fruit banking is conducted. In fifteen years the city has tripled in population unitl it is now a city of 35,000 year round inhabitants. During the winter months it is host to an additional 35,000 persons from other states. Orlando is known as the City Beautiful for its 33 lakes and parks. Message on back: Feb. 16/48. Dear Emma: We stopped at this P.O. yesterday on our way home from church to mail a letter to Florence. The flowers are just as pretty as they look on the card. Over 500 at S.S. more than 50 for the woman's class and the church is crowded. It does seem fine to see so many of all ages going to S.S. + church. I didn't see you at the last Sunday we were home hope you were not sick-maybe out of the city. Florence says the new pastor is OK. I got one little glimpse of him+liked him. Love. Bella Webster. to Mrs. Frank Laird. 305 S. 8th St. Moorhead, Minn. Postmarked Feb. 17, 1948 with a one cent stamp.
Central Cigar and Tobacco Co., Orlando, Florida.
Post card of the U.S. Post Office Bldg. Orl. FL. No. O-118. No. 2B-H369. Orlando "Florida's City Beautiful" is a progressive modern healthful resort amid semi-tropical beauty in the very heart of the Florida Peninsula, and truly represents one of America's loveliest cities. Located at 51 East Jefferson Street. It is no longer a post office or court house.
Orlando FL U. S. Post Office. No. 5548. This building stood at 44 East Central Blvd., at the corner of Central Blvd. and Court St., between 1917 and 1962. It was a post office between 1917 and 1941. It was known locally as the Federal Building because it housed both the post office and the Orlando office of the IRS. During WW II, it served as the location for draft committee meetings. The post office operations moved to their current location on Jefferson Street in 1941. Ivey's Department store, previously called Yowell-Drew, purchased the property in 1962 and demolished it for a parking lot.
Post card of the Post Office building at Ocala Florida. No. E-7144. The building consists of a city block and is a park ornamented by palms and trees. Federal court is held here at stated intervals during the year. The building also houses a number of government offices. In 1900 Congress authorized circuit and district court sittings in Ocala. FJC reports, "The U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida met here until 1956; the U.S. Circuit Court for the Southern District of Florida met here until that court was abolished in 1912." It was entered on the National Register of Historic Places on Jun. 3, 1999.
Post card of the skyline view of the Federal building and Post Office. No. FS-60. No. 24029-B. The city's ever changing skyline is reflected in the downtown view with the new Robert Meyer hotel in the background. Color by C.H. Ruth. Louis A. Simon was the Supervising Architect.
Post card of the U.S. Post Office in Jacksonville, FL. No. JK.9. 311 West Monroe Street, Jacksonville, FL. U.S. Post Office and Courthouse. It now houses the State Attorney's Office.
Jacksonville, FL, US Post Office and Federal Building
Post card of the U.S. Post Office and Federal Building in Jacksonville, FL. No. 42. No. 76577. This building is not on the National Register of Historic places.
Jacksonville, FL, Post Office and Federal Building
Post card of the Post Office and Federal Building, Jacksonville, Fl. No. 21. No, 5A-H2199. Constructed in 1932 by a Montgomery, AL builder on the site of the (1700) Timuquan Indian Village of Ossachite. The City of Jacksonville purchased the building after the courts moved in 2003. Message on back: Dear Mother. We arrived here safe about 45 minutes late. We still have about 8 hours ride to Miami, take good care of yourself and be careful about everything. It is nice and clear, also warm. Earl. To: Mrs. Ella Craft. 7449 Sommers Rd. W Oak Lane, Phila, Pa. Postmarked Oct. 10, 1948 and no stamp.
City
One Post Card featuring the Skyscraper District in Jacksovnille, Florida with the 1895 US Post Office and Courthouse in the background. No. A-59843. Copyright 1915 by Stinson and Hargett. Message on back: Jacksonville, Fla. March 26th/16. Father & I are touring the resorts of Florida, have had wonderful trip. Just came up from lovely Old St. Augustine & the south. Will pass through Nash. This week en route home. With love. Cg Belmont Warner. 108 M 19th St. Phila. To: Mrs. M.E. Woodward. Formerly at Belmont Road. Washington. D.C. Postmarked Mar. 27, 1916 with a one cent stamp.
H. & W.B. Drew Co., Jacksonville, Fla.
One post card featuring the Post Office in Jacksonville, Florida. No. 11. No. 19635. Will A. Feret and James H. Windrim were the Supervising Architects for this 1895 Post Office which was razed in 1948. Message on back: Jacksonville, Fla- 6/27-25/ Frien Geo: Well we arrived here last Tuesday, expect to be here 8 or 10 days longer. Regards to Shorty and any of the boys who may be around - Hope you are well + etc. Respect. S.Y. Freeman. To: Geroge Williamson. 1639 Thomas St. Baltimore. Md. Postmarked Jun. 28, 1925 with a two cent stamp.
Jacksonville, FL, Post Office and Government Building
One Post Card featuring the Post Office and Government Building in Jacksonville, Florida. No. 160. It was razed in 1948. Message on back: Dear Gladys, I am having a fine time. It is very warm. Sara W. To: Miss Gladys Brown. Bayport. L.I. Postmarked Sep. 9 with a one cent stamp.
Jacksonville, FL, Governement [sic] and Postoffice Building
Post Card Collection. One post card featuring the Government and Post Office Building in Jacksonville, Florida. It was known as the U.S. Post Office and Courthouse. Constructed of Tennessee marble, it survived the 1901 Jacksonville fire that destroyed 146 blocks and 2,368 buildings; however most of the court records were lost. The U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida met here until 1933.
George W. Whitehurst Federal Building and United States Courthouse
Outdoor Post Office, Fort Myers, Fla. No. K-153-D-3. 44102. Florida's outstanding open-air Post Office in Fort Myers lovely City of Palms. This unusual edifice, built in 1933, is constructed of travertine coral rock notive to this sub-tropical area. Dextone. Made direct from kodachrome and ansco color by Dexter Press, Peral River, FL. This building renamed in 1983 the George W. Whitehurst Federal Building and US Courthouse for the US District Court judge was entered on the National Register of Historic places on Jan. 26, 1990 as part of the Fort Myers downtown commercial district.
Fort Myers, FL, Tropical View showing Open Air Post Office
One post card featuring the Tropical View showing Open Air Post Office, Ft. Myers, Fla., "The City of Palms". No. F-9. No. 6B-H121 Inscription reads "Tropical Ft. Myers, Fla., Winter Home of the late Thomas A. Edison, offers the tourist a warm and sunny climate and balmy breezes amidst palm lined avenues. Golf, boating, fishing and bathing are a few of its many attractions." It is noted for its beautiful majestic palms. The building was abandoned in 1998 and it became the Sidney & Berne Davis Art Center in 2008.
Fort Myers, FL, Open Air Post Office, City of Palms
One post card featuring the Open Air Post Office in Fort Myers, Florida, City of Palms. No. 114. No. 67327. Inscription reads "Classic outdoor post office, First Street. Constructed of Fla. travertine rock. The gem of American Architecture lures people from all over the world to study its beauty. Here citizens obtain their mail out of doors the year 'round." After the post office moved in 1965, U.S. District Judge George W. Whitehurst worked for the next two years to make it Fort Myers' first federal building and courthouse. In 1984 it was named the George W. Whitehurst Federal Building and United States Courthouse.
Fort Myers, FL, Royal Palms and Open Air Post Office
One post card featuring the Royal Palms and Open Air Post Office in Fort Myers, Florida, "The City of Palms". No. F-10. No. 6B-H118. Located at 2301 First Street and it was known as the Fort Myers Post Office. Towering cocoa nuts and majestic royal palms surround this unusual Open Air Post Office. This winter resort is noted for its beautiful homes, palm lined avenues and tropical waterfront.
One post card featuring the F-42--Open Air Post Office, Fort Myers, Fla., City of Palms. No. 4A-H1217. It was named after the US District Judge, George W. Whitehurst. Message on back: Hello Sandy: Hope you like P.O. views. My little 5 yr. old son is recovering from a broken leg. I have taxed to keep him amused and do my household work, too. He like for me to read to him so my voice is rather weary at this time. Please come back. Best wishes, Blanche Webb. 157 Brown St. To: Miss Sandy C. Davis. 20 Clearwater Drive. Mattapa, 26, Mass. Postmarked Oct 9, 1944 with a one cent stamp.
Street
One post card featuring Center Street in Fernandina, Florida. No. 68706. Post Office, Custom house, and couthouse is in the foreground. This building housed a post office, custom house, federal courthouse and military recruiting office. The U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida met there until the Middle District was created in 1962 which then met there. Most other federal agencies left in the 1930s and 40s. The post office remained after the court left but it was closed in 2013.
E.C. Patterson 5-10C Store, Fernandina, Fla.
One post card featuring the Post Office in Fernandina, Florida. No. 9A-H2220. Located at 400 Atlantic Avenue (401 Center Street), James Knox Taylor was the Supervising Architect. It was named the U.S. Post Office, Custom House and Courthouse. It was entered on the National Register of Historic Places on Apr. 20, 1997. Message on back: Aug. 8 - '45 - I've still having fun but may go home Thurs night with Mirra. I'll let you know which ever way I decide. So glad you are happy too. Jaece got to Macon last night. Love - Mother. To: Thomas W. West. General Delivery. St. Simons Is. Ga. Postmarked Aug. 8, 1945 with a one cent stamp.
Governor's House
One post card featuring the U.S. Post Office in St. Augustine, Florida. No.21259. Inscription reads "The oldest Government Office Building in the United States. One of the historical points of interest in St. Augustine." After 1821 the Governor's house became a courthouse, post office and office building. Use as a courthouse ended in 1891. The post office remained until 1965. It is now the Government House Museum and houses the Historic St. Augustine Preservation Board. It was placed on the National Register of Historic Places on Jan. 7, 2014.
W.J. Harris Co., Inc., St. Augustine, Fla.
One Post Card featuring the Post Office in St. Augustine, Florida. No. 39K. No. 30110. Inscription reads "On the Plaza de la Constitution, in the center of the city, beside the Catherdral with its quaint Moorish belfry, stands the old Governor's Palace, now used as a Post Office and Public Library. The building is a beautiful example of the Old Spanish architecture." Located at 48 King Street this was the Governor's house or government house during the Spanish Colonial period. It was renamed the U.S. Post Office and Courthouse after Spain ceded the property to the U.S. in 1821.
Florida Souvenir Co., St. Augustine, Fla.