U.S. Post Office
Construction of the main Post Office building in Long Beach started in 1932. It was interrupted by an earthquake in 1933. It opened in September, 1934. The building’s architectural style has been described as “Starved Classicism,” a style commonly used for federal projects in the early 1930s, and “PWA [Public Works Administration] Moderne”. One writer has referred to the building style as “Post-Quake Moderne,” due to the fact that the Moderne style of Art Deco architecture was prevalent as Long Beach was rebuilt after the 1933 quake. There is some dispute over whether the earthquake did major damage to the unfinished structure. Certainly, everything had to be checked out and some damaged material removed before construction could resume. The central tower is 7 stories high, surrounded by a two-story base. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Long Beach, Los Angeles County
Photographer: Andrew Schmidt