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Washington, D.C., circa 1905. "P.O. Dept." The Old Post Office on Pennsylvania Avenue. National Photo Company Collection glass negative. View full size.
I'm so glad this wonderful building is still standing. But even with the vibrant color photo as a guide, it is still nearly impossible for me to visualize the vintage image in color. Surely the world was black and white back in 1905.
When I go into DC I always try to go by the old PO, and when we have visitors I always take them to the top of the tower. Only in the summer is it crowded with tourists. Today with the Washington Monument closed this may very well be the best place to view the vistas of DC.
Below is the same perspective taken in April of 2010.
Favorite quotes from the Wikipedia article:
Opening ceremonies were marred when the postmaster of Washington fell to his death down an elevator shaft.
The new structure was derided in The New York Times as "a cross between a cathedral and a cotton mill".
The Old Post Office Pavilion was less than ten years old when cries were heard that it should be torn down.
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