US Post Office--Wakefield Main

DATE_ The Wakefield Post Office, constructed in 1936 and dedicated on January 27, 1937 is located on Main Street, at the corner of Yale Avenue, an area referred to as Upper Wakefield Square. The public library and the YMCA located on either side of the Post Office, were built some fifteen and thirty years before it. Both of these structures characterize the Classic Revival detailing- The Post Office Architect however, utilizing the similar basic components and details of that style, unified this building into a well proportioned, organized, bold statement that captures the power and dignity of Classical Revival architecture at the Federal level.

At the north end of the business district, near the Town Park and Lake Quannapowitt, the Post Office is sited near two quaint, nineteetth century, high spired wooden churches and several older brick and wooden residences on the wide tree-studded Main Street. A flight of broad granite steps leads up to the front lawn terrace area, separated from the sidewalk by a granite retaining wall some four feet in height at the stair area. The lawn abuts the gradual incline of Yale Avenue on the right side of the property. The original herring-bone patterned, brick terrace between the two separate flights of granite steps has since been replaced with concrete.

The Post Office is of striking, Neo-Classic design with a dramatic front facade, featuring a high, three bay limestone center entrance, flanked by single brick wall bays on each side. The juxaposition of the crisp limestone motif, with the inclusion of flemish bond brick panels, tends to enhance yet soften, the rigid, bold classical detailing. All bays are sharply defined by limestone pilasters at the corners and at the transition breaks.

1936 BUILDER/ARCHITECT Edward M. Bridge, Architect A.J. Long Construction Co. - Although just fifty years old, the Wakefield Post Office was constructed during the darkest hours of the Depression. It possesses integrity of location, design, setting, materials and workmanship, as well as significant association with the efforts of the Federal Government to relieve unemployment and stimulate the economy through the rapid construction of governmental structures during the Depression era. This building is locally significant as tangible evidence to the community of the Government's activist role and a symbolic representation of its strength and ideals.

Additionally, it exemplifies the high standard set for Federal Buildings designed by local architects, and is a fine example of the work of Boston architect, Edward M. Bridge, whose classic design harmonizes with the neighboring cityscape. It thus meets National Register criteria A and C. The Town of Wakefield, identified as South Reading until opting for town status and being dedicated as a separate community on July 4th, 1868, was named for its most prominent citizen, Cyrus Wakefield. The town was primarily an agricultural community but with the advent of the Boston and Maine Railroad, which still runs to the immediate west of the business district, local industry became established on the eastern and southern borders of the commercial area.

The first Post Office in the community was established in 1812, with the appointed Postmaster John Rayner receiving the mails from the Boston or Charlestown stages. Postmaster Rayner opened the first office in a smal1 building on Main Street, near the old Brown Block, and was succeeded in office by Mssrs. Burrage Yale, Eli Yale, Charles Stearns and Lilly Eaton, al1 maintaining the office at the same location.