History:
The Treasury Department selected Howard Cook from among 185 other artists to paint a sixteen panel fresco in 1939. Entitled, "San Antonio's Importance in Texas History," the mural depicts key events in local history from the arrival of the Conquistadores in 1691 to the arrival of the first railroad in 1877. The mural's restoration in 1999 allowed its vibrant colors to shine again.
Thanks to an investment of over fifty-six million dollars by the federal government in 2012, the renovated Hipolito F. Garcia Federal Building now features amenities on the cutting edge of environmental sustainability seamlessly integrated into the historic fabric of the building.
Thanks to an investment of over fifty-six million dollars by the federal government in 2012, the renovated Hipolito F. Garcia Federal Building now features amenities on the cutting edge of environmental sustainability seamlessly integrated into the historic fabric of the building.
About this Image:
1.) Color postcard looking north from Alamo Plaza at the 1937 U.S. Post Office and Courthouse. The structure in the foreground is a trabajo rústico concrete sculpture by Dionicio Rodriguez in the form of a hollow tree trunk.
2.) Post office lobby with marble clad walls and mural panels. A marker in the sidewalk, just beyond the building's west lobby door, indicates the site of the old mission's north wall. During the Battle of the Alamo in 1836, Colonel William Travis died on this wall, which suffered the heaviest bombardment from the Mexican army.
3.) Detail of a mural panel showing the signing of the Texas Declaration of Independence.
4.) Original bronze tables and mailboxes.
5.) Detail of bronze mailboxes.
6.) Looking down into the central light court at the energy-saving green roof.
2.) Post office lobby with marble clad walls and mural panels. A marker in the sidewalk, just beyond the building's west lobby door, indicates the site of the old mission's north wall. During the Battle of the Alamo in 1836, Colonel William Travis died on this wall, which suffered the heaviest bombardment from the Mexican army.
3.) Detail of a mural panel showing the signing of the Texas Declaration of Independence.
4.) Original bronze tables and mailboxes.
5.) Detail of bronze mailboxes.
6.) Looking down into the central light court at the energy-saving green roof.
To Learn More:
Credit:
Courtesy of San Antonio Conservation Society Foundation
Click to Enlarge
N.d.
2.) Main Lobby View with Howard Cook Mural
3.) Feature of Howard Cook Mural found in Lobby
4.) Postal Lobby with Bronze Desks and Mailboxes
5.) Bronze Public Mailboxes
6.) Green rooftop on the interior of the Postoffice
N.d.
2.) Main Lobby View with Howard Cook Mural
3.) Feature of Howard Cook Mural found in Lobby
4.) Postal Lobby with Bronze Desks and Mailboxes
5.) Bronze Public Mailboxes
6.) Green rooftop on the interior of the Postoffice