The New Federal Building.
CHARLOTTESVILLE'S
splendid government building,
of which we show an excellent
reproduction, (on page
8) was opened ready for occupancy
April 1, 1906.
It is situated on the corner of Market
and North Second streets, east, the
site of the old Jewish Synagogue, and
just opposite the old Presbyterian
church, now used as a Young Men's
Christian Association. Its dimensions
are 92×56 feet. It is a handsome
brick structure, trimmed with marble,
and is of Colonial design and harmonizes
well with the new buildings at
the University of Virginia. The portico
is supported by six handsome
columns, topped by Ionic capitals.
The approaches are all of granite.
There are two entrances, the main one
being on Market street and the other
on Second street. The driveway is on
the east side of the building, leading
to the mailing door. The gate to this
driveway is of solid stone, the posts
being ornamented with marble spheres.
Another driveway, at the northwest
corner, leads to the coal door. The
main floor of the building contains the
Postoffice. There are 489 letter boxes,
two carrier delivery windows, two
stamp windows and three money
order and registry windows. The
postoffice lobby is a thing of beauty.
It is of handsome oak, finished with
marble wainscoting and terraza floors.
The oak finish is particularly fine, the
result of excellent workmanship. The
marble used for the wainscoting came
from Georgia, and is known as Creole
marble. The work room, money order
and mailing vestibule are finished in
pine. The second story contains the
Courthouse, judge's room, grand jury
room, clerk's room, witness room, and
public and private baths. The court
room is especially beautiful. It is
very elaborately finished in oak and is
splendidly furnished. The room is
decorated with very fancy plaster
cornish and panels. Admittance is
through double sliding doors. The
basement includes, in addition to
boiler and fuel rooms and private
baths, a large "swing" room—a sort of
gymnasium containing lockers and in
which the letter carriers may exercise,
eat their lunches and make use of for
general purposes. In the postoffice
department are what are known as
"lookouts," similar to those found in
every government building. From
these peep holes the employes of the
department can be watched while at
their work. One of these "lookouts"
is in the postmaster's room and another
in the general inspector's office.
Others are stationed overlooking the
postoffice work room and money order
departments. The building is heated
throughout by steam, and is lighted
by both electricity and gas. It is regarded
as practically fire proof. The
contractors were Miles, Bradt & Co., of
Atlanta, Ga., a well known southern
firm that has erected public buildings
for "Uncle Sam" in many southern
cities. The contract price of the building
is $71,000. Work on the structure
was begun on August 10th, 1904.
