The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-03-21
NEW FEDERAL BUILDING.
CONCLUDED FROM FIRST PACED

NEW FEDERAL BUILDING.
CONCLUDED FROM FIRST PACED
future generations. Among the things to
indianapolis Hand Book" Smiths His
tory Of Indiana" roster of different city
club organizations. picture of the old
postoffice building and picture of the old
First Presbyterian Church. He would also
like to procure picture Of the old Plym-
outh Church. that stood at Meridian and
New York streets, and it has been suggest
ed that picture of school No. 2, that stood
on Meridian street, between Ohio and New
York streets, would be appropriate.
The invitations being sent out by tile
Commercial Club are for 2:30 o'clock
Wednesday afternoon. A large platform
will be erected on the stonework at the
northeast corner of the new building. The
ceremonies will be conducted by the Ma
sonic order and Representative Overstreet
will preside After Introductory remarks
by the chairman the Masons will begin
their exercises. Music by bands will be
one of the features of the afternoon. The
principal address will be delivered by A. G.
Harris, but Senators Fairbanks and Bev-
eridge are also expected TO speak. The ex-
ercises will take place Immediately after
the parade. Those having the exercises in
charge feel that it is particularly fitting
that Representative Overstreet should pre-
side, as he, with Senator Fairbanks, has
been so active in getting the appropriation
for the building. The last 100000 appro-
priated was procured through the joint eff
forts of Senator Fairbanks and Mr.. Over
street.
EARLY POSTOFFICE LOCATIONS.
Among the items Of interest to be placed
in the cornerstone will be something re-
garding the history of the early postoffice
locations of Indianapolis. The Washing
ton Hall Tavern, situated on Washington
street, near the present site of the New
York store, served as the first postoffice in
1922, and Samuel Henderson was postmas-
He m
John Cain, who served twelve years. Dur
ing his last term as postmaster the office
was removed to a small frame structure
on Washington street between its first To-
cation and Pennsylvania street. Upon the
appointment of Livingston Dunlap post
master, in 1S45, the office was moved TO
modest two-story brick building on Penn
sylvania street, just south of Washington
street. About 1850. under the administra-
ton of Alexander w. Russell, the post
office was moved to a site on the west side
of Meridian street, a little north of Pearl
street, being a part of the ground now oc-
cupied by the Hubbard block. Two years
later the office was moved to more commo-
dious quarters on the opposite side of Me-
ridian street, the present location of the
Western Union telegraph office. Here the
office remained nearly ten years, until 1t
was removed to the present government
building.
Under dates of Aug. 20, 1856. and Nov 5.
1856, the United States purchased ground
on the southeast corner of Market and
Pennsylvania streets for the sum of $17 160,
fronting west 120 feet on Pennsylvania and
north 135 feet on Market street. three
story building, in plan 70x90 feet, the nu-
cleus OF the present one, was constructed
on this ground and completed and occupied
In 1861, the cost of construction being $780,
ing 81 feet inches on Market street, was
purchased for $4,000, and subsequently, the
building altered and extended. the
work being completed in 1874 Under date
of June %, 1889, additional ground, fronting
on Pennsylvania street and extending to
Court street. with improvements known as
the Talbot & New block, was secured
for the sum of s14S. 500. making the total
cost of the ground S195660, it having a
frontage of 1875 feet on Pennsylvania street
and 2O2 feet 6 inches on Market street The
old Talbot & New block is now occupied
in part by officers of the government, other
portions being rented.
INADEQUATE YEARS AGO.
Notwithstanding the extensions and adj
ditions to the property since it was orig
inally occupied in 1861, it years ago became
inadequate for the government business in
this city, and a number of important offices
were required TO obtain quarters else
where-the Weather Bureau, the Pension
Office the Rural Free Delivery offices and
others.
The act of Congress authorizing the
purchase of site and the erection of the
new federal building in this city was APP
proved March /. 1899. and provided for the
sale of the present property. proposal
for the purchase of the property was ac-
copied by the secretary OF the treasury,
Feb L. 1900, the price being S400.100.
The following is a complete list OF the
postmasters of indianapolis, and the dates
of their appointments:
Samuel Henderson-1S22.
John Cain-1S31.
joseph Moore-is41 CRemoved after one
months service by President Tyler)
John Cain-1Sil.
Livingston Dunlap-1S45.
+ Alexander w. Russell-lS49. Oiled in office
and was succeeded by his SOM
James Russell-1S5l.
William w. Wick-1S53.
John M Talbott-lS5T.
A II. Conner-1S61.
Garland ID. Rose-lS66.
William r. Holloway-1S69.
James A. Wildman-1SSl
Aquilla Jones. sr.-1SS5.
William Wallace-1SS9 Oiled April g.
1891.
Edward p. Thompson-lS9l
Albert Sahm-1S94.
James w. Hess-1S9S. Oiled June 16, 1907
George +. McGinnis-lSO0.
THE LOCAL POSTOFFICE
No sketch OF the Indianapolis postoffice
to be read in the future would be complete
without something about the man who is
at the head OF the big office-Gen. George
F. McGinnis The business has shown its
most marked increase under his admins
tration, and he Is as proud OF this
busting activity as IL II were his own pri-
vate business. The employees of the office
are very fond OF General McGinnis, and in