The Lake County times. [volume] (Hammond, Ind.) 1906-1933, 1907-04-25
Faithful Work of Our Representative
Seconded by Architect and Com
tractors Give Hammond a Mag
nifiCent Government Building.

Al few yeas ago Congressman
Crumpacker gave Uncle Sam a gentle
hint that Hammond was in need Of
federal building, and straightway the
generous old uncle provided this city
and the Calumet region with one of
the most magnificent structures that
have been built in this part of the
state.
After repeatedly outgrowing it's
quarters in various buildings in this
city, the United States postoffice is at
last to be housed in a building that
will serve the needs of the Hammond
postofice for a great many years TO
come
Those who have viewed the new build
Ing both from the exterior and from
the interior, are Of the opinion that
Congressman +. y. Crumpacker must
have had a hypnotic influence over tine
tail man with a high hat and the
swallow tailed coat to persuade him
TO be so delightfully."- generous with
the people of Hammond.
The federal building is of classic
Grecian design and is architecturally
so beautiful that 1t seems almost a sac
rilige to mention the fact that it costs
two hundred thousand cold dollars.
Is Dignified In Aspect.
The building is a square one, with
entrances on both State street and
Oakley avenue These entrances are
approached by flights Of stone steps
and are hanked on each side by orna-
mental iron lamp posts upon which
are clusters Of electric lights.
Entrance to the lobby OF the build
ing may be made through either Of
the revolving doors that have been set
in the doorways. In the front lobby
are the carriers windows for Sunday
delivery; the general delivery window,
the stamp window, and the letter, pa
per and package drops. In that part
of the lobby which extends along
Oakley avenue is the register window
and two money order windows.
The interior finishings of the lobby
are as attractive as they could be
made. consistent with the purpose for
which it Is intended. The floors are
OF mosaic, the dashboards and wains-
coating are of green marble, and the
woodwork is Of polished oak. Orna-
mental lamps are hung from the cell
ing and everything considered it is
eminently well arranged as well as
beautiful.
COmInodious Arrangements.
In the southeast corner Of the build
ing IS the postmaster's private OFF,.
which is handsomely furnished, an
has in connection a lavatory, warG
robe. and the vaults in which u,
valuables are kept.
The main room on the first floor i
called the work room and is the roea
where the mail Is received from tn
trains, distributed to the carriers, tn,
boxes or the general delivery case. ant
eventually is delivered to Uncle Sam.
patrons It is also the place wher,
this process gathered up by the car
after being gathered UP by the car
riers, is dispatched on the most con
venient train to thousands OF destina
tions.
Heretofore the facilities for handl
Ing the mail have never been adequate
for the reason that the office would al
ways outgrow its improved facilities
before the postoffice department coulC
be prevailed upon to make the neces
sary additions. Now, however, all o
the old fixtures are TO be discarded
There will be new distributing cases
for the first class mail, new circular