Exploring the history of the Old Post Office Tower building in Washington, DC

The Old Post Office is a beautiful piece of architecture that sits off the National Mall in Washington, D.C. A structure that has housed offices, eateries and shops throughout the decades, many visitors have passed through this vintage building each year, myself included.

Birth of the Old Post Office Tower Building

The building was constructed by the U.S. Government between 1892 and 1899. It was designed by Willoughby J. Edbrooke, a well-known architect who co-designed the Georgia State Capitol and several other notable buildings in the United States. It is the third tallest building in the U.S. capital city. It was the home of the Post Office until the early 1930s when the agency relocated.

Currently listed on the National Register of Historic Places, it's hard to believe this remarkable structure, which stands at 315 feet, was almost razed, not once, but twice.

Old Post Office building in downtown Washington in Federal Triangle

Deterioration of the building

Over its first few decades, the building's condition had steadily declined. The Post Office moved out in the early part of the 1930s and conditions of the structure worsened from there. Additionally, it seems at the time there was no desire to upkeep the building. The National Park Service (NPS) states in an informational flyer:

"Locals considered the Old Post Office Tower unappealing due to changing tastes in architecture and the construction of distinctly different government buildings in the Federal Triangle area."

Previously slated to be demolished

The first consideration of demolition took place back in 1934, however, due to the repercussions of the Great Depression, the building was spared.

Over the decades, the building was used by multiple government agencies for a variety of purposes. By this time it was in even poorer condition. The idea of dismantling the Old Post Office Building was revisited again in 1970 and approved by Congress. However, a strong advocate for the Old Post Office was found in a woman by the name of Nancy Hanks. She fought for its survival.

Hanks, then chair of the National Endowment for the Arts, fought against the razing of the Post Office, testifying to Congress, "Old buildings are like old friends", and provided additional testimony that stirred other people to join the mission to save the Old Post Office.

Old Post Office is saved

As a result of the campaign spearheaded by Hanks, the Old Post Office Tower was eventually placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1973 and was renovated. It also was subsequently rededicated years later by President Ronald Reagan as The Nancy Hanks Center. Since then visitors have been welcomed to tour the historic tower by taking elevators to the top. Once atop, visitors are treated to spectacular views and can also get a close up view of The Bells of Congress.

Bells of Congress were a Bicentennial gift from the Ditchley Foundation

For a span of about 40 years, people came to the building to eat, shop or listen to live entertainment. There were still some offices in the building as well as appearing to be used as storage. However, perhaps unexpectedly to some, the building was about to get another makeover.

The next chapter

In mid-2014, the Old Post Office temporarily closed and tours of the tower were suspended. The souvenir shops and eateries are now gone because The Trump Organization had taken a long-term lease on the property with plans to turn it into a luxury hotel. Once work was completed, NPS planned to resume tours of the tower. (Update: tours quietly recomenced in early 2017).

The ride to the top gives some spectacular views. I haven't been to the tower since the building was renovated, however, it is on my list of things to do. The below are photos I'd taken during previous rides.