The Old Post Office

I am a little too young to remember mail multiple daily deliveries. But I do remember when the mailman's deliveries were exciting. My grandparents were in Minnesota and we were in Indiana. All my cousins lived far away. The only way to stay connected was by writing a letter or, for a kid like me, it was better to receive a letter. Sometimes, my grandmother would include a dollar or a picture of my mom when she was a kid. We could have telephoned. The main problem was that it cost too much. Both ends of the call were on party lines. And thinking back, I remember both my parents being somewhat uncomfortable talking into a piece of black plastic. I suspect their parents may have even been more so.

As I mentioned a couple days ago, I live in the old Texas and Pacific Railway terminal and administration building. This was built in 1931 which may well been the height of letter writing. So it should be no surprise that next to our building at about the same time a new Post Office was constructed. Very efficient. Mail would come in on the trains. Be dumped directly on the Post Office loading dock. Out going mail would be picked up and placed onto outgoing trains. Oh yes there was airmail but only important things or rich people used that.

Since the 1930's, rail and mail have fallen into disrepair. Who in Fort Worth would ride a train 3 days to get to LA. Who in their right mind would PAY to have a picture and letter sent to grandma when with a click of the mouse that same set of digits could instantly shoot to her home.

So now we are left with a bunch of old buildings. They were built to last. They were built in styles we no longer appreciate. To ornate. Not enough air conditioning. Routine maintenance long postponed. The relics like our Post Office is "protected" because it is on some list of important places. But not on the list to PAY for those places. For the past three or four years, the City of Fort Worth was planning on obtaining this building and making it the new City Hall. We were excited. The building would be saved. It would be useful once again. This plan is not dead. Maybe one day if I blip long enough, I will post a shot of some future mayor cutting the ribbon on the steps of this fine building.

As a side note, I went out all by myself today for a walk. Took my camera and felt great. In fact, I was laying down the steps taking this shot. I guess I am well on my to recovery!!!!