Existing comment:
From "White Elephant" to Historic Landmark
Considered innovative at the time of its design, postal officials eventually came to feel that the Old Post Office's vast interiors had become too confining for modern postal operations.
During the ear;y twentieth century, as the vision for the District's downtown evolved, the building's location on Pennsylvania Avenue came to be viewed as an obstacle to development of the Federal Triangle.
But, as time passed, the Old Post Office building established itself as an icon on the District's skyline and won the hearts of her citizens.
When it achieved National Historic Landmark status in the 1970s, as a result of the concerted efforts of preservationists, the Old Post office's future was secured.
Today, this building stands as a symbol of what can be accomplished when governments are responsive to the sentiments of their citizens. |