U.S. Custom House & Post Office, Petersburg, VA
The Petersburg Custom House & Post Office is located on the southeast corner of Tabb and Union streets on a plot of ground purchased April 18, 1856, for the sum of $15,000. The building was designed by Ammi B. Young, first Supervising Architect of the United States Treasury, in the Italian Renaissance style. Construction was commenced in 1856 and completed in 1859, the cost of construction being $84,664.88. It was first occupied, however, in September, 1858, while still in an unfinished condition. The exterior walls are constructed of Petersburgh granite and the structure in 1859. "The first floor was allotted solely to the uses of the Post Office. The second floor was for the exclusive business of the Custom House officers. The original design of the building was for two stories only, after the original construction work was commenced, a third story was added for the accommodation of the Custom House department, and was used as sleeping apartments for the Customs officers. This building did not have a federal courtroom, all judicial matters would be conducted at the Richmond federal courthouse, just 20 miles north of the city. The roof was made entirely of iron beams, covered with corrugated galvanized sheeting. The three southern bays of the building were added between 1908 and 1910.
By 1936, the Post Office was moved to Franklin Street, and in 1938, the building was renovated as part of a Works Progress Administration project to become Petersburg's City Hall, and retains that use today. The interior floor plan has been altered several times, leaving almost no evidence of the original Customs House plan. The first floor is primarily a large open public area containing municipal service areas. The second and third floors are divided into city offices. The interior columns and staircases are original.
At the outbreak of the Civil War, the Confederate Government occupied the building as a signal station and was a favorite place to view the fighting on the city's eastern front. During the Union seige of Petersburg. On April 3, 1865, the day of the city's surrender and occupation by Federal forces, the Second Michigan Sharpshooters raised the United States flag over the building bringing an end to one of the longest battles of the War.
← Published sketch showing the arrival of Union troops in Petersburg in April, 1865, at the intersection of Tabb and Union Streets
providing an incidental glimpse of the Custom House and Post Office.
References:
edit- ^ Postcard, personal collection, Tommyboymee
- ^ Photograph, personal collection, Tommyboymee
- ^ Photograph, personal collection, Tommyboymee
- ^ Photograph, personal collection, Tommyboymee
- ^ Photograph, personal collection, Tommyboymee
- ^ Harpers Weekly Magazine, April 22, 1865
- ^ Photograph, personal collection, Tommyboymee