{"id":1744,"featured":0,"modified":"2026-04-17 19:40:11","latitude":46.2471579999999988785930327139794826507568359375,"longitude":-114.15987489999997706036083400249481201171875,"title":"United States Post Office","subtitle":"Hamilton Commercial Historic District","fullsize":"https://mail.historicmt.org/files/fullsize/d2701804dee50d2d1f1a322da8b63001.jpg","address":"340 West Main Street, Hamilton, Montana","all_locations":[],"zoom":17,"creator":["Montana National Register Sign Program"],"description":"When construction began on Hamilton’s post office in August 1940, the worst of the Depression was over. Nevertheless, the building is a legacy of the New Deal, when the number of federal construction projects soared to put people to work. Montana congressman Jerry O’Connell secured the $100,000 appropriation for the combined post office and federal building as part of a bill that authorized $130 million for “emergency construction” across the United States. Constructed from a standardized plan provided by the Public Works Administration, the building has a symmetrical and dignified design. The post office expanded in 1997. To preserve this historic structure, officials placed the addition, and the new main entrance, on North Fourth Street. The original building, including the mural, Flathead War Party, remains open for viewing. Commissioned as part of a national project to employ artists and bring art to the people, the mural by Montana-born artist Henry Meloy depicts Flathead Indians preparing to attack their traditional enemies, the Blackfeet. It is one of only six Depression-era post office murals in Montana.","sponsor":null,"accessinfo":"Public","lede":"","website":"","related_resources":["<a href=\"https://npgallery.nps.gov/NRHP/GetAsset/28936178-c346-4e2b-844b-1d1e8a449434\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Read about the Hamilton Commercial Historic District</a>","<a href=\"https://npgallery.nps.gov/NRHP/GetAsset/b8840c2c-2620-4969-a959-47bcb520f52d/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">See photos of the Hamilton Commercial Historic District</a>"],"factoids":[],"files":{"https://mail.historicmt.org/files/fullsize/d2701804dee50d2d1f1a322da8b63001.jpg":{"id":321,"mime-type":"image/jpeg","title":"Hamilton Main Post Office","description":"Looking north at the front facade. - Hamilton Main Post Office, 340 Main Street, Hamilton, Ravalli County, MT <br />Digital ID: (None) <a href=\"http://hdl.loc.gov/loc.pnp/hhh.mt0272/photos.035320p\">hhh mt0272.photos.035320p</a> <br />Reproduction Number: HABS MONT,41-HAM,1--2 | <a href=\"http://hdl.loc.gov/loc.pnp/pp.print\">Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division</a> Washington, D.C. | Documentation compiled after 1933 | McDonald, James R , photographer","thumbnail":"https://mail.historicmt.org/files/square_thumbnails/d2701804dee50d2d1f1a322da8b63001.jpg"},"https://mail.historicmt.org/files/fullsize/449cb4b41f804323ae5e24692f7b0b04.jpg":{"id":322,"mime-type":"image/jpeg","title":"Hamilton Main Post Office","description":"Looking southwest at the loading dock area. - Hamilton Main Post Office, 340 Main Street, Hamilton, Ravalli County, MT Digital ID: (None) <a href=\"http://hdl.loc.gov/loc.pnp/hhh.mt0272/photos.035326p\">hhh mt0272.photos.035326p</a> <br />Call Number: HABS MONT,41-HAM,1--8 <br /><br /> | <a href=\"http://hdl.loc.gov/loc.pnp/pp.print\">Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division</a> Washington D.C. | Documentation compiled after 1933  | McDonald, James R , photographer","thumbnail":"https://mail.historicmt.org/files/square_thumbnails/449cb4b41f804323ae5e24692f7b0b04.jpg"},"https://mail.historicmt.org/files/fullsize/388e8aed4ffe9e73ec25efe09c455b17.jpg":{"id":323,"mime-type":"image/jpeg","title":"Hamilton Main Post Office","description":"Looking northwest at the post office. - Hamilton Main Post Office, 340 Main Street, Hamilton, Ravalli County, MT <br />Digital ID: (None) <a href=\"http://hdl.loc.gov/loc.pnp/hhh.mt0272/photos.035327p\">hhh mt0272.photos.035327p</a> <br />Call Number: HABS MONT,41-HAM,1--9 <br /><br /> | <a href=\"http://hdl.loc.gov/loc.pnp/pp.print\">Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division</a> Washington, D.C. | Documentation compiled after 1933  | McDonald, James R , photographer","thumbnail":"https://mail.historicmt.org/files/square_thumbnails/388e8aed4ffe9e73ec25efe09c455b17.jpg"},"https://mail.historicmt.org/files/fullsize/4aa45d8eecf3a1104b18f83b3df26207.jpg":{"id":324,"mime-type":"image/jpeg","title":"Hamilton Main Post Office","description":"Looking west at the main entrance vestibule and lobby. - Hamilton Main Post Office, 340 Main Street, Hamilton, Ravalli County, MT <br />Digital ID: (None) <a href=\"http://hdl.loc.gov/loc.pnp/hhh.mt0272/photos.035328p\">hhh mt0272.photos.035328p</a> &nbsp;<br />Call Number: HABS MONT,41-HAM,1--10 <br /><br /> | <a href=\"http://hdl.loc.gov/loc.pnp/pp.print\">Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division</a> Washington, D.C. | Documentation compiled after 1933 | McDonald, James R , photographer","thumbnail":"https://mail.historicmt.org/files/square_thumbnails/4aa45d8eecf3a1104b18f83b3df26207.jpg"},"https://mail.historicmt.org/files/fullsize/1b03771d4d9d4e3a09d1af574ae62b82.jpg":{"id":1040,"mime-type":"image/jpeg","title":"United States Post Office","description":"United States Post Office, facing northwest on West Main Street, front view of building. | <a href=\"https://www.montanapictures.net/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">MontanaPictures.net</a> | Dec. 2008 | MontanaPictures.net","thumbnail":"https://mail.historicmt.org/files/square_thumbnails/1b03771d4d9d4e3a09d1af574ae62b82.jpg"}}}