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Building History

The longtime Palo Alto architect Birge M. Clark (1894-1989) design the Palo Alto Post Office at 380 Hamilton Avenue during the early years of the Depression. He utilized a Spanish Colonial Revival style design that, like nearby Stanford University's Quadrangle buildings, made used of arched arcades, to provide shade from the strong summer sun. Clark had developed closed personal connections with President Herbert Hoover (1874-1964) and his wife, Lou Henry (1874-1944), just after World War I as he and his father, Arthur Bridgman Clark (1866-1948) produced a residence for them in the San Juan Hill neighborhood of the Stanford campus. Clearly, having this connection eased this federal commission his way.

As noted by Margaret Feuer, writing for PAST Heritage.org, "Birge Clark was appointed as post office architect in 1931. Upon presenting his preliminary plans, federal officials objected to two things: the name was not the Palo Alto Post Office, it was the United States Post Office and the building’s style was inappropriate for a formal federal building. Whether Clark casually mentioned his luncheon engagement at the White House or whether he noted that the first lady had requested a building similar to those at Stanford, his plans were accepted in June 1932." (See Margaret Feuer, PAST Heritage.org, "United States Post Office 380 Hamilton Avenue," published 02/15/2013, accessed 02/13/2024.)

Feuer noted that this was the first, purpose-built post office erected in Palo Alto: "Between May 31, 1892 and September 5, 1933, Palo Alto had seven post offices located in stores or rented office space. The City tried unsuccessfully three times to secure federal funding for a U.S. Post Office. By 1927, there were rumors of funding and also that a local architect would be hired. In 1929, the federal government finally allotted $180,000 for the building of Palo Alto’s post office. The government paid $49,805 for the Stanford–owned property, although the actual price was $75,822. The difference was paid by subscription from 44 residents, churches and businesses." (See Margaret Feuer, PAST Heritage.org, "United States Post Office 380 Hamilton Avenue," published 02/15/2013, accessed 02/13/2024.)

Building Notes

The Downtown Palo Alto Post Office was placed on National Register of Historic Places on 04/05/1981.

The building occupied 0.73 acres in Downtown Palo Alto.