Just look to your right for a grand, two-story limestone building with classical arched windows and a strong, stately presence-like it’s always been the boss of this corner.
Picture Middletown in 1916: the city buzzing, horse-drawn carts mixing in with a few brave automobiles, and the townsfolk collectively holding their breath waiting for their new post office to open its doors. Believe it or not, building this cornerstone of commerce wasn’t exactly smooth sailing. The government had been debating the perfect spot for years-everyone wanted the building, but nobody agreed on where to put it. Eventually, Uncle Sam dragged out the deed from 1841 and said, “Alright, fine, right here in the middle of Main Street’s action, facing the Connecticut River.” You can almost imagine the sigh of relief-and a few mutters about government speed.
Now, this isn’t just any post office. The architectural style screams Renaissance Revival-think grand Roman palazzos, but with better mail service. The smooth limestone was a bold choice in a sea of brick and brownstone, giving it real star power. Those tall arched windows and stately pilasters were designed by James A. Wetmore’s office-they wanted it to feel solid, permanent...a place where even a dime post stamp felt important. All told, that federal build cost around $100,000-that’s over $2.5 million in today's cash. Middletown’s residents were mighty proud, and why not? Everyone loves getting mail, especially when the building looks this sharp.
It kept up its postal duties until 1977-136 years of government paperwork and holiday greeting cards-before Liberty Bank moved in and kept the place looking sharp.
Ready for Broad Street Historic District (Middletown, Connecticut)? Just walk northwest for about 4 minutes.
