The history of a city is usually an aspect that is overlooked when people think about what makes a city great. People think about the skyscrapers and museums and other attractive buildings within a city. One example of this is an interesting building along Capitol Drive, just west of where it intersects with Oakland Avenue and the Green Line stops.
Constructed in 1892, the Shorewood Post Office was once the center of downtown Shorewood and was considered one of the most important buildings of the community. While the Shorewood Fire Department and the outpost for the nearby 105th Cavalry Unit of the Wisconsin National Guard were convenient for emergencies, the post office was the main source of news and communication. For the remainder of the 19th and the majority of the 20th century the post office was a key part of the community. Until digital forms of communication and private delivery companies became more popular, the United States Postal Service has faced challenges. However it will be interesting to see how the USPS and the Shorewood Post Office adapt to a changing culture and it's demands. |
Change is an inevitable force. While change seems to be something that is common, especially for buildings, at times it may take more time to come. One example of change is with the Shorewood Post Office. Constructed in 1892, the post office established itself as a staple part of the community early on in the 20th century. However in 1990 the United States federal government passed the Americans with Disabilities Act , which among other things, required all buildings to be able to allow access for individuals with physical disabilities.
This became a problem for the post office because, by the time the ADA was passed and went into effect the Shorewood Post Office was considered to be a |