National Register Listing

US Post Office

a.k.a. Courier Building

325 Fairhope Ave., Fairhope, AL

Fairhope had a post office by 1896, only two years after its founding on the Eastern Shore of Mobile Bay. This saved the fledgling community's residents from having to go to Battles, Daphne or Point Clear for mail service. As the town grew its post office attempted to keep pace, changing location several.times. By 1930 Fairhope had a population of 1540 and its downtown was composed of substantial brick, stone and concrete block buildings. To match the town's growth, a new post office was planned and construction begun early in 1932. The new location, on the north side of Fairhope Avenue, was in the heart of downtown and would be convenient to the bulk of Fairhope's population. Dyson and Company Contractors got the job and built to their own design. This local company was responsible for the construction of many buildings in Fairhope including the Gaston Building (1924), Bloxham Building (1932), and the Bank of Fairhope (1927). By the end of July the Courier noted that "The new glass and metal boxes have been ordered and the woodwork separating the working part from the lobby is being pushed to completion." (Courier, 7/21/32). On September 29 the Courier proclaimed, "Fairhope Post Office Now in Fine New Building, On Fairhope Avenue," and called the new Italian Renaissance structure a "gem". (Courier, 9/29/32:). The building served its purpose until 1964 when the post office relocated to a lot on Section Street. Today, 23 years later, still another move is planned. In the meantime the building constructed for the purpose in 1932 serves as the offices for the Eastern Shore Courier, formerly located in the Gaston Building.

Local significance of the building:
Listed in National Register of Historic Places in 1988.