The historic Open Air Post Office turns 100 years old this month, and the Sunshine City has former postmaster Roy S. Hanna’s tenacity to thank for this iconic downtown structure. A new post office was needed due to St. Petersburg’s rapid growth in the early 1900’s, so Hanna petitioned Washington. Congress allocated the money to build a post office on the corner of 4th Street and 1st Avenue N, and designed a typical, closed-in building. Voicing his objection and refusing to give in, Hanna sought out the plans of architect George W. Stewart who designed a Mediterranean Revival style open-air facility – more suited to the style of St. Petersburg. The Open Air Post Office opened on Sept. 27, 1917.
The St. Petersburg Museum of History is located at 335 2nd Ave NE, St. Petersburg, FL 33701. For more information about exhibits, hours, and ticket pricing visit SPMOH.com.
