The Kenton Post Office is a historic post office building on Maine Street in Kenton, Delaware. It is a two-story Italianate building that was built in 1881 by Francis Greenwell. It was leased out by Greenwell as a store, with a residence above, until the early 20th century when the post office took over the space.[2]
The building is located on the west side of Main Street, south of Commerce Street in the town of Kenton. It is known as parcel No. 33 on Kenton Hundred tax map 44.08.01. The nominated property includes the entire plot of land of 8512 square feet or 0.195 acres.[2]
Descriptionedit
The Kenton Post Office, constructed in 1881, initially served as a combination of a frame store and a dwelling. This two-story building features a narrow design with three bays and a center hall. It was built in the Italianate architectural style and has retained much of its original appearance throughout the years, with only one notable alteration: the replacement of the original one-bay entrance porch with a full facade pent eave.
The Post Office still showcases its distinctive roof brackets, 2-over-2 windows, and corner boards, which include a rather rustic attempt at cornice moldings at the top. The projecting bay window on the front facade remains in its original form.
In contrast, the two-story rear wing is simpler in design compared to the main block. Both the main block and the rear wing have brick foundations. The roof of the building has a subtle pitch, and while the cornice in the rear wing includes a frieze, it lacks the decorative brackets seen on the main block. Both sections of the building are topped with standing seam tin roofs.
The only additional structure on the property is a small balloon frame storage shed located toward the rear lot line.[2]
Historical Backgroundedit
As previously noted, the construction of the Kenton Post Office dates back to 1881 and was overseen by Francis Greenwell. In 1881, James Williams formally transferred the title of the property to Francis Greenwell, with the explicit stipulation that the expenses associated with building the structure were to be borne by Greenwell. Evidently, Greenwell embarked on the construction of the store while simultaneously establishing his claim to the land.
Originally, the building served as a small store, which Greenwell leased to shopkeepers. He also owned the adjacent properties on either side of the shop. Interestingly, it wasn't until the early of this century that the Post Office was relocated to this building. To this day, the upper floor continues to be used as a residence.[2]
Significanceedit
At present, the Kenton Post Office serves as the focal point of the town, necessitating regular visits from its residents. More significantly, it stands as a poignant reminder of the economic prosperity that sustained Kenton from the aftermath of the Civil War through the close of the 19th century. Distinguished by its modest proportions and the incorporation of Italianate architectural elements, it stands alone as the town's sole commercial building of its kind. In light of these distinct features, it is being nominated under Criterion C for its exemplary use of the Italianate style and under Criterion A for its historical connection to Kenton's once-thriving commercial sector.[2]
^ abcde"NRHP nomination for Kenton Post Office". National Park Service. Retrieved September 23, 2014.
January 01, 1970
kenton, post, office, historic, post, office, building, maine, street, kenton, delaware, story, italianate, building, that, built, 1881, francis, greenwell, leased, greenwell, store, with, residence, above, until, early, 20th, century, when, post, office, took. The Kenton Post Office is a historic post office building on Maine Street in Kenton Delaware It is a two story Italianate building that was built in 1881 by Francis Greenwell It was leased out by Greenwell as a store with a residence above until the early 20th century when the post office took over the space 2 Kenton Post OfficeU S National Register of Historic PlacesShow map of DelawareShow map of the United StatesInteractive map showing the location of Kenton Post OfficeNearest cityKenton DelawareCoordinates39 13 38 N 75 39 54 W 39 22722 N 75 66500 W 39 22722 75 66500Area0 2 acres 0 081 ha Built1881Architectural styleItalianateMPSKenton Hundred MRANRHP reference No 83001376 1 Added to NRHPJune 27 1983 The building was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1983 1 Contents 1 Boundary Description 2 Description 3 Historical Background 4 Significance 5 See also 6 ReferencesBoundary Description editThe building is located on the west side of Main Street south of Commerce Street in the town of Kenton It is known as parcel No 33 on Kenton Hundred tax map 44 08 01 The nominated property includes the entire plot of land of 8512 square feet or 0 195 acres 2 Description editThe Kenton Post Office constructed in 1881 initially served as a combination of a frame store and a dwelling This two story building features a narrow design with three bays and a center hall It was built in the Italianate architectural style and has retained much of its original appearance throughout the years with only one notable alteration the replacement of the original one bay entrance porch with a full facade pent eave The Post Office still showcases its distinctive roof brackets 2 over 2 windows and corner boards which include a rather rustic attempt at cornice moldings at the top The projecting bay window on the front facade remains in its original form In contrast the two story rear wing is simpler in design compared to the main block Both the main block and the rear wing have brick foundations The roof of the building has a subtle pitch and while the cornice in the rear wing includes a frieze it lacks the decorative brackets seen on the main block Both sections of the building are topped with standing seam tin roofs The only additional structure on the property is a small balloon frame storage shed located toward the rear lot line 2 Historical Background editAs previously noted the construction of the Kenton Post Office dates back to 1881 and was overseen by Francis Greenwell In 1881 James Williams formally transferred the title of the property to Francis Greenwell with the explicit stipulation that the expenses associated with building the structure were to be borne by Greenwell Evidently Greenwell embarked on the construction of the store while simultaneously establishing his claim to the land Originally the building served as a small store which Greenwell leased to shopkeepers He also owned the adjacent properties on either side of the shop Interestingly it wasn t until the early of this century that the Post Office was relocated to this building To this day the upper floor continues to be used as a residence 2 Significance editAt present the Kenton Post Office serves as the focal point of the town necessitating regular visits from its residents More significantly it stands as a poignant reminder of the economic prosperity that sustained Kenton from the aftermath of the Civil War through the close of the 19th century Distinguished by its modest proportions and the incorporation of Italianate architectural elements it stands alone as the town s sole commercial building of its kind In light of these distinct features it is being nominated under Criterion C for its exemplary use of the Italianate style and under Criterion A for its historical connection to Kenton s once thriving commercial sector 2 See also editNational Register of Historic Places listings in Kent County Delaware List of United States post officesReferences edit a b National Register Information System National Register of Historic Places National Park Service March 13 2009 a b c d e NRHP nomination for Kenton Post Office National Park Service Retrieved September 23 2014 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Kenton Post Office amp oldid 1223142678, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
