U.S. Post Office and Courthouse
Also known as: Old Post Office
Why it's listed
Covering a full downtown Atlanta block bounded by Forsyth, Walton, Fairlie and Poplar streets, this five-story, U-shaped federal building was first occupied in 1911 after more than three years of construction. James Knox Taylor, Supervising Architect of the Treasury Department, designed it in the Second Renaissance Revival style. Granite faces the street fronts, buff brick lines the courtyard side, and a heavy cornice hides the low roof. The Forsyth Street facade has a slight projection with balustraded balconies and tall arched courtroom windows. Inside, marble arches, wainscoting and staircases survive in the main post office area, and the third-floor courtroom has carved oak paneling that repeats exterior motifs. It replaced an earlier brick post office built in 1876-1880 and enlarged in 1889-1890. By 1931-1933 it became known as the Old Post Office when major postal services moved elsewhere. It is valued as one of the city's finest early twentieth-century buildings and as a strong visual presence downtown.
Significance in brief: The nomination calls it one of the most architecturally important and distinguished early twentieth-century buildings remaining downtown. It is a Second Renaissance Revival design that makes a major visual contribution to the central city. It also replaced an earlier brick post office built in 1876-1880.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 74000681, listed May 2, 1974. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 76 Forsyth St., Atlanta |
|---|---|
| County | Fulton County |
| Listed | May 2, 1974 |
| Reference number | 74000681 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 20th Century (completed 1911) |
| Architect / builder | James Knox Taylor, Supervising Architect of the Treasury Department |
| Architectural style | Second Renaissance Revival |
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| National Historic Landmark | Yes, designated July 21, 2015 |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Described as in excellent condition on its original site, with few exterior alterations; occupied primarily by a post office station and the United States courts and related agencies. |
| Acreage | 1 |
| Coordinates | 33.68431, -84.39234 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
For a publicly owned building or structure, listing mainly matters when federal funds, permits or licences are involved: projects then go through Section 106 review so effects on the property are considered. Listing also strengthens applications for preservation grants and, for leased income-producing uses, can enable the federal rehabilitation tax credit.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 74000681.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q14686624
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.