US Post Office-Rossville Main
Also known as: Rossville Post Office; Main Post Office
Why it's listed
Rossville's main post office is a two-story Georgian Revival building on a corner site at Chickamauga and McFarland Avenues. Built in 1931 on a raised basement, it has a tile mansard roof with dormers, tall twelve-over-twelve windows with keystoned jack arches, a dentiled concrete cornice and a four-column pedimented portico reached by a double flight of steps. Inside, pink Georgia marble covers the lobby floor and the lower walls. A 1962 addition along Chickamauga Avenue doubled the workroom space and used marble from the reopened original quarry to match the old work. The building was erected with a $75,000 appropriation under Treasury supervision. Its significance rests on its role in local development: it was the tallest building in town until 1950, anchored the central business district, and is the only example of Georgian Revival design in the area. It also marks the approach to Chickamauga National Park and is regarded locally as a landmark.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the post office has long been central to Rossville's local history and development. It is the town's only building reflecting Georgian Revival design, and its height and position at the Chickamauga and McFarland intersection shaped the central business district. It also serves as a local landmark and gateway to Chickamauga National Park. The reviewer noted it meets Criterion C as a good local example of Colonial Revival design.
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 86002272, listed August 6, 1986. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 301 Chickamauga Ave., Rossville |
|---|---|
| County | Walker County |
| Listed | August 6, 1986 |
| Reference number | 86002272 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1931 |
| Architect / builder | L. C. Guess, Architect; James C. Miller, Contractor, Campbellville, KY; under Supervising Architect James A. Wetmore. 1962 addition drawn by Selmon T. Franklin firm, built by Joe Garner |
| Architectural style | Georgian Revival |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Community Planning and Development, Architecture |
| Level of significance | Local |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Occupied and in good condition; used as a government post office. Altered by a 1962 addition. |
| Acreage | 0.5 |
| Within district | Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park |
| Coordinates | 34.98306, -85.28639 (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 86002272.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q29093308
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.