US Post Office-Yonkers
Also known as: Yonkers Post Office
Why it's listed
Occupying a full block in downtown Yonkers beside the railroad station, this post office at 79-81 Main Street was designed and completed in 1927. Its steel frame is faced in buff-colored limestone, and two-story Corinthian pilasters divide the bays on three principal facades, topped by a carved frieze, a denticulated cornice and a balustraded parapet. The design came from the Treasury's Supervising Architect's office under Acting Supervising Architect James A. Wetmore. It reflects the restrained, stripped-down classicism used for large postal facilities when Colonial Revival was the more common choice. Its size is unusual for the period and shows that Yonkers needed a large mail facility. Inside, the L-shaped public lobby keeps its terrazzo floors, marble wainscoting, Corinthian pilasters and coffered plaster ceiling, along with original marble-framed bulletin cases and oak customer tables. Alterations have been minor, and the building keeps a high level of integrity as a downtown anchor.
Significance in brief: The building is a distinguished example of restrained Classical Revival design, with colossal Corinthian pilasters and a balustraded parapet on three facades. Its large size reflects Yonkers' importance as an urban center, and it shows the federal emphasis on economy and standardization in the 1920s. The largely intact lobby and original fixtures add to its value.
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 88002448, listed May 11, 1989. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | 79--81 Main St., Yonkers |
|---|---|
| County | Westchester County |
| Listed | May 11, 1989 |
| Reference number | 88002448 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1927 |
| Architect / builder | James A. Wetmore, Acting Supervising Architect |
| Architectural style | Classical Revival |
| Areas of significance | Politics/Government, Architecture |
| Level of significance | State |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Still in use as a post office; the exterior is essentially as constructed and the lobby is largely intact, with minor alterations to the mailing platform, teller windows and lighting. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 40.93492, -73.90179 (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 88002448.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q7891071
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.