U.S. Post Office
Also known as: Federal Building
Why it's listed
Built between 1888 and 1891 in Williamsport, the post office occupies an entire city block at a major intersection in the central business district. Its walls are faced with rough-faced gray limestone ashlar, with dressed stone architraves, belt courses and balconies, and its roofs are covered with dark gray slate accented by copper. A six-story tower rises above the West Fourth Street facade and marks the building's presence in the streetscape. Construction was designed under William A. Freret, Supervising Architect of the Treasury. The interior retains original fabric, including marble floors and paneled wooden wainscoting, and a courtroom extends across the east end of the second story. Local residents noted that construction costs came in below the amount appropriated. The building is valued for its monumental design, its urban setting and its high-quality construction, which the nomination treats as an irreplaceable architectural resource for the city.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues the building is a city landmark and a key element of the streetscape along West Fourth Street, one of the city's principal thoroughfares. Its tower, massing, fenestration and detailing are said to give it monumentality and quality of design that rank it among the most notable governmental buildings of its era. It is described as well maintained and little altered, with its design, urban qualities and fine construction regarded as irreplaceable.
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 72001135, listed March 16, 1972. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-haiku-5-5, prompt v1.1-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | W. 4th St. between Government Pl. and West St., Williamsport |
|---|---|
| County | Lycoming County |
| Listed | March 16, 1972 |
| Reference number | 72001135 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1888-1891 |
| Architect / builder | William A. Freret, Supervising Architect of the Treasury (architect) |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Architecture |
| Level of significance | National |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | The building is described as notably well maintained and little altered; additions to the rear have been planned to respect the older portions. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Coordinates | 41.24000, -77.00612 (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 72001135.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q7891066
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.