Preserving San Mateo’s history: Post office considered for repairs

Fashioned in the Mission Revival style of architecture, the government building maintains historic murals painted under the auspices of the Treasury Relief Art Project in 1937 — a federal program that aided Depression-stricken artists funded by the Works Progress Administration, according to U.S. Post Office’s registry application. Entitled “Life in Early California,” artist Tom Laman’s murals as well as a carved wooden sculpture produced by WPA-sponsored artist Zygmund Sazevich that hangs above the front door, will remain preserved for the public to appreciate.

“I am thrilled at the prospect of our beautiful St. Matthew Post Office being refurbished and restored to its original grandeur when it first graced our downtown,” Mayor Maureen Freschet wrote in an email. “This building represents a significant part of our architectural heritage and an important contributor to the character of our downtown which should be preserved for future generations.”

The U.S. Postal Service is awaiting approval from the State Historic Preservation Office in Sacramento before it can begin the improvements while being assured it’s property will remain a historic landmark. Because the project keeps with historic preservation zoning codes and is considered maintenance without a change in design, appearance or materials, it does not require a city planning application, according to San Mateo’s Zoning Administrator Darcy Forsell.

While these newly proposed improvements are mostly external, Freschet noted the Saint Matthew’s Station received a significant refurbishment in the early 1990s with the help of then U.S. Rep. Tom Lantos and former Postmaster Carol Conroy.

Mitch Postel, executive director of the San Mateo County Historical Association, said he’s hopeful the landmark will continue to bolster the charm of downtown.

“It certainly says something about the character of San Mateo in the 1930s with this beautiful Mission Revival architecture and the interior that sticks with that mission revival kind of theme,” Postel said.

San Mateo began gaining traction with the arrival of the railroad in the 1860s and could be considered one of the oldest cities on the Peninsula, according to U.S. Post Office’s registry application.

Although budget cuts and many turning to email instead of heading down to their local post office have impacted the extent to which governments can splurge on structures, Postel said buildings such as the Saint Matthew’s Station provide a glimpse into San Mateo’s past and pride.

“Public buildings used to be important and now, they’re rather pedestrian in the way that they appear. But the older the public building, of course the more care that went into them,” Postel said. “And it had a lot to do with pride of community. And it’s really kind of too bad that modern government buildings that are conceived, have to keep the expense account in mind. It’s the idea that the government is important and that these buildings represent the government’s presence in a community.”

samantha@smdailyjournal.com

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