Post Office building in Hollywood, California with vintage postcard linen texture

United States Post Office

United States Post Office Los Angeles Terminal Annex: Visiting Hours, Tickets, and Historical Information

Date: 04/07/2025

Introduction

Located at 900 N. Alameda Street in downtown Los Angeles, the United States Post Office Terminal Annex is a distinguished landmark showcasing the city’s postal legacy, architectural diversity, and cultural heritage. Just steps away from Union Station, the Terminal Annex is renowned for its stunning blend of Mission Revival, Spanish Colonial Revival, and WPA Moderne styles—representing Southern California’s civic identity during the early 20th century. Designed by Gilbert Stanley Underwood and completed in 1940, the building played a crucial role as Los Angeles’s primary mail processing hub and remains a vital piece of the city’s historical landscape. Since 1985, it has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places (Living New Deal, PCAD).

Historical Background and New Deal Legacy

The Terminal Annex was constructed as part of a larger New Deal initiative, which sought to provide employment and enrich public spaces through investment in infrastructure and art. The Treasury Section of Fine Arts commissioned murals and decorative elements for the Annex, reflecting both the optimism and the social consciousness of the era. The building’s strategic location adjacent to Union Station facilitated Los Angeles’s growth into a communications and transportation hub (Living New Deal, Smithsonian Postal Museum).

Architectural and Artistic Highlights

Exterior Design

The Terminal Annex’s architecture is a masterful synthesis of Mission Revival, Spanish Colonial Revival, and WPA Moderne styles. Hallmarks include:

Stucco walls and red-tile roofs reminiscent of California’s Spanish colonial history.
Arched windows, decorative tilework, and wrought-iron details that echo regional traditions (LA City Planning PDF, p. 35).
Streamlined forms and geometric ornamentation characteristic of WPA Moderne public architecture (PCAD, LA Curbed).

Interior and Murals

The public lobby is the centerpiece of the visitor experience. It features:

Twelve tempera-on-plaster murals by Boris Deutsch (1941–1944), commissioned under the New Deal’s Section of Painting and Sculpture (Smithsonian Postal Museum, kids.kiddle.co).
The murals vividly depict scenes from the city’s past, indigenous cultures, and the development of communication—offering an artistic window into Los Angeles’s diverse history.
The lobby itself retains its original fixtures, high ceilings, and period details, providing a sense of the building’s 1940s grandeur.

Location, Accessibility, and Getting There

Address: 900 North Alameda Street, Los Angeles, CA 90012 (maps.roadtrippers.com)
Transportation: Directly across from Union Station, accessible by Amtrak, Metrolink, Metro Rail, and bus lines.
Parking: Limited paid and public parking nearby; public transit is recommended.
Wheelchair Access: The lobby is accessible via ramps and street-level entrances.

Visiting Hours and Entry

Lobby Hours:
- Monday–Friday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Saturday: 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM
- Sunday: Closed
  (chamberofcommerce.com)
Admission: Free. No tickets required.
Access: Only the lobby and postal counter are open to the public. Most of the building is leased as a secure data center and is not accessible (wikipedia.org).
Check for Updates: Always verify current hours and access on the official USPS location page or by calling 800-275-8777, as they may change due to holidays or operations.

Visitor Experience and Tips

Best Times to Visit: Weekday mornings for fewer crowds and optimal natural light for viewing murals.
Photography: Allowed in the lobby, but visitors should remain respectful of postal operations and posted restrictions.
Services: Purchase stamps, pick up mail (for box holders), and handle general postal inquiries.
Atmosphere: The lobby is tranquil and historic, though active as a postal facility. Restrooms may not be available.

Nearby Attractions

Union Station: A transportation and architectural icon, directly across the street.
Olvera Street & El Pueblo de Los Angeles: The city’s historic birthplace, featuring museums, shops, and cultural events.
Chinatown: A vibrant neighborhood with dining, shopping, and festivals.
Los Angeles Central Library: Notable for its architecture and historic collections (LA Conservancy).

Filming and Pop Culture

The Terminal Annex has appeared in films and TV, including “Dear God” (1995), “EZ Streets” (1996), and “City of Angels,” often recognized for its dramatic towers and murals (wikipedia.org).

Visitor Reviews and Local Insights

Visitors praise the building’s striking architecture and artistic lobby. Some compare its towers to church steeples. Service reviews are mixed, but recent improvements in staff friendliness have been noted (chamberofcommerce.com). Local lore includes references to Charles Bukowski, who worked in the Los Angeles postal system and wrote about it in his novel Post Office.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: Is the Terminal Annex open to the public?
A: Yes, but only the lobby and postal counter are accessible.

Q: What are the Terminal Annex visiting hours?
A: Monday–Friday 10:00 AM–5:00 PM, Saturday 9:00 AM–1:00 PM, Sunday Closed.

Q: Are tickets required?
A: No, entry is free and ticketless.

Q: Is the building wheelchair accessible?
A: Yes, the lobby is accessible.

Q: Are guided tours available?
A: No regular tours are offered, but occasional walking tours by local organizations may include the exterior. Check LA Conservancy for updates.

Q: Is photography allowed?
A: Yes, in the lobby. Please be considerate of staff and operations.

Etiquette and Safety

Remain in public areas; do not attempt to enter restricted spaces.
Maintain a respectful volume; the lobby is an active postal facility.
Bags may be subject to inspection.

Recommendations for an Enriching Visit

Combine your visit with a walking tour of downtown’s historic core.
Spend time viewing the murals and photographing architectural details.
Visit nearby cultural and historical sites for a comprehensive downtown Los Angeles experience.

Virtual and Educational Resources

For those unable to visit in person, digital resources including virtual tours and high-resolution images of the murals are available through organizations like the Smithsonian National Postal Museum and Living New Deal.

Preservation and Legacy

Though mail-sorting operations moved in 1989, the Terminal Annex’s historic lobby and exterior have been preserved. The building’s presence continues to anchor the neighborhood’s architectural and cultural landscape (PCAD, SurveyLA Citywide Historic Context Statement).