Late 1800s growth brought need for big post office

MANKATO Howard Vetter may be the only person who can walk up to the Mankato post office and point to where the original 1890s building and the 1930s addition were stitched together using 400-million-year-old Mankato Kasota limestone.

"I defy anyone to know where the original building and 1930s building started and ended. That's a fine example of the fine quality of the stone," said Vetter, of Vetter Stone, which still produces the stone for buildings around the world.

Vetter's grandfather, Bernard, was in charge of building the stone structure in the 1890s, his father, Paul, held the same position when the large 1930s addition was built and Howard oversaw a large addition on the back of the post office in the 1960s.

"We have a lot of architects who visit and we always bring them to that building," Vetter said.

In the late 1800s Mankato was one of the largest cities in the state and in need of a post office that reflected that status.

Beginning in 1854, mail that came via coach or steamboat was handled by general store owner George Marsh. Over the years there were several different, small post office buildings around town.

Beginning in 1895, workers began building the post office and federal court building using locally quarried Mankato Kasota stone. Designed with a Richardson Romanesque style, the post office had a striking four-sided clock tower atop its roof.

The $100,000 building was opened the following year with the federal courthouse taking the second level.

Vetter said the original stone would have been hand chiseled out of the quarry near Kasota and the rough blocks delivered to the work site. "They would have cut and finished the blocks all by hand."

The four-faced clock tower was illuminated by 24 gas jets, and its pumps were powered with city water. It required frequent repairs, though, and was removed when the building was expanded in 1933.

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Late 1800s growth brought need for big post office