Old Lowell Post Office, 89 Appleton Street

1893

National Register of Historic Places (10/4/2002)

Built by the federal government as Lowell's Post Office, this building is one of many in Lowell to have served as a post office through the years.  Designed by government architect William Freret in the Richardsonian Romanesque style, it is one of three imposing Richardsonian Romanesque structures built in Lowell in the early 1890s including City Hall (375 Merrimack Street; 1893) and the Pollard Memorial Library (401 Merrimack Street; 1893).

Richardsonian Romanesque was very popular in the late 19th and early 20th centuries for public and institutional buildings. Named for influential Boston architect H.H. Richardson, other architects emulated his designs after his death in 1886.  The building is typical of the style with rough-faced, square stonework while the wide, rounded arches and deeply recessed door and window openings are also characteristic of the style.

The building served as a post office until 1933 when it relocated to the present day Federal Building on East Merrimack Street, now part of Middlesex Community College.  Most recently the building housed the administrative offices of the Lowell School Department.  Sold by the City to a private developer, the building was extensively restored and rehabilitated to serve as a Juvenile Court and opened in May, 2001.

The building is also located within the Lowell National Historical Park & Preservation District and the Downtown Lowell Historic District.