C. W. Post Office Building, 63-65 West Michigan Avenue, Battle Creek, Calhoun County, MI

Significance: The C.W. Post Office Building was constructed for C.W. Post as part of his complex known as the "Post Block." The original building was constructed in conjunction with the Post Tavern, both designed by R.T. Newberry of Chicago. Post's objective in constructing the building was to provide the first structure solely dedicated to office and commercial use in Battle Creek. The fifth and sixth floors of the six-story building consisted of a ballroom and offices which were occupied by the Athelstan Club. The first floor and basement were occupied by the L.W. Robinson Dry Goods Company, purported to be the most elaborate and advance store in the State of Michigan. The intermediate floors were occupied by physicians, dentists, lawyers, insurance offices, beauty parlors, and many other similar businesses. The Post Building, located at the intersection of West Michigan Avenue (formerly Main Street) and McCamly Street is the last remaining building of the C.W. Post complex. The Post Tavern, the Garage, the Marjorie Block, and the Post Theater have been demolished. The Post Building was one of many downtown buildings heated by the central heating system of the Consumer's Power Company. In 1969, Consumer's steam plant was demolished, leaving these buildings without heat. All the tenants moved out except Jacobson's (a women's apparel store located in a portion of the basement, first and second floors), which converted to their own heating plant.
Survey number: HABS MI-313