31. Old Post Office. 6821 Caroline Street. 1940. Colonial Revival. This building was commissioned as a Work Progress Administration (WPA) project. It operated as a post office until 1984, when a new post office was built for Milton.

In 2016, the old Milton Post Office building was converted to the Brew Angels Pub, a local brewery and restaurant. The historic building is distinctively unique in its architecture for the City of Milton, and is prominently located in the historic downtown at 6821 Caroline Street. The Old Milton Post Office is characterized by its mid-century construction date of 1940 which represents a broad historical context in American economics and development. This, includes early, pre- World War II (WWII) years; during which the largest expansion of the federal facilities occurred. The Post Office Department benefited from the increase in federal facilities during the Depression due to the Federal New Deal and Works Progress Administration (WPA) programs of the 1930s. Several of which continued into the early 1940s and included the expansion of post office facilities. The WPA efforts served as forms of economic recovery for the nation, its communities and the City of Milton. Thus, construction of the building in Milton, during 1940 signaled the end of a decade characterized by the economic challenge of the Great Depression. However, the year 1940 also heralded the beginning of a decade dominated by (WWII). This unique spike in economic activity and community development would cease with the entry of the U.S. in WWII in December 1941.

The architecture of the Old Milton Post Office shows more stylistic variety than the later 1960s post office designs seen throughout the region and state. The building is consistent with predominate styles of Colonial Revival found in the majority of WPA era post office constructions. Research indicates that old Milton Post Office was constructed through the Federal Works / WPA Program. The Old Post Office’s exterior still retains distinct architectural features of its Colonial Revival style. This includes the exterior brick cladding, and cupola that is centered on the hipped roof. The original concrete pilasters of the main entry are flanked by three large centered bays, which feature paired French doors with a transom light above entry. The style and design of the original fenestration remains. The windows were designed and expected to be operational and functional, not simply decorative. The 6/6 and 8/12 wooden sash windows continue to convey the historic function of letting light in and circulating air through the lobby and workspace.

Although, renovations to the original footprint and floorplan were made, the building still possesses key markers of its mid-20th century architecture and design; while creating an open and pleasant atmosphere for gathering and dining. Remnants of old Post Office memorabilia and interior design remain to tell the building’s history. One enters the building through interior center bays, with wooden sash fenestration, multiple panes; this served as the historic store front and customer ingress and egress. When used as a post office, the current tap-room (brewery), kitchen, bar, cooler and game area were utilized as the post office work room. The current front dining area was the customer’s lobby, and the current serving bar-counter transects where the former service counter and mail-room partition stood. The Post Master’s office remains today and is used as the Brew Angel Pub’s manager’s office.

The recent adaptive use of the Post Office building to a local pub is being nominated because it preserves the building as a cherished civic icon that still plays an essential role to the historic downtown. Historically, local post office buildings have always played an essential role in the life of its community, serving as the hub for communication and information. While also informally being a gathering place and common destination for every citizen. Brew Angels Pub is designed to be a gathering place for the community by creating a space for friends, families and artists in the area. Brew Angels Pub features indoor and outdoor dining, a game/play, and space for local artists and musicians to perform. The venue is also available for private events. Brew Angels has hosted tie cutting ceremonies for the military, holiday parties and other organizational events. Brew Angels Pub has also partnered with local artists to host instructional classes for the public.

The Brew Angels Pub has effectively adapted the former use of the old Milton Post Office into a restaurant and local brewery. The adapted building is a community destination for the historic downtown. It serves as common destination and gathering place for residents and visitors, and is a gateway into the National Register Historic District of Milton.

Credits and Sources:

National Register of Historic Places: Milton, Florida.  November 8, 1987.  National Register Identification Number 87001944

Brian D. Rucker, “Blackwater and Yellow Pine: The Development of Santa Rosa County, 1821-1865. (Ph.D diss., Florida State University, 1990).

Virginia Savage McAlester.  A Field Guide to American Houses. (New York:  Alfred A. Knopf. 2013).

Gerald Foster. American Houses. (New York: Houghton Mifflin Company. 2004).

Maurie Van Buren. House Styles at a Glance. (Marietta, Georgia: Longstreet Press. 1991).