Alamogordo Federal Building
Near the main intersection of Alamogordo, at Tenth and White Sands Blvd, one of New Mexico's greatest cultural treasures awaits.
Twentieth century native New Mexican artist Peter Hurd was commissioned to paint the frescoes which adorn the building. The architect, Gilbert Stanley Underwood, also designed several other federal buildings during the 1930s
The building symbolizes the New Deal period of the 1930s and 40s that took place across the United States. It is one of three post offices in New Mexico built in the Spanish Pueblo revival style. New Mexico was greatly improved by federal programs such as the Works Project Administration, which was responsible for building this structure
The buildings conceptualization took place during the mid 1930s and construction finished before the decade closed. Some of the tenets included the Border Patrol, Forestry Service and Postal Service which served the buildings main role. Expansion of the building took place in 1982 and 1961 when the Postal Service left for larger facilities. This move altered the main purpose and interior configuration of the building permanently.
Anyone interested in Southwestern Architecture, The New Deal Era, or the art of Peter Hurd would find this building a prime example of all three.
The building is open during normal business but also viewable along with other neighboring historic structures anytime.
