Architecture

Listed on the National Register of Historic Landmarks in 1985, it represents a style of architecture unique in western Colorado. The Post Office was built in 1939 with completed construction in 1940. It is one of 408 post office constructed by public works administration (WPA) from 1933-39.

The Rifle Main Post Office is a one-story, square brick building with classically inspired Colonial Revival detailing. The building and foundation are built of red brick. The lobby floor is terrazzo with travertine wainscoting and wooden paneling. American Colonial Revival features include: interior molding brick dentils along the entrance vestibule and the cornice; an entrance with leaded glass adjacent to the door; wooden fluted columns; a band above the front door with 13 stairs; a large cast eagle fronting the transom; and brass and copper lanterns flanking the front steps. All of the original fixtures except the interior light are in the building.

The Post Office was a vital connection for Rifle residents from the earliest settlement. The first post office was established at Parkers Ranch, 2 miles north of town in 1884. In 1885 it moved to AW Maxfield’s ranch and he became post master. Colonel Eugene Market (Civil War Veteran) was postmaster from1893-97.
The post office became part of the business district as was destroyed in the fire of 1902. The Rifle Reveille Newspaper reported Ed McLearn attempted to save the mail but when threatened by falling awnings, he was lucky to save himself.

Mural above Post Masters Door

Title of the Mural: Colorado Landscape

The Mural was painted by George Vander Sluis in 1942 under the sponsorship of the section of Fine Arts, US Government. The sketches for the Mural were made in the vicinity of Rifle. The Mountain portrayed in the painting are not any particular mountains, but suggest the character of many mountain that exist in Colorado. The artist tried to paint the feeling of Colorado Mountains, rocks and farms.

George Vander Sluis was born in Cleveland, Ohio, December 18, 1915. He studied at the Cleveland School of Fine Art during 1934-1938, and at the Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center during 1939-1940. As an assistant to Boardman Robinson, he taught painting and drawing at the Colorado Springs fine Arts Center for a number of years before and after World War II. During World War II, George Vander Sluis served with the 603rd Camouflage Battalion 23rd HQ Special Troups. He made many drawing of soldier like in the states and European theater. Many of these drawing were exhibited in London and Paris and in museums and colleges throughout the United States.

George Vander Sluis has exhibited his painting in important museum throughout the country including museums in New York, Boston, Washington, San Francisco, Denver, Chicago, and Philadelphia. He received numerous prizes for his painting and drawings. He was awarded a Fulbright Grant to study in Italy during 1951-52. During that time he exhibited in Milan, Rome and Florence, Italy. Later, he taught Drawing and Painting at Syracuse University in New York.