14. United States Post Office/Federal Building

In 1846, El Dorado’s first post office was at Jefferson and Cedar.  President Polk personally appointed resident Christopher C. Rainey as its first postmaster.  In 1870, it moved to the east side of the square to 115 North Jefferson, then to 203 East Main in 1880, then to a block and a half from the square on South Jefferson in 1889, and then to 116 East Elm in 1897 (still standing, owned by the Garrett family; occupied by Elm Street Bakery).  In 1921, the Post Office relocated to the Trimble Building, 214 – 216 East Elm at Hill (now a parking lot) to accommodate oil boom’s population boom until 10 years later when its present building was constructed.  This site in 1846 was a two-story house built by charitable masons for the Male Academy taught by a Mr. Day.