Former United States Post Office Building (Fairfield, Iowa)

The Former US Post Office Building is a historic building located in Fairfield, Iowa, [United States. The two-story, brick, Italianate structure was built in 1876 by James F. Wilson. It was the first building in Fairfield built specifically for the federal government. In 1865 Wilson, helped to establish and was the president of the First National Bank in Fairfield. He also built several store fronts as investments, including the immediately adjacent Wilson Building. By the time this building was constructed Wilson had been a three-term Republican congressman representing Iowa's 1st congressional district. Seven years after this building was constructed, he began the first of two terms in the United States Senate. At that time, the post office typically rented buildings for its use. The historic significance of this building reflects Wilson's political connections in the federal government. The building was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1991.