Joel W. Solomon Federal Building, Chattanooga, Tennessee
by Wendy Darling

And my last shot of the building. Later on, at the end of my own Chattanooga pictures, I will share pictures from Historic American Buildings Survey (HABS) held by the Library of Congress.

From the General Services Administration reference:

The Joel Soloman Federal Building and Courthouse in Chattanooga, Tennessee is significant as an example of the Art Deco style of Architecture; it is part of the body of work of a noted local architect; and it is a symbol of the Federal presence in Chattanooga. The Joel Soloman Federal Building and Courthouse is an example of the Art Deco style (popular in the 1930s) for the following reasons: its exterior is clad with smooth materials for sleek lines; it has vertical bays of windows providing an emphasis on verticality; it has a flat parapet roof; it has rectilinear bands of ornamentation in the form of integrated, low-relief sculpted stone panels; and it has ornamental doorways.

Local architect Reuben Harrison Hunt designed many public buildings and became a leader in the field of architecture across the South. Hunt was Chattanooga’s first significant architect and was important in the city’s architectural development. Hunt arrived in Chattanooga in the 1880s. Throughout his long career (fifty plus years) his work reflected the popular styles of the day - Gothic Revival, Romanesque Revival, Beaux Arts Classicism, Neo-Classicism, Georgian Revival, and finally, Art Deco. The Federal Building and Courthouse was Hunt’s last major work in Chattanooga. It was chosen by the American Institute of Architects in 1938, as one of the 150 best buildings in the country, constructed since 1918, and, as such, was part of a photography exhibit displayed throughout the United States and Europe. The building is listed on the National Register of Historic Places as part of a thematic group nomination based on the buildings within Hamilton County designed by R.H. Hunt.

The building is located in the Central Business District of Chattanooga at the corner of 10th and Georgia Streets. It is highly visible in the downtown area due to its location adjacent to a major downtown park. Since its construction in 1933, the building has served as a Post Office and Courthouse. Though no longer the main Post Office for the city, the postal function still resides visibly in the building, and is an integral part of life in the city. Occupying an entire block, the building is a continuing symbol of the Federal presence in Chattanooga.

Joel W. Solomon Federal Building, Chattanooga, Tennessee
by Wendy Darling

Close-up of a building corner.

From the General Services Administration reference:

The Joel Soloman Federal Building and Courthouse in Chattanooga, Tennessee is significant as an example of the Art Deco style of Architecture; it is part of the body of work of a noted local architect; and it is a symbol of the Federal presence in Chattanooga. The Joel Soloman Federal Building and Courthouse is an example of the Art Deco style (popular in the 1930s) for the following reasons: its exterior is clad with smooth materials for sleek lines; it has vertical bays of windows providing an emphasis on verticality; it has a flat parapet roof; it has rectilinear bands of ornamentation in the form of integrated, low-relief sculpted stone panels; and it has ornamental doorways.

Local architect Reuben Harrison Hunt designed many public buildings and became a leader in the field of architecture across the South. Hunt was Chattanooga’s first significant architect and was important in the city’s architectural development. Hunt arrived in Chattanooga in the 1880s. Throughout his long career (fifty plus years) his work reflected the popular styles of the day - Gothic Revival, Romanesque Revival, Beaux Arts Classicism, Neo-Classicism, Georgian Revival, and finally, Art Deco. The Federal Building and Courthouse was Hunt’s last major work in Chattanooga. It was chosen by the American Institute of Architects in 1938, as one of the 150 best buildings in the country, constructed since 1918, and, as such, was part of a photography exhibit displayed throughout the United States and Europe. The building is listed on the National Register of Historic Places as part of a thematic group nomination based on the buildings within Hamilton County designed by R.H. Hunt.

The building is located in the Central Business District of Chattanooga at the corner of 10th and Georgia Streets. It is highly visible in the downtown area due to its location adjacent to a major downtown park. Since its construction in 1933, the building has served as a Post Office and Courthouse. Though no longer the main Post Office for the city, the postal function still resides visibly in the building, and is an integral part of life in the city. Occupying an entire block, the building is a continuing symbol of the Federal presence in Chattanooga.

Joel W. Solomon Federal Building, Chattanooga, Tennessee
by Wendy Darling

The rear of the building is dominated by a five-story central section, flanked by one-story pavilions built to house the post office work floors. Carved panels above the window bays feature stylized eagles and shields.

Joel W. Solomon Federal Building, Chattanooga, Tennessee
by Wendy Darling

The Joel W. Solomon Federal Building and U.S. Court-house stands in the central business district of Chattanooga. Facing Georgia Avenue and across from Miller park, it occupies half a city block. The building is a notable example of the Art Moderne style as employed for government buildings in the 1930s. The form and details recall the classicism of earlier government architecture but take a stylized form here seen in sleek lines, a vertical emphasis, and plant, animal, and geometric decorative motifs. Several of the motifs, such as eagles and stars, evoke patriotic associations that are particularly appropriate for a federal building. The five-story building has a steel structure clad in white marble. Two penthouses are set on projecting towers at the northwest and southwest corners.[

Joel W. Solomon Federal Building, Chattanooga, Tennessee
by Wendy Darling

The Joel W. Solomon Federal Building and U.S. Court-house stands in the central business district of Chattanooga. Facing Georgia Avenue and across from Miller park, it occupies half a city block. The building is a notable example of the Art Moderne style as employed for government buildings in the 1930s. The form and details recall the classicism of earlier government architecture but take a stylized form here seen in sleek lines, a vertical emphasis, and plant, animal, and geometric decorative motifs. Several of the motifs, such as eagles and stars, evoke patriotic associations that are particularly appropriate for a federal building. The five-story building has a steel structure clad in white marble. Two penthouses are set on projecting towers at the northwest and southwest corners.[

Joel W. Solomon Federal Building, Chattanooga, Tennessee
by Wendy Darling

The building’s main entrances are set in the end pavilions. These are approached by wide steps of granite, with tiered cheek walls. Both upper cheek walls have stylized eagles carved into their corners. In each pavilion the paired and single entrance doors are surmounted by a curving window bay that rises four stories. Both are flanked by angled reveals, adorned with alternating fluted segments and foliate-motif plaques.

Joel W. Solomon Federal Building, Chattanooga, Tennessee
by Wendy Darling

Building portrait in black and white.

From Wikipedia:

Significant Events

• 1932-33: The Federal Building and Courthouse is constructed at an approximate cost of $493,000.
• 1938: The building is named one of the 150 best modern buildings (built since 1918) in the United States by the American Institute of Architects.
• 1960: A civil rights lawsuit is filed in Federal District Court initiating a court-ordered desegregation plan for Chattanooga’s public school system.
• 1964: In one of the courthouse’s most notorious trials, Jimmy Hoffa is convicted of jury tampering.
• 1980: Listed on the National Register of Historic Places as part of nomination focusing on buildings of Chattanooga architect Reuben Harrison Hunt.
• 1981: The U.S. General Services Administration acquires the building and renames it for former GSA Administrator Joel W. Solomon.