A crowd gathers outside what was to be a new U.S. Post Office for the cornerstone laying ceremony on May 16, 1936.

Photo from the Walter P. Reuther Library, Wayne State University; Retouching by Helmut Ziewers

The new post office branch and sorting facility is seen in late 1936, shortly after completion.

Photo from the Walter P. Reuther Library, Wayne State University; Retouching by Helmut Ziewers

A small part of the massive mail-sorting operation.

Photo from the Walter P. Reuther Library, Wayne State University; Retouching by Helmut Ziewers

A small part of the massive mail-sorting operation.

Photo from the Walter P. Reuther Library, Wayne State University; Retouching by Helmut Ziewers

A small part of the massive mail-sorting operation.

Photo from the Walter P. Reuther Library, Wayne State University; Retouching by Helmut Ziewers

Firefighters fight a fire that broke out in the Roosevelt warehouse in March 1987.

Image source unknown - Retouching by Helmut Ziewers