On March 11, 1911 the Dixon Post Office opened to a crowd of thousands.  A beautiful structure of Bedford stone, marble, granite, steel and terrazzo, the building served the citizens of Dixon for fifty years until a new facility was built in 1962. 

In 1978 the non-profit Lee County Council on Aging obtained the building with the plan to use the lower floor for the day-to-day operations of the organization and the upper floor as a banquet hall, with the intent that funds from the banquet hall rental would supplement the organization’s operational expenses and the building’s upkeep. 

In 1996 Willett, Hofmann & Associates was hired by the Lee County Council on Aging to design renovations to the historic structure.  The goal was to create an aesthetic and handicapped accessible banquet setting while maintaining the historic elements of the original post office, such as the teller windows and original woodwork. 

WHA started by reviewing the project and creating a prioritized list of what needed to be done, and helped in preparing the paperwork necessary to obtain grant funds for the project. 

To maintain the charm of the historic building, care was taken to display the  markings on the walls where the original post office boxes were once hung.  The “Money Order,” “General Delivery” and “Savings Bonds” signs were saved and remain on display, and the original post office teller windows were incorporated into the renovated space.  A handicap accessible ramp and  toilet rooms were incorporated into the historic plan as well as a caterers serving kitchen.  To help stretch the Council’s budget, prisoners from the Lee County Jail were used for some of the demolition work and for the tedious job of striping paint off of the original woodwork. 

Today the Post House is a ADA accessible banquet hall frequently used for wedding receptions, company functions, and public and family events.  The building is a source of income for the Council, and a link to the past for the citizens of Dixon.