Only in San Francisco could a post office be so controversial. This art-deco landmark is lined with vibrant Works Project Administration murals of San Francisco history, begun by Russian-born painter Anton Refregier in 1941 – but WWII and political squabbles over differing versions of San Francisco history caused delays. After 92 changes to satisfy censors, Refregier finally concluded the mural cycle in 1948 with War & Peace, pointedly contrasting scenes of Nazi book-burning and post-war promises of 'freedom from fear/want/of worship/speech.'
Initially denounced as ‘communist’ by McCarthyists, Refregier's masterpiece is now protected as a National Landmark.
