HISTORICAL & ARCHITECTURAL SIGNIFICANCE OF THE BUILDING

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The Richland United States Courthouse and Federal Building opened in 1965, housing eight federal agencies--the Atomic Energy Commission (AEC), U.S. Post Office, Courts, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Defense Department, Civil Service Commission, General Services Administration (GSA), and Department of Labor. The building was dedicated on November 9, 1965, by Senator Warren Magnuson, during an event reportedly attended by more than 2,500 people. More than 8,000 citizens then toured the new building. The building's four passenger elevators were the only passenger elevators in Richland at the time (Tri-City Herald clippings).