Joel W. Solomon Federal Building and United States Courthouse, Chattanooga

The Joel W. Solomon Federal Building and United States Courthouse, commonly known as the Solomon Building, is a historic landmark in Chattanooga. Located in the city's central business district, it faces Georgia Avenue and stands across from Miller Park, occupying half a city block. The building serves the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Tennessee and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Built in 1932–1933 as the U.S. Post Office and Courthouse, the Solomon Building was designed by Shreve, Lamb & Harmon with local architect Reuben Harrison Hunt, a key figure in Chattanooga’s civic architecture. One of Hunt’s final major works exemplifies the Art Moderne style with a steel frame clad in white marble. Two penthouses crown projecting towers, while the symmetrical western facade features end pavilions and recessed three-story window groups. Stylized eagles and stars in low relief emphasize their federal purpose and elegance.

The building's Art Moderne interiors feature original chandeliers, marble-clad walls, and inlaid marble floors with chevron and star motifs. The lobby ceiling has a star-embellished border, while the entry foyers display domed ceilings with stylized stars. The postal lobby retains its original aluminum grilles, fittings, and historic counters. Leopold Scholz’s 1938 cast aluminum sculpture, The Mail Carrier, highlights its postal heritage.

The third floor features a ceremonial courtroom with oak paneling, decorative aluminum grilles, and a finely crafted judge’s bench. Behind it, Hilton Leech’s 1937 mural, Allegory in Chattanooga, spans the curved wall, depicting the city’s history and the Tennessee Valley Authority. The adjacent lobby, with marble walls and a terrazzo floor, inlaid with a justice seal, enhances the space’s grandeur.

The Joel W. Solomon Federal Building and United States Courthouse remains a significant fixture in Chattanooga’s civic landscape, embodying a blend of historical gravitas and artistic refinement. Its thoughtful design and enduring craftsmanship continue to reflect the ideals of American governmental architecture from the early 20th century.