Introduction to the Central Post Office: The Central Post Office was originally built as the first residence in Santiago, the private residence of the Spanish conquistador Pedro de Valdivia. It was also the official residence of successive governors during the colonial period. Since Chile became independent in 1810 By 1846, it was the presidential residence; after 1846, the government offices and the presidential residence were moved to La Moneda Palace, which is now the presidential palace. Shortly thereafter, the building caught fire, but several walls survived the disaster and remained standing. It was converted into a neoclassical-style building in 1882 by architect Ricardo Brown - the predecessor of the Central Post Office Building. In 1908, to celebrate the centenary of Chilean independence, architect Ramon Feherman added a third floor in French neoclassical style to the central post office and added a dome. The building is now used as the Central Post Office, and there is a postal museum on the second floor of the post office.