 In the early 20th century, Anoka's former postmaster Irving Caswell served as editor of the "Anoka Herald" newspaper and James Knox Taylor had recently returned to private practice after serving as head of the Office of the Supervising Architect for the U.S. Treasury.In 1911 Casswell encouraged Taylor to launch a series of newspaper articles lobbying for the construction of a post office in Anoka.Taylor prevailed, and construction of the post office began in 1916.