A footnote appended to the printed sketch records: "William Kilby was appointed postmaster in the year 1800, when the mail arrived once a fortnight, brought through the woods by a man on foot; and at first the office income was at the rate of a little over five dollars a year. He was succeeded by his sons and grandson, and the office remained in the family eighty-six years." The mail originally came to the community once a fortnight, usually being brought in the carrier's coat pocket. With improved transportation came more frequent mail deliveries. The coming of the Washington County Railroad in 1898 made two deliveries a day possible, coming from the east and from the west. The post office was frequently located in homes and stores, requiring both a Postmaster and rural carrier, who covered a 46 mile route daily, delivering mail to over 900 patrons. The current Post Office is located in a building that had at one time been the location of Walt Dodge's store. The building was first occupied by the post office in 1968, and was extensively remodeled in 1974, completely changing the appearance of the interior and exterior. The one old fashioned feature in this modern, well-equipped post office, is the small bell which jingles whenever the door is opened.

Photos for Map

William Kilby's Blacksmith Ledger, 1810-1820