Where is it?
In Wicomico County, there were many post offices in 1891. Most of these were situated in rural country stores. The owner was declared the postmaster and received a portion of the receipts generated by the mail. It is amazing to realize in this day and age that some of these post offices generated less than $30 annually for the storekeeper. This was in addition to his income from groceries, etc.
The listed post offices in 1891 were at Allen, Athel, Barren Creek Springs, Bivalve, Capitola, Collins Wharf, Fruitland, New Hope, Nanticoke, Pittsville, Parsonsburgh, Powellville, Riverton, Salisbury, Sharptown, Twilley, Tyaskin, Walston, Wanamaker, Wango, Whayland, White Haven and Whiton. The spelling is as it appears in the directory, so do not blame me. I do know that Athel is supposed to be Athol and Parsonsburgh is Parsonsburg.
By collecting post cards, I have been involved with other collectors that collect post marks from as many Maryland or Wicomico County Post Offices as possible. Since this list is from 1891, there were some Post Offices that had been discontinued by that time. There are also some larger Post Offices that had not materialized by 1891. Hebron is one that comes to mind. That is the year that the railroad came through Hebron and a post office quickly followed.
Another post office that came after 1891 and has since disappeared is the one at Roaring Point. It was probably in Harry Willing’s store. The store still remains, but is unoccupied today. Only the Campground remains where once a thriving tomato cannery and two oyster houses kept business in the area humming.
The listing for Wetipquin is under their former name of Wanamaker. Mardela was listed as Barren Creek Springs. Anyone who knows where the following are, please comment as to their location: Capitola, Collins Wharf (was it anywhere near where Collins Wharf Rd. is now?), New Hope, Twilley, Whayland and Whiton. Twilley may have been near Pittsville. There is a Whiton Rd. between Willards and Snow Hill. Also, Capitola Rd. is on the west side of the county. These may be clues as to their locations, but I am not sure. Any help?
6 comments:
What was Whayland is now referred to as the Siloam area.
Always interesting.
whiton is on the wicomico worcester county border past powellville heading towards snow hill
New Hope is just east of Willards. New Hope Rd.
Great post as always...
Do you know if there was ever a US post office for "Clara"?My late grandfather grew up there (its near Red Roost restaurant and Muddy Hole Rd in Tyaskin) and often talked of how it was a thriving little area.
To Blutojthetotmom:
There was a post office in Clara before they moved the postal service to Whitehaven. It was a little building on the corner of Clara Rd. and Mezick Rd., right where Muddy Hole Road begins. I'm sorry to have taken so long to get back to you, but sometimes it takes me awhile to find someone with the correct answer.
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