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?
12 comments:
Capitola might have been in the old store that is mid way down the road on the left from White Heaven Road. It was a old general store.
I always thought Whiton was at the intersection of Whiton Rd. and Whiton Crossing Rd. This is at the Wicomico-Worcester Co. line south of Powellville.
The Twilley post office was on Bethel Road, just east of Bethel Church, after East Line Road changes to Bethel Road. The last building that housed the post office still stands by the north side of the road, it was a store with the post office inside. Now it is a private residence.
I am amazed that anyone commented on this post.Even though it's none of my damn business I would love to know the ages of the commenters,because they are either quite old or know someone who is.Great post George.
11:16 I did the 10:10 post. I don't know what you consider quite old but I'm 60. Most of the old places that are listed by George I remember from driving on the back roads in my pot smoking days in the 1970's. A lot of the old places still existed or had recently closed back then. Almost every little community had a general store of some sort with its Post Office back then.
11:16 The people who know these locations probably live near there and have older family members who have told them the history of the area.
I thought the post office in whiton was in albert timmons old store that set at the end of laws road and powelville whiton road just east of birchs boatyard.
Was the twilley post office in mr fred phillips store? Good cold sodas and fresh lunchmeat sandwiches.
Collins steamboat wharf was off Collins Wharf Road near Wicomico Yacht Club . There was a store at the intersection of the two roads.
Food for thought, I bet these old post offices never lost people's mail or failed to deliver to the customer properly like today's PO.
One thing young people will know after reading this post and comments;there were a whole lot of country stores back in the day.I actually miss them,but the changing times just did not allow their survival.What a shame.
There is a New Hope Rd. today on the eastern side of Willards.
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