Tallulah Post Office
a.k.a. Madison Parish Health Unit
606 Snyder St., Tallulah, LA Local significance of the building:Listed in National Register of Historic Places in 2013.
1775: The Second Continental Congress establishes the Constitutional Post to provide postal services in the thirteen American colonies. Benjamin Franklin is appointed as the first Postmaster General.
1792: The Postal Service Act is passed, officially establishing the United States Postal Service as a federal agency. It sets the foundation for the organization and regulation of postal operations.
1847: The introduction of prepaid adhesive postage stamps revolutionizes mail delivery, simplifying the process and promoting efficiency.
1860: The Pony Express, a fast mail delivery service, is launched to transport mail between the eastern and western regions of the United States. It becomes famous for its daring riders and swift delivery.
1863: Free city delivery is introduced, allowing mail to be delivered directly to urban households and businesses rather than being picked up from local post offices.
1864: The Postal Money Order system is established, providing a secure way for people to send money through the mail.
1896: Rural Free Delivery (RFD) is implemented, bringing mail delivery to rural areas for the first time. This service significantly improves communication and connects rural communities to the rest of the country.
1971: The United States Postal Service is reorganized as an independent agency within the federal government, operating as the USPS. It is no longer directly controlled by the Postmaster General.
1974: The USPS introduces the ZIP (Zone Improvement Plan) Code system, which assigns unique codes to geographic areas to improve mail sorting and delivery efficiency.
1997: The USPS launches its website, usps.com, providing online access to postal services, tracking, and information.
2001: Following the 9/11 terrorist attacks, the USPS faces security challenges and undergoes significant changes to enhance mail screening and protection.
2013: The USPS announces the end of Saturday mail delivery for regular letters and reduces delivery to five days a week.
Present: The USPS continues to be a vital service, handling billions of pieces of mail annually and adapting to changes in technology, communication, and the shipping industry. It plays a crucial role in connecting people, facilitating commerce, and serving as a backbone of the American communication infrastructure.
This timeline provides an overview of key milestones in the history of the USPS, which has played a crucial role in facilitating communication and connecting communities throughout the United States for over two centuries.
The National Register of Historic Places is the official list of the Nation’s historic places worthy of preservation. Authorized by the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, the National Park Service’s National Register of Historic Places is part of a national program to coordinate and support public and private efforts to identify, evaluate, and protect America’s historic and archeological resources.
The Louisiana Hayride, a radio show that was broadcast from Shreveport, Louisiana, helped launch the careers of several famous musicians, including Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, and Hank Williams. The show ran from 1948 to 1960 and was known for its promotion of country and rockabilly music.
Established in 1839, Madison Parish was named after James Madison, the fourth President of the United States. Its fertile soil attracted settlers, particularly cotton planters, who brought enslaved Africans to work the land. The parish flourished economically as a significant producer of cotton during the antebellum period.
The Civil War had a profound impact on Madison Parish, as it did on many Southern regions. The area saw battles and skirmishes as Union and Confederate forces vied for control. The war devastated the economy and social fabric of the parish, with many cotton plantations destroyed, and the emancipation of slaves changing the labor force drastically.
In the years following the Civil War, Madison Parish continued to depend on agriculture, primarily cotton and later soybeans, as its economic backbone. Despite numerous challenges, including floods and economic downturns, Madison Parish has maintained its agrarian character and remains an essential agricultural hub in Louisiana. Today, the parish continues to honor its history while embracing new opportunities for growth and development.
Madison Parish Timeline
This timeline provides a glimpse into the major events and milestones that have shaped the history of Madison Parish, Louisiana.
- 1682: French explorer Robert de La Salle claims the land in present-day Madison Parish as part of the Louisiana territory.
- 19th century: The area becomes a prominent cotton-producing region due to fertile soil and proximity to the Mississippi River.
- 1836: Madison Parish is established as a separate entity from neighboring counties.
- 1861-1865: During the American Civil War, Madison Parish is occupied by Union forces and experiences significant damage.
- Late 19th to early 20th century: The parish's economy shifts from agriculture to timber and logging.
- 1927: The Great Mississippi Flood devastates Madison Parish and causes extensive damage to infrastructure and farmland.
- Mid-20th century: Mechanization leads to a decline in agricultural labor needs, leading to population decline.
- 21st century: Madison Parish continues to face economic and population challenges, with efforts focused on revitalization and community development.