National Register Listing

Star Hill Post Office and Store

4630 US 61, St. Francisville, LA
Local significance of the building:
Commerce

Listed in National Register of Historic Places in 2000.
  A brief timeline of the history of the United States Postal Service (USPS)

  • 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.

post office
Louisiana was briefly an independent republic. After declaring independence from Spain in 1810, a group of Louisianans established the Republic of West Florida, which included parts of what is now Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama. However, the republic was short-lived, as it was quickly annexed by the United States.
Louisiana random facts
West Feliciana Parish, located in the southeastern region of Louisiana, has a rich and varied history dating back to its early days of settlement. The area that is now West Feliciana was originally inhabited by Native American tribes, including the Choctaw and Houma peoples. European exploration and colonization began in the 18th century, when the French established settlements in the region.

In the early 1800s, the area became part of Spanish Louisiana, then returned to French control briefly before being sold to the United States as part of the Louisiana Purchase in 1803. In 1824, West Feliciana Parish was officially established, named after the Spanish Governor Feliciana de Baton Rouge. The parish served as a center for agriculture, particularly cotton and sugarcane cultivation, with many large plantations operating in the area using enslaved labor.

During the Civil War, West Feliciana Parish played a significant role. In 1863, the Battle of Port Hudson took place nearby, where Union forces sought to seize control of the Mississippi River. The Confederates fiercely defended the area, but ultimately lost the battle and control of Port Hudson.

After the war, the economy of West Feliciana shifted from agriculture to timber and logging. The parish also became a popular tourist destination, particularly for its beautiful natural landscapes and historic architecture. Today, West Feliciana Parish continues to thrive as a vibrant community, boasting a mix of historical charm, scenic beauty, and economic diversity.

This timeline provides a condensed summary of the historical journey of West Feliciana Parish, Louisiana.

  • 1806: West Feliciana Parish established by the Louisiana legislature.
  • 1824: Construction of Rosedown Plantation begins.
  • 1850: The parish becomes the fifth wealthiest in the United States due to the successful cotton industry.
  • 1863: Battle of Port Hudson occurs during the Civil War.
  • 1870s: Timber industry booms as vast forests in the parish are harvested.
  • 1901: Construction of the Louisiana State Penitentiary, also known as Angola Prison, begins.
  • 1930: Completion of the Old Courthouse and Bank building in St. Francisville.
  • 1968: The Audubon Pilgrimage, an annual event celebrating the parish's history, is established.
  • 1989: West Feliciana Historical Society opens the West Feliciana Historical Museum.