US Customs House and Post Office-Pembina
a.k.a. Pembina Post Office
125 S. Cavalier St., Pembina, ND Local significance of the building:Listed in National Register of Historic Places in 1989.
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.
North Dakota was the first state to provide free high school education to all of its residents, starting in 1905. This early commitment to education helped North Dakota develop one of the highest rates of high school graduation in the country.
The first permanent European settlement in Pembina County was established by Scottish and Irish settlers in the early 19th century. The Hudson's Bay Company also had a strong presence in the region, using the Red River of the North as a major transportation route. The fur trade played a significant role in the early development of the county and the area became an important fur-trading center.
In the mid-19th century, Pembina County was part of Dakota Territory, which encompassed a large portion of the northern Great Plains. In 1871, the county was officially organized, and Pembina was named the county seat. The area experienced rapid growth during this time, with the arrival of settlers from various parts of the United States and Europe.
The late 19th and early 20th centuries saw the expansion of agriculture in Pembina County, with wheat becoming a dominant crop. The arrival of the railroad in the late 19th century further facilitated economic development in the area. Over the years, Pembina County has faced various challenges including natural disasters like floods, but it has remained a vital part of North Dakota's history and continues to be an important agricultural region in the state.
Pembina County Timeline
This timeline provides a glimpse into the major events and milestones that have shaped the history of Pembina County, North Dakota.
- 1818: Pembina becomes the first European settlement in North Dakota when fur traders set up a trading post near the Red River
- 1823: The Selkirk settlers establish a settlement on the Red River near present-day Pembina
- 1871: The first courthouse in Pembina County is built in the town of Pembina
- 1885: Pembina becomes an important transportation hub with the arrival of the Great Northern Railway
- 1905: Cavalier is established as the new county seat, replacing Pembina
- 1957: The construction of the Pembina Gorge State Recreation Area begins, creating a popular outdoor recreational destination
- 2000: The population of Pembina County reaches its peak at over 8,585 residents
- 2011: The historic Pembina County Courthouse in Cavalier is destroyed by fire
- 2020: Pembina County celebrates its bicentennial, marking 200 years since its first European settlement