US Post Office-Toppenish Main
14 Jefferson Ave., Toppenish, WA Local significance of the building:Listed in National Register of Historic Places in 1991.
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 state's largest city, Seattle, was originally named "New York Alki" by its founders, which means "New York by and by" in Chinook Jargon, a trade language used by Native Americans and early settlers.
In the early 19th century, European explorers and fur traders began to venture into the Yakima Valley. The influx of settlers soon followed, leading to conflicts with the native tribes. The area became embroiled in the Yakama Indian Wars of the 1850s, which ultimately ended with the signing of the Treaty of Yakima in 1855. This treaty established the Yakama Reservation and set the stage for future relations between the two peoples.
The discovery of gold in the Yakima region in the late 19th century brought a wave of hopeful prospectors looking to strike it rich. This led to a population boom and the establishment of several mining towns, including Naches, Liberty, and Roslyn. However, these mining communities eventually declined as the gold supply dwindled.
Agriculture became the backbone of Yakima County's economy in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. With an abundance of fertile soil and water from the Yakima River, the region proved to be ideal for growing a variety of crops. Yakima County became known as the "Fruit Bowl of the Nation" due to its vast orchards and production of crops such as apples, cherries, and hops. Today, agriculture continues to be a significant industry in the county, contributing to its economic and cultural heritage.
Yakima County Timeline
This timeline provides a concise overview of the key events in the history of Yakima County, Washington.
- 1805: The Lewis and Clark Expedition explores the Yakima Valley.
- 1847: The Hudson Bay Company establishes a trading post near present-day Union Gap.
- 1853: The United States government negotiates the Yakima Indian Treaty, establishing the Yakama Nation reservation.
- 1865: The town of Yakima is founded.
- 1879: The Northern Pacific Railway arrives in Yakima, spurring growth and development.
- 1886: The Washington State Fair is first held in Yakima.
- 1914: The Yakima Valley Irrigation Project is completed, bringing water to the region's agricultural land.
- 1941: The United States enters World War II, and the Yakima Valley becomes an important training ground for soldiers.
- 1972: Mount St. Helens erupts, causing ashfall in Yakima.
- 1980: Mount St. Helens erupts again, but Yakima only experiences minimal ashfall.
- 1993: The Yakima Indian Reservation is renamed the Yakama Nation reservation.
- 2002: Yakima County celebrates its 150th anniversary.
- 2019: Yakima Valley is known for its agriculture, wine production, and outdoor recreational opportunities.