Shawano Post Office
235 S. Main St., Shawano, WI Local significance of the building:Listed in National Register of Historic Places in 2000.
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 first kindergarten in the United States was started in Watertown, Wisconsin in 1856 by a German immigrant named Margarethe Meyer Schurz.
The first European explorers arrived in the area in the 1600s, with French fur traders establishing trade connections with the Native Americans. As the fur trade boomed in the 18th century, Shawano County became an important trading post and a focal point for European settlement.
During the mid-19th century, waves of German, Polish, and Irish immigrants settled in Shawano County, bringing with them their cultural traditions and skills in farming and logging. The rich soil in the county made it ideal for farming, and agriculture became a vital industry in the area. The logging industry also thrived, with the extensive forests supplying raw materials for lumber mills.
Over the years, Shawano County faced challenges such as fires, floods, and economic downturns, but its resilient community always managed to bounce back. In the 20th century, the county experienced significant growth in manufacturing and industry, diversifying its economy beyond agriculture and logging.
Today, Shawano County boasts a mix of rural and urban communities, with a population that cherishes its diverse heritage and natural beauty. From its Native American roots to its thriving agricultural and industrial sectors, Shawano County's history is a testament to the strength and perseverance of its residents.
Shawano County Timeline
This timeline provides a glimpse into the major events and milestones that have shaped the history of Shawano County, Wisconsin.
- 1690s – The land in present-day Shawano County is inhabited by the Menominee Native American tribe.
- 1827 – The Menominee cede the land to the United States in the Treaty of Butte des Morts.
- 1836 – After the establishment of Brown County, the area of Shawano County becomes part of the unorganized territories of Wisconsin.
- 1842 – Shawano County is officially organized as part of Wisconsin Territory.
- 1853 – The county's first permanent settler, John Durley, arrives in Shawano County.
- 1856 – The county's first sawmill is built in Stockbridge.
- 1861 – Shawano County is officially recognized as a county within the State of Wisconsin.
- 1870 – The railroad reaches Shawano County, leading to increased economic growth.
- 1884 – The county seat is moved from Shawano to Gresham.
- 1903 – The county seat is moved back to Shawano.
- 1935 – The Shawano County Historical Society is founded.
- 1951 – Shawano County Airport is established.
- 1975 – The Shawano County Historical Society Museum opens to the public.
- 2005 – The Navarino Nature Center is established in Shawano County.