U.S. Post Office
a.k.a. Federal Building and Courthouse
1129 Noble St., Anniston, AL Local significance of the building:Listed in National Register of Historic Places in 1976.
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.
Alabama is home to several important civil rights landmarks, including the 16th Street Baptist Church in Birmingham, which was the site of a deadly bombing in 1963, and the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma, which was the site of the "Bloody Sunday" confrontation between civil rights marchers and state troopers in 1965.
The county was established in 1832 and named after John C. Calhoun, a prominent South Carolina statesman and Vice President of the United States. During the 19th century, Calhoun County experienced rapid growth and development, thanks in large part to the growth of the textile industry. Textile mills sprang up across the county, creating jobs and transforming the county's economy.
Calhoun County played a significant role in the Civil War. As part of the Confederacy, the county saw several battles and skirmishes, including the Battle of Morton's Ford and the Battle of Blue Mountain. After the war, the county worked to rebuild and diversify its economy, with the textile industry remaining an important sector.
In the 20th century, Calhoun County continued to evolve. The county saw the rise of the automobile industry, with several manufacturing plants opening up in the area. Additionally, the expansion of education and healthcare institutions, including Jacksonville State University and Anniston Regional Medical Center, further contributed to the county's growth and development. Today, Calhoun County is known for its thriving manufacturing sector, educational opportunities, and natural beauty, making it a desirable place to live and work.
Calhoun County Timeline
This timeline provides a glimpse into the major events and milestones that have shaped the history of Calhoun County, Alabama.
- 1832 - Calhoun County is established, named after John C. Calhoun, the seventh Vice President of the United States.
- 1834 - Jacksonville is chosen as the county seat.
- 1836 - The county experiences rapid growth due to the Creek War and the removal of Native American tribes.
- 1861-1865 - Calhoun County strongly supports the Confederacy during the American Civil War.
- 1867 - Anniston is founded as a planned industrial city.
- 1872 - The first railroad is completed in the county, connecting Anniston to Atlanta, Georgia.
- 1887 - Oxford is incorporated as a city.
- 1929 - Fort McClellan is established as an Army infantry training center.
- 1936 - The Talladega National Forest is declared, encompassing parts of Calhoun County.
- 1961 - The Anniston Army Depot is established, becoming an important military installation.
- 1992 - Jacksonville State University wins the NCAA Division II Football Championship.
- 2001 - The former Fort McClellan is decommissioned and becomes the Center for Domestic Preparedness.