Lake Village Post Office
a.k.a. CH0062
206 S. Cokley St., Lake Village, AR Local significance of the building:Listed in National Register of Historic Places in 1998.
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.
Arkansas was one of the first states in the U.S. to enact a statewide prohibition on the sale and consumption of alcohol, passing the law in 1915. Prohibition was repealed in the state in 1933, shortly after the end of the nationwide prohibition era.
European settlement in the area began around the same time, with French and Spanish explorers establishing trading posts and colonial outposts along the Mississippi River. Chicot County itself was officially formed in 1823, and its name was derived from the French word "chicot," meaning "staked plain" or "pimple," a reference to the cottonwood trees that once dotted the county's landscape.
The economy of Chicot County has been largely agricultural throughout its history, with cotton being the dominant crop during the antebellum period. The county's fertile soil and proximity to the Mississippi River made it an ideal location for plantations, leading to the widespread use of enslaved labor. The Civil War had a significant impact on the county, as many plantations were destroyed and the economy was devastated.
In the years following the war, Chicot County experienced a slow recovery, but by the late 19th century, it began to see some growth and development. The lumber industry played a major role in the county's economy, with vast quantities of timber being harvested from the surrounding forests. The arrival of the railroad in the early 20th century further facilitated economic growth, connecting Chicot County to larger markets and allowing for the transportation of goods. Today, while agriculture remains an important industry, the county has also diversified its economy to include manufacturing and tourism, drawing visitors to its natural beauty and historical landmarks.
Chicot County Timeline
This timeline provides a glimpse into the major events and milestones that have shaped the history of Chicot County, Arkansas.
- 1823: Chicot County was established on October 25, 1823.
- 1836: The town of Columbia became the county seat.
- 1850: Lake Village was established as a railroad town.
- 1864-1865: Chicot County was occupied by Union troops during the Civil War.
- 1874: Lake Village became the new county seat.
- 1891: The Chicago, St. Louis and New Orleans Railroad was completed, boosting the county's economy.
- 1912: The Chicot County Courthouse was built in Lake Village.
- 1927: Floodwaters from the Great Mississippi Flood of 1927 devastated the county.
- 1944: Charles H. Morris became the first African American elected to office in the county.
- 1972: The Lakeport Plantation, a historic plantation home, was added to the National Register of Historic Places.
- 1995: The Mississippi River floodwaters caused significant damage to the county.
- 2019: Chicot County celebrated its bicentennial anniversary.