Fort Collins Post Office
201 S. College Ave., Fort Collins, CO Local significance of the building:Listed in National Register of Historic Places in 1978.
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 documented discovery of gold in Colorado was in 1858, when a group of prospectors found gold near present-day Denver. This discovery led to the Pike's Peak Gold Rush and a population boom in the area.
In the mid-19th century, the Colorado Territory was established, and Larimer County was officially founded in 1861. It was named after General William Larimer Jr., a prominent figure in the early settlement of Denver. The county's first settlements were primarily mining communities, attracted by the discovery of gold in the nearby Cache la Poudre River. However, as the gold rush declined, agriculture took center stage in the region.
The late 19th and early 20th centuries brought significant development to Larimer County. The arrival of the Colorado Central Railroad in the 1870s spurred economic growth and facilitated the transportation of goods. The county's population steadily increased, and towns like Fort Collins and Loveland thrived. Agriculture became the backbone of the local economy, with sugar beet farming, cattle ranching, and dairy production becoming major industries.
Larimer County also played a role in the conservation and preservation movement in the early 20th century. The establishment of Rocky Mountain National Park in 1915 brought attention to the county's natural beauty and led to an increase in tourism and outdoor recreation. Today, Larimer County continues to embrace its heritage while also experiencing dynamic growth in areas such as technology, education, and outdoor industries. It remains a vibrant and diverse community with a deep appreciation for its history and natural surroundings.
Larimer County Timeline
This timeline provides a concise overview of the key events in the history of Larimer County, Colorado.
- 1800 - Native American tribes, including the Arapaho and Cheyenne, inhabit the area now known as Larimer County.
- 1820 - Fur trappers and traders start exploring the region, establishing early contact with Native American tribes.
- 1858 - Gold is discovered in the area, leading to a gold rush and the establishment of numerous mining camps.
- 1861 - Larimer County is officially established as one of the original counties in the Colorado Territory.
- 1875 - Fort Collins is founded as an agricultural colony and becomes the county seat.
- 1881 - The Colorado Central Railroad reaches Fort Collins, stimulating further growth and development in the county.
- 1901 - The Colorado Agricultural College (now Colorado State University) is established in Fort Collins.
- 1930s - The construction of the Colorado-Big Thompson Project brings water from the west slope of the Colorado Rockies to Larimer County, enabling agricultural expansion.
- 1990 - The City of Loveland becomes the second-largest city in Larimer County, surpassing Fort Collins in population.
- 2000 - Larimer County's population reaches over 250,000, reflecting significant growth and development in the area.