Historical Marker

Mandarin Store and Post Office

Historical marker location:
12471 Mandarin Road, Jacksonville, Florida
( Marker is at the intersection of Mandarin Road and Brady Road, on the left when traveling south on Mandarin Road.)

  A brief timeline of the history of the United States Postal Service (USPS)

  • 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.

Audiobooks about the history of Florida.
The Seminole Wars, a series of conflicts between the United States government and the Seminole Tribe of Florida, lasted for over 40 years from 1817 to 1858. The wars were some of the longest and most expensive conflicts in American history.
Florida random facts
Duval County, located in northeast Florida, has a rich and complex history that dates back thousands of years. The area was originally inhabited by indigenous peoples, including the Timucua, who thrived on hunting, fishing, and agriculture. The arrival of European explorers began in the 16th century, with French and Spanish expeditions exploring the region. However, it was the Spanish who established a permanent settlement in 1565, with the founding of St. Augustine, making it the oldest continuously inhabited European-established settlement within the borders of the continental United States.

During the 18th century, control of the area shifted between the Spanish and British several times due to conflicts such as the French and Indian War and the American Revolution. After the United States gained independence, Florida became a U.S. territory in 1821, and Duval County was created in 1822. The county was named in honor of William Pope Duval, the first territorial governor of Florida.

In the 19th century, Duval County experienced significant growth with the establishment of Jacksonville as its county seat. The city grew into an important port and commercial center due to its advantageous location along the St. Johns River and its proximity to the Atlantic Ocean. It became a hub for transportation and trade, attracting steamboat companies, railroads, and later, the Navy during the Civil War.

The 20th century brought continued development and change to Duval County. Jacksonville experienced both prosperity and challenges, including the devastating Great Fire of 1901, which destroyed much of the city's downtown area. In the following decades, the county underwent urbanization, population growth, and the expansion of industries such as tourism, finance, and manufacturing. Today, Duval County remains a vibrant and diverse region, blending its historical significance with modern advancements and opportunities.

This timeline provides a condensed summary of the historical journey of Duval County, Florida.

  • 1822 - Duval County is created as one of the original counties of Florida.
  • 1824 - Jacksonville is established as the county seat.
  • 1862 - During the American Civil War, Jacksonville is occupied by Union forces.
  • 1888 - The Great Fire of 1888 destroys much of Jacksonville.
  • 1901 - Another devastating fire hits Jacksonville, leading to significant urban redevelopment.
  • 1968 - Consolidation occurs, merging the city of Jacksonville with Duval County.
  • 1991 - The Jacksonville Jaguars are granted an NFL franchise.
  • 2005 - Hurricane Katrina causes significant damage in Duval County.
  • 2014 - The One Spark festival, a crowdfunding event for innovators, is first held in Jacksonville.