US Post Office-Bonners Ferry Main
a.k.a. Bonners Ferry Main Post Office
215 First, Bonners Ferry, ID Local significance of the building:Listed in National Register of Historic Places in 1989.
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.
Idaho is home to the Craters of the Moon National Monument, a vast volcanic landscape that covers more than 750,000 acres. The area is so named because it resembles a lunar landscape, and it's a popular destination for hikers, campers, and nature enthusiasts.
The region began to change in the mid-1800s with the arrival of European settlers. In 1864, the United States government established Fort Hall in present-day Bonners Ferry to assert control over the area and protect settlers from Native American conflicts. Around this time, gold was discovered in nearby British Columbia, leading to an influx of miners and prospectors passing through what would become Boundary County.
The county was officially created in 1915 when it was split from Bonner County. The name "Boundary" was chosen because the county is situated on the boundary between Idaho and British Columbia, Canada. The town of Bonners Ferry was designated as the county seat and remains its largest town to this day.
Over the years, logging became a major industry in Boundary County, with numerous mills operating in the area. The Great Depression, however, brought economic challenges to the region, impacting the timber industry and causing hardship for many residents. Despite these difficulties, the county has since diversified its economy, with agriculture, manufacturing, and tourism playing significant roles in recent decades.
Today, Boundary County retains its natural beauty and small-town charm, attracting visitors with its outdoor recreational opportunities and friendly community atmosphere. The county's history is celebrated through various historic sites and museums, offering glimpses into its past and the stories of those who have called Boundary County home throughout the years.
Boundary County Timeline
This timeline provides a concise overview of the key events in the history of Boundary County, Idaho.
- 1864 - Boundary County established as a county in the Idaho Territory.
- 1865 - First known white settler, David Thompson, arrives in the area.
- 1875 - Boundary County's first schoolhouse, the Hill School, is built.
- 1886 - The Great Northern Railroad arrives, bringing increased commerce and growth to the area.
- 1915 - The Kootenai National Forest is established, providing protection for the area's natural resources.
- 1917 - The City of Bonners Ferry is incorporated.
- 1936 - The Kootenai River is dammed to create the Libby Dam and Lake Koocanusa.
- 1975 - Idaho State Constitution is amended to allow the sale of liquor by the drink, benefiting the local economy.
- 1994 - The Boundary County Historical Society and Museum is founded.
- 2011 - The county celebrates its 150th anniversary.