US Post Office
a.k.a. Downtown Station
1st and Everett Sts., Morgan City, LA Local significance of the building:Listed in National Register of Historic Places in 1982.
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.
Jazz music was born in New Orleans, Louisiana, in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The city's unique mix of African, Caribbean, and European cultures contributed to the development of this distinctive musical genre.
European exploration and colonization began in the 16th century when Spanish explorers arrived in the area. In the late 18th century, French settlers established New Orleans and began to move into the surrounding regions, including St. Mary Parish. These early settlers relied on agriculture, particularly sugarcane, as the main economic activity in the area.
During the antebellum period, St. Mary Parish was a hub of plantation life, with large-scale sugar and cotton plantations dominating the landscape. However, this period was also marked by the institution of slavery, as enslaved Africans were forced to work in harsh conditions on these plantations.
After the Civil War and the abolition of slavery, St. Mary Parish experienced a period of reconstruction and rebuilding. Many formerly enslaved individuals became sharecroppers or tenant farmers, working on the land without owning it themselves. This era also saw the emergence of new industries, such as fishing and timber, as well as the growth of small towns like Franklin and Morgan City.
Today, St. Mary Parish continues to be shaped by its diverse population and economy. Agriculture, particularly sugarcane, remains an important industry, but the area has also developed a strong presence in the oil and gas industry. The parish is known for its vibrant cultural heritage, including an annual Louisiana Shrimp and Petroleum Festival that celebrates the area's unique blend of industries.
St. Mary Parish Timeline
This timeline provides a condensed summary of the historical journey of St. Mary Parish, Louisiana.
- 1811: St. Mary Parish is established by the Louisiana legislature.
- 1818: Franklin, the parish seat, is incorporated.
- 1831: The first courthouse in Franklin is completed.
- 1862-1864: St. Mary Parish is occupied by Union forces during the Civil War.
- 1868: Morgan City is incorporated.
- 1892: The Morgan City Railroad Bridge is constructed.
- 1901: Oil and gas deposits are discovered, leading to an economic boom.
- 1907: The Sacred Heart Catholic Church is built in Morgan City.
- 1938: The Atchafalaya Bridge is constructed, connecting St. Mary Parish to Baton Rouge.
- 1953: Avery Island, home of the famous Tabasco sauce, is annexed to St. Mary Parish.
- 1981: The Louisiana Shrimp and Petroleum Festival is established in Morgan City.
- 1999: Hurricane Danny causes significant damage to St. Mary Parish.
- 2010: The Deepwater Horizon oil spill impacts the coastal areas of St. Mary Parish.