U.S. Post Office
301 S. Sharpe Avenue, Cleveland, MS Local significance of the building:Listed in National Register of Historic Places in 1981.
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.
In 1962, the University of Mississippi, located in Oxford, was the site of a violent confrontation between federal forces and white segregationists over the enrollment of James Meredith, the university's first African American student.
The county was officially established in 1836 and named after South American revolutionary leader Simón Bolívar. Its location along the river made it an ideal location for plantations, leading to the rapid growth of the cotton industry and the rise of the antebellum plantation economy. Bolivar County became a major slave-holding area, with African Americans comprising a significant portion of the population.
During the Civil War, Bolivar County was caught in the crossfire between Union and Confederate forces, with several major battles and skirmishes taking place in the area. The war took a heavy toll on the region, leading to economic decline and social unrest. Reconstruction brought about some changes, including the establishment of schools for African Americans.
In the 20th century, Bolivar County continued to develop agriculturally, with cotton remaining a dominant crop. The county also saw significant social and political changes, including the implementation of Jim Crow laws and the civil rights movement. Today, Bolivar County remains an important agricultural region, but also faces challenges such as poverty and racial disparities. The county's rich history is celebrated and remembered through various historical sites, museums, and community events.
Bolivar County Timeline
This timeline provides a glimpse into the major events and milestones that have shaped the history of Bolivar County, Mississippi.
- 1836: Bolivar County is created and named after Simón Bolívar, the South American freedom fighter.
- 1844: The county seat is established in the town of Bolivarville, which later changes its name to Cleveland.
- 1858: The Mississippi Delta Agricultural Experiment Station is established in Lula, contributing to the region's agricultural development.
- 1865: The Civil War ends, and Bolivar County begins the process of rebuilding and recovering.
- 1875: The county's first railroad, the Mississippi Valley Railroad, is completed, connecting Bolivar County to other parts of Mississippi.
- 1890s: The county experiences significant economic growth due to cotton production and the expansion of the railroad network.
- 1920s: Bolivar County becomes a major center for the blues, with influential musicians like Charley Patton and W.C. Handy performing in the area.
- 1955: Emmett Till, a 14-year-old African American boy, is brutally murdered in Money, Bolivar County, becoming a significant catalyst for the Civil Rights Movement.
- 1969: Parchman Farm, the infamous Mississippi State Penitentiary, closes in Bolivar County.
- 1980s: Bolivar County experiences economic decline due to changes in the agricultural industry and population shifts.
- 1994: The Grammy Museum Mississippi opens in Cleveland, celebrating the cultural heritage of the region.