National Register Listing

Federal Building and U.S. Post Office

657 2nd Ave. North, Fargo, ND
Local significance of the building:
Architecture

Listed in National Register of Historic Places in 2021.
  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.

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.

architecture post office
Searching for other points of interest within 3 miles of this location.
North Dakota was the site of one of the deadliest storms in U.S. history, the Schoolhouse Blizzard of 1888. The storm struck without warning and claimed the lives of more than 200 people, many of whom were schoolchildren caught in the blizzard on their way home from school.
North Dakota random facts
Cass County, North Dakota, has a rich history that traces back to the early 1800s. The area was originally inhabited by Native American tribes, including the Dakota and Ojibwe peoples, who relied on the fertile soil and abundant resources of the region for their livelihoods.

The first known European settlers arrived in what is now Cass County in the mid-1800s, drawn by the promise of fertile farmland. The area soon became a hub for agricultural development, with settlers establishing numerous small towns and farming communities. In 1873, Cass County was officially created and named after territorial governor George Washington Cass.

Throughout the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Cass County experienced significant growth and development. New rail lines were laid, connecting the county to markets across the region and facilitating the transportation of goods. As the county and its population expanded, new industries emerged, including flour mills, lumber production, and manufacturing.

In the early 20th century, Cass County faced challenges such as drought, economic downturns, and the impact of World War I. However, the county managed to weather these challenges and continued to develop. Today, Cass County is the most populous county in North Dakota and remains a major center for agriculture, as well as a hub for education, healthcare, and industry.

This timeline provides a condensed summary of the historical journey of Cass County, North Dakota.

  • 1804: Lewis and Clark expedition explores the area of present-day Cass County
  • 1818: The region becomes part of the land acquired through the Treaty of Fort Jackson
  • 1872: Cass County is established by the Dakota Territory Legislature
  • 1873: The city of Fargo is founded as the county seat
  • 1879: The Great Northern Railway reaches Fargo, boosting the city's growth and development
  • 1881: North Dakota Agricultural College (now North Dakota State University) is established in Fargo
  • 1893: The Fargo-Moorhead Flood devastates the region
  • 1957: The first Interstate highway in the state, Interstate 29, is opened in Cass County
  • 1974: Fargo experiences a major tornado outbreak, causing significant damage
  • 1997: The Red River Flood of 1997 causes extensive flooding in the county