National Register Listing

United States Post Office-Los Alamos, New Mexico

a.k.a. Building No. 5, Community Center Group No. 2; New Mexico State Register #1870

199 Central Park Sq., Los Alamos, NM
Local significance of the building:
Architecture; Community Planning And Development

Listed in National Register of Historic Places in 2015.
  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 community planning and development post office
Audiobooks about the history of New Mexico.
In the early 1800s, New Mexico became an important center for trade along the Santa Fe Trail, which connected Missouri to Santa Fe. The trail was used by traders, trappers, and settlers to transport goods and supplies across the frontier.
New Mexico random facts
Los Alamos County is located in the northern part of New Mexico and is known primarily for being the site of the Los Alamos National Laboratory. The history of Los Alamos County dates back thousands of years to the native Pueblo people who inhabited the area. The Pueblo people built settlements and farmed the land until the Spanish arrived in the 16th century. The Spanish established several missions, but these were abandoned by the late 17th century due to conflict with neighboring Native American tribes.

In the late 19th century, the region saw an influx of Anglo settlers and became a popular destination for ranching and mining. In 1917, the Los Alamos Ranch School was established as an educational institution for boys. The school brought prominence to the region and attracted families from across the country.

The turning point in the history of Los Alamos County came in 1942, during World War II, when the U.S. government selected the area to be the site of the top-secret Manhattan Project. The Los Alamos National Laboratory was built to develop the atomic bomb, and thousands of scientists, engineers, and other personnel were brought to the region. The development and testing of the atomic bomb had a profound impact on the community, forever shaping the legacy of Los Alamos County.

After the war, Los Alamos National Laboratory continued to be a major research and development center, attracting scientists from around the world. Today, Los Alamos County is known for its scientific research, high-tech industry, and natural beauty. It remains a tight-knit community with a unique and complex history that is deeply intertwined with the atomic age.

This timeline provides a concise overview of the key events in the history of Los Alamos County, New Mexico.

  • 1942 - Los Alamos County is established as part of the Manhattan Project.
  • 1943 - Los Alamos Ranch School is taken over by the US Army to accommodate the Manhattan Project.
  • 1945 - The first atomic bomb, nicknamed "Little Boy," is tested at the Trinity Site near Los Alamos.
  • 1947 - Los Alamos County becomes an official county in the state of New Mexico.
  • 1956 - Los Alamos National Laboratory is officially designated as a government-owned, contractor-operated facility.
  • 1970 - The population of Los Alamos County reaches its peak with over 19,000 residents.
  • 2000 - Cerro Grande Fire devastates Los Alamos, destroying hundreds of homes and over 48,000 acres of land.
  • 2010 - Los Alamos County celebrates its 100th anniversary since its establishment.