Historical Marker

United States Post Office and Courthouse

Historical marker location:
300 East Stewart Avenue, Las Vegas, Nevada
( Marker is at the intersection of East Stewart Avenue and North Third Street on East Stewart Avenue.)

  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.

Nevada is home to the driest place in North America: The driest place in North America, Death Valley, is located just east of the Nevada border.
Nevada random facts
Clark County, Nevada is located in the southernmost part of the state and has a rich and fascinating history. The area that is now Clark County was first inhabited by Native American tribes, including the Paiute people, who established settlements along the Colorado River.

In the mid-19th century, Mormon pioneers settled in the Las Vegas Valley, establishing a fort and bringing irrigation techniques that transformed the desert landscape. However, their presence was short-lived, and by the 1880s, the area was mostly abandoned once mining activity diminished.

The history of Clark County took a significant turn in 1905 when the railroad arrived in the area, linking it with the rest of the country. This development led to the establishment of Las Vegas as a bustling railroad town, attracting people from various backgrounds and sparking rapid growth in the region.

The next major milestone in Clark County's history came in 1931 when the state of Nevada legalized gambling. This decision forever altered the county's landscape, as casinos and entertainment venues began to flourish. The construction of the Hoover Dam, also in the 1930s, provided employment opportunities and further boosted the economy of Clark County.

Over the following decades, Clark County continued to see exponential growth, driven largely by the tourism and entertainment industries. Las Vegas, in particular, became known as the Entertainment Capital of the World, with its world-class resorts, casinos, and vibrant nightlife attracting millions of visitors annually. Today, Clark County remains a major tourism destination and a dynamic hub of culture, entertainment, and economic activity in the southwestern United States.

This timeline provides a glimpse into the major events and milestones that have shaped the history of Clark County, Nevada.

  • 1909 - Clark County is established in Nevada.
  • 1931 - Construction of the Hoover Dam begins, bringing an economic boom to the area.
  • 1941 - The El Rancho Vegas, the first hotel-casino on the Las Vegas Strip, opens.
  • 1955 - The Moulin Rouge Hotel and Casino becomes the first racially integrated casino in Las Vegas.
  • 1967 - The International Hotel (now the Westgate Las Vegas Resort and Casino) opens, becoming the largest hotel in the world at the time.
  • 1989 - The Mirage Casino-Hotel opens, starting the era of themed resort development in Las Vegas.
  • 1990 - The population of Clark County surpasses one million residents.
  • 2005 - The Las Vegas Monorail begins operation, providing public transportation along the Las Vegas Strip.
  • 2010 - The population of Clark County exceeds two million residents.