U.S. Post Office
a.k.a. Federal Office Building;Roseburg,Oregon
704 SE Cass Ave., Roseburg, OR Local significance of the building:Listed in National Register of Historic Places in 1979.
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.
The Oregon Trail was not the only route for pioneers to travel to Oregon. There were several other trails, including the California Trail, the Applegate Trail, and the Meek Cutoff. Many of these trails were more difficult and dangerous than the Oregon Trail.
European settlement began in the early 1800s, when fur traders and explorers ventured into the region. In 1828, the Hudson's Bay Company established Fort Umpqua near present-day Elkton as a fur trading post. The Rogue River Indian War in the 1850s, sparked by conflicts between Native Americans and settlers, had a significant impact on the region, leading to the establishment of a reservation for the displaced tribes.
During the mid-nineteenth century, the discovery of gold brought a wave of miners and settlers to Douglas County. Several prosperous mining towns, such as Canyonville and Glendale, were established as a result. However, as the gold rush waned, the region transitioned to agricultural activities, particularly timber production. The dense forests in Douglas County attracted timber companies, which played a crucial role in the county's economy for decades.
In the early twentieth century, the Roseburg Lumber Company became one of the largest employers in the area. Douglas County experienced periods of growth and economic prosperity throughout the twentieth century, along with the challenges associated with the timber industry's fluctuations. Today, the county boasts a diverse economy, with tourism, manufacturing, healthcare, and education playing significant roles in the community's vitality.
Douglas County Timeline
This timeline provides a condensed summary of the historical journey of Douglas County, Oregon.
- 1852 - Douglas County founded as an Oregon Territory county
- 1853 - Town of Scottsburg founded
- 1854 - County seat moved to Winchester
- 1855 - Roseburg founded as county seat
- 1864 - Umpqua College (now Umpqua Community College) established in Wilbur
- 1872 - City of Myrtle Creek incorporated
- 1874 - City of Drain incorporated
- 1884 - City of Riddle incorporated
- 1893 - City of Reedsport incorporated
- 1909 - Logging industry becomes prominent in Douglas County
- 1922 - City of Winston incorporated
- 1950 - Construction of Winchester Dam completed
- 1951 - Wildlife Safari established near Winston
- 1964 - City of Sutherlin incorporated
- 1973 - Douglas County Museum of Natural and Cultural History opens
- 1984 - Umpqua National Forest established
- 1996 - Wildlife Safari designated as an accredited zoo
- 2005 - City of Canyonville incorporated
- 2012 - City of Glendale incorporated