National Register Listing

US Post Office-Sevierville

a.k.a. Sevier County Heritage Museum;Sevierville Post Office

167 Bruce St., Sevierville, TN
Local significance of the building:
Architecture; Politics/government; Black

Listed in National Register of Historic Places in 1997.
  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 politics government ethnic heritage black post office
Audiobooks about the history of Tennessee.
The first recorded gold rush in the United States occurred in Tennessee in the early 19th century. The discovery of gold in the state's Cherokee lands sparked a rush of settlers and miners hoping to strike it rich.
Tennessee random facts
Sevier County, Tennessee, has a rich and diverse history that dates back thousands of years. The area was originally inhabited by Native American tribes, such as the Cherokee, who established settlements along the banks of the Little Pigeon River. European explorers, including Spanish and French expeditions, first encountered the region in the 16th and 17th centuries.

In the late 18th century, settlers from the eastern United States began to migrate to the area, attracted by the fertile land and abundant natural resources. John Sevier, a Revolutionary War hero, played a significant role in the early development of the county. He served as the first governor of Tennessee and the county's namesake.

Sevier County saw rapid growth and development in the 19th century, driven by industries such as farming, logging, and mining. The establishment of the Little River Lumber Company in the early 1900s led to the logging boom, and the town of Townsend became a hub of timber activity. However, the devastating effects of deforestation and overlogging led to the decline of the timber industry in the mid-20th century.

The late 20th century saw the rise of tourism as the main industry in Sevier County. The opening of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in 1934 attracted visitors from all over the country, and the construction of the Gatlinburg Sky Lift and Ober Gatlinburg Ski Resort further increased tourism in the area. Today, Sevier County is known as a popular vacation destination, offering outdoor recreation, scenic beauty, and attractions such as Dollywood, owned by country music star Dolly Parton.

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

  • 1783 - Sevier County is established by the State of North Carolina.
  • 1794 - The county is named after John Sevier, the first governor of Tennessee.
  • 1801 - The first courthouse is built in Sevierville, the county seat.
  • 1861-1865 - Sevier County is divided during the American Civil War, with some residents supporting the Confederacy and others supporting the Union.
  • 1900s - Tourism begins to develop in Sevier County, with the opening of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in 1934.
  • 1982 - Dollywood, a theme park owned by Dolly Parton, opens in Pigeon Forge.