U.S. Post Office and Courthouse
a.k.a. Big Stone Gap Post Office
U.S. 58, Big Stone Gap, VA Local significance of the building:Listed in National Register of Historic Places in 1975.
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 first successful English attempt to establish a colony in North America was made by Sir Walter Raleigh in 1584 on Roanoke Island, off the coast of Virginia.
In 1856, Wise County was established from parts of Lee, Russell, and Scott counties, and was named after Henry A. Wise, the governor of Virginia at the time. The county played a significant role during the American Civil War, with many of its residents serving in the Confederate Army. The Battle of Wise Courthouse, fought in 1862, took place in the county, resulting in Union forces briefly occupying parts of the area.
Following the Civil War, Wise County transitioned from an agricultural economy to a coal-driven one. The county is located within the Appalachian coalfields, and the discovery of vast coal reserves led to the rapid development of mining towns and a surge in population. Coal mining became the backbone of the local economy, attracting thousands of workers from all over the region.
Throughout the 20th century, Wise County faced both periods of prosperity and challenges. The economy heavily relied on coal, bringing economic growth but also vulnerability to changes in the industry. In recent years, efforts have been made to diversify the economy and promote tourism, as the county features beautiful natural landscapes, such as the Jefferson National Forest and the Breaks Interstate Park. Today, Wise County continues to be a close-knit community with a deep appreciation for its history, natural resources, and the resilience of its people.
Wise County Timeline
This timeline provides a condensed summary of the historical journey of Wise County, Virginia.
- Established in 1856 as a county in the state of Virginia
- Named after Henry A. Wise, the Governor of Virginia from 1856-1860
- During the American Civil War (1861-1865), Wise County remained mostly unionist
- Coal mining became a major industry in the late 19th century, leading to significant economic growth
- 1892 - Norton, an independent city within Wise County, was incorporated
- In the early 20th century, Wise County experienced a population boom due to coal mining
- 1930s - The Great Depression severely impacted the county's economy, causing a decline in coal production
- 1950s-1960s - Coal production saw a resurgence, leading to renewed economic activity
- 1999 - The Wise County Coal Slurry Spill, one of the worst environmental disasters in U.S. history, occurred
- Present - Wise County continues to face challenges related to the decline of the coal industry, but has diversified its economy