National Register Listing

US Post Office and Courthouse

a.k.a. Federal Building and US Courthouse

500 S. Barstow Commons, Eau Claire, WI
Local significance of the building:
Law; Politics/government; Architecture

Listed in National Register of Historic Places in 1991.
  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.

law politics government architecture courthouses buildings
Audiobooks about the history of Wisconsin.
The first ever commercially successful typewriter, the Sholes and Glidden typewriter, was invented in Milwaukee in 1867.
Wisconsin random facts
Eau Claire County, located in western Wisconsin, has a rich history dating back thousands of years. The area was originally inhabited by various Native American tribes, including the Dakota, Ojibwe, and Ho-Chunk peoples. European settlement began in the early 1800s, with French and British fur traders traversing the region. The first permanent settlers, primarily of German and Norwegian descent, arrived in the mid-1800s, attracted by the area's vast forests and abundant water resources.

Eau Claire County was officially established in 1856, taking its name from the Eau Claire River that runs through the region. The county quickly grew and developed as logging became a prominent industry. Timber from the surrounding forests was floated down the river, providing an economic boom that led to the founding of towns and villages such as Eau Claire, Altoona, and Augusta. The logging era lasted until the late 1800s when most of the valuable timber had been harvested.

Following the decline of logging, agriculture emerged as a significant economic force in Eau Claire County. The fertile soil and favorable climate allowed for successful farming, particularly dairy farming. Cheese production became an important industry, and Eau Claire County became known as the "cheese capital" of the region. This agricultural heritage remains strong in the county to this day, with many farms still operating.

In the 20th century, Eau Claire County experienced further growth and diversification. The establishment of educational institutions, including the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, contributed to the county's development as an intellectual and cultural center. The local economy expanded beyond agriculture, with manufacturing, healthcare, and technology sectors playing significant roles. Today, Eau Claire County is a vibrant community that celebrates its history while embracing modern innovation and progress.

This timeline provides a concise overview of the key events in the history of Eau Claire County, Wisconsin.

  • 1856 - Eau Claire County created
  • 1860 - Chippewa River Bridge constructed
  • 1884 - Eau Claire City Hall built
  • 1890 - Oakwood Mall established
  • 1922 - Carson Park developed
  • 1949 - Eau Claire State Teachers College renamed as University of Wisconsin - Eau Claire
  • 1966 - Paul Bunyan Logging Camp Museum opened
  • 1972 - Eau Claire County Courthouse constructed
  • 1997 - Eau Claire County Expo Center established