National Register Listing

US Post Office-Powell Main

270 N. Bent St., Powell, WY
Local significance of the building:
Art; Politics/government

Listed in National Register of Historic Places in 1987.
  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.

art politics government post office
Audiobooks about the history of Wyoming.
The first JCPenney store was opened in Kemmerer, Wyoming in 1902.
Wyoming random facts
Park County, Wyoming has a rich history that stretches back thousands of years. The region was originally inhabited by various Native American tribes, including the Shoshone, Arapaho, and Crow, who relied on the abundant wildlife and natural resources of the area for their subsistence. In the early 1800s, European explorers, fur traders, and trappers began to venture into what is now Park County, leaving their mark on its history.

In 1807, John Colter, a member of the Lewis and Clark Expedition, became the first recorded European to enter the region. However, it was not until the mid-1800s that the area saw significant European settlement. The discovery of gold in Montana and the construction of the Bozeman Trail through Wyoming brought an influx of settlers, leading to conflicts with Native American tribes. The establishment of army forts, such as Fort Phil Kearny and Fort Yellowstone, played a prominent role in the Indian Wars of the late 1800s.

Park County's natural wonders also attracted attention during this time. The establishment of Yellowstone National Park in 1872, which includes a significant portion of Park County, marked the birth of the national park system worldwide. This became a major draw for tourists and ensured the protection and preservation of the area's unique geothermal features and diverse wildlife.

As the 20th century dawned, Park County experienced further development and growth. Agriculture, particularly ranching, became a primary industry, with vast open spaces and rich grazing lands supporting a thriving cattle industry. In the early 1900s, Cody, located in the eastern part of Park County, became a prominent western town and the gateway to Yellowstone National Park. Buffalo Bill Cody, the town's namesake, played a significant role in promoting tourism and establishing Cody as a tourist destination.

Today, Park County continues to be shaped by its natural beauty and historical significance. It remains an important destination for outdoor enthusiasts, offering recreational activities such as fishing, hunting, hiking, and wildlife viewing. The region's cultural heritage is honored through various museums, rodeos, and events that celebrate its Western roots. Park County, WY is a testament to the enduring spirit of exploration, settlement, and preservation that has shaped the American West.

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

  • 1807 - John Colter, a member of the Lewis and Clark Expedition, becomes the first known European to enter the area that is now Park County.
  • 1809 - Manuel Lisa establishes Fort Raymond, one of the first fur trading posts in the region, near present-day Cody.
  • 1862 - John Bozeman blazes the Bozeman Trail, opening up a route for settlers and gold miners to travel through Park County.
  • 1871 - The Hayden Geological Survey explores and documents the natural wonders of Yellowstone National Park, a portion of which lies within Park County.
  • 1872 - Yellowstone National Park becomes the first national park in the United States, attracting tourists and boosting the local economy.
  • 1896 - Cody, named after William F. "Buffalo Bill" Cody, is founded as a planned town and becomes the county seat of Park County.
  • 1912 - The Shoshone Project is completed, bringing irrigation water to the Cody area and promoting agricultural development in Park County.
  • 1947 - The Heart Mountain Relocation Center, an internment camp for Japanese Americans during World War II, closes down, impacting the local population.
  • 1959 - Construction of the Buffalo Bill Dam is completed, which forms the Buffalo Bill Reservoir and provides water and electricity to the region.
  • 1988 - The massive Yellowstone fires ravage parts of Yellowstone National Park, including areas within Park County.
  • 2019 - Park County celebrates its bicentennial, marking 200 years since the first European exploration of the region by John Colter.