The Post Office Files: Small, Cute, and Interesting Pit Stops
While traveling throughout the US, stopping and snapping post office photos has become something of a habit. The photos become place markers for passing through a town with an interesting or funny name. The buildings themselves can give clues about what a place is like to the traveler. Is the post office tiny? Does it share space with a general store? Is it in an unusual building?
As we become more entrenched in digital transactions throughout our existence, if it still exists in a town the local post office can feel almost quaint or nostalgic. Even so, they are still an important thread that runs through the fabric of American communities.
Post Office Photos
Arizona
How could I not stop for a snap of the post office of one of the towns mentioned in the classic (Get Your Kicks on) Route 66?
Following Route 66 west from Kingman, the road will drop you into the wold west town of Oatman, Azizona. While there were no fabulous wild burros at the post office, there were plenty roaming through town!
California
Though the blazing neon Roy’s sign typically gets all the glory when the town of Amboy, California is featured in media, just across the street is their lovely little PO.
While the site doesn’t note where the claim comes from, it is apparently said that “As it sits on a movie set; the Pioneertown Post Office is said to be the most photographed PO in the USA.”
Pinoneertown is an interesting stop for a roadside appreciator. While I was there, they were filming a commercial for Coach Dreams perfume.
Seiad Valley was one of several places in California that attempted to secede from the state at different points in history. In the early 1940s, a group of Siskiyou County residents formed the State of Jefferson movement, which sought to create a new state out of parts of northern California and southern Oregon. Seiad Valley was one of the communities that supported the movement but ultimately did not succeed in its goal of creating a new state.
The first time we passed the tiny Topaz, California it knocked my socks off because of its miniature size.
Kentucky
Maine
This little log cabin-like office was just too cute to not stop for.
Massachusetts
New Jersey
Apparently the little blue office in Sergeantsville, New Jersey was permanently closed. This photo was snapped some time in 2013, I believe.
New York
The eagle on the Stony Brook post office flaps its wings on the hour!
Pennsylvania
This office in Morris, Pa is one of my absolute favorites. There is just something so perfect about its midcentury modern vibes. *chef’s kiss*
Virginia
This building in Burkes Garden is a former post office. You can see a few more photos from peering in the windows on the old Burkes Garden, Virginia post office.
Another decomissioned gem – read more about Rockfish.
You can find this office on Virginia 56, which is a nice twisty ride down off of the Blue Ridge Parkway.
West Virginia
This photo alone doesn’t look like much but getting to the old Abraham office in the middle of the foggy night was a trip. I found myself here while doing the Void Rally. Read more about the old Abraham Post Office.
This PO stop was solely for the name – I love it!
Those are some good ones!
Cool. The USPS holds a spot in my heart.
Cool, how did you come across Vesuvious?
I was coming down off the BRP 🙂
Brilliant idea!
Guessing you have a USPS connection? I’m a retired carrier, over 41 years. I understand the interest.
Actually, no – no connection to USPS at all. Just one of those things 🙂
Love the small town post offices, there is just something about them that draws me in, I love old buildings too, I have a thing for taking pictures of doors and windows LOL. Awesome pics, as always 🙂