Signs of the Times

Well, Signs of the Dates to be precise. In exploring the rural post offices of Pennsylvania I came across several offices which, under POSt"Plan", are slated to become two-hour PMR-operated locations. Each was being studied for closure under RAOI last year. Each also has another nice aspect: the sign for the post office tells us just when it was established.

Here's a map of the places featured:


Parryville, PA post office:


The Parryville post office, according to USPS's Leased Facilities Report, has been at 177 Main Street since 1961. I always love the ones that share residence with people's homes. The nice stonework porch leads us to the patriotically colored sign for the post office...


It's a mark of pride to the town that they've had an operating post office since the early 1800s; May 30, 1818 to be precise.


Fisher, PA post office:

Located in a photogenic, hilly corner of PA, Fisher has the longest Saturday hours around: presently 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. Yet I still couldn't find my way there the first time I tried to find the town nearly three years ago. I caught up with Fisher one Sunday morning last autumn; the post office is housed with the general store. The sign notes that the location was established August 20, 1860.




Cambra, PA post office:

A house and real estate office share a building with the Cambra post office, which has a fantastic hand-painted sign declaring its date of establishment -- 1822.





Talmage, PA post office:
The thing about this blink-and-you-miss-it post office, located within a mile of the Brownstown P.O., is that you'll probably miss it even while staring right at it. It's located at the side of a house obscured by hedges. The only indications are the pole-mounted collection box -- which looks like you could pick it up and spirit it away (you can't; trust me), and the sign. At least it's a sign with character.




Now this is what I'm talking about: "serving our community".


Jersey Mills, PA post office:
This one was fantastic. Jersey Mills is located in a dispersed string of three post offices along the Pine Creek Gorge northwest of Williamsport; other POs are Waterville and Slate Run. Each was an RAOI office last year. The Jersey Mills location was incredibly photogenic, sandwiched between the main road and a bike trail used by locals and tourists alike. There's a sign facing either line of traffic. And it's a good thing, too, because if it weren't for the sign, you'd just see an ordinary-looking red house with a worn driveway.





Again, gotta love the old-style collection box: