Fulton Post Office
Today we may refer to it as “snail mail”, but in the 19th century, the United States Postal Service enabled early settlers to remain in touch with those left behind when they ventured west. In 1775, the Second Continental Congress established a postal system, appointing Benjamin Franklin the first Postmaster General for a yearly salary of $1,000. In 1792, President George Washington signed the Postal Service Act into law and created the United States Post Office Department.
Two years prior to the organization of Callaway County in 1820, there was a territorial post office at Côte Sans Dessin. Post offices at Elizabeth, the first county seat (1822) and Fruite, located on Nine Mile Prairie and named for its postmaster Alek Fruite (1824) preceded the 1826 opening of a post office in Fulton. Throughout most of the 19th century, there was no mail delivery in rural areas. Because patrons picked up their mail at the post office, only the recipient’s name and town were needed to complete the address. Post offices were often located in a store, business office or even a private residence. Fulton’s first postmaster was Nathan Kouns, a doctor, who probably operated the post office out of his home.
The building featured in this postcard served as Fulton’s Post Office from 1917 until 1988 when the current Post Office at the corner of 4th and Court Streets opened. Today, the statement “I’m off to the Post Office.” may have nothing to do with mailing a letter. Since 1996, the building has been a destination for dinner or enjoying a beverage on the patio at the Post Office Bar and Grill.