When the Continental Congress named Benjamin Franklin the
first Postmaster General in 1775, the United States was a weak
confederation of colonies scattered along the eastern seaboard.
The postal system that congress created helped bind the new nation
together, support the growth of commerce, and ensure a free flow
of ideas and information. Today Postal Service fuels the nation’s
economy and delivers millions of messages and billions of dollars
in financial transactions each day.
Not only did the evolution of postal service change nationally,
but many changes also 
occurred
right here in Beloit. It is difficult to imagine, but in 1836
the closest post office to Beloit was in Chicago. Mail from Chicago
was carried by stage to Rockford, then to Roscoe by horseback.
In the early part of the 19th century, envelopes weren’t
even used. Instead, a letter was folded and the address was placed
on the outside of the sheet. The customer had to take the letter
to the nearest post office to mail it, and the addressee had
to pick up the letter at the post office. Unfortunately, this
was impossible for most Beloiters because that meant traveling
great distances for mail service.
It was three years later in 1839 that Beloit was given regular
mail service - one delivery to and from Chicago per week. At
this time Beloit was honored to have its own postmaster appointed
by President Martin Van Buren. The first Postmaster, John Hackett,
son-in-law of Caleb Blodgett, established his office on the southeast
corner of State and East Grand Avenue where Beloiters could go
to retrieve their mail. Beloit began to enjoy the most efficient
and modern service possible. By 1847, postage stamps became available,
giving mailers the option of sending their letters; however,
it was the responsibility of the recipient to pay the postage
fee, which only continued until 1855.
In 1890 Beloit was under the postmastership of Chalmers Ingersoll.
During Ingersoll’s administration the post office was moved
to 346 Bridge St. (now W. Grand Avenue), where it remained until
1910. Free delivery of letters for Beloit to began on July 1,
1890. At this time it was mandatory to have house numbers for
delivery of personal mail to business offices and households.
Letter boxes were also to be attached to each dwelling. The inside
windows at the post office were open on Sundays until 1:00 p.m.,
and mail was even delivered on Christmas Day. On March 31, 1911,
mail delivery on Sundays was stopped. During that time, the postage
fee was 2 cents per ounce, unlike in the earlier 1830s when the
nearest post office was in Chicago and the rate was 25 cents
per half ounce. Four carriers were appointed to deliver the mail,
and a regular workday consisted of 11 hours. Each carrier was
equipped with a large leather pouch and clothed in a uniform
of cadet blue with trim in black braid. The carriers were Charles
Hansen, Charles Stocking, John Donnelley and Dana Richards. Charles
Hansen died in 1893 and his position was filled by Fred Oliver.
Other known carriers include John Ressequie, Edwin Bailey and
William Henrich.
In February of 1912 a new post office was built at 501-511 East
Grand Avenue and Pleasant Street under the postmastership of
D. B. Worthington and his assistant C. W. Steele. In 1913 the
parcel
post delivery was inaugurated in Beloit with Arthur Ellis being
the appointed mail carrier. The post office building was enlarged
in 1931 and continued as Beloit’s post office until a more
modern facility was erected 1969 at the foot of Broad and Mill
Streets. The dedication of the new post office building was held
on May 18, 1969, under the assistant postmastership of Don W.
Owens. This building remains today as the Beloit Post Office.
The current postmaster is Gerald Deppisch.
Through the years many postmasters and carriers have come and
gone as well as many post office locations. Mail service has
been greatly expanded from a horse-drawn vehicle to modern automotive
delivery trucks. There is still much more to mail service that
people don’t realize, especially the effort that is put
forth to ensure that each piece gets to where it is supposed
to go. Just think !! If everything operates smoothly, some of
you will be reading this article within 24 hours after it has
been mailed.