Post Offices in the Northern Neck
One if by land and two if by water - sounds like the Redcoats are coming.
In numerous journeys into the Northern Neck area of Virginia I come across many old general merchandise store that also served as Post Offices for their communities. But these three are unique in that two are on the waterfront where I’m told, the mail was delivered and picked up by boat. And one that I came across out in the country is the smallest post office I’ve yet to encounter. Enjoy.
My friend and historian, Jill Peters, found this article by Thomas A Williams, in the 1998 Northern Neck of Virginia Historical Magazine Vol.XLVIII:
“Kayan Post Office opened on February 20, 1920, on the Little Wicomico River across from Sunnybank Post Office.” (The Sunnybank Post Office was established in 1906 and is directly across the river from Ophelia where the Kayan Post Office was established.) Williams continues, “Mr. Straughhan Richardson was the first postmaster. He operated a merchandise business of groceries and dry goods at the ferry landing…The post office operated until March 31, 1933.”
In Tidwells, Daiger's General Store and post office was built in 1896, and still sits is up on a high bluff facing the water.
Here at Farmers Fork is the smallest and quaintest post office I’ve yet to come across.