Hempstead in Waller County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
Former Waller County Post Offices
Photographed by Brian Anderson, October 28, 2018
1. Former Waller County Post Offices Marker Front
Inscription.
Former Waller County Post Offices. . Before the age of modern communication, the postal system was a vital link between isolated rural settlements. Early Waller County post offices were often located in a residence or general store near the local church, gristmill, cotton gin, or blacksmith shop. They provided a center of community activity where families could socialize and purchase supplies as well as pick up mail. They were sometimes used as polling places during elections. The area covered by each post office was small since travel by wagon and horseback over dirt roads was difficult and slow. Although most facilities served farm villages, others were situated at railroad stops or sawmill towns. A storekeeper, miller, or other community leader filled the position of postmaster., The need for numerous small post stations decreased with the advent of motor transportation and improved roads. Larger towns absorbed some of the facilities; Rural Free Delivery, instituted in 1896, replaced others. In some cases, the rural community disappeared along with its post office - a victim of urbanization. The map on the reverse of this marker shows discontinued post offices that served the area of present-day Waller County from the 1840s to 1969.
Before the age of modern communication, the postal system was a vital link between isolated rural settlements. Early Waller County post offices were often located in a residence or general store near the local church, gristmill, cotton gin, or blacksmith shop. They provided a center of community activity where families could socialize and purchase supplies as well as pick up mail. They were sometimes used as polling places during elections. The area covered by each post office was small since travel by wagon and horseback over dirt roads was difficult and slow. Although most facilities served farm villages, others were situated at railroad stops or sawmill towns. A storekeeper, miller, or other community leader filled the position of postmaster.
The need for numerous small post stations decreased with the advent of motor transportation and improved roads. Larger towns absorbed some of the facilities; Rural Free Delivery, instituted in 1896, replaced others. In some cases, the rural community disappeared along with its post office - a victim of urbanization. The map on the reverse of this marker shows discontinued post
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offices that served the area of present-day Waller County from the 1840s to 1969.
Erected 1977 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 8109.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Communications. In addition, it is included in the Postal Mail and Philately series list.
Location. 30° 5.885′ N, 96° 4.649′ W. Marker is in Hempstead, Texas, in Waller County. It is on Wilkins Street, on the right when traveling east. Marker is located on the west end of the courthouse grounds. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 836 Austin Street, Hempstead TX 77445, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in the Houston Metropolitan Area. It is also in the American South and on the Gulf Coast. Globally, it is in North America, a Gulf of Mexico state, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain, the Republic of Texas, one of the Confederate States of America, and the Antebellum South.
Credits. This page was last revised on November 1, 2018. It was originally submitted on October 29, 2018, by Brian Anderson of New Albany, Ohio. This page has been viewed 452 times since then and 18 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3. submitted on October 29, 2018, by Brian Anderson of New Albany, Ohio. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.
