Hypoluxo in Palm Beach County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)

1885-1893

By Jay Kravetz

1. 1885-1893 Marker

Inscription. Click to hear the inscription.

The U.S. Star Mail Route provided the first regular direct communication between this area and Miami. The mail carriers walked barefoot on the wet hard-packed sand along the ocean’s edge. Boats were rode or sailed on Lake Worth and Biscayne Bay and were used in crossing the Hillsborough Inlet and the New River. The weekly 136-mile round trip took six days.

The annual salary was $600.

On October 11, 1887, Ed Hamilton, a barefoot mailman lost his life while attempting to swim across the Hillsborough Inlet where someone had moved his boat to the other side. Searchers found only his clothing and mailbag on the north side of the inlet. It was thought gators or sharks got him when he attempted to swim in stormy weather.

Erected by Town of Hypoluxo.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Communications • Settlements & Settlers.

Location. 26° 34.276′ N, 80° 3.352′ W. Marker is in Hypoluxo, Florida, in Palm Beach County. Marker can be reached from Hypoluxo Road 0.1 miles from

By Jay Kravetz

2. 1885-1893 Marker

South Federal Highway (U.S. 1), on the left when traveling west. The marker is on the west side of the Barefoot Mailman statue at the entrance of Hypoluxo Scrub Natural Area. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 150 Hypoluxo Road, Lake Worth FL 33462, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 4 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Chapel Of The Holy Spirit (approx. ¼ mile away); Evergreen Cemetery (approx. 1.1 miles away); South Lake Worth Inlet (approx. 1.9 miles away); Coastal Patrol Base No. 3 (approx. 2.2 miles away); Barton Memorial Park Cemetery (approx. 2.6 miles away); 1913 Boynton Elementary School (approx. 3.1 miles away); First Schoolhouse (approx. 3.1 miles away); First Town Hall (approx. 3.1 miles away).

By Jay Kravetz

3. 1885-1893 Marker

The following men served as a barefoot mailman: Edwin Ruthven Bradley Lewis Bradley James Edward Hamilton Andrew Walton Garnett Charles William Pierce Henry John Burkhardt

Credits. This page was last revised on February 1, 2021. It was originally submitted on January 31, 2021, by Jay Kravetz of West Palm Beach, Florida. This page has been viewed 69 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on January 31, 2021, by Jay Kravetz of West Palm Beach, Florida. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.