Hypoluxo in Palm Beach County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)
1885-1893
Photographed By Jay Kravetz
1. 1885-1893 Marker
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. A significant historical date for this entry is October 11, 1887.
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 South
Photographed By Jay Kravetz
2. 1885-1893 Marker
this page online
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); James Homestead and First Jewell Post Office (approx. 2.7 miles away); First Schoolhouse (approx. 3.1 miles away); Palm Beach Junior College (approx. 3.4 miles away).
Photographed 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 113 times since then and 19 times this year. 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.
