Charles Town in Jefferson County, West Virginia — The American South (Appalachia)

Charles Town Post Office

Jefferson County Jail

Photographed by J. J. Prats, June 16, 2007

1. Charles Town Post Office Marker

Inscription. On the site of this Post Office stood the Jefferson County Jail where John Brown and his fellow prisoners were confined after their raid on Harpers Ferry in October 1859.

After court trial John Brown was taken from the Jail here to his death on the gallows December the Second in the year 1859.

From the Post Office in Charles Town, West Virginia, was started the first Rural Free Delivery service in the United States, under Postmaster-General Wm. L. Wilson, October the First, 1896.

Erected 1932 by the Jefferson County Historical Society of West Virginia.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Communications • Landmarks • War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the Postal Mail and Philately series list. A significant historical month for this entry is October 1859.

Location. 39° 17.325′ N, 77° 51.603′ W. Marker is in Charles Town, West Virginia, in Jefferson County. It is at the intersection of South George Street (West Virginia Route 115) and Washington Street ( Route 51), on the right when traveling south on South George Street. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Charles Town WV 25414, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Washington Metropolitan Area

and in the Eastern Panhandle.

It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Upper South,

in Appalachia,

and specifically in Northern Appalachia. Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture

and also the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Charles Town (a few steps from this marker); Thomas Green House

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(within shouting distance of this marker); New Central Restaurant (within shouting distance of this marker); Charles Washington Hall (within shouting distance of this marker); Jefferson County World War II Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); Jefferson County Courthouse (within shouting distance of this marker); The Trial of John Brown (within shouting distance of this marker); John Yates (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Charles Town.

Another marker is no longer nearby. Confederate Soldiers of Jefferson County (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been permanently removed).

Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. Rural Free Delivery Markers.

Also see . . . Rural Free Delivery. (Submitted on August 9, 2007.)

Additional keywords. RFD - Rural Free Delivery

Tablet is on the Left Corner of the Post Office image. Click for full size.

Photographed by J. J. Prats, June 16, 2007

2. Tablet is on the Left Corner of the Post Office

Cornerstone reads “A W Mellon, Secretary of the Treasury. James A Wetmore, Acting Supervising Architect. 1922.”

Former Bank Building, Now City Hall image. Click for full size.

Photographed by J. J. Prats, June 16, 2007

3. Former Bank Building, Now City Hall

Post Office is out of frame to the right. Courthouse is out of frame on the left.

Charles Town Post Office image. Click for full size.

Photographed by J. J. Prats, June 16, 2007

4. Charles Town Post Office

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on August 9, 2007, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. This page has been viewed 3,647 times since then and 43 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on August 9, 2007, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio.