Norwich Township in Springford in Oxford County, Ontario — Central Canada (North America)
The Establishment of Free Rural Mail Delivery
Établissement d'un service gratuit de distribution du courrier en milieu rural
Photographed by Tim Boyd, June 28, 2024
1. The Establishment of Free Rural Mail Delivery Marker
One of the most significant developments in the history of postal service in Canada, free rural mail delivery was established largely through the efforts of two Ontarians, George Wilcox and Joseph Armstrong. Wilcox, a farmer here in South Norwich Township, roused wide support for the system through numerous newspaper articles and a prolific letter writing campaign. At the same time, following his election in 1904 as the representative for Lambton East, Armstrong became a tireless advocate in the House of Commons for rural mail delivery. Anxious to retain the farm vote, the Laurier government soon responded to this pressure. In September of 1908 it announced the establishment of a limited system of free rural mail delivery, and within a month the first route was in service.
Erected by the Ontario Heritage Foundation, Ministry of Culture and Communications
La distribution gratuite en milieu rural l’un des fais les plus marquants du service postal au Canada, est attribuable surtout aux efforts de deux Ontariens, George Wilcox et Joseph Armstrong. M. Wilcox, agriculteur du canton de Norwich sud, sut
this page online
Erected by Ontario Heritage Foundation.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Communications. In addition, it is included in the Canada, Ontario Heritage Trust series list. A significant historical month for this entry is September 1908.
Location. 42° 54.961′ N, 80° 40.41′ W. Marker is in Springford, Ontario, in Oxford County. It is in Norwich Township. It is on Main Street West (Otterville Road) 0.2 kilometers west of West Street North, on the left when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 429 Main St W, Springford ON N0J 1R0, Canada. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in the Southwest Ontario Area and in Southwestern Ontario. It is also in Central Canada. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once a British colony, the Viceroyalty of New France, the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy, and Rupert’s Land.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 11 kilometers of this marker, measured as the crow flies: The War of 1812 (approx. 5.5 kilometers away); Black Settlement in Norwich Township (approx. 5.6 kilometers away); Otterville African Methodist Episcopal Church and Cemetery
Photographed by Tim Boyd, June 28, 2024
2. The Establishment of Free Rural Mail Delivery/ Marker
Also see . . . A Chronology of Canadian Postal History - Free Rural Mail Delivery.
The people’s representative who was best known for his commitment to this cause was George Wilcox. In 1900, Wilcox had his first experience of the benefits of free mail delivery on the occasion of a visit to his son in Michigan, U.S. Known as "rural free delivery," it had been in existence in the United States since 1896. Back in Canada, Wilcox was quick to let his fellow citizens know about the advantages of the American service and to call for an equivalent service from the government authorities(Submitted on July 2, 2024, by Tim Boyd of Hamilton, Ontario.)
Photographed by Tim Boyd, June 28, 2024
3. The Establishment of Free Rural Mail Delivery/ Marker
1908
4. The first rural mail delivery, between Hamilton and Ancaster Ontario, in 1908
Source: National Archives of Canada (public domain)
Credits. This page was last revised on July 4, 2024. It was originally submitted on July 2, 2024, by Tim Boyd of Hamilton, Ontario. This page has been viewed 153 times since then and 16 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on July 2, 2024, by Tim Boyd of Hamilton, Ontario. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.
