Climax in Kalamazoo County, Michigan — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

First Rural Free Delivery Carriers

Photographed By Duane Hall, September 17, 2013

1. First Rural Free Delivery Carriers Monument

(East and South Sides)

Inscription.
(Tablet facing East)
First rural free delivery carriers starting out from Climax post office. (From photo taken by Frank Hoogman)
This tablet erected by Michigan Rural Letter Carriers' Association, 1917.

(Tablet facing South)
     Climax was discovered by Col. John Mullet, a government surveyor, in November, 1825. The name was selected by Daniel B. Eldred, in May, 1831. The first permanent settlers were Judge Caleb Eldred and sons, who located on Section 3, in June, 1831.
     Nearly 300 farmers, who receive mail on the three rural routes out of Climax, have each contributed one stone from their farms to build this monument.
     These farmers, and the Climax Mens' Fellowship Club, have erected this tablet in appreciation of James H. Brown, who helped start rural free delivery in Michigan, and who designed and constructed this monument.
     Dedicated July 26, 1917.

(Tablet facing West)
The first rural free delivery in Michigan started here December 3, 1896. Aided by U.S. Senator Julius C. Burrows. Lewis A. Clark and Willis L. Lawrence first R.F.D. carriers.
This tablet erected by Kalamazoo and Calhoun County Chapters D.A.R. 1917.

(Tablet facing North)
The first Congressional appropriation to try the experiment

Paid Advertisement

Click on the ad for more information.
Please report objectionable advertising to the Editor.

Click or scan to see
this page online

of delivering mail to farmers' homes was secured through the strenuous efforts of the national and state Granges in 1896. The amount was 40,000.00 dollars.
This tablet erected by Michigan State Grange, 1917.
Monument Construction Committee: Frank L. Willison William H. Sheldon Simeon E. Ewing

Erected 1917 by Michigan Rural Letter Carriers' Association, Kalamazoo and Calhoun County Chapters Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) and Michigan State Grange.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Communications. In addition, it is included in the Daughters of the American Revolution series list. A significant historical month for this entry is May 1831.

Location. 42° 14.33′ N, 85° 20.164′ W. Marker is in Climax, Michigan, in Kalamazoo County. Marker is on N. Main Street north of Maple Street, on the left when traveling north. Marker is located in park next to the Lawrence Memorial Public Library and across from the Climax Town Hall. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Climax MI 49034, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 6 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Climax Veterans Memorial (a few steps from this marker); Climax World War II Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); Festus Hall House (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Climax Crescent Newspaper

Photographed By Duane Hall, September 17, 2013

2. First Rural Free Delivery Carriers Monument

Tablets on monument (from top to bottom) on east, south, west, and north sides

(about 500 feet away); Daniel B. Eldred House (approx. 0.2 miles away); Beckley School (approx. 5.3 miles away); William Rufus Shafter Memorial (approx. 5.4 miles away); U.S.S. Maine Memorial (approx. 5.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Climax.

Also see . . . Rural Free Delivery. United States Postal Service website entry (Submitted on September 25, 2013.)

Photographed By Duane Hall, September 17, 2013

3. First Rural Free Delivery Carriers Monument

(West and North Sides)

Centennial Tablet at Base of Monument image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Duane Hall, September 17, 2013

4. Centennial Tablet at Base of Monument

"The experiment proves true---connecting
Communities to the world."
1896 - 1996

Photographed By Duane Hall, September 17, 2013

5. First Rural Free Delivery Carriers Monument

View to south along Main Street

Credits. This page was last revised on April 30, 2023. It was originally submitted on September 25, 2013, by Duane Hall of Abilene, Texas. This page has been viewed 522 times since then and 21 times this year. Last updated on April 30, 2023, by Carolyn Sanders of Plano, Texas. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on September 25, 2013, by Duane Hall of Abilene, Texas. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.