Haulover Park in Miami-Dade County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)
Barefoot Mailman
Photographed by Marsha A. Matson, October 2, 2014
1. Barefoot Mailman Marker
In the 1800s, mail was often carried between the coastal communities of South Florida by barefoot mailmen. These carriers walked most of the route barefoot on the firm sand near the water's edge. In the 1880s, the U.S. government established regular mail service from the Palm Beach area to Miami. The usual route was from Hypoluxo Island, passed the Orange Grove and Ft. Lauderdale Houses of Refuge and Baker's Haulover, then to Miami by small boat, and back again, a distance of over 120 miles which the barefoot mailmen covered in six days. In the 1890s, a new county road to Lemon City ended the barefoot route.
Erected by Sponsored by Eastern Airlines in cooperation with the Historical Association of Southern Florida.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Communications • Settlements & Settlers.
Location. Marker has been reported missing. It was located near 25° 54.817′ N, 80° 7.326′ W. Marker was in Haulover Park, Florida, in Miami-Dade County. It could be reached from Collins Avenue (State Road A1A) 0.6 miles south of Bayview Drive, on the left when traveling south. Marker is located on the beach south of the Haulover Beach
this page online
Regionally, this marker was in South Florida, on the Gold Coast, and in Greater Miami. It was also in the American South. Globally, it was in the North Atlantic Region, North America, a Gulf of Mexico state, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it found itself in what was once New Spain, the territory of the Mississippian Culture, one of the Confederate States of America, and the Antebellum South.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 5 miles of this location, measured as the crow flies: Haulover Beach Sport Fishing Docks (approx. 0.9 miles away); Fulford-By-The-Sea Fountain (approx. 2½ miles away); Arch Creek Road Military Trail (approx. 2.6 miles away); Arch Creek (approx. 2.7 miles away); Arch Creek Bridge (approx. 2.7 miles away); North Shore Historic District (approx. 3.4 miles away); Biscayne House of Refuge (approx. 3.9 miles away); Biscayne (approx. 4.6 miles away).
Also see . . . Haulover Park. Wikipedia (Submitted on October 2, 2014, by Marsha A. Matson of Palmetto Bay, Florida.)
Photographed by Marsha A. Matson, October 2, 2014
2. Barefoot Mailman Marker
Photographed by Marsha A. Matson, October 2, 2014
3. Barefoot Mailman Marker
Photographed by Marsha A. Matson, October 2, 2014
4. Haulover Beach Lifeguard Station
Credits. This page was last revised on March 6, 2025. It was originally submitted on October 2, 2014, by Marsha A. Matson of Palmetto Bay, Florida. This page has been viewed 1,541 times since then and 57 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on October 2, 2014, by Marsha A. Matson of Palmetto Bay, Florida. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.
