Historic Hood River
Neither rain, nor snow,
2-18-2026
Notes
Before A. I. Mason purchased the land for the Liberty Home Orchard in 1896, he worked as a mail carrier in Portland. This image shows his letter sorting case, his boots, his uniform, and his hat with badge #14. It is a nice companion to this image showing him posing with his fellow letter carriers.
BethH
And you can still walk into a post office and see carriers sorting into a case similar to this- but bigger. When you see your mail carrier out on the street you may think it looks easy- and most folks are most appreciative of their carrier- but for the complainers- I always wanted to invite them in, show them my pile of mail and pkgs and tell them to put it in order and load it in your car, in a way that you can deliver it efficiently. Show kindness, respect and thankfulness-and encouragement- especially for new carriers. It’s amazing still- that you can mail a letter for so little cents and have it delivered to that person across the country.
Don’t privatize the USPS! Thanks for reading my venting!
Kalley
I agree with you whole heartedly BethH!
Lani Roberts
My son works for UPS sorting facility and I know how much work it is.
L. E.
I think rural delivery came about in 1902. Before that, everyone had to go to the local post office to pick up their mail. I read one local pioneer story that the postal lady would sort the mail on her bed. She needed a cabinet like the one in the photo.
Molly Morrow
My grandfather, John Dayton “Date” McLucas was Hood River’s postmaster for a number of years in the 1930’s. I believe this is when the current post office was built. Does anyone have photos of the building, staff or the dedication? I’d like to include it in the family history.
Arthur Babitz
Molly, this is the best image we have of the post office in its early years: https://www.hoodriverhistorymuseum.org/post-office-building/