Tag Archives: Post Offices

Helper Main Post Office

19 Wednesday Oct 2022

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Helper Main Post Office

The Helper Main Post Office, built in 1937 by the Works Progress Administration (WPA), is significant for its association with the federal government’s New Deal public arts programs. As one of only three Utah post offices that contain public art, it shows the depression era link between the federal government and the community. Built for less than $45,000, architect Louis Simon, engineer Neal Melick, and contractors Newstrom-Davis of Denver supervised the construction.

The interior mural hanging over the postmaster’s door was painted by Jenne Magafan and represents a notable type, period, and style of artistic expression. The oil on canvas mural, entitled “A Typical Western Town,” depicts a dusty main street of false front wooden buildings and two horsemen riding into a town. The design was the winner in a forty-eight state competition sponsored by the Fine Arts Section of the Federal Works Agency.

Marker placed in 1997 (CR-07-729.) by Division of State History. Located at 45 South Main Street in Helper, Utah

Lake Fork

15 Saturday Oct 2022

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Lake Fork

After 1861 this area was an Indian Reservation until opened for settlement in 1905. Homesteaders arrived, cleared land, dug ditches, planted crops and built cabins. Home erected by David Richardson, moved here, became the first post office; Rhoda Barker Post Mistress. Bell adornment hunt in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints building erected on this site, also used for recreation and school, William Neal, first teacher. Lake Fork was renamed Upalco.

This is Daughters of Utah Pioneers markers #355 located in Upalco, Utah

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Old Ashley Postoffice

14 Wednesday Sep 2022

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Old Ashley Postoffice

Ashley Valley, settled in 1873, had its first postoffice in this structure. Built in 1879 by Wilbur C. Britt, the first postmaster. Logs hauled from nearby forests were put together with wooden pegs and square nails to erect one large room. A partition separated the postoffice from a store. Once a week carriers, riding horseback or wearing snowshoes, delivered the mail to and from Greenriver, Wyo. Mail service here was discontinued in 1899. This building now belongs to the Daughters of Utah Pioneers.

This is Daughters of Utah Pioneers historic marker #313, located at 1333 West 2000 North in Vernal, Utah

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The Ashley Post Office was established in the center of Ashley Town on December 27,1878. At that time there were about 300 settlers in Ashley Valley. Wilbur Carlton Britt and Finley Britt used logs from nearby mountains, wooden pegs, and square nails in constructing this building. It had a dirt roof and wide board floors. The cracks between the logs which were filled with mud. A log partition separated the post office from a grocery store. Wilbur Britt was appointed first postmaster on April 16, 1879. The Ashley Post Office is also on the Utah Register of Historic Places.

Interior of Old Post Office
In the southwest corner of the post office was a pot-bellied stove with places all around to sit and visit. These visits were mostly of a social nature, but from these visits the pioneers also acquired knowledge and news from the outside world. At about the time the post office was built there were around 300 settlers in the valley.