The postal service has changed significantly over the last hundred years. While stamps have changed regularly and services such as airmail and computerized sorting offices have transformed the United States Postal Service into a modern and efficient organization, one aspect has remained constant throughout the last century, and it is something we all use and yet are probably taking for granted – the humble US mailbox.
Most people don’t notice them as they walk past the front of people’s homes, or know of their history when they collect their bills, quotes for courier insurance or junk mail, but the mailbox used by so many American households is distinctive to the United States. No other country uses a mailbox like it and it has a unique place in the history of the United States Postal Service. However, before long, this unique and iconic symbol of the United States may be disappearing from our streets altogether, so perhaps we should all take a little time to celebrate this great American symbol and its place in US history.

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Owney was a scruffy mutt who became a regular fixture at the Albany, New York, post office in 1888. His owner was likely a postal clerk who let the dog walk him to work. Owney began to ride with the bags on Railway Post Office (RPO) train cars across the state . . . and then the country! The RPO clerks adopted Owney as their unofficial mascot, marking his travels by placing medals and tags from his stops on his collar.

Lou Hebert who has been reporting and writing broadcast news in the Toledo area for four decades sent me information recently that he authored a story on the adventurous life and tragic demise of Owney the Postal Dog. I’m sure you will find his story of interest.
Click here for his article…