America's Smallest Post Office.

Thomas Grimshawe was born in 1815 in Lancashire, the son of Nicholas and Ann (Slater) Grimshaw. Thomas is descended from the Pendle Forest line of Grimshaws, but added an "e" to the surname. He married Helena Brettargh and the family lived in Burnley. All six of their children were born in England. Thomas made a visit to Canada in 1850, during which he kept a detailed journal of his trip; this very interesting chronicle is available on a companion webpage. In 1852 the family emigrated to Cobourg, Ontario, Canada, on the north shore of Lake Ontario.

After about 22 years in Ontario (in 1874), most or all of the family relocated again, this time to the Cashiers Valley area of North Carolina, where they acquired some 600 acres and gave their name to a location that is still well known in the area. The (reportedly) smallest post office in the U.S. operated there until all third class post offices were closed in 1953.

Well, had no idea where Grimshawes is located, so I looked it up. Just about next door, in North Carolina! Thanks Robert!

Peter

Here the smallest post office I can find a photo of. Stewart's Point California, on the Sonoma coast four miles south of the Sea Ranch

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sea_Ranch,_California

As far as I know, the Stewart's Point post office is still in operation, at least it was on Jun 18, 1998 when I mailed my self both the sheets of the re-released Tran Mississippi Issue, The $3.81 9 stamp set and the 9 Western Cattle in the Storm $1.00 stamps. I was there waiting for George to open the office, had his sign, and date the selgage and used the round dater to cancel. I did that at all 10 POs between Stewarts Point and Fort Bragg. The Annapolis, CA office may be smaller the Stewart's Point.

Here's a picture of the Stewarts Point, California post office:



Unfortunately it is nowhere near the smallest post office in the US, that title goes to Ochopee, FL and they even have a special postmark to prove it:

WERT:

Thanks for posting that pic. Grimshaws is just up the road from my house. Bill Crawford is a good friend of mine.

Here's another pic for you. This pic says Cashiers but your pic is correct in that the community name is Whiteside Cove. The building is still there (now on private property).

Kirk

Just to clarify, the old time pictures of Grimshawes, NC was a discontinued post office (DPO) in operation from 1909-1953 and held the title of the smallest post office in the US when it was in operation. More detail may be found here:

http://www.stayandplayinthesmokies....post-office/

Whiteside Cove, NC had a post office long ago but it is now a DPO having only been in operation from 1878-1909. The Cashiers, NC post office still exists today and is a larger, relatively modern building, even though the population of that location is only 157:



Ochopee, FL apparently took the title as the smallest US post office in 1953 when the old post office in that location burned down and the current building (a former irrigation pipe shed) housed the post office since then.

LOL, Nice pic, WT1.

That's Rob Stewart coming out of the building. He drives that barely-visible white pickup. The red SUV is Mrs. Fowler's. The black Explorer belongs to Lucille who works at the grocery store, but I can't remember her last name.

The picture of the Cashiers, NC post office was a screenshot from Google maps.

Here's an updated photo of Grimshawes Post Office, taken by my next door neighbor.


Grimshawes Post Office near Cashiers, NC. This structure still stands and at one time was the smallest post office in the country.
It was operational from 1903 - 1953. With easy access just off of Whiteside Cove Road, you can pull off onto the shoulder for photos and a look inside.
Photo by Nick Breedlove/Sylva Herald.

Imagine how much the P.O. earned from collecting all the loose change that went through the floor boards!

Here are a few more small American post offices.

Robert

Fascinating, thanks for sharing.

Smallest post office in New York - North Hoosick!