Upper Lake Post Office Celebrates 150 years of Service

Historic Post Office was first in Lake County

UPPER LAKE Calif. — June 15, 1858 marked a special day in the history of what is now known as Lake County. It was on that date that the 100 or so residents in the vicinity of Upper Clear Lake began doing business with the U.S. Postal Service.

On June 19, 2008, the Upper Lake Post Office is hosting a party to celebrate the 150-year anniversary of that special day. Come visit the Upper Lake Post Office, 9435 Main St., between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. and enjoy some birthday cake and other refreshments. Postmaster Marilyn Bryant will also have a special cancellation available, designed by local artist Doug Moore, to commemorate the day.

Bryant said “We have the best of all worlds here at the Upper Lake Post Office. We can offer the latest in Express Mail shipping services and still maintain our sense of historic place in this lovely town.”

Upper Clear Lake was the first Post Office authorized in the area that is now Lake County, although it probably began functioning around the same time as the Big Valley Post Office near Lakeport. The first Post Office took the name Upper Clear Lake, with James G. Musick as postmaster. In 1860, mail was brought in once a week on horseback from Ukiah, and as late as 1872, the mail was packed by horseback to Hopland.

There is no record of the location of the first Post Office, but it is reasonable to assume it was in the home of Musick. In 1866, the Post Office took up residence on Main Street and has been in various locations on both sides of the street since then. Just as the Post Office changed locations, so did the official name of the town. In 1875, Upper Clear Lake became Upper Lake, and then in 1895, it was spelled “Upperlake” and finally just Upper Lake in 1906.

Today, the Upper Lake Post Office has no city delivery, but has 936 Post Office boxes. In addition to Postmaster Bryant, there are two clerks, Ron Allgood and Marie Lane. The office services one rural route with 535 deliveries. Upper Lake also services 87 boxes at Witter Springs and 264 boxes on a Highway Contract route.

“The Post Office is a great place to work, mostly because I really enjoy my customers,” Bryant said. She also encouraged all of her customers to join in the celebration.

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