Lots of candles: Muddy Post Office celebrates 100th birthday Monday
</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[The Muddy Post Office has undergone much change in the last century and the zip code 62965 is alive and well.
The Post Office celebrates its 100 year existence 11:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. Monday Sept. 22.
"It's mainly customer appreciation with door prizes, refreshments and old pictures people can look at of the community," Postmaster Kathy Rowlen said.
There is also a commemorative postal cancellation available. Eleanor Molinarolo's essay the "History of Muddy" will be available for people to read. The history begins with the settlement of Robinson's Ford, a thriving community that vied against Raleigh in 1847 for the first county seat.
The first Post Office was established in W.E. Joyner's store in 1908. Fire destroyed it in 1929 and it was moved to a small free standing building. In 1949 the Post Office moved to the tiny 12 feet by 10 feet building, known as one of the smallest in the country gaining mention from "Fox News," "Chicago Tribune" and "Wall Street Journal."
The Post Office was in danger of being closed in 1998, but the community fought to save it. Not only was the effort successful, the U.S. Postal Service built an office across the street and modernized it with all the modern amenities.
Rowlen worked for five years as officer in charge in the old office with its 42 boxes and bars on the window. Muddy residents who did not have a box received their mail through general delivery.
"It was just about enough room to stand up and sit down. It was frustrating, but it was unique. People stepped in a lot of times. That was the good part of it," Rowlen said.
In 2002 Rowlen was appointed postmaster and had a conveniently-sized office to work in with 70 boxes. Because there are no carriers the Post Office receives a lot of customer traffic.
John W. Bond was postmaster in 1914, Jess W. Moore in 1919, Walter Grable was acting postmaster until Virginia Podoriscki-Goeltzer became postmaster in 1948 and she remained in that position for 32 years. Barbara Kassner, Rowen's mother became postmaster in 1980. Rowen's postmaster relief is Phyllis Jackson.
Bill Dardeen is transforming the little Post Office into a little museum displaying pictures and facts about Muddy. Those who attend Monday can take a tour of the former office.
- DeNeal receives e-mail at bdeneal@yourclearwave.com.
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