Waller County Post Offices

Before the age of modern communication, the postal system was a vital link between isolated rural settlements. Early Waller County post offices were often located in a residence or general store near the local church, gristmill, cotton gin, or blacksmith shop. They provided a center of community activity where families could socialize and purchase supplies as well as pick up mail. They were sometimes used as polling places during elections. The area covered by each post office was small since travel by wagon and horseback over dirt roads was difficult and slow. Although most facilities served farm villages, others were situated at railroad stops of sawmill towns. A storekeeper, miller, or other community leader filled the position of postmaster. The need for numerous small post stations decreased with the advent of motor transportation and improved roads. Larger towns absorbed some of the facilities; Rural free delivery, instituted in 1896, replaced others. In some cases, the rural community disappeared along with its post office -- victim of urbanization. The map on the reverse of this marker shows discontinued post offices that served the area of present-day Waller County from the 1840s to 1969.

Waller County Post Offices is a historical marker in Hempsted, Waller County. It is one of 52 historical markers documented in Waller County in the Texas Historical Commission Atlas, among 135 historic sites cataloged across the county.

The site sits at 30.0980, -96.0774 near Hempsted. The nearest cataloged historic site is Hempstead, C.S.A. (historical marker), about under a tenth of a mile away. Others within a short drive include Waller County, First United Methodist Church of Hempstead, and Ahrenbeck-Urban Home.

This record corresponds to Texas Historical Commission Atlas #5473008109. Use the map below for its exact position and turn-by-turn directions.