FEW SELECTED POST OFFICE HISTORIES

Adel

Post Office records show that it was open from Jan 16, 1889 to Sept 29, 1906 with Sylvester Adkins as its only postmaster. Located in the valley on the Clay/Franklin township line, the town was originally platted as Pleasant Valley. An 1876 map of Indiana and Owen County shows a post office by that name. No other proof has been found. I was a going town until a disastrous fire swept through the town in 1875. It went down hill from then on. It seems odd that it didn't have a post office in its heyday, but got one later when the town was almost a ghost town. Two houses, a church and the cemetery are all that is left today of this pleasant valley.

Alaska

Located in the northeast corner of Harrison township on the Owen-Morgan county line. This town started off as West Salem in Morgan County, with a post office in March of 1849. In April of 1855 the town was changed to Graysville. The name was used from April 24 to July 28, 1855. There was also a Graysville Post Office in Sullivan County at this time. The name was changed to Sheasville. On May 4, 1868 the name was changed to Alaska. Then on December 5, 1875, the post office was moved across the road into Owen county. It remained in Owen county until April 24, 1897, at which time it went back into Morgan County. It was closed on June 15, 1904. Arthur Secrest was the first Owen County postmaster.

Alligator

Opened April 4, 1854 with Cyrus Marshall as postmaster. Closed April 3, 1856. Opened again by Abel Sheppard on April 15, 1858 and closed on Sept 11, 1863. Located in northern Marion township just north of Patricksburg.

Arney

Opened September 11, 1856 and closed May 31, 1912. Robert Rice was the first postmaster. Located west of Freedom in eastern Jefferson township. The foundation is all that remains of the post office today.

Atkinsonville

Opened September 10, 1854 and closed August 15, 1907. Located in Morgan township this was the only post office to use "Owen County" in its postmark. William Connely was the first postmaster. William Chaney was the postmaster who paid for the fancy "County" canceler as each postmaster had to pay for his own supplies.

Brentonville

Platted by Adam Brenton who owned the first ferry across White River here in 1819. It received its post office February 16, 1831. Francis Hickman was its only postmaster. It closed March 28, 1836. The area is now known as Romona.

Carp

Opened October 21, 1885 in Montgomery township with William T. Anderson as its first postmaster. Closed March 31, 1904 with the advent of Rural Free Delivery.

Cataract

Set in the middle of Jennings township at the top cataract of Eel River (now called Mill Creek), it opened March 31, 1846 and closed April 15, 1936. Theodore Jennings was the first postmaster.

Clyde

Open from April 24, 1884 to December 19, 1889. Located in southeastern Taylor township. Building still standing in 1991, but moved to the Fiddler farm and used as a pig pen.

Coal City

Changed from Stockton on November 11, 1877. John Hochstetler, who was the first postmaster at Stockton, continued as the first Coal City postmaster. Located in northeastern Jefferson township, it is one of the six post offices still open in Owen county today.

Cuba

William Hart was the first postmaster of this Montgomery township town. Opened June 15, 1851 and closed December 31, 1909.

Cunot

Opened October 31, 1894 in northeastern Jackson township. Closed February 28, 105.