Mailboxes in Rural America

Douglas MillerVisual Literacy – ITEC 5320-40

University of Wyoming

HistoryMailboxes have become an icon of Rural America

Original Roy Jorolman mailbox design approved by USPS in 1915. Intended to create uniformity among rural mailboxes.

ResistanceAmericans were not initially on board with the

idea of buying a manufactured mailbox

RegulationUSPS finally threatened to stop delivering mail

to unapproved mailboxes which prompted more widespread adoption of the Jorolman design.

More people begin using Jorolman Boxes

However . . . . . . . .

Even with a standard design, many still feel the need to personalize their mailbox

Ririe, Idaho

Abrams, Wisconsin

Victor, Idaho

Some mailboxes are still created with materials found around the farm

Mailbox mounted on plowRirie, Idaho

Mailbox mounted on a wheel

Victor, Idaho

Many areas do not have as many unique mailboxes

• These include urban and suburban areas

• Space limitations restrict creative mailboxes

• Home Owners Associations are restrictive

Urban Mailboxes

Uniformity is a top priority for suburban development which extends all the way to mailbox design

Suburban Mailboxes

Approved Mailboxes from Lake Crest Subdivision Located in a Suburb of Birmingham, AL

Individualism Persists in Rural America

Johns Island, South Carolina

Swan Valley, Idaho

Warren, Maine

Battleground, Indiana

Brodhead, Wisconsin

Lima, New York

The future?

Probably not . . . . . . .

In the meantime . . .

Visit the National Postal Museum for exhibits that feature unique mailboxes and other

fascinating elements of postal history.

Street Address: National Postal Museum2 Massachusetts Ave., N.E.Washington, DC 20002

Mailing Address: National Postal MuseumP.O. Box 37012 MRC 570Washington, DC 20013-7012

Web Address:http://www.postalmuseum.si.edu/index.html

Image Credits• http://www.postalmuseum.si.edu/exhibits/2b2c_4_ruralmailbox.ht

ml• http://www.savethepostoffice.com/got-mail-go-get-it-postal-service

-has-other-plans• http://www.postalmuseum.si.edu/exhibits/2b2d_folkart.html• http://badbullmedia.com/tag/apartment-mailboxes• http://www.xpblocker.com/clustermailboxes-a-172.html• http://www.mswoods.com/blog/ashton-subdivision/• http://hmcurrentevents.com/growing-smarter-not-bigger/• http://www.archithings.com/visual-arts-centre-in-carlow-ireland/20

09/10/16• http://www.photographsofthewest.org/portfolio/rural-mail/• Douglas Miller