Celebration for 100 years of the Kaweah Post Office on October 23

When a revered institution reaches its 100th birthday, it’s certainly a cause to celebrate with some good old fashioned fun. And that’s just what’s in store for all who visit the Kaweah Post Office on Saturday, Oct. 23, between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.

It will be a day of food, fun, music, and history. And, best of all, the centennial event will help raise funds for the preservation of the historic post office. A wholesome experience awaits all who attend this Centennial Celebration where past and present meet…

Read the rest of this article by Brian Rothhammer at the Kaweah Commonwealth.
(Scroll down for second article at this link.)

Print from an original ink drawing by the late Pauline Whitsun,
a well known and beloved Three Rivers artist,
who used to organize group exhibitions at her Apple House gallery
on the North Fork in the 50′s and 60′s.
(photo source: group facebook page to Save the Kaweah Post Office)

100 years for the historic Kaweah Post Office

Update as of May 27, 2010: Apparently mail will still be delivered to the boxes at the Kaweah Post Office after May 31. But, the last day to send any outgoing mail from the small historic structure will be tomorrow. Read article in the Visalia Time Delta

The Kaweah Postal Service will celebrate its 100th birthday on May 17, 2010.
It has been known as the smallest post office in the country that was still operational.
The US Postal Service will close the Kaweah Post Office at the end of this month.
Read about the History of the Kaweah Colonists who built the it in 1910.

From the Kaweah Commonwealth:  In 1886, the Kaweah Colony was established as a tent camp at Advance on the North Fork. The utopian socialists began to attract attention, both locally and nationwide, with the building of a road to access timber claims in the Giant Forest. On May 17, 1890, an application for the Kaweah Post Office at Advance was granted. In 1910, the current 10-by-12-foot structure was constructed with a materials cost of about $15 and was moved several times to accommodate its patrons. In 1926, the post office was moved to its present location on North Fork Drive. On Oct. 24, 1948, it was designated a State Historic Landmark.

Read article in the May 14 edition of the Kaweah Commonwealth….

The Kaweah Post Office is located at 43795 North Fork Drive in Three Rivers. See map.

photo source: www.panoramio.com

photo source: historicphotoarchive.com

photo source: www.flickr.com