"Calling the Mail Over"

Many of our readers have heard the expression "calling the mail over." Back in the days before ferries and paved roads, mail was delivered to the island by mail boat. When the boat pulled up to the dock every afternoon at 4:30 almost the entire village was there waiting.

Canvas mailbags were carried to the post office and sorted. Then the postmaster stepped outside and "called the mail over." Names were called out, and letters and packages passed around.

Since the recent damage to NC Hwy 12 on Pea Island, mail and package delivery some days reverts to the old ways. If the driver doesn't have time to deliver his packages before the next Swan Quarter ferry leaves, we all just gather in one place as boxes and parcels are "called over" and passed out.

A Full Parking Lot, Waiting for Package Delivery

Islanders Waiting at the PO for the Mail to be "Called Over"

Our latest Ocracoke Newsletter is the story of the day Charles Lindbergh landed on Ocracoke. You can read it here: http://www.villagecraftsmen.com/news112112.htm.