Tuesday, August 28, 2018

Mr. Tommy's Post Office

On October 21, 1902 Thomas Wallace (“Mr. Tommy”) Howard was appointed postmaster at Ocracoke. He held the position for nearly 40 years, until he retired in 1941. Soon after his appointment Mr. Tommy built a small building close to his home, the first of Ocracoke’s four dedicated post office buildings. Previously the post office was operated from the old store (where Captain's Landing motel is now located). 

This is one of only a few photos I am aware of showing Mr. Tommy's post office:













The other dedicated post office buildings were the small building that sat where Down Point Decoys is now located (the building has been moved, and is now a rental cottage behind Captain's Cargo gift shop), the brick building that houses Captain's Cargo, and the present Post Office on NC12.

I am wondering if any of our readers knows where Mr. Tommy's post office was located. If you do, please leave a comment. Check back later for the answer.

This month's Ocracoke Newsletter is the story of Mrs. Godfrey's ghost who haunts the Island Inn/Odd Fellows Lodge. The story is taken from Chapter Three of my book, Digging up Uncle Evans. You can read the account here: https://www.villagecraftsmen.com/mrs-godfreys-ghost/.
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4 comments:

  1. Anonymous10:24 AM

    Interesting. I remember as a child that there was "The Old Post Office Gift Shop". It was located right behind the operating Post office. Now, that could be called the "Not as Old, Old Post Office Gift Shop."

    After reading this It looks like several gift shops would need a name change!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Philip7:50 AM

      Yes, The Old Post Office Shop was in the small PO building that sat about where Down Point Decoys is now located. The building was moved, and was converted to a gift shop. It is now a rental cottage behind Captain's Cargo gift shop (which building also served as a post office).

      Delete
  2. Anonymous4:58 PM

    Philip , look closely at the photo .the house behind is a clue as to the location.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Philip8:27 AM

      Yes, the house behind the PO is the clue. Mr. Tommy's PO was near his house. The house was moved when the land was cleared to build the Silver Lake Motel.

      Delete

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