BROOKVILLE — Rural free mail delivery began in Brookville on October 1, 1901. Postage stamps cost one-cent.

The following routes were established: Route 1, Carrier was John Berst and the length of the route was 23 and 1/4 quarter miles; Route 2, Carrier was Harvey C. Kimmel, length of the route was 23 and 3/4 miles; Route 3, Carrier was Orin T. Priser, length of route was 22 and 1/4 miles; Route 4, Carrier was Chester A. Hay, length of route was 23 and ½ miles. The route territory descriptions were lengthy, beginning at the post office in Brookville.

Mail was delivered to any family free of all cost, provided only that a suitable box to receive the mail was put up directly on the above routes, in a place that could be conveniently reached by the carrier without getting out of his buggy. No mail would be delivered unless a box was provided to receive it.

It was the duty of the patrons who appreciated the service to keep the roads in good condition and that the following request of the First Assistant Postmaster-General in regard to the boxes would be complied with: ”It is particularly desired by the Department that the boxes put up by patrons of the delivery should be uniform and of such a character as to be secure, not only from the weather, but from mischievous or malicious depredation. The United States mail should not be deposited in any but an appropriate receptacle, properly labeled and protected.”

Patrons were advised to see that the signal (flag) on the mailbox was set when they had mail for the carrier to collect. Mail that was to be sent to the post office was to be placed in the box where the carrier could get it when he left the mail.

The carrier would not stop for mail unless the patron had the signal out. Stamps and postal cards could be purchased from the carrier, but it was asked that a supply of these items be kept on hand, so as to not delay the carrier.

To ensure prompt delivery all mail was to be addressed to Brookville, Ohio with the Rural Route Number on it. James Medford was the Brookville Post Master at that time.

All information and the photo for this Look at Brookville article were supplied by the Brookville Historical Society. Do you have a photo or historical information to share or add? Please contact the Brookville Historical Society at 937-833-0285 or email to [email protected].