A Peek into Summers County’s Past: Hinton Post Office

HINTON W.Va. (WVDN) – I recently uncovered this historic photograph in a box of other old photos in my collection. It was taken in 1926 at the dedication for the “new” post office building in Hinton, WV. Old photos like this just amaze me, you can see and feel the excitement and enthusiasm when something new like this happens in their town or county. You just don’t see events like this anymore, why would you physically go when you can sit at home and watch it live on your computer or phone? Then again I am an old soul.

Notice the two-story building on the left side with the second-story porch. This is what is now The Market, notice the left corner of the building, this is before it was remodeled years ago and the entry door put at an angle on the corner like it is today. The next little building that sits where the replica was built of the building in this photo as a walkway to the stone building that was Chessies but later The Market dining room was expanded into it.

The brick building that houses Grandma’s Antiques had not been built yet, at this time there were still houses where The Market dining room and Grandma’s House antique store are now. That is as far up 2nd Avenue as you can see but we know the houses were still there where the Practice Link building is today.

I digress and get back to this dedication photo since I don’t really know much about it other than it was taken the day of the dedication ceremony, I will tell you about the history of the post office in Hinton.

The post office in Hinton was formed on Sept. 21, 1871. Its first Postmaster was Matthew V. Colloway who served from opening day in 1871 to May 21, 1873. The first post office building was located near the Avis Crossing. The 2nd Postmaster served from May 22, 1873 until Dec. 19, 1881. At this time the post office had moved from Avis to the corner of Front Street and 5th Avenue.

During the late 1800’s the post office was run out of various locations on 2nd Ave. and 3rd Ave., Temple St. and Summers St. Sometime in the early 1900’s it was moved to the Big Four Building on 3rd Ave.

Its 13th Postmaster was James C. Meadows who served from April 16, 1926, to Jan. 31, 1934. During Mr. Meadows’ tenure, the office was relocated to the new post office building, where it currently is today.

The 14th Postmaster was Carl Hinton. He served from Feb. 1, 1934 until March 31, 1955. He was postmaster for 22 years and 2 months making it the longest term at the Hinton Post Office.

The following is an excerpt taken from the postal history of Hinton. “City delivery service started in Hinton on Nov. 1, 1911, with the first carriers being W.T. Hoover, Militous Hutchinson and Allen Burbidge, The first letter was delivered by W. T. Hoover to 312 ½ 3rd Ave. to a Mrs. Agnes Burns who was living there.”