How the Post Office Created America: A History

In How the Post Office Created America, Winifred Gallagher explores the often overlooked role that the United States Postal Service played in shaping the nation’s development and identity. Through meticulous research and a keen eye for historical detail, Gallagher presents a compelling argument that goes beyond the simple function of mail delivery to reveal the profound influence the postal system had on various aspects of American life.

If there’s one long-standing tradition that Americans take for granted, it’s the United States Postal Service, or USPS. Winifred Gallagher opens her book How the Post Office Created America with the following statement:

The history of its post office is nothing less than the story of America. Of the nation’s founding institutions, it is the least appreciated or studied, and yet for a very long time it was the U.S. government’s major endeavor. Indeed, it was that government in the experience of most citizens.

Gallagher takes readers on a fascinating journey through history, tracing the evolution of the postal service from its humble beginnings to its pivotal role in connecting the vast expanse of the United States. She skillfully delves into the lives of key figures such as Benjamin Franklin and Benjamin Rush, shedding light on their involvement in shaping the postal system and recognizing its potential for promoting unity and communication among citizens. By highlighting their visionary efforts, Gallagher underscores the significance of the postal service as a unifying force during times of political, social, and economic upheaval.

The post began in Colonial America under its first postmaster, Richard Fairbanks, in 1639. Benjamin Franklin would later become a Colonial postmaster and help to innovate the new American post. Many other notable historical figures would contribute to the expansion and success of the post office, in both small and great ways.

Benjamin Rush

Benjamin Rush (1746–1813)¹ was instrumental in developing the United States postal services for the purposes of promoting literacy and circulating information among average citizens, rather than only the wealthy or people who happened to live near an existing post office.

Rush was a humanitarian who believed in the equal treatment of all people, pushing the idea that it was the government’s obligation to provide free education from primary grades through college, based on his belief that an educated populace would enhance democratic society. He abhorred slavery and wrote a fiery essay in response to Christian justifications of American slavery, arguing that slavery stands in contradiction to Biblical teachings.

Because of his conviction that the government should provide adequate services to rich and poor alike, Rush was instrumental in the passing of the Post Office Act of 1792, which improved the postal service’s infrastructure and operations and paved new roads² for common access to information. He was concerned with the practical aspects of mail delivery, including the expansion of postal routes, the establishment of post offices in various regions, and the implementation of standardized rates and regulations.

The Post Office Act helped turn the abstract idea of democracy into a concrete reality by authorizing mail service for the entire population rather than just the privileged few or the conveniently located.

One of the book’s strengths lies in its ability to link the growth of the postal service with the development of American values and culture. Gallagher adeptly showcases how the postal network facilitated the exchange of ideas, information, and commerce, thereby fostering a sense of national identity and shared purpose. She also discusses the democratizing effect of affordable and reliable mail delivery, which allowed ordinary citizens to participate more actively in the civic and economic life of the nation. This insight provides readers with a fresh perspective on how the post office contributed to the egalitarian ideals that underpin the American ethos.

Furthermore, Gallagher skillfully navigates through the challenges and innovations that the postal service encountered over the centuries. She examines how the introduction of postage stamps, railway networks, and modern sorting technologies revolutionized mail distribution, turning it into a remarkably efficient and accessible system. This historical context adds depth to the narrative and helps readers appreciate the profound impact of seemingly minor changes on the fabric of society.

It’s astounding to consider how quickly the post office grew, beginning in Colonial America and expanding westward, forging new trails and building entire communities along the way.

Missing the digital revolution

Gallagher fills her book with examples of innovation within the post office—technologies and ideas that pushed the nation forward—but she notes the post’s “monumental failure” during the digital revolution:

The postal visionaries of the past would have tried to provide Americans with cheap, secure broadband access and email accounts that protect them from hackers and hucksters. They would have moved to capitalize on the post’s great brand for security and privacy by offering safe ways to transact business online, including a legally binding digital signature service, secure cards for paying bills and authenticating identity, and safe digital storage. They would have insisted that every post office in America become a neighborhood media hub equipped with a bank of computers that enabled citizens to go online for little or no expense—a service now provided by more than sixty nations around the world, to say nothing of America’s own public libraries, where people queue up or take a number for online access.

The USPS and Congress, beset with lobbyists from special interest groups, failed miserably to continue the post’s legacy of innovation when digitization arrived. Rather than remembering its philosophy of ensuring an informed population, the USPS kept the status quo and stuck to physical mail, and an opportunity was missed.

In conclusion, How the Post Office Created America is a thought-provoking and well-researched book that illuminates the often underestimated role of the postal service in shaping the United States. Winifred Gallagher’s compelling narrative skillfully underscores how this institution went beyond delivering letters and packages to play a central role in fostering a sense of unity, democracy, and shared culture. This book offers readers a fresh perspective on American history and a deeper understanding of the intricate ways in which seemingly mundane institutions can profoundly impact a nation’s development.

The book tackles a niche subject matter, yet Gallagher writes for mass appeal. It’s a fascinating book that will show you just how much American history you missed in high school. I can enthusiastically recommend this book to anyone with even a slight interest in American history.