A Post Office Unbecoming Of A Ladiesburg.!?
A Post Office Unbecoming Of A Ladiesburg.!?
US Post Office, 12509 Woodsboro Pike, Ladiesburg, Maryland
One would think that with the disproportionate number of women, attractiveness and taste might be a priority at the U.S. Post Office building at Ladiesburg, Maryland.
“Ladiesburg was so called because some sixty years ago its population comprised seven ladies and only one gentleman. The happy individual was Samuel BIrley, who died in 1877, aged eighty-three years. The post-office was established in 1830.”
-History of Western Maryland, Volume One, Helen Long, etc. 1880.
Ladiesburg Post Office, Primary Elevation
Unfortunately, the town is far less prosperous than in a former era or perhaps its life has been sucked out or, at the least, suffocated by vinyl siding, among other greater economic problems present in most of America’s small towns. In 1880, the post office was not as Samuel Birely—alone, as there were signs of prosperity. This included two dry-goods stores, one millinery-shop, one hay and straw-packing business, one shoe and blacksmith shop, an Adams-Express office, and a water station of the Frederick Division, Pennsylvania Railroad. Within the small town, agricultural context were also two Lutheran churches—one reformed, with nearby Winebrennarians, Dunkers (German Baptists), and even a few Catholics here and there… One could even go to school locally or see Dr. J.J. Leggett. And if you were interested in fertilizers, Francis C. Renner patented a bag or two “of Ladiesburg” in 1867.
Residential Component of Ladiesburg Post Office, Side Elevation
Still located at the former Pennsylvania Railroad tracks, the post office has changed its operations. For one thing, the cost of throwing off a bag at Ladiesburg, Maryland is far greater now via USPS vehicle than when the U.S. Mails were transported via passenger lines, appending from the rear of passenger cars. Obviously a residence, as well as a post office, the building now standing at Ladiesburg reflects early 20th century construction, but who really knows as it is now clad in immense quantities of aluminum, asbestos, and vinyl siding—among other plastic like features. The only period feeling of the place is the mid-century USPS sign, near the front door.
Ladiesburg became a “post-village” of Frederick in 1830 or 1835—as the date is contradicted by several historic sources. John A. Baker ran it first. Samuel Birely had taken over the place by 1850. Even today, a small portion of the front porch and part of the building is dedicating “the mails,” the rest being rented by a family. This is no postal parsonage as it might appear.
A Flag In Front Of A Building Is A Post Office No More
No doubt this ugly, but nostalgic entity is soon to be “all dwelling” as it will surely be among those renounced because of the misplaced priorities within the USPS Establishment. Might we simply charge for rural mail delivery or even knock out a day… as even an ugly building is better than no post office at all…especially, when it’s the last sign of vibrancy on Main Street?
