Mail in El Cajon

post office

Mail in El Cajon

The Pony express made a stop at Los Coches Ranch in our valley long before the coming of the railroad and automobile.

Mr. Amaziah Knox was the first Post Master of El Cajon in the year 1878. The settlers would stop at the hotel to find out if there was any mail for them when they came through the village.

Mr. E. E. Burgess was then appointed Post Master on December 15, 1888. In 1890 Dr. A. J. Derbyshire had a drug store from which he sold drugs and supplies to the settlers and Indians. He took over as Post Master on July 20, 1890 and had the Post Office in a part of the drug store.

E. E. Burgess was reappointed Post Master March 14, 1891 and ran the Post Office in the drug store.

On March 6, 1895, Mr. John Dodson became Post Master. He moved the Post Office across the street to the other building. He tells how it took 3 wheelbarrow loads to move it across the street.

On March 2, 1899, Mr. John Q. Burgess became Post Master and was in charge of the Post Office until 1906 when Mr. William Stell became Post Master. Again in 1914 Mr. Dodson took over the duties of Post Master.

Following Mr. Dodson, Mr. Jackson Roether took over the Post Office in 1940. During his term in 1945 the Post Office was moved from Main St. to the N. E. Corner of Magnolia and Douglas where Evelyn Wigton's Dress Shop is located now. During his later years in office in 1952 the new Post Office was built on the west side of Magnolia, south of Douglas.

A long time ago in El Cajon there were two rural routes where mail was delivered to the houses. People living in the Bostonia community had to walk to the Bostonia Post Office and pick up their mail if they used a Bostonia address. Otherwise, if their mail was sent to El Cajon, it could be delivered on the rural route. Mr. Donald was the first Post Master of Bostonia Post Office.

Mr. Murray Wright was the Post Master of the Bostonia Post Office for more than 38 years, from 1913 to the end of 1950.

In the early days of the Pony Express a letter would cost $1.00. During the 1920's a post card could be delivered for a penny. This was because trains and automobiles could carry the mail cheaper and faster than horseback. Do you know how much it costs to send a post card now?