~ Walloon Lake Post Office and Mail Delivery ~
_______________________________________
Please do not copy the photos on this site, many of which have been submitted by private individuals...
just come back and visit the site often to view the photos.
The design and compilation of the text and photos on this site are copyrighted 2014.
_______________________________________
Please do not copy the photos on this site, many of which have been submitted by private individuals...
just come back and visit the site often to view the photos.
The design and compilation of the text and photos on this site are copyrighted 2014.
In 1897 Talcott (name later changed to Walloon Lake) became an official post office.
Once the name of the post office was changed from Talcott to Walloon Lake on 22 September 1900,
then the name of the village became Walloon Lake...
it was then, as well, that the name of the lake changed from Bear Lake to Walloon Lake.
Once the name of the post office was changed from Talcott to Walloon Lake on 22 September 1900,
then the name of the village became Walloon Lake...
it was then, as well, that the name of the lake changed from Bear Lake to Walloon Lake.
Walloon Lake Postal Delivery
Picturesque Walloon published 1911 described on page 14, WALLOON LAKE'S EARLY HISTORY AS TOLD BY AN EARLY SETTLER:
"More than thirty years ago we arrived at what was then the station of Melrose, at that time the first station south of Petoskey. It consisted of two buildings, the section foreman's residence and the toolhouse and postoffice combined. The postoffice consisted of a slot in the door of the toolhouse, with a box attached to the inside, to catch whatever mail might be left there by the trainmen. The patrons of the office consisted of the section men and possibly five or six homesteaders who, at some time or other, had worked on the section. Every one was his own postmaster."[About 1881 called Melrose Stop]
"More than thirty years ago we arrived at what was then the station of Melrose, at that time the first station south of Petoskey. It consisted of two buildings, the section foreman's residence and the toolhouse and postoffice combined. The postoffice consisted of a slot in the door of the toolhouse, with a box attached to the inside, to catch whatever mail might be left there by the trainmen. The patrons of the office consisted of the section men and possibly five or six homesteaders who, at some time or other, had worked on the section. Every one was his own postmaster."[About 1881 called Melrose Stop]
1899 ~ the post office was named Talcott. At this time the mail was sorted in Clarion,
and brought to Talcott where the first postmaster was Frank W. Jones.
1900 ~ the post office was named Walloon Lake at the suggestion of J.R. Hass, a local butcher.
and brought to Talcott where the first postmaster was Frank W. Jones.
1900 ~ the post office was named Walloon Lake at the suggestion of J.R. Hass, a local butcher.
"Mr. Hass was getting tired of having so much of his shipments of goods for his store getting mixed-up with Bear Lake near Manistee. They had to label their shipments Bear Lake Charlevoix County. He got up a petition to have the name of the lake changed to Walloon Lake. He had seen the name on a railroad map. With the help of a senator who had stayed at the hotel during the summer, it was passed without any trouble as the senator knew the situation. The railroad company was curious to know why the name Walloon was on their map and started investigating. The name was way up on the other end of the lake and found that years ago there had been a small group of people that had settled there. They were members of a tribe of people named Walloons from Belgium. There were no traces of these people however, and so it was supposed that Indians had destroyed them or frightened them away." ~ Mildred Burns, longtime Walloon Lake resident
"William Ransom owned the principal store in the village on the land on the east side of the road that ran through town. Fred Shepard owned the building that housed the other store on the west side. Ransom and Shepard more or less alternated being postmaster. One year the post office would be in Fred’s store and possibly the next season it would be in Ransoms. Ransom owned two stores, the other being in Clarion and that proved very handy. The mail came in to Clarion, was sorted and any destined for Walloon was put in a bag which old Mrs. Himes brought over to Walloon in her buggy. When Ransom ran out of some commodity at Walloon he took to calling up the Clarion store and telling the clerk over there to put such and such in the mail bag which was to come over to the lake. Of course no postage was paid on the desperately wanted item. All went well with this scheme until one day a postal inspector happened to look into one of the pouches and found---one item without postage of any kind. That was the end of William Ransom as postmaster. Then Mrs. Ransom stepped in, put in her application---and we had a postmistress. I guess her husband’s fiasco with the post office department made her more cautious as I never heard of the Mrs. getting in trouble."
~ James C. Whitfield, Sr.
~ James C. Whitfield, Sr.
1909 ~ the Walloon Lake Post Office was housed in the Club House
which was adjacent to the New Walloon Hotel.
which was adjacent to the New Walloon Hotel.
A 6 July 1910 Petoskey Evening News article stated about the amenities of Mr. Bear's New Walloon hotel: "The post-office has been moved to the store and will no doubt prove very convenient for the summer visitors."
Picturesque Walloon published in 1911
has the following point of interest to tourists about Clyde Baer on page 55:
"General merchandise; resort trade catered to. Post office in building. Walloon Lake Mich."
(Located on North Arm)
has the following point of interest to tourists about Clyde Baer on page 55:
"General merchandise; resort trade catered to. Post office in building. Walloon Lake Mich."
(Located on North Arm)
In the beginnings of postal delivery, parcels were not mailed. It was not until 1913 that this happened. The Smithsonian Library website describes the effects of parcel post delivery as follows: "The establishment of parcel post in 1913 had a tremendously stimulating effect on the national economy; it opened a world of opportunities for both farmers and merchants alike. Rural Americans were able to purchase foodstuffs, medicines, dry goods and other commodities not readily available to them previously. Even more conveniently, the goods were mailed directly to their homes. In addition, farmers were able to ship eggs and other produce directly to the consumer, saving both time and money." The Smithsonian Library website has many associated photos regarding parcel post delivery in the United States.
Only a short time after parcel post began, more clerks were necessary to sort the additional mail arriving on the late G.R. & I (Grand Rapids and Indiana) and evening trains in Petoskey, Michigan, and to prepare the mail for delivery and the carriers the next morning as noted in the article below left. By June of 1913 The Petoskey Record announced in that article left below that the C.O.D. feature of the parcel post system would take effect July 1.
Only a short time after parcel post began, more clerks were necessary to sort the additional mail arriving on the late G.R. & I (Grand Rapids and Indiana) and evening trains in Petoskey, Michigan, and to prepare the mail for delivery and the carriers the next morning as noted in the article below left. By June of 1913 The Petoskey Record announced in that article left below that the C.O.D. feature of the parcel post system would take effect July 1.
The Effect of WWI on the Post Office Stamp
"Frank Jones is believed to be the first postmaster of Walloon Lake
after it was moved in from Clarion."
Al Sherk came to Melrose Township in 1886.
Sherk served as postmaster at the Village of Walloon Lake between 1927 and 1948.
after it was moved in from Clarion."
Al Sherk came to Melrose Township in 1886.
Sherk served as postmaster at the Village of Walloon Lake between 1927 and 1948.
By 1924, the Postmaster General had issued the first definite, concise and complete program that had ever been put out by the department for the mailing, transmission and delivery of newspapers, whether published daily or weekly. This order gave the same expedition to newspapers as was accorded first class mail as written in the article below.
It was back in January of 1930 that James C. Whitfield, Sr., related a winter visit with two friends, Don Demling and Hod Usner, to the Whitfield's Walloon Lake cottage, before they had decided to make it a year around home:
"I think it was Friday that we heard over town that the air mail was being flown in by a small plane which landed on skis, so that was something us aviation fans would have to see. The plane would be coming in to the Harbor Springs-Petoskey airport which was a little more than a smoothed off field, no hangers, no office, just a barn on the property next. The plane was supposed to come in about eleven o'clock and we were there early in plenty of time to see it land. We waited and waited, but no plane. It wouldn't do much good to sit in the car as cars in 'them' days didn't usually have heaters, there weren't any in mine. We went up to the barn where we saw a farmer-type fussing around and asked him when the plane was coming in, but he didn't know. Sometimes it didn't come in at all. Then I asked him what make it was, but that he didn't know either, so then I asked him, "Is it a monoplane of a biplane?" But that he didn't know either. so I said, 'Does it have one wing or two wings?' He hesitated for several minutes then said, 'Oh, it's a biplane ---it has two wings, one on each side'. That settled us for the day, it was the best JOKE we'd heard in months and I'll never forget it."
"I think it was Friday that we heard over town that the air mail was being flown in by a small plane which landed on skis, so that was something us aviation fans would have to see. The plane would be coming in to the Harbor Springs-Petoskey airport which was a little more than a smoothed off field, no hangers, no office, just a barn on the property next. The plane was supposed to come in about eleven o'clock and we were there early in plenty of time to see it land. We waited and waited, but no plane. It wouldn't do much good to sit in the car as cars in 'them' days didn't usually have heaters, there weren't any in mine. We went up to the barn where we saw a farmer-type fussing around and asked him when the plane was coming in, but he didn't know. Sometimes it didn't come in at all. Then I asked him what make it was, but that he didn't know either, so then I asked him, "Is it a monoplane of a biplane?" But that he didn't know either. so I said, 'Does it have one wing or two wings?' He hesitated for several minutes then said, 'Oh, it's a biplane ---it has two wings, one on each side'. That settled us for the day, it was the best JOKE we'd heard in months and I'll never forget it."
Post Office Building
The Walloon Lake Post Office has had many different buildings, and a multitude of locations,
in the Village of Walloon Lake over the years.
in the Village of Walloon Lake over the years.
~ Pointy Topped Post Office Building ~
The pointy topped post office building was used as store for different businesses. The Cincinnati Enquirer of Cincinnati OH dated Sunday, 26 July 1959 on Page 40 reported the following regarding a business being housed in the old pointy topped post office building.
"Vacation Taken Up By 'Inch & Foot'
SPENDING the summer in Michigan no longer means setting up a beach chair and hibernating for Mrs. John S. Minor of Cincinnati and Mrs. Howard L. Sloneker Jr. of Hamilton. These enterprising women, who cart their families off to summer cottages at Walloon Lake every year, have opened a specialty shop in Walloon Village. They are now knee deep in the problems of store proprietors. Their shop, the result of a year's work in planning, organizing and redecorating is called "Inch & Foot." "Walloon Village," said Mrs. Minor, "is located in the area called the 'Foot of Walloon Lake'. Because of the size of the shop, the rest of the name was a natural," she added. The minute sized building was originally a post office and then a lunch room. The idea for the shop grew out of the fact that summer residents in that area had to go far to get items for themselves and their cottages. As a result the shop has turned out to be a pleasant combination of clothing accessories, antiques, knick-knacks, toys and household items. Other Cincinnatians who spend their summer at the lake have taken an interest in the business to the extent of contributing their own personal touches. Mrs. Edgar Lotspeich provides a variety of yarn goods, while Mrs. William H. Hopple Jr. supplies knitted sweaters. But perhaps the most unique items are made by the proprietors themselves. With imagination and initiative, Mrs. Minor and Mrs. Sloneker have decorated a number of perky hats, including one that has a little bear sitting on top which actually knits when wound up! Other items include Walloon Yacht Club glasses, candlesticks that were shown in the Cinclnnati Art Museum, toy baskets for the children, English charcoal buckets and decorative, laundry bags. Mrs. Minor is the mother of Ann, John Jr., and Thomas. Mrs. Sloneker also has three children; Emme, Howard, III and Helen. The husbands and children of these business partners are loyal supporters. "We're always willing to help them solve any problems they have." said Mr. Sloneker. "The only thing we ask is that they keep it as a hobby-business venture and enjoy it" The shop' name, the "Inch & Foot," is a clever p!ay on the size of the establishment and its location at the foot of Walloon Lake. Mrs. Sloneker arranges some of the ingeniously decorated hats on the white lattice screens. Mrs. John S. Minor is seen with some of the attractive wares they have collected from far and wide."
"Vacation Taken Up By 'Inch & Foot'
SPENDING the summer in Michigan no longer means setting up a beach chair and hibernating for Mrs. John S. Minor of Cincinnati and Mrs. Howard L. Sloneker Jr. of Hamilton. These enterprising women, who cart their families off to summer cottages at Walloon Lake every year, have opened a specialty shop in Walloon Village. They are now knee deep in the problems of store proprietors. Their shop, the result of a year's work in planning, organizing and redecorating is called "Inch & Foot." "Walloon Village," said Mrs. Minor, "is located in the area called the 'Foot of Walloon Lake'. Because of the size of the shop, the rest of the name was a natural," she added. The minute sized building was originally a post office and then a lunch room. The idea for the shop grew out of the fact that summer residents in that area had to go far to get items for themselves and their cottages. As a result the shop has turned out to be a pleasant combination of clothing accessories, antiques, knick-knacks, toys and household items. Other Cincinnatians who spend their summer at the lake have taken an interest in the business to the extent of contributing their own personal touches. Mrs. Edgar Lotspeich provides a variety of yarn goods, while Mrs. William H. Hopple Jr. supplies knitted sweaters. But perhaps the most unique items are made by the proprietors themselves. With imagination and initiative, Mrs. Minor and Mrs. Sloneker have decorated a number of perky hats, including one that has a little bear sitting on top which actually knits when wound up! Other items include Walloon Yacht Club glasses, candlesticks that were shown in the Cinclnnati Art Museum, toy baskets for the children, English charcoal buckets and decorative, laundry bags. Mrs. Minor is the mother of Ann, John Jr., and Thomas. Mrs. Sloneker also has three children; Emme, Howard, III and Helen. The husbands and children of these business partners are loyal supporters. "We're always willing to help them solve any problems they have." said Mr. Sloneker. "The only thing we ask is that they keep it as a hobby-business venture and enjoy it" The shop' name, the "Inch & Foot," is a clever p!ay on the size of the establishment and its location at the foot of Walloon Lake. Mrs. Sloneker arranges some of the ingeniously decorated hats on the white lattice screens. Mrs. John S. Minor is seen with some of the attractive wares they have collected from far and wide."
Advertisement Below: In 1992 Betty's Klothes Kloset was located in the Pointy Topped Building.
~ Moving of the OLD Building which once held the Walloon Lake Post Office ~
The former pointy topped roofed barber shop
had been converted to the Walloon Lake Post Office in 1949.
The building (photo/text below) always had the unique pointy topped roofed, obviously missing,
perhaps removed for the moving, in the photo below.
had been converted to the Walloon Lake Post Office in 1949.
The building (photo/text below) always had the unique pointy topped roofed, obviously missing,
perhaps removed for the moving, in the photo below.
In the 1950's the post office was housed in a small building
that resembled a cottage with a small front porch.
It was located right next to the Melrose Township Park, opposite to the Walloon Lake Public Beach.
This building can be seen in a photo on this website on the Memorial and Park webpage.
Also, this photo below is from the article farther below on this same web page.
~ Dedication of the New Walloon Lake MI Post Office ~
Photo Below: Elver Carroll was the Postmaster for the Walloon Lake Post Office for many, many years.
Photos below of the "Dedication of the New Post Office" from the original newspaper article... probably from the Petoskey News Review
Three years after the Walloon Lake Village Post Office dedication which
Walloon Lake cottager Charles E. Wilson had attended,
"C.E. Wilson Questioned Moon Race Value" according to the Petoskey News Review article below.
Walloon Lake cottager Charles E. Wilson had attended,
"C.E. Wilson Questioned Moon Race Value" according to the Petoskey News Review article below.
Walloon Lake Gets Zip Code in 1963
Two Photos Below: This building was one of the older versions of the Walloon Lake Post Office. One of its last uses was as a boat sales office for the village business Tommy's Walloon. They sell new and used boats, surf and wake boards, and clothing and other water products. The space to the left of the sales office which once housed kiosks as shown above (closed in the winter) was last used as display space for the boats.
UPDATE: This old post office building shown below was razed by March 2023, making room for the Renwick building, with its construction in progress. Visit the bottom of the General Store web page on this site for a slideshow of the progress of the Renwick building construction by clicking HERE.
UPDATE: This old post office building shown below was razed by March 2023, making room for the Renwick building, with its construction in progress. Visit the bottom of the General Store web page on this site for a slideshow of the progress of the Renwick building construction by clicking HERE.
1967
New Acting Postmast William Pawlak and clerk Mrs. Leroy (Nancy) Thurston
New Acting Postmast William Pawlak and clerk Mrs. Leroy (Nancy) Thurston
1971
1969
Acting Postmast William Pawlak Resigned
Acting Postmast William Pawlak Resigned
1980
1982
Article Below: Postmaster William Pawlak installed a Weather Rock to Bring a Chuckle
Article Below: Postmaster William Pawlak installed a Weather Rock to Bring a Chuckle
1986
Article Below: New Postmaster Gerald Burns Installed, replacing Adam Kennedy
Article Below: New Postmaster Gerald Burns Installed, replacing Adam Kennedy
2002
Walloon Lake Post Office Moves To the Melrose Township Fire Department Building
Walloon Lake Post Office Moves To the Melrose Township Fire Department Building
Photo Below: In 1979 the pointy roofed building, once the Walloon Lake Post Office,
was housing Betty's Klothes Kloset as seen in the advertisement.
The small building had been a barbershop when it had been located next to The Koneta building,
and also had been a store called the Inch & Foot Gift Shop.
was housing Betty's Klothes Kloset as seen in the advertisement.
The small building had been a barbershop when it had been located next to The Koneta building,
and also had been a store called the Inch & Foot Gift Shop.
Two Photos Below: These two photos taken 27 March 2007 are of the old post office building (with the pointy roof) resting in 2007 on the roadside of the corner just before entering the main Village of Walloon Lake. This building has moved several times, and has been the home to various businesses.
The old post office building above is shown inside and out on a "short term rental web page",
after it had been renovated.
The old building is resting on a basement where the bedroom and bathroom are located.
Click HERE to view several photos and even a virtual tour of the old post office.
after it had been renovated.
The old building is resting on a basement where the bedroom and bathroom are located.
Click HERE to view several photos and even a virtual tour of the old post office.
PRESENT DAY
US Post Office in the Village of Walloon Lake
4149 State Street Walloon Lake MI 49796
231-535-2421
US Post Office in the Village of Walloon Lake
4149 State Street Walloon Lake MI 49796
231-535-2421
The Post Office building and property in the above photo are owned by Bill Goldsmith
who leases the site to the U.S. Postal Service.
who leases the site to the U.S. Postal Service.
Michigan Place Names: The History of the Founding and the Naming of More by Walter Romig
listed William Hoagland the first postmaster of Walloon on 9 May 1883.
listed William Hoagland the first postmaster of Walloon on 9 May 1883.
Walloon Lake Post Office
Posted on August 2, 2012
Walloon Lake, Charlevoix County: Established as Walloon May 9, 1883. Discontinued May 7, 1884. Reestablished as Talcott Oct 19, 1897. Name changed to Walloon Lake Sept 22, 1900.
List of Postmasters:
Frank Jones (First Postmaster after it was moved from Clarion to Walloon Lake)
Clyde Bear Postmaster 1910 (See Article Below)
W.H. Ransom
Al Sherk 1927~1943 (Died September 1962)
Elver I. Carroll Acting Postmaster 06/30/1943
Elver I. Carroll Postmaster 07/24/1944
Mrs. Phyllis E. Contanche Acting Postmaster 12/30/1966
William H. Pawlak Acting Postmaster 05/26/1967
Mrs. Genevieve Whittaker Officer-In-Charge 04/25/1969
William H. Pawlak Postmaster 04/17/1971
Adam A. Kennedy Officer-In-Charge 03/21/1986
Gerald L. Burns Postmaster 09/27/1986 (Jerry had previously been postmaster in Harbor Springs, Michigan)
Terry M. Gaither Officer-In-Charge 12/09/1995
Michael J. Stachnik Officer-In-Charge 07/03/1997
Terry M. Gaither Officer-In-Charge 01/08/1998
Terry M. Gaither Postmaster 04/11/1998
Don Black Officer-In-Charge 09/30/2014
This above original entry (now with additions) was posted in Michigan Post Offices by Frank Burns. (Frank Burns is a retired US Postal Service employee of 38 years.)
Posted on August 2, 2012
Walloon Lake, Charlevoix County: Established as Walloon May 9, 1883. Discontinued May 7, 1884. Reestablished as Talcott Oct 19, 1897. Name changed to Walloon Lake Sept 22, 1900.
List of Postmasters:
Frank Jones (First Postmaster after it was moved from Clarion to Walloon Lake)
Clyde Bear Postmaster 1910 (See Article Below)
W.H. Ransom
Al Sherk 1927~1943 (Died September 1962)
Elver I. Carroll Acting Postmaster 06/30/1943
Elver I. Carroll Postmaster 07/24/1944
Mrs. Phyllis E. Contanche Acting Postmaster 12/30/1966
William H. Pawlak Acting Postmaster 05/26/1967
Mrs. Genevieve Whittaker Officer-In-Charge 04/25/1969
William H. Pawlak Postmaster 04/17/1971
Adam A. Kennedy Officer-In-Charge 03/21/1986
Gerald L. Burns Postmaster 09/27/1986 (Jerry had previously been postmaster in Harbor Springs, Michigan)
Terry M. Gaither Officer-In-Charge 12/09/1995
Michael J. Stachnik Officer-In-Charge 07/03/1997
Terry M. Gaither Officer-In-Charge 01/08/1998
Terry M. Gaither Postmaster 04/11/1998
Don Black Officer-In-Charge 09/30/2014
This above original entry (now with additions) was posted in Michigan Post Offices by Frank Burns. (Frank Burns is a retired US Postal Service employee of 38 years.)
Article Below: Frank Miller delivered mail between Clarion and Walloon Lake.