Horseheads, NY, residents recently took a glimpse into the past when the Post Office celebrated its 190th anniversary by delivering mail on horseback.
“We wanted to pay tribute to our town’s equestrian ties and the Postal Service’s delivery roots,” Postmaster Annette Caporiccio said.
Horseheads is part of Eastern Area’s Western New York District. The town bills itself as the only community in the United States dedicated to the service of American military horses.
The town’s name is derived from the number of bleached horse skulls once found there.
For the Post Office’s commemoration, Caporiccio researched what carriers wore during the office’s early years. An outfit was later designed for Rural Carrier Amy Colussy.
Colussy and her horse Mitai re-enacted how mail delivery looked almost two centuries ago. A local historical society provided a delivery carriage for the event.
During the celebration, Mayor Louise McIntosh issued a proclamation marking the Post Office’s anniversary.
A pictorial cancellation was available for philatelists.