A Brief History of the Excelsior Springs Post Office

*The first post office in Excelsior Springs was located in a small building on Broadway Ave. (postcard image)*

The history of Excelsior Springs dates back to the early spring of 1881 when the first post office was established in a small one-story building on Broadway, the exact location is uncertain. Due to the existence of a village called Excelsior with a post office in Missouri, our town initially bore the name Viginti, which is Latin for twenty. This was because it was believed that there were 20 mineral springs in the area at the time. But the name Excelsior remained more popular with both locals and visitors and in 1882 the name Excelsior Springs was adopted.

*A postcard image of the post office circa 1914 and how it looks in 2023 (photo S Jason Cole).*

J.B. Holton, also known as “Uncle Brack,” was appointed as the first postmaster of Excelsior Springs. He was responsible for overseeing the post office and ensuring that the mail was delivered to its intended recipients. Over the years, the post office has continued to evolve and adapt to the changing needs of the community. In the early days, mail was delivered by horse and buggy, but as technology improved, the post office began to use trains and eventually automobiles to deliver mail. The post office also introduced new services, such as parcel delivery and money orders, which made it easier for residents to conduct business with the outside world.

*The current post office was built in 1965 and the old building was sold to the Church of Christ (photo S Jason Cole).*

The postal service has faced many challenges over the years. During the Great Depression, the post office struggled to stay afloat as people sent fewer letters and packages. However, the post office continued to provide vital services to the community, and with the help of government subsidies, it was able to survive.

Today, the Excelsior Springs post office continues to serve the community, although it has undergone many changes since its early days. The small one-story building on Broadway was replaced in 1914 with a post office at 505 Elms Blvd., the current post office was built in 1965 and the old building was sold to the Church of Christ. The current post office is a larger, modern facility that can handle a much greater volume of mail more efficiently. Despite the many changes, the post office’s commitment to providing reliable service to the community has always remained the same.

As we celebrate the rich history of Excelsior Springs it is important to remember the meaningful role that the post office played in establishing the town. For more information on our rich history visit the Excelsior Springs Museum and Archives.

Research for this article was provided by local historian Sonya Morgan.