There's A Fully Restored 1912 Post Office In Ohio And It Has Its Own Island
By April Dray|Published June 16, 2020
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April Dray
Author
April is the Ohio staff writer for Only in Your State. She is an Ohio native with a Bachelor of Science in Journalism from E.W. Scripps School of Journalism. With more than 10 years of writing experience and a background in news reporting for Ohio newspapers, she's published pieces in multiple print and online publications. When she's not on deadline or chasing after her toddler, she's hunting for hidden gems in Ohio or getting lost in a good book.
Here in Ohio, there’s always something new to explore—if you know where to look, that is. If you consider yourself an Ohio history buff, or you simply enjoy stumbling upon hidden gems, there’s a little-known museum hiding in Logan County near Indian Lake State Park you’ll want to find. The Orchard Island Post Office is a fully restored post office from the early 1900s situated on its very own island in the middle of Indian Lake. It’s a little-known piece of living history few Ohioans know about.
Tucked away on Orchard Island in Logan County, there's a rare piece of history waiting for Ohio explorers to discover.
Note: Orchard Island is across from Indian Lake State Park and is accessible via Russells Point.
Originally built in 1912, the charming Orchard Island Post Office once sat on a nearby local business property, where it was in service from 1912 - 1926.
Provided by the Thompson's
After being closed for 77 years, residents wanted to see it restored. In addition to preserving documents and serving as an educational source, the Indian Lake Area Historical Society was formed in 2003 to restore and move the post office to its current location.
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Period furniture and fixtures have been added to the interior to depict what the post office was like in its early days of operation. It's like walking through a giant time capsule.
Provided by the Thompson's
Local volunteers and history buffs were hard at work to make a piece of history come alive again.
Take some time to look around and admire the authentic pieces. Nearly every post office task was completed by hand in the early 1900s.
Provided by the Thompson's
In honor of the restoration, the 1-acre island was even renamed Post Office Island by Ohio State Parks.
As a popular vacation spot, the Indian Lake area post office serviced mail from all over the country throughout the years.
Provided by the Thompson's
If you're interested in learning more about the history of the postal service and how it's evolved overtime, the nearby Delphos Museum of Postal History is another great stop to make.
Today, the Orchard Island Post Office is a beautiful roadside stop Ohio history buffs will appreciate—and it's a great place to bask in some Indian Lake views.
Provided/The Thompson's
For more information about how the post office was restored and its history, watch the rededication ceremony video below:
Have you ever explored the Orchard Island Post Office before? If so, we want to know what your experience was like!
