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Mailboxes in Rural America. Douglas Miller Visual Literacy – ITEC 5320-40 University of Wyoming. History. Mailboxes have become an icon of Rural America. Original Roy Jorolman mailbox design approved by USPS in 1915. Intended to create uniformity among rural mailboxes. Resistance.
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Mailboxes in Rural America Douglas Miller Visual Literacy – ITEC 5320-40 University of Wyoming
History Mailboxes have become an icon of Rural America Original Roy Jorolman mailbox design approved by USPS in 1915. Intended to create uniformity among rural mailboxes.
Resistance Americans were not initially on board with the idea of buying a manufactured mailbox
Regulation USPS finally threatened to stop delivering mail to unapproved mailboxes which prompted more widespread adoption of the Jorolman design.
More people begin using Jorolman Boxes However . . . . . . . .
Even with a standard design, many still feel the need to personalize their mailbox Ririe, Idaho
Some mailboxes are still created with materials found around the farm Mailbox mounted on plow Ririe, Idaho
Mailbox mounted on a wheel Victor, Idaho
Many areas do not have as many unique mailboxes • These include urban and suburban areas • Space limitations restrict creative mailboxes • Home Owners Associations are restrictive
Uniformity is a top priority for suburban development which extends all the way to mailbox design
Suburban Mailboxes Approved Mailboxes from Lake Crest Subdivision Located in a Suburb of Birmingham, AL
Individualism Persists in Rural America Johns Island, South Carolina
Warren, Maine
Battleground, Indiana
Brodhead, Wisconsin
The future? Probably not . . . . . . .
In the meantime . . . Visit the National Postal Museum for exhibits that feature unique mailboxes and other fascinating elements of postal history. Web Address: http://www.postalmuseum.si.edu/index.html Street Address: National Postal Museum2 Massachusetts Ave., N.E.Washington, DC 20002 Mailing Address: National Postal MuseumP.O. Box 37012 MRC 570Washington, DC 20013-7012
Image Credits • http://www.postalmuseum.si.edu/exhibits/2b2c_4_ruralmailbox.html • http://www.savethepostoffice.com/got-mail-go-get-it-postal-service-has-other-plans • http://www.postalmuseum.si.edu/exhibits/2b2d_folkart.html • http://badbullmedia.com/tag/apartment-mailboxes • http://www.xpblocker.com/clustermailboxes-a-172.html • http://www.mswoods.com/blog/ashton-subdivision/ • http://hmcurrentevents.com/growing-smarter-not-bigger/ • http://www.archithings.com/visual-arts-centre-in-carlow-ireland/2009/10/16 • http://www.photographsofthewest.org/portfolio/rural-mail/ • Douglas Miller