The history of the Postal Service in rural communities like Grant County, Kansas, is one of perseverance, danger, and innovation—a tale that mirrors the spirit of the American West itself. From its early days of horseback mail delivery through treacherous routes to its evolution into a modern postal facility, this is the story of how dedicated individuals fought to keep communication flowing across the open plains.
Early Mail Routes and the
Cimarron Cutoff
In the mid-19th century, mail carriers on the Cimarron Cutoff blazed a trail through what is now Grant County on their way to Santa Fe, New Mexico. In March 1847, a Congressional act authorized a Contract Mail Route from Independence, Mo., to Santa Fe. Initially, it followed the Wet Route of the Santa Fe Trail, but soon, the faster but more perilous Dry Cimarron Route through Grant County became the path of choice. Waldo, Hall & Company secured the contract in 1850, taking on the treacherous 29-day journey each way via the U.S. Overland Mail Route.
The first Concord stagecoach leaving Independence was guarded by eight armed men prepared to fire 136 rounds before reloading, underscoring the dangers of the frontier. The coach could carry 11 passengers, each allowed 40 pounds of baggage, for a steep $250 per ticket. The stage ran nearly non-stop, changing horses every 10-20 miles, and switching drivers across the rough journey. The stretch beyond Fort Dodge was especially feared, as mail carriers braved the threat of Native American raids. To account for these risks, the U.S. government raised the annual contract amount from $10,990 to $25,000. Eventually, the operation was taken over by Hall & Hockaday and, in 1866, by Wells Fargo & Company.
Railroads, New Post Offices, and
the Star Mail Route
When the Santa Fe Railroad crossed Kansas in 1872, it revolutionized mail delivery, establishing rail post offices to speed up the westward flow of letters and parcels. E.P. Barber became the first postmaster for Hamilton County (then including present-day Grant County) in 1873, earning a modest $12 per year. By 1886, Ulysses had a temporary post office with Rankin J. Hill as the interim postmaster, and that year, George Earp was appointed as Hamilton County’s new postmaster to serve the growing community south of the Sand Hills.
To link Ulysses and nearby towns without direct railroad service, the Star Mail Route was created. When the train passed through Hartland in Kearny County, bags of mail were thrown from the train and picked up at the local bank. Contractors would then load the bags onto the Star Line Coach Wagons, which traveled through the Sand Hills, changing horses every 12-15 miles. The Star Line carried mail and passengers six days a week, connecting towns across Kansas, Colorado, and even the Oklahoma Panhandle.
As railroads expanded, the Star Line’s role diminished, becoming mainly a lifeline for Stanton and Grant Counties. Instead of crossing the river at Hartland, the route shifted to a new toll bridge in Lakin, which became the origin point for Star Line deliveries.
Notable Postmasters and
Infamous Robberies
Following George Earp, postmasters like Eli M. Henthorn and Mr. Buffington took up the position, helping to build the postal service’s reputation in Ulysses. In January 1896, the Ulysses Post Office made national news when robbers broke into a blacksmith shop, stole tools, and used them to blow open the post office safe. The thieves were apprehended that afternoon in Clayton, New Mexico, having stolen just $60 in stamps, 231 pennies, and two drill bits.
Amos Williamson served the community as postmaster before Joseph Bittiken briefly experimented with transporting mail by automobile—a rare novelty at the time. By April 1909, Ulysses had a new post office location, marking the end of postal services for the original Ulysses townsite.
Ulysses’ Expanding
Postal Service
In the 1920s, Ulysses saw dramatic changes. The post office was reclassified to Third Class in January 1922 due to a rise in mail volume. However, tragedy struck when a fire destroyed the post office in April. Temporary quarters were set up in a nearby drug store until new equipment arrived in July, allowing normal operations to resume. In 1925, a new post office building was completed on Main Street, where today stands "Twice Upon a Time."
Population growth in the 1940s shifted Ulysses to Second Class service. The need for more mailboxes prompted a move to a larger building at 106 N Main in 1948, accommodating an additional 689 boxes. In 1955, the community saw the end of an era when the Santa Fe Railroad discontinued Train 223, which had long supplied Ulysses with mail.
First-Class Service and New Facilities
On June 1, 1961, Ulysses achieved First Class Service status. In November 1962, the town began city mail delivery, adopting the Zip Code 67880 shortly afterward. In 1968, the post office moved into a new building on Main and Santa Fe, but within two years, the old post office was destroyed by fire, which tragically claimed the life of local firefighter Virgil Gee.
Misfortune struck again in January 1974 when the new post office building was severely damaged by fire on an especially cold day. For a while, operations moved to the Blue Flame Room and later to the former American Legion Building, previously used as a school lunchroom. Finally, on July 26, 1977, the Ulysses Post Office moved into its current home at 208 S Baughman, where it continues to serve the community.
From its early roots in stagecoaches braving the western wilderness to modern facilities designed to meet the needs of a thriving town, the history of the Postal Service in Grant County reflects resilience and adaptability. This legacy of mail delivery in Ulysses embodies the pioneering spirit that helped build the American West, ensuring that even in the most isolated areas, letters, packages, and vital information would always find their way home.
Family Fact
In my own family, several relatives served as Postmasters across Western Kansas, including at Fletcher in Stanton County, Toluca (later Lauson) in Grant County, and Colusa in northern Haskell County. According to family lore, my 3x-great-grandparents, Dale and Mary Moore, crossed paths with the famous Earps and Mastersons of Dodge City through their work as mail carriers—so much so that Ruth Masterson is buried on our family farm in Colusa. Mail carriers, known for their efficiency and reliability, were sometimes entrusted to carry messages about high-profile criminals evading capture. My 3x-great-grandfather, John F. Winger, braved the sandhills for years, riding a two-wheeled buggy to deliver mail to his post office, which he constructed out of orange crates on the family homestead. His daily 53-mile round trip earned him $1.92 and connected him to many of Western Kansas’s earliest residents.
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