Original Log Cabin Post Office

Grand Forks’ original Post Office was erected in 1868 along the 500-block of present-day Reeves Drive. Sanford Cady, a Civil War veteran and one of the first persons to be married in the city of Grand Forks, was the person who built the original Post Office. Cady was then appointed as the first Postmaster of Grand Forks in 1870. The Post Office also served as an overnight stop for the stagecoaches connecting Pembina and Fort Abercrombie.

The historic building has been renovated several times over the past century and a half. A North Dakota State University student did a study on the logs and found one that dated back to 1732. There was some confusion regarding which building was the original Post Office, because of all the times it was relocated and renovated. Sometime in the twentieth century modern siding was added to its exterior, and the interior walls were plastered. In 1974, the Post Office stood at the corner of Cottonwood St and 2nd Ave. South. The building was slated to be torn down to make room for an urban renewal project and the construction of the Demers Avenue overpass. But demolition workers discovered the old logs underneath the modern siding and recognized that the building might be historic. Grand Forks County Historical Society members verified its identity as the city's first post office by comparing it with historic photographs.

The building was then moved to the Grand Forks County Historical Society, and served as a general store. To do this the Historical Society worked with Baukol Construction company to prepare a foundation for the log cabin. This foundation cost $2300.

With major advancements of technology in the past decade, it has become much simpler to send a quick message to a friend several hours away, but during the late 1800’s, people did not have this luxury. Mail was one of the only means to transport important messages, and it could take several days or even weeks to send a message to somebody. Therefore, post offices were a vital part of many communities, and still are today.

Grand Forks' Original Post Office, Grand Forks Historical Society. Accessed April 29th 2021. http://www.grandforkshistory.com/exhibits/post-office/.