United States Post Office (Historic) at Belton, Texas

Belton’s first post office was approved on October 4, 1850 with Dr. William D. Eastland serving as the postmaster. Belton’s post office occupied various locations around downtown until postal authorities in Washington, D.C. allocated funds to purchase a lot on which a new building would be constructed. The building served Belton for over sixty-five years.

In November 1915, word was sent from the Treasury Department in Washington, D.C., that sketch plans for the new building were approved. The plans called for a fireproof brick building with stone trimmings. The main front of the building would face Main Street unless the postmaster or citizens of Belton provided reasons why the frontage should be changed.

About a year later, the cornerstone of the building was laid. Two historic events occurred on December 13, 1916. The cornerstone of the new post office building was laid and the completed Confederate monument on courthouse square was unveiled. At the 11:00 a.m. ceremony, Judge Mallory B. Blair gave the address followed by laying of the cornerstone by Tom D. Karnes, a member of one of Bell County’s oldest families and a practical Mason. George W. Tyler prepared the data placed inside the cornerstone. The documents included a history of the early settlers of Bell County, names of Texas Civil War and Mexican War veterans from Bell County, and names of present state and county officials among other items such as old coins, newspapers, and pictures of leading men and Belton’s public buildings Music was provided by the Moffat Band.

A large crowd witnessed the derrick, operated by R. C. James, swing the stone into place at the southeast corner. The stone was guided and sealed in place by Tom Karnes. Judge Blair’s address paid tribute to Belton’s progress and to Congressman Robert Lee Henry whose efforts secured the building for Belton. Postmaster Alvah Ferguson was congratulated for the success of the ceremony.

Prior to the laying of the cornerstone, Fred W. Guffy closed his eight years of service as postmaster with a ceremony at which the members of his work force, including clerks and carriers, presented him with the gift of a handsome hand bag. The Temple Daily Telegram reported that “Mr. Guffy retires from the office with the kindest regards and esteem of the patrons of the office as well as of the clerks.” The same day, Alvah Ferguson, was welcomed and entered upon his duties as Belton’s new postmaster. Ferguson, the brother of Governor James Ferguson, was confirmed by the Texas Senate earlier in the month.

Contractor Tom Lovell announced that steel required for reinforcing the concrete work was delayed but expected to reach the city before January 1. By the end of 1917, the Belton post office neared completion as evidenced by the fact that Uncle Sam sent a box car of fine coal to Postmaster Ferguson for the coming winter.

Once open for business, the new building was the pride of Belton. As the Belton Journal stated, “On entering our fine new post office, you are likely to imagine that the postmaster and all the boys are “stuck up” in their new quarters but they are not. When you talk with them you will find them the same accommodating boys they always were, and while they are sorry for the balance of us, they do not appear to be a bit vain.”

One of the first tasks undertaken by Postmaster Ferguson was the registration of all alien German males during the week of February 4-9, 1918. Jump ahead about five decades and the Belton post office was in a sad state of repair with a leaking roof, falling plaster, and other maintenance problems. After a heavy deluge in 1973, Belton residents were the recipients of some soggy mail when a half inch fell inside the building. Ten years later in 1983, the U.S. Postal Service implemented plans for a new building at 111 North Wall with an estimated cost between $550,000-650,000. The Belton Post Office currently resides in this building while the historic post office building is occupied by the Central Texas Workforce Development Board Administrative Office.

“Belton Has Two Big Events.” Lampasas Daily Leader, December 19, 1916.

“Bids Sought for New Post Office Construction.” Belton Journal, December 29, 1983.

“Cornerstone Laying for the Belton Postoffice.” Temple Daily Telegram, December 17, 1916.

“It Rained on Your Mail.” Belton Journal, October 4, 1973.

“Postmaster Guffy Honored.” Temple Daily Telegram, October 3, 1916.

“Post Office Plans Have Been Approved.” Belton Journal, November 25, 1915.

“Registration of Alien Citizens.” Belton Journal, February 7, 1918.

“They Are All the Same.” Belton Journal, February 7, 1918.

“Uncle Sam Sends Car of Coal.” Belton Journal, November 22, 1917.