Alton Postal History
Penobscot County, Maine
last update for this page: 9 March 2021
Maine Postal History
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Waterville Stamp Club
Thank you for the contributions to this page from James Husson.
During the history of Alton, there have been four post offices: Alton, Alton Village, Birch Stream, and Gerry.
Briefly, the history of these four is as follows:
1. The former West Argyle post office was renamed on 30 January 1846 as Alton post office, which closed on 15 July 1913.
2. Alton Village post office opened on 1 July 1854 and closed on 26 October 1868.
3. Birch Stream post office opened on 3 February 1825 and closed on 6 November 1927.
4. Gerry post office opened on 11 September 1895 and closed on 31 March 1942.
In 1914, there were two post offices in what is now Alton: Birch Stream and Gerry. (source: Post Route Map of the State of Maine 1914)
(click on image to enlarge)
Postmarks from Alton include:
Alton
1846 January 30:
The former West Argyle post office was renamed as Alton post office. (source: Maine Philatelic Society. 1995. The Post Offices of Maine: A Rarity Guide.)
1913 July 15:
Alton post office closed. (source: Maine Philatelic Society. 1995. The Post Offices of Maine: A Rarity Guide.)
Alton Village
1854 July 1:
Alton Village post office opened. (source: Maine Philatelic Society. 1995. The Post Offices of Maine: A Rarity Guide.)
1868 October 26:
Alton Village post office closed. (source: Maine Philatelic Society. 1995. The Post Offices of Maine: A Rarity Guide.)
Birch Stream
1825 February 3:
Birch Stream post office opened. (source: Maine Philatelic Society. 1995. The Post Offices of Maine: A Rarity Guide.)
1927 November 6:
Birch Stream post office closed. (source: Maine Philatelic Society. 1995. The Post Offices of Maine: A Rarity Guide.)
Gerry
1895 September 11:
Gerry post office opened. (source: Maine Philatelic Society. 1995. The Post Offices of Maine: A Rarity Guide.)
1842 March 31:
Gerry post office closed. (source: Maine Philatelic Society. 1995. The Post Offices of Maine: A Rarity Guide.)