The Photo above is of the Tolu Post office..
Tolu is a small community situated on the banks of the Ohio River in Western Ky. With about 90 residents more or less. This small community will be losing it's Post Office at the end of this month. The Post office was established in Tolu in 1857. for those of you that are a little slow with math, like myself.. that's 154 yrs. of operation. 154 yrs. of letters from family far away, letters from college students, Letters from Soldiers and Sailors on foreign soil. 154 yrs of Wedding invitations, Birthday cards, Love letters, and Bills. 154 yrs of communication with the Big outside world. To think all that will end on the 31st of August is a very sad thing.
According to Brenda Underdown's Blog The post office " was the last public building that was still being used, after their general store closed several years ago. They still have their active Methodist Church and also their Community Center, which was once the Tolu Elementary School" .
Tolu is not the only small Post Office that will be closing. Deep cuts in the Postal Service will ring the death knell for many Post Offices in many small communities all over the country. The days of the small town Post office are quickly coming to an end.. With email, facebook and other social networks people just don't use the Post Office like they once did. We want our news delivered electronically, and out letters available as we open our email accounts. We sign up for paperless billing, and pay automatically through our bank accounts. We want it all at our fingertips now.
Technology is great, But some days I wonder, What are we really giving up to have such easy access to everything.
From listening to the stories of those who settled this area , those who live in Tolu are of hardy stock. The town probably won't fade away just yet, but it's very possible that Tolu will be a town of the past someday. I hope not. I hope it will continue on even if the residents will all have to drive 16 miles into Marion to use the Post Office.
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