9 5 C h e r o k e e R o a dP i n e h u r s t , N o r t h C a r o l i n a

h i s t o r y o f t h e

On December 9, 1895 the Federal Government officially

established a Pinehurst Post Office. From 1895 until

2011, Pinehurst had an operational post office

within the Village. Its final location was 95

Cherokee Road, where it operated for three quarters

of a century. In 2011 mail service moved to a

location outside of the Village. Since then, the

historic post office building has taken on a new and

vital role in the community - this is its story.

Dec 91895

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PHOTO GIVEN TUFTS

p i n e h u r s tp o s t o f f i c e

Presented by

Dec 91895

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Early YearsThroughout the late 1800s, the Post Office changed locations to various downtown Pinehurst buildings. In 1899 it was housed in the drug store section of the Department Store building, where it was described as the “finest Post Office in North Carolina” (Pinehurst Outlook

11/10/1899).

1930sIn 1931 the Post Office relocated to Market Square while a new location was under construction at 95 Cherokee Road. This new Post Office was designated a New Deal Post Office as part of the Works Projects Administration (WPA) and opened in 1934.

The new Post Office housed unique architectural details such as “peep hole” openings. These are located along the back wall and were used by the Post Master to observe the Post Office lobby and work spaces. Can you find these peep hole openings?

Early postal employees

This Post Office was comprised of “oak paneling of tasteful design...and...frosted glass protected by brass guards; and contained approximately 300 combination lock boxes (Pinehurst Outlook 11/10/1899).

In the 1920s, the drug store space became too small for the growing population, and discussions of a new location and larger size for the Post Office began (Pinehurst Outlook Vol 59. no 37 p1).

Market Square location

Peep hole openings

Photos Given Tufts

From the 1930s to 2011 the Post Office became the unofficial Village meeting place. While the Ice Cream Shop, various coffee shops, and local pubs provided spots for families and friends to gather, the Post Office was also a place where villagers caught up with each other.

Since the Village had no home mail delivery until the 1970s, Villagers had to collect their mail at the Post Office. Over 1,700 Village residents rented Post boxes creating a gathering place for residents (Fayetteville Observer by Michael Zennie 8/18/2011). These boxes claimed to have brought 800 residents to the Village center each day (The Pilot by John Krahnert III 3/20/2009).

Aerial photo of the Post Office (circle). The Theater Building (above), and Department Store (to the left) are also visible

Historic map of downtown Pinehurst showing the Department Store and Post Office

Photos Given Tufts

“Going to the downtown Post Office is a ritual, a tradition for so many,” said Mayor Ginsey Fallon in 2011 (www.savethepostoffice.com/new-deal-post-offices). By this time the Village Post Office had become

“cramped,” and more post boxes and delivery routes were needed (The Pilot 3/9/1987). The Post Office, which was originally designed for no more than 800 boxes had grown to 1,732 boxes, with “528 boxes at a substation in the village” (The Pilot 3/9/1987). Clearly Pinehurst was growing and its Post Office needed to meet the needs of this larger population. A second post office on Blake Boulevard was completed in 1987.

By the late 2000s an opposite trend in postal use was occurring; the Post Office experienced a 30% decline from 2008 to 2009 (The Pilot by John

Krahnert III 2/25/2011). A similar decrease was seen throughout the United States due to the addition of electronic mail and other online options.

As a result of the decrease in postal use the Village Post Office closed its doors on August 19, 2011, and the building remained vacant until 2015. Its closing was just one of over 3,000 Post Offices to be closed in the United States during that time period (save the postoffice.com/new-deal-post-offices & The Pilot

by Tom Embry 8/26/2011). The official Pinehurst Post Office remains on Blake Boulevard to this day. Have you visited the Blake Boulevard Post Office?

Photos Given Tufts

Blake Boulevard Post Office, Pinehurst

Completed Post Office front view, 1930sCompleted Post Office side view, 1930s

Photos Given Tufts

Many Villagers expressed a wish for a gathering place that would revitalize the area. The building was purchased and in 2015 Given Tufts (Given Memorial Library and Tufts Archives) signed a long-term lease with the new owners to house their non-profit Given Book Shop.

The Given Book Shop increases foot traffic to the Village in several ways. The Book Shop sells high quality used books and offers evening programs, events, workshops and venue rentals. Over 90 community volunteers staff the book shop and assist with its daily operations. Have you attended a workshop or wine tasting? Perhaps the Book Shop would be the perfect venue for your next special occasion!

A separate owner operates a coffee shop called The Roast Office within the Book Shop and is open for breakfast, lunch, and mid-afternoon snacks.

Evening Workshop - painting Wine Tasting

Outdoor seating

Rent The Book Shop!

Rental space is available throughout the facility. An upstairs meeting room is available for small gatherings, and the main floor transforms into a beautiful and unique space for large receptions, presentations, and parties.

Book sales and rental proceeds support The Given Memorial Library and Tufts Archives,

located at 150 Cherokee Road, across the Village Green from the Book Shop.

High quality used books Fun for all ages

Creative book displays throughout the year Book Shop Volunteers

Comfortable seating and a coffee shop for a snack

Photo Katerine Miles Jones

Photo Katerine Miles Jones

Photo Katerine Miles JonesLIBRARY

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MAIN FLOOR | CAPACITY 120 Available after 5:00 pm

UPSTAIRS MEETING ROOM | CAPACITY 15

Available Day or Night

RECYCLED READIN

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Unique Building with a Rich History Located in the Village Center

BIRTHDAYS

RECEPTIONS

REUNIONS

PRESENTATIONS

DINNERS

WEDDINGS

RETIREMENTS

Photo: Holly Kearney

RENT THE BOOK SHOP

Call 910.585.4820for rental information

Photo Given Tufts

Produced by Lisa Richman, Given Tufts & Sherri Sabo, Little Moon Graphics

Graciously underwritten by a community patron

The Given Memorial Library and Tufts Archives is the Village’s library, museum and historic record. Free and open to the public, in addition to lending books and providing community programs, this unique library, museum and archive helps residents and visitors learn, grow, enjoy and connect with history in the Village of Pinehurst.

Pinehurst Village Centerwith Key Landmark Buildings

Manor Inn

Carolina Hotel

Pinecrest Inn

Magnolia Inn

Holly Inn

Given Library & Tufts Archives

Given Book ShopTheater Building

Village Chapel

Women’s Exchange

To Highway 211

To PinehurstCountry Club To Traf�c Circle

Library and Archive Hours Given Book Shop HoursHours: Monday - Friday 10:00am - 4:00pm

Saturday 10:00am - 4:00pmAddress: 95 Cherokee Road, Pinehurst NC

www.givenbookshop.orgWebsite:

givenmemoriallibrary

Hours: Monday - Friday 9:30am - 5:00pm Saturday 9:30am - 12:30pm

Address: 150 Cherokee Road, Pinehurst NC

www.giventufts.orgWebsite:Facebook:

Phone: (910) 295-7002(910) 295-3642(910) 295-6022Library Phone:

Archive Phone:givenbookshopFacebook:

DID YOU KNOW?

Given Book Shop sales and rental proceeds support Given Memorial Library and Tufts Archives