Post office stories available at museum

Early day postal notes were collected by Birdie Hensley from a book donated to the Coulee Pioneer Museum from Ron Rinker.

The book tells the history of many of the post offices in Douglas County.

One, the Barry post office, was located seven miles north of Coulee Dam on the west shore of the Columbia River, its final location.

The original location was a small store about three miles southwest of the final location, and established Aug, 31, 1887. The first postmaster was Mrs. Alba J. Barry.

In the early days, mail came from Wilbur three times a week by team or saddle horse.

Later, a Coulee City star route supplied mail to Steamboat Rock.

The Barry post office was abandoned when it was found more feasible to supply patrons by the Grand Coulee star route.

“This is just one of the stories about post offices that can be researched at the museum,” Hensley said.

The museum will be closed until Dec. 26, due to the cold weather, Hensley stated.

“We plan on being open Dec. 26 and 27, for people coming home for the holidays,” Hensley added.

The museum will feature an old fashioned Christmas tree and display during the holidays.