Mount Ayr Record-News
Mount Ayr, Ringgold County, Iowa
Thursday, December 06, 2012

In an ironic twist, the Blockton post office will mark its 125th anniversary by being closed by the US Postal Service.

Former Blockton post master Eldon STROBURG shared some history behind the founding of the post office.

The office was originally opened as Mormontown on June 12, 1872. The franchise application stated Mormontown had a population of 60 and would serve an area comprising 300 residents.

According to historical reports, early residents had ambitious plans for their area. These included taking portions of Taylor and Ringgold counties as well as land in Missouri to form a new Iowa county, with Mormontown as the county seat. About this time the name of the town was changed to Blockton in honor of an early resident. The name of the post office was officially changed to Blockton in 1887.

Mount Ayr Record-News
Mount Ayr, Ringgold County, Iowa
Thursday, December 13, 2012

Upon reading his own obituary published in a New York newspaper, Mark Twain is reported to have quipped: "The rumors of my death have been greatly exaggerated."

The same could be said this week of the Blockton post office.

Based solely on my misreading of information on the postal service website,in this space last week I reported the closing of the Blockton post office as part of the postal service's reorganization plan.

In reality, the Blockton post office will remain in operation in 2013 (its 126th year), albeit with reduced hours at some point.

I apologize to postmaster Mary Kay LOUTZENHISER, the patrons of the Blockton post office and to the readers of the Mount Ayr Record-News for the inconvenience caused by the error.

Transcriptions by Sharon R. Becker, March of 2013