The Raymond Post Office

Here's another item I found a few weeks ago when we were going through some of Mom's photos and other scrapbook items that have been in storage. This is a program from 1962 when the new Raymond Post Office was dedicated. The event occurred a couple of years before I was born, so of course I don't remember it, but judging by the program, it must have been a really big deal. A fellow from Chicago spoke (the real estate chief for the Chicago regional post office), as well as a congressman, the mayor, and the postmaster. The American Legion Color Guard participated and the high school band even played. Mr. Crum served as the master of ceremonies and Angie Convey sang "Ode to the American Flag." I'm sure almost everyone in town dressed up in their Sunday best and attended this event.

Front Cover 

Back Cover

The following information about the Raymond Post Office appeared in Raymond’s Centennial Booklet, published in 1971:

(Written by W.S. Kessinger)

The Wabash Railroad was built from Decatur to St. Louis in 1970, but it was not until the following spring that anything like the town of Raymond had sprung into existence. Charles Davis of Litchfield opened a general store and became the first Postmaster. Mr. Davis had been Deputy Postmaster at Litchfield. The Post Office was known as Lula, there being another Post Office by the name of Raymond in the state, near Chicago. The name of the office was changed about 1865 and the town of Raymond and Post Office has since been called Raymond.

The railroad runs through Raymond from the Southwest in a Northeasterly direction and W.R.W. O’Bannon platted the town with the railroad instead of a compass. About half of the town lies on what is called the West side and the other half on the East side. Mr. Davis had built his store on the West side and the location of the Post Office pulled the business of the town in that direction. Two elevators on the East side gave the end of town some impetus. Mr. Kessinger moved the office of his store in the Odd Fellows building on the East side and for nine years that part of town was in the ascendency. In August, 1881, a midnight fire wiped out the business district on the West side. The owners rebuilt of brick. In 1885 when Thomas J. Parrott succeeded to office, he moved it to the West side and prosperity again reigned in that direction. Mr. Tilden later moved the office back to the East side and it has since remained.

On January 1, 1902, W.L. Seymour was appointed Postmaster. Mr. Seymour held the position longer than any of his predecessors and saw the business grow until it was raised from 4th to third class on April 1, 1904.

Mr. Seymour was followed by Anthony R. Gorman, Harold J. Henderson, Mary Convery, and in April 1952, John J. Convery, the present Postmaster was appointed. The local office was raised to 2nd class on July 1, 1953.

A new building was erected and dedicated in 1962. Mr. Convery’s present staff includes Yolonda Hitchings, Helen Engelman, Dorothy Cloyd, Edwin Hofmann, Hugh Halford, Lloyd Pope, Wayne Henderson, Edna Redfern, and Leona Carriker.