Bradshaw Post Office

The Bradshaw Post Office was established November 19, in 1909 with Charles P. Bennett as postmaster. Noah Basil Bailey was appointed postmaster in 1915 until his death in 1939. Mrs. Lovey Bailey was then appointed acting postmaster until March 30 1940 then served as clerk until she resigned in September 1942. She was then appointed acting postmaster until her official appointment as postmaster on April 23 1943 and served until her 70th birthday on Oct 29 1963 and retired on Nov.1 1963.

On Sunday November 3rd 1916 the original post office burned but everything was saved but the building. The post office was then moved to East Main St. in Bradshaw. The building was again burned in February 1922 and was rebuilt by Noah. The post office was purchased by the Old Abilene Town in 1965 and finally acquired by the Buffalo Gap Historical Village in 1982 with the mailboxes still intact and counter. The patrons came to the Post Office catch up on the local news and collect their mail.

Post Office Burglaries

The first burglary was in September of 1928 when burglars broke into the Bradshaw Post office and everything was taken in the safe. The safe was repaired but received another battering in February 1939, but this time the safe didn't open and only damage was done. Thieves again robbed the Bradshaw Post office in May 1944 opening the safe and leaving the safe beyond repair. There were a total of seven break ins and only one arrest.

References:
Newspaper article 1965 with a photo of Mrs. L. Bailey handing over a copy of a key that Mr. Bailey had given Lovey 49 years ago to W.N. Casey president of Old Abilene Town Inc.
Zachry, Juanita D. 1992. Buffalo Gap Historic Village. Austin, TX : Nortex Press. Chapter 4 Bradshaw Post Office. Includes ten photos of Bradshaw and the Baileys.