Frank Merrill in the Cumberland Center Post Office

(Photo Courtesy: Prince Memorial Library)

This photograph, circa 1900, shows Frank Merrill sitting in the Cumberland Center post office in J. L. Dunn's store at 277 Main Street.

The Cumberland Center post office was housed in a number of locations between 1826 when it was first established, and 1947 when it was moved to Farwell Ave. For many years it was located within the store operated by brothers Everett and Fenwick Blanchard (present 277 Main St.). After that store burned the post office was moved to temporary quarters until the store was rebuilt. The Blanchard brothers later sold the rebuilt store to James L. Dunn who became Postmaster in 1892.

Rural free delivery was established in the United States in 1896 and came to Cumberland in 1902.