The 100 Mile Post Office celebrated its 100th year anniversary on March 11, with cake, balloons, and gifts for the members of the public who showed up for the event.
The day started at 11 a.m. with a cake cutting ceremony by Canada Post lead
hand Robin Clarke. The beautifully decorated cake was brought by Canada Post’s local area manager Karen Plessis and area superintendent Rob Klarich.
“The design on the cake is the same as the design for the newly crafted cancellation stamp,” Klarich says, adding the stage coach represents the history of the area, with the transport of passengers, products and mail.
“The new cancellation stamp was collectively designed by Robin and his staff and then sent to the designers.”
Folks enjoyed cake, coffee and free promotional items, such as pins and pens. There were also post cards for sale by donation commemorating the event, with the proceeds going to children’s charities.
Later that day, dignitaries arrived to celebrate with the staff.
On behalf of the 100 Mile Post Office, Clarke accepted congratulation certificates from Cariboo-Chilcotin MLA Donna Barnett and from Kamloops-Thompson-Cariboo MP Cathy McLeod’s 100 Mile House assistant Lynda Krupp.
In turn, Clarke gave the dignitaries mugs adorned with the Canada Post logo.
It was great day, Clarke says, adding the local post office had many compliments.
“I think it worked out very well.”
On Feb. 1, 1916, the post office in 100 Mile House was established and J.G. Loyd was its first postmaster. For the next 100 years, the postmasters and their assistants were, and continue to be part of the hub of the South Cariboo.
According to Post Office records, there were a number of postmasters in the early days: J.G Lloyd, Feb. 1, 1916-Aug. 28, 1918; J.W. Hutton, Jan. 16, 1919-March 26, 1919; W.M. Buse, June 1, 1919-Sept. 2, 1921; T.A. Wheeler, Oct. 19, 1921-April 24, 1922; W.B. Hill, Sept. 10, 1922-June 4, 1923; R. Blair, Aug. 8, 1923-Oct. 22, 1928; G.B. Wright Nelson, April 4, 1929-Dec. 14, 1930; G.G. Lloyd, March 27, 1931-June 1935; C.M. Forbes, June 15, 1935-May 10, 1944; A.H. Christiansen, May 11, 1944-June 12, 1947; D. Mitchell, June 22, 1947-July 1952; Lord W.M.A. Cecil, Aug. 1, 1952-Jan. 17, 1956; and Mrs. M.S.K. Murray, March 20, 1956-Nov. 24, 1959.
The records are very sketchy after Mrs. Murray’s tenure.
Over the years the post office resided in different buildings, but since 1983, it has been located in the heart of 100 Mile House at 425 Birch Ave.
