The movement of mail throughout the country is a fascinating part of our nation’s postal history. Before the invention of automobiles and other horseless vehicles, the overland long distance movement of mail was typically done by the railroads.

By the turn of the century, the invention of the automobile and other self-powered road vehicles began to change the fabric of our society. The automobile facilitated large population movements out of the cities and into more rural areas. As dirt roads gave way to paved highways in the 1930s and 1940s; alternatives to railroad mail services became feasible.

This video presentation provides information on the history, development, and implementation of the Highway Post Office program.