Mrs. Eva S. Holtzman, postmaster, is shown at left outside of the
new Kidgeway Post Office in 1959. She borrowed $6,000 to finance the
construction of the building, which she once rented to the federal
government for $15 a month. The photo at right shows Mrs. Holtzman
outside of the post office. Although the looks of the building have
changed only slightly, Mrs. Holtzman now charges $235 for rent? a
sign of the times. (Staff Photo at right by Diane Davis)
Ridgeway Post Office, Warren County's Oldest,
Celebrates 150th Birthday, Still Going Strong
By DUNE DAVIS
Staff Writer
Warren County's post office in
Ridgeway turned 150 this year
and is still going strong under the
supervision of its postmaster who
has been there 32 years.
Back in the early 1800s, the
Ridgeway community was devel
oped from the plantations of the
Hawkins, Plummer, Collins and
Marshall families. In 1839, the
Raleigh and Gaston Railroad was
established, and the railway
brought many travelers through
the small town. Soon the need for
a post office was realized.
On February 21, 1839, mail ser
vice began inside the train station
in Ridgeway. After the station
was destroyed by fire, a building
was erected which was to house
the post office and a shoemaker's
shop.
Eventually, the shoemaker's
shop closed, and the post office
occupied the entire building.
However, when U. S. 1 was
widened, a space of six feet from
the building to the shoulder of the
EOUISBURG
THEATRE
FRIDAY, JUNE 2 THRU
THURSDAY. JUNE 8
INDS THURSDAY
"PET SEMATARY
2 SHOWS: 7 & 9:00
ALL SEATS M flfl!
AT ALL TIMES ? fc?UU|
highway was left. This was not
enough room for the postal trucks
to unload mail.
Mrs. Eva S. Holtzman,
postmaster, is more than eager to
tell the story of her post office's
history.
According to Mrs. Holtzman, in
order to keep the Ridgeway office
from closing, a new location had
to be found. She immediately
began asking people in Ridgeway
for their help.
Paul E. Brauer sold her the
land she needed, and Mrs.
Holtzman borrowed $6,000 to con
struct a building, which she says
she designed herself.
The new post office was built
out of solite blocks, "in less than
a week's time," Mrs. Holtzman
said. The structure consists of a
lounge for patrons, closets and a
bathroom.
Mrs. Holtzman rents the
building to the postal service and
said she saves the government
about $300 to $400 a year because
of the thick insulation in the walls
of the 600-square-foot building.
During the summer's hottest
months, she says, her electricity
bill reaches an all-time high of
around $35.
"At first, I only charged them
$15 to rent the building. But that
was a long time ago. Now, 1
charge $235," she said.
Mrs. Holtzman said the rea on
she decided to go to work with the
postal service was because her
husband was working with the N.
C. Department of Transportation
Men's Lunchtime
Bible Study
(Bring Your Own Lunch)
THURSDAYS - 12 Noon Till 1 P.M.
At
BB&T Conference Room - Warrenton
Everyone Is Welcomed
Sponsor rd By GaidMf's Baptist Church
Ridgeway's Postmasters
John Daley
Thomas Paschall
Thomas S. Twitty
Benjamin S. Montgomery
James A. Cheatham
Sandy T. Watkins
Alex S. Webb
John Read
Mrs Lucy A. Cheatham
James L. Wortham
Henry Daeke
Stephen L. Crowder
Henry H. Grant
Mrs Helen M. O. Grant .
Mrs. Eva S. Holtzman
February 21, 1839
December 19, 1840
October 5, 1842
December 9, 1845
July 29, 1850
April 23, 1866
September 23, 1872
December 23, 1875
August 3, 1885
April 14, 1897
July 2, 1901
June 27, 1905
August 19, 1926
November 13, 1955
March 12, 1957 (still serving)
and she wanted to do something
with her time.
"I love people, and I wanted to
get out in the public," she said.
Mrc Holtzman was hired in
1947 by Henry H. Grant and
worked under his supervision for
a number of years.
When she first started work
with the postal service, her duties
included hanging the mail at the
train station "so the train catcher
could snatch it off the rack." She
remembers earning only $1 a day
for being a messenger, "and that
was a lot of money back then."
Her position and salary were
soon upgraded. She became
off '-er-in-charge when Mrs.
Helen M. O. Grant, postmaster
since November of 1955, was
hospitalized. This was a position
that paid $5 a day. Because she
had to still take the mail to the
train station, she earned an addi
tional $1. And those respon
sibilities required her to work
seven days a week.
"I had to do it all," she said,
smiling.
On March 12, 1957, Mrs. Holtz
man was certified to become a
postmaster, and on March 22 of
the same year, she was assigned
to her current position.
Mrs. Holtzman has a substitute
worker at the post office, Ms.
Lynn Stone, who works on Satur
days. Ms. Stone said that Mrs.
Holtzman works hard to keep the
post office business alive.
During the past 32 years, Mrs.
Holtzman has built up the small
post office.
When she became postmaster
in 1957, the post office was
ranked fourth class. She said she
began talking to customers about
purchasing and collecting com
memorative stamps, which even
tually built up the revenue
needed to become a third class
facility.
Also, when the new post office
was built, there were 12 box
holders and 16 general delivery
customers. Today, there are ISO
boxholders.
Although it's obvious that Mrs.
Holtzman loves her work, she
said she may be leaving the
postal service soon.
"I feel like it's time now to start
training someone to do what I've
been doing," she said. "I've been
so active for so long."
Nominated h their teacher* for the Student of the Month Award
at Norllna Middle School are, from left, Eric St Sing, thia month'!
winner; Daren Wilhena, Bert Stoner and Nikeena Boyd. The awards
ar-d trophy fn- thia month were donated by Bryant Canlder of
Caolder'i AuU Salea.
(Community School* Photo by Mary Hunter)
Sofa $29995
Love Seat ,249*5
Chair *179"
Save $200 on 3-plece group
Popular Pillow-Arm Gro
This lovely Colonial style living i
group features deep-tutted backs, ptl- 1
low ar. ns. pleated skirt and wood accent I
trim Upholstered in an Antron velvet I
print Honey pine tables sell tor $89 95 |
Now You Can Enjoy Gracious Living
Complete 5-plece
BEDROOM
H59995 S3
The Cherry Hill SuM^^
Enhance your home with this classic
bedroom suite It's gracefully styled
in a soft, mellow cherry finish The 5
pieces include double dresser, framed
mirror. 5-drawer chest, poster head
board and poster footboard Night
stand is $99 95
Chairs To Ease Yor Cares
19995
SAVE $60
Popular
glider
lounger
is so very
comfort
able ...it's
upholstered
in a striking
designer
fabric.
*9995
SAVE $40
You can't beat
this recliner for
the money...
covered in a
carefree vinyl
that will give
years of
service.
Warrenton
Furniture*
llxchans'c. Inc.
I J K. Kra nk tin si ? W jin-nuim. I .