History of Bridge City Post Office

The First Bridge City Post Office with Postmaster James Burley Scales, Jr
(click on the photo for a larger view)

United States Post Office

Beginning in 1848 the Unites States took over the postal service from the Republic of Texas and post offices sprang up in many parts of the county. By 1858 the city of Orange became the main post office for the county serving Prairie View on a rural route. In 1941 there were 12 mailboxes between Cow Bayou and Roundbunch, all on one post. One letter carrier in a private car brought mail from Orange. The area was regarded as Route 1, Orange, which was the first rural route in Orange County.

In 1943 the Lions Club took steps to get a post office. In July 1945 they were notified the post office was assured. On July 1, 1946 the community of Prairie View received a post office permit established as a fourth class post office and expanded to first class in 1968. The post office began in a 6 foot by 8-foot space in the back of Dick Hebert’s grocery store located on Texas Avenue near the intersection of Hwy. 87 (Texas Avenue) and N. John Street. The store also housed a Gulf Oil service station.

The first postmaster was Navy veteran James Burly (J.B.) Scales, Sr. He received his appointment signed by President Harry Truman on July 1, 1946. He and his sons built the first white stucco post office at 1065 Texas Avenue in the rear of the building that also housed Sigona’s Dry Goods. The postmaster owned the building. The building was torn down December 5, 2001. For the first three years beginning in 1946 Scales’ spouse was the only clerk for the post office. In 1949 he hired Doris Ketterman, the first employee outside his family, then Mrs. Wiemer McCroskey. At that time the post office was third class. Stamps cost three cents and post-cards one penny.

The postal service began home delivery in 1958. By 1962 bids were let to build a new post office at the intersection of Bland Extension and Texas Avenue. A modern 4,000 square foot building was erected and owned by C. W. Hubbard. The post office advanced from fourth class to first class by July 1, 1968. The post office moved to 1900 Texas Avenue and was dedicated March 7, 1964. A new facility at the intersection of S. John Street and Texas Avenue sits on 2 ½ acres. It opened in 1985 and cost $488,00, which was the lowest bid, and has 8,293 square feet more than twice the size of the former facility. The bid was awarded to Matrix Engineering, Inc. of Beaumont. In 1985 they served 3,574 residents. The postmasters since Scales include Nolton Brown from 1967-1970; Robert D. Bullard, 1970-1980; Johnny Stimac, 1980-1998; Charlene Goudeaux (the first woman postmaster), 1998-Present.

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