![The Mail Carriers of Michigan: 1890s-1917](http://townsquare.media/site/691/files/2021/04/FLINT-1906.jpg?w=980&q=75)
The Mail Carriers of Michigan: 1890s-1917
In this digital age of texting and social media, the idea of a mail carrier may seem a bit antiquated, at least to most anyone under 30. But they are still out there, filling your mailbox.
Does the old saying still hold true: “Neither snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom of night stays these couriers from the swift completion of their appointed rounds”.
Most definitely, even though the origin of that phrase has nothing to do with postal carriers. According to Postal Facts, it came from a book titled The Persian Wars by Greek historian Herodotus, referring to Persian Empire messengers during the Greek and Persian conflicts from 500-449 BC.
Over the years there have been plenty of jokes at the postal carrier's expense, relating to:
1) Carriers vs. dogs
2) Lonely housewives
3) Going postal
…..but they still kept plugging along.
In these current times, we've been buying more stuff online, and who can deny the excitement when you see that post office truck pull up and bring a package? I look forward to it!
In the gallery below, you'll find over 30 vintage photos of Michigan mail carriers, from the 1890s to 1917. Their modes of delivery included horses, dogs, buggies, sleds, bicycles, jalopies, and just plain walking.
Many carriers were required to wear a uniform, which resembled an old-time train conductor...you'll see those in the photos as well. Take a look!
MICHIGAN MAIL CARRIERS, 1890s-1917
MORE MICHIGANIA:
Michigan's One-Room Schoolteachers
Michigan Cobblers
Four Characters From Michigan's Copper Country
MORE: A Close Look At the Firemen's Memorial in Roscommon
More From 94.9 WMMQ
![The Seclusion of Rock River Falls in Alger County](http://townsquare.media/site/691/files/2021/04/Michael-Landis-youtube-1.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Free Dog-Only Rabies Vaccination Event In Ingham County](http://townsquare.media/site/694/files/2021/04/james-barker-v3-zcCWMjgM-unsplash.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Derek Chauvin. We Got A Verdict. YEAH, BUT.](http://townsquare.media/site/692/files/2021/01/20210118_142839.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Meat Loaf Pays Tribute to Longtime Collaborator Jim Steinman](http://townsquare.media/site/295/files/2021/04/GettyImages-585556008a.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Derek Chauvin Guilty in Murder of George Floyd: Rockers React](http://townsquare.media/site/295/files/2021/04/George-Floyd.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![How Does This Make Any Sense? Sports Book Picks Lions’ Season Now](http://townsquare.media/site/690/files/2021/01/GettyImages-71339579.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Portage, Michigan Made Pfizer Vaccine is the ‘Status Vax’ for COVID-19?](http://townsquare.media/site/690/files/2021/04/GettyImages-1291379334.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Michigan Governor Reacts to Chauvin Verdict](http://townsquare.media/site/44/files/2021/01/Gretchen-Whitmer.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![WATCH: Derek Chauvin Found Guilty in Death of George Floyd](http://townsquare.media/site/942/files/2021/04/Derek-Chuavin-Verdict.jpg?w=980&q=75)