Historic Post Offices That Existed in the Bethel/Cruso Area

Woodrow Depot/Post Office

-from the Charles Cathey collection provided by Bill Holbrook

Livingston Post Office was on the route from Lavinia to Waynesville, exact location unknown.  James Ballou Inman was enlisted by the postmaster general to add the post office of Livingston to his route.

Dates of Operation: August 22, 1898 – March 15, 1905. The post office was discontinued on March 15, 1901, and delivery was directed to the Waynesville Post Office.

Postmasters/Postmistresses:

George E. Boggs (August 22, 1898)

Retreat Post Office existed near the Edmonson farm and homeplace which, was known as "The Retreat" in a store building near today's Mooney Lane and Lake Logan Road on Highway #215 South.  

Dates of Operation: circa 1886-1902.  When this post office closed, mail was sent to the Sonoma Post Office

Postmasters/Postmistresses:

Thomas B. Edmonson (November 2, 1899)

Maria (pronounced Mariah) Edmonson (April 16, 1886)


Sonoma Post Office was in the Terrell Store (later called the Sentelle Store) in the field adjacent to today's Jukebox Junction.

Mary Lucinda Terrell, one of the postmistresses who operated the post office, also ran the Terrell Store. Mary Lucinda Terrell, always wore a large white apron in which she kept candy to give to children.  By some accounts, Mary Lucinda Terrell played some role at the facility during its entire existence and resented the closure of the post office.    

Dates of Operation: Circa 1878-1905.  The office closed around 1905, and mail was sent to the Canton Post Office

Postmasters/Postmistresses:

Sarah M. Wilson (April 24, 1878)

Harrison Singleton (1887 - June 15, 1897)

Mary Lucinda Kirkpatrick Terrell (January 28, 1880)

Lydia A. Evans

Sonoma Post Office (located in the Terrell/Sentelle Store)

-from the Bill Terrell collection

Springdale Post Office was on the Lenoir Gwyn Farm, now part of Springdale Golf Course.

Dates of Operation: 1876 –1923.  After 1923 mail was sent to Cruso Post Office

Postmasters/Postmistresses:

James M. Gwyn (February 29, 1876)

Thomas L. Gwyn (September 11, 1913)

Spruce Post Office existed at the area known as Three Forks of the Pigeon River near today's Sunburst Campground.

Dates of Operation: Unknown

Postmasters/Postmistresses: Unknown

Sunburst Post Office was also the Suncrest Lumber Company Post Office that was in the same building as the depot.  Postal employees may also have been employed as depot managers.

Dates of Operation: 1906-1928. After 1928, delivery was moved to the Canton Post Office.

Postmasters/Postmistresses with dates of appointment:

Mary Smith (March 25, 1906)

Harry W. Raynolds (January 31, 1907)

Perla P. McClure (May 27, 1907)

Andrew U. Robertson (September 21, 1908)

Benjamin F. Gudger (February 8, 1913)

John H. Peebles (February 24, 1914)

William C. Allen, Jr. (March 8, 1915)

Robert L. Burgin (March 29, 1918)

Sadie L. Burgy (July 1, 1924)

Woodrow Post Office was in the depot of the Tennessee and North Carolina Railroad on Highway #215 near the intersection of Sonoma Road. Postmaster Cathey was noted for his fine Spencerian script he used to write and cancel letters as well as for his excellent furniture and cabinetry (known as C Line Furniture) that he sold at his nearby shop.

Dates of Operation: 1914-1927. The post office closed after 1927 and delivery moved to the Waynesville Post Office.

Postmasters/Postmistresses with dates of appointment:

Thomas J. Cathey (February 3, 1914)

Arthur G. Burnett (October 1, 1918)

Sunburst Post Office and T/NC Depot

This building sits exactly where the boat dock at Lake Logan is today. 

-from the Gerald Ledford Collections


Livingston Post Office

Retreat Post Office

Sonoma Post Office

Springdale Post Office

Spruce Post Office

Sunburst Post Office

Woodrow Post Office