As the tiny community of Freda
began to grow and prosper with the arrival families. With its increase social
and economic activity, came the need for a more effective postal system. The mail
at that time came on the way freight and was handed to anyone on the railway
platform. It would then be tossed on the shelf in the station waiting room
where people would pick up any addressed to them.
Recognising the necessity of a
proper post office to serve the growing community, Sam Ames wrote to the
government of Canada requesting for permission for the post office in Freda.
The government gave permission for the post office, but not under the name of
Freda. As it turned out there was
another Freda post office in Canada. The settlers therefore made a list of
names which the preferred. The list was submitted to the government and the
name of Amesdale as chosen. In 1926 a post office was established in the corner
of the Ames and Son General Store, with a legal description of W 1/2 of N 1/2, Lot 12,
Con. 3 Rowell Twp. Gordon Ames became postmaster, a position he held until
1958. Near the end of his tenure as Postmaster, Gordon was honoured to attend a
Post Office meeting in Brandon Manitoba where he was honoured as one of the
very few to have served in the position for 30 years.
The Amesdale Post Office located
in Rowell Township, of the Kenora Rainy River Ontario Federal Electoral
District was established on 1 June, 1926 and closed July 13, 1962. During that
period there were four postmasters / postmistresses, namely:
- Gordon Ames: 1 June 1926 to 1 May 1958
- Ellen Maria Dahl (Acting): 1 June 1958 to 3 September 1958
- Katherine E. Carlson (Acting): 3 September to 10 January 1959
- Katherine E. Carlson: 12 January 1959 to 10 October 1960
- Elizabeth Bakala (Acting): 1 December 1960 to 19 December 1960
- Elizabeth Bakala: 19 December 1960 to 13 July 1962
Source: Government of
Canada, National Archives of Canada, Post Offices and Postmasters
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