In 1871, a "mail messenger" was appointed between St. John's and Torbay, thus the first regular postal sevice was established. Prior to that date, residents had to conduct such busiess at the St. John's General Post Office, relying on friends, clergy or neighbors who were in the habit of making regular trips to town, if they were not in the habit of making regular trips themselves.

When the early post office's were first established, during the peroid of 1871-1891, the parlour of the postmaster's/mistress's house generally served as the post office and the mantlepiece was often the receptacle for letters. However, in subsequent years, as mail volumes increased, the postmaster required additional space such that the mail was now attended to on a separate room, with the kitchen or porch being used for a public waiting room.

During the period of 1871-1949, the operation of the post office was the responsibility of the Government of Newfoundland and in 1949 became a function of the Government of Canada.

The following is a list of the persons who operated the post office in their residences up to 1968 when the federal post office was opened:

1891 - 1890	John Maguire
1890 - 1898	Margaret Goss
1899 -	Bessie F. Goss
Early 1900s	Richard Ryan
1924 - 1939	Ann McGrath
1940 - 1947	Mary Gosse
1949	Libby Morey
1949	Anne Codner
1949 - 1966	Annie Dodd
1966 - 1968	Kay Codner

The federal post office is located on the north side of Torbay, opposite the site of the old Northside School. The first postmistress in the new building was Kay Codner who continued on in that postion until June 30, 1970.



The History of Torbay
By: Bob Codner 1996

Last updated 1997.


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Attorney

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Shelley O'Brien
28 Doyle's & Quigley's Lane
Torbay, NF
A1K 1A7
email: shelley_obrien30@hotmail.com