Cute little post office in the small "disincorporated" town of Columbia. Don't sneeze or you'll miss this little, seemingly forgotten historic village, population as of 2023 56 people. The population has fluctuated sometimes as high as 100, but the number tends to dwindle.
Yes, the history of this tiny unincorporated place on the map has some cool history: this was the location of the Rassawek, a Monacan Indian Nation settlement. English settlers occupied the area and it was used as an arsenal for awhile. In 1788 the town became incorporated, and was a shipping stop for the tobacco trade. Then by the 1950's due to the decline of the railroad and natural disasters many homes and buildings were either destroyed, flooded or abandoned. The mayor proposed to disincorporate the town in 2014 and eventually passed in 2016 as money couldn't be raised to save the historic town. Main Street now looks like a ghost town, with dilapidated buildings, the haunting remains of the railroad, and just a corner market and the post office hidden down a side street.
The post office is charming and well cared for despite its rundown neighbors. Inside it's clean and bright. It's a shame this place couldn't make it because the St. Joseph's church is beautiful and has some remarkable statuary and a popular shrine, also many of the houses in the neighborhood are stately and elegant.
Hours M-F 8:00-12:00,1:00-3:00. Saturday 8:00-11:00 read more