HISTORY OF ORANGE
became the first station agent, and the Post Office was moved down to the railroad station.
On the death of Mr. Oviatt in 1888, William J. Scobie was appointed Postmaster, and the Post Office was moved across the street to the general store. When the new store was built across from the cemetery, Mr. Scobie moved the Post Office there also. Eventually Elbert Scobie became Postmaster, being succeeded in that position in 193 5 by William J. Rourke. On January 1, 1938, after the death of Mr. Rourke, Raymond Cuzzocreo became Postmaster, which position he now holds.
In 1943 the Post Office moved to larger quarters, occupying the front of the warehouse owned by Frank C. Woodruff. As the town continued to grow and the volume of mail became greater, the Post Office demanded even more space, so on January 1, 1949, it was moved into a new brick building which had been built for that purpose by Mrs. Maurice Rogers-an attractive and appropriate building well suited to its needs.
Rural Free Delivery was inaugurated in Orange in 1902, and on July 1, Albert M. Clark made his first trip as the rural mail carrier. He received hearty greetings all along the way. When he reached Grassy Hill, Carleton Woodruff came out with his gun and fired off a welcoming salute. Through rain or snow, Mr. Clark continued to deliver the mail for over thirty-three years. Mrs. William Rourke followed him for a few years, until her place was taken in 1958 by Henry Peterson. In 1941 the route was taken over by John Kowal. Because of the growth of the town, two routes were established in 1949. The area was extended to include the Boston Post Road, which had formerly been covered from West Haven. Route No. 1 is covered by Edward Ciola, while John Kowal continues to serve Route No. 2.
The change wrought by the passage of almost fifty years is noteworthy: Mr Clark began with sixty-one famities; the two routes now serve seven hundred boxes, or eight hundred and seventy-five families.
The busy housewife did not have to go to the city
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