Those under 20 years or thereabouts would not know of a time when the Calabash Bay Postal Agency was at a different location; just about a chain or two away along that same strip of roadway.

The first post mistress I can remember in that old office was Miss Mag; a friendly soul who always greeted you with a smile. Sometimes the size of the smile would indicate whether there was "good news" in the mail for you. So, for example, if parents were expecting that "special" registered letter from a son or daughter abroad she was always happy to signal its arrival even before you had stepped up to the window to inquire... for the 20th time!
On the other hand, if this was yet another trip in vain the smile would be a more restrained and sympathetic one.

This tradition continued with Miss Mag's successors at the postal agency - Miss Sylvie, Miss Berbeth (Have I left out anyone?) - and is no doubt true of the current occupant of that pivotal community chair - Miss Sharon.

But the trip to the post office in the old days was not just about getting that anticipated letter. This was also an important meeting place for the community. Old friends looked forward to catching up with each other on local gossip as well as the latest happenings in their respective families.

Teenaged girls also looked forward to these visits to the post office because somewhere along that route (from whichever district they were walking) they were sure to "accidentally" run into that special boy who was beginning to look far more appealing than when they were both in primary school a few years earlier!

For some people as well the post mistress became a bit of a confidante and an advisor on many things, well beyond the duties of the job.

These were the days before we had any telephone service in Treasure Beach, and before the advent of the Internet and cable television etc, so the post office was a key point of contact and information.

It was a simpler time, a more innocent time too, perhaps, and the memories of that post office are certainly part of dem good ole days.

What a wonderful story!! I drove by the site of the old post office (had someone with me who remembered it well) and, unfortunately, there is nothing left of it.

However, the new/current post office just got a lovely face lift. I'm not sure who to thank for this, but it looks great! So thanks to whomever is responsible for the pretty new post.

Thanks Nostalgic for telling me where we could locate a photo of the old post office.

Thanks to Stuart Jablon for this wonderful photo circa 1983 - 1985.



And for extra credit - or just for fun - who can identify that pretty lady in the picture?

Mrs Mitty Moxom and Mrs Paulette Wiggan- Ebanks had also worker there

Oh, I think she is Pascia Moxom. I know I am right

Love that picture of cousin Panzia reading what seems to be a 'Right-on Magazine'. I have also noticed Maas Alvin's old cow pen to the left of the picture. Does this cow pen still exists?

Bobsie Aaron was a popular figure at the old post office, he use to deliver the mail for Great Bay resident also Desmond from Calbash Bay was alway there ,i use to be sorry for Aaron they tease him so much ,sometime Miss Mag has to come out in his defence and she will get his package of mail and send him on his way.As kid after school we will race to get in line first ,sometimes fight will started over who get in line first and Miss Mag will come out and break it up.

Oh my Gosh this really brings back some serious memories.

Paulette Wiggan-Ebanks, was the last person to worked at that Post office. She was working there when it burnt down..

i remember miss nancy cake use to sale at old post office

At this time of the year we would be looking forward to the blue air mail envelopes from the States or the krissmus money from our peeps in England or the US. It was also a treat to get the parcel notice(s) to pick up our Christmas gifts at the TB PO. Such childhood memories.

So true v.p.d. Now we're so afraid to send any kind of parcel for fear of the sticky finger man. Things diffrant now.

Precious memories, how they linger!

For years to come this photograph will stand as a reminder of a bygone era in Treasure Beach. Not just the snapshot of the little post office building and of Pansia, but also the landscape in the background. That also is changing; and not always for the better.

There needs to be a development plan for the community; one that includes provisions to protect certain sites of historical/ heritage or archeological importance, along with guidelines for how new projects ought to be implemented.

One of the oldest post offices in the community (I don't know if it was the oldest) was situated right across from the police station, on the road to Beacon.

Many people will remember the building as a grocery shop operated by Mr. Johnson Buchanan. Before that, however, it was the village post office.

The Postmaster at one time - maybe about 100 years ago - was Joseph Keith James. (Okay; he is my great-grandfather. But dozens others can make the same claim. We are a large family!)

Unfortunately, the building came down some years ago. I don't know whether anyone has a photograph of it. It would be great to see such a pic, if it exists.

Speaking of old Post Office: makes me want to share this piece of nostalgia with TB folks. My grand father , Joseph Keith James was indeed the first post master in Pedro Plains P.O. He was also the Sandy Bank school head master as a young man, but he was turfed out of that position because he got his girlfriend pregnant before they were married. Those days the school was run by the Anglican church and they were very strict. He was a graduate of Munro college so he was looked upon as a very well educated man of his day. Grampa Joe sired 12 children, most of them buried in and around Sandy Bank.

Who knows when the first Calabash Bay Postal Agency was established?

I will take a guess and say sometime around late 1950 early 1960.

I was looking to see Babsy Aaron [edited by TB.Net] spot from his leaning on the wall twining his straws, but seems as if it missing!!!!!
We have come along way...........bwoy it did dry them days dey eh nuh sah.....looks like a desert.

Sandy Bank Girl....not nice...not nice.
May his soul rest in peace.

Babsy Aaron provided a service that was appreciated by many. May his soul rest in peace.

I agree with you, Aaron's Neighbour. He was a simple man who provided an important service to his community, delivering the telegrams. Those who were around during his time could not separate him from the postal service. He was a gentle soul and we should remember him with love.

Thank you Treasure Beach Native. A likkle very well informed birdie also called us today and recommended editing the post. Thanks to both for the good advice.

This was done in good thoughts and not to disrespect Babsy Aaron. It's meant in a good way as a memory to "his spot" without this.......it was not the same for me, as I always look to see him there in his little spot and the memory for me was not there. Sorry if I offend anyone.....and most all not to dishonour Babsy.

FYI....Aaron was called Babsy because he was the son of Ms.Babsy from somewhere in the Beacon/Short Hill area.

RIP Aaron!!!

Babsy Aaron's body was found many years ago, in a tank full of water on a property in Cross Roads. No one knows if it was an accident or intentional drowning. He had a terribly hard and deprived existence. May he rest in peace, and may light perpetually shine upon him.

People in Treasure Beach have come a long way!! Babsy may our soul rest in peace. You had a hard life.

Do we still have telegrams?

Hard to believe someone would ask this question.
The Internet and cell phones has taken over the universe and there is no turning back.
I have seen and heard of deaths from all the world even before someone who lives on the same block.
Those were the Good Old Days.

What about "Swing Swing" the telegram man? Where was he from? People were afraid to see him...usually bad news? Remember when the fastest way to spread news was telegram,telephone and tell-a-girl? Now its Internet..instant worldwide..what progress!!

Correct me if I am wrong, but I think Swing Swing was Maas Isaac from above Station/TB P.O.

Maas Swing Swing and Maas Isaac were the two gentlemen that use to deliver telegrams.

I am trying to get a perspective on the photo of the old PA. The right hand back ground seems to have a road,but shouldn't the road be passing in the foreground? Was the old PA not just up from the new one?

Great history of the Calabash Postal Agency.Those were good old days. There were so many young girls who Miss Mag gave a chance to enter the Postal Service I am very proud that although I did not work at Calabash Bay, Misss Mag taught me all the basics, which allowed me to proceed higher reaching Grade Three Postmaster. I am very proud where I started. Thanks to Miss Mag. there were a few girls I think received training there too I hope I am right. the late Magaret Powell. Miss Lettman, If my memories serve me right I think Maud Moxam Mitty's Sister Good old days

This is for information only. Miss Mag is the Great-Grand daughter of Joseph Keith James, and Martha Elizabeth James of Sandy Bank.

Miss Mag as she is known was able to watch her Great Grand-Father, Grandpa Joseph at work in Pedro Plains, where he was the Post Master. Grandpa Joseph was also the first Principal of Sandy Bank School.

Joseph keith James Born, May 14th, 1859.
Martha Elizabeth James Born April 19th,1862.
Grandma Martha's Maiden name was Parchment.

Hi Joseph, did Joseph Keith James goes by any other Name?everyone in T.B have a pet Name thanks.

RE: Carlton, The PA is facing the main Road.
Looking at the picture you will notice Pansia is standing at the front window, and you can see through the building, that means the door in the back of the building is open. This is the entrance used for the mail delivery,so the Royal Mail Van would pull up around the back.

The area was also used for the staging of Buses Treasure Queen, and Treasure Girl. This was also the meeting place for local Cattle Farmers to get their Herd Vaccinated, hope this help.

Another Point Carlton, looking at the front you will notice a brown rectangular door with a white oblongated indentation, this was the night Deposit Box.

Hi Just Wondering, It would be nice if you would show some reciprocity by disclosing who you. To answer your question he was also called Teacher.

TBeachSon, thank you for your response. The part of the picture I don't get is the right middle background with the three lignum vitae trees. There seems to be a road there which I can't place or understand.

Joseph Keith James, hi, I don't think I know you, but you seem to have knowledge about the Jameses. I have often heard the references to certain James as 'Keith'. Was Keith a surname originally or just a middle name and used to differentiate the various Jameses? I have other questions which if you don't mind answering, my email address is posted with this message.
Oh, my mother was Gladys James.

Hi Carlton, I am glad you raise this questions I think J.K.J might have all the answer's since he is one of us.

Hi Carlton Reynolds, There is only one set of James in Treasure Beach, we can be found in Sandy Bank, Calabash Bay, Frenchman, Billys Bay,Great Bay,and Lennon Wood. If you can identify with any of these families I think you are Ok.