Charlie Simms loaned me his scrapbook from which I copied several old articles and photo’s including this one of the Ridge Post Office early 1950’s. I didn’t recognize it of course. Ridge and I didn’t become acquainted until I was two years old in 1953 when we moved back home into my Grandfather Harry Raley’s Store following Buzzy’s discharge from the Air Force.
So I asked Capt. Jerry Norris about it and he said that the photo showed the Post Office when it used to be located where John Nelson’s (Merrritt’s) Service Station is now. (Bobby Wright confirmed this with his mom Lucille who also remembers it as being there at one time.)
I then went to the Bible – Regina Hammett’s History of St. Mary’s County – and found that she had this to say about the various locations of the Ridge Post Office:
The photo above then is discussing the Post Office’s second location at Mrs. Pembroke’s store. Of course the fifth location of the Ridge Post Office is its current spot adjacent the Dollar General (formerly Raley’s Town and Market.) Bottom line, the Ridge Post Office got around but has always been next to a store.
P.S. Regina’s mention of Brady McKay’s Store reminds me of being at work after the birth of my son Brady. Someone in the office said that they had never heard of the name Brady. As I was prepring to say something about liking that name, co-worker Minnie Russell jumped in and corrected the person by noting “What are you talking about? We’ve had Brady McKay in Ridge for years.” It was one of the few times that I was ever grateful for Minnie interrupting me.