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How would you like to take a spin on this Excelsior Auto-Cycle? Rural Free Delivery (RFD) service began as a Post Office Department experiment in 1896. Although city folk had enjoyed Free City Delivery since 1863, people in rural areas still had to travel (sometimes several miles) to the nearest town for their mail. Rural Free Delivery was a success and by June 1900, there were 1,214 RFD routes, serving an estimated 879,127 people in nearly every state. Rural Free Delivery became a permanent postal service in 1902. Since the introduction of RFD (and still today), rural letter carriers were (and are) responsible for their own transportation. At first, this meant by horseback, by buggies and wagons, and some by bicycle. Automobiles followed. In the early 1900s, many big city postmasters were already using motorcycles for their special messenger service, and as the number of rural delivery routes grew, manufacturers looked to these new rural carriers as an exciting new marketing opportunity ($$). Although motorcycles (like horses or bicycles) were not useful for rural carriers who carried large amounts of mail, they seemed to be a good alternative for carriers who were looking to trade in their four legs or two wheels for the next best thing, especially if a car was not an affordable option. Based in Chicago, IL, the Excelsior Motor Manufacturing & Supply Company built and sold motorcycles in the early 20th century. Advertisements proclaimed “You and those who rely on you can depend on the Excelsior.” Perfect for the ever dedicated rural mail carrier. #PostalHistory #motorcycle #USMail