Nation's Smallest

Here's a fun tip for anyone traveling down to South Florida: Rather than taking the fastest route, I-75, cruise the Tamiami Trail. Besides seeing lots of swampland near the Everglades, you'll also encounter this itty bitty post office. Yep, this tiny shack is a real, working U.S. post office for Ochopee, Florida in Collier County! Unfortunately, it was closed when I was there, so I couldn't take the full tour. But, an historical marker notes it's considered to be the smallest post office in the United States. What a slice of Americana!

Update:  I'm pleased to report this cute little post office is not scheduled for closure by the USPS.  After seeing a couple of comments from folks wondering about its status, I did a little research and found the complete list of post offices on the chopping block --- and Ochopee is not on it.  Whew!   To see the full state-by-state list, click here. 

Pineland Post Office

I've always enjoyed finding little post offices in the U.S. This one is located in Pineland (population approximately 585) on Pine Island, a pleasant day trip south of Sarasota. The Pine Island Chamber of Commerce describes it as one of the smallest post offices in the world. The lobby, I discovered, is open 24 hours a day -- and it's a gem! There's a single window where stamps etc. are sold, and hundreds of classic gold plated post office boxes where residents pick up their mail. One well known resident here is author Randy Wayne White (try to say that name out loud three times fast without sounding like Elmer Fudd!) who writes novels based in the Sanibel area, just south of here. I'm finishing "Deep Shadow" right now and it's a page turner. Check out other itty bitty post offices I've discovered by clicking here.