After serving in the U.S. Navy from 1944-1946, Orval E. Fredericksen went to work at the Bonners Ferry Post Office. He was hired as a substitute clerk in 1947 and was appointed as a regular clerk in 1948. This photograph shows Orval standing in front of the post office during the 1948 flood. The courthouse and sheriff’s office can be seen behind him.
Orval was appointed as assistant to the Postmaster in 1970, appointed as the Officer in Charge in 1971, appointed Postmaster in 1927, and retired in April 1977.
This Week in History ~ 50 years ago (1974) states: “Postmaster Orval Fredericksen, today reminded U.S. Postal customers that new postage rates will go into effect, Saturday, March 2. First class mail will be 10 cents per ounce, airmail will be 13 cents and post cards 8 cents.”
When Orval went to work at the post office in 1947, the cost of a first class stamp was 3 cent. When he retired, 30 years later, in 1977, the cost of a stamp was 13 cents.