Post offices have long served as the hub of small towns. They've been the place not just where people drop off their mail, but where they catch up on the latest goings on in the community. As Roberta Brandes Gratz has noted in her book, Cities: Back from the Edge,

"A post office that residents, business people, downtown workers, and shoppers can walk to is an incalculable economic and social asset for downtown. A downtown business location increases in appeal with the variety of services available in close proximity. The post office, for some, is one of the most important services, along with banks, eateries, government offices, and office supply sotres. The farther away from downtown such activities move, the more sprawl is encouraged and downtown undermined.

Downtown post offices are one of the most reliable community gathering spots, where business people and residents, young and old, visitor and native meet serendipitously. In small towns, it is a meeting place, like the barbershop, local diner, or greneral store."

The postcard view of Aberdeen, Maryland's main street shows a typical post office location in the center of town.

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