ALTON, CA — The surprise closing of the Alton Post Office sent boxholders scrambling for curbside mailboxes rather than make the one-way drive of 18 miles to pick up mail in Stockton.

Several residents already consider it a foregone conclusion the U.S. Postal Service permanently will close the facility anyway, something the quasi-governmental agency wanted to do anyway until it was rebuffed by Congress.

Residents also find it ironic USPS recently upgraded the post office, installing an outside security light and other security features inside the limestone building to make the lobby — and the boxes — available 24 hours a day.

The closing is a result of “deteriorating building conditions,” USPS spokesman Brian Sperry said of the recent post office suspension.

The 19 customers served by post office boxes were told they could pick up their mail at the Stockton Post Office or put up a mailbox and receive delivery via a rural mail carrier already serving part of the community.

“The Alton Post Office is only suspended at this point,” Sperry said in an email. “The Postal Service is reviewing the situation. It’s too early to say what our plans are for the post office.”
via Alton residents worry post office gone for good