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Original equipment for the American Flag Ranch Post Office.
John Hernandez | Miner
San Manuel Miner
Isaac Laurin located the American Flag Mine and built a home nearby in 1877. As more miners came to the area, a mining camp was established which became known as American Flag. Nearby mining camps were also established at Campo Bonito and the Apache Mine bringing the population of the area to several hundred. Thanks to the efforts of Laurin, E.O. Stratton and others, a post office was established in 1880 at Laurin’s home. The first Postmaster was Peter H. Loss. The post office would be decommissioned in 1890.
The original building that was Laurin’s home and the American Flag Territorial Post Office still stands today. It is one of the last Territorial post office buildings still existing in Arizona. Thanks to the Oracle Historical Society and a team of volunteers which included Kevin Armbrust, Brian Kirkpatrick, Dan Piermarni and John Medley the building along with the barn and corrals known as the American Flag Ranch has been restored and renovated.
On Saturday, Sept. 26, 2015 the American Flag Ranch will be open to the public. The American Flag Ranch Celebration and Territorial Post Office Commemoration will be from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. The event will include the sale of first day issue hand-cancelled envelopes with the American Flag emblem, thanks to the staff of the Oracle Post Office that will be at the event. Guests will be allowed to tour the restored ranch house. The ranch house has historic displays and is furnished with period furniture and memorabilia. There will be music by local musicians Ric Volante and Jennifer Rinio. Food and drinks will be available including ranch grills and bratwurst.
At 2 p.m., there will be an awards ceremony, dedication and a replica of the 1880s 38-star American flag will be raised once again over the American Flag Territorial Post Office. There is an admission fee of $5 for adults and teenagers (cash or check only). Children 12 and under are free. It will be an historic event and fun time. The American Flag Ranch is located 4.2 miles from Oracle on Mt. Lemmon Road. For more information about the event or the history of the American Flag Ranch visit www.oraclehistoricalsociety.org or contact them at (520)896-9609 or oraclehistoricalsociety@gmail.com.
John Hernandez lives in Oracle. He is retired and enjoys writing and traveling. He is active in the Oracle Historical Society. He covers numerous public events, researches historical features and writes business/artist profiles.
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