The Whitewater Post Office was established in 1840. In the 19th century, most post offices were found in stores, often owned by the postmaster; Whitewater was no exception. David Powers, the first post master, walked to Troy weekly to pick up the mail (a distance of some 20 miles each way). Starting in January 1853, mail was brought by train. When the train stopped running in 1951, temporary trucking service was provided until 1966, when the Highway Postal Service was formed. In 1935, the Federal Government authorized the construction of a post office building on Center Street; now it is the heart of the downtown. (Fred Kraege, Whitewater)