Penland rallies to shore up historic post office
Take Penland Road in Mitchell County, away from the perpetual road-widening project on U.S. 19 East, and you travel back in time. Cross the North Toe River, then rattle across tracks of the old Clinchfield railroad. Pull off to the right, and park beneath the old sycamore. The whitewashed building flies the red, white and blue American flag, signaling the official Penland Post Office and General Store.
Postmistress Rebecca Davis, now in her 49th year with the U.S. Postal Service, greets customers at the wooden slatted teller’s window. When she started work at this office, Davis would sell you a stamp for 15 cents. Now she can sell you a forever stamp at 49 cents or send off your package by Priority Mail, connecting Penland with the wider world.
(Asheville Citizen-Times, 7/29/2016)