Rome
Kennebec County, Maine
last update for this page: 11 January 2019
Maine Postal History
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Waterville Stamp Club
Thank you for the contributions to this page from the Strout family collection.
During the history of the town of Rome, there have been two post offices.
Briefly, the history of these two is as follows:
1. Rome (1) post office was established on 4 February 1828 and was renamed Belgrade Mills post office on 13 January 1829, which in turn was renamed Belgrade Lakes post office on 26 January 1901. Belgrade Lakes post office is still operating.
2. Rome (2) post office opened on 19 January 1830 and closed on 31 December 1905.
In 1914, there was only one post office in Rome: Belgrade Lakes. (source: Post Route Map of the State of Maine 1914)
Click on image to enlarge.
Postmarks from the town of Rome include:
Belgrade Lakes
1901 January 26:
The former Belgrade Mills post office was renamed as Belgrade Lakes post office. (source: Maine Philatelic Society. 1995. The Post Offices of Maine: A Rarity Guide)
1934 December 27:
The machine cancellation circular postmark is approximately 22 mm in diameter.
1964 March 27:
The circular postmark is 29–30 mm in diameter.
today:
Belgrade Lakes post office is still in operation.
Belgrade Mills
1829 January 13:
The former Rome (1) post office was renamed as Belgrade Mills post office. (source: Maine Philatelic Society. 1995. The Post Offices of Maine: A Rarity Guide)
1852:
postmaster: Alexander Austin. (source: Maine Register, and State Reference Book. 1852.)
1886 October 14:
The circular postmark is approximately 25 mm in diameter, and the bullseye cancellation is approximately 17 mm in diameter.
1897 September 15:
The circular postmark is approximately 27 mm in diameter.
1901 January 26:
Belgrade Mills post office was renamed as Belgrade Lakes post office. (source: Maine Philatelic Society. 1995. The Post Offices of Maine: A Rarity Guide)