The Post Office

Welcome to 92662! This panel depicts the third and current location of the Balboa Island Post Office. In 1926, on the spot you’re resting now, Wally Kaufman built “Wally’s Grocery Store”. In 1927, he applied to conduct an official post office from his store. It was granted, with the postmark “BALISLE”, because the authorities deemed our Island’s name “too long and confusing”. Wally sent to Chicago for the actual post boxes and expanded his store to accommodate them. Two years later, the authorities came to their senses, and allowed the two-word postmark, “Balboa Island”.

Wally Kaufman served as the Island’s first postmaster for 5 years. When Tony and Mina Hershey bought the store in 1935, the post office was moved across the street behind Allen’s Pharmacy, now the side door of Arbor Real Estate. Street delivery began in 1949, and a decade later, the office was moved to its present location at 206 Marine Ave.

Parts of the interior and exterior were built from recycled materials from old, dismantled mid-western post offices. Beloved Island resident, Hal Will Smith, whose real estate office stood across the street, was responsible for donating the wood planks that created the western motif. Mr. Smith also planted the original eucalyptus trees that lined Marine Avenue. For all your mailing needs, visit our Post Office at 206 Marine Avenue, Monday through Friday, 9 AM to 4 PM.