Creston is likely suffering the loss of its'
post office which serves about 220 local customers
By Bob Weaver
The Creston post office is slated to close in October.
Creston has been placed on the map at least twice during the last century, once for being a bustling riverboat village, and during the past 25 years for Alvin Engelke's "Creston News."
The Post Office currently has two star route carriers and one RFD route, a considerable amount of the delivery related to mail customers in Calhoun County.
This is the fourth attempt to close the office.
Michael G. Bailey, the manager of Post Office Operations in the Appalachian District, advised Creston resident Alvin Engelke on July 25th that plans are not afoot to close the office.
"I am pleased to tell you there are no plans to close Creston at this time," Bailey wrote.
Since the comment, it seems the US Postal Service has apparently changed their mind.
Postmistress Ida Wager has served the office since 1987
Problems have surfaced regarding the use of the current building under lease for $128 a month, which includes the utilities.
Offers have been made for another nearby location or space to set a trailer.
Oris Meadows, who recently passed, was a 38-year rural carrier out of the office. Connie Boggs currently is a carrier, with Johnnie Miller bringing the mail from Mt. Zion.
Other old-time carriers were, Edgar Cooper, Rezin Arthur, George Bingham, and Louie Arthur. Carl Merrill was a mail carrier on the early riverboats.
The Wirt County Commission has already acted on the problem and has contacted the Wirt County 911 advisory board and the 911 director. Preliminary contacts have also been made in Calhoun County and Congresswoman Capito's office is to start an investigation regarding the closure.
The "main drag" of the fading Village of Creston,
once a bustling riverboat town and trade center
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