EUCLID POST OFFICE WAS IN CLOSET - Operated By The Reip Family

(11/27/2023)
Update: The old Reip homestead in 2015 has been razed to be replaced by a modern dwelling, and Jean Harris Parsons has died.

Reip House was Euclid P.O.

Republished from 2001

Jean Harris Parsons, widow of the late Brenton Parsons (son of folk singer Pheoba Parsons who passed on), now owns the old Reip house off the Nicut Road in Washington District. The house was built in 1913.

The large two story house was long-time home to Logan, Ida and Grace Reip, none of which married. The Reip girls ran the tiny Euclid Post Office in a closet off the family living room.

Euclid was named for Dalton Euclid Reip in 1901, son of original postmaster Ira G. Reip, a well-known livestock dealer.

Ira was married to Mary Price Reip in 1888, and they had eight children. He was a graduate of Valparaiso University. Ira and his wife are buried on the farm.

Jean Parsons said she decided to maintain the small area which contains postal boxes. "My family is helping me remodel the old house," she said, taking a break from her large garden.

There once over 50 post offices in Calhoun.

Entrance to the "closet" post office operated by Reip sisters

Jean Parsons displays old flour bag in front
of P.O. boxes still affixed to wall

2001