List of post offices in Canada, with the names of the postmasters ... 1860

A snapshot of Canada’s communications network at the dawn of Confederation, this catalogue records every post office operating on 1 January 1860, paired with the names of the postmasters who ran them. The list opens with the senior officials of the Post Office Department, then moves into a province‑by‑province roll that includes tiny hamlets as well as bustling towns. It reflects the government’s effort to keep an up‑to‑date register of postal operations, even noting which locations were authorized to handle money orders.

The entries are presented in tidy tables, showing each office’s name, its township or parish, the electoral district, and the appointed postmaster. Readers will find familiar places—from Montreal and Toronto to remote outposts like Allumette Island—alongside lesser‑known settlements such as Aberfoyle and Arkwright. The inclusion of both eastern and western jurisdictions offers a comprehensive view of how mail linked the growing colonies.

For anyone interested in 19th‑century Canadian history, genealogy, or the evolution of national infrastructure, the book serves as a practical reference and a window into everyday life. Its straightforward format makes it easy to browse, while the sheer breadth of data provides a solid foundation for research into families, communities, and the early bureaucracy that tied the country together.