THIS BUILDING, which stood at Sixth and Maple Streets, housed the Brainerd post office for 50 years, beginning in 1910. In September of 1960, postal facilities were moved to the Federal building on Fifth and Laurel Streets, and from here, the present post office serves as central distribution area for a region of some 50 communities. First post office in Brainerd operated from Sherwood Drug store on Front Street beginning Dec. 27, 1870. Locales moved through the years with the first free mail delivery instituted in 1901. Fourteen postmasters have served from Samuel Thayer in 1870 to Eugene Swanson, present postmaster.

In 1903 Michael Ryan began a law practice in Brainerd which today remains as the only firm to carry the same name continuously for more than 50 years.

Clem Ryan was admitted to the firm in 1920. shortly after passing his bar examinations. In 1925, Donald Ryan became a member of the firm. Richard Ebert. was admitted to the Ryan firm in 1949. as a junior member.

Walter Wieland began practice here in the A. D. Polk offices above the First National Bank in 1910. Since then he has maintained an office in Brainerd except for part of 1940 when he moved out of the city for several months.

Wieland now has an office in the Nolan, Alderman, Holden & Breen firm at 520 Laurel. A former County Attorney from Jan. 1. 1923 to April, 1928, Wieland was a partner of Arthur Sullivan beginning in 1921. In 1925, he was appointed Assistant Attorney General for Minnesota.

MAIL CARRIERS in the 1920's included (left to right) Russell Cass, Al Englund, Chris Nelson, Ray Hall, Charles Rick, Fred Englund,. Asa French. (Photo submitted by Ray Hall, who retired in 1969 after 43 years as carrier.)