The post offices nearest Shamokin at the time when it was laid out were Bear Gap and Shamokin (Paxinos), both of which were established soon after the opening of the Centre turnpike. As the place began to attain village proportions local facilities became imperatively necessary, and on the 17th of May, 1838, William Fagely was commissioned as postmaster of Coal post ofiice. General Hammond was then Congressman from this district, and it was through him that the people of this locality communicated with the department.
Mr. Fagely opened the office at his store on Shamokin street in the building now occupied by George K. Fagely & Company. Mail was received several times a week, by stages over the turnpike and carrier from Snufftown. In 1810 a special route was established from Paxinos to Shamokin, with Solomon Martz as contractor, the compensation being the net proceeds of Coal post office, provided they did not exceed thirty-one dollars fifty cents per quarter. For some time Mr. Martz carried the mail himself, and then employed John Smink, a boy, who made the trip three times a week on foot. At the expiration of his contract, June 30, 1844, Mr. Martz was succeeded by Casper Scholl. The first daily mail was introduced by Thomas Dornan, who had a contract for carrying the mails between Sunbury and Philadelphia. (The above particulars regarding early postal facilities have been derived from articles contributed to the Shamokin Herald by Dr. J. J. John)
As a post office designation, Shamokin was first applied to the village of Snufftown, the mail distributing point for a large part of the extensive township of Shamokin. On the 28th of December, 1840, the name of Coal post office was changed to Shamokin, and that of Paxinos substituted for the latter at Snufftown.
William Fagely continued in charge, and his successors have been appointed in the following order:
- Samuel John – February 21, 1844
- Joseph Zuern – March 26, 1840
- James Thomas – February 26, 1849
- Sylvanus S. Bird – July 13, 1852;
- Joseph Zuern – January 3, 1855
- Sylvanus S. Bird – December 3, 1855
- Lewis L. Bevan – March 24, 1856
- F. P. Stambach – December 18, 1860
- Darius S. Gilger – March 25, 1864
- William A. Sterling – April 6, 1888
- Simon C. Wagenseller – August 13, 1890
The free delivery system was established on the 1st of December, 1890.