Historical Significance:

Jacob Bartles came to the Bartlesville area in 1874, establishing a trading post at Turkey Creek. Bartles later applied to become a postmaster, and was appointed to the position by Pres. Rutherford B. Hayes in 1879. Bartles named the post office site "Bartlesville," which was first marked by the Indian Territory Pioneer Association with a concrete marker in March 1951. The site was rededicated by the Bartlesville Chapter, NSDAR on May 8, 2022, the same month and day as when Bartles opened the post office in 1879. Over $7,000 was raised by the chapter to fund the new granite marker (which abuts the original marker), along with needed site improvements. The chapter sponsored three Boy Scout Eagle projects for site upgrades. 

Marker Date:

May 8, 2022 by the Bartlesville Chapter, NSDAR

Marker Text:

FIRST U.S. POST OFFICE IN BARTLESVILLE, OKLAHOMA    
ESTABLISHED IN THE TURKEY CREEK STORE; OWNED BY THE FIRST POSTMASTER; JACOB H. BARTLES; MAY 8, 1879 REDEDICATION BY THE BARTLESVILLE CHAPTER, NSDAR; MAY 8, 2022
CONTRIBUTORS; Jeanalee & Charles Parsons Foundation; Tom Windle Family