Good news is finally on the horizon for the Hunt community: the beloved Hunt Post Office is officially on track to return. The property owner has now received a contract from the United States Postal Service to rebuild the post office in the original location. This milestone marks an exciting and meaningful step forward for residents, who have long awaited the revival of this essential part of community life.
A huge part of what made it special was Gaylynn Hierholzer, Hunt postmaster for 30 years. After the Hunt Post Office washed away, her badge was found in the debris, which says a lot about her deep roots here. Gaylynn’s commitment to customer service meant she occasionally slept at the post office during bad weather to make sure the next day’s deliveries went out!
After the flood, the Hunt Preservation Society worked hard to get a temporary post office, enlisting help from Senators Cornyn and Cruz, and Congressman Chip Roy’s offices. But even with that support, HPS could not get USPS to commit to a temporary setup. It just reinforced what Hunt residents already knew: Gaylynn was a one-of-a-kind “lone ranger” inside the USPS system. Always a fierce advocate for Hunt, she officially retired on November 30, 2025.
Now that things are finally moving forward, the landlord hopes to begin the bidding process soon with plans to start construction in late January or early February with a 9-12 months’ build time. Some really good news is the landlord is planning to work with the Hunt Preservation Society to design an exterior that reflects the distinctive Hunt aesthetic and complements nearby structures.
For decades, the Hunt Post Office served as far more than a place to send and receive mail. It was a daily gathering place for neighbors, a natural crossroads for conversation, and a community bulletin board for sharing local news, events, and announcements. The return of the Hunt Post Office means more than a new building — it signals getting back a piece of our community heart.
For questions and more information, please visit hpstx.org or email info@huntpreservationsociety.org.
