Railway Post Office in Des Moines, Iowa, 1938

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Courtesy of State Historical Society of Iowa

Description 

The featured car was the first one used as a railway post office in the United States. At the moment this photo was taken, the car was on exhibit at the Iowa State Fair in 1938. Considered a repurposed baggage car, it was introduced by the Hannibal and St. Joseph Railroad Company on July 28, 1862.

Source-Dependent Questions

• How would railroads have been helpful to the United States Postal Service?
• If this was created in 1862, what would have been the likely purpose of displaying it at the Iowa State Fair in 1938?