Ruidoso  Downs
Dorothy R. Pernell
Return to Post Office History Index

To add to the prestige of the already nationally known Ruidoso Downs Race Track the officials of the tack wanted a postmark. With this in mind Eugene V. Hensley, originator of the famous All-American Quarter Horse Futurity and secretary-treasure of the track, suggested that the near-by village of Green tree change its name to Ruidoso downs.

The village council of Green Tree called an election to determine the wishes of the citizens regarding the proposed name change in February, 1958. A large majority of the voters cast their ballot affirmatively and the Village of Green tree became Ruidoso Downs. The Post Office department opposed the move for some time and withheld changing the name of the Post Office until October of the same year.

1960 was a memorable year for the Ruidoso downs Post Office. After the name changed and the race track started routing its large mailing through the office it soon our grew its quarters. In February the Post Office department called for bids to furnish large facilities. Mr. and Mrs. ed Sanders of Ruidoso were awarded the contract to erect a modern brick building.

The office advanced to Second Class on July 1st and moved into the new, modern building including new furnishings and bank type counters. The new Post Office was dedicated may 6, 1961. Field Service Officer Leland A. Mitchell, Jr., represented the Post Office department and delivered the dedicatory address.

The Office, like others in the area, receives and dispatches mail by Star route from Roswell, Alamogordo, Tularosa  and El Paso. Dorothy R. Parnell the only postmaster to serve Green Tree as Postmaster continued in that office when it became Ruidoso Downs. 

The new quarters, built in 1961 by the Post Office Department soon proved to be inadequate for the processing of the ever increasing volume of mail and the demand for more letter boxes.

In 1968 the Post Office department decided to have a much larger facility built with central heating and air conditioning, that was estimated to be large enough to meet the needs of the community for the next twenty years. However, all extra space allowed for adding more boxes were already filled by the summer of 1976.

The post office moved into the new quarters on November 23rd, 1968. The dedication ceremony was held December 27th, 1968, with Senator Joseph Montoya giving the dedication address.

The move from the old to the new quarters was made without any interruption in mal service. this was accomplished by the untiring help of clerks, Shirlene Roberts, Judy Posey and Edna Conley.

The unusual efforts of Mrs. Roberts and Mrs. Posey were recognized by the Post Office Department with a $100.00 cash award for Superior Accomplishment.

With the continued steady growth of the community the work load in the post office grew accordingly. Never the less, work hours allowance was reduced until there was very little employment for more than one clerk to help the postmaster. Therefore, when there was a vacancy for a clerk in the near-by Ruidoso Post Office, Judy Posey transferred to it February 27th, 1973. This move allowed more work hours for the two remaining clerks.

In 1975 the Postal Service presented both Mrs. Roberts and Mrs. Conley a Pride in excellence Award for their cheerful patience and courteous dealings with postal customers.

Since moving to the new location open house was held in the service lobby on three different occasions. The first was in recognition of asking the post office from the control of Congress and placing it under the management of the Postal Service, a government owned corporation. the second open house was Postal People Day, the Postal services tribute to its employees. The third one was hosted by clerks Roberts and Conley honoring the postmaster on her last day in the service.

After serving the community continuously as postmaster from the establishment of the office as Green Tree, more than 28 years ago, Dorothy R. Parnell retired July 31, 1975, and Shirleen Roberts was appointed Officer-In-Charge. 

When the postmaster retired the Postal Service attempted to abolish the position and make this office a station of the Ruidoso Office. this proposal failed because the community opposed it so violently the subject was dropped.

Shirlene Roberts was installed as postmaster and Edna Conley stepped up to senior clerk. The position she vacated has not been filled. When an extra clerk is needed one is sent from a neighboring Post Office.

Clerks who have served in the office:
Harley A. Parnell Oct. 1958 to June 1961
Carol Hunter Feb. 1958 to April 1958
Mildreth R. pope April 1958 to June 1961
Glenn W. McCoy Feb. 1961 to June 1961
Anita M. Oliver Oct. 1959 to July 1960
Present Clerks are:
Shirlene S. Roberts July 1960 to date.
Anna M. (Judy) Posey Feb. 1961 to date.

Footnote: Much credit for the consistency of the mail service we offer goes to the carriers on these routes for their tireless efforts to get the mail delivered in all kinds of weather. Special tribute is due Perfecto Sanchez who has carried the mail on the Tularosa-Hondo route since 1946 without once failing to bring, or have the mail brought on the day scheduled.

Transcribed by C. W. Barnum ©2005