What is so unusual about the Bank of Vernal?

Roget

Vernal Utah is the only place in the United States that has a parcel post bank, the only building to be shipped by United States Mail! In 1916, W.H. Coltharp began construction of a new building which would house the Bank of Vernal and his general merchandise store. He planned this to be the most modern building between Salt Lake City and Denver, and wanted to use textured brick, the nearest source being Salt Lake City. The cost of hauling the 80 thousand bricks to Vernal by wagon freight was four times as much as the bricks were worth. He finally hit upon the idea of sending the bricks by parcel post, where the freight rates were considerably lower. To accomplish this, it was necessary to wrap the bricks individually and package them in 50 pound parcels; which was done. The mail route was over a tortuous 427 miles from Salt Lake to Mack, Colorado by D & R G Railroad, then to Watson on the narrow gauge Uintah Railway, and finally the last 65 miles to Vernal by wagon freight. As a result of this shipment, the US Postal Regulations were revised which limits the number of pounds that can be sent to one consignee in one day. From: http://utahreach.usu.edu/uintah/visitor/bank.htm Jul 14 03, 3:26 PM