Welcome to my submission to Series 8 of the BDP - “Post Office and Stagecoach”!

My goal for this model was to create something that had as much bang-for-your-buck as possible while fitting it into a nostalgic and beloved theme. Additionally, I wanted it to be something that would be both easy to incorporate into a Western town and look great as a lone display piece.

Now, let’s dive into the history of the model more thoroughly.

Historical information:

Vital to any Western town, post offices were the main hub of information throughout the West. Beyond managing incoming and outgoing mail, some post offices were used to send and receive long-distance messages quickly with the use of the telegraph. Additionally, they were often the main place to get local news - with information about advertisements, wanted posters, and upcoming events posted on their bulletin boards. Finally, many post offices were used as depots for another life-blood of Western towns: the stagecoach.

Carrying news, goods, and new settlers, the stagecoach was a pivotal piece of Western livelihood. It would travel along a route that stopped at various points. Often, these points would be a post office that doubled as a depot. Though the depot side of the post office was generally utilitarian, it was essential to the running and operating of the stagecoach route.

Now that we’ve talked a bit about the history of post offices and stagecoaches let’s look at this model specifically.

Model Information:

The “Post Office and Stagecoach” totals to 894 pieces and includes: 3 minifigures, 6 animals, and 3 stickers.

The Post Office has a full interior with details like the antique clock, the telegraph, and the bulletin board added to enhance the model’s rustic charm. The inside is made accessible by a hinging roof for convenience. On the outside, details like the hitching post, the water pump, and the stool with violin (credit to my sister for that design) were added to make the post office come alive.

The Stagecoach, similarly to the post office, has a complete interior that’s accessible by a removable roof and swinging door. Additionally, the front tires hinge with the horses for a more accurate look. Both the top and back of the stagecoach are used to carry suitcases, a chest (goodies inside), a box of tools, and more!

I hope you enjoy the “Post Office and Stagecoach” as much as I do. If you want to see this become the next BDP finalist be sure to vote, comment, and share. Thanks!