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Krypton, KY Postmaster Talks Town's History and Superman
by Neil Cole
Most Superman fans are familiar with Metropolis, IL and the town's annual celebration dedicated to the Man of Steel. However, many fans may not realize that there is also a community by the name of Krypton in rural Kentucky.
Pronounced "Kryptin", many of the residents of this small community located near the coal fields in southeast Perry County, KY are quite familiar with people questioning whether their town was named after Superman's fictitious planet bearing the same name but the local Postmaster, Delbert Eversole has a better explanation of how the town earned it's name.
"The railroad had names for their stops," says Eversole. "We had a depot about 100 feet from the Post Office and the depot had krypton gas bulbs, so I think that may have had something to do with it."
Carrying on a family tradition, Mr. Eversole began his postal career at the Krypton Post Office in January 1962. To honor his dedication and service for a half a century, Eversole was presented with a service award on February 8, 2012 by officials with the U.S. Postal Service.
According to Eversole, a lot has changed since he became Postmaster. "Stamps were 3-cents and people seemed to write more letters," he said. "Of course, we didn't have the Internet back then, but I do remember people sending V-mail (Victory Mail) and aerograms during the Second World War when my grandfather was Postmaster."
However, one thing that hasn't changed is the number of requests he gets for the Krypton postmark.
"I get postmark requests regularly from chemists and Superman fans," said Eversole. "They will include notes along with their envelopes and postcards stating they like odd names of post offices or are fans of the comic book superhero."
The Krypton Post Office (41754) serves 300 families and has 40 Post Office Box holders. "We've got a little store in the same building, so people refer to us as the village post office."
Originally established as Glenn Post Office on March 3, 1907, the office was renamed Krypton on June 4, 1918. The office moved to its current location in the 1940s during World War II.
