In the Footsteps of Minnie Westman: Celebrating a Pioneering Female Mail Carrier
The naming of The Westman was an opportunity to shine a light on one of this country’s pioneering female mail carriers whose contributions could easily have been lost to history. The inspiration for The Westman comes from a courageous young woman known as Minnie Westman, who very much embodied the fiercely independent and tenacious spirit the American West was known for in the 1800s.
Minnie was the first female mail carrier west of the Mississippi, and bravely couriered letters and parcels through Oregon’s desolate Coast Range Mountains in the late 1880s. She uncompromisingly performed her duty through some of the country’s most rugged terrain, letting nothing stand in her way. Here is what we know of her extraordinary story:
Who was Minnie Westman?
Minnie Westman, born Anna Whisman in 1868, was an adventurous young woman who defied the norms of her time. At just 20 years old, she took on the formidable task of delivering mail through the mountains of Oregon by horse. This wasn’t just any ordinary mail route; Minnie’s path stretched 20 miles through the untamed mountainous landscape. She was resilient and courageous, often riding her trusty horse day and night through treacherous weather. Minnie carried a revolver for protection, a testament to her daily perils.
While women were not eligible for mail carrier positions at this time, rural parts of the country necessitated a break from the norm. Minnie’s father and uncle operated a stage line and held the region’s mail contract, which was how she came to take on the work.
Minnie’s Route Through Oregon’s Mountainous Terrain
In the late 1800s, Oregon was still very much the Wild West. The route Minnie traversed was quite hazardous. From the Siuslaw River over the Coast Range Mountains, she encountered dense forests, steep inclines, and narrow, winding paths that could turn treacherous with a sudden change in weather.
Wildlife was abundant and unyielding. In one harrowing tale, as detailed in The Oregonian and later printed in an 1888 issue of The New York Times, Minnie encountered three bears while on her 20-mile route. The bears frightened her horse, which bucked, sending Minnie to the ground. It was said she promptly ran after the horse, remounted it, and completed her route despite the bears, perhaps thanks to her fearless nature and trusty revolver.
The Whisman Family’s Impact
The Whisman family left a mark on the development of Oregon’s Siuslaw Valley. John and Joe Whisman, Minnie’s father and uncle, were instrumental in establishing a 60-mile stage line from Eugene to the Head-of-Tide (now Mapleton), a route critical for mail and passenger transport in the late 1800s. The stage line ran on Mondays and Thursdays on a road that was said to be so narrow that the stagecoach could barely squeeze through. A one-way trip from Eugene to Mapleton took about 14 hours. Once in Mapleton, passengers continuing on to Florence took a tug boat on the outgoing tide.
The Whisman family’s entrepreneurial spirit didn’t just stop at the stage line; they also ran the Florence Hotel for many years, contributing to the local economy and community. The Whisman family legacy is not just one of commercial success but also of pioneering grit and community involvement, providing essential services that connected remote areas and supported the region’s growth.
Life After the Mail Route
After years of dedicated service, Minnie married William D. Taylor in 1894. The wedding took place at her father’s residence near what is now Noti, Oregon, marking a new chapter in her life. The couple lived nearby, in Cheshire, Oregon, for about 10 years before moving to Marin County, California. Minnie died in 1941 at the age of 73.
While Minnie’s career as a female mail carrier was relatively brief, her impact on the community and her contributions are worthy of acknowledgment and celebration. She defied social norms and braved the wilds of Western Oregon to ensure the region stayed connected with reliable mail service.
Her story is a fascinating blend of nerve, determination, and a deep sense of duty, perfectly capturing the spirit of the American West and inspiring our own narrative.
From the post office to your inbox—stay in the loop about our grand opening, booking, events, special offers, and more. We’ll only send you the best kind of mail.