The introduction of the Rural Free Delivery (RFD) program in 1896 improved mail delivery in rural areas. This program provided daily mail delivery to homes and businesses in rural communities, and it significantly reduced delivery times.
Here are some specific examples of mail delivery times in the 1890s:
- Within New York City, mail could be delivered the same day or the next day.
- From New York City to Chicago, mail typically took 2-3 days by train.
- From New York City to San Francisco, mail typically took 10-12 days by train.
- From the United States to Europe, mail typically took 10-14 days by ship.
These are just general estimates, and actual delivery times could vary depending on factors such as the weather and the volume of mail.