Port Jefferson Echo Newspaper

Port Jefferson Echo Newspaper

In 1888 Charles A. Squires was appointed to Postmaster by President Grover Cleveland and in 1910 he petitioned to change the name of the hamlet from Echo to Port Jefferson Station. This change was motivated by the newly opened Pennsylvania Railroad Station in Manhattan, which provided a direct rail link from Long Island to New York City. It was the dawn of the commuter age for the newly named Port Jefferson Station.

Article Transcript:

Commencing July first the Echo post-office will be known thenceforth as "Port Jefferson Station." The change in name was brought about by post-master Chas. A. Squires, who in one short week secured the necessary list of names, forwarded the same to Washington and through the efforts of Congressman Cocks, who has a faculty of doing things, received his appointment as postmaster of Port Jefferson Station.
The business of the office has rapidly developed during the past few years, and the change in name will no doubt be greatly appreciated by the community, while strangers arriving by train will be less confused. It is estimated that this change in name will cause an increase of at least 25 per cent. in revenue to the postal department.

June 18, 1910

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