Getting Answers Road Tour: Old Town Auburn

The Post Office

A beloved building in a local historic old town may be going away.

There are few things older in Old Town Auburn than its post office right smack on the corner through the main drag along Lincoln Way.

It was built in 1855 after "the great fire" tore through town. It's still the place locals get their mail.

And tourists drop-in to buy stamps, mail letters, or just look around.

But this slice of history could be going away. More than a few people want to know: what is the future of the old town auburn post office?

"We're not gonna let the post office close," said Linda Robinson.

Robinson is leading the charge to keep it open. It's not run by the United States Postal Service but is contracted out.

Compensation from the USPS has been cut dramatically, so the old post office may be shut down or its hours drastically cut.

What has to happen for it to stay open?

"We have to prove to them that it's a viable entity here, so the Sacramento office wants us to prove that we can make an income and pay for the wages," said Robinson.

How do they plan to do that? One idea is to start selling merchandise – souvenirs commemorating the deep history of this old building.

Another idea hoping to meet the public's stamp of approval is to get more locals to rent out a P.O. box, which runs about $60 a year.

Old Town's Park

Old Town Auburn's only designated park is small, but it's led to a to a big debate: should the park be used for outdoor dining? A restaurant owner has been facing strong opposition for months trying to get this plan approved.

City officials say the city council has passed the issue on to the planning commission for its recommendation.

Historic Courthouse

There's talk of something being built in the courthouse's parking lot area. Our viewers want to know if it's a hotel. The idea for a small boutique hotel has been kicked around, but the mayor says "it's in very preliminary discussions." He points out the city is short on hotel beds, but more than a few worry a new hotel here would obstruct the view of this beautiful building.