Jackman’s General Store and Post Office
Jackman opened a store shortly after moving to Aldergrove that likely faced south on the property to take advantage of travelers along the Yale Road. Excitement over Jackman’s store was apparent in The British Columbian newspaper as early as March 1886. The March 24 issue writes, “The people of Alder Grove are making advancement. Mr. P. Jackman of that place, is about to open a large store, and then the settlement will have a store, a post-office and a hotel.”
Philip Jackman Jr. and his spouse, Anna Caroline Jackman (née Wadel), ca. 1903
A portion of the Jackman’s general store became the second Aldergrove post office. Philip Jackman Jr. moved in with his parents and became the Alder Grove postmaster from 1887 to 1890 and again from 1893 to 1903. It is believed that Philip Jr. would carry the mail up the Yale Road, and then take the old trails up to Lehman’s Landing to put the mail on river boats. The first Aldergrove post office was opened by Mr. E. Whyman in his Yale Road house, south east of the Jackman property.
The Shortreed’s Store, ca. 1895
Jackman’s store is believed to have closed after approximately three years. The store closed because of the small population in the area and the proximity to the existing Shortreed store one mile west along the Yale Road at Shortreed Corners (present day 264th Street). It is not clear if Jackman’s store building carried on as the post office.