Santa Claus Post Office

Kris Kringle may technically live at the North Pole, but he gets his mail in Santa Claus, Indiana, the only post office in the world bearing his name. Each year this tiny town receives thousands of letters to Santa, and a group of local elves ensure each kid gets a reply. In addition to handling thousands of Dear Santa letters, the post office also issues special Christmas hand-cancellation postmark for use during December, but the Post Office isn't the only place in town that gets into the Christmas spirit...  ADDRESS TO SEND YOUR LETTER TO SANTA: 45 North Kringle Place Santa Claus, IN 47579 The Santa Claus Post Office is the only post office in the world with the Santa Claus name! Stop by to receive the famous Santa Claus postmark during the Christmas season and see where thousands of letters are mailed to Santa each year. The first Santa Claus Post Office opened its doors in 1856. The town's name did not peak interest however, until 1914 when Santa Claus' 14th postmaster, James Martin, took it upon himself to answer the children's letters. Soon after, people flocked to the Santa Claus Post Office to get the special postmark; so much that in the early 1930s the US Postal Department suggested changing the name of the town to avoid the Christmas season frenzy. Fortunately, for everyone, that did not happen! James Martin continued answering letters and eventually enlisted Jim Yellig to aid in helping him write back to children across the world. Today, the non-profit organization, Santa's Elves Inc, and the Santa Claus Museum, organize volunteers to answer all the children's letters that flood this tiny post office during the holidays. Approximately 12,000 letters are answered each year.