Mule Creek Residents Oppose Potential Post Office Closure

The Mule Creek post office may close after 110 years of service, according to a new study by the U.S. Postal Service.

The unincorporated community, located 55 miles northwest of Silver City, has operated its post office since 1916. The facility currently functions as a mobile retail unit parked outside a damaged bunkhouse on Brushy Mountain Road. Residents estimate the population at between 80 and 100 people, though some outside estimates place the number higher.

The post office has been on emergency suspension for two and half years. In September, the postal service announced a discontinuance study that could lead to the location's permanent closure. If the office shuts down, residents would need to collect mail at the Buckhorn post office, 18 miles south. For those living on unpaved mountain roads, the round trip could take up to two hours.

Megan Gregory, the postmaster, has served as the single staff member for five years. She works from a truck-based unit from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., sorting and distributing mail to approximately 60 P.O. Box holders. Gregory described the operation as a basic exchange of items, noting that residents must hand their outgoing mail to her directly during her four-hour shift.

The current location is a privately owned bunkhouse that has been patched with plywood since a vehicle crashed into it in April 2024. The owner, who lives out of state, has not completed necessary repairs. Gregory works near a portable toilet and a space heater, calling the mobile unit a taco truck. The site serves as a community hub where neighbors exchange news, post ballots, and coordinate local help.

Gary Kirk, a disabled Vietnam War veteran, relies on the post office to receive medication from the Department of Veterans Affairs. He stated that a post office is a right, not a privilege, and expressed concern about his future mobility. Elizabeth Stevens, an artist, already spends up to 30 minutes traveling to the site, a time that varies with road conditions.

USPS spokesperson Sherry Patterson said the study reviews customer needs, service options, and operational efficiency. The process includes a 60-day public comment period after an initial proposal is issued and a 30-day period after a final determination. The final decision will be reviewed by the Postal Regulatory Commission. Patterson noted that no suitable alternative location has been found and that the bunkhouse remains unsafe.

Residents have circulated petitions and submitted written pleas to save the office. Susie Jerome, a resident since 1983, offered land on N.M. 78 for a new building, but the offer did not result in a plan. Elizabeth Rockenbach, who works remotely, wrote that collecting mail once a week is insufficient for her daily needs and that the cost of fuel for additional trips is burdensome.

State Rep. Luis Terrazas, R-Santa Clara, called the post office a lifeline for families in the area. He said he has sought aid from New Mexico's federal delegation for two years. This month, U.S. Sens. Martin Heinrich and Ben Ray Luján, along with U.S. Rep. Gabe Vasquez, wrote to Postmaster General David Steiner. The letter asked the postal service to pause the study and conduct a comprehensive review of the community's needs.

The three federal lawmakers cited the impact of closure on prescription medications, government documents, and business materials. They argued that requiring residents to travel greater distances would impose recurring costs for fuel and vehicle maintenance. The postal service reported that first-class mail revenue fell from $36.4 billion in 2007 to $25.8 billion in 2025, highlighting the financial pressure on rural locations.