400 Scouts with Blistered Feet Complete Barefoot Mailman Hike

Four hundred Boy Scouts and Scout Leaders, many with blistered feet, relived part of South Florida history in the Boy Scouts of America-South Florida Council's Annual Barefoot Mailman Hike. Photo: Miami Customer Relations Coordinator Mirtha Uriarte

The weekend of February 3 - 4, 400 Boy Scouts and Scout Leaders relived part of South Florida history in the Boy Scouts of America - South Florida Council’s Annual Barefoot Mailman Hike. On February 4, postal officials congratulated and welcomed hikers at “Barefoot Mailman Station” in Miami Beach.  

This hike honors the efforts of the 1890s South Florida letter carriers, known as the “Barefoot Mailmen,” who walked and carried mail on a four-day journey from Palm Beach to Miami. In October 1887, Carrier James Hamilton mysteriously disappeared along the journey. It is believed that he lost his life at Hillsboro Inlet, attempting to retrieve a dingy he used to get across the waterway. The annual Barefoot Mailman Hike commemorates these mailmen by completing Hamilton’s final route.

The Scouts and their leaders hiked the 34 miles, starting Pompano Beach Pier, and ending in South Beach in Miami Beach. Participants carried commemorative letters on their journey. And just like the Barefoot Mailmen, participants were self-sufficient, carrying all their food, shelter, and items on their backs.

 

On Saturday night, February 3, participants set up camp at Haulover Park at the end of their journey. On Sunday, February 4, Scouts completed their hike in Miami Beach, where Miami Customer Relations Coordinator Mirtha Uriarte affixed a “Barefoot Mailman Station” special cancellation postmark to commemorative letters.   


Operations Programs Specialist Dalila de la Torre (right) greeted her son, Brandon (left), who completed the 34-mile Barefoot Mailman Hike. Photo: Miami Customer Relations Coordinator Mirtha Uriarte

 At Barefoot Mailman Station, Miami, FL, Customer Relations Coordinator Mirtha Uriarte (above) affixed special cancellations to commemorative envelopes carried by the Boy Scouts.

Boy Scout Leader Fred Kimball (above) waved to the camera upon completion of another Barefoot Mailman Hike. Photo: Miami Customer Relations Coordinator Mirtha Uriarte