The first postmaster in the Stanly County community of Locust Level was appointed in 1869. The following men and women served as postmasters, along with the dates they were appointed: John Curlee (1969); M.C. Curlee (1873); David Curlee (1874); William R. Hartsell (1876); and William R. Hartsell (1893). The name of the community was changed to Locust in 1894. The postmasters continued: Eli M. Honeycutt (1894); Allen G. Morton (1898); Emsley D. Teeter (1903); James F. Hartsell (1905); and Mary Simpson (1914). The railroad entered this part of Stanly County, bypassing Locust in 1913. The nearby new town of Stanfield eventually took over the postal routes of the area and the Locust post office was discontinued in 1919. In 1955, efforts were made for Locust to regain a new post office. In October 1955, those efforts were finally rewarded when Grady Tucker was appointed postmaster. Tucker began working on Oct. 17 and the post office, shown in the photo by Marcus Carriker, opened for business to the public the following day. {Lewis Bramlett – Stanly County Historical Society}