This appeared in the June 20, 1963 Hastings Gazette detailing the new mailing system of using zip codes that was going into effect for the whole country starting July 1.
“ZIP” has reached Hastings. The widely publicized Postal Department code-numbering system, designed to speed long-distance mailing goes into effect July 1st, meaning that Hastings residents along with others all over the country will be expected to use the code numbers on all correspondence. Postmaster John McGree explained what the numbers mean. The United States has been divided into 10 geographical areas, with the Minneapolis area numbered “5”; hence the first digit in Hastings’ code number. The second digit applies to the state within the geographic area; the third digit, to the major destination point within the state, and the fourth and fifth digits to the zone of a large city or to the specific local post office.
