FORGOTTEN FAN Vicki M. passes along this photo of a present-day model drum mailbox and a pebbled concrete post that formerly held a smaller one at Ascan Avenue and Kessel Street in Forest Hills. When I began FNY 26 years ago, some of these small slot mailboxes were still in service, and I have them on this FNY page (you can also see Vicki there as well).
Most of the drum mailboxes you see now are relatively new. They were installed in 2018 and have reverted to the small slots that the old pole-supported mailboxes used. The change was made to prevent dangerous contraband placed in mailboxes, as some miscreants had turned to as a terrorism method in the 2010s. Perhaps we will see a return to the small boxes but I doubt it. I also feel that paper mail will be completely extinct within a decade; accommodations will be made for people without a means to send electronic mail.
Check out the ForgottenBook, take a look at the gift shop. As always, “comment…as you see fit.” I earn a small payment when you click on any ad on the site.
11/16/25
3 comments
The small slots on the drum mailboxes were also intended to deter “mail fishing” by folks who would like to steal pieces of mail from the boxes.
Those of us who can remember the old cast iron boxes will remember how they squeeked when you pulled the slot open.
Mail in drum mailboxes isn’t always safe in some areas thanks to stolen mailbox keys. What makes matters worse is that the postal service is aware of this but claims it doesn’t have the manpower to change locks.
https://waterburythoughts.blogspot.com/2025/05/mail-theft.html#more
According to my local P.O. clerk, a skilled thief can still fish mail out of the newer boxes, despite the “security” slot. Always drop important mail inside a Post Office. It doesn’t guarantee that a valuable item won’t be stolen as it passes through the Central Mail Distribution Center (which happened when the State Dept. sent my new passport by “Priority” mail). But you can always hope.