DETROIT – In addition to the many landmarks and icons the Great Lakes bring to Michigan -- Mackinac Bridge, Isle Royale, Sleeping Bear Dunes -- they’re also home to something only found here.
The J.W. Westcott Company celebrated its 150th anniversary Friday, June 7, at the Detroit Riverfront.
Established 150 years ago in 1874, the Westcott company ferried supplies and mail to ships. After growing for years, the company commissioned the construction of the J. W. Westcott II in 1949, a 45-foot boat and post office that delivers mail to freighters passing through the Detroit River. It passes off any items needed to the crews of freighters if they don’t stop -- including services like DoorDash.
The J.W. Westcott II has its own unique ZIP code -- the only floating ZIP code in the country. 48222 covers the 75-year-old postal ship and nothing else.
“The J.W. Westcott Company has been in the same family for 150 years now,” said Southeast Michigan Chamber of Commerce CEO John Johnson. “The longest-standing single family-owned business in the City of Detroit.”
People can send mail to ships by using the following address:
[ship name]
Marine Post Office
Detroit, Michigan, 48222
