| When most people think about mailboxes, they | | | | uncommon in rural areas to find mail boxes that |
| think about very mundane steel containers which | | | | have been made up and serve other purposes. |
| serve no other purpose than that of ... well ... a | | | | The birdhouse is the most commonly used |
| mailbox. Mailboxes however, actually come in a | | | | variation it seems. Often the mailboxes are simply |
| wide variety of shapes and sizes with many | | | | set on longer poles, but sometimes the owners of |
| different functions often included in the design of | | | | the mailboxes go to great length to make their |
| the individual who purchased or built the mailbox. | | | | mailboxes stand out. One such birdhouse and |
| While in fact most of the mailboxes people | | | | mailbox incorporates the local fauna, a bird feeder |
| purchase are simple steel boxes in the classical | | | | and also the mailbox all together to form a |
| mailbox half-oval shape, some mail boxes are | | | | most-conducive atmosphere for the local wildlife |
| very ornate indeed. There is no law that says | | | | while still providing easy access for the mail |
| mailboxes cannot be something more, even much | | | | delivery. |
| more than just a plain and ordinary mail box. | | | | Another common theme of mailboxes is buildings. |
| Some of the more ornate versions of mailboxes | | | | Whether the mailbox is shaped like a home, a |
| incorporate such unique features as bird baths, | | | | barn or any other reminder that the mailbox |
| bird houses, sporting events, buildings etc. | | | | owner enjoys, these are pleasing not only |
| One of the most unique mailboxes includes a | | | | aesthetically, but maintain their primary functions |
| completely automated system. It notifies the | | | | as mailboxes. Perhaps the most common building |
| mail-recipient when mail arrives to the mail box | | | | mailbox is a barn. However, there is no limit to |
| and delivers the post, via a system of automated | | | | what can be created with a simple mailbox if the |
| belts and drives, directly to the kitchen table of | | | | owner has a little imagination and ability. |
| the mailbox holder. While mailboxes such as these | | | | There are actually a few coffee-table books and |
| are extremely rare, and usually only found in | | | | other interesting collections of memorabilia |
| home made mailboxes, they are not alone in their | | | | regarding mailboxes. The designs, the aesthetic |
| quest to be something more than just a mailbox. | | | | appearances and the use of mailboxes need not |
| Some of the more common garden-variety | | | | be limited to the simple and plain mailbox |
| mailboxes include homes for animals. It is not at all | | | | anymore. |