Peter T. Hamann
Contributed by Beverley Windbigler of Blocksburg
 Peter Hamann was postmaster when the second major fire struck Blocksburg in November of l907. It started in the post office, which was in the corner of the general store. From there it spread to the Town Hall, a warehouse, and Robinson's saloon, barn, and the Palace Hotel. The store, which was owned by a Dr. Lane of Fortuna, was rebuilt and again housed the post office.
According to a story in the Times Standard, Hamann immigrated to America from Flensburg, Schlesvig, in Europe, where he was born in 1840. He served three years aboard ship as a sailor from 1856 to 1859. Upon arriving in Humboldt County, he enlisted in the California Mountaineers Volunteer Infantry at Fort Humboldt and fought in the Indian Wars. He was discharged as a corporal on June 14, 1865 at the age of 25.
 In 1871 Peter married Emma Cora Bartlett of Ferndale and moved to a homestead in southern Humboldt County. Then in 1880 he moved to Blocksburg. There he owned a butcher shop and a saddle shop. In 1889 he leased the Palace Hotel from Mr. Tichnor for three years. He was postmaster from 1903 until 1907. He died December l, 1907 at the age of 67 and is buried in the Blocksburg cemetery. His grandaughter, Leola Kay, lived in Blocksburg until her death in 1990.
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