1970s Rattlesnake Island, Lake Erie, Collection of 6 Local Stamps

Did You Know?

There’s a little island in Lake Erie with its own local post?

Rattlesnake Island is just 85 acres and completely private – you can’t visit unless you’re a member of the island’s exclusive club. Back in 1966, one of the residents started the Rattlesnake Island Local Post.

Here’s how it worked – mail was stamped with special island-issued postage, t...  more

Did You Know?

There’s a little island in Lake Erie with its own local post?

Rattlesnake Island is just 85 acres and completely private – you can’t visit unless you’re a member of the island’s exclusive club. Back in 1966, one of the residents started the Rattlesnake Island Local Post.

Here’s how it worked – mail was stamped with special island-issued postage, then flown or boated over to the mainland, where it entered the regular US mail system. To avoid confusion with official postage, many stamps were printed in triangle shapes and showed scenes from the island, like its planes, boats, and buildings.

The local post ran from 1966 to 1989, came back from 2005 to 2010, and was revived again in 2022. Collectors love the unusual designs and the fun, off-the-beaten-path story behind each stamp.