The Haidee post office in Scott Township, Wayne County, PA, was established in by Edwin Tallman, who described how Haidee became Winterdale. “In 1875 I sent a petition to Congress for the establishment of a post route from Thompson, Susq. Co., Pa. to Hancock, NY. I had the honor of naming the Haidee office. I had been reading Lord Byron’s ‘Don Juan,’ and was much pleased with the story of his shipwreck, and being cast ashore on an island by the cruel waves, helpless. There then appeared upon the scene the beautiful daughter [Haidee] of a pirate whose castle was the only habitation on the island. She secreted, fed and nursed him into life. The name pleased everybody until a Methodist preacher learned in his studies of the Greek Hades, which signified hell. The people to whom he gave this were unread, and promptly determined to live in Hell no longer; therefore petitioned to rename the post office ‘Winterdale.’ It was done and it is still known by that name.”

From the collection of the Wayne County Historical Society, 810 Main St., Honesdale. The museum and research library are open Wednesday through Saturday, 10 a. m. to 4 p. m.