The Darden Post Office and "Duke's Store" were combined at Darden, Tennessee in early days. Gathering at the post office/store a few years back were "from left" Auda Duke (Marie Gilliam's father), Postmaster Carless Duke (Ruby Duke Davis' father), Johnnie Herndon (Alton Herndon's wife) and Sam Turner (Pauline Maness' father). Groceries were brought in the back door (to the left of Sam Turner), stacked on tables then put away. Cokes sold for 5 cents. Carless Duke was the Darden Postmaster from 1940 until 1958. When he left, his son Vann Duke became Postmaster, then later came Johnny Frost. The old Darden Post Office stood where Vanrell adn Margo Hayes' store stands now -- "Margo's", famous for fried fruit pies. The post office moved several years ago into a new brick building across the road.
Photo courtsey of Floyd and Ruby Duke Davis - from the Lexington Progress October 18, 1995