Albury Post Office facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Albury Post Office |
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The post office in 2010
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| Location | 570 Dean Street, Albury, City of Albury, New South Wales, Australia |
| Built | 1880– |
| Architect | NSW Colonial Architects Office under James Barnet |
| Architectural style(s) | Victorian Free Classical |
| Owner | Australia Post |
| Official name: Albury Post Office | |
| Type | state heritage (built) |
| Designated | 17 December 1999 |
| Reference no. | 1311 |
| Type | Post Office |
| Category | Postal and Telecommunications |
| Official name: Albury Post Office | |
| Type | Historic |
| Designated | 8 November 2011 |
| Reference no. | 105506 |
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The Albury Post Office is a very old and important building in Albury, New South Wales, Australia. You can find it at 570 Dean Street. It was designed by the NSW Colonial Architects Office team, led by James Barnet. The building was finished in 1880.
Today, Australia Post owns this historic site. It's so special that it's listed on the New South Wales State Heritage Register and the Commonwealth Heritage List. This means it's protected because of its history and design.
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History of the Albury Post Office
The story of the Albury Post Office building began a long time ago. In 1860, an electric telegraph station was built in Albury. This was a place where people could send messages using telegraphs, which was like an early form of email!
Then, in 1878, the first part of the current post office building was constructed. It was built right on the same spot as the old telegraph station. Later, in 1904, the post office and the telegraph office joined together. This meant the building got bigger with new parts added along Kiewa Street.
One of the most noticeable parts of the building, the tall clock tower, was added in the 1920s. This tower made the post office even more grand and easy to spot.
What Does the Albury Post Office Look Like?
The Albury Post Office is a large and impressive building. It's built in a style called Victorian Free Classical. Imagine a grand old palace, and you'll have an idea of its "Palazzo form."
The building has two floors and is made of brick covered in a smooth, decorative plaster called stucco. The ground floor has a series of arches, like a covered walkway, which is called a colonnade. On the first floor, you'll see windows with rounded tops. These windows have special, large decorative stones above them called keystones. Tall, flat columns called pilasters separate these windows.
The clock tower, added in the 1920s, is a key feature. It's topped with a small dome, known as a cupola. Even though the tower was added later, its design perfectly matches the original style of the building. The post office is in good shape, and any new parts added over the years have been designed to fit in well with the original look.
Why Is the Albury Post Office Special?
The Albury Post Office is considered very important for many reasons. It's not just a place to send mail; it's a piece of history and a landmark for the community.
A Look Back in Time
This building helps us understand the history of New South Wales. It was designed by James Barnet, who was a very important architect. He designed many significant buildings, including the famous GPO in Sydney. The Albury Post Office is one of his many great works.
The size and special design of this post office show how important Albury became. In 1873, Albury became a major train hub for the Riverina area. This meant more people and businesses, and a grand post office was needed to match its growing importance.
Its Unique Design
The Albury Post Office is a beautiful example of the Victorian Free Classical style. Its grand design and size make it stand out in the historic Dean Street area. This area also includes the Town Hall and Court House. The post office's location at the corner of Dean and Kiewa Streets makes it a focal point, almost like a grand "entrance" to the town's main civic area.
It shares a similar design style with other important post offices from that time, like those in Orange (built 1879), Goulburn (built 1880), and Forbes (built 1881).
Important to the Community
Because it's such a prominent and historic building, the Albury Post Office is very important to the people of Albury. It helps give the community a sense of place and connection to their past.
What We Can Learn From It
The site where the post office stands might also hold clues about the past. There's a chance that archaeologists could find information about how the land was used before the post office was built, or about the early days of the post office itself. This could help us learn even more about the history of New South Wales.
The Albury Post Office is a great example of the Free Classical style and its unique "palazzo" shape. It's also part of a special group of post offices designed by James Barnet during the Victorian era.
