Berrima Post Office facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Berrima Post Office |
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| Location | Argyle Street, Berrima, Wingecarribee Shire, New South Wales, Australia |
| Built | 1886 |
| Official name: Berrima Post Office | |
| Type | state heritage (built) |
| Designated | 2 April 1999 |
| Reference no. | 97 |
| Type | Post office |
| Category | Postal and telecommunications |
| Builders | RN Mathews |
The Berrima Post Office is a very old and important building located on Argyle Street in Berrima, Australia. It was built way back in 1886 by R. N. Matthews. This historic building is so special that it's listed on the New South Wales State Heritage Register, which means it's protected because of its historical value. It was added to this list on April 2, 1999.
Contents
A Glimpse into Berrima's Past
Berrima is one of the oldest European settlements in the Wingecarribee Shire. The very first town in this area was Bong Bong, which started in 1821. It was about 8 kilometers south-east of where Berrima is now.
How Berrima Was Chosen
In 1829, a very important surveyor named Surveyor General Sir Thomas Mitchell visited the area. He was planning a new road from Sydney because the old one was too difficult. Sir Thomas Mitchell chose the spot for Berrima. In 1830, he asked Robert Hoddle to map out the town. Mitchell wanted it to look like a traditional English village, with a central market and many blocks facing the Wingecarribee River. He also used the local Aboriginal name for the town. The new main road then passed right through Berrima.
Berrima's Early Growth
In 1831, Governor Bourke approved Berrima as a place for a courthouse and a gaol (jail). These buildings were meant to serve the southern part of the state. The gaol was built between 1835 and 1839, and the courthouse in 1838. Because of these important buildings, the town grew quickly in the 1840s. Mail coaches started coming through, and many hotels and coaching houses opened to serve both locals and travelers. By 1841, Berrima had 249 people, with 37 houses finished and 7 more being built. At one point, there were about 13 hotels or "grog houses" in Berrima!
The First Post Office
The story of the Berrima Post Office's early days is a bit unclear. It seems the post office was moved from Bong Bong to Berrima in June 1838. Before that, a post office had been open in Bong Bong since at least 1829. John Lowe, a clerk, was in charge of it. Between 1830 and 1837, several people worked as postmasters. Records show that James Higgins became the postmaster in Berrima on June 1, 1838. This suggests the office officially moved then.
Changes Over Time
After a boom period in the 1850s due to the discovery of gold, Berrima started to decline. This happened when the Great Southern Railway bypassed the town in 1867. Instead, towns like Mittagong, Moss Vale, and Bowral grew. Because of this, Berrima remained almost unchanged for the next 100 years. This helped preserve it as a historic colonial village.
Telegraph Comes to Town
On September 6, 1858, a telegraph station opened in Berrima. In 1860, a building was bought for it. Back then, the Postal Department and the Telegraph Department were completely separate.
A New Post Office Building
The Berrima Post Office used several different buildings until the 1880s. In 1883, it was in a building called "Glad Tidings." The telegraph office was nearby. At one point, people were using a telephone line for telegraph business, probably to Moss Vale. Residents didn't like this because early telephones were very basic. You had to shout into the receiver, and anyone nearby could hear everything!
In June 1881, people in Berrima asked for a new post office. They suggested a government-owned piece of land where the old Toll Bar used to be. They also pointed out that a new bank was being built nearby. The Postal Department agreed to build a new post office there, but they didn't have the money at first. After more requests from residents and because the old post office building was in bad shape, a company called R. N. Matthews & Sons was chosen to build it on April 22, 1886, for 777 pounds.
The new Berrima Post Office was built on the old "Tollhouse" site. The postmaster moved into the new office on August 17, 1887. Later, in 1890, the land was officially transferred to the Postmaster-General.
Over the years, the post office saw some changes. Around the 1930s, a weatherboard (wooden) wing was added. In 1988, a new building was constructed at the back, and the main post office building was restored. In late 2019, the post office business moved out of this historic building to a new location nearby.
What the Building Looks Like
The Berrima Post Office is made of painted brick and has strong stone foundations. It has a corrugated iron roof and a nice verandah (a covered porch) at the front. When it was listed as a heritage site, it was in good physical condition.
Why It's a Heritage Site
The Berrima Post Office stands on the site of the old "Tollbar," which was an important spot. It's located on a main corner in Berrima, making it a very noticeable building. It plays a big part in the historic feel of Berrima. Because of its history and its contribution to the town, the Berrima Post Office was officially listed on the New South Wales State Heritage Register on April 2, 1999.
