Cardwell Bush Telegraph facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Cardwell Bush Telegraph |
|
|---|---|
Cardwell Bush Telegraph, 2003
|
|
| Location | 53 Victoria Street, Cardwell, Cassowary Coast Region, Queensland, Australia |
| Design period | 1870s–1890s (late 19th century) |
| Built | 1870 |
| Architect | Colonial Architect's Office |
| Official name: Cardwell Post Office – Residence (former), Post Office, Post and Telegraph Office, Telegraph Office | |
| Type | state heritage (built) |
| Designated | 21 October 1992 |
| Reference no. | 600392 |
| Significant period | 1870s (fabric) 1870s-1980s (historical, social) |
| Significant components | fence/wall – perimeter, kitchen/kitchen house, toilet block/earth closet/water closet, trees/plantings, post & telegraph office, residential accommodation – post master's house/quarters, counter, tank stand |
| Builders | George McCallum |
| Lua error in Module:Location_map at line 420: attempt to index field 'wikibase' (a nil value). | |
The Cardwell Bush Telegraph is a very old building in Cardwell, Queensland, Australia. It used to be a post office and a telegraph station. Today, it is a heritage centre where you can learn about the past.
This building was designed by the Queensland Colonial Architect's Office. It was built in 1870 by George McCallum. This makes it one of the oldest buildings in North Queensland. It worked as a post office until 1982. Then, it was fixed up and reopened as the "Cardwell Bush Telegraph" heritage centre in 2003.
The centre is part of a historic area. This area also includes the old court house and jail. It shows visitors the history of Cardwell. The building is listed on the Queensland Heritage Register. This means it is a very important historical site. It is next to the Cardwell Divisional Board Hall.
Contents
A Look Back in Time
This timber building was put up in 1870. It was first the Telegraph Office in Cardwell. The building was actually built in Brisbane first. Then, it was shipped in pieces to Cardwell. This is called "prefabricated." It was one of the first buildings like this. It helped build important government offices in faraway places.
Cardwell was settled in 1864. It was the first port north of Bowen. People hoped it would become a big town. It had a deep, safe harbour. The government built many important buildings here. These included a police station, court house, and the telegraph station. A Post Office opened in Cardwell in 1864. The first Post Master did many jobs. He was also the customs officer and harbour master.
The telegraph line reached Cardwell in December 1869. The telegraph office opened in 1870. Soon after, it became a combined post and telegraph office. Many Post Masters worked for the Electric Telegraph Department. The building had four main rooms and a separate kitchen. This was a common design for telegraph offices back then.
The telegraph line was meant to connect to an overseas cable. This cable would link Australia to Asia and Europe. But in 1872, the cable went to Darwin instead. Even so, the telegraph line from Cardwell helped people in the Gulf region. It kept them in touch with the rest of the world.
Cardwell never became a major port. It was hard to get from the harbour to the land behind it. Townsville grew much faster. It became the main entry point for inland travel.
Over time, the building needed changes. The original timber roof shingles rotted. They were replaced with an iron roof by 1904. Termites were also a problem. So, the building was lifted higher. New stumps with "ant caps" were added to stop them. A chimney was also removed. Verandahs were slowly enclosed to add rooms. The old kitchen was replaced with a bigger one. It was connected to the main building by a covered path.
After Australia became a country in 1901, all post and telegraph services joined. They became the Postmaster-General's Department. This is now Australia Post. The building was both a home and an office. The Postmaster also looked after the telegraph line. Often, his wife, the Postmistress, ran the office. She would operate the telegraph when her husband was away.
The post office was sold in 1967. It was bought by a former Cardwell Post Master. It kept working as a post office until about 1983. Then, a new post office opened. The old building was used as a home for a while. In 2003, it became the heritage centre.
In 2001, the local council got money to fix up the old telegraph office. They also worked on the old court house and lock-up. This created the heritage centre. The Cardwell-Normanton telegraph line was very important. It connected isolated people to the world. It also helped the area grow.
The Heritage Centre Today
Today, the Telegraph Office is still standing. The original court house was destroyed by a cyclone. But a smaller one from the 1890s was moved here. A jail from 1907 was also moved. These buildings are now behind the old Shire Hall. Sadly, the Shire Hall was badly damaged by Tropical Cyclone Yasi in 2011. But it was rebuilt to look like the original.
This historic area shows how government worked long ago. It also shows how people used old technology.
The Telegraph Office building itself is full of history. Old plans and documents helped show how it was built. They also showed how it changed over time. For example, the roof was changed from shingles to iron. The building was lifted higher to protect it from termites. This shows how people adapted to the tropical weather.
Visitors to the centre can see the original postal room. It has an old telephone exchange and a counter from the 1870s. You can also see old weather instruments. You can even send a message using Morse code! There is a display about Cardwell's role in the telegraph line race. In the court house, you can learn about local justice. The jail reminds you of the early days in the north.
Across Balliol Street, you can visit the Cardwell Library. It has more local history information. Next to the library, there is a big outdoor display. It shows old tools and items. These include an old dray, a springcart, and railway tools. The old Cardwell School of Arts is also nearby. It was the first town library. Now, it is a place for local artists to show their work.
What the Building Looks Like
The old Cardwell Post Office is on the corner of Victoria Street and Balliol Street. It is part of a group of old government buildings. These include the old Shire Hall and Police Station.
The building is made of timber. It has one storey. It has four rooms and a hallway in the middle. Verandahs go all around the building. There is a kitchen house at the back. It is connected by a covered path. The roof is made of corrugated iron. It has a sloped shape. Some parts of the verandahs have been closed in. They now have windows or fibrous cement sheeting. The kitchen house is also made of timber.
Inside, the walls are made of timber boards. The ceilings are also boarded. The doors are made of timber panels. The front and back doors have glass fanlights above them.
The room at the front was the post office. It still has old timber shelves and drawers. It has a counter that opens to the enclosed verandah. The other rooms have tall casement windows.
There are some trees around the building. A coconut palm is at one corner. Another palm is to the west. A mango tree is at the south. There is a timber fence along the streets. A small timber toilet building is at the back. There is also a timber tank stand.
Why It's a Heritage Site
The former Cardwell Post Office is now the Cardwell Bush Telegraph heritage centre. It was listed on the Queensland Heritage Register in 1992. This means it is very important to Queensland's history.
- It shows how Queensland grew: It helps us understand how Cardwell was settled. It also shows how telegraph communication spread across Queensland.
- It is rare: It is one of the oldest telegraph and post office buildings still standing. It is also one of the few prefabricated timber buildings left in North Queensland.
- It shows a common design: The building's layout, with its four rooms and separate kitchen, was a common design for telegraph offices in the 1800s.
- It looks good: The building and its grounds add beauty to Cardwell. Its original design and inside rooms are still very clear.
- It is important to the community: It was a Post Office from 1870 to 1983. Because of this, it has a strong connection to the people of Cardwell.
