Childers Post Office facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Childers Post Office |
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Childers Post Office, 2008
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| Location | Bruce Highway, Childers, Bundaberg Region, Queensland, Australia |
| Design period | 1870s - 1890s (late 19th century) |
| Built | 1890 - 1910 |
| Architect | Queensland Colonial Architect's Office |
| Official name: Childers Post Office (former), Childers Heritage Shop | |
| Type | state heritage (built) |
| Designated | 24 January 2003 |
| Reference no. | 600619 |
| Significant period | 1890s-1910s (fabric) 1890s-1990s (historical, social) |
| Significant components | post & telegraph office, residential accommodation - post master's house/quarters |
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The Childers Post Office is a historic building in Childers, Queensland, Australia. It used to be a post office where people sent letters and packages. The building was designed by the Queensland Colonial Architect's Office. It was built between 1890 and 1910. Today, it is known as the Childers Heritage Shop. It is listed on the Queensland Heritage Register because it is an important part of Queensland's history.
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A Look Back at the Childers Post Office
The Childers Post Office is a timber building. It sits on a corner block on the main street of Childers. It was built in 1890 using a standard government design. Later, in 1910, it was made much bigger. This happened because Childers was growing. Also, the Australian Government wanted to improve postal services. Today, the building is a gift shop. However, it still offers some post office services.
How Childers Grew
In the 1870s, the thick forests around Childers were cleared. By the 1880s, Childers was promoted as a farming area. The land was divided into farms in 1882. The town of Childers grew around the railway line. This railway opened in 1887. It was mainly used to transport timber from the forests.
The Sugar Industry Arrives
The railway also helped the sugar industry grow. In the late 1880s, a sugar mill was built nearby. It processed sugar cane from the Childers area. By 1895, many sugar mills were operating. Childers became a busy centre for sugar farming.
The First Post Office Building
A post office first opened in Childers in 1887. The special building we see today was finished in 1890. It opened on September 17, 1890. This building handled both mail and telegraph services. It also had living space for the postmaster. The living area was separate from the business part. In 1894, the telegraph office moved to the new railway station. The post office part was a common design called "T11". This style was used for post offices outside big towns.
Commonwealth Changes and Upgrades
In 1901, the Postmaster-General's Department was created. This new national department slowly took over postal services. They improved buildings and services in growing towns. In 1910, big changes were made to the Childers Post Office. The post office section was updated to a "T17" style. This new style had two porches and a special roof. It became a very recognisable post office design. It was known for its good looks and strong construction.
Modern Changes and New Uses
In 1971, a new building was put up next to the post office. This new building housed a modern telephone exchange. In 1994, the old post office building was sold. It became privately owned. Now, it operates as the Childers Heritage Shop. Some post office services are still available there. In 1999, parts of the building were changed. A coffee shop was added in what used to be a bedroom. This involved opening up a verandah area.
What the Building Looks Like
The Childers Post Office is on the corner of Crescent Street and Churchill Street. This is the main street in Childers. It is a single-storey timber building. It has a corrugated iron roof. The building has two main parts. One part was the former home for the postmaster. The other part is the post office section.
Different Sections of the Building
The old living quarters are on the eastern side. They have a projecting bay with a gabled roof. A verandah runs along the front of this section. Part of a former bedroom has been opened up to this verandah. This is where the coffee shop is now. The post office section is on the corner. You can enter it through one of two porches. These porches are on either side of a projecting gable. Timber stairs lead up to them. The eastern porch is now connected to the old residence by a deck. The windows have sun hoods supported by timber brackets.
Why It's a Heritage Site
The Childers Post Office was added to the Queensland Heritage Register on January 24, 2003. This means it is considered very important to Queensland's history and culture.
Showing Queensland's History
This old Post Office helps us understand Queensland's past. It was built when Childers was growing fast. It became a key centre for sugar farming. The building was also made bigger when the new national government decided to improve postal services. This happened in towns that were growing because of farming.
A Special and Rare Building
Studies of old post offices show that the earliest part of this building is quite rare. There are only a few like it left.
A Great Example of Design
The post office building shows two standard designs. These designs were created by the Government Architect's Office. They were built during a time when buildings had high quality design and finish.
Beautiful and Important to the Town
The Childers Post Office looks great in the town. Its size, shape, and materials make it a very important part of Childers' appearance.
