Claremont Post Office facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Claremont Post Office |
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| Location | Bayview Terrace, Claremont, Western Australia, Australia |
| Official name: Claremont Post Office | |
| Type | Listed place (Historic) |
| Designated | 22 June 2004 |
| Reference no. | 105526 |
| Type | State Registered Place |
| Designated | 22 December 2002 |
| Reference no. | 483 |
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The Claremont Post Office is a very old and special building in Claremont, Western Australia. It is located on Bayview Terrace. This historic post office is so important that it was added to the Australian Commonwealth Heritage List on June 22, 2004. This list helps protect places that are important to Australia's history.
Contents
The Story of Claremont Post Office
Early Days of Claremont
In 1830, a man named John Butler chose land in the Swan River Colony. This land later became the areas of Peppermint Grove and Claremont. He started a farm there, and the area became known as Butler's Swamp.
Claremont grew because of Butler's farm. It was also a perfect halfway point between the towns of Perth and Fremantle. A special tree on the road between Perth and Fremantle marked this halfway spot. Mail was often swapped there before the railway line was built.
Mail and the Railway
Before the railway, mail was transferred at the halfway tree. A old posting box from 1868 still marks this spot today. In 1881, the railway line between Perth and Fremantle opened. After that, mail was carried by train.
In September 1883, Claremont got its first Postmistress. She worked from a store in Gugeri Street. The railway helped Claremont's population grow. More people, especially government workers, moved to Claremont. They could easily travel to Perth by train.
A Growing Town Centre
In 1886, a new Claremont railway station was built. This showed how important the area near the railway line had become. It also helped shape the modern town centre of Claremont. The Postmistress's office moved closer to the railway in 1886. By 1888, it was in a store next to the Claremont Hotel.
The 1890s brought even more people to Claremont. This was because gold was discovered in Western Australia. Claremont was a good place to live with easy train access to the city. Many new homes were built, and the town kept growing.
Building the First Post Office
In 1896, the first official Claremont Post Office was built. It also included a Telegraph Office and a home for the Postmaster. This showed how important Claremont had become for postal services.
The building was designed by George Temple Poole. He worked for the Public Works Department. He also lived in Claremont! The building was made of rough stone with a shingled roof. It looked strong but also fit in with the style of the Stationmaster's House nearby. The Post Office officially opened on August 4, 1896.
George Temple Poole was a very important architect. He came from England in 1885. He led the architecture section of the Public Works Department. He helped set the standard for many public buildings in Western Australia.
Claremont Post Office Grows
By 1900, the railway made it easy for people from nearby areas to use the Claremont Post Office. On July 1, 1911, it became a major suburban post office. It has been used as a post office ever since 1896.
In 1914, the building was updated by Hillson Beasley. He was the main architect for the Public Works Department then. Beasley's design changed the front of the building. He added a curved entrance and made more space inside. The roof was also changed from shingles to tiles.
Saving a Landmark
The building was changed again in the 1950s and 1980s. This was to keep up with new postal needs. Even with these changes, the outside of the building from 1914 still looks much the same. It is a strong landmark in the Claremont shopping area.
In 1982, Australia Post wanted to knock down the Claremont Post Office. But the local community fought back! The Town Council, the Claremont Historical Society, and a local newspaper worked together. They wanted to save the building. Their efforts worked! In April 1983, Australia Post decided to keep the building. They spent $265,000 to update it. The Post Office reopened on January 29, 1985.
More work was done in 1998-99. Part of the building now has a Dome coffee shop. The building was also repainted in special heritage colours. The Claremont Post Office continues to serve the community today.
What the Building Looks Like
The Claremont Post Office is a stone building. It is located at the corner of Bay View Terrace and Gugeri Street. The front of the building faces west.
It sits across from the old Railway Station and Hotel. The Post Office helps define the end of Bay View Terrace. It acts like a gateway to the main shopping area of Claremont.
Design and Changes
The Claremont Post Office is a single-story building. It is built in a style called Federation Romanesque. It has a large round window on the front and a curved porch at the corner.
When it was first built in 1896, it had a simple design. It had a shingled roof and rough stone walls. In 1914, Hillson Beasley made big changes. He removed the old porch and added the curved one you see today. This curved porch matches the round window. He also added a small triangle shape above the window with the words 'Post Office'. The roof was made taller and covered with Marseilles tiles.
The building used to have a home for the Postmaster inside. This part of the building had its own entrance at the back. In the 1950s, an open porch on the north side was closed in with bricks and windows.
Inside the Post Office
Even though the building has changed over time, you can still see the original shape of the rooms inside. In the 1980s, staff toilets and a break area were added. In 1999, some walls were removed to create a sorting area for mailboxes.
A new mail room was built in the 1980s on the south side. This large, modern space now houses the Dome coffee shop. A new porch was built over this part, with stone pillars that match the old building. A decorative triangle shape was added above it, saying 'Claremont 6010'.
The Claremont Post Office is a strong and beautiful building. It is an important landmark at the entrance to Bay View Terrace.
Why It's a Heritage Site
The Claremont Post Office was added to the Australian Commonwealth Heritage List on June 22, 2004.
It is important because it shows how Claremont grew in the late 1800s. This was when many people moved there during the gold rush. The post office was built right across from the railway station. This shows how important the train was for people living in Claremont.
The Claremont Post Office is also special because of its architecture and how it looks in the street. It was designed by George Temple Poole. It has rough stone walls and strong windows. It stands out on the main shopping street. Its style also connects it to other important buildings nearby, like the old station master's house.
