Cobar Post Office facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Cobar Post Office |
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| Location | 47 Linsley Street, Cobar, New South Wales, Australia |
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| Official name: Cobar Post Office | |
| Type | Listed place (Historic) |
| Designated | 22 August 2012 |
| Reference no. | 106178 |
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The Cobar Post Office is a very old and important building in Cobar, New South Wales, Australia. It's located at 47 Linsley Street. This building is special because it's "heritage-listed," meaning it's protected for its historical value. It was first designed by James Barnet in 1885. Later, it was added to the Commonwealth Heritage List on August 22, 2012.
Contents
History of the Cobar Post Office
In 1872, people in Cobar asked for a mail service. They wanted mail to come once a week from Bourke to the Cobar Mine. This mail service started on March 1, 1873.
Early Post Office Locations
The first Postmaster was Charles Claxton. He ran the post office from a store at the Cobar Mine. Over time, the post office moved to different places. It was even in an inn for a while, which caused some complaints!
Building the New Post Office
By 1881, the government decided to build a proper post and telegraph office. The design was ready by July 1884. The new brick building opened on August 15, 1885. It was just an office, not a home for the Postmaster.
The building had a large main office area. It also had two small lobby areas. These lobbies were on either side of a front porch. People could use a sloped writing board there.
Who Designed It?
James Barnet was the New South Wales Government Architect at the time. He designed the original building. Old photos show it had a tall, main room with a pointed roof. The front had a central porch. This porch had a fancy arched entrance, which you can still see today.
Changes Over Time
The building changed quite a bit over the years. In 1907, plans were made for big additions and repairs. By 1909, the post office looked much like it does now.
The later changes, from 1892 to 1909, were overseen by another architect, Walter Liberty Vernon. He was also a New South Wales Government Architect.
What the Cobar Post Office Looks Like
The Cobar Post Office is on the west side of Linsley Street. It's near the Cobar Council Chambers. A modern brown brick building, the Telecom Exchange, is behind it. This newer building is not part of the heritage listing.
Main Features
The post office today includes parts of the original 1885 building. It also has a home section added in 1892. There were changes to the front in 1899. Then, major additions and changes happened around 1907-1909.
From Linsley Street, the building looks mostly as it did after the 1907-09 changes. The front is made of red bricks. It has a tall, flat top called a parapet. There's a fancy arched entrance slightly to the left. Above the arch is a squared-off top part called a "pediment". This pediment has a round panel with decorative edges.
Windows and Details
On either side of the entrance, there are tall windows. These windows have plain lower parts and many small panes on top. To the left, there's a section added around 1907-09. It also had tall windows, but one has been bricked up.
To the right, there's another windowed section from 1899. The very end on the right has an open porch with private post boxes. This porch has a large arch at the front.
All these different parts of the front are connected. They have a long, solid parapet at the top. There are also decorative lines and patterns made of white plaster. Metal letters spell out "COBAR 2835" above the arched entry. The words "POST" and "OFFICE" are above the windows in the side sections.
The Main Postal Room
Behind the front section is the main postal room. It's a tall, rectangular room with a pointed roof. The roof is covered with corrugated iron. The side walls are mostly plain. The south side has three square windows high up. Below them are a door and two more windows.
The north side has two square windows. Below these, there's a sloped roof verandah. This verandah was later closed in to make a storage room. It also created another porch for private post boxes.
The Postmaster's Home
The Postmaster's home is at the back of the building. It's a rectangular shape. Its roof is also covered with corrugated iron. Several chimneys with decorative tops stick out from the roof.
A skillion roofed verandah runs along the north side of the home. It also wraps around the postal room. Some of this verandah is now enclosed. It forms a "sleep-out" area, partly covered with flywire.
Inside, the postal room is quite simple. There are some decorative timber arches. The ceilings are made of sheet panels. The fireplaces are closed off, but one still has a simple wooden mantelpiece.
The doorway between the postal room and the home is special. It has a deep frame and a decorative border. The wooden door has a fancy handle. Above it, there's a small window that can open, called a fanlight.
How the Building Has Changed
Over the years, the building has been updated. Partitions were added inside to separate the retail area from the mail room. At some point, the verandah next to the main post room was enclosed. This created a long storage area and an open porch.
In the 1970s, a brown brick structure was built between the post office and the council offices. The home part of the post office is now rented out.
Key Parts of the Building
The important parts of the Cobar Post Office include:
- Its overall shape and design.
- The red brick walls and white decorative plaster.
- The stone window sills.
- The shapes of the roofs and the chimneys.
- How the building stands freely and fits with the street and the Council Chambers next door.
Condition of the Building
The building is in good shape. It has been changed a lot over time, but it is well-maintained. There are no major problems visible.
Original Materials
The main structure is made of brick walls. The roofs are timber-framed.
- Outside walls: Red bricks with white decorative plaster on the front.
- Inside walls: Mostly brick with plaster and paint. Some newer walls are made of metal or timber frames.
- Floors: Timber floors, often covered with carpet or tiles.
- Ceilings: Mostly fibre-cement sheets. Older timber ceilings might be hidden underneath.
- Roof: Timber-framed, covered with corrugated metal. The brick chimneys have decorative tops.
- Other details: Painted stone window sills. Timber-framed windows that slide up and down, called double-hung sashes. The metal letters spelling "Cobar Post Office 2835" are also original.
Timeline of Changes
- 1885: The first single-room Post Office with two lobbies was finished.
- 1892: A home for the Postmaster was added to the back.
- 1899: Parts of the front of the building were changed.
- Around 1907-1909: Big additions and changes were made to the front and the main postal room.
- Around 1990s: The front area was updated for Australia Post retail services.
Why the Cobar Post Office is Heritage-Listed
The Cobar Post Office is important for several reasons.
Its History
It has been a key postal building for over 120 years. It was built in 1885 by James Barnet. Later, it was changed and expanded by Walter Vernon. These changes helped the building meet the town's needs for mail and communication. The addition of a large home in 1892 was also important. The mail service in Cobar started even earlier, in 1873. The post office's location next to the historic Cobar Council Chambers also adds to its importance.
Its Look and Design
Even though it has been changed, the Cobar Post Office looks very striking. Its unpainted red bricks and white decorative parts stand out. The unique front, with its tall, flat top and arched entrance, makes it special. It also looks good next to the Council Chambers. Both buildings use similar materials and have a similar size. The post office is even mentioned as a "local landmark" in tourist guides.
The area included in the heritage listing is the entire property block.
The important parts of the Cobar Post Office are the main building, including parts from 1885 to 1909. The front of the building, facing Linsley Street, is from the later changes. The home at the back, built in 1892, is also important. The old plants in the backyard also add to the property's setting.
Things not included in the heritage listing are the brown brick building between the post office and the council offices. The brown brick Telecom Exchange behind the post office is also not included.
Cobar Post Office was added to the Commonwealth Heritage List on August 22, 2012, because it met these important rules:
Criterion A: Processes
The Cobar Post Office has been a vital local mail building for over 120 years. It was built in 1885 by James Barnet. Later, it was changed and expanded by Walter Vernon from 1892 to 1909. These changes helped it keep up with the town's growing needs for mail and phone services. A large home was added in 1892. The first mail service in Cobar started in 1873. The post office's connection to the historic Cobar Council Chambers also makes it more important.
Criterion E: Aesthetic Characteristics
The Cobar Post Office, even with its changes, looks very impressive on the street. Its unpainted red brick and white decorative parts make it stand out. The unique front, with its tall, flat top and arched entrance, gives it a special look. It also fits well with the Council Chambers next door. They share similar materials and size. The post office is also listed as a "local landmark" in tourist guides.
