Crows Nest Post Office facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Crows Nest Post Office |
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Building in 2014
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| Location | 19 Curnow Street, Crows Nest, Toowoomba Region, Queensland, Australia |
| Design period | 1900 - 1914 (early 20th century) |
| Built | 1911 - 1911 |
| Official name: Crows Nest Post Office | |
| Type | state heritage (built) |
| Designated | 27 June 2003 |
| Reference no. | 602403 |
| Significant period | 1911 (fabric) |
| Significant components | residential accommodation - post master's house/quarters, post & telegraph office |
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The Crows Nest Post Office is a special old building in Crows Nest, Queensland, Australia. It's located at 19 Curnow Street. This building was constructed in 1911. Today, it is recognized for its historical importance and is listed on the Queensland Heritage Register.
Contents
A Look Back at History
The Crows Nest Post Office was built in 1911. It was the second building made specifically to be a post office in the town. Crows Nest was a farming area, known for cattle and sheep. Later, it also became popular for tourism.
Early Days of Crows Nest
In the 1840s, people started settling in the Crows Nest area. The first big farm, called a "run," was set up in 1849. Over time, the land changed owners. In 1868, some land was opened up for smaller farms.
The first Crows Nest farm didn't do well and was left empty. In 1875, this land was opened for people to choose and settle on. Special areas were set aside for timber and for a new town. The town of Crows Nest was officially planned in 1877. The first land sales happened that April. Soon after, a hotel was built.
A telegraph office opened in October 1877. A year later, in 1878, a post office joined it in the same small building on Albert Street.
The Railway Arrives
In 1886, a railway line from Toowoomba reached Crows Nest. The main reason for the railway was to transport timber. It also helped farming and dairy businesses grow. Crows Nest became an important center because it was the end of the railway line.
However, the railway station was built north of the town center. This caused businesses to move closer to the station. The post office also moved to the railway station in December 1886. For a while, the station master handled mail duties. This was common in small towns where the railway station was a hub for communication.
Growth and a New Post Office
Crows Nest grew quickly in the early 1900s. By 1905, two banks opened branches. A local newspaper, the "Crow's Nest Record," also started. Factories for butter and bacon were built. There were also several sawmills.
In 1906, a newsagent named Percy Gargett took over the postal services. He had a building put up on Curnow Street for this purpose.
In 1901, the Australian government created the Postmaster-General's Department. This new department slowly took over postal services from the states. They improved buildings in growing towns like Crows Nest.
In 1911, the current post office building was constructed. It was built at the corner of Curnow Street and Toowoomba Road. This spot was very handy, being close to the railway station. The new post office was designed by the Queensland Works Department. It was a standard timber building with a front porch and a pointed roof (gable). It also had a small decorative tower (lantern) on the roof.
This style of post office was very common between 1906 and 1921. These buildings were known for their good design and strong construction. They were also built to handle Queensland's climate. About 13 post offices of this type were built between 1909 and 1913, mostly in small towns in South East Queensland.
Crows Nest continued to grow. By 1921, it had over a thousand people. The railway closed in 1961. The tracks and buildings were removed, and some of the land became a park.
The Crows Nest Post Office is still used as a post office today. It is now privately owned. The building looks much the same as when it was first built.
What the Building Looks Like
The Crows Nest Post Office is a single-story timber building. It sits on low stumps. It stands out on the corner of Curnow Street and Toowoomba Road.
The roof is pointed (gabled) and covered with corrugated iron. There's a fancy lantern on top of the roof. The front of the building has a projecting gable and a porch. The main roof extends over this porch. It is held up by pairs of timber posts. You enter through the porch, going up stairs with timber handrails.
The front gable has three sash windows. A sun hood provides shade over these windows. There are also groups of windows on the sides of the building. The windows on the western side also have a sun hood.
Inside, the walls are covered with painted tongue and groove boards. The ceiling is high. Any changes inside, like a newer counter, seem to be small.
Behind the post office is a separate building, which was the postmaster's home. This is a tall timber building with a hipped roof covered in corrugated iron. The side facing the street has pairs of casement windows. These are above a low timber wall that might have been part of an early verandah. The main entrance to the home is currently on the eastern side. Its windows are similar to those on the post office.
Why It's a Heritage Site
The Crows Nest Post Office was added to the Queensland Heritage Register on June 27, 2003. This means it's important for several reasons:
Shows Queensland's History
This post office helps us understand how Queensland developed. It was built when the new Australian government was improving postal services. This happened in towns that were growing due to farming and ranching. It shows how important Crows Nest was as a railway hub and business center in the early 1900s.
Shows a Special Building Style
The Crows Nest Post Office is a great example of a timber "porch and gable" post office. These were designed by the Queensland Works Department between 1906 and 1921. This department helped make building design and construction better in Queensland.
Beautiful Design
The post office is a well-designed and unique public building. It stands out on the corner of Curnow Street and Toowoomba Road. It adds a lot to the look of Crows Nest town.
Important to the Community
The Crows Nest Post Office has been connected to the people of Crows Nest for a long time. It has provided communication services from 1911 until today.
