Glen Innes Post and Telegraph Office facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Glen Innes Post and Telegraph Office |
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| Location | Grey Street, Glen Innes, Glen Innes Severn, New South Wales, Australia |
| Built | 1895–1896 |
| Architect | NSW Government Architect’s Office under Walter Liberty Vernon. |
| Owner | Australia Post |
| Official name: Glen Innes Post and Telegraph Office; Post Office; Glen Innes | |
| Type | state heritage (built) |
| Designated | 23 June 2000 |
| Reference no. | 1406 |
| Type | Post Office |
| Category | Postal and Telecommunications |
| Builders | Sandbrook Brothers |
| Official name: Glen Innes Post Office | |
| Type | Listed place (Historic) |
| Designated | 08 November 2011 |
| Reference no. | 105494 |
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The Glen Innes Post and Telegraph Office is a heritage-listed building located on Grey Street in Glen Innes, Australia. It was designed by the NSW Government Architect's Office under Walter Liberty Vernon. This important building was constructed between 1895 and 1896 by Sandbrook Brothers. It is currently owned by Australia Post. The office is recognized for its historical and architectural value, being listed on the New South Wales State Heritage Register since 2000 and the Australian Commonwealth Heritage List since 2011.
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A Glimpse into the Past
The very first post offices outside of Sydney were set up in 1828. Places like Bathurst and Newcastle got their own offices. By 1839, there were forty post offices across the colony. As more people settled in new areas, more post offices opened. The arrival of railway lines in New South Wales from the 1860s also helped postal services grow.
From 1865 to 1890, the Colonial Architect's Office built and looked after 169 post and telegraph offices. These buildings were designed in many different styles. This was because local leaders often wanted unique designs for their towns.
In the 1890s, Glen Innes saw a lot of new buildings go up. Many grand public and business buildings were constructed along the main street. The current post office was built in 1896 on the spot where the old one used to be. The design came from the Colonial Architect's Office, led by Walter Liberty Vernon. The Sandbrook Brothers won the contract to build it for £2505. The new post office opened for business on December 7, 1896.
Later, between 1913 and 1914, a new section with a pointed roof was added to the east side. More changes were made around the 1980s, which also fit well with the original design.
What Does It Look Like?
The Glen Innes Post Office is a two-storey building. It was designed in the Federation Arts and Crafts Style. It's mostly built with light brown bricks, with red brick stripes and sandstone details. The outside of the building still looks much like it did when it was first built.
The original part of the building, from 1895, uses a strong brick pattern called English bond. It sits on a base made of large sandstone blocks. Newer, single-storey parts at the back use a different brick pattern. The roof is complex, mostly sloped (hipped), and covered with slate tiles. It has fancy terracotta decorations along the top and wide eaves (the parts that hang over the walls).
Five brick chimneys stick out from the roof. Four are on the two-storey section, and one is over the kitchen at the back.
Large arches are a key feature on the front of the building. They have red brick trim on the ground floor. There are two arched entrances. Small, arched windows with many panes and sandstone sills are also set into brick arches. The main entrance is on the corner, with a tiled porch and steps added later. The entrance for the residence (where the postmaster lived) is in the middle of the western side. It has slate steps and a corrugated iron roof over its porch.
In 2000, the Glen Innes Post Office and its residence were reported to be in very good condition. There might be old remains underground in the open areas, like the residence yard, that could tell us about past uses of the site.
The building is still very strong and looks much like it did originally. Its important features include the large round arches, the sloped slate roof, and the arched porches at street level. Its size, shape, and style also make it stand out in the town.
Why This Building is Special
The Glen Innes Post Office is very important to the history, beauty, and community of New South Wales. It's listed on the State Heritage Register for several reasons:
A Link to History
The post office shows how communication services grew in the New England area in the late 1800s. It also connects to the history of Glen Innes itself, through its links to older post offices in the town.
The building's size, shape, and style show the building boom that happened in Glen Innes in the mid-1890s. It also helps us understand how postal and telecommunications services changed over time in New South Wales.
The Glen Innes Post Office is also important because it was designed by Walter Liberty Vernon, a well-known architect. It's a great example of his work in the Federation Arts and Crafts Style.
Beautiful Design
This post office is a particularly beautiful example of the Federation Arts and Crafts Style. It was designed by Vernon and looks very appealing. It has special features like its striking roof, large arched openings, and arched porches.
Because of its design and its important location, the post office is a landmark in the civic area of Glen Innes. It really stands out. The additions made around 1914 and the 1980s were done carefully and fit well with the original look of the building.
Important to the Community
As a well-known public building, the Glen Innes Post Office helps the community of Glen Innes feel connected to their town's identity and history.
Learning from the Past
The site might contain archaeological remains. These could give us information about how the site was used before and during the time of the post office.
A Rare Example
The Glen Innes Post Office is a very good example of the work of Walter Liberty Vernon, the NSW Government Architect.
Showing Key Features
This building shows the main features of post offices built in New South Wales by the Government Architect's Office in the late 1800s. It is also a strong example of the Federation Arts and Crafts architectural style. It is part of an important group of buildings designed by Walter Liberty Vernon.
