Hamilton Post Office facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Hamilton Post Office |
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| Location | 57 Gray Street, Hamilton, Victoria, Australia |
| Official name: Hamilton Post Office | |
| Type | Listed place (Historic) |
| Designated | 8 November 2011 |
| Reference no. | 106135 |
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The Hamilton Post Office is a special old building located at 57 Gray Street in Hamilton, Australia. It's listed on the Australian Commonwealth Heritage List because of its important history and design.
This building was designed by C. H. E. Blackman from the government's Public Works Department. It was built in 1876 and started being used in 1878.
Contents
History of the Hamilton Post Office
Early Postal Services
The town of Hamilton, once called 'Grange', started its postal service way back in 1844. The very first official post office building was made of timber and built in 1861.
Just three years later, in 1864, a new two-story building made of bluestone replaced the timber one. However, this new building quickly started to fall apart.
A Grand New Building
By 1875, the Department of Public Works decided it was time for another new building. This one was planned to be much bigger. It would hold not only the post and telegraph offices but also offices for land records and the treasury.
C. H. E. Blackman designed this impressive building. Construction finished in 1876, and the post office officially moved in during 1878. A tall clock tower was added later in 1890, making the building even more noticeable.
Changes Over the Years
Over time, the Hamilton Post Office has seen many changes. In 1907, a new entry arch and counter were added inside the main postal hall. The building also housed a district officer for a few years, which likely changed some of the inside rooms.
Originally, the entrance had an open, covered walkway called a loggia. These open areas were later closed in with glass. By the early 1920s, the outside of the post office was repainted with different colors.
More repairs and updates happened in the 1930s and 1940s. The mail room was extended, and private letter boxes were put into the arched windows at the front. The building continued to adapt as postal services changed.
Modern Updates
The 1960s brought big changes to the post office. A large new stair block with a flat roof was added to the side. Public telephone booths were installed outside, and the original front fence was removed.
Inside, many parts were updated. Old counters were replaced, and new walls were built. The first-floor rooms were even soundproofed for the telegraph exchange.
Later, in the 1980s, more private letter boxes were added. A covered area for loading mail was built at the back. The old manual telephone exchange on the first floor was turned into a conference and training center.
In the 1990s, the outside of the building was carefully repaired and repainted. Around 1998, the inside was completely redone to become a modern retail post shop. The public telephone booths were removed, and a ramped entrance was added for easier access.
What the Hamilton Post Office Looks Like
The Hamilton Post Office is located at 57 Gray Street in Hamilton. It's similar in size to other important post offices built around the same time, like those in Castlemaine, Warrnambool, and Echuca.
Outside Features
From the street, the building looks like a grand, two-story Victorian-era palace. It has a central, covered entrance area called a loggia with four arches. On either side are two sections that stick out slightly. A newer stairwell wing is set back on the north side.
The original roof has decorative supports called brackets. The newer parts have enclosed eaves. The lower part of the building is made of rough bluestone. The loggia leads to rows of private letter boxes.
The Clock Tower
The tall clock tower, added in 1890, is a key feature. It has four stages and clock faces on all sides. Above the clocks are small pointed roofs called pediments and decorative balls called finials.
The tower has strong corner supports. Below the clock, there are two arched windows facing Gray Street. The tower stands out, making the building a landmark in the town.
Windows and Details
The arches on the ground floor are slightly curved, while those on the first floor are rounded, in an Italianate style. The windows have detailed arch moldings and special central stones called keystones.
The windows themselves are timber-framed and can be opened by sliding them up or down. Below the first-floor windows, there are stone panels that look like decorative railings.
Inside the Building
The post office has three main sections. These parts were originally designed for the post office, telegraph office, land office, and treasury. The main entrance is through the loggia.
There is also a ramped entrance on the northeast side that leads to the retail post shop. The southern side has a separate entrance for staff.
The central mail hall on the ground floor is very tall, with an open roof structure and a skylight. This area is still used for sorting mail. Even with all the changes, the main structure of the building remains.
The building has two main levels plus a basement at the front. It has one level plus a basement at the back. The clock tower adds four more levels above the main building.
Condition of the Building
The outside of the Hamilton Post Office still looks very much like its original design, especially from the front and sides. However, changes made in the 1940s, 1960s, and 1980s have changed the back of the building quite a bit.
Inside, the layout and original details have changed a lot over the years. This is because the building has been used for many different things. Still, the main structure and some room layouts remain. The tall mail hall with its skylight is still clear to see.
Overall, the building seems to be in good condition. There is some water damage in parts of the southern side. Areas that get a lot of foot traffic show some wear and tear. The basement areas are sound, but they hold many old records and equipment.
Why It's a Heritage Site
The Hamilton Post Office was added to the Australian Commonwealth Heritage List on 8 November 2011. This means it's recognized as an important historical place.
Showing Hamilton's Growth
The post office is one of many old buildings in Hamilton from the mid-to-late 1800s. It helps show how Hamilton grew into an important regional center in Victoria's Western District. Its grand size and high quality show that Hamilton was a significant settlement, made wealthy by farming. The fact that it housed many government offices also highlights its importance.
A Key Example of Public Works
The Hamilton Post Office is a great example of the many public buildings constructed in Colonial Victoria. These buildings were needed to support the fast-growing communication needs of the developing colony. It's a large regional post and telegraph office combined with other government offices.
The building shows how different functions were brought together in one grand design. It has a monumental civic look, with features like accessible offices, a clock tower, and a loggia. Its large size reflects the growing population and services needed in the region.
Architectural Style and Importance
The Hamilton Post Office is a beautiful example of the Italianate palazzo style. This style was very popular for government buildings at the time. It shows a balanced design with strong, yet simple, details. The building's impressive location and landmark clock tower add to its importance.
Architecturally, it's a fine example of Victorian post office design. It was created by a skilled architect, C. H. E. Blackman, under the guidance of the famous Chief Architect, William Wardell. It's part of a group of impressive Italianate post offices built between 1870 and 1878.
With its strong Italianate features and large loggia, it's a handsome building. The tall clock tower makes it a landmark. Along with other old buildings on Gray Street, the post office adds a lot to the historical look of the street and the town. Postal services have been provided from this spot for over 140 years. The current building has been a key part of the town's history for over 130 years. It shows the lasting quality connected to the town's beginnings and future. Because of this, it is considered to have great social value to the community.
The important parts of the Hamilton Post Office include the main 1876 postal building and the clock tower from 1890. A smaller weatherboard building from the period between the two World Wars also adds to its historical value.
