Iolanthe, Gordon facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Iolanthe |
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Iolanthe, 691 Pacific Highway, Gordon, New South Wales
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| Location | 691 Pacific Highway, Gordon, Ku-ring-gai Council, New South Wales, Australia |
| Built | 1870 |
| Owner | The Uniting Church in Australia |
| Official name: Iolanthe; Gordon Post Office | |
| Type | State heritage (built) |
| Designated | 2 April 1999 |
| Reference no. | 227 |
| Type | House |
| Category | Residential buildings (private) |
Iolanthe is a special old building in Gordon, a suburb of Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. It's located at 691 Pacific Highway. This building was first built in 1870. It used to be a home and also served as the Gordon Post Office for many years. Today, the Uniting Church in Australia owns it, and it's inside the grounds of the Ravenswood School for Girls. Because of its history, Iolanthe was added to the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 2 April 1999, which means it's protected as an important historical site.
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History of Iolanthe
In 1860, people living in the area now known as Gordon wanted their own post office. Before this, letters and newspapers had to be brought from Sydney or St. Leonards by people traveling along the road. Their request to the Postal Department was successful.
The building chosen for the new post office was a small house belonging to Mrs. Eliza Edwards.
The Edwards Family Connection
The Edwards family was very important in the early development of the North Shore area of Sydney. Eliza's grandfather, Robert Pymble, was a pioneer. He received a large piece of land, about 240 hectares (600 acres), in 1823. This area later became known as Pymble.
Robert Pymble supplied timber to Sydney and was the first person to grow fruit trees in the area. He also helped get the railway built to Old Hornsby. He was especially important in getting a train station built at what is now called Killara. The name Killara was actually chosen by Miss Edwards.
Iolanthe as a Post Office
Miss Eliza Edwards (who preferred to be called Elizabeth) became the first Postmistress. She earned 12 Australian pounds a year. The post office business was run from a bedroom at the back of her cottage.
At first, mail arrived only once a week. Later, it came twice a week. The mail carrier would leave Sydney early in the morning, deliver mail in Gordon, and then continue to Hornsby and Gosford the next day.
In 1879, the name of the post office was officially changed to Gordon Post Office. Miss Edwards noted in the 1880s that people from areas like Chatswood and Wahroonga would walk, ride, or send someone to collect their mail.
In 1885, two brick rooms were added to the front of the original cottage. A verandah was also likely added around this time, giving the cottage its current look.
Changes and Relocation
On 10 January 1890, Miss Edwards suggested to the General Post Office that a "receiving office" should be set up at Mr. Filley's store. This would help serve the people in Upper Gordon better.
In 1887, as the railway was being built from St. Leonards to Pearce's Corner, Miss Edwards asked if her post office could also sell money orders. She knew that the population would grow with the new railway station nearby.
In 1894, Miss Edwards had to resign because she was unwell. In the same year, the Gordon Post Office moved to the Gordon railway station.
Miss Edwards continued to live in Iolanthe with her children until she passed away in 1902. Her family lived in the cottage until 1952.
Later Years
Between 1952 and 1955, the Ravenswood School for Girls bought the property. In 1980, there were plans to knock down the cottage to build tennis courts.
However, on 11 July 1980, a special order was placed to protect the property. This order helped save Iolanthe. On 2 April 1999, it was officially added to the State Heritage Register.
What Iolanthe Looks Like
Iolanthe is a simple, single-story building made of brick with an iron roof. It has a verandah at the front with plain wooden posts.
Why Iolanthe is Important
As of 2013, Iolanthe is one of the oldest homes in the Gordon area. It was a post office from 1860 to 1894, which means it played a big part in the daily lives of the first settlers on the North Shore. Its use as a post office helps us understand the history of New South Wales.
The cottage is also directly linked to the Pymble and Edwards families, who were important pioneers in developing the North Shore. Along the Pacific Highway, Iolanthe is one of the very few original homes that used to line the main road north.
Iolanthe was officially listed on the New South Wales State Heritage Register on 2 April 1999, recognizing its historical value.
