Kyneton Post Office facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Kyneton Post Office |
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| Location | 113 Mollison Street, Kyneton, Victoria, Australia |
| Official name: Kyneton Post Office | |
| Type | Listed place (Historic) |
| Designated | 8 November 2011 |
| Reference no. | 106133 |
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The Kyneton Post Office is a special old building in Kyneton, Australia. It is located at 113 Mollison Street. This historic post office was designed by Peter Kerr. He worked for the government's Public Works Department. The building was constructed between 1870 and 1871. It is now recognized as an important heritage site. It was added to the Commonwealth Heritage List on November 8, 2011.
Contents
History of the Kyneton Post Office
How the Post Office Was Built
The Kyneton Post Office was built from 1870 to 1871. Local people really wanted a new building. They asked the authorities in May 1869. At first, the Postmaster General said no. But in 1870, the decision changed. The Shire Council was told a new post office would be built.
The Clock Tower Idea
Local leaders like William Henry Fancourt Mitchell and Martin McKenna pushed for a clock tower. They met with the Postmaster General many times. Finally, it was decided to add a clock tower. However, the community had to pay extra costs. The new post office was finished in December 1871. It had a clock with four faces. A local clock maker, Charles Prebble, made the clock.
Changes Over the Years
The building had some improvements in 1878 and 1881. A new room for sending telegrams opened in 1885. Around 1893, another section was added to the south side. At this time, kerosene lamps lit the building. In 1895, gas lights replaced the kerosene lamps.
Around 1910-1920, the building was extended again. This made the building reach the southern edge of the property. The roof style of the front porch also changed.
Between the 1940s and 1960s, the post office was updated. This included new lighting and ceilings. A new area for staff was built upstairs. A fire escape stair was added outside. Part of the front porch was enclosed. This happened before 1957.
Modern Updates
An automatic telephone exchange was built in the back yard around 1968. Around 1975, the postal and telephone areas were separated. Private letter boxes were put in the front porch. A ramp for disabled access was built in the 1980s. This meant removing the enclosed part of the porch.
In 1990, a new building for private letter boxes was built. It was located north of the main building. It had a covered walkway to the old entrance. In 1997, the post shop was updated. It received new display units, counters, lighting, and carpet.
What the Kyneton Post Office Looks Like
The Kyneton Post Office is at 113 Mollison Street. It is in a busy part of Kyneton. This area has many important old buildings. These buildings show the town's history. They reflect the time when gold was discovered. Nearby are the Shire Hall and several old banks.
The post office building is on the eastern side of its land. The main part of the building faces Mollison Street. It has two stories. The most noticeable part is the square clock tower. This tower was at the original corner of the building. The main roof is made of slate. The clock tower has a special roof shape called a mansard roof. It also has an old-fashioned "widow's walk" and a flagpole.
The main entrance is through the front porch. This porch has four arched openings. The clock tower has special wrought iron gates. Above these, there are arched windows. The clock faces are on the fourth level of the tower.
Inside, the post office has three main parts. These were for the post office and the postmaster's home. Later, two more sections were added to the south. The entrance leads to the main post shop area. Other areas are for sorting mail and staff offices. There is a main staircase inside. It leads to the upstairs area. This area used to be the postmaster's home. It had a living room and bedrooms.
The building is made of strong brick walls. The outside has a smooth finish over bluestone. The inside walls are plastered and painted. The floors are made of timber. The main roof is made of slate. There are brick chimneys. The front porch has cast iron columns. The building also has four clock faces. These were made by Charles Prebble. It has wooden fences and arched windows.
Condition of the Building
The outside of the Kyneton Post Office looks very much like its original design. This is true even with the changes made over time.
Inside, the building has changed more. This is because its use has changed. Some parts have been updated. For example, ceilings have been replaced. Fireplaces and other old fittings have been removed.
Overall, the building is in good condition. There are no major problems with its structure. However, some areas show wear and tear. This is from daily use and from pigeons. The roof and clock tower were not checked.
Why Kyneton Post Office is a Heritage Site
The Kyneton Post Office was added to the Commonwealth Heritage List on November 8, 2011. It is important for several reasons:
- Important Building: The post office was built in 1870-71. It is large and well-made. It stands on a main corner in Kyneton. This shows how important communication was back then. Kyneton was a key town during the gold rush.
- Great Example of Design: Despite some changes, it is a good example of a post office from the mid-Victorian era. It combined a post office and a home. You can still see its original design. This includes the front porch with columns.
- Beautiful Architecture: The post office is a handsome building. Its tall clock tower makes it even more impressive. It stands out in Kyneton's town center. It fits well with other old buildings nearby. It has been a landmark for over 135 years. It reminds people of Kyneton's beginnings and its time of great wealth.
The heritage listing includes the entire property. The main postal building and clock tower from 1870-71 are very important. The single-story section added later (around 1893 and 1910-20s) also contributes to its significance.
- G S Warmington & A C Ward, Australia Post Survey of Historic Properties in Victoria, 1990; Register of the National Trust, B2733; D Bick, P Murphy, J Patrick, S Priestly, Shire of Kyneton Conservation (Heritage) Study, 1990; Savills, APPD Property Valuation Report, June 2005
