Maryborough Post Office (Victoria) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Maryborough Post Office |
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| Location | 69 Clarendon Street, Maryborough, Victoria, Australia |
| Built | 1876-77 |
| Architect | John Hudson Marsden |
| Official name: Maryborough Post Office | |
| Type | Listed place (Historic) |
| Designated | 8 November 2011 |
| Reference no. | 105515 |
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The Maryborough Post Office is a very old and important building in Maryborough, Australia. It's considered a "heritage-listed" site, meaning it's protected because of its historical value.
This grand building was designed by John Hudson Marsden. It was built between 1876 and 1877. A clock tower was added a couple of years later in 1879.
When it first opened, the building was used for several important things. It housed the local court, the post office, and the telegraph office. Since 1892, it has been used only as a post office.
Contents
A Look Back: The Post Office's Story
Building on History
The Maryborough Post Office stands on a special spot. It was once the second government camp for the Maryborough gold fields. Before this building, there was an older stone post office from 1858.
The new building was designed by John Hudson Marsden. He worked for the Public Works Department, which designed many government buildings. Construction happened from 1877 to 1878.
The Famous Clock Tower
The tall clock tower wasn't part of the first plans. It was added later, around 1879. Tenders (offers) were asked for to supply the clock. The bell for the clock was made in Castlemaine.
The building was very expensive for its time. It cost £9,126 to build. This was much more than any other building in Maryborough.
From Court to Post Office
The building was first designed to hold both the court house and the post office. A man named Peter Cunningham built it. In 1894, the postal service took over the large court room. This became the main postal hall.
This happened after a new court house was built next to the post office. The post office building is part of Maryborough's important civic area. This area includes the post office, the court house, and the town hall. They all surround a town square.
Changes Over Time
McLandress Square was created in front of the building around the 1880s. The Maryborough Town Hall was built nearby in 1888. The Maryborough Court House was built on another nearby site in 1892-93. This is when the court moved out of the post office building.
Over the years, the building has seen some changes. Signs were added above the main entrance. A war memorial was built in McLandress Square in 1926. Some parts of the building were updated inside around the 1920s.
More changes happened from the 1940s to the 1960s. A brick building for staff and a bike shed were added behind the post office. The back yard was paved. Small additions were made to the building itself. Private letter boxes were also installed.
Inside, some rooms were changed. Walls were moved to create new office spaces. The building also got new lighting and floor coverings. Fireplaces were updated. In the 1960s, the living areas (quarters) were also updated. A large telephone exchange building was built behind the post office.
In the 1970s, a brick garage was built. More private letter boxes were added before 1998. The 1990s brought ramps for disabled access. A new verandah was built over the private letter boxes. The main postal hall was updated with new counters and fittings for Australia Post.
What the Post Office Looks Like
Grand Design and Location
The Maryborough Post Office is located at 69 Clarendon Street. It's a very impressive building. It was built in 1876-77 as a combined court house and post office. The building has a grand Italian-style design. It features two sets of three-arch colonnades (rows of columns) and a tall clock tower.
The building is in the middle of an important area with other government buildings. They are all linked by the town square, McLandress Square. The Maryborough Town Hall and court house are also impressive Victorian-era buildings.
Key Features
The main part of the post office building is made of brick with a smooth finish. It sits on a bluestone base. The building has different sections for the residence (where the postmaster lived), the post office, and the old court functions.
The most striking part is the four-stage clock tower. It has a flagpole and a decorative top. The tower divides the main front of the building into two parts.
To the south (left side if you're facing it) is a tall, gabled section. This was the original court room. It has a projecting porch with three arches. This is now the main entrance to the post office.
To the north (right side) of the clock tower is a two-storey section. This part originally held the post and telegraph office on the ground floor. The living quarters were upstairs. This section also has a porch with three arches.
The building has decorative details all around. These include moulded string courses (horizontal bands) and brackets under the roof. The windows are generally arranged in a regular pattern.
Condition and Upkeep
From the outside, the Maryborough Post Office looks very much like it did when it was first built. Most changes have been at the back of the building. Things like disabled access ramps and new private letter boxes are small changes. The building has been well looked after.
Inside, there have been more changes over the years. Things like new floor coverings, ceilings, and lighting have been added. However, the main postal hall still has its original high ceiling. Many original windows and doors are still there.
Overall, the building is in good condition. It is well maintained.
Why It's Important
The Maryborough Post Office is a very important building. It was the first and main building in the group of public buildings around the town square. Its size and quality show how important Maryborough was during the gold rush in the 1800s.
This post office is special because it combined many functions. It was a post office, telegraph office, treasury, and court house, all in one building. This was uncommon. The original design of the building still clearly shows these different uses.
The post office is also a great example of a large public building from the 1870s. It was designed in the Italianate palazzo style. This style is grand and impressive. The building's location and its neighbours make it even more striking.
It's a well-known landmark in Maryborough. It's one of the most famous buildings in the town. It also marks the end of the view from Nolan Street and from the famous Maryborough railway station.
The building is known for its beautiful, balanced design. It combines different functions in a clever way. Together with the other public buildings around McLandress Square, it shows excellent town planning. The Maryborough Post Office has been a key part of the town for over 130 years. It reminds people of the town's beginnings and its wealth from the 1800s.
The building is also important because of the architects who worked on it. These include JH Marsden and William Wardell. Wardell's influence can be seen in the building's simple yet grand style.
The important parts of the Maryborough Post Office include the main building from 1877-78 and the clock tower. A brick and weatherboard outbuilding at the back also adds to its importance.
